Urban Birding. Almaty.

A long time I wasn’t in Republic Square. To be precise the last my visit to Square was in 5th of April, more than three and half months ago. July is the birdless month, there are only breeding birds here not unexpected ones. I came to Square in Saturday especially because less of cars here in weekend. Birds are of course a bit, and of course only representatives of breeding species. It is good because I confirmed the nesting of Wood Pigeon (recorded two fledglings in different parts of square + 1 adult), one more time convinced of nesting of Common Whitethroat (two fledglings) and Great Tit. Blackbirds are very shy perhaps because have egg-laying. Mynahs are moving by broods and searching insects in the grass, and also feeding berries of common dogwood like Whitethroats and Wood Pigeons too. In the park I saw and heard female Sparrowhawk. When sun hid behind the clouds the House Martins come to square. That’s all, expectedly but nice. And one surprise bird in the end of trip. One Golden Oriole arrived, perched to the birch-tree and sang the song. I didn’t take photo against the sun but in vain because Oriole didn’t take me a chance and flew away. It was my first record of Golden Oriole in Republic Square.

1. juvenile Wood Pigeon

2. Myna

3. juvenile Common Whitethroat

4. Sparrowhawk