Exciting and spectacular October at Besh Barmag bottleneck!

Text © Zulfu Farajli

After 20 intense days of birdwatching, our dedicated counting team has now recorded a massive 854,312 birds migrating south. This season has not only delivered incredible numbers but also some truly exciting highlights we’re thrilled to share.

“Little Bustard Bonanza”

One of the most thrilling days was October 22, when we counted an astonishing 101,530 Little Bustards in a single day! Yes, you read that right—over 100,000 Little Bustards! This pushed our Little Bustard count past 170,000—an all-time record for the site! And with colder November days just around the corner, we’re daring to hope this number might soar above 200,000—a massive 50–80% of the estimated global population for the species, roughly between 250,000 and 500,000, according to BirdLife International (2024) and Morales et al. (2021).

Videos of Little Bustard migration © Fred Olk

Rare and Exciting Sightings

The excitement didn’t stop there. On October 29, our team spotted a Hume’s Warbler—only the second recorded sighting of this species in the country (the first being in March 2023). And not only were we able to photograph it, but we also managed to capture an audio recording, which you can listen to here on Xeno-canto.

In an added treat, a Rustic Bunting also appeared on the same day—a rare migrant for Azerbaijan and a big thrill for our team, given how infrequently it’s observed in the region. Initially spotted in the early morning, this elusive bunting was later confirmed in our audio recordings.

Gulls, Raptors, and a Black-Winged Kite Surprise

Another captivating day was October 17, when over 200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls passed through, including Steppe Gulls and Heuglin’s Gulls—species that are often overlooked. Then on October 20, alongside nearly 40,000 Little Bustards, we observed 2,690 Northern Lapwings, around 700 eagles (mostly Steppe Eagles), and an incredible 30,000 larks.

October also saw the arrival of pelicans and herons, with 137 Great White Pelicans and nearly 1,500 Great Egrets counted on October 22. Raptor migration was also strong, with various species spotted.

One of the biggest highlights of the season came on October 25 with the sighting of an adult Black-winged Kite migrating north. This marked just the second observation from Beshbarmag and the 14th for Azerbaijan—a bird recently expanding its range in the Caucasus and possibly now breeding in the country (Farajli Z., in litt.). On the same day, more than 10,000 cormorants and nearly 60,000 starlings streamed south, filling the skies.

On October 27, the loud vocals of nearly 300 cranes echoed as 24,000 Little Bustards passed before the lush green backdrop of the Greater Caucasus—an unforgettable sight for the counters

Duck Day Surprises and More

October 14 brought what we now call “Duck Day,” featuring a count of 1,531 Pintails, 255 Pochards, and nearly 800 Tufted Ducks! Among this waterfowl extravaganza, a Velvet Scoter was also observed—a rare annual migrant for the country and a very uncommon sight at Beshbarmag.

The lark migration also peaked this month, with over 20,000 Calandra Larks recorded on October 16 and more than 5,000 Skylarks on October 29. Across the season, our lark counts have now surpassed 150,000, emphasizing how critical this route is for migrating larks.

Continuing with notable observations, we’ve also recorded up to three recently split Siberian Pipits and two Pine Buntings in the last 10 days! Though both species migrate through annually, they often go unnoticed in Azerbaijan and the broader Caucasus region, making these sightings extra special.

Looking Forward

With colder days approaching, we eagerly await the season’s finale. Will we reach 200,000 Little Bustards? Are more rare sightings on the horizon? Follow along as we document this extraordinary migration journey!

With November approaching and forecasts hinting at some favorable southern winds, we’re expecting an even stronger migration wave. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to support our work!

For more, follow our daily counts here – https://trektellen.org/count/view/1533/20241030\

Visiting the site

You can visit the counting station at Besh Barmag as a birdwatching tourist at any time you want. This is for free and you are very welcome! Due to the limited space in the accommodation in Zarat and daily transportation to the counting spot we prioritise our counters, but we can help to organise stays nearby for touristic visitors.

Support us

You can not make it this time to Azerbaijan, but you wish to support us? Please consider to make a donation or forward our fundraising campaign: