Birding trip report Kazakhstan 2018

We toured Kazakhstan from May 14th to 25th, 2018. Our group included Raimo Heinonen, Hannu Kormano and Matti Lempiainen (from Finland) and Tim Edelsten (arriving from South Korea). We arrived in Almaty on the morning of the 14th, and departed from the same on the morning of the 25th. Our route was: Almaty- Sorbulak lake system- Kanshengel- Taukum- Sandhill- Topar- Araltope- Ili river canyon- Zhelek- Kokpek- Big Boguty Mountains- Charyn canyon- Almaty- Big Almaty lake- Almaty. Our tour took in a great variety of habitats, so we were able to record a relatively high number of species. Our nice and friendly guides were Askar and Anar Issabekova (anarissabekova@birds.kz). They took care of transport, food, accomodation and guiding. We can warmly recommend their services. The weather conditions were mostly quite reasonable. On the first day in Almaty it rained for some hours, but not thereafter. There was a heavy snowfall in the evening of the 23rd and there was a layer of snow about 30cm thick on the 24th, when the temperature was down to about minus five degrees celsius. Altogether we observed 213 species during the trip. The highest day total was on May 16th, when 103 species were recorded along the route from Sorbulak- Kanshengel- Sandhill- Topar- Araltope. The smallest day-count was 35 species on the 23rd, when at Big Almaty Lake and Observatory area. I have added details of amounts and locations to some of the species accounts. Photos are either by Raimo Heinonen(RH) or Hannu Kormano(HK). In this map are places where we visited.

List of species we observed:

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus One bird flew close to Topar lake. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea It was seen during seven days, max 30/day. By HK Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Only at Sorbulak 12 birds. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina During three days, most at Sorbulak 60 birds 14.5.2018. Common Pochard Aythya ferina During three days total amount 14 birds at Sorbulak and Topar lakes. Ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca At Sorbulak and Topar lakes during three days 22 birds.

By RH White-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala At Sorbulak 7 males and 9 females. By RH Gadwall Anas strepera Most at Sorbulak 20, other birds 6 at Topar lakes. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata It was observed during three days together 4 birds. Mallard Anas platyrhyncos Small amounts during six days. Northern Pintail Anas acuta One male at Sorbulak. Garganey Anas querquedula At Sorbulak system together 120 and at Topar lakes 20 birds. Common Teal Anas crecca Only one male was at Sorbulak. Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix One was heard calling at Observatory area 22.5.2018 and one male was seen next morning. Himalayan Snowcock Tetraogallus himalayensis All were observed at Tienshan area 22.5 one, 23.5 five and 23.5 two birds. Chukar Alectoris chukar Quite common, it was observed during six days.

By RH Partridge sp Perdix sp. One bird was seen briefly between Chelek and Almaty. Common Quail Coturnix coturnix Four singing birds during three days. Common Pheasant Phasanius colchius(mongolicus) Quite common but not big amounts, during six days 35 birds. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo More than 500 birds at Sorbulak system, plenty of birds also at Topar lakes. Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Seven birds at Sorbulak. Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus One bird at Sorbulak 14.5 and one bird 21.5 at Zhelek.

By RH Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris One boomin bird was heard at Topar lakes 17.5. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus One calling bird 14.5 and one bird 16.5 at Sorbulak. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax At Topar lakes 16.5 five birds, 17.5 ten birds and 18.5 one bird. Great Egret Casmerodus albus One bird 14.5 at Sorbulak and four birds 16.5 and three birds 17.5 at Topar lakes. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Small amounts during first five days(2- 10 bird/day). Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Only one bird 17.5 at Topar lakes. Black Stork Ciconia nigra One bird 17.5 at Araltope, 18.5 one bird, two birds 19.5 at Kokpek and one bird 21.5 between Zhelek and Almaty. Great Crested Grebe At Sorbulak and Topar lakes 20 and 15 birds. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis This species was seen only at Sorbulak max at least 40 birds.

By RH Honey Buzzard sp Pernis sp One bird 21.5 between Zhelek and Almaty. Black Kite Milvus migrans This species was very common, it was seen some day over 200.

By RH White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla One to two birds at Sorbulak and Topar lakes. Lammergeier Gybaetus arbatus Only one bird was seen at Observatory area 23.5. Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus One bird 20.5 at Charyn canyon. Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis Close to Ili river four 18., at Kokpek one 19. and five birds between Kokpek and Charyon canyon 20.5.

