Depending on the available flight schedule, we will depart from our hotel at noon for the Yakutsk Domestic Airport for our flight aboard a small aircraft to the far north. Chokurdah is located 1300 km northeast of Yakutsk, on the shores of the Indigirka River, close to the East Siberian Sea. Here we will be far from civilization! This little town is disconnected from the outside world by road for most of the year. It is only in the winter, when the tundra freezes over, that the village becomes accessible by ‘road’. After some paperwork, we will head for our accommodations for our first night in this northern outpost. Within walking distance of our hotel, we will be able to find some lovely birds like Dusky Thrush (very common), Siberian Accentor, Pallas’s Bunting, and Vega Herring Gull.

NIGHT | Basic hotel/apartment in Chokurdah

For the next seven days, we will explore the Indigirka River Delta from our private camp near a self-built ornithological station. Our forays into the surrounding area will be on foot and by boat. Numerous exquisite species call this tundra home, and we will be on the hunt for some of the best examples. The remoteness of this location and lack of hunting here has a noticeably positive effect on the birds. Most of the birds here are not used to being around humans; meaning many are easily approachable. Of course, our primary reason for visiting these untouched lands are the nearby breeding colonies of Ross’s Gull – within walking distance of our tented camp! This gorgeous little gull only breeds in isolated regions of northern Greenland and, here, in arctic Russia. We will spend much time studying and photographing these magnificent creatures. Another top bird found here is the critically endangered Siberian Crane – the rarest member of the crane family. These elegant snow-white birds are veritably common around our tented camp to have been a daily fixture on previous trips to the region.

On and around the many small lakes, we will find many beautiful species, including a trio of eiders – Spectacled, King, and Steller’s. All three species are very desirable and occur only in remote parts of the arctic. Here we can also come across Baikal Teal, Long-tailed Duck, White-winged Scoter, and Sandhill Cranes, all commonly found in the vicinity. This area is attractive for no less than four species of diver; Red-throated, Arctic, Pacific, and the enormous Yellow-billed Diver. The latter is a crucial target for many. Our team has constructed a small hide near the lake where this enigmatic species breeds. Massive amounts of waders breed in the arctic, using the never-ending summer days to raise their young. In full summer plumage, we may find the fantastic Pacific Golden Plover, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Ruff, and Long-billed Dowitchers. The skies here are full of predators looking for an easy meal – Arctic Jaeger, Pomarine Skua, and Long-tailed Jaeger are all notable. The birdlife here is amazingly plentiful, other commonly observed species include Red-throated Pipit, Little Bunting, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, and Lapland Longspur. On the last day, we motor back to the tiny city of Chokurdah, by boat, where more Dusky Thrush will undoubtedly be waiting.

NIGHTS | Basic tented camp

Today our schedule involves a tour of the region surrounding the village with new additions likely. Some of the species here that we may have not already encountered include Wood Sandpiper, East-Siberian Wagtail race ‘ocularis,’ Glaucus Gull, Redpoll, and Bean Goose. We will spend one last evening at Chokurdah’s only hotel!

NIGHT | Basic hotel/apartment in Chokurdah.

This morning we will board our flight back to civilization after an extraordinary experience in the Russian tundra. In the evening we can enjoy a feast in one of the many excellent restaurants in Yakutsk. This feast will go together, for those who are interested, with a shot of good Russian Vodka! A fitting toast to our arctic adventure.

NIGHT | Comfortable tourist hotel in Yakutsk

Our final days of birding around Yakutsk will be at one of the ornithological stations in the forest west of the city. On our way, we can stop at various lakes where White-winged Terns will prove plentiful. Eurasian Hobbies will be hunting for dragonflies while Black-eared Kites patrol the roads for roadkill. In the forest, we will search for ‘brevirostris’ Great Spotted Woodpecker, while the songs of Pine- and Black-faced Buntings echo in the background. The rarest catch of the day could be the critically endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting. This brightly-coloured, attractive bunting has a peculiar call which proves the best way of finding it. They are usually found atop small willow bushes.

We will continue exploring the area around Yakutsk with an excursion to the taiga forests along the Lena River. In this gorgeous transitional habitat, new birds will quickly appear, with gems such as Siberian Rubythroat, Brown Shrike, and Oriental Cuckoo all breeding here. We will do our best to show you the lovely Rustic Bunting, Red-flanked Bluetail, and hopefully the appealing Yellow-browed Bunting.  Above the forest, vast swirling flocks Pacific Swifts often disguise the odd Eastern Buzzard. In marshes near the Lena river, Lanceolated and Pallas’s Grasshopper Warblers are common and will be heard singing their respective songs. Perched alongside the road, we may find attractive Japanese Stonechat or the ‘stejnegeri’ race of Common Stonechat, while Naumann’s Thrushes forage nearby in the grassy meadows.

In the evening, we return to our hotel to get ready for the flight back home. Naturally, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner in the evening to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

NIGHT | Comfortable tourist hotel, Yakutsk

Everyone will have a day room until 11 am in our tourist hotel in Yakutsk prior to the airport transfer.