Penduline Tit, ツリスガラ

I love these swift tiny birds, It's always a pleasure on windless days, when we play hide and seek.

Bullfinch, ウソ

Also up there, in the same sakura trees, 7 or 8 females and 1 male. Again not much color...

A very friendly male Daurian Redstart, ジョウビタキ 

offered some entertainment

Long-tailed Rosefinch, ベニマシコ

The snow of last month had gone, the temperatures were pleasantly around the 10 C, and I decided it was safe to drive to the mountains and look for finches. Preferably in pink. Sure, they were there.

I'd really been hoping for a bit more color, but this is all I got. Birds up in the trees are so hard to capture!

 This female had me confused, seeing it from behind.

While I waited around lady Bluetail kept me happy. Red-flanked Bluetail, ルリビタキ:

winterbirds 3, Spoonbills

Never get tired of these beauties, Black-faced Spoonbill, クロツラヘラサギ and  Eurasian Spoonbill, ヘラサギ

Feeding on the incoming tide in the Zuibaiji River

2 Black-faced Spoonbills, クロツラヘラサギ

And 2 Eurasian Spoonbill, ヘラサギ

Often seen together

Winterbirds 2, オオジュリン, Common Reed Bunting and some more

Compilation of photos taken over the last 2-3 months around Imazu.

Common Kingfisher, カワセミ

There are few of them around. Every time I visit the area I see at least one.

オオジュリン, Common Reed Bunting

These buntings as well, When there's one, there are many.

I don't pay much attention to the Feral Pigeons usually, but this white one looks rather pretty.

Winter birds 1, オオハクチョウ, Whooper Swan

I went in to check on out special guests a few time, taking the chance to watch them while they are around. These photos were taken in December 2014:

We're coming ashore!

Time for a bit of preening



The tide is coming in, our little island is getting smaller...

Showing off a wingspan  (maybe 2.4 m!)

 The situation being evaluated

What do you little guys think?

Shake out those magnificent feathers

Should move on, but the sun feels so good...

Birding with a different turn of events

One day in December J and I set out towards the mountains south of the city with Mr. K, who had told us about a white pheasant hanging around some little known hiking trail. Although K had warned us that this bird wasn't very fond of intruders, we didn't know what to expect and thus were in for quite a surprise!

Our guide led us into the forest and we steadily made our way up a small path. At the top of the hill we admired the scenery for a few minutes, did a u turn and walked the same path down. There were bulbuls, white-eyes, tits and little woodpeckers, also quite a few thrushes, but nothing bigger then that. It was the middle of the day and I think our subject was taking a nap.

Back down we discussed our options. Since we had come this far we decided not to give up too soon and wandered back into the forest again. Then suddenly, on our 2nd way down, it was there. Right in front of us, on the path, blocking our way. Literally. He didn't want to let us pass.

It was a beautiful male Silver Pheasant, with a great tail of  white shiny feathers, pretty chevron markings on its back and a bright red wattle on the face. It also had big strong feet with sharp toes, one of which extended backwards from the heel and could be used as a devious weapon.

We started taking some photos. The bird was obviously not happy, but I guess we looked quite big to him, because he didn't come too close.  This changed however the moment we kneeled down to get a better angle.

  He hit me once, but not too hard. The second time he hit harder. The third time he nearly knocked me over. This magnificent bird drove the 3 of us out of his territory with force and fiercely attacked K, (sensing he was a male?) who ended up with several cuts and bleeding wounds.

WOW!

What is this bird doing here in Fukuoka? Far from its home in Eastern China. Had anyone kept him as a pet and decided this beast was too vicious? That wouldn't surprise me. I don't think I will go back  in there.