Abr Forest, 30 June 2016

Abr Forest is one of my favorite places in Iran. Every year I guide at least one hiking tour in there. Located in north-east of Iran, is an ecotone zone between Hyrcanian forests and semi-desert plains of Shahrud.

On June 30 we went there for a one day birding and hiking.

There were 5 juvenile Lesser Grey Shrikes on a Apricot tree begging for food from parents.

Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor)

Lesser Grey Shrike

There were also Linnets, Chaffinches, Tree and House Sparrows

Linnet

In the heights we saw Rock Thrush, Siberian Stonechat, Red Fronted Serin and ...

Female Siberian Stonechat on a Juniperus communis

Rock Thrush

Juvenile Black Redstart

Hipparchia turcmenica?

Polyommatus agestis

Juniperus sabina and Silene sp?

Bastam plain