By RH

Charyn canyon by HK Eurasian Black Vulture One bird between Kapshagy and Chelek 18.5 and three birds 20.5 between Charyn canyon and Zhelek. By RH Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus One bird 20.5 between Kokpek and Chelek. Western Marsh Harrier At Sorbulak and Topar lakes was together 13 birds. Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus One 2-cy bird was at Wandering Tree area 16.5 and one male 18.5 close to Ili river canyon. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Two birds was observed close to Charyn canyon area. Shikra Accipiter badius Five birds 17.5 at Topar lakes (one breeding pair) and Araltope, two birds 18.5 between Araltope and Kapshaga and one bird 21.5 between Zhelek and Almaty. Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo During seven days one bird/day. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus Together we saw 29 birds the biggest amount was 12 birds 15.5 at Kanshengel- Taukum area.

By RH Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius One bird between Zhelek and Almaty 20.5.

By RH Golden Eagle Aquia chrysaetos Total amount 8 birds, three birds 19.5 at Kokpek area. Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Two birds 15.5 at Kanshengel-Taukum area, two birds 16.5 at Taukum-Sandhill area and one bird 19.5 at Big Boguty mountains.

By RH By HK Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca One bird 15.5 at Taukum area and three birds 16.5.

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Five birds(colony) between Zhelek and Charyn canyon and two birds 21.5 between Zhelek and Almaty. By RH Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Almost every day changing amounts, together 101 birds. Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo During six days together 9 bird. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus At Sorbulak 14.5 20 birds and 16.5 7 birds, at Topar lakes 17.5 seven birds and 18.5 two birds. Eurasian Coot Fulica atra At Sorbulak 20 birds. Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo At Wandering Tree area was seen two migrating flocks together 23 birds. Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii At Big Almaty lake we saw four birds. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus At Sorbulak 14.5 ten birds, at Kanshengel-Taukum area 15.5 two, at Topar lakes 17.5 fifteen and 18.5 six birds. Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Two birds at Sorbulak 14.5. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Together 10 birds 15.5 and four 16.5. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus At Sorbulak 11 birds 14.5. By RH Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii(crassirostris) At Taukum desert together 17 birds.

By RH Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Two birds at Sorbulak lake 14.5. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus During during five days together 23 birds. Little Stint Calidris minuta At Sorbulak 14.5 three birds and at Kanshengel- Taukum area 15.5 one. Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii At Sorbulak 70 birds 14.5, at Wandering Tree and Kanshengel-Taukum area 20 birds 15.5 and 16.5 ten. Ruff Philomachus pugnax One bird at Sorbulak lake 14.5. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Only one bird 17.5 at Topar lakes. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa One bird at Sorbulak lake 14.5. Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus At Sorbulak four birds 14.5 and 16.5 one. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus One bird at Sorbulak 14.5 with other waders. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos During three days 3 birds. Green Sandpiper tringa ochropus One bird at Sorbulak 14.5 and one at Big Almaty Lake 21.5. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Together 15 birds at Sorbulak 14.5. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia At Sorbulak and Topar lakes small amounts 14. – 17.5. Common Redshank Tringa totanus At Sorbulak 8 birds 14.5 and one 16.5. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Changing amounts during four days. Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans Changing amounts and ages during three days at Sorbulak and Topar lakes. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Only two birds 18.5 between Araltope and Kapshagay. Black Tern Chlidonias niger Two birds at Sorbulak 14.5 and together 18 at Topar lakes 16. and 17.5.

By RH White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Only one at Sorbulak 14. and one at Topar lakes 17.5. Common Tern Sterna hirundo Changing amounts during five days.

Black-bellied Sandgrouse pterocles orientalis At Taukum desert area 25 birds 16.5, seven 17.5 and 20 birds 19.5 at Big Boguty mountains. By RH Pallas’s Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus At Taukum Desert area 1+11 birds 15.5 and two at Big Boguty mountains 19.5.

By RH Rock Dove Columba livia Small, changing amounts every day. Yellow-eyed Dove Columba eversmanni At Zhelturanga forest was observed 12 birds. By HK Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus During six days 16 birds. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopeliaa decaocto Common species during six days 50 birds. European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Only two at Taukum Desert area 15.5 and one between Ili river canyon and Zhelek 18.5. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis(meena) During eight days 36 doves.

By RH Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis At Kanshengel-Taukum area one 15.5, two at Topar 16.5 and at Zhelek one 20. and two doves 21.5. Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus During ten days together 40 birds. European Scops Owl Otus scops One calling at Araltope 16. and 17.5 and one calling at Zhelek 19. and 20.5. European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus One singing bird 14.- 15.5 at Sorbulak, three singing 16.5 at Araltope and two 17.5. Common Swift Apus apus Only at Charyn canyon 20 birds 20.5. Alpine Swift Apus melba Two birds at Charyn canyon 20.5. European Bee-eater Merops apiaster Quite common, during six days 118 birds, 50 birds 21.5 between Zhelek and Almaty. European Roller Coracias garrulus Common, during eight days 367 birds, 150 between Zhelek and Almaty 21.5.

