Balkhash region. Alma-Ata oblast.

Bura. 5 am. On same place as yesterday found three Saxaul Sparrows. One bird was very scary. I could spy it on binocular only. But other two allowed to make photos but through bushes only.

Several times Kite hovered over the road. Once the Shikra tried to hunt away Kite. But Kite didn't pay attention and flew out. Ten Hoopoes sat on wires. Birds sat against the sun and I thought that birds are Bee-eaters. This time Hoopoes assembled to large groups. Several flocks of Rosy Pastors flew. Mynahs followed to cows. Yesterday little grey birds were the Lesser Whitethroats.

Deepened to saxaul forest. Several time I heard sparrows cheeping but did't see sparrows. Another birds also.

Bakanas. There are reeds over the rice fields near Bakanas and Bakbakty. Many birds live in the reeds. Mostly Red-headed Buntings, Turkestan Shrikes, Hoopoes, Cuckoos, Rollers. Once saw Red-headed Bunting driving away the Cuckoo. On the water faraway saw Grey Heron but on roadside little lakes saw Coots and Little Bittern. The songs of Warblers were hearable allaround. But I could make photos of one of them. It was Paddyfield Warbler.

Over the Tasmurun pass the steppe zone begins. Not only Red-headed Bunting occurred but larks also. Mostly Calandra Larks. Over the road Kites hovered. Once saw Long-legged Buzzard. Further southward saw Kestrels and Hobbies.

Kapchagai. Scared all the birds on the little marsh. Moorhens cried to nestlings to hide in reeds. Lapwings, Rooks and Black-winged Stilts crying hovered over me but Stilts also tried to spot me. Hoopoes (seven-eight birds) and Common Starlings cool flew out. But Barn Swallows didn't pay attention me. Young birds sat on reed and waited when parents fed them. When parents flew juveniles began to cry, open the beaks and wings. The tails of young birds are very short but birds fly very masterful.

1. Saxaul Sparrow (Passer ammodendri nigricans)

2. Saxaul Sparrow (Passer ammodendri nigricans)

3. Black Kite (Milvus migrans migrans)

4. Shikra (Accipiter badius cenchroides)

5. Red-headed Bunting (Emberiza bruniceps)

6. Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)

7. Paddyfield Warbler (Acrocephalus agricola brevipennis)

8. Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

9. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

10. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

11. Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

12. Juvenile Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica rustica)