Himalayan Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis May Saz, Kyrgyzstan 5.July 2003.
Computer manipulated picture: Copyright Hanne og Jens Eriksen www.birdsoman.com

Dear Birdwatcher

All observations are made by following observers and participants on Mikstures ornithological Expedition to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan summer 2003: Merete Crone, Jytte Topp, Sven Bødker, Bodil & Jes Ferdinand, Hanne & Jens Eriksen and Michael W. Andersen (tour leader). Majority of this bird list is writen in Danish, English and scientific names. Initially there are some Danish remarks.

List of species observed during Mikstures ornithological travel to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan 27.June - 20:July 2003. There were 6 participants lead by Mikstures founder and owner Mi-chael Westerbjerg Andersen. The travel was Michaels 28. travel to Central Asia. Miksture provide information both genrel about travelling in the countries and specific ornithological information. Ultimo June 2004 we have a new ornithological travel to Kyrgyzstan and Ka-zakhstan (please contact Michael for further information). Program can be studied on our web: www.sitecenter.dk/kirgistan) or contact Michael. Join the group from Copenhagen or participate from Bishkek. All birders are welcome and on our travels there usually is a mix-ture of nationalities. Language is no problem: English, German and Danish are spoken.

Miksture/Michael Westerbjerg Andersen can be contacted for further information and ques-tions and I welcome any remarks and dialogue: michaelwandersen@hotmail.com

Web: www.sitecenter.dk/kirgistan

On behalf of Kyrgyz Travel and Miksture; Michael Westerbjerg Andersen

 

Itinerary - day by day

27. June Dep. Copenhagen and arrival in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Arrival in Almaty by schedule Pm 2245. Some negotiating with the customs about visa re-quirements; few days before departure rules were altered, but everything solved and we were ready to leave the airport by midnight.

28. June Almaty - Bishkek and ornithological observations in Bishkek-area.

We use private bus for the drive between Almaty and Bishkek. During the drive, we stopped few times for toilet stops, snacks and birding. By 0500 Am we crossed the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan; half and hour later we were in Bishkek. After accommodation, breakfast and few hours rest, we began bird watching. There are several locations around Bishkek; of course some better than others. The dry hills south of the city are the most ac-cessible. The city centre itself is excellent. Species of interest this day include observations of Hobby, Alpine Swift, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Calandra Lark, Isabelline Wheatear, Azure Tit, Isabelline Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Rose-coloured Starling and Red-headed Bunting.

29. June Ala Archa

This well known locality is located app. 40 km south of Bishkek. The road to the National Park is excellent birding area. In Ala Archa we spend about 7 hours. Observations to mention were a.o. Lammergeier 2, Himalayan Griffon Vulture 2, Golden Eagle, Dipper (White-throated Dipper) - local ssp. C.c.leucogaster, Brown Dipper (Himalayan Dipper), Black-throated Accentor 19, Eversmann´s Redstart, Blue-headed Redstart, Blue Whistling Thrush, Greenish Warbler ( ssp. P.t.plumbeitarsus), Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler, Ru-fous-naped Tit, Common Rosefinch (Scarlet Rosefinch) and Red-mantled Rosefinch. On our way back to Bishkek, we made a short stop in a hilly semi-desert area, which turned up an unexpected observation of a breeding pair of White-crowned Penduline Tit (Remiz corona-tus).

30. June Ala Archa & Bishkek and Karakol.

Sightings began in Ala Archa where we had an appointment with the breeding Himalayan Rubythroat. Similar observations as yesterday including White-browed Tit Warbler (Severt-zov's Tit Warbler, Stoliczka's Tit Warbler) and White-winged Grosbeak

After lunch we drove eastwards along Chuy River to campsite before reaching the high-plateau with Issyk-Kul. Along the road there are several excellent locations, though it's rec-ommended to search along the river, in the dry hills south of the road and in the lush valleys with agricultural vegetation. Birds of interest were a.o. Montagu's Harrier, Long-legged Buz-zard, Chukar Partridge, Turtle Dove, Hoopoe, European Kingfisher, European Roller, Euro-pean Bee-eater, Variable Wheatear, White-crowned Penduline Tit (Remiz coronatus), Isabel-line Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike and Golden Oriole,

1. July Tüp Region - Karakol

Morning observations around campsite. Departure 1010 AM to sandgrouse locations north of Issyk-Kul Lake. There are several excellent areas for sandgrouses, though few for Pallas's Sandgrouse. We managed to find single specimens which were photographed as well. In the dry uncultivated areas there are several interesting areas and new tour species were discov-ered a.o. Hill Pigeon (Eastern Rock Dove), Oriental Turtle Dove (Rufous Turtle Dove), Crested Lark, Hume´s Short-toed Lark, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Tawny Pipit, Desert Wheat-ear, Pied Wheatear and Grey-necked Bunting. Late afternoon we visited the gentle rolling Semjenonskoje-area: Black-eared Kite (Milvus lineatus), Eurasian Buzzard ssp Steppe Buz-zard (fox-red type) and more beautiful passerines like Common Rosefinch (Scarlet

Rosefinch), Red-mantled Rosefinch and White Wagtail ssp personata. Arrival in Karakol was we were accommodated in a hotel at 1915 PM.

2. and 3.July Kara Chungkur: border area between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

The next two days we spend in the border region. A long broad valley known as a spring and autumn migration corridor between the mountains. Actually little is known about the birds present in the breeding season and clients were positive of this opportunity to participate in exploration a new area. There are several interesting observation spots along the road. Cer-tainly it's well worth spending a couple of days in the area, but frankly spoken, some parts are better than others. Among observed species were: Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Black Stork, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Garganey, Tufted Duck, Steppe Eagle, Booted Ea-gle, Black-eared Kite, Long-legged Buzzard, Hobby, Common Quail, Stonechat ssp. maura, Upcher`s Warbler, Isabelline Shrike, Spotted Nutcracker, Fire-fronted Serin and Pine Bunting 4 sg.%%+1&.

3.- 5.July May-Saz

The 3.July we returned to Karakol and continued to May-Saz in the Sary-Jaz region. It's a huge area and there are several excellent birding spots. The pass is difficult to get through most of the year and we were lucky this time... few days later the pass were closed for sev-eral days due to a heavy blizzard. Local information is mandatory. Many interesting such as mountain birds a.o. Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Snowcock, Hill Pigeon (Eastern Rock Dove), Northern Eagle Owl - Bubo bubo A feather found in May Saz were only evidence of this owl during our journey...Crag Martin, Water Pipit, Tree Pipit, Ci-trine Wagtail, Black-throated Accentor, Brown Accentor, Himalayan Rubythroat, Evers-mann´s Redstart, Isabelline Wheatear, Greenish Warbler ssp. P.t.plumbeitarsus, Sul-phur-bellied Warbler, Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler, White-browed Tit Warbler, Spotted Nutcracker, Eurasian Linnet, Twite and Plain Mountain Finch, etc.1997 I observed Little Tern Sterna albifrons in the area, right in the centre of Tien Shan Mountains. If one looks at the possible migration routes - which have to be along the rivers, the tern have to migrate through China to reach Kyrgyzstan - a remarkable travel! In 2003 we didn't observe the tern.

6. July Tamga

In the afternoon 5.july we drove to Kyrgyz Travels hotel in Tamga situated at Issyk-Kul.

Due our flexible way of travelling we have the opportunity to adapt our travel to the condi-tions. In this case my suggestion to spend the following nights inside where welcomed; heavy rain made tenting less comfortable.. And Tamga where our base for the next days. Tamga is a quiet village on the south coast of Issyk-Kul. The hotel is situated with excellent view to the surroundings, in south, the towering Jetim-Bel range at the end of Barskoun val-ley. Across the road there is an apricot (plantage) which feathered inhabitants frequently visit the gardens a.o. Azure Tits, Common Rosefinch, Hoopoe, Common Myna, etc.

It takes only 5 min walking from Tamga to reach the lakeshore. There is always plenty of water birds to observe and during wintertime, the lake are world-class - it never covered ex-tensively by ice due the areas geothermic character, Issyk-Kul means "hot lake"

The fields east of the village are excellent for birding. In spring and autumn the fields teems with roosting migrants. In breeding season plenty interesting birds as: Black-eared Kite, Hobby, Common Quail, Corncrake, Common Pheasant, Oriental Turtle Dove, Hoopoe, Euro-pean Roller, more species of larks, Citrine Wagtail e.g. ssp. M.c.calcarata: 7/7 15 and 8/7 14 Tamga (4 M.c.werae), Grey Wagtail, five species of wheatears, Isabelline Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Rose-coloured Starling, Golden Oriole, Local race or species of Grey-headed Goldfinch C.caniceps paropanisi, more species of buntings, etc. Furthermore there is several species associated with semi-desert and mountain habitats.

The "Rose Garden Hotel" is the only hotel in Tamga and simply the best option to be ac-commodated along the south coast: Safe, excellent food, hot water, sauna, clean accommo-dation, showers and toilets, excellent location, open all year, low rates, friendly staff and excellent birding. All travellers are heartily welcome; please contact Miksture, Michael W. An-dersen for booking and further information.

The 6.July we went to a valley to search for Ibisbill. There are several locations in the moun-tain range east of Issyk-Kul where this beautiful bird can be found; wherever suitable habitat is found there is a possibility. Within two days excursion from Tamga it's possible to find at least 20 birds. This day we found 6 birds. Otherwise the ornithological list this day were not that impressive - we more or less dedicated the day to the Ibisbill and hence did not recog-nise many other birds - usually there is plenty of mountain birds to be seen in the region. Nevertheless species for 6.July to mention were: Golden Eagle, Black-eared Kite, Steppe Buzzard, Oriental Turtle Dove, Hoopoe, Grey Wagtail, Dipper (White-throated Dipper), Olivacceous Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler, Isabelline Shrike, Red-billed Chough, Alpine Chough, Fire-fronted Serin, Common Rosefinch, Red-mantled Rosefinch and Rock Bunting.

