Almaty. Vesnovka (Essentai).

Last years the thickets on the Vesnovka river pleased by the plenty and the variety of birds. This year the birds are a bit. Probably it is associated with the new constructions near the river, but probably it is consequent of the abnormal warm winter. Birds were Great Tits, Hooded and Carrion Crows, Rooks, Mynahs, that are common background birds of winter Almaty. Except common birds twice I observed Red-fronted Serins, once alone bird hiding in bushes and once two birds on short time perching on tree. Altogether not glad situation was some carried of by the male Sparrowhawk observed on Al-Farabi street. The Sparrowhawk perched on the elm directly above the endless stream of cars and wasn't going to flew out. The bird looked small to me.

1. Red-fronted Serin (Serinus pusillus)

2. Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)