By RH Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Quite common, during eight days together 59 birds. White-winged Woodpecker Dendrocopus leucopterus During three days 11 birds, at Zhelturanga forest 7. Wryneck Jynx torquila One bird at Taukum 15.5. Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra Abundant species at steppe area during six days 230 birds. By RH Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata At Wandering Tree area 5 birds 16.5. White-winged Lark Melanocorypha leucoptera At Taukum desert area 11 birds 15.5.

By RH Geater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Together 46, at Taukum desert area 40 birds 15.5

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella cheelensis At Taukum desert area 10 birds 15.5. By RH Crested Lark Galerida cristata During six days 115 birds. Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis Together 23 during two days, 20 birds between Zhelek and Almaty 20.5. Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris(albigula) One bird at Big Boguty area drinking at the well.

By RH Sand Martin Riparia riparia Three birds at Kanshengel-Taukum area.

Pale Sand Martin Riparia diluta 19.5. together 100 birds in Malybai, near Zhelek. By RH Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris During three days 40, at Charyon canyon area 30 birds 20.5. Barn swallow Hirundo rustica Changing amounts during nine days. Common House Martin Delichon urbicum Together 225 during seven days. Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Surprisingly scarce, only nine birds dduring three days. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Together 36 birds during six days. Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta(blakistoni) At Obsevatory and Cosmos station area together 69 birds 21. - 24.5. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava At Taukum- Topar lake area together 16 birds. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola(citreola/calcarata) One bird at Topar lakes and one very fine male calcarata subspecies close to Charyn canyon area.

By RH Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Small amounts during seven days together 18 birds.

By RH White Wagtail Motacilla (alba) perrsonata Small amounts during eight days together 31 birds.

By RH White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus Two birds at Big Almaty lake area 23.5. Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii At Big Almaty lake area five 23.5 and four adults and five juveniles 24.5. By HK Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes(tianshanicus) Three birds at Big Almaty lake area 23.5. Brown Accentor Prunella fulvescens At Observatory area together four birds 22. – 24.5.

BY RH Black-throated Accentor Prunella atrogularis At Big Almaty lake – Observatory area together 30 birds 21. – 24.5. By RH Altai Accentor Prunella himalayana Between Observatory and Cosmos station one bird 22.5. Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris Three birds between Cosmos station and Observatory 22.5. Rufous Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes One bird between Sandhill and Topar lakes 16.5 and two birds 18.5 between Araltope and Kapshagay.

By RH Common Nightingale luscinia magarhyncos(hafizi) Quite common, during eight days 109 birds. White-tailed Rubythroat Lusinia pectoralis At Observatory area together four beautiful males.

By RH Evermann’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythonotus 21. – 24.5 together 13 birds.

By RH Blue-capped Redstart Phoenicurus coeruleocephalus At Big Almaty lake area 2males and one female 23.5 and one male and 2 females 24.5. By RH Common Redstart Phenicurus phoenicurus Only two birds during our tour. Guldenstädt’s Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogaster Two males and females at Cosmos station 22.5.

By RH Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus only six birds during three days. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina One of the commonest birds during our tour together 220 birds during six days. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Only one bird close to Cosmos station 22.5. Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka During six days together 30 birds. By RH By HK Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti At Big Boguty Mountains was observed 5 males and one female 19.5.

By RH Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis Together six birds 19. – 20.5 at Kokpek – Charyon canyon area. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius One bird 15. and two birds 19.5 at Kokpek area.

Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus Breeding pair at Almaty city 21.5, one male 23.5 and two birds 24.5 at Big Almaty lake area. By HK Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus During seven days together 21 birds. Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti During five days together 11 birds. Common Grassshopper Warbler Locustella naevia One singing close to Charyn canyon 20.5 and one singing at Big Almaty lake 22.5. Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola One at Topar lakes 16.5 and two 17.5. Blyth’s Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum During five days 23 birds, 15 birds 17.5 at Topar lakes area. European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus(fuscus) Two birds Topar lakes 17.5. Syke’s Warbler Hippolais rama At Taukum desert and Sandhill area together 15 birds 15. – 17.5.

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus At Sorbulak and Topar lakes together 6 birds 14. – 17.5. Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana One bird at Sandhill and one close to Topar lakes 16.5. Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria Together 13 birds at Taukum desert and Sandhilla rea 15. – 16.5. By HK

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca(halimodendri) Quite common, together nearly one hundred birds, at Kokpek area three Hume’s Whitethroat (althea) 19.5. Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis During seven days together 14 birds. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides During seven days 24 birds, most at the mountain area. Hume’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei Quite common during eight days together 107 birds.

