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Russia Altai
The area of Altai consists of The Republic of Gomo-Attay and the 'Oblast' of Altay. Altai mountain system is the highest one inside South Siberia. Some peaks are more than 4200m in height. Because of the continental climate, they experience a lot of precipitation here, and peaks are covered with snow all the year. The steppes rise to 500m above sea level on the north mountainsides and to 1500m on the south side. The steppes are replaced by spruce and fir forests in wet places and by cedar and pine or larch forests in dry lands. Further up the mountains are alpine meadows. The most beautiful sites are mountain lakes with steep rocky banks and rivers, which run in canyons. |
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Altaisky Reserve
This site is situated in the north-east part of the Altai Mountains close to Teletskoe Lake. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded here. The typical taiga and tundra landscapes of South Siberian Mountainsis represented on the reserve. Altitudinal zones can be easily seen here where Dark coniferous forests, which consist of fir, cedar-pine and sometimes larch, change to sub-alpine lighter forests. The highest level is an alpine one, and it includes bush tundra, alpine meadows and stone tundra. High up to the mountains it is possible to see Altaic Snow-cock, Chukar, Tundra Grouse & Willow Grouse. Some interesting bird species inhabit the rocky banks of Teletskoe Lake. These are Saker Falcon, Golden Eagle, Long-tailed Eagle and White-tailed Eagle. On the numerous small lakes breed Black-Throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe and European Cormorant. The most common Ducks are Ruddy Shelduck, Goosander & Golden-eye. Nine species of Owls live here, and the most numerous of them are Marsh Owl and Scops Owl. You will also enjoy some specialities, such as Rock Dove, Siberian Swift & Hoopoe.Chumysh Rivermouth
This area consists of flat forest-steppe; typical of the countryside of the Altai region. It’s a unique wetland with floodplain willow forests and sedge marshes. A lot of waterfowl and waterloving birds have nest sites on the wetlands, but the most interesting time for breeding birds here is April and the first half of May. At this time river channels and flood reservoirs give places to rest during migration and many Geese, Ducks and other birds take advantage of it. Here you can find big groups of Great Crested Grebe, Great White Heron, Bean Goose and Whooper Swans. It is also noteworthy that a lot of waterfowl species spend winter in this territory.Katunsky Reserve
This site has all the multiplicity of birds of Altai Mountain Country and you can find very different landscapes here. During an excursion to the mountain forests and alpine meadows it’s easy to see such typical birds as Eastern Solitary Snipe, Altaic Snowcock, Caucasian Grosbeak, Tundra Grouse, Willow Grouse, Capercaille, Pin-tailed Snipe and White-winged Grosbeak. Moreover, you can find some rare birds here too such as Osprey, Golden Eagle, Palid Harrier, Saker Falcon, Common Dotterel, Peregrine and even Eagle Owl.contributor |
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Olga Batova
Ornithologist
(Ecological Travel Center - Moscow)
info@ecotravel.ru
http://www.ecotravel.ru
useful reading |
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A Field Guide to Birds of Russia and Adjacent Territories
V. Flint, R. Boehme, Y. Kostin, A. Kuznetsov Paperback - 440 pages (December 1983) Princeton University PressISBN: 0691024308
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Where to Watch Birds in Europe & Russia
Nigel Wheatly Paperback - 416 pages (28 April, 2000) Christopher HelmISBN: 0713648708
Buy this book from NHBS.com
reserves |
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Altaisky Reserve
http://www.wild-russia.org/bioregion9/9-altai.htm(Adjacent to Central Siberia) Is located in Turachaksky and Ulagansky disricts of the Republic of Altai, between Northeast and Central Altai mountains. It was created in 1932. The area of 881,200 hectares, including 28,800 hectares of wetlands and Lake Teletskoye water area. More than 300 species of birds are recorded including rare and endangered species such as Golden Eagle, Altai Snowcock, and Black Stork.
Artabasch village, Turachaksky district, Republic Altai, 659554Phone: +7 38843 27426, +7 38843 27435 altnr@mail.gorny.ru
trip reports |
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Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can’t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page… give them a try!
tour operators |
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Ecological Travel Center
http://www.ecotravel.ru/eng/tours/1/75/The Altai Mountain is a beautiful part of wildlife on the Earth. If you are interested in birds and Altai Mountain you may join to Bird Watching trip 'Listening to the sky'. The route passes through the alpine Ukok Plato and Teletskoe Lake. During the trip we may observe about 120 species of birds. Here you will be able to meet such rare species as Imperial Eagle, Sacer Falkon, Demoiselle Crane, Whooper Swan, endemic species Altai Snowcock, Brandt’a Mountain Finch, Pallas’s Rose Finch. Besides, such species as Bar Headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck nest on the shores of beautiful unique alpine lakes...
mailing lists |
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Birds in Russia
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/BirdsinRussia/To post to list:BirdsinRussia@yahoogroups.com
List contact:BirdsinRussia-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:BirdsinRussia-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Information and discussion list on all aspects of biology, ecology, behaviour, number, distribution, migrations and conservation etc. of all bird species of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia (within the borders of the ex-USSR). Founder Jevgeni Shergalin.
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