7. July Barskaun Valley

We spend most of the day in the mountainous areas south of Tamga. There are more roads leading to good bird locations, but the most accessible but uncharming is the Kumtor Mine road. Species observed were a.o. Great Crested Grebe, Goosander, Lammergeier, Himala-yan Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Altai Accentor [Himalayan Accen-tor], Himalayan Rubythroat, Güldenstädts Redstart, Black Redstart, Eversmann's Redstart, Blue-headed Redstart (remarkable few observations during this travel compared to other years), Black-throated Thrush (common during migration, more difficult to find during breed-ing time), Blue Whistling Thrush, Carrion Crow, Fire-fronted Serin, Red Crossbill, Brandt's Mountain Finch (Brandt's Rosy Finch), Plain Mountain Finch (Hodgson's Rosy-Finch, Hodg-son's Mountain Finch) and Rock Bunting.

8. July Semi-desert area close to Tamga and Salt Lake

Two locations were included in the day's itinerary. First part of the day, we went to a little semi-desert area which is found to be excellent for desert birds. There are numerous habitats similar to this around Issyk-Kul. Most of them have no specific name and it's recommended to stop among the desert hills and the foothills of the mountains; always interesting areas for birds. Desert Mountains like this is the sites where to search for larks, desert finches, pipits and the theoretical occurrence of groundjays. Observations included: Long-legged Buzzard, Hobby, Chukar Partridge, Yellow legged Gull, Little Owl, Hoopoe, Isabelline Wheatear, Vari-able Wheatear, Pied Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Mongolian Trumpeter Finch, Grey-necked Bunting, Rock Bunting, etc.

In the afternoon we arrived to a new ornithological location, Kyrgyz Travel and Miksture found in April 2003. Our first visit revealed more interesting species as Slender-billed Gull, Brown-necked Raven, more species/ssp. of Short-toed Larks, etc. and expectations were rising upon arrival. The area is surrounded by low dry hills and the plateau itself is desert like with scattered bushes. A remarkable landscape. There is a little brackish lake which revealed the first Kyrgyz breeding record of Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna. Other species were Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveller, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Common Red-shank, Common Greenshank, Yellow legged Gull, Common Tern, Hume's Short-toed Lark, White-winged Lark, Sand Martin, Black Redstart, Pied Wheatear, Olivacceous Warbler, Booted Warbler, Southern Booted Warbler and more colonies of Rock Petronia. Late after-noon we were surprised by a sandstorm and blizzard; though lasting only 10-15 minutes it caused severe problems (no dangerous) for our camp, especially the tents didn't enjoy the strong wind. We had to move the camp some hundred meters away and no more problems arose. Just to mention that conditions are shifting rapid which travellers should bear in mind while travelling in the Central Asian mountains.

9. July Salt lake-area and Son Kul

Morning observations didn't add new species to our tour list ad 0630AM we were on the road again. During the drive to Son Kul we made a few stops. At Balykchy we visited a marsh with small lakes: Black-necked Grebe, Gadwall, Northern Shoveller, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Little Crake, Black-winged Stilt, Black-headed Gull, Citrine Wagtail, Paddyfield Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit, etc. In the afternoon we arrived at Son Kul. Birds seen on the way to Son Kul: Lammergeier, Laggar/Saker Falcon, Alpine Accentor, Water Pipit, etc.

10. and 11.July Son Kul

It's a huge area and birds tend to gather at certain points and locations. Access is restricted to the roads unless permits are attained. There a lots of interesting birds, especially water birds and mountain birds. In windy days, it's difficult to obtain good views of the waterfowl and it's recommended to spend such days in the surrounding hills and mountains. During our stay, the wind was blowing and certainly it reduced the possibilities to obtain good views and numbers of water birds. In summer 1997 I observed one adult Relict Gull in the lake, but since we didn't have found it. Brown-headed Gull occurs as well, though in low numbers. Another speciality from the lake is the Bar-headed Goose, but in the past five years, numbers and sightings gradually decreased. Probably it does not breed at Son Kul and is now a rare bird in Kyrgyzstan with just one known breeding site. Post- and nonbreeding birds still occur at Son Kul in small numbers, usually 1-5 birds. In spring 2003 only three birds were recorded in Son Kul. Birds seen at Son Kul: Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, more species of ducks, Black Stork, Ruddy Shelduck, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Cinerous Vulture, Merlin, Laggar Falcon, Demoiselle Crane, Lesser Sand Plover, Shore Lark, Yellow Wagtail, Citrine Wagtail, Brown Dipper (Himalayan Dipper), Alpine Accentor, Brown Accentor, Northern Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, White-winged Snow Finch (Snow Finch), etc.

12.July Son Kul - Bishkek

We left Son Kul 0545 AM driving to Bishkek. Birds seen along the road were a.o. Citrine Wagtail, Common Rosefinch, European Roller, Hoopoe, etc. Arrival in Bishkek at 1330 AM. Accommodation at hotel for last night in Kyrgyzstan. Hobby and Little Owl were seen at the hotel.

13.July Bishkek - Almaty, Kazakhstan.

We left Bishkek at 0400 AM driving to Almaty. The area between Bishkek and Almaty usually are excellent for bird watching, though few species were encountered during the drive; most interesting were Rose-coloured Starling, Laughing Dove, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Lesser Grey Shrike and Red-headed Bunting. At noon we entered the Tran Sibe-rian Railroad and for the next 24 hours we travelled through the south-western Kazakhstan for getting the capitol of Kazakhstan, Astana. The train is probably the slowest option to travel the distance; usually travellers prefer airplane between Almaty and Astana (it's fairly cheap and quick). This was an "experiment" and quite a success. We managed to observe an excellent range of birds; much more rewarding than expected. In addition the train option is such a relaxed and interesting way of travelling - the impression of the landscape and country is second to none! In 2004 we'll use the train again! We left Almaty 1140 AM and arrived 0905 AM the next day. During the travel bird watching were possible and the species recorded were excellent: Ferruginous Duck, Pallid Harrier, Red-footed Falcon 60, Saker Fal-con 4, Short-eared Owl, Hoopoe, European Roller 175, Isabelline Wheatear, Lesser Grey Shrike, Rook 75.000++ (huge flocks of post-breeding birds apparently gathering in central and SE corner of the steppe; probably many birds from colonies in Kyrgyzstan migrate north in summer, Rose-coloured Starling app.10.000, etc.

14. and 15. July Astana and Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

After obtaining permits we left Astana and headed straight towards Kurgaldzino. The land-scape is dominated by treeless steppe, majority cultivated. We made few but rewarding stops at Red-footed Falcon colonies and enjoyed Ferruginous Duck, Pallid Harrier, Demoi-selle Crane and White-winged Black Tern. At Kurgaldzino we were accommodated in Kara-char village at the shore of Lake Tengis. Before dinner we were able to spend some hours in the magnificent area. A place like Kurgaldzino should be an experience for all birders. It's such an unspoilt place and holds an unrivalled range of birds; our European Coto Donana, Camargue, etc is really a shadow of Kurgaldzino. The reserve were established 1968 and is the largest steppe reserve in Kazakhstan. The area is app. 2.500 km2, of which most is steppe lakes. We birded Kurgaldzino for two days - more days are recommended! Following lines are cited from Mauri Leivo and Pauli Dernjatins excellent article "Kazakhstan - The land of the Pallas Sandgrouse", Aula 2/2000: "Several "Baraba Gulls" Larus cachin-nans/heuglini/barabensis, flew around us maybe hoping for bread, fish remains or some other handout (actually the fishermen throw fish remains when they clean fish in the evening, attracting all the gull species, MWA). A few Greater Black-headed Gulls, tens of marsh Harri-ers and large flocks of Pochard, Greylag Goose and Flamingo were flying on the lake, page 50" and : "The typical species of the steppe were: Kestrel, Demoiselle Crane, Black-winged Pratincole, Black Lark, White-winged Lark (far less common than Black Lark during our stay, MWA), Skylark, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava beema and Wheatear. The most common species of the steppe lakes were Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Flamingo, Greylag, Shoveler, Pochard and many other ducks. Marsh Harrier, Black-winged Stilt, Black-headed Gull, "Barbara Gull", Common Tern, Black Tern, Paddyfield Warbler (though war-blers were rarely not recorded during our stay; they stopped singing weeks before our arrival, MWA) and Reed Bunting. Of the most interesting species from the Finnish view-point (and Danish, MWA) the following were daily: Dalmatian Pelican, Ferrugineous Duck, White-headed Duck, Marsh Sandpiper, Slender-billed Gull, Great Black-headed Gull, White-winged Tern and Citrine Wagtail. On the top of the list from a worldwide viewpoint are definitely the Black and White-winged Larks, forming an essential part of the sounds cape of the steppes, page 50)

During our stay the migration of shorebird were taking place and we enjoyed a long list of interesting species: Common Oyestercatcher, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Grey Plover, Northern Lapwing, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint 15/7 3500+, Wood Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper 20, Common Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Red-necked Phalarope 15/7 2250, Ruff and Common Sandpiper.

16.July Kurgaldzino - Astana

Finally day in Kurgaldzino and all too soon, we returned to Astana and continued south again with the TSR. On our way to Astana Jytte and Merete enjoyed counting Short-eared Owl and observed 12 specimens on the two hour drive. Other species were: Demoiselle Crane, Red-footed Falcon, Pallid Harrier, Montague's Harrier, Black Lark 210 and White-winged Lark 3. The railroad travel were similar ornithological, though numbers of birds were lower; could be a result of less birding activity... but we really relaxed and enjoyed the travel.

17.July In the morning we arrived at Almaty.

