AFGHANISTAN EXPEDITION – Afghan Snowfinch and Large-billed Reed Warbler

AFGHANISTAN EXPEDITION: OVERVIEW

Whatever you think of the Taliban government of Afghanistan, they have brought improved security to the country as compared with the situation under the previous government. Nonetheless, western governments maintain generalised warnings about visiting the country, so going there is a personal choice.

Mark Beaman first saw the little-known Afghan Snowfinch or Theresa’s Snowfinch in the wild Hindu Kush mountains at the scenic Band-e-Amir National Park in July 1973. Indeed Mark reached Kabul on the very day the Afghan monarchy was overthrown in a revolution, and the country has been troubled ever since!

With Bamiyan (or Bamyan) region nowadays being a consistently peaceful part of Afghanistan, pioneering birders can visit once more. This is surely a real adventure for a very special bird: the Afghan Snowfinch is on hardly anyone’s life list!

Further to the northwest, in the valley of the ancient Oxus River, the big prize is the very restricted-range Large-billed (or Long-billed) Reed Warbler, a species that breeds only in northwest Afghanistan and adjacent southeast Tadjikistan.

This expedition can be taken together with: NORTHERN PAKISTAN

Accommodation & Road Transport: In Bamiyan, the hotel is medium quality. In the northwest, the guesthouses are basic with shared facilities. Road transport will be by 4×4 cars. Nowadays, roads are mostly of reasonable quality, but we will still have to use rough dirt roads in some places.

Walking: The walking effort during our expedition is easy to moderate.

Climate: It will be cool to warm or even hot, with mostly dry and sunny conditions but overcast weather and even rain are possible.

Bird Photography: Opportunities during our expedition will be quite good but limited.

Note for female participants: The Taliban government in Afghanistan require female visitors to wear a headscarf and to dress modestly. No, you do not have to wear a burka!