Urban Birding. Bluetails in Ust-Kamenogorsk.

Weather is cold (-10 morning, -6 day) but sunny and almost windless. At 8.30 am I visited Park Zhambyla, nothing found, and went to Komsomolsky island where I was about 3 and half very alive hours. I expected to watch the little passerines and my expectations were met. Today main spot is the little pine grove on the Irtysh river’s bank. Here are wintering birds dominated: three species of Tits, Nuthuch, Goldcrest, all this birds were very active. Near pines I saw female Chaffinch, male Baikal Bullfinch, and the flock of Black-throated Thrushes + 1 Fieldfare feeding on aplle-tree. All this birds will stay here next months therefore I tried to find birds of any other species. When I closed to pines I see little orange bird perched to the branch only to one moment and fly to the river direction. I guessed the Red-flanked Bluetail because I expected to see it in migration path from Siberia, but I saw not sure. About half-hour I explored pine-grove and vicinity until found Bluetails. I saw at least three Bluetails including one bird without tail but with blue uppertail. Contrary to my expectations Bluetails were quite calm. I was staying near the border of grove and dry high grass and taking the photos of birds were flying and looking for the food. Later I saw Bluetail in another single pine-tree. Together with Bluetails there were the Chiffchaffs, their behavior was the same as Bluetail. In the side I watched Hume’s Warblers, they also were feeding in dry high grass both in open area and in grove. Also in this pine grove I saw one Taiga Flycatcher. Another Taiga Flycatcher was noticed in willow bushes on river side together with three Bluethroats (2 males, 1 female) which were feeding on the wet coast line.

Among other birds I should mention White-tailed Sea-Eagle, Great Egret, 3 Great Spotted and 1 White-backed Woodpeckers.

1. Red-flanked Bluetail

2. Komsomolsky island

3. Wintering Mallard

4. Little apples are favourite food of Trushes

5. Great Egret

6. Baikal Bullfinch

7. Showing of blue tail

8. Chiffchaff

9. Nobody eats this berries

10. Hume's Warbler

11. Black-throated Thrush with reddish tail

12. Taiga Flyacatcher, one from two

13. Bluethroat, one from three