Soon we were heading northwest again. This time our goal was the endless semi-desert plain of Taukum. On our 5-hour drive we made a quick stop at Lake Sorbulak (a rather boring experience this time of the year; the impressing colonies of Rose-coloured Starlings are empty and just a few other species were seen at the lake ao. Dalmatian pelican). More inter-esting were the raptors along the road: Booted Eagle 1, Black-eared Kite 3 and Long-legged Buzzard 31. At Konchengel we spend the night in tents and enjoyed many interesting semi-desert birds. Mr. Gavrilov put up his mist-net and ringed several species (actually it helped us finding more species that would have been difficult to obtain!). This should be one of the strongholds of Houbara Bustards, but this time of year proved to be difficult for observing this species; the birds are hiding and the males doesn't easily show themselves as in courtship display in springtime. Nevertheless, we get plenty other good birds: Demoiselle Crane, Black-bellied Sandgrouse 148, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse 1, European Nightjar, Hoopoe, plenty of larks among other both species of short-toed larks and surprisingly , 40 White-winged Lark, Southern Booted Warbler, Indian Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Red-headed Bunting, etc.

18.July Taukum - Turenga Forest

After early morning observations we continued further west heading for the Turenga forests. In the western part of Taukum. Some of the Central Asian specialities are living in the Turenga forests along Ili River: Yellow-eyed Pigeon - Eversmann´s Dove (Eastern Stock Pi-geon), White-winged Woodpecker, Turkestan Tit, Saxaul Sparrow, etc. This really is a re-markable type of park-like forest; 5-8 meters Oak-type trees growing in sandy earth. Turenga trees provide important nest holes for the Yellow-eyed Pigeons. This is a very special habitat and worth some days of exploration; Miksture (MWA) works this autumn 2003 to raise funds more an ornithological breeding census taking place in spring 2004 - hopefully this provide more information about this habitat and the species distribution and numbers. We observed the above mentioned specialities plus other interesting species as Booted Eagle, Black-eared Kite, Shikra Sparrowhawk, Hobby, Common Oyestercatcher (rare bird in Ka-zakhstan), Eurasian Scops Owl, Pallid Scops Owl, European Roller, Southern Booted War-bler, Great Grey Shrike ssp.Pallidirostris, etc.

19.July Turenga Forest - Almaty

Now it was time for travelling back to Denmark, so after some early birding we packed our stuff and drove to Almaty. Outside Almaty we passed some trees along the roadside filled with thousands of Rose-coloured Starlings - they perched shoulder by shoulder and provided an unforgettable sight! An excellent farewell for this time. Miksture return in 2004 - welcome to join us!

20.July Back to the Egg...

At midday we arrived in Copenhagen International Airport - all participants happy and satis-fied with more than three weeks of excellent birdwatching in some of the world's most inter-esting ornithological habitats. Hereby my best regards to the following participants who made this travel possible: Thank you!

List of species and observations Danish, English and Scientific nomenclature

Sortstrubet Lom - Black-throated Loon (Black-throated Diver, Arctic Loon) - Gavia arc-tica
Used to breed in Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan; rare vagrant with few numbers wintering in Issyk Kul. In Kazakhstan rare breeding migrant from central regions and eastwards.
14/7 2 (probably breeding pair; yelping aah-oww call heard at night) Kurgaldzino Nature Re-serve and 15/7 4 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Nordisk Lappedykker - Slavonian Grebe - Podiceps auritus
Kyrgyzstan: Breeds country-wide; winters partly in Issyk Kul. Few observations in 2003 due to windy conditions in the prime breeding area around Son Kul. 10/7 2 Son Kul.

Sorthalset Lappedykker - Black-necked Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis
Breeds Kyrgyzstan: Distribution country-wide; winters in big numbers in Issyk Kul. 2/7 1 Tüp region, 9/7 2 Lake east of Balykchy, 10/7 11 Son Kul and 15/7 110 Kurgaldzino Nature Re-serve

Lille Lappedykker - Little Grebe - Podiceps ruficollis
2/7 1 Karakol - Tüp region and 13/7 2 Bishkek - Almaty.

Toppet Lappedykker - Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Breeds countrywide. 7/7 15 Barskaun plateau, 10/7 290 (in one colony) Son Kul and 15/7 16 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Gråstrubet Lappedykker - Red-necked Grebe - Podiceps grisegena
14/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Krøltoppet Pelikan - Dalmatian Pelican - Podiceps crispus
14/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve 15/7 41 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 17/7 5 Sorbu-lak.

Skarv - Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Breeds in West Tien Shan; at present, colonies in Chui Valley and in the north of the country near Bishkek. 12/7 2 Son Kul - Bishkek, 14/7 250 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 15/7 150 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 18/7 1 Western Taukum-Turenga Forest and 19/7 5 Turenga Forest.

Nathejre - Black-crowned Night Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax
Breeds in the north of Kyrgyzstan. 28/6 1 juv. Almaty - Bishkek and 30/6 1 ad.% Bishkek - Karakol

Sølvhejre - Great Egret - Egretta alba
14/7 5 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 4 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Fiskehejre - Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea
28/6 1 Bishkek, 2/7 2 Tüp region, 13/7 12 Almaty - Astana with the Tran Siberian Railway, 16/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - Astana, 18/7 1 artesian wells, western Taukum and 19/7 3 Turenga Forest.

Sort Stork - Black Stork - Ciconia nigra
2/7 1 Tüp Region and 11/7 1 Son Kul.

Flamingo - Greater Flamingo - Phoenicopterus ruber roseus
15/7 37 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Knopsvane - Mute Swan - Cygnus olor
15/7 4 (2ad.+2juv.) Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Grågås - Greylag Goose - Anser anser
11/7 4 Son Kul and 15/7 450 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Gravand - Common Shelduck - Tadorna tadorna
8-9/7 1 pair with 6 pullus Salt lake is the first confirmed breeding finding of this species in Kyrgyzstan. 15/7 25 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Rustand - Ruddy Shelduck - Tadorna ferruginea
2/7 5 Karakol -Tüp, 2/7 1 Tüp region, 6/7 2 Tamga-Mountain valleys east of Karakol, 8 and 9/7 1 pair with 6 pullus Salt Lake, 10/7 45 Son Kul and 11/7 2 Son Kul.

Gråand - Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos
15/7 10 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Knarand - Gadwall - Anas strepera
2/7 15 Tüp region, 9/7 10 Lake east of Balykchy, 10/7 1 Son Kul and 15/7 1 Kurgaldzino Na-ture Reserve

Spidsand - Northern Pintail - Anas acuta
14/7 5 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Skeand - Northern Shoveller - Anas clypeata
9/7 8 Lake east of Balykchy, 10/7 2 Son Kul and 15/7 15 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Pibeand - European Widegeon - Anas penelope
15/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Krikand - Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca
14/7 5 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Atlingand - Garganey - Anas querquedula
2/7 2 %% Tüp region.

Taffeland - (Common) Pochard - Aythya ferina
9/7 1 Lake east of Balykchy, 14/7 5 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 420 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Rødhovedet And - Red-crested Pochard - Netta rufina
Kyrgyzstan: Breeds country-wide in small numbers; resident in Issyk Kul; in winter there are large concentrations. Issyk Kul is one of the world's most important wintering sites. 9/7 25 Lake east of Balykchy, 14/7 6 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 15/7 21 Kurgaldzino Nature Re-serve and 18/7 6 Western Taukum - Turenga Forest.

Hvidøjet And - Ferruginous Duck - Aythya nyroca
Kyrgyzstan: Migrant; possibly breeds in north of the country. A few birds winter in Issyk Kul. 14/7 11 Astana - Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Troldand - Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula
2/7 2%% Tüp region, 10/7 11 Son Kul and 14/7 20 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Hvinand - Common Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula
14/7 20 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Stor skallesluger - Goosander - Mergus merganser
Kyrgyzstan: Resident; winters in Issyk Kul and larger rivers. 7/7 25 Barskaun plateau.

Hvidhovedet And - White-headed Duck - Oxyura leucocephala
15/7 300%% (20&/juv.) Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Rovfugle Accipitriformes
Lammegrib - Lammergeier - Gypaetus barbatus
Kyrgyzstan: Resident country-wide. 29/6 2 (1. 2.K. and 1 ad.) Ala Archa, 30/6 1 Ala Archa, 4/7 2 May Saz, 5/7 3 May Saz, 7/7 1 Adult Barskaun gorge, 9/7 2 Son Kul and 11/7 3 (2ad.+1juv.) Son Kul.

Gåsegrib - Griffon Vulture - Gyps fulvus
By some authors not regarded as resident in Central Asia. However rarely recorded espe-cially in the centre of the country. Breeds in colonies on several places in Kyrgyzstan. 4/7 1 May Saz.

Himalayagrib - Himalayan Griffon Vulture - Gyps himalayensis
Kyrgyzstan: Resident country-wide. 29/6 2 Ala Archa, 30/6 1 Ala Archa, 7/7 1 Barskaun gorge and 11/7 5 Son Kul.

Munkegrib - Black Vulture/ Cinerous Vulture - Aegypius monachus
Kyrgyzstan: Resident country-wide. 11/7 2 Son Kul.

Kongeørn - Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos
Kyrgyzstan: Resident country-wide in mountainous areas. 29/6 1 ad. Ala Archa, 4/7 1 juv. May Saz, 7/7 3 (2ad.+1juv.) Barskaun gorge and 7/7 1 juv. Barskaun plateau.

Steppeørn - Steppe Eagle - Aquila nipalensis
3/7 1 ad. Tüp Region - Karakol.

Dværgørn - Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus
3/7 1 (light type) Tüp Region - Karakol, 17/7 1 (dark type) Taukum and 18/7 1 Turenga For-est.

