Great mix of species at Besh Barmag in November

Text © Zülfü Fərəcli

November team at the counting station © Leyla Muslim

The Besh Barmag Bird Migration Count has now logged 75 days of tracking for the autumn of 2023. As the station braces for plummeting temperatures, sightings of winter birds have commenced.

On November 4th, noteworthy sightings included over 1000 Pintails, 79 Dalmatian Pelicans, and 39 Wigeons, despite the presence of strong winds.

On the 5th of November, the counters were delighted by a rich and varied display of migrating species. Among the highlights were the sighting of 42 Eurasian Greater White-fronted Geese, accompanied by an additional 90 geese of various species. Other notable observations included a remarkable tally of 516 Meadow Pipits and a charming flock of 30 Waxwings. With this observation the counters recorded the highest influx of Waxwings at the bottleneck to date, tallying an impressive 55 individuals in just the first half of November! Notably, the day provided an exciting first for the counts with the recording of 5 Red Crossbills, a moment meticulously preserved in the sound recorder (https://trektellen.org/count/view/1533/20231105).

(Sonogram of Red Crossbill flock – Identifed as Type C and Type X calls)

Undoubtedly, the standout feature in November’s counts is the arrival of the Little Bustard flocks. The peak day, observed on November 8th, witnessed an impressive spectacle with over 1100 individuals migrating south, contributing to a cumulative total of 10,463 birds. With warmer weather conditions on specific days, slowing their movements, anticipations are high for an increased influx of this species in the days to come!

As predicted, the initial half of November yielded a substantial influx of both Great and Pygmy Cormorants. Particularly noteworthy was the sighting on the 8th, when an unending stream of over 9200 Great Cormorants flew by, significantly elevating the cumulative count of this species to 85,221 individuals. Additionally, a remarkable total of 2294 Reed Buntings moving south was recorded, marking the highest count ever documented at the station. Also, the day featured the first-ever sighting of migrating Long-tailed Tits migrating through bushes, along with Blue Tits near the station. Another highlight was the overhead presence of a flock of 7 Great Black-headed Gulls and single Siberian Buff-bellied Pipit (https://trektellen.org/count/view/1533/20231108).

Group of students visit the counting station © Leyla Muslim

Participants of a FAM trip in the bottleneck area

Meanwhile, the most impressive day for Pygmy Cormorants during the month occurred on the 12th, with 887 individuals, leaving a gratifying impression on the diligent counters. Additionally, a flock of 76 Greater White-fronted Geese flying overhead observers was a nice touch to the final moments of our daily count.

The most exceptional day for corvids thus far unfolded on the 5th, as 8848 Rooks and 148 Jackdaws captivated the attention of the diligent counters, keeping their clickers constantly active. Similarly, the notable presence of over 5220 Chaffinches, 325 Bramblings, 579 Greenfinches, and 371 Goldfinches on that same day is destined to linger in the memories of the observers (https://trektellen.org/count/view/1533/20231105).

Some special records within the first half of the month include 2 White-winged Larks on 11th and a Red-rumped Swallow going north on 14th. On both the 2nd and 6th of the month, the observing team experienced a delightful encounter with Black-bellied Sandgrouses, enjoying close-up views. The anticipation is high as more of these individuals are expected in the coming days. Furthermore, on the 6th, an additional highlight unfolded as a Kittiwake was spotted on the Caspian Sea. Although the views were somewhat distant, the sighting of this scarce migrant at the bottleneck brought joy to the observers.

Stay connected with us by following our daily count results on Trektellen (https://trektellen.nl/count/view/1533/20231115).

If you’re interested in supporting this groundbreaking project in Azerbaijan, here are several ways to get involved:

Join Us: You are very welcome to join the count next year!
Make a Donation: Even small contributions can have a significant impact on our financial stability and our ability to continue this vital work in the following year. Consider making a donation at https://birdingazerbaijan.org/donate/.
Explore Azerbaijan: Birding Azerbaijan offers tailor-made tours and collaborates with tour operators. The proceeds from these tours directly support the Besh Barmag Bird Migration Count. Why not join a spring trip in Azerbaijan in 2024? Learn more at https://birdingazerbaijan.org/travel/.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to sharing more remarkable bird migration experiences with you on this blog, Facebook and Instagram.

The Besh team also thanks OSME and FairWind for financial support!