Over 100,000 little Bustards

TARGET SPECIES include: Caucasian Snowcock, Guldenstadts Redstart, Red Fronted Serin, Caucasian Twite, Wallcreeper, Black Francolin, White Tailed Lapwing, Caspian Tit, White Winged Lark, Siberian Buff-bellied Pipit, Black Throated Thrush and that is just a sample!

Dates: 17th - 24th January 2025
£2,750 for a flight-inclusive holiday tour in Azerbaijan, with a base in Baku, the capital city.

Depart London Heathrow on BA flight at 13.55hrs 17th January, arriving Budapest at 17.25hrs. At 2250hrs we transfer on a direct Wizzair flight to Baku arriving at 0540hrs. We will then be taken to the Hotel Ibis where we will check in and have a short rest before starting the tour at 10am and visiting 2 reserves close to Baku. Target species will include coastal birds. The tour leader will be Elvin Mammadsoy, who is a well respected local wildlife expert.

Day 2 first full day out will include visits to Lake Shirvan famous for Little Bustards (October 22 count was 101,000 birds), Long Legged Buzzards and many other species can be seen in winter. 18th, 19th and 20th will be based at the Hotel Ibis in Baku close to the Old Town (widely regarded as the cities most beautiful quarter).

On January 21st we move to the foothills of the QBA Mountains and look for species such as Güldenstädt's Redstart, Red Fronted Serin, Caspian Tit and many more. On January 23 we move back to Baku visiting good sites en route.

During the evening we will visit a traditional Ajerbaijan restaurant in the old town. The 24th will be spent visiting Lake Shirvan again and seeing the Little Bustards.
Journey home will start on Friday 25th at 0625hrs with Wizzair flight to Budapest arriving at 0750hrs.We will then transfer to a BA flight departing at 1225hrs and arriving at Heathrow at 14.20hrs.