Black-eared Kite - Milvus lineatus
Black Kite (Milvus migrans); now regarded more as European and South Asian species; M. lineatus was former regarded as a subspecies of M. migrans. In Central Asia further north-wards M. lineatus is referred to as the Black-eared Kite. Breeds in the north of Kyrgyzstan; migrant in big numbers. 1/7 1 Semjenon Skoje, 2/7 1 Karakol -Tüp, 2/7 5 Tüp region, 3/7 2 Tüp Region - Karakol, 3/7 1 Karakol - May Saz, 6/7 3 Mountain valleys east of Karakol-Tamga, 13/7 1 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 17/7 3 Almaty - Western Taukum, 18/7 1 Western Taukum, 18/7 2 Western Taukum -Turenga Forest, 18/7 1 Turenga Forest, 19/7 2 Turenga Forest and 19/7 1 Turenga Forest - Almaty.

Rørhøg - Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus
14/7 4 (3ad.%%) Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Hedehøg - Montagu's Harrier - Circus pygargus
Kyrgyzstan: Breeds in open areas almost country-wide. 30/6 1 ad.% Bishkek - Karakol, 14/7 1 ad.% Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 15/7 2 (pair) Kurgaldzino Nature Re-serve and 16/7 1 ad.% Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - Astana.

Steppehøg - Pallid Harrier - Circus macrourus
Kyrgyzstan: Breeds uncommonly in the north of the country in open low areas. Not as com-mon in Kazakhstan one should expect. 14/7 1ad.% Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 14/7 1 pair + 1 juv. Astana - Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 15/7 8 (6ad.%%) and 16/7 2ad.%% Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - Astana.

Ørnevåge - Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus
30/6 2 Bishkek - Ala Archa, 30/6 1 Ala Archa - Bishkek, 30/6 2 Bishkek - tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 2/7 1 Karakol-Tüp region, 3/7 Tüp Region - Karakol, 7/7 1 Barskaun gorge, 8/7 2 Semi-desert area close to Tamga, 13/7 23 Almaty - Astana with the Transsibe-rian Railway, 15/7 7 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 16/7 1 Astana - Almaty with the Transsibe-rian Railway, 17/7 31 Almaty - Western Taukum, 17/7 2 Western Taukum, 18/7 5 Western Taukum and 18/7 2 artesian wells near Western Taukum.

Musvåge - Eurasian Buzzard - Buteo buteo
Ssp Steppe Buzzard (fox-red type). 1/7 1 Semjenov Skoje, 2/7 1 Karakol-Tüp region, 3/7 4 Tüp Region - Karakol, 3/7 1 Karakol - May Saz, 6/7 2 Mountain valleys east of Karakol and 16/7 1 Astana - Almaty with the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Spurvehøg - Northern Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus
30/6 1& Ala Archa.

Shikra - Shikra Sparrowhawk - Accipiter badius
18/7 1 breeding pair Turenga Forest.

Tårnfalk - Common Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus
29/6 1 Ala Archa, 30/6 1 Ala Archa, 1/7 1 tentcamp between Bishkek and Karakol, 1/7 2 Bishkek - Karakol, 2/7 1 Karakol - Tüp region, 2/7 4 Tüp region, 4/7 5 May Saz, 5/7 1 Karakol - Tamga, 6/7 1 Mountain valleys east of Karakol-Tamga, 11/7 4 Son Kul, 12/7 1 Son Kul - Bishkek, 13/7 113 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 14/7 50 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 15/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 16/7 21 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - Astana and 18/7 2 Turenga Forest.

Aftenfalk - Red-footed Falcon - Falco vespertinus
Vagrant in Kyrgyzstan and fairly common in Kazakhstan. 14/7 60 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 14/7 10 Astana - Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 16/7 20 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - Astana and 16/7 20 Astana - Almaty with the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Lærkefalk - Hobby - Falco subbuteo
15 specimens observed. 28/6 2 hills SW of Bishkek, 29/6 2 Ala Archa, 2/7 1 Karakol-Tüp region, 2/7 2 Tüp Region, 5/7 1 Karakol-Tamga, 6/7 1 Tamga-Mountain valleys east of Kara-kol, 7/7 2 Barskaun gorge, 8/7 1 Semi-desert area close to Tamga, 12/7 1 Bishkek and 18/7 1 breeding pair Turenga Forest.

Dværgfalk - Merlin - Falco columbarius
11/7 1& Son Kul and 14/7 1 ad.% + 2 ad.&& Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - polygam male with two females nesting 50m from each other.

Slagfalk - Saker Falcon - Falco cherrug
13/7 4 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway. Interesting observations in central Kazakhstan; more birds should be expected in that region?

Lannerfalk - Laggar Falcon - Falco biarmicus/jugger
11/7 1 Son Kul; a very interesting observation in breeding season...

Laggar/Saker Falcon - Falco cherrug/biarmicus
9/7 1 Son Kul and 18/7 1 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway.

Himalaya Kongehøne - Himalayan Snowcock - Tetraogallus himalayensis
Kyrgyzstan: Resident countrywide in mountainous areas. Altai Kongehøne Altai Snowcock Tetraogallus altaicus - not observed in Kyrgyzstan. 3/7 Karakol-May Saz 2, 4/7 2 May Saz and 5/7 3 May Saz.

Chukarhøne - Chukar Partridge - Alectoris chukar
30/6 4 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol and 8/7 1 Semi-desert area close to Tamga.

Vagtel - Common Quail - Coturnix coturnix
1/7 1 Semjenov Skoje, 2/7 1 Karakol-Tüp region, 2/7 2 Tüp region, 3/7 2 Tüp region - Kara-kol, 7/7 2 Tamga and 8/7 3 Tamga.

Engsnarre - Corncrake - Crex crex
7/7 4 Tamga and 8/7 3 Tamga.

Fasan - Common Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus
Kyrgyzstan: Widespread though in low numbers. Resident in valleys and near mountains. 30/6 1 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol and 6/7 1% Tamga-Karakol.

Vandrikse - Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus
14/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Lille Rørvagtel - Little Crake - Porzana parva
9/7 1 Lake east of Balykchy.

Grønbenet Rørhøne - Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus
30/6 1 Bishkek - Karakol, 2/7 1 Karakol -Tüp region and 18/7 1 Western Taukum -Turenga Forest.

Blishøne - Black Coot - Fulica atra
2/7 5 Karakol - Tüp region, 10/7 11 Son Kul, 11/7 53 Son Kul, 13/7 1 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 14/7 50 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 525 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Trane - Common Crane - Grus grus
Breeds in SE Kazakhstan. Migrates through Kyrgyzstan in large numbers in spring and au-tumn, mainly in the north of the country. 15/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Jomfrutrane - Demoiselle Crane - Anthropoides virgo
10/7 2 Son Kul, 11/7 6 Son Kul, 14/7 6 Astana - Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve,15/7 15 Kur-galdzino Nature Reserve and 17/7 3 Western Taukum. Observations from Son Kul are inter-esting; could be breeding birds. Migrates in large numbers in spring, mainly in the north of the country.

Vadefugle Charadriiformes
Strandskade - Common Oyestercatcher - Haematopus ostralegus
13/7 1 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway and 19/7 2 Turenga Forest.

sandpiper sp. 13/7 20 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway.

Klyde - Pied Avocet - Recurvirostra avosett
15/7 16 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Stylteløber - Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus
9/7 1 % lake outside Balykchy, Issyk Kul, 15/7 6 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 18/7 1 Western Taukum-Turenga Forest and 18/7 2 ad. + 4 juv. at artesian wells, Western Taukum.

Ibisnæb - Ibisbill - Ibidorhyncha struthersii
Kyrgyzstan: Resident mainly in the centre and east of the country; breeding along/in high mountain streams, lower in winter. Sometimes in small groups. 6/7 6 ad. on breeding site in a mountain valley SE of Karakol.

Triel - Stone Curlew - Burhinus oedicnemus
18/7 1 Turenga Forest.

Braksvale - Common Pratincole - (Collared Pratincole) - Glareola pratincola
18/7 1 artesian wells near Western Taukum.

Sortvinget Braksvale - Black-winged Pratincole - Glareola nordmanni
14/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 1 colony; approx. 150 birds Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Lille Præstekrave - Little Ringed Plover - Charadrius dubius
Kyrgyzstan Republic and Kazakhstan Republic: Breeds de country-wide. 8/7 1 Salt lake, 15/7 10 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 17/9 Western Taukum, 18/7 1 artesian wells near Western Taukum and 18/7 2 Turenga Forest.

Stor Præstekrave - Common Ringed Plover - Charadrius hiaticula
15/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Hvidbrystet Præstekrave - Kentish Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus
8/7 1 Salt lake and 15/7 15 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Mongolsk Præstekrave - Lesser Sand Plover - Charadrius mongolus
10/7 10 (3juv.) Son Kul. Local race pamirensis.

Strandhjejle - Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola
15/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Vibe - Northern Lapwing - Vanellus vanellus
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Breeds country-wide; gathering during migration in large flocks; a few birds winter. 2/7 10 Karakol -Tüp region, 14/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 66 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Sandløber - Sanderling - Calidris alba
15/7 10 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Almindelig Ryle - Dunlin - Calidris alpina
15/7 100 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Krumnæbbet Ryle - Curlew Sandpiper - Calidris ferruginea
15/7 5 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Temminck's Ryle - Temminck's Stint - Calidris temminckii
17/7 1 Western Taukum.

Dværgryle - Little Stint - Calidris minuta
15/7 3500+ Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Tinksmed - Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola
28/6 2 Almaty - Bishkek, 11/7 1 Son, 15/7 14 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 18/7 1 arte-sian wells at Western Taukum.

Svaleklire - Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus
1/7 1 Semjenov Skoje, 4/7 1 May Saz, 12/7 1 Son Kul - Bishkek and 13/7 1 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway.

Terekklire - Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinercus
15/7 20 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Rødben - Common Redshank - Tringa totanus
30/6 1 Bishkek - Karakol, 8/7 3 Saltlage, 9/7 2 Saltlage, 10/7 33 Son Kul, 11/7 25 Son Kul,

15/7 120 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 19/7 2 Turenga Forest.

Sortklire - Spotted Redshank - Tringa erythropus
15/7 11 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Hvidklire - Common Greenshank - Tringa nebularia
8/7 1 Salt lake, 10/7 1 SON, 15/7 15 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 19/7 1 Turenga For-est.

