It was still reasonably warm when I went to the river and dampark where the Crested Kingfishers live. I waited, but they didn't come. I entertained myself with the Goldcrests, キクイタダキ for a while.
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It's nearly time for these two to start nesting. Are they a pair?
We had to wait a few hours, while a big flock flew over, hoping they would land in front of us. But those things seldom come to happen and we had to make do with a group of 6, staying briefly at the end of the afternoon.
The day I went to the park to see the Grosbeaks the Red-billed Starlings also made an appearance. There was a flock of about 10 birds. Just one seemed to be thirsty.
We have lots of Japanese Grosbeaks here in Kyushu. During the summer, they stay at the top of the trees, mostly in the cool mountain areas. In winter, they come down to the city parks and descend from the trees to find food and water. Watching them at a waterbassin is a lot of fun, especially when a different colored bird joins the crowd. The Chinese Grosbeak. Many keen photographers with huge lenses gather and wait for that moment.
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
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.
On the way back, a flock of Northern Lapwings, タゲリ crossed my path
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
