Sorbulak, Kurty.

In Karasay region in foothills of Ile Alatau there were a lot of Rollers. They perched almost on each roadside pole. In addition to Rollers we watched one soaring Black Kite and heard one singing in the bushes Common Nightingale. In the steppes between Kaskelen and Sorbulak there were a lot of Rollers too. Some of them flew one after another and made the quite difficult pirouettes. But I also saw one bird already entered to the hole. Probably some birds almost have breeding games but other ones already build the nest. In the roadside thickets there were a lot of nesting Rooks and Jackdaws. In some places the Barn Swallows flew over the water. Twice I saw Cuckoos. In Shamalgan station on the wet meadows the Citrine and Black-headed Wagtails are common birds. The grass on the meadows is tall. Some time I walked on meadow and shied four Wagtails which flew from the grass almost under my foot. Probably the Wagtails' nesting time almost began. But I didn't find the nest because I don't have this experience. Over Shamalgan I saw this year's first Bee-eater and also Cuckoos.

Near the Sorbulak lake the steppe was red becasu of cover of red poppies. I watched Long-legged Buzzard, Kestrel, the perching on the pole large flock of Rosy Starlings, and one singing Red-headed Bunting. Rarely the singing large Larks (probably Calandra Larks) were observed in the steppe.

Sorbulak. In the little lakes near the main lake I saw Garganeys, Coots, Red-crested Pachards, Ferruginous Ducks, four Ruddy Shelducks, a lot of Black-winged Stilts, Lapwings, Common Redshanks and one Little Ringed Plover. The Gulls were usual Black-headed and Caspian Gulls. The Stilts were very active, all the time cried, jumped, flew from one place to another. Probably it was breeding games. Several times the female Marsh Harrier flew by. It was appreciable the decreasing of activity of Rosy Starlings on the closing of Harrier. Twice the Stilt tried to send off the Harrier. I my opinion Harrier can easy catch hold the brave Stilt. But it didn't do it but landed almost near Coot. The Coot didn't pay attention to Harrier but hid in the reeds when I closed to them. The Hoopoe flew back and forth. The Pelicans did not migrate yet. The Rosy Starlings did not nest too. On the water of Sorbulak I saw only Crested Grebes, Coots and Grey Herons. The Crested Grebes were many, about twenty birds. The group of Caspian Gulls hovered above the marsh.

On the road to Kurty once I saw the Shikra above the car. In the rocks near Kurty the Crested Lark sang the song. But the Pied Wheatears almost have nesting time. It is my opinion because in one place I shied the male and two second later the female appeared under the stone too. I didn't find the nest. Near the river a lot of Chiffchaffs flew and sang in the bushes and trees. Also in these bushes I saw Oriental Turtle Dove, Lesser Whitethroat, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Turkestan Shrike. Also on the river I saw Black-headed Gulls, Little Tern, Ruddy Shelduck, Sand Martins, Common Sandpiper and washing Red-headed Bunting. It's very possible that Hoopoes almost formed the pairs. At least I saw one very easy pair of Hoopoes. Also I saw Rollers, one accidental Rosy Starling and Isabelline Wheatear. Several times Shikra flew by. And ones I saw the flock of Black Kites.

1. Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola quassatrix)

2. Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola quassatrix)

3. Black-headed Wagtail (Motacilla feldegg melanogrisea)

4. Garganeys (Anas querquedula)

5. Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

6. Rosy Starlings (Sturnus roseus)

7. Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)

8. Hoopoes (Upupa epops)

9. Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

10. Red-headed Bunting (Emberiza bruniceps)

11. Crested Lark (Galerida cristata iwanowi)

12. Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka)

13. Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka)