December left-overs from Fukuoka.

Contrary to the birding fields in the rest of Kyushu, Fukuoka gets few Pipits and Buntings. So, when I see some, I stop to watch. 

Buff-bellied Pipit, タヒバリ

And sometimes I watch Wagtails as well.

White Wagtail, ハクセキレイ

In Kanatake, during the walk, the caterpillars of the Japanese Siren butterfly, ゴマダラチョウ, were seen on the Chinese Celtis tree, エノキ, where they would fall to the ground and wait out the cold winter.

A different colored hopper. Red from the cold?

Who's nest was this?

Aridoshi, アリドオシ with lots of berries

On the way back, a flock of Northern Lapwings, タゲリ crossed my path

Saga, end of December

 The jobs are done, I can take a break. Before our yearly wintertrip we dropped by in Saga.

In the park at Higashiyoka: Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ

Common Starling, ホシムクドリ in a flock of White-cheeked

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ mobbing a Crow. 

Among the Rooks, a number of Daurian Jackdaws, コクマルガラス. All dark colored.

On this warm, sunny December day it was barely a surprise to see this pretty butterfly.

Japanese Oakblue, ムラサキシジミ

Happy New Year

 To all of you who visit this blog: I hope you had a delightful Christmas and a festive End-of the Year. May 2026 bring you happiness, love and good health. Warm thoughts from a cooling boat cabin on a windy day. Snow is on the way!

Isahaya December 2025

When I saw all those images of Short-eared Owls on SM, I thought I'd go and take a chance. It was surprisingly easy. Though I could never compete with the big-lens toting photographers, I was still happy with my results.

Short-eared Owl, コミミズク

What I was not happy about is my chances with the male Hen Harrier. I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. This is all I got:

Male Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ

Female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ

Eastern Buzzard, ノスリ

Female Common Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

There were many Cranes, ツル flying in big V-s across the reclamation areas.

And at the end of the day the ducks, making loud noises with their wings, like a strong wind suddenly rushing in. They seemed to be Baikal Teals, トモエガモ

Animals included 5 Wild Pigs, 1 Weasel and this Raccoon dog, タヌキ

Smew, ミコアイサ

Never have I seen so many Smews in one place. I counted 32 birds. Mostly females, about 7 males. They were divided into 3 groups, patrolling the pond in the vicinity of the trees on the opposite side.

It was a funny situation. I checked the pond mid-morning and saw just 1 female. A hawk flushed out the whole lot and I left. An hour later, when I returned I didn't see much. It started to rain and I left again. Shortly after that the cloud cover lifted and a bit of sunshine broke through. I was still nearby and decided to try again. That's when all the Smews were there. Where had they come from??

If you look well, you can count 30 or 31 Smews, ミコアイサ

There were Baikal Teals, モエガモ as well. A few hundred.

A majestic Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ crossing my path on the way.

Bull-headed Shrike, モズ

Around the west, Nishi-ku

A few bits and pieces from my occasional walks in the neighborhood.  It's not very often I see a Hawk in our harbor. It landed right in front of me, chasing something I could not see. What was all the franticness about?

Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ

The Blue Rock Thrush, イソヒヨドリ is a long-term resident here. He likes the fishermen.

My personal Blue Rock Thrush in our back-yard dock, perched on our old bucket with my left-over water plants. Have to think of a name.

In the entrance of M. River, usually far from the banks: Common Goldeneye, ホオジロガモ, male and female

Mata ne, see you

Dusky Thrush, ツグミ 

 Oriental Greenfinches, カワラヒワ