By Sander
Bot, sanderbot@yahoo.co.uk
Russian
names of birds by Svetlana Baskakova
Introduction
For my study I went to
It is not easy at all to arrange a trip to
Literature
The recently published ‘The birds of
More information (including ordering instructions) on
the book’s website:
Unfortunately there is no identification guide only
covering Central
-Birds of
-Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle-East by Porter
et al..
-Collins Bird Guide to
-Collins field guide: Birds of the Palearctic:
Passerines. By Norman Arlott.
-Dutch Birding kenmerkengids by Nils van Duivendijk. Sorry,
this good book is in Dutch.
Places
Visited
Dzhabagly
May 12 - June 10
The village of Dzhabagly (Zhabagly, Jabagly), lies in
South Kazakhstan province, some
From the village it is a few km walk to the foothills,
our study site. The full period was used for walking up and down the study site
for the White-crowned Penduline Tit. The bird watching companies do not visit
this site. But if you want to see species like Asian Paradise Flycatcher,
Rufous-naped Tit and Yellow-breasted Tit you might consider to visit this
village.
Topar June
12 – June 26
Topar is a small village some 100km north of
Kolshengel. There is no accommodation but the driver managed to arrange a house
for the period. You need a four wheel drive here, and its better to have a
driver as well. Our driver was essential to survive all kind or people who said
they were ranger, police man or whatsoever. We studied Black-headed Penduline
Tit here, but were a bit too late in the season.
Tengiz-Korgalzhyn
Region July 1 – July 3
Essential for species like Black lark, White-winged
Lark and Heuglin’s Gull. I went there by train from Almaty to Astana. Going by
train is cheap and it takes only 21 hours one way. From Astana I took the bus to
Korgalzhyn. Here I stayed at a home stay for 3000 tenge, including meals. The
owners took me to the reserve. I also joined the Sociable Lapwing research team
for a day. Maxime Koshkin works for the project and he not only showed me the
Lapwings but also helped me with arranging the home stay etc. (Maxime,
thanks).
Ili-Alatau
national park July 5 – July 8
The Tien Shan has many nice birds to offer including
Ibisbill and different species of Redstart and Accentor. It is possible to
arrange a trip to the Tien Shan by yourself. From Almaty I took city bus 28 to
its final destination. From there it’s a
Species
List
1. Mute
Swan Cygnus olor
Лебедь-шипун
13/6: 1 at Topar lakes.
1/7: 2 at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
2. Whooper
Swan Cygnus
cygnus Лебедь-кликун
2/7: 2 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature reserve.
3. Greylag
Goose Anser anser
rubrirostris Серый гусь
25/6:
2 at the Topar lakes.
2/7:
3 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature reserve.
4. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Огарь
15/6:
3 at the Topar lakes.
27/6:
4 at Sorbulak lake.
2/7: 4 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature reserve.
5. Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Пеганка
1/7: A group of about 50 birds flying past near Sholak
lake near Korgalzhyn.
6.
Red-crested Pochard Netta
rufina Красноносый нырок
Common at the Topar lakes.
1/7: 6 at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
2/7: 20 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature
reserve.
7. Common
Pochard Aythya
ferina Голубая чернеть
Not
seen near Topar, but very common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region with big
groups at Sholak lake and near Karazhar.
8. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Белоглазая чернеть
Common
at the Topar lakes and
9. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Хохлатая чернеть
Not
seen near Topar and a few birds seen in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
10. White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala Савка
2/7: 3 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature reserve,
2 males, 1 female.
3/7:
11. Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula clangula Гоголь
2/7: 15 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature
reserve.
12.
Goosander Mergus
merganser merganser Большой крохаль
1 and 2/7: Male in a ditch at the edge of Korgalzhyn
village.
13. Gadwall Anas strepera strepera Серая утка
15/6:
2 at Topar Lakes.
1/7: 10 at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
14.
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Свиязь
1/7: A pair at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
15.
Northern Shoveler Anas
clypeata Широконоска
15 and 25/6: small group at the Topar lakes.
Very
common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region with big groups at different lakes.
16. Mallard
Anas
platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Кряква
Common at Topar and in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region, but never
in big numbers.
17.
Northern Pintail Anas
acuta Шилохвость
1/7: 6 at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
2/7: 5 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature reserve.
18.
Garganey Anas
querquedula Чирок-трескунок
18/6: 1 female at Topar lakes.
20/6: 5 at the Topar lakes.
19. Common
Teal Anas crecca
crecca Чирок-свистунок
27/6: 1 drake at Sorbulak lake.
1/7: 1 at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
20.
Himalayan Snowcock Tetraogallus
himalayensis sewerzowi Гималайский улар
7/7: Twice heard calling around midday just down slope
from the Cosmos Station. This is at a higher altitude than usually reported in
May. This is not so surprisingly because there was no snow at all near the
Cosmos Station, so probably the snowcocks move to higher altitudes in summer.
8/7: Few times heard calling from the slopes
north-east of Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake, also during midday.
21. Grey
Partridge Perdix
perdix robusta Серая куропатка
30/6: 1 from the train from Almaty to Astana,
somewhere between Lugovoy and Shyghanaq.
22. Common
Quail Coturnix
coturnix coturnix Перепел
12 and 19/5: 2 and 5 birds near Dzhabagly
respectively. One bird of the 12th flushed from a field, my first
sighting ever after hearing 100s of birds.
18 and 21/6: On the 18th one bird calling
near a marsh near Topar. On the 21st a dog flushed 2 birds at the
same place (my second sighting ever!).
19: 1 calling from a field near the Topar Lakes.
7/7: 2 birds calling nearby the Tien Shan Astronomical
Observatory (2750m).
23. Common
Pheasant Phasianus
colchicus mongolicus Фазан
Heard daily on the mountain slopes near Dzhabagly.
However, hard to see, the only sightings were on May 24 and June 5: very light
buffish wings obvious, broad white collar patches at sides of neck. Common
around Topar, daily seen and heard, twice consumed a male as part of our
supper.
24.
Black-throated Loon Gavia
arctica arctica Чернозобая гагара
1/7: 7 birds at the big lake in the evening near
Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature reserve.
