Karakastek, Degeres, Ushkonyr.

Karakastek. Photohunt to sparrows is continuing (see trip to Bakanas to Saxaul Sparrow). Today main object of searching is Spanish Sparrow. Spanish Sparrow is social bird. In the colonies of Spanish Sparrows thousands of birds may live. First colonies began over Karakastek. Number of birds is not thousands but hundreds. Spanish Sparrows nest on roadside elms and Russian olives near the wheat fields. On some branches nests were built one over another like high-rise buildings. Sparrows probably yet feed nestlings because there are no juvenile birds but adult birds fly with worms in beaks. But some birds yet fly with green grass

Twice found nests of Long-legged Buzzards. These nests placed on the sparrows colonies. Probably this neighbourhood is convenient to sparrows. Probably large raptor neighborhood saves from Magpies, Jackdaws and other nest breakers.

Spanish Sparrows fly on later than other birds therefore I saw its this year first time. All other birds meeting on road are common. Red-headed Buntings, Lesser Grey Shrikes, Rollers, Bee-eaters, Rosy Pastors, Rooks, Magpies, Wood Pigeons, Corn Buntings, Black-headed and Masked Wagtails. Sometimes clay falls occur. There are many burrows in these falls. Saw common burrow birds such as Rollers, Bee-eaters, more rare Jackdaws and Rock Pigeons. Today near the burrows I saw Indian Sparrows and one Common Kestrel. Kestrel flew out from the burrow and three nestlings saw to me from burrow. Nestlings shied me and very amusing hid in burrow's deep. I waited them but nestlings didn't appear. Colonies of Indian and Spanish Sparrows strip on roadside. If there are trees on roadside it's a place to Spanish Sparrow colony. Else to Indian Sparrows.

Degeres. I came to Degeres on midday, most hot time. All birds hid. Met female Rufouse-tailed Rock Thrush. Also saw Eastern Rock Nuthatches but didn't have possibility to make photos. Probably Nuthatches fledged nestlings therefore birds didn't close to nest. Birds were mostly gentle, hid into rocks chimneys. The heat dispersed all the birds. Sometimes there was total silence allaround.

Ushkonyr. Old friend Nazar recommended visiting Ushkonyr. By his recommendations I went to this place. Chine is very beauty, road is high grade. Unfortunately both me and my car overheated and didn't contrive the road. Trip to Ushkonyr next time delayed. But this chine I met Golden Eagle. Bird was very large and very dark. I thought that bird was adult Golden Eagle or young Lammergeier. Later on photos I discerned Golden Eagle.

1. Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis transcaspicus)

2. Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis transcaspicus)

3. Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis transcaspicus)

4. Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

5. Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra buturlini)

6. Indian Sparrow (Passer indicus bactrianus)

7. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos daphanea)