Trip to Sorbulak.

Today is coldest day in January. A little smoke on the morning. On the Bishkek road till the turning to Astana saw only one Upland Buzzard and one Kestrel. Near turning on russian olive tree the mixed flock of Mynahs, Fieldfares and Blackbirds were fed. Further on the roadside Grey-headed Goldfinches, one male Sparrowhawk, several Upland Buzzards, one Common Buzzard occurred. On the Russian olive Greenfinches, Magpies, one Stock Pigeon were fed. On the roadside Crested Larks, Yellowhammers, Chaffinches, Horned Larks were fed. On the frozen marshes twice we saw males of Hen Harrier. One of them has the head clear darker then body.

Sorbulak is full frosted. The ice are heavy, on some places we saw on the ice the tracks of passed cars. One only free from ice place is ice-hole on the channel inflow to lake. We found this place not straightway, the help of expert was needed. Thanks to Oleg Belalov told us by cell phone how we can find the ice-hole. Ice-hole is not so large, about 70-80 meters on diameter. Really a lot of ducks. Also Mute and Whooper Swans were present. Both species of Swans with dark juvenile birds together. The number of ducks is hundreds, probably thousands. It was difficult to watch all ducks because on account of frost there were the ribbons of mist on the water. From time to time scared Ducks or Swans flew out from the mist. Then it was possible to watch birds. Most popular ducks were Mallards, also we saw Common Goldeneyes, Tufted Ducks, Gadwalls. On bulrushes twice saw Great White Egret and once Grey Heron. Some tens of Mallards frightened by my closing flew up, a little roamed and landed to ice about 700 meters from ice-hole. Also Mute Swans flew up to the ice. Mallards were not going to come back, but Mute Swans after time carefully came back to ice-hole. Once to Mallards side adult White-tailed Sea-Eagle flew, but quickly came back and sat on an elm.

On the backward road we saw more birds. Firstly we again met Common Buzzard. Further we stayed on the place where some tens passerines were fed. Mostly it were Grey-headed Goldfinches and Linnets. Also were some Pine Buntings and one Corn Bunting. The place was very convenient, leeward, almost without snow and reach to seeds.

Also met three raptors. One Saker Falcon, one White-tailed Sea-Eagle and one Eastern Imperial Eagle. All three bird were very timid and I didn't have possibility to make good photos. But I fixed the facts of meetings. Some times saw Kestrels but I didn't make photos of them.

1. Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

2. Common Mynahs (Acridotheres tristis)

3. Eastern Buzzard (Buteo japonicus)

4. Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)

5. Mute Swans (Cygnus olor)

6. Eurasian Linnets (Acanthis cannabina fringillirostris)

7. Grey-headed Goldfinches (Carduelis caniceps paropanisi)

8. Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra buturlini)

9. Pine Bunting (Emberiza leucocephala)

10. White-tailed Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

11. Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug)