Shelek, Bartogay.

It's always breezy in Shelek area, but today the wind is stronger. Additionally, its direction, from east to west, is not fair for migrant birds. Probably, that's why we saw few birds in Shelek surroundings. There were almost no small passerines seen. Birds of prey were represented by Common Kestrels (both perched and soaring), one perched Black Kite who later flew off and soared around, and one quite a small and reddish Common Buzzard. A couple of Red-crested Pochards floated in back-water of Shelek river. Small salty swamps along the road attract a variety of birds. We saw a male Mallard, a Lapwing, a Great White Egret and a Turkestan Shrike and once a Pheasant hen leaped to the road. There were many Sand Martrins and Magpies.

Bartogay. There is a plenty of Wheatears in the steppe zone of Sogety valley and in foothills. Mainly Isabelline Wheatears, but also Pied Wheatears, and we even saw a Northern Wheatear. Some Isabelline Wheatears already feed nestlings, while others collect nesting material so far. We also saw a Tawny Pipit. As usual, Ruddy Shelducks fly at the lake, both single and, more often, in pairs. In a small creek, we saw a pod of Tufted Ducks (3 males and two females), one Great Cormorant and Goosanders (two males and two females). Seeing the Cormorant was a surprise for me as I never saw Cormorant in Bartogay before. We also met a Common Sandpiper at the shore. Birds of prey at Bartogay lake were represented by a couple of Black Kite and Kestrels. Along toward evening the wind dropped. Ruddy Shelducks flied but and ben. Up in the ravine, Chuckar Partridges came out to the evening feeding.