Excursions

 

 

Two days at Korgalzhyn village, 1 till 3 of March

 

Leaving Tuzdybastau at 11 am for the train station in Almaty, where a long journey of 21 hours would take us to the capitol of Kazakhstan, Astana. The reason of our visitation had a business character; therefore, it did not include many hours birding. We visited Tengiz-Korgalzhyn to arrange accommodation for our bird watching holidays, which spend several days in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve, a truly idyllic location on this planet.

 

The capitol of Kazakhstan is located on the steppe north of the Betpak Dala Desert. Many new buildings arise like mushrooms. After arrival in Astana at precisely 07h25, we take a taxi, having firstly a few business meetings, heading towards the Korgalzhyn village. We are ten minutes outside of the big metropolis we see our first large groups with Black Larks. The birds are foraging in the grass directly next to the road as the vast steppes are covered with a large amount of snow. During the two-hour lasting taxi ride, I counted more or less 3500 individuals. I have to note with this comment that I slept more than half of the ride! Black Larks where not the only birds spotted, Eurasian Magpie, Hooded Crow, Carrion Crow and soemmerringii Western Jackdaws where also present.

 

We overnight in one of the guesthouses in Korgalzhyn, during the tours we overnight in Karazhar, located in the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve, at one of the 120 lakes the park is rich. In the winter, these accommodations are closed.

 

After a good nights rest and large breakfast, we move out for a meeting with the director of the park. After having a friendly meeting we drive together to Karazhar, 45 km from Korgalzhyn village. On the way, of course, large amounts of Black Larks and the previously named Crow species are seen again. We also see a Merlin sitting next to the road. In the village, we meet Alexei and son Maxim Koshkin. Alexei is a guide during our tours and Maxim a good friend. Maxim is project leader of the Sociable Lapwing Project in Kazakhstan. He could tell that it was rather silent concerning birds this winter, no Snowy Owls where seen for example.

 

Our last morning in Korgalzhyn is packed, again, with meetings. I still had no time to do some proper birding. At 14h00, we leave Korgalzhyn by taxi for Astana. We leave the village and naturally, the first Black Larks are spotted quickly. I decide to check the poles along the road, maybe I can find a nice predator. After checking poles for 60 km I spot a Snowy Owl sitting on a pole!! STOP STOP Pazjalsta Pazjalsta, I beg the taxi driver to stop. The friendly driver has no idea what is happening, he stops, I jump out and get my camera. I am 300 meters away from a new specie in Kazakhstan. Like a tiger I go closer and closer but unfortunately the owl is very shy and fly’s away rather soon. A few shots for ‘prove’ are the result….

 

The drive further to Astana goes quickly and no sightings are made anymore. The birding has ended as Astana is not a city where to expect large amounts of birds.