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.