Bullfinch, ウソ

Then there was the news about Bullfinches in Dazaifu. The cherry blossom trees on top of the mountain were full with young flowerbuds, their favorite food. 7 Birds were gorging their way through. Maple seeds were popular as well. There is probably always enough food for them in this area.

Bullfinch, ウソ

Other birds stopping by: Goldcrest, キクイタダキ

  

bye bye

Look who came to Imazu last week!

I left early on Sunday morning and didn’t think anybody had seen this bird here yet. But its size attracted attention from passers-by, mostly  farmers. I took the opportunity to talk to them and pointed out how valuable the fields here are for migrating birds and also our local Black-faced Spoonbills.

I hope they will become a bit interested; the Spoonbills are at risk, there residence, a little island in the river is slowly being washed away. Somebody should take action!

 Mute Swan, コブハクチョウ

The big young swan was not too happy with all the people lining the bank of the pond. It stretched its wings and left.

  

I went to the other side of the river where the family of Tundra Swans had been spending the winter. They were still there, happy as it seemed.

Izumi 1, ツル

The end of January Jaap and I drove to Izumi and stayed 2 nights to celebrate my birthday. Every year we go there to see the cranes and other wintering birds. Every year I take lots of photos and they always turn out different. This time the weather was not very good. One day it rained and the other was heavily overcast, except for a 5 min. break just after sunrise. With high ISO settings I didn't get any quality, but I made a selection for this blog anyway.

Friday night, just arrived. Cranes are moving to their roost.

A kestrel is watching the action.

Common Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ,  White-naped Crane, マナヅル

 

The next day at dawn. They are all hungry and fly over to the feeding location.

Hooded Crane, ナベヅルand White-naped Crane, マナヅル

White-naped Crane, マナヅル

That's enough about cranes for this year.

Izumi 2, Ruddy Shelduck, アカツクシガモ

After watching the cranes flying at dawn we went to look for the Ruddy Shelduck that had somewhere taken a wrong turn and ended up in Kyushu all by itself. We had to search quite a bit, among the cranes and the common Shelducks, in the little canals, the fields and the gutters. Once it came out of hiding it became very conspicuous. Such a big duck stands out clearly. The crows also detected it right away and sent it off flying in no time.

Common Shelduck, ツクシガモ

Black-faced Spoonbill, クロツラヘラサギ

Northern Lapwing, タゲリ

Common Snipe, タシギ

Greater White-fronted Goose, マガン

Finally, the Ruddy Shelduck, アカツクシガモ

The next day we had more luck

My black friends are back again...