Black-throated Loons, オオハム

March 17th. It took me a while to find some. Without local knowledge, where do we go? Finally, I came to the place where 4 birds came a little closer, and from where I could see a little more than the pinpoints of the week before. No real summer plumage, though. 

Black-throated Loons, オオハム

4 birds together 

In a few minutes they were gone.

Enjoy your day on the beach!　Spot-billed Ducks, カルガモ

Cruising low above the fields behind the dunes, female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ

Black Scoters, クロガモ

The wind had been strong on the previous days, so though the horizon seemed flat, the surf was high and big rollers were breaking around the reef. A flock of 70 - 80 birds were bobbing up 'n down about 150m out. They moved back and forth, often in a tight pack, staying clear of the rough seas most of the time, though there was the occasional surprise. No worries, Scoters can handle that.

The closest I came to a close-up of an adult male

Other birds included 2 Black-throated Loons, オオハム and 7 female Red-breasted Mergansers, ウミアイサ 

Vega Gull, セグロカモメ; Black-tailed Gull, ウミネコ and Red-breasted Merganser, ウミアイサ 

Around the big waves: Black Scoter, Black-throated Loon, Osprey, more ducks and gulls

Uminonakamichi.
There are some strong waves around the rocks off Shioya. Knowing all about the force of breaking waves I admire the ducks that venture there. This single Scoter seemed quite skilled.

Black Scoter, クロガモ

A few solitairy Loons, facing the same breakers.  Black-throated Loon, オオハム

Diving just before the crash

Out in the far distance: hundreds, maybe thousands of Red-breased Mergansers, ウミアイサ

detail ↓

An Osprey, ミサゴ landing his catch

Herring Gull, セグロカモメ

Black-tailed Gull, ウミネコ left and below,      Slaty-backed Gull, オオセグロカモメ on the right

 There weren't many ducks in the wild bird pond. This trio got my attention. The one in front looks all roughed up. Why? Just wet, or...?  Common Teal, コガモ

Nothern Shovelers, ハシビルガモ doing their thing like going around and around in circles

Black-throated Loon, オハム

What are you doing here in the river under my nose? Shouldn't you be heading north with your mates? Is it because you cannot fly? どうしたんでしょうか

At sea

The weather was kind of bad in the morning. The fore casted clear skies didn't show up and rain clouds hoovered  above me till past midday. I had hoped to see the Black Scoters. A flock of 50 birds had been reported, but I missed them. There were some other ducks in the far distance:

Harlequin Duck, シノリガモ

2 Black-throated Loons, オオハムwere nearby 

A little disappointing