2/7: 2 birds near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature
reserve.
25. Great
Cormorant Phalacrocorax
carbo sinensis Большой баклан
Common at the Topar Lakes and abundant in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn
region, with big flocks near Karazhar on the 2nd
of July.
26. Great
White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Розовый пеликан
17/6: A group of about 90 birds near Topar. 7 on other
places near Topar that day.
20/6:
23/6:
25/6:
27.
Dalmatian Pelican pelecanus crispus Кудрявый пеликан
Seen daily around Topar, usually 2 or 3 singles a day,
never in groups like Great White Pelican.
27/6: 1 adult at Sorbulak lake.
1/7: At least 5 at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
2/7: About 10 birds near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn
nature reserve.
28. Great
Bittern Botaurus
stellaris stellaris Выпь
Regularly seen at the Topar lakes, also a few
sightings in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
29. Little
Bittern lxobrychus
minutus minutus Волчок
Very common at the Topar lakes.
30.
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax Кваква
Few sightings at the Topar lakes.
31. Great
Egret Casmerodius
albus albus Большая белая цапля
Common at the Topar lakes.
2/7: 2 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature reserve.
32. Grey
Heron Ardea
cinerea cinerea Серая цапля
Common at the Topar lakes and in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn
region.
33. Purple
Heron Ardea
purpurea purpurea Рыжая цапля
24/6: 1 at the Topar lakes.
34. Black
Stork Ciconia
nigra Черный аист
13/5: 1 adult circling above the mountains near
Dzhabagly.
35. Little
Grebe Tachybaptus
ruficollis capensis Малая поганка
Sometimes heard and seen only once at the Topar lakes.
36. Great
Crested Grebe Podiceps
cristatus cristatus Чомга
Fairly common at the Topar lakes.
37. Red-necked
Grebe Podiceps grisegena
grisegena Серощекая поганка
1/7: 4 at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
2/7: >10 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature
reserve.
38.
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis Черношейная поганка
3/7: 10 at a lake in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
39.
Black-eared Kite Milvus
lineatus
Черный коршун
Absent from Dzhabagly. Common elsewhere.
6 and 7/7: 1 at the Cosmos Station (3336m asl!).
40.
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus
albicilla albicilla Орлан-белохвост
Irregularly seen around Topar. Always adult birds and
twice two together.
41.
Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus aureus Бородач
25/5 and 2/6: immature above the mountains near
Dzhabagly.
29/5: adult above the mountains near Dzhabagly.
6 and 7/7: 1 adult near the Cosmos Station. Could be the
same bird, underparts nearly white, only at the breast a rufous-buff tinge.
42.
Egyptian Vulture Neophron
percnopterus Стервятник
6/6: 1 adult near the mountains at Dzhabagly.
8/6; 1 adult in the Aksu Canyon.
43. Eurasian
Griffon Vulture Gyps
fulvus fulvus Сип
Seen nearly daily in small numbers in the mountains
near Dzhabagly. Maximum of 16 on May 28. Unexpectedly, no sightings in the
Ili-Alatau national park.
44. Himalayan
Griffon Vulture Gyps
himalayensis Кумай
25, 27 and 28/5: 1 adult in the mountains near
Dzhabagly. More easy to identify than expected. Because the whitish underparts
at first glance more resembling Egyptian than Griffon Vulture.
45.
Eurasian Black Vulture Aegypius
monachus Гриф
Seen nearly daily in small numbers in the mountains
near Dzhabagly. Maximum of 5 on 14/5.
14/6: 1 flying over Kolshengel.
46.
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus Змееяд
26/6: 1 near Kolshengel.
47. Western
Marsh Harrier Circus
aeruginosus aeruginosus Болотный лунь
Only at one spot near Topar, where a pair was seen
regularly.
Common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
48. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Степной лунь
Common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
49.
Montagu´s Harrier Circus
pygargus Луговой лунь
27/6: 3 males, 2 females near a river in the desert
south of Kolshengel.
50.
Northern Goshawk Accipiter
gentilis schvedowi Тетеревятник
28/6: 1 above the city center of Almaty.
51.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter
nisus Перепелятник
13 and 24/5: female type near Dzhabagly.
2/6: adult male calling in forest patch near
Dzhabagly.
7/7: Adult bird with prey at the Cosmos Station, at an
altitude of 3336m! The same day maybe the same bird was seen at the Tien Shan
Astronomical Observatory (2750m).
According to Wassink & Oreel, Sparrowhawks occur
up to 2500m in this area.
52. Shikra Accipiter badius cenchroides Тювик
Unexpectedly common around Topar with up to three
sightings a day. Different times seen well, sometimes even the narrow black
streak at the centre of the chin was seen. Also photographed twice.
53.
Long-legged Buzzard Buteo
rufinus rufinus Курганник
Seen nearly daily near Dzhabagly, usually 1 bird. On
May
Common at Kolshengel, Topar and the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn
region.
54. Booted
Eagle Aquila
pennata Орел-карлик
A pair, both dark morph, was often seen in and around
a patch of forest near Dzhabagly, suggesting breeding there.
6/6: 1 light morph near Dzhabagly.
8/6: 1 light morph in the Aksu Canyon.
26/6: 1 dark morph near Kolshengel.
8/7: 1 dark morph near Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake,
Ili-Alatau national park.
55. Golden
Eagle Aquila
chrysaetos canadensis Беркут
24/5
and 1/6: adult in the mountains near Dzhabagly.
8/7:
1 adult at the Ili-Alatau national park, near Bolshoye
Almatinskoye lake.
56. Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis
Степной орел
18-26/6:
1 adult in a marsh near Topar.
57. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus Пустельга
Common
throughout Kazakhstan, up to 3000m in Ili-Alatau national park.
58.
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus Степная пустельга
3/7: 3 males and 1 female seen from the bus along the
way between Korgalzhyn and Astana.
59. Merlin
Falco columbarius pallidus Дербник
A pair had a nest with recently fledged juveniles in
Karazhar village, Korgalzhyn nature reserve.
60.
