Saw two male Stonechats. On birch-trees Common Chiffchaffs and one Lesser Whitethroat were fed (both first this spring). Four Turkestan Shrikes. One of them looked very light. Closing him flushed one Hoopoe and flock of Greenfinches. I saw Hoopoes on the Republic Square later but it is uncommon case Hoopoes on the center of large city. Today Hoopoe didn't fly far. Some later bird came back and was fed easy near me. Greenfinches came back also. The pair of Turkestan Shrikes chasing one another. Had a glimpse of two Bluethroats and one Cetti's Warbler. Didn't see Chaffinches but saw one male White-winged Grosbeak. [...... read more ]

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Murky weather. Sparrowhawk appeared. [...... read more ]

Mixed flocks of finches (includes Chaffinches, Bramblings, Greenfinches). Four Turkestan Shrikes. Three of them hunted on one place periodically turning away one another. Again saw Black-throated Accentor on fir-tree. Probably Accentors will nest in city. Stonechats and Bluethroat flew. Saw th flock (6-7 birds) of Stonechats and one Bluethroat only. [...... read more ]

To south of Shelek to mountain side there are fields. On previous time it were grape and tabacco fields. But now most of them are vacant. Landscape is typical Tien Shan foothills. From time to time Pied and Isabelline Wheaters, Calandra Larks apeared. Both Wheaters and Larks were singing.The flock of Little Ringed Plovers, one Common Snipe, one Common Sandpiper, many Masked and Citrine Wagtails on the small lake. On the trees near the lake Greenfinches singed. The Long-legged Buzzard sat thereabout this place. Uneasy Ruddy Shelduck flyed and hovering sat near first place. When I closed Shelduck repeated action and sat some far from second place. My appearance alarmed all birds. Plovers also crying flew around me, Long-legged Buzzard and Snipe flew out, Wagtails flew to another side of the lake.When went ot mountain side flushed one Booted Eagle. On the gorge biginning there are bushes and several old large ashes. There are many birds in this place. Corn Buntings sing all around and continual. [...... read more ]

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At 8 AM on Dostyk street saw Great Spotted Woodpecker on the top of old poplar. Although I didn't make photos but beginning of the day was very nice. I spotted Woodpecker by specific flight. Woodpecker flew to the city side not to the mountains.Road to Shelek. High wind, cloudly. On Malovodnoe saw flock of Goldfinches but didn't spy it's heads. On Teskensu saw this spring first Barn Swallow. After Lavar Swallows were common. On Shelek the wind was very high. Bird weren't looked. After the dinner short walked to Sarybulak. Saw large flock of Black-throated Thrushes, yet not migrated Chaffinches and one Black Redstart. On Shelek's sky this spring first Kite. When the wind was flatten the flocks of Indian Sparrows appeared.On early evening went to Bartogai reservoir and Nura village. At Nura met with berkutchi (hawker) and photographed him and his two Golden Eagles.On the road above the rocks saw the flock of Lesser Kestrels (8 birds). This spring first Lesser Kestrels. Before the sunset the [...... read more ]

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Today in city there are not enough birds. The silence in the city. Only there are on the Republic Square usual Blackbirds and Great Tit, and specific spring singing (but more chasing one after another) Greenfinches. At evening saw the flock of Black-throated Thrushes in the district. Five-six birds in the beginning have sat down on tree but later crying have flown through a roof and have disappeared. I saw only Thrush's silhouettes and have identified birds mainly by a voice. [...... read more ]

At dinner time walk to Square. Today's intention was photos of bright black-headed male Brambling. Bramblings are inappreciable birds while have bright color. It is very difficult to find its on last year leaves. But it's to close them and flock fly at once. I went to one place where Chaffinches and Bramblings were fed often. Birds were dismayed but it was predicted. Sat under the tree and waited when birds will come back. After five minute flew three birds. Two female and one male of Red Crossbills. As last time Crossbills began to eat wild apples. Probably Crossbills fly to dinner at right dinner time :-). Some apart to along crab Crossbills, Chaffinches and Bramblings flew also. When I tried to close Chaffinches and Bramblings dispersed. But Crossbills didn't fly far away. Several females sat on next fir-trees but one male stayed on wild apple. Crossbills aren't scary birds as other birds. It is possible to close them about three-four meters. Especially if they sit on high branches of [...... read more ]

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A short walk. Didn't find Crossbills today. Saw one Turkestan Shrike and pair of Black-throated Accentor. [...... read more ]

Afternoon isn't a good time to watch the birds. Really birds are not a lot. But there are many birds on some places. Birds fed under the trees when last years leaves lie on ground. A lot of different finches. Mainly Chaffinches, some less Bramblings and Greenfinches. All these birds sing active but Chaffinches and Bramblings wash in pools also.Today's main meeting is Red Crossbills. It's a good that Crossbills are not so scary as other birds. And it's good that today afternoon is sunny. So by these two causes I could make some photos. Crossbills were fed last years friuts of crabs mainly on trees. But one female weae fed on the ground. Crossbills picked off fruit and further nipped them. Possible these birds are from Tien Shan race. The bills of this race birds aren't massive. Birds have seemed to me less size than birds I saw in the winter in Astana. [...... read more ]

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The reservoir near Baiserke. There are several Reed Buntings, one probably Greenish Warbler in the reeds. Masked Wagtails fly with cheeps above the water. On the middle of reservoir there are many birds. Probably half of them are Black-headed Gulls. There are ducks. Shovelers (about 20 birds), Tufted Ducks (about 10) and one male Pochard. From time to time Lapwings fly to other side of reservoir. One Great Cormorant flew. Many Crested Grebes. Crested Grebes are coolest of the today birds. They closed about fifteen meters to me but dived on a little danger. Twice saw a Grebes spring games. Also saw this spring first Coots (3 birds).Near Kapchagai reservoir saw Common Kestrels (6-7 birds). So far Chaffinches are present, also I saw one female Brambling. From the car window saw one male Pheasant. Amazing but saw only one Turkestan shrike. But saw two male Pied Wheatears. They didn't fly far way but didn't give to close it. Therefore photos are not so good.On roadside bushes there are large [...... read more ]

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