Bird-Photo-Tours Asia Qinghai trip focuses on the northwestern Chinese Province of Qinghai, the fourth-largest province in China but with one of the lowest population densities. Much of the province is over 3,000 meters in elevation and mostly comprises of the Tibetan Plateau, a magical place known as the “Roof of the World’ with an exceptionally high proportion of plateau specialist bird species. Qinghai is located on the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau. The Yellow River, China’s second longest river, originates in the southern part of the province, while the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world, both have their sources in the southwest of Qinghai province. This Bird-Photo-Tours Asia expedition starts and ends in Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, and will pass through the huge, saline Qinghai Lake, China’s largest lake, after which the province itself is named. Our three-week Bird-Photo-Tour traverses some stunning landscapes in pursuit of a number of exceptional birds including ten endemic species: Sillem’s Rosefinch, Tibetan Rosefinch, Tibetan Bunting, Przevalski’s Redstart, Przevalski’s Partridge, Przevalski’s Finch, Tibetan Babax, White Eared Pheasant, White-browed Tit and Gansu Leaf Warbler.
10 Endemics: Tibetan Rosefinch / Tibetan Bunting / Przevalski’s Finch / White Eared Pheasant / Przevalski’s Redstart / White-browed Tit / Gansu Leaf Warbler / Tibetan Babax / Przevalski’s Partridge / Tibetan Snowfinch.
Finches / Buntings: Sillem’s Rosefinch / Tibetan Rosefinch / Przevalski’s Finch / Tibetan Bunting.
Pheasants / Partridges: White Eared Pheasant / Przevalski’s Partridge / Tibetan Partridge.
Redstarts / Tits / Larks: Przevalski’s Redstart / White-browed Tit / Tibetan Lark / Mongolian Lark.
Warblers: Gansu Leaf Warbler / Hume’s Leaf Warbler / Tickell’s Leaf Warbler / Smoky Warbler / Greenish Warbler.
Snowfinches: Rufous-necked Snowfinch / White-rumped Snowfinch / Black-winged Snowfinch / Tibetan Snowfinch / Pere David’s Snowfinch / Blanford’s Snowfinch.
Vultures / Raptors: Bearded Vulture / Himalayan Griffon Vulture / Cinereous Vulture / Himalayan Buzzard / Upland Buzzard / Golden Eagle / Saker Falcon.
Others: Tibetan Babax / Henderson’s Ground Jay / Chinese Rubythroat
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Xining Prefecture, Qinghai
Days 1-2: Chengdong County [1N / 0D / 1S]. Targets: Pale Rosefinch / Pied Wheatear / Godlewski’s Bunting.
Days 2-3: Datong County [1N / 0D / 2S]. Targets: Gansu Leaf Warbler / Hume’s Leaf Warbler / Chestnut Thrush.
Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai
Days 3-6: Dulan County [3N / 2D / 5S]. Targets: Przevalski’s Redstart / White-winged Grosbeak / Pine Buning / Tickell’s Leaf Warbler.
Days 6-9: Wulan County [3N / 2D / 5S]. Targets: Henderson’s Ground Jay / Hume’s Short-toed Lark.
Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai
Days 9-12: Gonghe County [3N / 2D / 5S]. Targets: Przevalski’s Finch / Smoky Warbler / Mongolian Lark / Hume’s Short-toed Lark / Pere David’s Snowfinch / Pine Bunting / Mongolian Finch / Crested Lark.
Days 12-15: Xinghai County [3N / 2D / 5S]. Targets: Tibetan Rosefinch / Tibetan Snowfinch.
Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai
Days 15-19 Chenduo County [4N / 3D / 6S]. Targets: Chinese Rubythroat
Days 19-23: Yushu City [4N / 3D / 6S]. Targets: Lammergeir / Black-winged Snowfinch / Rufous-necked Snowfinch / Brandt’s / Plain Mountain Finch / Tibetan Partridge.
Days 23-27: Nangqian County [4N / 3D / 7S]. Targets: Tibetan Bunting / Tibetan Babax / White Eared Pheasant / Tibetan Partridge / Ibisbill.
SILLEM'S ROSEFINCH EXTENSION
Haixi Prefecture, Qinghai
Days 1-4 Ge’ermu County [3N / 3D / 6S]. PTargets: Sillem’s Rosefinch / Przevalski’s Partridge / Great Rosefinch / Desert Wheatear / Brown Accentor / Blanford’s Snowfinch.
[Key: N=Night, D=Full Day, S = Session / Half-Day]
Steven was born in Gansu Province in northwest China before moving to Jiangxi Province on China’s east coast where he graduated as an International Tour Guide. Commencing trading as a guide, Steven initially focused on cultural tours before moving to bird guiding in 2008. This move into ecotourism was influenced by China’s largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake in Jiangxi Province, which in winter is home to 98% of the global population of the critically endangered Siberian Crane. It was a 2008 encounter with that species that proved pivotal and sparked Steven’s passion for birds. Fast forwarding 15-years, Steven is now one of China’s top bird guides, leading tours throughout most of China’s important bird photography locations. Steven’s kind and gentle personality, fluent English language skills, sound field identification abilities, care and thoughtfulness for others, and in particular his strong knowledge of how to support the needs of the bird photographer, have all combined to produce Steven’s strong guiding reputation especially so within the bird photography community.
: Parrotbills
: Qinghai
: Southern
: Yunnan
: Cranes
: Pheasants
: Parrotbills
: Qinghai
: Southern
: Yunnan
: Cranes
: Pheasants
: Parrotbills
: Qinghai
: Southern
: Yunnan
: Cranes
: Pheasants
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is some requirement to hike or climb. (iv) Some of the locations are at altitude from 3,500m-5,000m (v) There is no camping. Summary: as there is some hiking and as some of the locations are at altitude, this trip has been graded as 'Medium'.
