Higashiyoka mudflats, April 18

The American Godwit, that was the ultimate attraction of the weekend, was so popular, it was difficult to find a good spot for taking photos. The bird is in its own post:

 https://wingsndthings.blogspot.com/2026/04/hudsonion-godwit.html

 Next some other sightings, photos taken while pushing elbows at the slippery and muddy fence 😅

One of the most common visitors in this season are the long-distance flyers, the Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ. They migrate as far as Australia I heard.

Another Godwit, the Black-tailed, オグロシギ

When all the birds fly and the flocks sweep above the rising tide, the Curlews are easily distinguished

Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ and Far-Eastern, ホウロクシギ

The atmosphere is so intense. The search for anything interesting, tracking those birds once you found them, explaining their location and listening to others, all at the same time... And suddenly it's all over.

Once the water has withdrawn, the exposed mud offers nibbles for small waders

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ behind the purplish sea foliage, シジメンソウ

There is always a flag around. メダイチドリ

Red-necked Stints, トウネン

Little Terns, コアジサシ

Way back, 2 reddish colored birds with relatively short legs and bills.

Red Knot, コオバシギ

Autumn visit to Saga 1

On September 7 I got up early and left home around 4am. When I arrived at the mudflats of the Ariake Sea the sun was up, but the birds were still far. The tide was rolling in slowly. Big birds came in my field of vision. Starting with the Spoonbills. 

Black-faced Spoonbill, クロツラヘラサギ

One of the rarest bird species in the world, yet often over-looked by photographers in Kyushu

Curlews, mostly Far Eastern, and Bar-tailed Godwits, ホオロクシギ、オオソリハシシギ

Ready to fly?

Go!

 The シジメンソウ, Suaeda Japonica has extended all along the shoreline and has become rather tall. I could not see any of the small birds behind. When the water is at its highest level, small birds leave the mudflat and come to rest on the shore. Time to have a better look.

Dunlins, ハマシギ

Among them a number of Ruddy Turnstones, キョウジョシギ

Stints and Plovers. トウネン、メダイチドリ、オオメダイチドリ

Several Broadbilled Sandpipers, キリアイ

Among the many Red-necked Stints, トウネン, somebody discovered one Little Stint, ヨーロッパトオネン

When the waterline withdraws, most birds leave. 

That's when we saw the 1 Nordmann's Greenshank, カラフトアオアシシギ -  far away

Thank you for finding it, and your general support, Mr. H!

It was a pleasure meeting you, Dr. Mark Brazil!