Winter trip - 2 unusual Cranes

Among the thousands of birds were 2 unusual visitors. A young Demoiselle Crane, and a one-legged Siberian Crane. 

Below the Demoiselle Crane, アネハヅル

No well-defined features yet. Born last year?

Next the Siberian Crane, ソデグロヅル

There were 2 at first, but one left, while this injured bird stayed behind. It got injured a few months before in Korea, I was told. The wound has healed well and the bird is eating well, so there are not many concerns at the moment, The staff at the reserve is keeping a close eye on it. 

It's hard to keep your balance on one leg and walking is not possible. 

To move around he has to use its wings. Huge wings!

Flying is OK... but landing... 😖

Wishing you all the best in the New Year 💗

Demoiselle Crane, アネハヅル

2 Years ago I saw Aneha in Izumi. It was pretty hard to find her among the thousands of Hooded and White-naped Cranes. When I heard about her being in Itoshima I thought it would be easy. But when I arrived there were lots of herons and egrets, but no crane. She took off around midday, I was told. Other disappointed birders were leaving, but I arrived late and decided to hang around a bit, while searching the fields. After an hour I gave up and got into the car to head home. Doing a U-turn I spotted something in the sky towards the mountains....

getting closer

with Grey Heron, アオサギ

It became windy

Aneha 3

In the afternoon we drove around to find a place where we could park the car for a few hours, to do some work, preferably with a nice view. We were somewhere about 1.5km from the observation center. Every patch of field held one or more small groups of Hooded or White-naped Cranes, often families. I wasn't searching anything particular, but suddenly my eye caught a black head...

How lucky can you get! Demoiselle Crane, アネハヅル AGAIN

With the glare of the sunlight being a disadvantage we waited till the sun sunk behind the nearby hills. By then it was getting darker, but the results are not bad

Time to leave. Time to fly.

Bye bye, Aneha!

Aneha 2

The following morning, watching the sunrise at the feeding grounds, spectacular when thousands of birds come flying in.

When the sun was high enough to shed some light we searched for the less common cranes. At the far back were 2 Common Cranes, クロヅル, more or less at the same place as last year.

Lifting its head up for a second and stretching its wings, Common Crane, クロヅル

Closer by a Sandhill Crane, カナダヅル guiding the family to a safe corner

They didn't seem to be bothered by us much

At the field in front of the observation centre. A mix of Hooded Crane, ナベヅル and White-naped Crane, マナヅル hurrying to get their share

That was MY bit!

You stood on my toes!

After a while the mass thins out. Some birds return to their possy with their families, others just wander off.

It seemed impossible to find Aneha. 

Scanning the extensive area I was just about to give up when... I found her! Demoiselle Crane, アネハヅル At the far far end.

Changing location to get a better look

With quite an accomplished feeling I started looking at other birds.

White-naped Crane, マナヅル

The most common crane in Izumi, Hooded Crane, ナベヅル considered a bit dull compared with the elegant White-naped Cranes, but look at that intricate pattern of feathers. Isn't that beautiful?

It's always such a pleasure  to find beauty in common birds. White-naped Crane, マナヅル again

Below a raptor probably a female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ, flying low, scanning the field. The cranes don't seem to care. They are too big to be considered prey of course

Common Starlings, Common Starling, ホシムクドリ basking in the early morning sun

Thousands of Rooks, ミヤマカラス taking every inch of the electricity wires

♥ Sweethearts ♥

Between them 5 smaller sized crow-type birds: Daurian Jackdaw, コクマルガラス 

I was wondering about the bird on the far right. Did it have blue eyes?

Another common bird here, the Russet Sparrow, ニュウナイスズメ. I often wonder, when will they come to Fukuoka?