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? ↓

Imazu on the 13th

Monday. The excitement of the day before drove me to the fields again. Not a bad decision. There was no wind, a good condition for small birds in the reeds. Around the 2 lakes:

Penduline Tits, ツリスガラ

On to the river, I stumbled upon a flock of Stints. Had I complained about small numbers the day before? There were 21!　Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

Immediately followed by Garganeys, シマアジ. Below a group of 6. Plus 3 others, made it 9 birds.

On the way back I checked the location for the male Stonechat and... Bingo!

Stonechat, ノビタキ

I probably used all my luck up. The next day, my intentions of looking for flycatchers were washed away in the rain...

Imazu on the 12th

A surprise visit to Imazu, since we returned early from work-related duties. The weather was cloudy and...a bit dark. No rain yet, but it hung in the air. I fell with my nose in the butter (Dutch saying, look it up). 2 Stints, looking great in the fresh green. 3 or 4 Wood Sandpipers at the same place. And a few bonuses from nearby fields. 

Black-winged Stints, セイタカシギ

Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ

Common Kingfisher, カワセミ

Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ

Meadow Bunting, ホオジロ

Small numbers, but at least... migraters have arrived

Siskins, マヒワ in the woods

I went back to that place where I had heard the Siskins, thinking there might be a chance to watch them coming down to bathe or drink. I could see them high up in the top of the tallest trees. So, I hid behind a bush near the water, not too close.

Eurasian Siskin, マヒワ

Sure enough, after a few minutes one after the other came down.

From where I sat, I could not see the place where they entered the stream, but watching them through the branches was fun.

Thank you, little girl, for coming so close. I love capturing your portrait, despite all the twigs

Your back looks good, too

Just one bird was brave enough to enter the nearest part of the stream. Just a sec.

Watching Siskins is like eating 🍫 chocolate

Nobitaki in Imazu

The first Stonechat of the season deserves a blog post. Here it is, in Imazu. A female-type bird that was very shy, but it briefly posed on a green flowering plant with Chinese Milkvetch, レンゲ in the background.

Stonechat, ノビタキ

There was a Buff-bellied Pipit nearby. Not so common here. When did I last see one in Tajiri?

Buff-bellied Pipit, タヒバリ

I was a bit worried when no Dunlins were reportedly seen for a while. Well, they are back! 31 of them.

There is also a Greenshank, アオアシシギ in there. Not very clear? See below:

Last, another Stonechat, ノビタキ,  also in Tajiri

And that was it.