Kolsai Lakes.

Three days tour to the Kolsay lakes with colleagues.

12 of July. Because tour was not birdwatching but teambuilding I knew that bus in which we drove from Almaty to Kolsay never stop for birds; so I slept until Zhalanash. I think (or I believe) nothing significant was during the road. From Zhalanash to Saty road passes the very scenical foothills; from the car’s window I noticed Rollers, flocks of Rosy Starlings, Turkestan Shrikes, Rock Buntings, Linnets, Grey-headed Goldfinches and probably other birds. Of the birds of prey I noticed only Black Kites. There are a lot of Rooks, Common Starlings and Mynas in Saty village. Then we drove to the first of Kolsai lakes, and two hour hiked to the second one. In the moment of leaving the bus in first lake the weather changed from sunny to overcast and rainy, therefore hiking was under the little rain, which however didn’t disturb to watch Common Roseficnhes, Hume’s Warblers and fledglings of Blue-capped Redstarts. Then it was night, that’s all.

13 of July. Common Rosefinches started to sing on sunrise. Then Hume’s Warblers, Common Whitethroats and Grey Wagtails added to Rosefinches. When sun came to the our camping clearing the birds’ activity enlarged many times. Especially Warblers and Whitethroats were active, they were bringing food to the fledglings. Once I saw male and fledgling of Blue-capped Redstart, and several times Oriental Turtle Doves. It was short time enlarging of activity. After one hour all birds hid, only Warblers were visible some times. But all other birds the rest part of the day almost were not visible. During the day I mostly heard birds: short drumming of Three-toed Woodpecker, sounds of Nutcrackers and Kestrels. The couple of Kestrels and one single bird when it chased the dark morph Long-legged Buzzard were observed too. Common Sandpiper was flying from one side of the lake to another. After breakfast and before the lunch I hiked to the third lake and back, during this hiking I didn’t see any new birds, only one female Hen Harrier making complicated flying from one slope of gorge to another above the spruce-tree forest (not above grass of bushes). I expected to see more large raptors (due to highlands, wind and sunny weather) but saw only mentioned Long-legged Buzzard.

14 of July. I expected the morning activity, but there is no sun and bird too, probably due the sun’s absence. On the back road to gorge’s mouth, in the forest belt I tried to find any birds, but mostly look under the feet. Near the rivers I also looked for Dipper or Blue Whistling Thrush, but found only two Grey Wagtails. Only near the first lake I noticed little flock of feeding Red-fronted Serins. So common and numerous bird in winter time is not so popular in summer, therefore I was lucky (my first photos in summer time). Also I saw one Kite, one Common Sandpiper near the river, and large flock of Rooks. That’s all. On back road to Zhalanash I again saw Rollers and Rock Buntings on wires. But of course didn’t take photo.

1. Second lake

2. Oriental Turtle Dove | Streptopelia orientalis meena

3. Common Rosefinch | Carpodacus erythrinus ferghanensis

4. Blue-capped Redstart | Phoenicurus caeruleocephalus

5. Hume's Warbler | Phylloscopus humei

6. Second lake

7. Parnassius

8. Yellow Poppy

9. Red-fronted Serin | Serinus pusillus

10. Lesser Grey Shrike | Lanius minor