Eurasian Wryneck, アリスイ

What a surprise. First time for me to see it in Japan. My memory of a previous sighting is so blurry... I call this a lifer! Jynx torquilla

These unusual birds are able to turn their snake-like head nearly 180 degrees, hence their English name.

When threatened they twist their head, making hissing sounds, like a witch putting a spell on someone in the old days. This gave them the name jynx.

They use their long tongue to find ants and other insects.

Visiting a Sakura tree... but it has no flowers...

On the same day: Sakura in full bloom and a Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, コゲラ busy making a nest.

 Out at sea: Pelagic Cormorants, ヒメウ

  

Black-throated Loon (Diver), オオハム   far out

White-bellied Green Pigeon, アオバト

So pretty when the light is right and the surroundings clear. First a female landed gracefully, sliding out of the dark clusters of branches above onto the small clearing. Fallen Camellia (ツバキ) flowers and acorns littered the place.

 She didn't eat much and left after a few minutes. Next a very hungry male plopped down.

 

Showing off and eating acorns one after the other.

More than 10 went down his throat some where. Could he still fly?

Other birds payed a visit: Pale Thrush, シロハラ

went sensibly for the more digestible flowers.

same as a Brown-eared Bulbul, ヒヨドッリ

Feral Pigeon,ドバト shining in the spring light

Even the Carrion Crow, ハシボソガラス looked good

Black-faced Bunting, アオジ female

Many people walked by in the park, admiring Japanese Sakura

Eating from their pick nick bento's, feeding the gulls... Whatever non-birding people do in a park on a sunny day in March 

Black-headed Gull, ユリカモメ - molting  羽毛のぬけ

Crested Kingfisher, ヤマセミ 2

A few days later, at the same place as before:

other birds there were Mandarin Duck, オシドリ

Japanese White-eye, メジロ

Bull-headed Shrike, モズ

Raindrops

Waxwings in the park! Japanese Waxwings, ヒレンジャク

These love the Mistletoe, ヤドリギ and when the time is right they come and eat the lot,
The mistletoe attaches itself to the host tree and looks like a big ball of leaves with little waxy berries.
There was not much left when I showed up.