Khobda-Aktubinsk-Karabutak-Denisovka.

The first cool but some times cold day. In Aktobe oblast the wind was hard and stable, the dust was all around, sometimes wind was so hard that nothing was visible. From Belkopa small local rains began, dust in air decreased, sometimes weather was sunny, but wind didn't weaken. From Karabutak the road turns to north and then to north-east. Landscape is steppe with rare rocks; it is the western part of Turgai plateau. Weather became much overcast and rainy. Birds: rare Caspian Gulls, Marsh Harriers, Skylarks and once flock of White-winged Terns. In one place near tunnel under the road the little puddle was formed. On this puddle I watched Twites. Also Calandra Larks arrived to pool but fearing me didn't close to water and landed to the grass. The Twites in quite a large flocks (on 100-150 birds) I later watched on the road but the murky weather didn't give possibility to shoot them.

At about 135 km from Karabutak the grain fields begin, in these places I saw Black Larks both adults and juveniles. Rain intensified, sky darkened, the very wet pair of Demoiselle Crane hardly crossed the road. First in Kustanai oblast I saw the flock of Ruffs. Twice I watched males of Pallid Harrier. The weather was very bad and birds were very wet so I didn't make good photos. Almost at night near Denisovka I noticed the Owl (probably Short-eared Owl) perched on pole, and also the flock of Black-winged Pratincole (about 5 birds).

1. Twite (Acanthis flavirostris kirghizorum)

2. Twite (Acanthis flavirostris kirghizorum)

3. Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans cachinnans)

4. Ruffs (Philomachus pugnax)

5. Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)