Chilik. Enbekshikazakh region, Almaty oblast.

On February-March in Chilik the Woodpeckers begin to drum. Males drum on telegraph-pole. Probably sound from old, dry pole is best on this country. Local people say that in Chilik Woodpeckers drum all around. Indeed early morning I have found Woodpecker after five minutes from the searching begin. It was White-winged Woodpecker. Woodpecker has drummed on pole not looking around. Unfortunately waking dog has flushed the bird. Other interesting Chilik birds are alone Siskin on birch-tree and a flock of Chaffinches.

On Chilik locality on Djida's bush-trees there are again Blackbirds, Black-throated Thrushes, Mistle Thrushes, Great Tits and one male Eversmann's Redstart. But all these birds are common, not extraordinary. But I have seen also uncommon birds. Female Long-tailed Rosefinch (Last time I saw Long-tailed Rosefinch more the one year ago). The bird has leaked by specific sound of wings on flying “frrr-frrr”. Also I have seen Turkestan Tits. Representatives of both relative species (Great and Turkestan Tits) have fed together. So I have a chance to compare colors of birds. Turkestan Tit on flying looks as Great Tit but bluish-grey like Azure Tit. And main spring news – I have seen a flock of Common Starlings. About ten birds have fed on Djida with pair of Mistle Thrushes together.

On the return I have stopped in Malovodnoe but have seen only four Lapwings. But near Panfilovskoe have seen a lot of round-flying Rooks. A flock about hundred birds has round on the sly. Probably birds are going to migrate.