Almaty, Republic Square.

Sunny, cold day. Generally I planned to find wintering Warblers, and I found one Barred Warbler and two Lesser Whitethroats. All Warblers were very active, so it means they easily survived the night cold (about -15-17 C). So I was pleased, but the most interesting observations were to come. From a distance I saw the flock of flying birds which were same to Mynahs by size and by flight. However it was not visible white on wings. Flock grounded on thuja, I moved closer and saw that they were Waxwings. Flock flew away but after a short time birds came back in two flocks. At the same tuyah thickets where waxwings foraged the Blackbirds, two Black-throated Thrushes and one Redwing (my lifer) were feeding too. Other noticed uncommon birds: Greenfinches, Siskins flock, one Goldcrest and numerous Bramblings.

1. Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)

2. Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria)

3. Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

4. Redwing (Turdus iliacus)

5. Bohemian Waxwing (Bombicilla garrulus)

6. Blackbird (Turdus merula intermedius)