Karaganda - Almaty.

Full route from Karaganda to Almaty can be divided into three about equal parts. First part - from Karaganda to Balkhash. Common birds are Greater Short-toed Larks, Tawny Pipits. Twice Black Larks flew above the road. A lot of birds died from the impacts of automobiles. Any bird dispatches to fly away when the speed of automobile is 60 km/h, but now no one drives this speed. Therefore every 10-15 meter the carcass of small bird lies on the asphalt. Let alone the birds I saw today the downed horse and even the downed camel.

In Akshatau saw the pair of Black-headed Gulls. On this part of road besides common birds I saw six Steppe Eagles, three Long-legged Buzzard, several Kestrels, one Merlin, one Brown-necked Raven.

Second part of the way goes along Balkhash. Road goes along the lake first being moved away that approaching it. Near Gulshad saw female of light Harrier, two Steppe Eagles. Further saw Black Kites. After Aksuyek I made a short stay on the shore of lake. In the saxaul grove from a distance saw Great Grey Shrike. On water and near water saw Grey Heron, Yellow Wagtails, Little Ringed Plovers, Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper, Little Terns, female Common Rosefinch, Marsh Harriers, Great Cormorants. Far away the flock of gulls rested on the sand bar. I attempted to approach them and by accident frightened off the pair of Stone Curlew. Curlews crying flew away to the gulls' side. Gulls also flew away. Flock mainly consisted Caspian Gulls but there were Great Black-headed Gulls.

Last part goes from Balkhash to Almaty. In the desert part of the route interesting birds are only Brown-necked Ravens and two flying to the West flocks of Ruddy Shelducks. Already on sunset I made a very short stay on Sorbulak. Saw more than ten Pelicans, the large flock of Grey Herons, the flock of White Egrets, many ducks and Coots.

1. Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis orientalis)

2. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

3. Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava thunbergi)

4. Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

5. Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea)

6. Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus)