ノビタキを探しに行って... Looking for Stonechats.

Going out in this beautiful weather I didn't expect much but was happy with the results:

Far Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ

 Dunlin, ハマシギ, about 12 birds

  

1 Common Redshank, アカアシシギ

3 Common Snipes, タシギ, this one photo-bombed by a wagtail

And about 15 Common Stonechats, ノビタキ

  

Meadow Bunting, ホオジロ                           Cosmos, コスモス

Another afternoon in the fields

I often meet up with these Common Magpies, カササギ. Very active, naughty and cheeky birds! The beauty of strong markings and colors in their wings never ceases to amaze me. How come they produce such ugly offspring?

On the look out, Japanese Weasel, イタチ

I was hoping to find some exotic bird, like the Brown Shrike. But I only saw these common ones.

It's been so long I wonder if I would recognize it.
Bull-headed Shrike, モズ

Then I found this nest of bees on the side of a small road. A bit dangerous I thought.

Are they bees or wasps? I don't know. 

On the mud and in the reeds at the end of an afternoon

Pacific Golden Plover, ムナグロ

It was nearly dark when this bird appeared in the far corner: Greater Painted Snipe, タマシギ

Common Snipe, タシギ

More birds in the west area 1

There are several Kestrels now. They winter here and all have their own territory, though that might not be much defined yet. I get to know the birds, where they live, their favorite hang-outs. I love this young female

Eurasian Kestrel チョウゲンボウ

Another hunter. With a big catch: Grey Heron, アオサギ

Temminck’s Stint, オジロトウネン

I thought i'd missed these little birds this year, but I got luck a couple of days ago.

There were 3 birds and 2 of them started walking my way.

They slowly picked their way along the edge of the field, while the 3rd bird stayed behind with the other Stints

 nr 3

This one below didn't seem to be bothered by me at all. I was sitting in the grass just 2 meters away.

Normally I don't approach birds this close. This time I had no choice but to stay put quietly until they decided to move on... I nearly missed my appointment.

These Temminck's Stints seem smaller than their Red-necked cousins and also more delicate. They make long journeys when they migrate to their breeding grounds. How did they survive in the bad weather of the last typhoons?

Found a little something to eat. いいね！

Indian Pond Heron, インドアカガシラサギ 2

Continuation of part 1
Usually a shy kind of bird. But the crowd of curious birders, photographers and locals doesn't seem to bother him much.

Got lucky with a fresh water crab-type creature

Stretching these wings a bit, flying well, not going very far.

Taking the time for preening in the shade of a tree