High mountains 1

It was the first day of April. In the lowlands, the weather was warm and green fields were dotted with yellow and purple flowers. Groves of Cherry blossom trees stood out on the slopes. It looked all so pretty. However, I headed for the mountains, where the fields were still brown and grey or vague green due to a layer of frost. I realized I wasn't finished with winter yet. 

Frost-layered Purple Dead-nettle

A Eurasian Skylark, ヒバリ, sticking its head out, sniffing the cold air.

Many Thrushes, mostly Dusky, had gathered. They were moving in small flocks, eating as much as possible, preparing to migrate to the north.

Mr. Dusky Thrush, ツグミ, is about to move on.

See you next year 💗

The sun rose and warmed the air. A Japanese Green Pheasant, キジ appeared at the same location as the year before, and before, and before...

In the woods, many woodpeckers were active, but stayed high up in the tall trees. I waited a long time for one to come down, White-backed Woodpecker, オオアカゲラ

The noisiest birds around the streams, Eurasian Wren, ミソサザイ

All that energy. I got tired just from watching it.

To be continued

Oronoshima

The planned 3 days' stay didn't happen. I wasn't surprised. In the city the weather might seem calm, but out there it's a different story. On the 3rd and last day I could finally take the morning ferry, and run to work. Then after lunch I had to run back to the harbor to make it in time for the returning ferry. Hilarious! It's a wonder I managed to take any photos for this post. Birds were everywhere! In the morning a big flock of birds of various sizes was swooping around the west side of the island. Raptors were following in pursuit. Hawks, Falcons, at least 1 Hen Harrier. At midday the small birds were hiding and I heard them from the undergrowth beside the road. Some sneeked out:

Brambling, アトリ male

female

Elegant, or Yellow-throated Bunting, ミヤマホオジロ

Goldcrest, キクイタダキ

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ

Falcon, but which? Peregrine? Amur? Hobby?

Adult male Peregrine says Mr. H. ハヤブサ

In the harbor, a Lark-type bird was perched on the dock. I ran, thinking it might be something special. 

But I think it's just an ordinary Eurasian Skylark, ヒバリ

One of many Daurian Redstarts, ジョウビタキ. A male with a bad foot. Good luck, buddy!

At sea, through the window, Brown Booby, カツオドリ

There were 2 or 3 birds, near the entrance of the bay

Around the fields in the west

  The first Sunday's WBSJ meeting on May 7th was cancelled due to bad weather. The next day some members walked the usual route to counts the birds. Against all expectations there was very little to report. The wind was strong, the tide high and the few waders that we saw were perched in a tree. Never seen that before!

There are some Grey-tailed Tattlers, キアシシギ and Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ. Others I cannot identify

Spoonbills, ヘラサギ and クロツラヘラサギ in the rain. Are these going to stay here during the summer?

A very wet Black Kite, トビ

Quickly in and quickly out, Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ

The air around the fields is heavy with the smell of onions. Does the Skylark, ヒバリ like that?

The only wader I saw on May 7th, a Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ in an old field.

It's spring...

...But the mornings are still cold!

One of the Saunders's Gulls, ズグロカモメ has got a full black head. Another one is half way.

The Dusky Thrushes, ツグミ are gathered in the field, eating as much as they can.　One of them looked different. Naumann's Thrush, ハチジョウツグミ

The Brown-cheeked Rails, クイナ are coming out of hiding a bit more often

Flowers are popping up. The fields look so much better now

Oriental or Grey-capped Greenfinches, カワラヒワ

Eurasian Skylark, ヒバリ

Buff-bellied Pipits, タヒバリ. I checked several times at this field I was told about, but did not see any other Pipits.

Run, run, run! Time is short. Soon it will be too hot. Kentish Plover, シロチドリ

A flock of seabirds in the middle of the bay. Too far to see exactly what was in there. I detected Mergansers and Grebes. And Gulls of course. Whenever I thought I'd found a Loon it turned oud to be a Cormorant 😒