Landscape where we made one of the stops. We actually saw a Rufous Bush Robin here too.
Our group heading for lunch
We were, however, as usual, looking out of the windows and if we saw a potentially interesting bird, we'd stop and take a moment to check it out.
Watching Golden Eagle and other interesting birds
There was also one longer stop, which was planned, around lunch time. At a valley of Ili River. We walked a short distance to the car of Anara and complany, who have already waited for us with lunch. On the short path, however, we walked by a smaller valley of sorts and huge rocks on which we could see some interesting birds, namely the Golden Eagle. We took some time admiring botht the bird and the rocks.
Rocks
After the lunch we made a descent down to the river. Not everyone went as the descent was on a narrow, rocky path through the bushes and wasn't for everyone. Our main objective here was to see the Eurasian Crag Martins, Red-rumped Swallows and Eastern rock Nuthatch.
Eastern Rock Nuthatch (Sitta tephronota)
On the way down, as we were walking throught the cliffs, we saw at least a couple of Chukar Partridges. It was a first for me, I think, and I was really happy to see this awesome bird. We went into a meadow, where there were some Brown-headed Buntings, Pied Wheatears and others. Until Askar brought us to a big rock and showed us, already empty nest of the Eastern Rock Nuthatch.
Ili River
He said it was used this year, but the young ones were already out so he was able to show the nest to us. He expected the adult bird could still be somewhere nearby, so we sat on the pieces of rocks and wathced the cliff wall. Until I actually spotted it - a small white dot up on the rock ledge.
Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar)
When we were happy enough with watching it for a while, we finally approached the Ili River. The river canyon was beautiful and some didn't resist the temptation of swimming in the cool river. It was seriously hot. While we waited for them, we were occupied with wathing and trying to také a picture of the Eurasian Crag Martins and an occassional Red-rumped Swallow flying around.
Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)
We even saw a Eurasian Crag Martin nest unde the rock overhang with youngsters and adults feeding them. And one more Chukar Partridge up on the rock wall.
Nest of a Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)
When we all assembled, we climbed the small path back up and continued our long journey toward the Chunja village. It took long and was a rather uneventful day after that. But the distance just had to be crossed. And Kazakhstan is a seriously big country. I think the largest country without an access to the ocean, actually?
Ili River Canyon
A stop on the way to Chunja village
Just before arriving we could admire the wonderful ad a bit different landcape or red sand and rocks, in a beautiful soft evening light. And with a rainbow even! … Yes, it was raining again.
No comments:
Post a Comment