Damklire - Marsh Sandpiper - Tringa stagnatilis
15/7 8 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Stor Kobbersneppe - Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa
15/7 261 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Lille Kobbersneppe - Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica
15/7 4 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Stor Regnspove - Eurasian Curlew - Numenius arquata
14/7 6 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Dobbeltbekkasin - Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago
9/7 4 lake outside Balychky

Odinshane - Red-necked Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus
15/7 2250 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Brushane - Ruff - Philomachus pugnax
15/7 500 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Mudderklire - Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos
28/6 2 Almaty - Bishkek, 29/6 3 Ala Archa, 30/6 1 Bishkek - Karakol, 4/7 2 May Saz, 6/7 3 mountain valley near Karakol, 6/7 2 Karakol-Tamga, 8/7 2 salt lake. Issyk Kul, 10/7 1 Son Kul, 12/7 1 Son Kul and 15/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Hættemåge - Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus
5/7 10 Karakol-Tamga, 8/7 40 Salt lake, 9/7 1 Lake east of Balykchy, 10/7 1 Son Kul, 10/7 210 and 15/7 300 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Tyndnæbbet Måge - Slender-billed Gull - Larus genei
15/7 10 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Middelhavssølvmåge - Yellow legged - Larus cachinnans
Steppemåge - Larus cachinnans/heuglini/barabensis

8/7 25 Salt lake, 10/7 1 Son Kul, 14/7 10 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 15/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 220 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Stor Sorthovedet Måge - Great Black-headed Gull - Larus ichthyaetus
14/7 4ad. Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 10 ad. Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Dværgmåge - Little Cull - Larus minutus
15/7 2 (1ad+1juv.) Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Dværgterne - Little Tern - Sterna albifrons
Breeds in Issyk Kul; rare migrant to northern lakes. Incredible that this species occur in the Middle of Asia. I have seen this species in the centre of Tien Shan Mountains. If one looks at the possible migrant routes - which must be the rivers, the tern have to migrate through China to reach Kyrgyzstan. 15/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 17/7 1 Sorbulak.

Fjordterne - Common Tern - Sterna hirundo
30/6 7 Bishkek - Karakol, 2/7 1 Karakol-Tüp region, 2/7 10 Tüp region, 8/7 25 Salt lake, 9/7 1 Lake east of Balykchy, 10/7 20 Son Kul, 11/7 25 Son Kul, 13/7 1 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 14/7 20 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 15/7 30 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 18/7 2 Western Taukum-Turenga Forest, 18/7 2 Turenga Forest and 19/7 10 Turenga Forest.

Rovterne - Caspian Tern - Hydroprogne caspia
14/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 15 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Sortterne - Black Tern - Chlidonias niger
15/7 6 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Hvidvinget Terne - White-winged Black Tern - Chlidonias leucoptera
14/7 1 Astana - Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 78 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Sortbuget Sandhøne - Black-bellied Sandgrouse - Pterocles orientalis
17/7 108 Western Taukum, 18/7 40 Western Taukum and 18/7 1 artesian wells near Western Taukum.

Spidshalet Sandhøne - Pin-tailed Sandgrouse - Pterocles alchata
17/7 1 Western Taukum

Steppehøne - Pallas's Sandgrouse - Syrrhaptes paradoxus
1/7 1& semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul.

Klippedue - Rock Dove - Columba livia
30/6 5 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 1/7 3 Bishkek - Karakol and 4/7 5 May Saz.

Hill Pigeon (Østlig Klippedue) - (Eastern Rock Dove) - Columba rupestris
1/7 1 Semjenov Skoje, 4/7 6 May Saz, 5/7 2 May Saz and 5/7 8 May Saz.

Ringdue - Wood Pigeon - Columba palumbus
Ssp. C.p.casiotis is resident in Tien Shan. 28/6 1 hills SW of Bishkek, 30/6 3 Bishkek - Ala Archa, 3/7 1 Tüp Region-Karakol and 14/7 3 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway.

Turkestandue - Yellow-eyed Pigeon - Eversmann's Dove (Eastern Stock Pigeon) - Columba eversmanni
18/7 9 Turenga Forest and 19/7 68 Turenga Forest (more flocks e.g. 11, 27 and 14 speci-mens)

Tyrkerdue - Eurasian Collared Dove (Collared Turtle Dove) - Streptopelia decaocta
28/6 1 Bishkek, 30/6 1 Bishkek - Karakol and 13/7 11 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway.

Turteldue - Turtle Dove - Streptopelia turtur
30/6 1 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol.

Østlig Turteldue - Oriental Turtle Dove (Rufous Turtle Dove) - Streptopelia orientalis
Kyrgyzstan: Breeds country-wide; migrant. 1/7 2 semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul, 1/7 1 Bishkek - Karakol, 5/7 6 Karakol-Tamga, 6/7 1 Mountain valleys east of Karakol and 14/7 1 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway

Palmedue - Laughing Dove - Streptopelia senegalensis
28/6 1 Bishkek and 13/7 1 Bishkek - Almaty.

Gøg - Eurasian Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus
28/6 1 Almaty - Bishkek, 28/6 1 Bishkek, 30/6 1 Bishkek, 2/7 3 Karakol-Tüp region, 2/7 1 Tüp Region, 3/7 1 Tüp Region -Karakol, 6/7 1 Tamga-Karakol, 7/7 1 Tamga, 8/7 4 Tamga, 8/7 3 Tamga-Semi-desert area close to Tamga, 9/7 2 Salt Lake, 12/7 1 Son-Bishkek and 18/7 1 Turenga Forest.

Natugle - Tawn y Owl - Strix aluco
29/6 1 Bishkek. An interesting observation. Kyrgyz population known from forested areas around Fergana.

Skovhornugle - Long-eared Owl - Asio otus
30/6 1 Bishkek - Karakol

Mosehornugle - Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus
14/7 1 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 15/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 16/7 12 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - Astana.

Kirkeugle - Little Owl - Athene noctua
8/7 1 Semi-desert area close to Tamga and 12/7 1 Bishkek.

Dværghornugle - Eurasian Scops Owl - Otus scops
18/7 1 Turenga Forest

Stribet Dværghornugle - Pallid Scops Owl - Otus brucei
18/7 2 Turenga Forest.

Natravn - European Nightjar - Caprimulgus europaeus
17/7 1 Western Taukum.

Mursejler - Eurasian Swift - Apus apus
28/6 100 Bishkek, 30/6 50 area north of tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 6/7 52 Karakol - Tamga, 7/7 100 Barskaun gorge, 8/7 5 Semi-desert area close to Tamga, 8/7 1 Salt lake and 9/7 21 Salt lake. In litt. common breeding migrant in Kazakhstan Republic.

Alpesejler - Alpine Swift - Apus melba
28/6 20 Bishkek.

Hærfugl - Hoopoe - Upupa epops
30/6 2 Bishkek - Karakol, 2/7 1 Karakol-Tüp region, 5/7 1 Karakol-Tüp region, 6/7 5 Tamga-Mountain valleys east of Karakol, 8/7 5 Tamga, 8/7 4 Salt lake, 12/7 8 Son - Bishkek, 13/7 8 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 15/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 17/7 3 Western Taukum.

Isfugl - European Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis
30/6 1 Bishkek - Karakol

Ellekrage - European Roller - Coracias garrulus
28/6 1 Almaty - Bishkek, 28/6 16 hills SW of Bishkek, 29/6 5 Bishkek - Ala Archa, 30/6 5 Bishkek - Karakol, 1/7 1 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 6/7 1 Tamga - Karakol, 12/7 6 Son Kul - Bishkek, 13/7 175 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 17/7 1 Almaty - Western Taukum, 18/7 5 Turenga Forest, 19/7 3 Turenga Forest and 19/7 25 Turenga Forest - Almaty.

Biæder - European Bee-eater - Merops apiaster
29/6 2 Bishkek, 29/6 4 hills SW of Bishkek, 13/7 103 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 16/7 1 As-A and 18/7 Western Taukum-Turenga Forest.

White-winged Woodpecker - Dendrocopos leucopterus
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Though stated as a resident in forested and (even small) wooded ar-eas country-wide, its difficult to asses the actual distribution in Kyrgyzstan Republic. In gen-eral woodpeckers are rare in Kyrgyzstan Republic. 19/7 2 Turenga Forest.

Vendehals - Northern Wryneck - Jynx torquilla
29/6 1 Bishkek

Sanglærke - Skylark - Alauda arvensis
28/6 2 sg. hills SW of Bishkek, 2/7 1 sg. Karakol - Tüp region, 7/7 15 sg. Tamga, 8/7 6 sg. Tamga, 9/7 2 sg. Lake east of Balykchy, 11/7 6 sg. Son Kul and 15/7 20 sg. Kurgaldzino Na-ture Reserve

Toplærke - Crested Lark - Galerida cristata
1/7 2 semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul, 17/7 2 Western Taukum and 18/7 1 Western Tau-kum.

Korttået Lærke - Greater Short-toed Lark - Calandrella brachydactyla (cinerea?)

More species/ssp in Kyrgyzstan: Asian Short toed Lark Calandrella cheleensis breeds in dry steppes and arable land almost country-wide. Hume's Short-toed Lark - Calandrella acuti-rostris: Breeds in dry areas, in general higher in the mountains than other Calandrellas. Mainly occurs in the west of the country. Winters in India: 1/7 16 semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul, 8/7 2 Salt lake, 9/7 2 Salt lake, 14/7 100 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 17/7 100 Western Taukum. And Greater

Short-toed Lark Calandrella cinerea. Three calandrella larks (Short toed Larks) are men-tioned and five as by Flint. Calandrella. brachydactyla now includes C. cincrea. In English name is Greater Short toed Lark while the Russian and Kyrgyz names read 'Little' Short toed Lark, possibly a confused translation. C. leucophaea and C. pispoletta are regarded as falling C. rufescens. However sometimes, C. rufescens is considered as species of C. cheleensis. Confused? We are looking forward to Mr. Alströms explanation.

