The Checklist of the Birds of Kazakhstan. Birds of Kazakhstan.

Rare record of White-winged Grosbeak in Altai. Previously observed at February 7 1978 and November 29 1981 (Berezovikov et al, 1992; Berezovikov, 1989). Sergei Starikov recognizes White-winged Grosbeak as resident of upper Bukhtarma river, in altitude 2200 m he observed territorial behavior of couple (Starikov, 2006).

Blue-capped Redstart (Phoenicurus caeruleocephalus)

First winter record of Blue-capped Redstart in Kazakhstan. Normally it appears in mid-March, Closest spring record in birds.kz was at March 2nd (20 days gap).

Great Rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla)

First photo record in Kyrgyz Alatau. First Great Rosefinch in upper of Merke gorge was recorded by Fedor Karpov at November 24, 1985 (adult male in juniper belt, KOB-2007, p. 268); in same gorge in altitude about 2400 m at June 03, 2003 one male was recorded in juniper bush by S.Annenkova and V.Ashby (KOB-2003, p.91).

White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi)

First record in Sorbulak, and generally in southern part of Kazakhstan. First winter record.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)

First photorecord in Kazakhstan. Before this record singles and small flocks observed in Northern Kazakhstan (Drobovzev, Vilkov, 1997; Erokhov, 1999), in Naurzum Reserve (Bragin, Bragina, 2002), Selety lake, Kurgaldzhino lakes (21 October 1993; Andrusenko, 2002; Koshkin, 2003), in Zaysan depression, Sasykkol' lake (12 birds 15 October, 1994; Berezovikov, 1999b) and on Sorbulak lake close to Almaty (Erokhov, 1997). Regular recorded in autumn migration in lakes of Pavlodar area, in small flocks of up to 30 in 1970s, and only 2-3 birds in 1990s (Solomatin, 1999b).

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)

First record in Sorbulak during recent 10 years. Rarely observed in winter time in Sorbulak. Previously was observed at 2002, October 20 and 27 (1 male in winter plumage), and December 15 (female); at 2003, February 02 (1 female in channel); at 2004, December 12 (4 birds), December 19 (3 birds); at 2005 January 23 (1 bird); at 2010 October 24 (1 bird) (Belyalov, Karpov, 2012).

Spotted Great Rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla severtzovi)

First photo-record of Great Rosefinch in Ile-Alatau ridge. Previously regularly recorded in winter time in Almaty, but population was destroied in end of 90th by poachers. Recent 20 years was not observed in fact. In addition to autumn-winter records Great Rosefinches were recorded in highlands of Ili-Alatau ridge at May 5th, 1965 in altitude 2900 m (Gavrilov,1974); in first half od August, 1973 in altitude 3000 m, male (Gubin, 2002); and at March 23, 1975 in altitude 3300 m, singning male (Kovshar, et all, 1978).

White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)

Fisrt winter record of White-winged Tern in Kazakhstan.

Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus)

First record of Arctic Skua in South-Eastern Kazakhstan. Generally rare bird in inner part of continent. In Kazakhstan was recorded mostly in large lakes (in Caspian Sea near Atyrau and Mangyshlak, in Tengiz, in Aral Sea, in Telikol lakes, in road to Arnasai lake, in Chelkar lake), and also in Naurzum reserve and Chokpak ringing station.

Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis)

Two Red-brested Geese were recorded in flock of Ruddy Shelducks in Kapchagai reservoir. First record for Kapchagai, thirds one for South-Eastern Kazakhstan.

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