Peregrine Falcon in Ust-Kamenogorsk

Yesterday in Ust-Kamenogorsk there was the rain turning into the first of this autumn snow. Today is mostly cloudy weather but without precipitation. I again went to the riverside. Noticed the hybrid Crow and thought that this crow may be the most important record of today. But then I watched two other hybrid Crows. And interesting records still to come. When there are Gulls and Cormorants in the island in middle of river this is a normal. But the Barn Swallows flying over the island is interesting record. Yesterday there was a snow but today I watch Swallows! When I photographed Swallows I noticed the movement on island; little birds flew from stones, then Gulls flew from ground, and then I saw the middle-size bird low level flying above the birds group in island. It was Peregrine Falcon. Falcon made a circle from the island and flew directly above me. It not got into the frame; camera not focused to it; very close is bad too. In the site’s gallery there is the series by Vladimir Shefer from the almost same spot. There are high buildings on riverside; hundreds (or thousands) of Pigeons come to dring the water; so I think Peregrine (more likely) winters in this place. At least it’s a good place to Peregrine’s wintering. Need to try to find it on high buildings.

After Peregrine flew away I watch the little birds on island. Thrushes appeared at once, all of them were Black-throated Thrushes. Then I noticed on island the feeding White Wagtails; the distance from riverside to island is 170 m (I measured it on the google map), very far to take photo but I made it as an evidence. Then I tried to find Woodpeckers but found only Great Tits. On the back way I saw Sparrowhawk which flew so very low above me that camera not focused. Also I saw two flocks of little pale birds flying downstream above the water. They are migrating birds in my opinion. Perhaps Wagtails and Swallows migrate along the river too. Next time need to take binocular and thermos, and need to take the winter clothes because weather in Ust-Kamenogorsk is cold now.

1. Peregrine Falcon winters in Ust-Kamenogorsk in my opinion

2. Snow was yesterday, Swallow is today!

3. Goosanders flys updtream then slowly floats downstream

4. Successful diving

5. Caspian Gull?

6. Black-headed Gulls

7. The start of Cormorant

8. Today I saw three hybrid Crows and only two Carrion Crows

9. Irtysh riverside, Ust-Kamenogorsk