Saga 1, Higashiyoka

One day in October I drove to Higashiyoka. It was after the monthly spring tide. The water didn't rise as much as the previous days, but the birds came close enough. The fun is not so much in taking beautiful pictures, but in trying to identify the wings. 

First the easy ones: Grey Plover, ダイセン . There are many, in various stages of summer - winter plumage. I love their big eyes

In flight

Next the Great Knots, オバシギ

There are Red Knots, コオバシギ among the Great Knots, オバシギ. Which one is which? I have an idea, but I'm not confident enough to point them out.

Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ

Long-billed Dowitcher, オオハシシギ

Common Redshank, アカアシシギ

And a Spotted Redshank, ツルシギ way out. It was running very fast with some Greenshanks

Curlews, Far-Eastern, ホオロクシギ in front, 1 Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ behind

Eurasian Curlew, ダイシャクシギ in the middle

More from the 17th

At the ricefields I found a young Redshank that was not too shy. Several Red-necked Stints, a few Wood Sandpipers, and lots of Common Snipes. A small flock of ducks was hiding in the back. I think some were Garganeys, but I have no photo.

Common Redshank, アカアシシギ juv

see that fish!

Red-necked Stint, トウネン

Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ

Common Snipes, タシギ

Every fall there is a day when Snipes seem to be everywhere

After the typhoon

 The typhoon nr 10 arrived on August 29th and it was the 31st that I went to Imazu to see migrating shorebirds etc. It was the first time in a few weeks and I had no idea where the potential fields were. At first, I could not find much, but in Taromaru it got better.

There was a Redshank on the concrete bank across the river. Too far to see clearly, but I guess it's a Common Redshank, アカアシシギ among 4 juvenile Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ

2 Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ in one field

2 Yellow Wagtails, ツメナガセキレイ in another field. Also far away and by now the sun stood high and the light was too harsh...

Lots of Little Ringed Plovers, コチドリ were more or less everywhere. One looked different and had the birders confused for a while. Until Mr. C. found out what it was.

Long-billed Plover, イカルチドリ

Still at this old place, 4 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, ウズラシギ

And a few Red-necked Stints. トウネン. All juveniles I think.

At the last field 4 more BW Stilts, セイタカシギ

There was so much water in the rice paddies. The Stilts had no legs 😂

October WBSJ meeting

 The 1st Sunday of the month, I went to Imazu for the WBSJ meeting. A flock of small ducks flew by. We found them in the river. The first Wigeons, ヒドリガモ of the season had arrived. With them were 6 Garganeys, シマアジ

During high tide on the concrete wall was 1 Common Redshank, アカアシシギ among the usual Greenshanks, アオアシシギ. A Godwit was there as well, but I didn't get it on the picture.

Way up high: seems to be a Kestrel. チョウゲンボウ

One Whimbrel, チュウシャクシギ patrolling a large sports field all by itself

In the afternoon I went back to the river and found 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ

The Wigeons, ヒドリガモ were there and the Garganeys, シマアジ as well

After talking about Snipes, I tried my luck and found one that might not be a common. Who knows??

ジシギ?

And then for the 3rd time, Curlews on the road

Far-Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ

Left-overs in Imazu

 The season is over. For me it ended way too soon. What is still left in Imazu?

One Redshank, アカアシシギ behind a Greenshank, アオアシシギ

Ruddy-breasted Crake, ヒクイナshowing off big feet. Are you looking for food for your babies?

The most interesting sight of the morning: A Common Moorhen, バン in the trees. Why are you there?