Ozernoe, Almarasan. Ile Alatau National Park.

In spite of weather report I and Gennady Dyakin were going to visit mountains, specially to Big Almaty Gorge. The morning fog was in city but dissipated already in Ozernoe gorge; but when we drove by serpentine road to Big Almaty Lake (BAL) the weather is sunny. BAL is the main target today’s trip but we short stay on the crossroad where Gennady unsuccessfully tried to find Solitary Snipe. In this spot we saw only 2 Red-fronted Serins, 2 Red-mantled Rosefinches, 1 Coal Tit, and 1 Blackbird. Then as I said we drove by serpentine raod to BAO but didn’t reach it unfortunately. We didn’t reach even “Alpine Rose” hotel because road is very snowy, and slippery under the snow, due of latter we slid into the snow roadside. About one hour we digged snow, enclosed tree branch under the car wheels, tried to move back and forth, and were understanding that we will not visit BAL today, though the weather in mountains was perfect. So we hardly digged up the car, and turned to Almarasan where we planned to watch birds near the hot spring. But on the half road to Almarsan we was in fog again. In Almarasan we saw only one Brown Dipper which was shot via deep fog. The quality of photo does not reach the level of “Big Year” competition. So the trip is ineffectual but mood is cheerful after the one-hour outdoor working. It’s pity that Sanzhar and Andrei didn’t join to us because two strong guys could be good help in our today birding.

1. Red-mantled Rosefinch (Carpodacus rhodochlamys)

2. Red-fronted Serin (Serinus pusillus)

3. Brown Dipper (Cinclus pallasii) in mist