Eurasian Hobby Falco
subbuteo subbuteo Чеглок
Common
throughout Kazakhstan. Twice in the Ili-Alatau national park, at 2500m.
61. Saker
Falcon Falco
cherrug Балобан
1/7: 1 adult in an electricity pole along the road to
Karazhar village, in Korgalzhyn nature reserve.
62. Barbary
Falcon Falco
pelegrinoides babylonicus Шахин
14/6: 1 adult flying over the highway at Konshengel,
while waiting for the bus. Seen well enough to exclude al other falcon
species.
63. Water
Rail Rallus
aquaticus korejewi Пастушок
Irregularly heard at the Topar lakes.
64. Common
Moorhen Gallinula
chloropus chloropus Камышница
Seen at a few places in the Topar area.
65.
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra atra Лысуха
Common at the Topar lakes and abundant in the
Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
66.
Demoiselle Crane Grus
virgo Журавль-красавка
1/7: a pair near Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
3/7: a pair near Korgalzhyn.
67. Little
Bustard Tetrax
tetrax Стрепет
16/5: 1 male in the fields near Dzhabagly was probably
a migrant.
68.
Macqueen’s Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii Джек
27/6: 2 birds flushed and thus only seen in flight in
the Taukum desert, between Kolshengel and Aqsugek. We spent a full evening and
early morning searching for this species on the well known spot near
Kolshengel. We couldn’t found them there and felt happy to finally flush them
in the desert on the way to the highway near Aqsugek.
69.
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus longipes Кулик-сорока
Scarce at Topar.
70.
Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha
struthersii Серпоклюв
6/7: 1 along the fast flowing stream, just before it
enters Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake, in Ili-Alatau national park. Because it was
Sunday, not only me, but many other people were having a good time at the spot
of the Ibisbill. Most of them where sitting on a squad or motor bike, driving
up and down the site, regularly flushing the Ibisbill. Typical Kazakhstan: no
problem at all, driving around with your squad or motor bike on the breeding
spot of a rare bird in a national park. I expect the birds to leave that spot
sooner or later if disturbance stays at this level. One good thing about the
squads: I got some good flight views!
71.
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus
himantopus himantopus Ходулочник
Common at the Topar lakes, few sightings in the
Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
72. Pied
Avocet Recurvirostra
avosetta Шилоклювка
2/7: A group of 12 near Karazhar in the Korgalzyn
nature reserve.
73.
Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni Степная тиркушка
Common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
74. Little
Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius curonicus Малый зуек
27/6: 1 adult at Sorbulak lake.
75. Pacific
Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Азиатская ржанка
27/6: 2 flying over head at Sorbulak lake, near
Korgalzhyn. Identified from European Golden Plover by grey underwings.
76.
Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarious Кречетка
On the third of July I joined the Sociable Lapwing
team for a day. We saw a female with a chick, a kindergarten of 4 females of
which we could not find their chicks and a group of 45 adults. I was also lucky
enough to find a dead Sociable Lapwing, the skull safely made the trip through
customs to Holland. It’s under 24/7 security at my house now.
77.
Northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus Чибис
Common at the Topar lakes and in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn
region, but 2 were also seen in the Taukum Desert near Kolshengel.
78. Ruff
Philomachus pugnax Турухтан
1/7: Groups of 20 ad 7 at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
2/7: 10 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature
reserve.
79. Common
Snipe Gallinago
gallinago gallinago Бекас
Fairly common at the Topar lakes.
80.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa limosa Большой веретенник
1/7: Group of ± 40 at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
81.
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Большой кроншнеп
Different groups of up to 40 birds at the
Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
82. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Перевозчик
Irregularly
seen along streams near Dzhabagly and at Topar.
6/7: 1 along the fast flowing stream, just before it
enters Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake, in Ili-Alatau national park.
83. Green
Sandpiper Tringa
ochropus Черныш
Nearly daily seen in small numbers around Topar and in
the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
84. Common
Greenshank Tringa nebularia Большой улит
25/6: 2 at the Topar lakes.
85. Marsh
Sandpiper Tringa
stagnatilis Поручейник
3/7: 8 adults in summer plumage in the
Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
86. Wood
Sandpiper Tringa
glareola Фифи
Few sightings in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
87. Common
Redshank Tringa
tetanus ussuriensis Травник
Scarce in the Topar area, one at Sorbulak lake (27/6)
and common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
88.
Slender-billed Gull larus genei Морской голубок
1/7: Common at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
Adults had very bright red legs, more red as the birds
I saw in Europe.
89.
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Озерная чайка
Common near Topar and in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
90. Pallas´s Gull Larus ichthyaetus
Черноголовый хохотун
1/7: >10 adults at Sholak lake near
Korgalzhyn.
2/7: ± 8 near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature
reserve, among them two fresh, recently fledged, juveniles.
3/7: Many young and adult birds were seen at a colony on
an island in a lake near Korgalzhyn.
91.
Heuglin’s Gull larus heuglini barabensis Восточная клуша
Very common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region. There is
a breeding colony at the steppes near the entrance of the nature reserve.
Upperpart coloration variable: most as dark or a little darker as a michahellis Yellow-legged Gull. However,
few birds approached graellsii Lesser
Black-backed Gull or were as light as a Caspian Gull.
92. Caspian
Gull larus
cachinnans Хохотунья
Fairly common in the Topar region, with 1-3 birds
daily, usually immature birds.
27/6: Few birds at Sorbulak lake. An adult bird there showed a
heavy bill, not usual for a Caspian Gull.
93. Mew
Gull Larus
canus heinei Сизая чайка
3/7: Group of adults in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
94. Little
Tern Sternula
albifrons albifrons Малая крачка
1/7: Fairly common at Sholak lake near
Korgalzhyn.
95.
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica nilotica Чайконосая крачка
Common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region. Often seen
foraging on the endless steppe.
96. Caspian
Tern Hydroprogne
caspia Чеграва
17 and 20/6: 1 adult at the Topar lakes.
Common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
97. Black
Tern Chidonias
niger niger Черная крачка
Common in the Topar region.
2/7: 1 adult near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature
reserve.
