Saw only common birds. [...... read more ]

Yesterday was a big snow. While it melted to dinner time the temperature was down. Today is +4 C. The snow and cold turn in White-winged Grosbeaks to the city. They are again on the square with Chaffinches together. Turkestan Shrikes outlasted snow and cold successfully. Today saw two males. Rains dislodged worms to the grass and Shrikes were fed its. No new birds. [...... read more ]

Everyday it rains. Probably therefore birds aren't so active. Saw two male Turkestan Shrikes, several mixed flocks of Chaffinches and Great Tits. The pair of Magpies begins to build new nest. [...... read more ]

All those birds. White-winged Grosbeaks left the city. Blackbirds sing. Those odd alone Black-throated Thrush. This spring first Isabelline Wheater. Chaffinches wide spreads all around. Now they can be met in all blocks of city. [...... read more ]

Chaffinches and Bramblings yet change plumage from winter to spring and look very beauty on the spring sun. Especially Bramblings. There are a lot of Red-fronted Serins in the mountains. [...... read more ]

There are Chaffinches, Bramblings, White-winged Grosbeaks still in city. They are fed in last year's foliage. Yet Great Tits, Blackbirds and Greenfinches sing only. Odd flown Black-throated Thrush is hidden among branches of fir-trees.Many Turkestan Shrikes (I have counted six birds). The bird whom I saw on March, 16th, has really appeared Black-throated Accentor. Very timid bird. Hardly I managed to make some pictures through branches of trees. Still Cetti's Warblers have arrived. Saw two birds. They fed in bushes and seldom show on eyes. [...... read more ]

[more photos ......]

Today's morning is sunny and blowy. Contrary to expectation birds aren't a lot. On the reservoir between Baiserke and Jetygen saw pair of Redshanks, several Black-headed Gulls, flock of Reed Buntings, pair of Great Crested Grebes, several Masked and Citrine Wagtails.On Kapchagai reservoir saw Black-headed Gulls, other unidentified large gulls, one Great White Egret and flock of little ducks. Many Turkestan Shrikes and Masked Wagtails. Over Jetygen saw Great Grey Shrike and on Jetygen this year fist Laughing Dove.Saw four hovering raptors – two Long-legged Buzzards, one White-tailed Sea-Eagle and one Short-toed Snake-Eagle. [...... read more ]

[more photos ......]

On the Shelek mainly Tree Sparrows, Blackbirds, Jackdaws, Hooded Crows and Mynahs are in evidence. Greenfinches are audible but not visible. On the flock of Tree Sparrows saw one Indian Sparrow. Didn't have possibility to make photos but very distinctly saw white cheeks.After dinner went onto north locality of Shelek. The landscape is semi-desert. On desert groves of djida (russian olive) grow. Birds on djida are not so much as on winter but some birds I saw. Raptors – one Long-legged Buzzard, two Kestrels and one large falcon probably Saker Falcon. Singing Corn Bunting. It's sound is audible in the driving car. Many Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Pine Buntings, other buntings. Saw Turkestan Tits, several Azure Tits and one male Long-tailed Rosefinch. A lot of large birds – Black-billed Magpies and Carrion Crows. One time had luck to see Great Grey Shrike on wire. Early on this places I saw many Great Tits, Black-throated and Mistle Thrushes but today didn't see its.The strong wind prevented [...... read more ]

[more photos ......]

The weather is rainy and murky. Arrived to Shelek on late evening. During the road saw only pair of Lapwings. On Shelek saw several Masked Wagtails. [...... read more ]

Today saw two Masked Wagtails in dawn part of city. Later went to Vesnovka river to photograph Wagtails but probably there are not yet Wagtails in colder upper half of Almaty. Saw many singing Chaffinches and Great Tits, several singing Grey-headed Goldfinches. In the square near KazGU found male Sparrowhawk. [...... read more ]