Dværglærke - Lesser Short-toed Lark - Calandrella rufescens
ssp. Not recognised (dukhunensis or/and pispoletta?) 1/7 6 semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul, 14/7 20 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 15/7 80 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 17/7 200 Western Taukum. Some authors suggest C. rufescens actually is the Asian Short toed Lark. Even in the hand, the Calandrella species are extremely difficult to recognise.

Kalanderlærke - Calandra Lark - Melanocorypha calandra
Kyrgyzstan: Resident mainly in the west of the country in grassy areas: 28/6 8 sg. males hills SW of Bishkek and 17/7 22 Western Taukum. The Bimaculated Lark (Østlig Kalanderlærke) Melanocorypha bimaculata breeds mainly in western desert areas of Kazakhstan.

Hvidvinget Lærke - White-winged Lark - Melanocorypha leucoptera
8/7 2 north of Issyk Kul is an interesting observation for Kyrgyzstan - could be breeding birds14/7 20 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 16/7 3 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - Astana and 17/7 40 Western Taukum.

Sortlærke - Black Lark - Melanocorypha yeltoniensis
14/7 80 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 15/7 225 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 16/7 30 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - Astana.

Bjerglærke - Shore Lark - Eremophila alpestris
Kyrgyzstan: Resident country-wide also at higher altitude; lower in winter 10/7 23 Son Kul, 11/7 20 Son Kul, 12/7 10 Son Kul and 12/7 1 Son Kul - Bishkek.

Digesvale - Sand/Pale Martin - Riparia riparia
28/6 2 hills SW of Bishkek, 8/7 several colonies 20-50 birds Salt lake, 14/7 500 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 15/7 3.000 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 17/7 100 Sorbulak probably including sp/ssp. diluta.

Klippesvale - Crag Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris
4/7 15 Karakol - May-Saz

Landsvale - Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica
28/6 20 Almaty - Bishkek, 1/7 4 semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul, 1/7 200 Bishkek - Kara-kol, 1/7 50 Semjenov Skoje, 8/7 2 Semi-desert area close to Tamga, 9/7 Salt lake, 13/7 1 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 14/7 200 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 15/7 50 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 17/7 20 Western Taukum and 18/7 10 Western Taukum.

Rødrygget Svale - Rep-rumped Swallow - Hirundo daurica
Extremely rare in summer 2003. Only a single observation 29/6 1 Bishkek.

Bysvale - House Martin - Delichon urbica
30/6 1500 Bishkek, 1/7 100 Bishkek - Karakol and 15/7 50 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Markpiber - Tawny Pipit - Anthus campestris
1/7 2 semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul and 15/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Bjergpiber - Water Pipit - Anthus spinoletta
5/7 3 May Saz, 9/7 3 Son Kul and 11/7 5 Son Kul.

Skovpiber - Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis
30/6 6 Ala Archa, 3/7 3 Tüp region - Karakol and 4/7 1 May Saz.

Hvid Vipstjert - White Wagtail - Motacilla alba
Local subspecies personata very distinct and by some authors recognised as a species M. Personata (Maskevipstjert). Breeds almost country wide; some birds winter. 28/6 4 Almaty - Bishkek, 29/6 1 Bishkek - Ala Archa, 30/6 1 Ala Archa, 30/6 2 Bishkek - Karakol, 1/7 1 Sem-jenov Skoje, 2/7 3 Karakol-Tüp region, 2/7 4 Tüp region, 3/7 9 Karakol-May Saz, 6/7 2 Tamga - Karakol, 7/7 5 Barskaun gorge and 7/7 2 Tamga.

Gul Vipstjert - Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava
Three subspecies recognised during the journey: flava, feldegg, lutea (rare). Breeds almost country wide in meadows and open fields 11/7 1 Son Kul, 14/7 150 Kurgaldzino Nature Re-serve, 15/7 140 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 25 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Citronvipstjert - Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola
Breeds almost country wide in wet meadows but not high in the mountains Two ssp. recog-nised during the journey. Most common is the ssp. M.c.calcarata - few specimens were rec-ognised as ssp. M.c.werae. 4/7 12 May Saz, 7/7 15 Tamga, 8/7 14 Tamga (4 M.c.werae), 9/7 26 Lake east of Balykchy (2 M.c.werae), 9/7 1 Lake east of Balykchy - Son Kul, 10/7 2 Son Kul and 12/7 2 Son Kul - Bishkek.

Bjergvipstjert - Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea
Always near rocky streams, reservoirs; also high in the mountains. 29/6 7 Ala Archa, 1/7 1 Semjenov Skoje, 2/7 2 Karakol, 2/7 3 Tüp Region, 3/7 1 Tüp region - Karakol, 3/7 20 Kara-kol-May Saz, 4/7 1 May Saz, 6/7 4 Mountain valleys east of Karakol and 7/7 3 Barskaun gorge.

Vandstær - Dipper (White-throated Dipper) - Cinclus cinclus
Local ssp. C.c.leucogaster - has white belly - is found in Tian Shan. 29/6 1 Ala Archa, 30/6 1 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 2/7 2 Tüp Region, 5/7 1 May Saz and 6/7 2 Moun-tain valleys east of Karakol.

Himalaya Vandstær - Brown Dipper (Himalayan Dipper) - Cinclus pallasii
29/6 1 Ala Archa and 11/7 1 Son Kul.

Alpejernspurv - Alpine Accentor - Prunella collaris
9/7 2 Son Kul.

Sortstrubet Jernspurv - Black-throated Accentor - Prunella atrogularis
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Common resident in coniferous areas in the eastern and northern part of the country. 29/6 19 Ala Archa, 30/6 8 Ala Archa, 2/7 3 Tüp Region, 4/7 6 May Saz and 5/7 4 May Saz.

Altai Accentor [Himalayan Accentor] - Prunella himalyana
Kyrgyzstan: Resident almost country wide in higher mountains; above tree line, lower in win-ter. 5/7 4 May Saz and 7/7 3 Barskaun plateau.

Brown Accentor - Prunella fulvescens
Kyrgyzstan: Resident nearly country wide in mountains; lower in winter. 4/7 1 sg. May Saz and 11/7 5 Son Kul.

Sydlig Nattergal - Nightingale - Luscinia megarhynchos
28/6 1 sg. Bishkek, 29/6 1 Bishkek, 30/6 1 Bishkek - Karakol, 30/6 2 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol and 1/7 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol.

Blåhals - Bluethroat - Luscinia svecica
Ssp. not recognised (pallidogularis?). 14/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Himalaya Rubinnattergal - Himalayan Rubythroat - Luscinia pectoralis
30/6 2 (1sg.) Ala Archa, 4/7 1 May Saz, 5/7 1 sg. May Saz, 5/7 3 May Saz and 7/7 2 Bar-skaun plateau.

Rødstjert - Common Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus
29/6 6 (4 sg.%%; 1% probably ssp. samamisicus ) Ala Archa and 30/6 1% Ala Archa.

Hvidkronet Rødstjert - Güldenstädts Redstart - Phoenicurus erythrogaster.
5/7 3%% May Saz and 7/7 4 (2 pairs) Barskaun plateau.

Husrødstjert - Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros
Ssp. phoenicuroides Breeds country-wide; in general migrates to Iran and India

7/7 1% Barskaun gorge and 8/7 1% Salt lake.

Altairødstjert - Eversmann's Redstart - Phoenicurus erythronotus
29/6 1 pair Ala Archa, 4/7 1% May Saz, 6/7 1 pair May Saz, 6/7 1% Mountain valleys east of Karakol and 7/7 2%% Barskaun gorge.

Blue-headed Redstart - Phoenicurus caeruleocephalus
29/6 1% Ala Archa and 7/7 1 sg.% Barskaun gorge.

Stenpikker - Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe
2/7 1% Tüp region, 7/7 2(1%) Tamga, 10/7 2(1%), 11/7 5 (4%%), 14/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 11 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Isabellastenpikker - Isabelline Wheatear - Oenanthe isabellina
28/6 1 juv. hills SW of Bishkek, 1/7 5 semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul, 4/7 10 May Saz. 8/7 1 Semi-desert area close to Tamga, 8/7 1 Salt lake, 10/7 34 Son Kul, 11/7 28 Son Kul, 12/7 5 Son Kul - Bishkek, 13/7 19 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 17/7 5 Western Taukum and 18/7 20 Western Taukum.

Ørkenstenpikker - Desert Wheatear - Oenanthe deserti
1/7 2%% semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul.

Nonnestenpikker - Pied Wheatear - Oenanthe pleschanka
1/7 3 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 1/7 2 (1%) semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul, 8/7 2%% Semi-desert area close to Tamga and 8/7 4 Salt lake

Østlig Nonnestenpikker - Variable Wheatear - Oenanthe picata
30/6 3 (2%%) tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol and 8/7 12 Semi-desert area close to Tamga.

Sortstrubet Bynkefugl - Stonechat - Saxicola torquata
Ssp. maura 2/7 2 Tüp region and 14/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Stendrossel - Rock Thrush - Monticola saxatilis
8/7 5 (3%%) Semi-desert area close to Tamga.

Misteldrossel - Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus
29/6 1 sg. Ala Archa, 30/6 3 Ala Archa, 2/7 1 Tüp Region, 5/7 1 May Saz and 7/7 1 Barskaun gorge.

Solsort - Blackbird - Turdus merula
In Kyrgyzstan Republic resident country-wide. 28/6 1 Bishkek, 29/6 2 Bishkek, 30/6 1 heard singing Bishkek - Ala Archa, 2/7 1 Karakol - Tüp, 6/7 1 Tamga - Karakol and 7/7 2 Tamga.

Sortstrubet Drossel - Black-throated Thrush - Turdus ruficollis atrogularis
7/7 1 Barskaun plateau.