3/7: 1 adult near Astana
98.
White-winged Tern Chidonias leucopterus Белокрылая крачка
Common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
99. Common
Tern Sterna
hirundo hirundo Речная крачка
Common in both the Topar and the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn
region.
100.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis arenarius Чернобрюхий рябок
26/6: > 10 near Kolshengel
27/6: Common in the desert south and west of
Kolshengel, usually seen in pairs.
101. Rock Pigeon Columba livia
neglecta
Сизый голубь
Few
birds regularly encountered in Dzhabagly village. On June
There
were always Rock Pigeons present of the roof of the school in Topar village.
About 70% of these birds looked like good Rock Pigeons.
The
percentage of Feral Pigeons like birds in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region and
Almaty city centre was very high.
102. Yellow-eyed Dove Columba eversmanni
Бурый голубь
Only
seen during our 15min stop at the well known spot near Zhelturanga, 3 birds on
June 15. If coming from Topar, don’t go into the village of Zhelturanga, but
continue to the east. After ca.
103. Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus casiotis Вяхирь
Common
on the mountain slopes near Dzhabagly and at lower elevations
in the Ili-Alatau national park.
104. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto decaocto Кольчатая горлица
Common,
for instance in Dzhabagly and Topar village and in Almaty.
105. European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Обыкновенная горлица
May
12: 1 bird in Dzhabagly village was probably a migrant.
Scarce
near Topar.
106. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis meena Большая горлица
Common
on the mountain slopes near Dzhabagly. Very shy, hard to get
good looks.
1/7:
Few sightings from the train near Astana.
107. Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Малая горлица
Common
in Dzhabagly village, not seen in Topar. Also seen in
Almaty
108. Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Кукушка
Fairly
common around Dzhabagly. Once a brown morph female, on May 14.
Common
at Topar, with a brown morph female on June 25. On 21st of June a female
inspected a unfinished nest of a Black-headed Penduline Tit, but she laid no
egg in it.
Common
in the Ili-Alatau national park, with many sightings near the tree line, at
around 2750m.
109. European Scops Owl Otus scops pulchellus Сплюшка
Very
common in Dzhabagly village.
Several
times I went listening for owls in Topar, without success. However, during one
of the last nights there I saw an Otus
owl sitting in the wires. Could either be Pallid or European….
110. Little Owl Athene noctua bactriana Домовый сыч
2
birds seen often at the same spot at the edge of Topar village.
26/6:
111. Long-eared Owl Asio otus
Ушастая сова
12/6:
1 flushed from a patch of Russian Olives near Topar.
112. Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus flammeus Болотная сова
1/7:
1 flying over the steppe in the dusk near Karazhar in the
Korgalzhyn nature reserve.
113. European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus sarudnyi Козодой
June
1: 1 bird flushed from a dry riverbed near Dzhabagly.
26/6:
1 shortly heard calling in the desert west of Kolshengel, just after dusk.
114. Common Swift Apus apus pekinensis Стриж
Common
at Almaty.
9/6:
Very common in Shymkent
18/6:
2 near Topar.
115. European Bee-eater Merops apiaster Золотистая щурка
Common. Seen at Dzhabagly, around Kolshengel and once
in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn
region.
116. European Roller Coracias garrulous semenowi Сизоворонка
11/5:
Often seen from the train between Almaty and Taraz.
Common
at Dzhabagly, the desert at Topar and along the way
between Almaty and Kolhengel.
117. Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops epops
Удод
Common
throughout, e.g. seen in Dzhabagly, Topar and the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
118. White-winged Woodpecker Dendrocopus leucopterus Белокрылый дятел
May
13, 22, 25: 1 bird near Dzhabagly.
Scarce
in Topar, with up to 3 birds together in the village, or close to the village.
119. Calandra
Lark Melanocorypha
calandra psammochroa Степной жаворонок
26
and 27/6: Common in the desert west of Kolshengel. Less often encountered than
Bimaculated, but in bigger groups (10 to 20 birds).
120. Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata torquata Двупятнистый жаворонок
26
and 27/6: Common in the desert west and south of Kolshengel. Usually singles or
very small groups.
121. White-winged Lark Melanocorypha leucoptera Белокрылый жаворонок
26/6:
Fresh juvenile photographed near an artesian well near Kolshengel.
Common
in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region. Several times groups of >10 birds were
seen.
122. Black Lark Melanocorypha yeltoniensis Черный жаворонок
Common
in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region. Males were completely black by now (early
July).
123. Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla longipennis Малый жаворонок
26
and 27/6: Common in the desert west and south of Kolshengel.
Few
sightings in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
124. Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens heinei Серый жаворонок
26/6:
Small group near an artesian well at Kolshengel.
125. Crested Lark Galerida cristata magna Хохлатый жаворонок
Common
alongside the road between Topar and Kolshengel and the road between Kolshengel
and Almaty, but not seen elsewhere.
126. Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis dulcivox Полевой жаворонок
16
and 20/5: singing near Dzhabagly.
Common
in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
127. Sand Martin Riparia riparia Береговушка
12 and 27/6: 20-30 birds near Sorbulak lake.
19/6: 2 near Topar.
Common at Korgalzhyn village.
128. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica rustica Деревенская ласточка
Common
throughout, e.g. Dzhabagly, Topar, Almaty, Taukum Desert.
129. Common House Martin Delichon urbicum urbicum Городская ласточка
27/6: 3 near the Kurti River (between Kolshengel and
Sorbulak Lake).
Few nests at a building close to Bolshoye Almatinskoye
lake (2500m).
130.
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica rufula Рыжепоясничная ласточка
11/5:
Few seen from Almaty I train station.
9/6:
Some in Shymkent.
A
breeding pair was present in Dzhabagly village.
131. Tawny
Pipit Anthus
campestris Полевой конек
From 28/5 onwards: male singing in a field near
Dzhabagly.
132. Tree
Pipit Anthus
trivialis Лесной конек
15/5: 2 birds near Dzhabagly village were migrants.
5-8/7: Common in Ili-Alatau national park, at
2700-2900m.
