Kimasar gorge. Ile Alatau National Park.

The weather at the bottom of the gorge was sunny but Furmanovka peak all day was in the clouds, so almost total of our climbing was in the fog and accordingly in the cold and damp. In after-dinner time the wind dispersed the clouds; the sun came out and the air immediately warmed up. At first only Nutcrackers were visible (Kimasar is the place where Nutcrackers are guaranteed observed in Almaty vicinity). At the foot of Furmanovka I watched soaring and rolling Ravens, and the flock (10-15 birds) of loud screaming Red Crossbills in the spruce forest. At Furmanovka in the fog I watched the somewhat Brown Accentors and Tree Pipits, the Wren (which I always notice at the same little spruce-tree), the pair of White-winged Grosbeaks, and family of Stoats. Pipits and Accentors were bringing the insects to somewhere over the rock. Also two Red-billed Choughs flew back and forth in the fog. After fog dispersion I noticed Carrion Crows, Golden Eagle, and the flock of Snowcocks. I hurried down to the foot of peak to photograph the Snowcocks but caught only two down-planned birds. Descending into spruce forest I watched the hovering hawk with the clear eye-stripe. I thought that it was Goshawk but it was more usual Sparrowhawk.

1. Nutcracker

2. Red Crossbill

3. Tree Pipit

4. Brown Accentor

5. Wren

6. Stoats

7. Snowcock