Last day in the Mountains

After Klaus and Gabby had found the Black throated Accentor we made one last early morning attempt to locate the bird. Again we followed the stream bed on the initial steep climb through the forest up to the boulder fields and grassy areas with scattered trees. Klaus led us to a flatter, orchard like area where we listened intently. A couple of Dunnocks were heard but the Black throated Accentor was much more elusive. Eventually it did show briefly but only a couple of people managed to see it. We did see a male Pine Grosbeak which was some reward for our efforts.

Pine Grosbeak

So we set off back on our long journey back. It wasnt long though before we came to an abrupt halt at one of the bridges. It was being repaired. It looked as if we were going to be stuck for some time but with scant regard for 'elf and safety we were over in 15 minutes.

Bridge repairs

The rest of the journey was fairly uneventful apart from the odd tyre change as a result of an earlier puncture. After a welcome sleep in a proper bed at our hotel there was still time for some birding the following morning on the outskirts of Ekaterinburg before our flight back. Most of the group had another look at the area round the airport marshes in a forlorn attempt to find Azure Tit before moving on to another marshy woodland area to look for Lanceolated warbler. This time, Bingo, we all had great views of the Lancy to round off a largely very successful tour. OK the Mosquitoes and the Toilet arrangements and my feet were a pain, but you couldn't ask for a nicer group of people to endure a few 'inconveniences' with. Thanks go to Vaughan, Sveta and the rest of the group for their good humour throughout.