133. Water
Pipit Anthus
spinoletta blakistoni Горный конек
5-8/7: Common in Ili-Alatau national park, seen at
2800-3300m, for instance at the Cosmos Station.
134.
Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava Желтая трясогузка
1-3/7: Abundant in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region, many
juveniles. Some birds looked like beema,
others like flava, but these forms
are very similar.
135.
Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla feldegg Черноголовая трясогузка
Common at the marshy areas near Topar.
136.
Citrine Wagtail Motacilla
citreola Желтоголовая трясогузка
13/5: 1 male of the subspecies calcarata near the edge of Dzhabagly village.
Subspecies citreola
common at the Topar marshes
2/7: 2 females near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature
reserve.
137. Grey
Wagtail Motacilla
cinerea cinerea Горная трясогузка
Fairly common along the bigger streams near Dzhabagly.
Higher numbers during mid May could be a migration peak.
1-3/7: Common along streams in the Ili-Alatau national
park.
138. White
Wagtail Motacilla
alba Белая трясогузка
3/7:
139. Masked
Wagtail. Motacilla
personata Маскированная трясогузка
Very common in southern Kazakhstan, e.g. in Dzhabagly,
Topar and Almaty. Juveniles seen from June 6 onwards.
May 21, 28, 30: A bird with a blackish back was seen
in Dzhabagly village, suggesting a hybrid origin with Hodgson’s Wagtail Motacilla alboides. The back was
blackish, showing nearly no contrast with the head. The rump however was dark
grey. Contrast strongly depended on light conditions. Flanks dark grey.
According to the Pipits and Wagtails helm identification guide by Alstrom et
al, the only difference between male Masked Wagtail and Hodgson’s Wagtail is
the back coloration.
140. Brown
Dipper Cinclus
pallasii tenuirostris Бурая оляпка
29/6: 1 near Medeu. From Almaty you can take bus 6 (30
minutes) to the Medeu ice rink. From there on you can walk a exhausting 800
steps to a dam. Just upstream from the dam I saw the dipper.
8/7: 1 seen very well some
141. Winter
Wren Troglodytes
troglodytes tianschanicus Крапивник
8/7: Several singing birds in the pines along the road
down from Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake.
142. Brown
Accentor Prunella
fulvescens fulvescens Бледная завирушка
6/7: 3 birds at the Cosmos Station.
7/7: Several birds in the valley just west of the Tian
Shan Observatory.
143.
Black-throated Accentor Prunella
atrogularis atrogularis Черногорлая завирушка
29/6: 1 singing male between the Medeu ice rink and
the big dam. From Almaty you can take bus 6 (30 minutes) to the Medeu ice rink.
From there on you can walk a exhausting 800 steps to a dam. I saw the male
while climbing the steps.
5-8/7: Common in Ili-Alatau national park, e.g. around
the Tien Shan Observatory and the pines north of Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake.
144. Altai
Accentor Prunella
himalayana Гималайская завирушка
7/7:
5-7 birds on the rocky slopes, directly east of the Cosmos Station.
145. Common
Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos hafizi Южный соловей
Common
on the mountain slopes near Dzhabagly and around Topar.
A
nightingale heard in Korgalzhyn Village on July 1st was heard to
short to hear whether it was a Common or a Thrush Nightingale.
146. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica pallidogularis Варакушка
15/5:
male near Dzhabagly.
18/5:
female near Dzhabagly.
Fairly common around Topar and in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn
region.
147. White-tailed Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis ballioni Черногрудая красношейка
Fairly
common in the Ili-Alatau national park, easily seen around the Tien Shan
Observatory.
148. Eversmann’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythronotus Красноспинная горихвостка
5-7/7:
Up tot 3 males and 1 female seen in the high pines near the Tien Shan Observatory.
6/7:
3 males and 1 recently fledged juvenile in the pines just north of Bolshoye
Almatinskoye lake.
149. Blue-capped Redstart Phoenicurus coeruleocephalus
Седоголовая горихвостка
5-8/7:
Common in the pine forest north of Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake.
Juveniles
were easily sexed, because the males already showed adult like wings, while the
rest of the plumage still looked like a juvenile.
150. Güldenstädt’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogaster grandis Краснобрюхая горихвостка
6 and 7/7: Common around the Cosmos Station. In the
small settlement a pair was feeding 5 recently fledged juveniles. As in
Blue-capped Redstarts, the juvenile males showed adult like wings. On the slope
east of the station I saw some female types and a male.
151.
Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus maurus Черноголовый чекан
20/5: Female on a mountain slope near Dzhabagly.
26/5: Female near the entrance of the Aksu-Jabagly
Nature Reserve.
15/6: Male near Topar.
1/7: Male at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
2/7: Male in Korgalzhyn.
7/7: Family party near the Tien Shan Observatory.
152.
Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Каменка-плясунья
Very common in the desert around Kolshengel, less
common around Topar.
153.
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe Обыкновенная каменка
Common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region and in the
Ili-Alatau national park.
154. Pied
Wheatear Oenanthe
pleschanka Каменка-плешанка
30/5: Female near Dzhabagly. The only sighting of any
wheatear near Dzhabagly.
16/6: Pair in the first village northwest of Topar,
along the way to lake Balkhash.
155. Desert
Wheatear Oenanthe
deserti atrogularis Пустынная каменка
26 and 27/6: Some female types in the desert west of
Kolshengel.
156. Blue
Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus Синяя птица
Irregularly seen along streams near Dzhabagly. A shy
species, song heard only once.
8/7: 2 noisy and not so shy birds some
157. Common
Blackbird Turdus
merula intermedius Черный дрозд
Fairly common in and around Dzhabagly. A male seen on
May
158. Mistle
Thrush Turdus
viscivorus bonapartei Деряба
8/6: Common in the Aksu Canyon, Aksu-Dzhabagly nature
reserve.
5-7/7: Common around the Tien Shan Observatory in
Ili-Alatau national park.
159.
Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cettialbiventris Широкохвостка
Irregularly heard around Topar. Maybe more vocal
earlier in the season.
160. Common
Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Обыкновенный сверчок
12 and 14/5: resp. 7 and 3 individuals flushed from
the mountain slopes near Dzhabagly.
