Day 9 - 5 June, 2016

Balangshan area

A steep winding road takes us up onto Balang, rising through mixed forest of the lower valley into sub-alpine conifer, through to Yak pasture and eventually into a harsh alpine habitat of rocky ridge tops and scree. 

Balangshan Road winding towards its 4480 meter pass

Yak pasture with mountain views

Scree slope near Mountain pass

Road and road cutting near the pass

Yak drinking pink Yak milk

Classic glacial valleys now filled with yaks

'no birds? Look at flowers' -  Bob says

Glenis and Ray onto a Rubythroat?

White-tailed Rubythroat

Searching the scree

Balangshan is the best place for many game birds: Chinese Monal, White-eared Pheasant, Tibetan Snowcock, Snow Partridge, Golden Pheasant, Chestnut-throated Partridge, Koklass [heard] 

It is also a good place for rosefinches: Red-fronted, Streaked, Crimson-browed, Spot-winged, Chinese Beautiful, White-browed [heard]  and Dark-breasted. Common

Other good birds include: Grandala, Wallcreeper, Firethroat, Orange-flanked Bush Robin, White-browed Bush Robin, Giant Laughingthrush, White-tailed Rubythroat, Crested Tit Warbler, Collared and White-winged Grosbeak, Spotted Bush Warbler, Sichuan Tit, Kessler's and Chestnut Thrush.

Alpine Accentor

Tibetan Snowcock

Poor pic of a White throated Diper

Great first day  - weather beautiful – turned hot – many got burnt

Day started late because steve and I slept in. I must have knocked off the phone with alarm – so we slept through.

Excellent start with game birds – see above.