Bakanas. Balkhash region. Alma-Ata oblast.

Malai-Sary pass. The sands begin. Not a lot of birds. Common bird is Red-headed Bunting. In respect that these birds have very bright color, loud sounds and number of birds, seems that only Red-headed Buntings occurs all around. Turkestan Shrikes (both pale and bright), Isabelline Wheaters, Rollers occur. Raptors are one Long-legged Buzzard and two Kites only.

Bakbakty. Near the rice fields European Turtle Doves, Red-headed Buntings sat on the wires. On the fields saw two Grey Herons, several Common Terns. The pair of Great Grey Shrikes sat probably near the nest.

Bakanas. Collared Doves, Mynahs, House and Tree Sparrows, Barn Swallows (young birds have short tails and I thought that it were Sand Martins), Rollers, Kestrel, many Cuckoos. On the roadside little lake saw female Gadwall with ducklings and several Coots. All birds are very scary. Probably because many hunters like these places. But I didn't hear any shot.

Bura. Saxaul forests. Silence. Occasionally heard catcalls of gophers. Number of lizards more than number of birds. In these places cloud of birds not fly out on man's appear. Little grey birds scurry on saxaul branches but nobody fly above the trees. Rufous Bush Robin sing only. But bird also very scary. Robin didn't allow to close them but occurred several times.

But on roadside bushes near Bura there were some more birds. But its not observed. A lot of Bush Robins, all of them sang but wasn't possibility to occur them. Saw only Shikra, Turkestan Tit and two species of sparrows (Indian and Saxaul Sparrows). Properly I went to find Saxaul Sparrow. But the bird was very scary and I could to observe it through bush's branches. Bird has not yellow crown as on books pictures but yellowish-orange.

All farther time I tried to find birds places. The road to Karaoi bypassed by holm bushes. The same bushes are on another bank of Ili river. Only Red-headed Buntings occurred but Bush Robins were hearable only. I didn't find another dry saxaul forests.

1. Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)

2. European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur arenicola)

3. Red-headed Bunting (Emberiza bruniceps)

4. Turkestan Shrike (Lanius phoenicuroides karelini)

5. Shikra (Accipiter badius cenchroides)