Blue Whistling Thrush - Myiophoneus caerleus
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Resident in narrow mountain rivers; gorges. 29/6 1 Ala Archa, 6/7 1 in mountains near Karakol and 7/7 1 Barskaun gorge.

Tornsanger - Greater Whitethroat - Sylvia communis
All observations were singing specimens. 29/6 7 Ala Archa, 30/6 5 Ala Archa, 1/7 2 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 1/7 3 Semjenov Skoje, 2/7 2 Karakol-Tüp region, 3/7 2 Tüp Region-Karakol, 6/7 3 Mountain valleys east of Karakol-Tamga and 8/7 2 Semi-desert area close to Tamga.

Gærdesanger - Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca
Two subspecies are included: S.c.minula (Ørkengærdesanger) and S.c.althaea (Mørk Gærdesanger - Hume's Lesser Whitethroat), as the available information is insufficient to get a clear picture. Both species/subspecies breeds country-wide.

30/6 2 Bishkek

Ørkensanger - Desert Warbler - Sylvia nana
19/7 1 Turenga Forest.

Rørsanger - Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus scirpaceus
13/7 1 Bishkek - Almaty.

Lille Rørsanger - Paddyfield Warbler - Acrocephalus agricola
9/7 2 sg Lake east of Balykchy and 14/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Papyrussanger - Clamorous Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus stentoreus
13/7 3 sg. In a little lake/marsh Bishkek - Almaty.

Bleg Gulbug - Olivacceous Warbler - Hippolais pallida
Kyrgyzstan: Breeds in the north and west of the country in bushy areas, also in gardens, etc. 6/7 1 Mountain valleys east of Karakol-Tamga and 8/7 6 Salt lake.

Lille Gulbug - Booted Warbler - Hippolais caligata
8/7 11 Salt Lake (both species were observed; they live sympatric) and 15/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Steppegulbug - Sykes Warbler (Southern Booted Warbler) - Hippolais rama
8/7 11 Salt Lake (both species were observed; they live sympatric), 18/7 2 Western Taukum, 18/7 2 Turenga Forest and 19/7 2 Turenga Forest.

Levant Gulbug (Upchers Gulbug) - Upcher's Warbler - Hippolais languida
2/7 1 sg. Karakol-Tüp region; an uncommon observation in northern Kyrgyzstan.

Lundsanger - Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides
Main subspecies are P.t.viridanus. Occasionally ssp. plumbeitarsus in eastern Kyrgyzstan, especially during migration (Sibirisk /Østlig Lundsanger). 29/6 22 Ala Archa, 30/6 11 Ala Ar-cha, 2/7 3 Tüp Region, 3/7 5 Tüp region - Karakol, 4/7 12 May Saz, 5/7 3 May Saz, 6/7 1 Mountain valleys east of Karakol, 6/7 Mountain valleys east of Karakol-Tamga and 12/7 1 Son-Bishkek.

Stensanger - Sulphur-bellied Warbler - Phylloscopus griseolus
4/7 1 May Saz

Humes Sanger - Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler - Phylloscopus humei
29/6 17 Ala Archa, 30/6 7 Ala Archa, 2/7 2 Tüp Region, 3/7 4 Tüp region - Karakol, 4/7 5 May Saz, 6/7 2 Mountain valleys east of Karakol and 7/7 1 Barskaun gorge.

Cettisanger - Cetti's Warbler - Cettia cetti
30/6 1 sg. Bishkek - Karakol, 1/7 3 sg. tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 9/7 1 Lake

east of Balykchy and 18/7 1 Western Taukum-Turenga Forest.

Savisanger - Savi's Warbler - Locustella luscinioides
13/7 1 sg. Bishkek - Almaty.

Violsanger - White-browed Tit Warbler (Severtzov's Tit Warbler, Stoliczka's Tit War-bler). - Leptopoecile sophiae
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Resident country-wide in higher mountains above tree line in scrub; winters at lower altitude. 30/6 5 Ala Archa and 4/7 7 May Saz.

Fuglekonge - Goldcrest - Regulus regulus
29/6 2 Ala Archa.

Musvit - Great Tit - Parus major
Kyrgyzstan: Resident in northern part of the country and Bishkek (Birds were introduced from Russia about 40 years mainly in Almaty and Bishkek; birds are now observed further west). Central Asian form (no yellow) and Siberian form (yellow breast with tie) now both occur in the region. 28/6 1 Bishkek, 1/7 1 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 2/7 1 Karakol and 5/7 1 Tamga.

Turkestan Tit - Parus bokharensis
18/7 1 Turenga Forest and 19/7 3 Turenga Forest.

Azurmejse - Azure Tit - Parus cyanus
Two subspecies/species are recognised in Kyrgyzstan: Azure Tit and Yellow-breasted (flavipectus). Resident in all types of forests and with a preference for near water; more com-mon in the east of the country. 28/6 1 ad. + 1 juv. hills SW of Bishkek, 1/7 1 Karakol, 2/7 1 Karakol-Tüp region, 7/7 5 Tamga and 8/7 10 Tamga. All observations were of Azure Tit (P.cyanus).

Rufous-naped Tit - Parus rufonuchalis
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Resident in mountain forests, mainly coniferous and juniper; most com-mon in the south and west of the country. 29/6 1 Ala Archa and 30/6 2 Ala Archa.

Sortmejse - Coal Tit - Parus ater
Kyrgyzstan: Resident in coniferous and mixed forests in hills and plains. Mainly in the cast of the country. 29/6 1 Ala Archa, 30/6 4 Ala Archa, 2/7 1 Tüp Region and 6/7 1 mountain valley SE of Karakol.

Skægmejse - Bearded Tit - Panurus biarmicus
9/7 18 lake outside Balychky, 14/7 55 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 40 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve.

Hvidhovedet Pungmejse - White-crowned Penduline Tit - Remiz coronatus
29/6 1 breeding pair at nest and 30/6 3 Bishkek - Karakol. Remarkable the nest were situ-ated in a depression on top of a hill, far away from the nearest water source. 30/6 3 Bishkek - Karakol.

Isabellatornskade - Isabelline Shrike - Lanius isabellinus
Local race phoenicuroides 28/6 1 pair Bishkek, 30/6 3 Bishkek - Karakol, 2/7 1 Karakol - Tüp region, 6/7 4 Karakol-Tamga, 8/7 3 Tamga, 14/7 3 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 18/7 Western Taukum-Turenga Forest.

Stor Tornskade - Great Grey Shrike - Lanius excubitor
Ssp L.e. Pallidirostris (Ørkentornskade) 18/7 3 Western Taukum -Turenga Forest.

Rosenbrystet Tornskade - Lesser Grey Shrike - Lanius minor
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Breeds country-wide; especially common along roads perching on wires. Numbers indicated less than actually occurred due that many perching birds were not identified when driving. 28/6 8 Almaty - Bishkek, 28/6 6 hills SW of Bishkek, 29/6 2 Bishkek-Ala Archa, 29/6 4 hills SW of Bishkek, 30/6 2 Bishkek-Ala Archa, 30/6 13 Bishkek - Karakol, 2/7 9 Tüp region, 5/7 10 Karakol-Tamga and 13/7 20 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway.

Husskade - Black-billed Magpie - Pica pica
Subspecies? 28/6 5 hills SW of Bishkek, 30/6 5 Bishkek - Ala Archa, 30/6 9 Ala Archa, 30/6 2 Bishkek - Karakol, 1/7 2 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 1/7 1 Bishkek - Karakol, 2/7 8 Tüp region, 4/7 3 May Saz, 6/7 1 Tamga-Mountain valleys east of Karakol, 8/7 1 Salt lake, 9/7 1 Salt lake, 12/7 1 Son Kul - Bishkek, 13/7 40 Almaty - Astana with the Transsibe-rian Railway, 14/7 60 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 15/7 1 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 16/7 5 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - Astana, 18/7 3 Turenga Forest and 19/7 1 Turenga Forest..

Nøddekrige - Spotted Nutcracker - Nucifraga caryocatactes
2/7 1 Tüp Region, 4/7 4 May Saz and 5/7 9 May Saz.

Allike - Jackdaw - Corvus monedula
28/6 10 29/6 25 hills SW of Bishkek.

Alpekrage - Red-billed Chough - Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
29/6 15 Ala Archa, 30/6 6 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 3/7 50 Karakol-May Saz, 4/7 50 May Saz, 5/7 10 May Saz, 5/7 30 May Saz, 5/7 20 May Saz, 6/7 2 Mountain valleys east of Karakol, 7/7 4 Barskaun plateau, 8/7 1 Semi-desert area close to Tamga and 11/7 31 Son Kul.

Alpeallike - Alpine Chough - Pyrrhocorax graculus
29/6 40 Ala Archa, 3/7 30 Karakol-May Saz and 5/7 5 May Saz.

Råge - Rook - Corvus frugilegus
Kyrgyzstan: Resident country-wide; winters in big flocks; migrant in very large numbers through West Tien Shan. 29/6 125 B-Ala Archa, 30/6 100 B-Ala Archa, 30/6 60 Ala Archa, 1/7 50 Semjenov Skoje, 1/7 2000 Karakol, 2/7 100 Karakol-Tüp region, 6/7 1 Tamga-Karakol, 13/7 75.000+ Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway (huge flocks of post-breeding birds apparently gathering in central and SE corner of the steppe; probably many birds from colonies in Kyrgyzstan migrate north in summer. This explain the relative small number of birds seen in late summer e.g. around Issyk Kul, where Rooks are abundant May to medio June.

Gråkrage - Hooded Crow - Corvus cornix
29/6 1 Bishkek and 18/7 5 Almaty.

Sortkrage - Carrion Crow - Corvus corone
30/6 1 Ala Archa, 4/7 1 May Saz, 7/7 2 Barskaun gorge, 9/7 3 Lake east of Balykchy, 10/7 3 Son Kul, 13/7 2 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway, 15/7 220 Kurgaldzino Na-ture Reserve and 16/7 10 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve - Astana.

