Middle current of Ile river. Karaoi plateau.

Today's trip began early. Of the birds I saw on the road until Kapchagai I want to note only Cuckoos (two birds) and Grey Heron near Kapchagai. Over the Kapchagai reservoir Ile river crossed very beauty gorge. Probably Oriental Turtle Doves which I saw were flying to steppe zone from this gorge. The steppe was wet after the yesterday's rain. The wet grass glistened on the sun. I noticed Hoopoes (2 birds), Rollers, Red-headed Buntings, Larks, and flock of Rosy Starlings on alone tree.

The Red-heading Bunting is the most popular bird today. I observed it in steppe, in desert and in rocks. In addition to Red-headed Bunting in the rocks of gorge I often noticed Pied Wheatears, Chukars and Rosy Starlings. The Rosy Starlings probably nest in the branch of gorge. It's my guess because I saw a lot of these birds. Also in this branch I saw nesting Lesser Kestrels and Jackdaws. Both birds entered to rocks' split. The rock walls near these splits were white from the birds' dung. The Golden Eagles nest is in the gorge too. I saw two nests. There was one white chick in one of them. The Golden Eagles and Lesser Kestrels were visible all time. Other raptors: one Long-legged Buzzard and twice the flocks of Black Kites. The Kites flew from west to east. From time to time Lesser Whitethroat and Greenish Warbler were visible in the dense thickets. Also I saw the flock of Common Rosefinches (red males, greyish females) in the thickets. The pair of Grey-headed Buntings were looking for the food on the stones. Some time the flock of Demoiselle Cranes swirled over the rocks. The flock of European Bee-eaters flew by; often low flying Barn Swallows were observed; once I heard the sounds of Ruddy Shelducks from the river. Other birds: female of Red-backed Shrike, one Isabelline Wheatear, female of unidentified Redstart; twice I saw the flocks of little grayish Sparrow-like birds. Once the flock of these birds arrived to opposite slope, but I couldn't discern them.

In steppe zone I didn't pay special attention to birds therefore I saw only bird were around the road. In the first place the Red-headed Bunting was observed. It's really abundant bird. I saw Larks (Calandra, Bimaculated and probably Greater Short-toed), one Tawny Pipit, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes (two males), Stonechats (only females), one Lesser Grey Shrike, Rosy Starlings. Once I observed the flock of Lesser Kestrels and twice the Long-legged Buzzards.

The desert zone appeared all at once. The sands (Sary-Taukum Sands) appeared all around. In this place the Ile river comes from the rocks to plain. On the rocks which presenting in the sands I saw White-tailed Sea-Eagle, two Kestrels and several Rollers. In the sands I also saw Isabelline Wheatears which probably nest here. I didn't visit saxaul groves but entered to elm-djida grove. First I flushed Oriental Turtle Doves and Common Rosefinches. Rosefinches flew to next tree and I might to shoot it, but Doves flew away. There were many Chiffchaffs, Jackdaws and Rooks in the trees. Directly on the river I saw one Common Tern, two Little Ringed Plovers. In the thickets I heard the Pheasants. Also I saw one very contrast colored Black Kite. In sands I observed Red-headed Buntings, Grey-headed Buntings, Spotted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike; in the green oasis I heard unidentified Reed Warblers; the flock of Rosy Starlings was looking for the food in this place too.

In Kapchagai town on the roadside little lakes I saw Coots and Common Starlings. Near Almaty in roadside poplars the songs of Golden Oriole were hearable. Also Lesser Grey Shrikes and Kestrels were visible on the high dry branches of poplars.

1. Red-headed Bunting (Emberiza bruniceps)

2. Black Kite (Milvus migrans lineatus)

3. Demoiselle Cranes (Anthropoides virgo)

4. Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

5. Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar falki)

6. Red-headed Bunting (Emberiza bruniceps)

7. Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor)

8. Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra psammochroa)

9. Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis)

10. Stonechat (Saxicola torquata maura)

11. Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

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

13. Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

14. Eurasian Roller (Coracias garrulus semenowi)

15. Grey-necked Bunting (Emberiza buchanani buchanani)

16. Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

17. Black Kite (Milvus migrans migrans)

18. Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)

19. Rosy Starlings (Sturnus roseus)

20. Rosy Starling (Sturnus roseus)