6 and 8/7: 2 singing birds between the Tien Shan
Observatory and Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake.
161. Savi’s
Warbler Locustella
luscinioides fusca Соловьиный сверчок
2/7: Only heard once, near Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn
nature reserve.
162.
Blyth´s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus
dumetorum Садовая камышевка
Between mid May and early June Acrocephalus warblers were common on the mountain slopes and fields
near Dzhabagly. Identification of these skulkers was difficult, but some were
singing: babbling imitations, softer and less pretty than Marsh Warbler. These
birds were warm brown, sometimes even recalling Cetti’s Warbler in colouration,
suggesting these birds were Paddyfield Warblers. However, the long pale
supercilium was usually not obvious, concerning and confusing me a bit. Once a
dark tip was seen on the lower mandible, excluding Reed Warbler. Fortunately I
made some sound recordings of the soft babbling songs, and it appeared to be
the sub song of Blyth´s Reed Warbler. This does not mean that all Acrocephalus records near Dzhabagly were
Blyth´s, because two trapped birds most resembled Reed Warbler. Difficult
group!
163.
Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus
agricola Индийская камышевка
Only heard and seen a few times near Topar, but I
think this is because we were only there from mid June, which might be a bit
late to hear many birds.
164.
European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus
(scirpaceus) fuscus Тростниковая камышевка
29/5 and 6/6: Mist netted and photographed on a
mountain slope near Dzhabagly. However, even with good photographs of these
birds, it is hard to exclude Blyth’s Reed Warbler.
Only heard and seen a few times near Topar, but I
think this is because we were only there from mid June, which might be a bit
late to hear many birds.
165. Sedge
Warbler Acrocephalus
schoenobaenus Камышевка-барсучок
May 14: 1 flushed from a field near Dzhabagly.
Later I heard that this was only the first record for
the Aksu-Dzhabagly nature reserve.
166.
Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon mimicus Тонкоклювая камышевка
1/7: Excellent views of a bird at Sholak lake near
Korgalzhyn, where the lake flows into a river.
167. Booted
Warbler Acrocephalus
caligatus Северная бормотушка
1/7: 1 at Sholak lake near Korgalzhyn.
2/7: Family party in Korgalzhyn village.
168. Sykes’s
Warbler Acrocephalus
rama Южная бормотушка
Very common in and around Topar. By far the most
common bird in the back yard. One mist netted and photographed in the back yard
on June 20.
169. Great
Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus zarudnyi Дроздовидная камышевка
Common at the Topar lakes
170.
Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus brunnescens Туркестанская камышевка
After seeing a few possibles during our stay in the
Topar area, I finally managed to photograph a bird on the 25th of
June. Identified from the pictures: primary projection 72% (thanks to
Photoshop), broad white supercilium till above eye, long slender bill, long and
slender posture with long tail. Be aware with identifying this species that in
some respects the brunnescens subspecies
of Clamorous Reed Warbler is very similar to
zarudnyi Great Reed Warbler, e.g. in upperpart and underpart coloration and
bill shape.
171. Asian
Desert Warbler Sylvia nana Пустынная славка
27/6: About 8 birds during our drive in the desert west
and south of Kolshengel.
172. Lesser
Whitethroat Sylvia
curruca Славка-завирушка
curruca type
birds were common migrants around Dzhabagly during mid May. Short description
of a typical bird, seen in an orchard on May 18: song a whistling melody. Big,
structure of curruca. Flank unmarked,
neither grey nor buffy. Ear-coverts clearly darker grey than crown, accentuated
by pale eye-surround. Upperparts hard to judge on colour, grey-brown, not
clearly greyer or lighter than curruca.
halimodendri
types very common in and around Topar.
173. Hume’s
Whitethroat Sylvia
althaea Горная славка
Fairly common on the mountain slopes near Dzhabagly,
the first sighting on the 20th of May.
Song fairly similar to Common Whitethroat, usually
clearer and a bit faster.
Compared to the curruca
Lesser Whitethroat migrants in
the valley: bigger, greyer back and no clear ear-coverts. T6 completely white.
174. Common
Whitethroat Sylvia
communis Серая славка
Fairly common on the mountain slopes near Dzhabagly.
Seen at only one spot near Topar, but common there.
5 and 8/7: Several individuals between hydroelectric
stations GES-1 and GES-2in Ili-Alatau national park.
175.
Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus
trochiloides viridanus
Зеленая пеночка
During mid May a common migrant around and in
Dzhabagly. By the end of May less common and sometimes seen or heard on the
mountain slopes.
Few
sightings in the pine forest north of Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake.
176. Hume’s
Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei humei Пеночка-зарничка
Common on the mountain slopes near Dzhabagly.
Very common in the pines near the Tien Shan
Observatory and north of Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake.
177.
Sulphur-bellied Warbler Phylloscopus
griseolus Индийская пеночка
7/7: Excellent views of a family party (2 parents, 3
juveniles) in the valley just west of the Tien Shan Observatory. Two other
birds heard singing more up mountain.
8/7: Male seen and heard singing along the road
between the Tien Shan Observatory and Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake.
178. Common
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis Пеночка-теньковка
During the middle of May subspecies tristis was a fairly common migrant on
the mountain slopes near Dzhabagly. Latest sighting on the 26th of
May.
179. Goldcrest
Regulus
regulus tristis Королек
8/7: Only heard once in the pines north of Bolshoye
Almatinskoye lake.
180.
White-browed Tit Warbler Leptopoecile sophiae sophiae Расписная синичка
5/7; Brief views of a male in the low juniper vegetation
on the mountain slope northwest of the Tien Shan Observatory.
181.
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Серая мухоловка
Very common migrant during the middle of May on the
mountain slopes near Dzhabagly. Uncommon by the end of May and not seen in
June.
182. Asian
Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone
paradisi leucogaster
Райская мухоловка
14/5: a female in a patch of forest on a mountain
slope near Dzhabagly. This patch was visited nearly daily during May and early
June, so this single sighting suggests a migrant.
5/6: About 4 female type birds near the entrance of
the Aksu-Jabagly Nature Reserve.