By RH Sulphur-bellied Warbler Phylloscopus grieseolus At Observatory area 10 birds 23.5. By RH Common Chiffchaff Phyllocopus collybita(tristis) Only two birds 17.5 at Topar lakes. White-browed Tit Warbler Leptopoecile sophiae One male at Observatory area 23.5. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata During four days 23 birds. Azure Tit Parus cyanus During five days 16 fine birds in many different kinds habitats.

By RH By HK Turkestan Tit Parus bokharensis During four days 28 birds. Great Tit Parus major During six days together 14 birds. Coal Tit Parus ater At Big Almaty lake area 20 birds 21. – 24.5. Eastern Rock Nuthatch Sitta tephronota At Ili river canyon 3 birds, at least one breeding pair 18.5. By HK

By ML European Treecreeper Cerhia familiaris At Big Almaty lake area 2 birds 23.5. White-crowned Penduline Tit Remiz coronatus At Zhelek three birds and between Zhelek and Almaty five more, all 21.5. By RH Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo At Zhelek one bird 21.5 and Oriolus species two birds at Araltope 17.5 and two birds between Zhelek and Almaty 21.5.

By RH Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio During two days four birds together. Turkestan Shrike Lanius phoenicurroides Quite common, during seven days together 80 birds. By RH By HK Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach(erythronotus)One bird at Toraigyr mountains, Alasa pass 20.5.

By RH

Lesser Grey Shrike Changing amounts during six days together 30 birds. Steppe Grey Shrike Lanius pallidirostris One bird at Taukum desert 15., two birds at Sandhill 16., one bird at Kokpek- Big Boguty Mountains area 19. and one bird 20.5. at Kokpek- Charyn canyon area. Eurasian Magpie Pica pica Every day changing amounts. Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes One bird at Big Almaty lake 22.5. Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus Three birds at Cosmos station 22.5. Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Six birds at Cosmos station 22.5. Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula During eight days changing amounts. Rook Corvus frugilegus At Sorbulak 14.5 over 1000 birds, during other seven days less. Carrion Crow Corvus corone (orientalis)During ten days changing amounts. Common Raven Corvus corax During eight days 16 birds. Brown-necked Raven Corvus rufescens At Taukum desert at least 20 birds 15.5. Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris(porphyronotus) Small amounts during six days. Rose-coloured Starling Pastor roseus At Sorbulak system over 100000 birds especially in the evening 14.5. After the first day we didn’t count anymore. By RH By HK Common Myna Acridotheres tristis During ten days from some birds to 20, almost everywhere. Saxaul Sparrow Passer ammodendri At Topar lakes area together 8 birds 16. – 17.5.

By RH House Sparrow Passer domesticus Small amounts during seven days. Indian Sparrow Passer indicus At Kanshengel- Taukum area 15. – 16.5 together 20 birds. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis At Kanshengel- Taukum area together 4 birds 15. – 16.5. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Small amounts during six days. Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia At Ili river canyon three birds 18., at Big Boguty Mountains five 19. and at Kokpek- Charyn canyon area 10 birds 20.5. Red-fronted Serin Serinus pusillus At Big Almaty lake- Observatory area together 65 birds 21. – 24.5. By RH European Greenfinch Chloris chloris Only at Chelek 18. – 21.5 together 4 birds. European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis(paropanisi) During four days together 18 birds. Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina (bella) At Big Boguty- Kokpek area together 13 birds 19. – 20.5. Plain Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola At Observatory- Cosmos station- Big Almaty lake area 24. after the snowstorm 300 and 100 birds 22.5. Asian Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys sanguineus At the well in Big Boguty Mountains two birds drinking.

By RH Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta At Kanshangel one male and two female 16.5. Mongolian Finch Bucanetes mongolicus At the drinking place in Big Boguty 10 birds. By RH Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus During eight days together 73 birds. Red-mantled Rosefinch Carpodacus rhodachlamys At Observatory area together 22 birds 21. – 24.5. White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas carnipes At Observatory area 23 birds 21.- 24.5.

By RH White-capped Bunting Emberiza stewarti At Kokpek area together 5 males and one female 19.5.

By RH By HK

Rock Bunting Emberiza cia At Kokpek area 9 birds 19. – 20.5.

By HK

Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana During three days together 11 birds. Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza buchani At Big Boguty – Kokpek area 7 birds 19. – 20.5. By RH Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus One bird at Topar lakes 16. – 17.5.

By RH Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps Fairly common, during six days 73 birds. By RH Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra Together 25 birds between Zhelek and Almaty 20. and 21.5.

Our group is eating lunch at Big Boguty mountains area. The last morning at Observatory area after the preevious night snowfall.

The way down to Observatory and Big Almaty lake from Cosmos station.