Ravn - Raven - Corvus corax
Ssp C.c.tibetanus? 29/6 1 Ala Archa, 1/7 1 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 1/7 2

Bishkek - Karakol, 1/7 1 Semjenov Skoje, 4/7 1 May Saz, 5/7 2 May Saz, 10/7 2 Son Kul and 19/7 5 Turenga Forest.

Stær - European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris
28/6 2 hills SW of Bishkek, 30/6 1 Bishkek-Ala Archa, 2/7 10 Tüp region, 7/7 1 Tamga, 8/7 1 Tamga, 9/7 79 Lake east of Balykchy, 13/7 4 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway and 15/7 50 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Rosenstær - Rose-coloured Starling - Sternus roseus
Arrives late in springtime; leaves by the end of July to Asia. Breeds in large colonies in the lower mountains, especially in the west of the country and all over West Tien Shan. 28/6 550 hills SW of Bishkek, 29/6 100 Bishkek-Ala Archa, 29/6 300 hills SW of Bishkek, 30/6 18 Bish-kek-Ala Archa, 1/7 21 tent camp between Bishkek and Karakol, 1/7 1 Semjenov Skoje, 13/7 1100 Bishkek-Almaty, 13/7 app.10.000 Almaty - Astana, 14/7 Astana - Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 14/7 20 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve, 18/7 26 artesian wells near Western Taukum and 19/7 4000 outside Almaty.

Almindelig Mynah - Common Myna (Indian Myna) - Acridotheres tristis
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Common resident in settlements and in the fields. Expanding north-wards? 28/6 7 Almaty - Bishkek, 28/6 9 Bishkek, 28/6 2 hills SW of Bishkek, 30/6 8 Bishkek, 30/6 Bishkek-Ala Archa, 30/6 5 Ala Archa, 30/6 42 Bishkek - Karakol, 1/7 7 Semjenov Skoje, 5/7 5 Karakol-Tamga, 5/7 4 Tamga, 7/7 13 Tamga, 13/7 Almaty - Astana with the Transsibe-rian Railway and 18/7 artesian wells near Western Taukum.

Pirol - Golden Oriole - Oriolus oriolus
Kyrgyzstan: Breeds country wide in lower forested areas, plantations along roads and groups of tall scattered trees - habits include inhabited areas usually parks and gardens. Kazakhstan Republic common country-wide except in central region. Few observations due to the late time of season, much more common and vocal in beginning of breeding season and during spring migration. 28/6 4 heard singing Almaty - Bishkek and 30/6 4 Bishkek - Karakol

Gråspurv - House Sparrow - Passer domesticus
28/6 25 Almaty - Bishkek, 28/6 50 Bishkek, 30/6 10 B, 7/7 22 Tamga, 8/7 20 Tamga, 13/7 60 Almaty - Astana with the Transsiberian Railway and 18/7 1 Western Taukum-Turenga For-est.

Indisk Spurv - Indian Sparrow Passer indicus (bactrianus)
Treated as a separate species; this is common practice in Kyrgyzstan and in Kazakhstan. Often associated with Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis. Difficult to find and identify in field - easily overlooked. Look at water sources (evening) where sandgrouses congregates to drink. Inhabits open country like desert, semi-desert and arid foothills. Abundant in SE Ka-zakhstan Republic, Guide to the Birds of the Kazakhstan Republic, Edward Gavrilov, Publi-cation issued by Institute of Zoology, Almaty, 2nd ed.2000. 17/7 4 Western Taukum

Skovspurv - Eurasian Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus
2/7 1 Karakol - Tüp, 8/7 1 Semi-desert area close to Tamga and 14/7 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Saxaul Sparrow - Passer ammodendri
Very shy. 18/7 6 (3%) Turenga Forest and 19/7 10 Turenga Forest.

Spansk Spurv - Spanish Sparrow - Passer hispaniolensis
Less dependent on human settlements than P. domesticus. 17/7 8 Western Taukum and 18/7 20 Artesian well.

Stenspurv - Rock Petronia - Petronia petronia
8-9/7 40 (colony) salt lake Issyk-Kul.

Snefinke - White-winged Snow Finch (Snow Finch) - Montifringilla nivalis
10/7 12 Son Kul and 11/7 28 Son Kul.

Tornirisk - Eurasian Linnet - Carduelis cannabina
1/7 2 semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul, 2/7 1 Tüp Region, 3/7 3 Tüp region - Karakol, 4/7 4 May Saz, 5/7 2 May Saz, 8/7 1& Tamga and 8/7 2 Semi-desert area close to Tamga.

Bjergirisk - Twite - Carduelis flavirostris
4/7 1 May Saz and 15/7 2 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve

Stillits - Goldfinch (European Goldfinch) - Carduelis carduelis
Complex occurrence of different species or/and races in Central Asia. Local race Grey-headed Goldfinch - paropanisi, lacks black and white head pattern. 23/6 7 Bishkek, 29/6 5 Ala Archa, 30/6 1 Bishkek - Ala Archa, 30/6 1 Ala Archa, 30/6 2 Bishkek - Karakol, 2/7 6 Karakol-Tüp region, 2/7 2 Karakol, 7/7 5 Tamga and 8/7 3 Tamga.

Grønirisk - Greenfinch - Carduelis chloris
28/6 3 Bishkek and 2/7 1 Karakol.

Rødpandet Irisk - Fire-fronted Serin (Red-fronted Serin) - Serinus pusillus
Resident country-wide in Kyrgyzstan. 29/6 8 Ala Archa, 30/6 6 Ala Archa, 2/7 10 Tüp Region, 3/7 2 Tüp region - Karakol, 4/7 15 May Saz, 5/7 10May Saz, 6/7 10 Mountain valleys east of Karakol and 7/7 20 Barskaun gorge.

White-winged Grosbeak - Mycerobas carnipes
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Resident country wide in higher parts of`juniper woodland from 2.400 m and upwards. Preference of bush vegetation less high than 3m. In winter at lower altitude. 30/6 1 Ala Archa.

Lille Korsnæb - Red Crossbill - Loxia curvirostra
Kyrgyzstan Republic: Resident in pine forests country wide. 7/7 1 Barskaun gorge.

Karmindompap - Common Rosefinch (Scarlet Rosefinch) - Carpodacus erythrinus
29/6 50 Ala Archa, 30/6 14 Ala Archa, 1/7 12 Semjenov Skoje, 2/7 10 Karakol-Tüp region, 2/7 5 Tüp region, 2/7 10 Tüp Region, 3/7 6 Tüp region - Karakol, 3/7 2 Tüp region - Karakol, 4/7 14 May Saz, 5/7 2 May Saz, 6/7 1 Mountain valleys east of Karakol, 6/7 2 Mountain val-leys east of Karakol-Tamga, 7/7 6 Barskaun gorge, 7/7 1 Tamga, 9/7 1 Lake east of Balyk-chy and 12/7 1 Son-Bishkek

Red-mantled Rosefinch - Carpodacus rhodochlamys
29/6 1% Ala Archa, 30/6 7 Ala Archa, 1/7 3 Semjenov Skoje, 2/7 5 Tüp Region, 4/7 11 May Saz, 5/7 2 May Saz, 5/7 1 Tamga and 6/7 2 Mountain valleys east of Karakol-Tamga

Mongolsk ørkendompap - Mongolian Trumpeter Finch - Bucanetes mongolicus
8/7 3 Semi-desert area close to Tamga.

Brandt's Mountain Finch (Brandt's Rosy Finch) - Lecosticte brandti
5/7 30 May Saz and 7/7 25 Barskaun plateau.

Plain Mountain Finch - Leucosticte nemoricola (Hodgson's Rosy-Finch, Hodgson's Mountain Finch)
3/7 75 Karakol-May Saz, 4/7 4 May Saz, 5/7 25 May Saz, 5/7 10 May Saz and 7/7 300 Bar-skaun gorge-Barskaun plateau.

Rørspurv - Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus
Minimum five subspecies occur in this region: Nominate, passerina, pallidor, pyrrhuloides and harterti. 14/7 26 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve and 15/7 10 Kurgaldzino Nature Reserve .

Bjerghortulan - Grey-necked Bunting - Emberiza buchanani
1/7 6 sg. %% semi-desert area north of Issyk-Kul and 8/7 12 Semi-desert area close to Tamga

Hvidkindet Værling - Pine Bunting - Emberiza leucocephalos
Resident but very local in some parts of the country, mainly Issyk Kul and western region. 3/7 4 sg.%%+1& Tüp Region-Karakol.

Klippeværling - Rock Bunting - Emberiza cia
Kyrgyzstan: Resident country-wide in dry open areas. Subspecies? 30/6 1 sg% Ala Archa, 3/7 1 Tüp Region-Karakol, 6/7 4 Mountain valleys east of Karakol-Tamga, 7/7 1 Barskaun plateau and 8/7 9 Semi-desert area close to Tamga.

Brunhovedet Værling - Red-headed Bunting - Emberiza bruniceps
28/6 15 hills SW of Bishkek, 30/6 1 sg. Bishkek - Karakol, 13/7 1 sg. Bishkek - Almaty, 17/7 100 Western Taukum, 18/7 1 Western Taukum-Turenga Forest and 19/7 1 Turenga Forest.

Kornværling (Bomlærke) - Corn Bunting - Miliaria calandra
2/7 1 Karakol-Tüp region, 6/7 1 Tamga-Mountain valleys east of Karakol, 7/7 7 Tamga and 8/7 5 Tamga. Miksture/MWA 10/2003

Please enjoy (just a few) a selection of Hanne and Jens Eriksens outstanding pictures from our travel in summer 2003. All pictures belong to Hanne and Jens. Please respect the copy-right. If you are interested in the pictures please contact Hanne and Jens via their excellent website: http://www.birdsoman.com