Exploring the east

I hardly ever visit the other side of the city. Hence, I don't know the best time and place to see the Oystercatchers. It was all a bit far

Eurasian Oystercatcher, ミヤコドリ

Passing by the field where I used to see Lapwings before, I decided to stop and check. Sure, they are there. No chicks yet, as far as I could tell. Maybe they're on the way.

Grey-headed Lapwing, ケリ

Higashiyoka in March

The weather was good. A little windy, but mostly sunny. The high tide midmorning was not as high as expected, but the sightings were interesting.

3 Long-billed Dowitchers, オオハシシギ

Common Ringed Plover, ハジロコチドリ

Eurasian Oystercatchers, ミヤコドリ

A flagged Dunlin, ハマシギ Too far for my lens to read a number. Maybe someone else...

One of several Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ  (in front)

I missed the Black-tailed Godwit this time, though I heard it was seen.

Lined up with the 2 Curlew species. Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ in the middle, Far Eastern, ホウロクシギ at the back

Far Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ. There were 2 birds, maybe 4

Some of the gulls had a striking white head, Mongolian Gull, モンゴルセグロカモメ?

The flock of Eurasian Curlews, ダイシャクシギ

Just when I was leaving, I saw this vaguely shaped bird on a steel buoy way out. When I recognized it I hurried back for a closer look, but it was still so far!

Short-eared Owl, コミミズク at sea!

Tidal flats of Saga in February

 The time was a bit off. High tide at 11am is not very high and a little late for good lighting. Many images were back-lit. It's just a recording of what was there and of what I wanted to see.

Saunders's Gulls, ズグロカモメ in flight

mixed with Dunlins, ハマシギ

The 2 Oystercatchers, ミヤコドリ that stayed for the winter

Many Curlews, mostly Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ and a Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ

One Far-Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ on the right

The 2 smaller birds are Long-billed Dowitchers, オオハシシギ

Then there was a Red Knot, コオバシギ in winter plumage, among all the Grey Plovers, ダイセン

Another Godwit: Black-tailed, オグロシギ

Eurasian Spoonbills, ヘラシギ in the creek

Oystercatchers, ミヤコドリ

On October 21st, I went to check out the Oystercatchers in Wajiro. The newspaper mentioned 36 birds in the bay. So many! I wanted to see them. When I arrived mid-afternoon the sky was heavily overcast. The scene looked gloomy, with little color. Birds were very much spread out over the exposed mudflats. I realized I needed to plan this differently. A couple of days later, the sky was blue, the tide a little low, starting to come in. From where I was I could see birds clearly, their red bills stood out against the black and white. They were all feeding and a few made their way in my direction.

Eurasian Oystercatchers, ミヤコドリ

First 2 birds

Then 3

A few more.

When the tide rolled in, they flew one by one

And gathered at a sandy plot at the mouth of a stream.

Counting... 45 birds!

Several Ospreys, ミサゴ were hunting. One pair got my attention

Some other waders were around, like these Far Eastern Curlews, ホウロクシギ

In a corner near the stream, 6 Mandarin Ducks, オシドリ looking tired after a long flight.

Higashiyoka 1

I hadn't had my fill of waders yet this spring, so I went to Saga to see Stints. And whatever was still there. The forecasted sunshine didn't happen. Neither did the blue sky. Everything stayed kind of grey through the morning. Fortunately, there were still a fair number of reddish summer feathers.

Red-necked Stint, トウネン

  

The tide rolling in. No more big flocks. This made it easier to single something out. 

Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ in various stages of summer plumage, waiting to fly north

1 Oystercatcher, ミヤコドリ standing out firmly in the small crowd. 

I never realized how plump they were. And big compared to the Grey Plovers, ダイセン

Passing in front: 2 Black-tailed Godwits, オグロシギ

Joining the others

Lined up bills

Another line up, Bar-tail and Whimbrel, オオソリハシシギ - チュウシャクシギ

Of we are, 2 Bar-tails.  (オオソリハシシギ)

And a Black-tail   (オグロシギ)

To be continued