Almaty, Republic Square.

Sunny, cold day. Generally I planned to find wintering Warblers, and I found one Barred Warbler and two Lesser Whitethroats. All Warblers were very active, so it means they easily survived the night cold (about -15-17 C). So I was pleased, but the most interesting observations were to come. From a distance I saw the flock of flying birds which were same to Mynahs by size and by flight. However it was not visible white on wings. Flock grounded on thuja, I moved closer and saw that they were Waxwings. Flock flew away but after a short time birds came back in two flocks. At the same tuyah thickets where waxwings foraged the Blackbirds, two Black-throated Thrushes and one Redwing (my lifer) were feeding too. Other noticed uncommon birds: Greenfinches, Siskins flock, one Goldcrest and numerous Bramblings.