Kimasar gorge, Ile Alatau National Park.

The short family tour to highlands. Day is sunny and very warm. However in spite of feeling of summer warm the autumn is in full swing, and birds become less and less. In the bushes (dogrose, barberis) I noticed little passerines, but from a far I could recognize only male Eversmann’s Redstart, also I saw little dark birds and another one further identified as Black-throated Accentor. After some climbing I again noticed the movement in the bushes. I discerned White-browed Tit Warbler and understood that dark little birds I had seen earlier were Tit Warblers too. The second bird was Leaf Warbler but without pale supercilium and with sad voice. Of course it was Chiffchaff; strange that I did not recognize it at once. While I was in ambash I see flocks of birds. The larger ones were the White-winged Grosbeaks, I further see them perching on the tops of spruce trees. But lesser birds were not recognized though I heard the sounds. But I am sure they are neither Red-fronted Serins nor Goldfinches, but probably Chaffinches or Bramblings (in bad photos more likely Bramblings). Some times I saw Black-throated Accentors. and of course Nutcrackers, Magpies, Coal Tits, several Mistle Thrushes. Of the raptors I watched only Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, and single Cinereous Vulture in the mouth of gorge, where I often observed the couple of this bird.

P.S. The last two weeks I took off the mite from myself after the trip to Kimasar.

1. Eversmann's Redstart | Phoenicurus erythronotus

2.

3. Black-throated Accentor | Prunella atrogularis huttoni

4.

5.

6. Cinereous Vulture | Aegypius monachus