More of Saga on April 18th

After the American guest at Higashiyoka on April 18, we drove to Shiroiashi to check out the lotus fields. Instantly, a long-time wish came true: A male Merlin was sitting on the wire! Last time I saw one was so long ago, I could barely remember it. 

Merlin, コチョウゲンボウ

It was close to a field with lots of Stilts. More than 20 birds. They are doing well, it seems

Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ

Next was the Stork family. A parent was flying around, looking for food...

Oriental Stork, コウノトリ

...and landed in a ditch near me. What a close-up!

I backed up the car and had another look.

The birds are clearly used to having people around

At the nest I could see 4 chicks! I hope they will make it to adulthood safely

Back around the old Lotus fields, where the water level was too high for small birds like Stints, but some others were there.

Marsh Sandpipers, コアオアシシギ

Wood Sandpipers, タカブシギ

Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, ウズラシギ

Common Snipe, タシギ

The new-comers were announcing their present in a loud voice, but stayed mostly hidden below. Except for one, that stayed quiet...

Great Reed Warbler, オオヨシキリ

At the far end of one of the fields were about 6 Garganeys, シマアジ

Higashiyoka mudflats, April 18

The American Godwit, that was the ultimate attraction of the weekend, was so popular, it was difficult to find a good spot for taking photos. The bird is in its own post:

 https://wingsndthings.blogspot.com/2026/04/hudsonion-godwit.html

 Next some other sightings, photos taken while pushing elbows at the slippery and muddy fence 😅

One of the most common visitors in this season are the long-distance flyers, the Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ. They migrate as far as Australia I heard.

Another Godwit, the Black-tailed, オグロシギ

When all the birds fly and the flocks sweep above the rising tide, the Curlews are easily distinguished

Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ and Far-Eastern, ホウロクシギ

The atmosphere is so intense. The search for anything interesting, tracking those birds once you found them, explaining their location and listening to others, all at the same time... And suddenly it's all over.

Once the water has withdrawn, the exposed mud offers nibbles for small waders

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ behind the purplish sea foliage, シジメンソウ

There is always a flag around. メダイチドリ

Red-necked Stints, トウネン

Little Terns, コアジサシ

Way back, 2 reddish colored birds with relatively short legs and bills.

Are they Knots? Great Knot? Red Knot? オバシギ?　コオバシギ?

Migrators in the city parks: Blue-and-White Flycatcher, オオルリ

16 April, I made it to the park. Checking the usual locations, all was quiet. But at last I found the place where birds were active and a Flycatcher perched in a cherry tree.

Blue-and-White Flycatcher, オオルリ

In the same tree at the same time, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, コゲラ

Hudsonion Godwit, アメリカオオソリハシシギ

The American visitor drew a big crowd on the 19th. Birders from all over Japan came to see this beautiful bird. Maybe because of all the spectators, the bigger birds, Godwits, Curlews, Whimbrels etc flew a lot. Once landed briefly the search was on and people came running. With its dark plumage, it was fairly easy to pick out and to follow, I thought.

For a positive identification, I wanted to capture the black underwings

Among other Godwits, mostly Bar-tailed, オオソリハシシギ 

At the far side of the flood line, with Grey Plover, ダイセン

When everybody flies, I stay behind... briefly

Can you find me? ↓