Caspian Depression.

The one more hot day. The birds hid again, only rare Steppe Eagles perched on poles. Near Chapaev I saw the hovering Sacker Falcon (but probably I mistook). Country from Chapaev to south till Atyrau smoothly passes to semi-desert. Birds were not visible. Once from Ural to Zhangala lakes side the large flock of Great Cormorants flew by. That's all. At evening I arrived to Atyrau but didn't enter to city and turned to Dossor side. Landscape is semi-desert with a much of salines of variable colors from white and pinkish to greenish. Between Dossor and Kulsary I saw the Stone Curlews hidden in shadow under the bridge. In evening time (close to Kulsary) the birds were observed. Some times I saw Steppe Grey Shrikes. There were Bee-eaters, the number of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters increased but the number of Eurasian Bee-eaters decreased. I noted that Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters prefer the sandy desert landscapes. On little puddle near Kulsary I watched a group of Pied Avocets.

1. Juvenile Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)

2. Adult Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)