10/6: 2 female types (however, 1 singing à
1st summer male?) in a river bed on a mountain slope close to
Dzhabagly village.
183.
Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus russicus Усатая синица
Very common at the Topar lakes and in the
Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
184.
Yellow-breasted Tit Cyanistes flavipectus Желтогрудая лазоревка
Fairly common around Dzhabagly, seen or heard daily in
small numbers.
On June
185. Azure
Tit Cyanistes
cyanus Белая лазоревка
14/6: 2 near Topar.
17 and 23/6: 1 heard near Topar.
20/6: Family near Topar.
5/7: Family near hydroelectric stations GES-1,
Ili-Alatau national park.
186.
Turkestan Tit Parus
bokharensis ferghanensis Бухарская синица
Fairly common in and around Dzhabagly. However, by the
end of May the species was very silent, and only seldom heard or seen. Thick
bill compared to Great Tit.
Once a hybrid with Great Tit was seen near Dzhabagly,
on June 10.
Common in and around Topar.
187. Great
Tit Parus major
major Большая синица
Common in and around Almaty, also at lower elevations
in the Ili-Alatau national park.
188.
Rufous-naped Tit Periparus rufonuchalis Рыжешейная синица
8/6: 3 birds
seen very well in the Aksu Canyon, Aksu-Dzhabagly nature reserve.
189. Coal
Tit Periparus ater
rufipectus Московка
8/7: Twice a small group in the pines north of Bolshoye
Almatinskoye lake.
190. Songar
Tit Poecile songara
songara Джунгарская гаичка
8/7:
Took me 3,5 hours to find them, on the well known spot, in
the pines north
of Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake. Apparently they are quite
silent in July. In the end, found 4 birds.
191. Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris tianschanica Обыкновенная пищуха
8/7:
1, while searching for Songar Tits, in the
pines north
of Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake.
192. Eurasian
Penduline Tit Remiz
pendulinus jaxarticus Обыкновенный ремез
2/7:
Found an abandoned nest with 3 eggs in the
193.
Black-headed Penduline Tit Remiz macronyx macronyx/ssaposhnikowi Тростниковый ремез
During our stay in Topar we saw 9 males, 5 females and
3 juveniles. Because this was our research species, we can conclude that this
species is scarce, if not rare. However, our timing was bad, maybe we should
have found more birds earlier in the season. This species prefers old reed beds
(hearing a Great Reed Warbler is a good indication that you are searching on a
good spot), which are uncommon around Topar. Many lakes near Topar (for
instance, the ones you pass coming from Kolshengel) have only a thin fringe of
(young) reed. The only spot were we found them after days of searching were the
reed beds some 6km from Topar along the way to Zhelturanga. Walking slowly and
listening carefully along the reed beds on both sides of the road is the way to
find this species.
Of the 9 males we saw, 4 looked like a nominate macronyx Black-headed Penduline Tit: a
complete black head, a dark red breast and back and broad white fringes on
tertials, primaries and tail, giving them a black-red-white appearance. Two of
them were seen building a nest in the reeds. 4 other males looked like ssaposhnikowi: black mask, throat
mottled black and white, the rest of the head chestnut brown. One of these
males was seen building a nest in a tree, not in the reeds. The other male seen
was a hybrid between these two forms and I placed a photo of this bird on
surfbirds: http://www.surfbirds.com/media/gallery_photos/20080715063417.JPG
On the picture it might look like a good macronyx Black-headed Penduline Tit, but
the throat is whitish, parts of the head are chestnut brown and the black of
the head is less extensive than in the nominate. The 5 females observed looked
surprisingly like a European Penduline Tit. They differed from them in having a
more square mask, some chestnut brown above the bill, a variable amount of
black in the neck and lighter upperparts with broader white fringes on
tertials, primaries and tail.
Because the males are fairly dimorph, with one morph
resembling a caspius European
Penduline Tit and with only one hybrid seen, it is tempting to hypothesize that
subspecies ssaposhnikowi can best be
regarded as a subspecies European Penduline Tit, occurring sympatrically with
the macronyx Black-headed Penduline
Tit. A sample size of 14 birds is a little low for a statement like this, so
more research and sightings are needed to get a good idea what is happening
over there.
194.
White-crowned Penduline Tit Remiz coronatus Черноголовый ремез
The nominate was our study species near Dzhabagly. 4
Small streams on mountain slopes were monitored. In this habitat the species is
common, we found 25 nests.
Ssp. stoliczkae
was found along a stream near Topar. 7 Nests in different stages were found
there, but not seen on other locations near Topar. This species prefers a
different habitat than Black-headed Penduline Tit. White-crowned is found along
rivers and streams without extensive reed beds. Black-headed is found along
lakes with old reed. Combined with their different breeding system makes it
unlikely that these species hybridize.
195. Indian
Golden Oriole Oriolus
oriolus kundoo Иволга
Very common in and around Dzhabagly.
196.
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio collurio Европейский жулан
13/5: A singing male on a mountain slope near
Dzhabagly was a migrant.
197.
Turkestan Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides Туркестанский жулан
Fairly common around Topar.
2/7: Female and 2 recently fledged juveniles near
Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn nature reserve.
198.
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Длиннохвостый сорокопут
Common in Dzhabagly, but not seen outside the village.
199. Lesser
Grey Shrike Lanius minor Чернолобый сорокопут
Common in and around Dzhabagly, also in the mountains.
27/6:
4/7: 1 along the road between Korgalzhyn and Astana.
200. Steppe
Grey Shrike Lanius pallidirostris Серый сорокопут
12/6: 1 along the road between Kolshengel and Topar.
26/6: 3 near Kolshengel.
27/6: Common, with about 20 sightings in the desert
south and west of Kolshengel.
201.
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica bactriana Сорока
Very common throughout, also at high altitudes in
Ili-Alatau national park.
202.
Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes rothschildi Кедровка
8/7: 5 ind. in the pines north of Bolshoye
Almatinskoye lake.
203.
Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula soemmerringii Галка
Common, but not seen near Dzhabagly.
204. Rook
Corvus frugilegus frugilegus Грач
Common
throughout, however, not seen near Dzhabagly.
