Saga, part 4, Around the fields

 A visit to Saga is not complete without a stop at the Lotus fields.

After seeing so many in the morning, I felt exhilerated to find a few in a greener environment.

Red-necked Stints, トウネン

Below with a Long-toed Stint, ヒバリシギ

Red-necked Stints, トウネン again, at the end of the day

Finally I found what I hoped to see: Temminck's Stint, オジロトウネン

At the same time: 1 lonesome Dunlin, ハマシギ

It was getting late. Around 12 Stilts were gathered in one corner.

Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

Patrolling the canals: 2 Whiskered Terns, クロハラアジサシ

The next morning, a sunny day. Black-browed Reed Warbler, コヨシキリ were very vocal, but not easy to spot.

Just 1 bird among other Starlings: Common Starling, ホシムクドリ

Sand Martin, ショウドウツバメ

It hopped out of one field, right into the next. Richard's Pipit?, マミジロタヒバリ?

More than I expected.

Saga part 3: Far Eastern Curlews, ホウロクシギ

Continued from the previous post. Not only small birds, as the photo below might insinuate.

Early morning a whooping 500 Far Eastern Curlews, ホウロクシギ flew in. I have never seen this many!

They all wanted space and were often bickering at each other.

Below a Eurasian Curlew, ダイシャクシギ on the right and what looks like a very young one on the left

I was still in the neighborhood the following day, so I dropped by to see what it was like on a sunny day. The colors came out a lot better, but the shadows were deep. The patterns of feathers were not as well-defined as on the previous, mostly overcast day.

This day, the 9th, somebody discovered a Sanderling, ミユビシギ among the Dunlins, ハマシギ

Quite a feat, in this mass of grey feathers

Saga part 2: Godwits and some more

 Continued from previous post, a super high tide day at the Ariake Sea in Saga

Grey Plovers, ダイセン at Higashiyoka

Half mesmerized by the Spotted Greenshank, I stole some glimpses of the nearby Godwits, as they were arguing constantly. Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ

Black-tailed Godwit, オグロシギ flew by as well. Just a few.

Also just a few: Long-billed Dowitcher, オオハシシギ

Broad-billed Sandpiper, キリアイ

More is comimg! To be continued

Saga part 1: Nordmann's Greenshank, カラフトアオアシシギ

 The day of the highest tide was Wednesday, October 8th. The weather forecast was cloudy, which is good in many ways, but the color of the water becomes so dull. Migrators in October are mostly in winter plumage, also not very colorful. When my TC broke down my mood was also rather grey. However, I got excited by the good views of waders who came to stop on the stones below the seawall, where we were all lined up with our scopes and cameras. Already 2 hours before high tide, birds started coming in from the mudflats. There were thousands of Grey Plovers, ダイセン and Dunlins, ハマシギ. Also many Great Knots, オバシギ and probably some Red Knots, but I didn't look for them. The reason was the Nordmann's Greenshank, カラフトアオアシシギ, who was giving us perfect views. The star of the day!

The view at 8:30 am, 1 and a half hour before high tide.

Below the first of 2 or 3 Nordmann's Greenshanks, カラフトアオアシシギ perched on the fence

A little later, another one among Grey Plovers, ダイセン

Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ coming close

Ah, time to fly

After that, a beautiful bird taking possession of a slab, right in front of me.

The bird looked white, with a nearly spotless breast and beautiful yellow legs

Defending its possy

Nibbling at something edible?

It was wonderful to watch this rare bird up close for 30 minutes

Other birds that we found in the huge crowd:

1 Pacific Golden Plover, ムナグロ

A juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ

A flagged Grey Plover, ダイセン

To be continued