205.
Carrion Crow Corvus corone orientalis Черная ворона
Common, e.g. around Dzhabagly and Topar, sometimes in
groups.
206. Hooded
Crow Corvus
cornix sharpii Серая ворона
Very common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region.
207.
Brown-necked Raven Corvus
ruficollis ruficollis Пустынный ворон
12/6: 2 birds along the highway at Kolshengel.
26/6: 6 birds flying over the highway at Kolshengel.
27/6: In the desert south and west of Kolshengel
groups of resp. 6, 4, 8, 2 and 1 birds.
208. Common
Raven Corvus
corax Ворон
May 17: pair of unknown subspecies flying over head
and calling on a mountain slope near Dzhabagly.
209. Common
Starling Sturnus vulgaris
porphyronotus Скворец
Very common throughout.
210.
Rose-coloured Starling Sturnis
roseus Розовый скворец Sound recorded 11/5: huge
groups seen from the train between Almaty and Taraz.
In Dzhabagly, the first sighting only on the 21st
of May, abundant there from the 23rd on.
In June, at dawn (9PM) many small groups fly over
Dzhabagly in western direction.
28/6 and 5/7: A group in Almaty city.
Fairly common at Topar, first fledged juveniles seen
on 27th of June.
Common in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region; a small colony
with adults and fledged juveniles in a yard in Karazhar in the Korgalzhyn
nature reserve
211. Common
Myna Acridotheres
tristis tristis Майна
Very common in and around Dzhabagly. During the day
they follow cattle in the fields, often sitting on the back of horses or sheep.
By the end of the day they come back to the village, like the cattle. A pair
was building a nest near our bed room, waking us up every morning.
Also common in Topar, Almaty and the Ili-Alatau
national park. Present at the Tien Shan Observatory, but not seen at the Cosmos
Station.
212. Saxaul
Sparrow Passer
ammodendri nigricans Саксаульный воробей
15/6: Different birds seen during our 15min stop at the well
known spot near Zhelturanga.
16
and 17/6: 1 flying over the road near Topar
213. House
Sparrow Passer
domesticus Домовой воробей
I think the nominate subspecies is a common breeding
bird in Dzhabagly. However, a House Sparrow photographed there on June 6 looks
like a bactrianus (Indian Sparrow).
12, 13 and 31/5: A group or respectively about 30, 20
and 10 birds migrating over the mountain slope in Southern direction. They flew
very fast in a straight direction. The group of the 13th landed in a
small bush and could be identified as the subspecies bactrianus. I expect the other groups to be bactrianus as well, because of their migratory behavior.
The birds in Topar looked often intermediate between bactrianus and domesticus.
Birds in Shymkent and Almaty were certainly domesticus.
27/6: Twice a big colony in the desert south and west
of Kolshengel. These colonys were in bushes, far away from any human settlement
and the birds looked like bactrianus.
The many intermediate birds seen, may indicate that bactrianus can best be regarded as a
subspecies, not a full species.
214.
Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis transcaspius Испанский воробей
10/6: 10 birds briefly present in Dzabagly village.
The whole month before not seen in the village.
8/6: Some birds near the rangers house at the Aksu
Canyon.
27/6: 2 males in the desert south of Kolshengel.
215.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer
montanus dilutus Полевой воробей
Very common in Dzhabagly, common in Almaty and
Korgalzhyn.
216.
Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus Красношапочный вьюрок
Common in the Ili-Alatau national park. Both in the
pines and above the tree line up to 3000m. Common in the electricity wires
along the first part of the track between the Tien Shan Observatory and the
Cosmos Station.
217.
Goldfinch Carduelis
(carduelis) paropanisi Седоголовый щегол
2/6: 1 near Dzhabagly village.
5/6: 2 near the entrance of Dzhabagly nature reserve.
Common in the Ili-Alatau national park. Common in the
electricity wires along the first part of the track between the Tien Shan
Observatory and the Cosmos Station, with groups of up to 10 birds.
218. Common
Linnet Carduelis
cannabina bella Коноплянка
A few sightings near Dzhabagly village.
219. Twite
Carduelis flavirostris kirghizorum Горная чечетка
3/7: group of about 20 ind. on a dirt road near
Korgalzhyn.
220. Common
Crossbill Loxia
curvirostra tianschanica Клест-еловик
7 and 8/7: Common in the pines north of Bolshoye
Almatinskoye lake.
221. Plain
Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola altaica Гималайский вьюрок
Common in the Ili-Alatau national park above the tree
line. Groups not bigger than 20 ind.
222. Desert
Finch Rhodospiza
obsoleta Буланый вьюрок
15/5: a pair in very fresh plumage feeding on the ground
along the main street in Dzhabagly village.
223. Common
Rosefinch Carpodacus
erythrinus Обыкновенная чечевица
Common on the higher mountain slopes near Dzhabagly.
The red in males extends further on the underparts and upperparts than the
nominate subspecies.
7/6: female flew in a mist net, while trapping
Penduline Tits near Dzhabagly.
15 and 16/6: Singing male in Topar village.
5-8/7: Common in the Ili-Alatau national park.
224.
Red-mantled Rosefinch Carpodacus rhodochlamys Арчевая чечевица
5-8/7: Only a few sightings in the Ili-Alatau national
park. Only seen around the Tien Shan Observatory and the valley just west of
it.
225.
White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas carnipes carnipes Арчевый дубонос
Fairly common in the Ili-Alatau national park, around
the Tien Shan Observatory and in the pines around Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake.
226.
White-capped Bunting Emberiza
stewarti Овсянка Стюарта
8/6: Some singing males in the Aksu Canyon.
227.
Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza
buchanani neobscura Скальная овсянка
13/5: 2 birds at the edge of Dzhabagly village gave
great views and must have been migrants.
228.
Red-headed Bunting Emberiza
bruniceps Желчная овсянка
Very common around Dzhabagly; common around Topar and
between Topar and Kolshengel. Not seen in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region. Females
were seldom seen.
229. Corn
Bunting Emberiza
calandra buturlini Просянка
Abundant in the fields around Dzhabagly.