Imazu in December part 1

It is winter, but the sun is still warm during the day. The wintering ducks have all come; however, there are few on the mudflats. The small birds are few in number as well. I can hear Reed Buntings, I see them flying, but I have yet to see one perched in the reeds near the 2 ponds. Where is everybody?

A Cattle Egret, アマサギ in winter? Apparently

Ms. Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

Zitting Cisticola, セッカ early in the morning

Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ up in a tree!

The local gang of Oriental Magpies, カササギ

After sunset: Eurasian Woodcock, ヤマシギ

The funny colors are from the big lights above the baseball field

2 Raccoon dogs, タヌキ enjoying themselves 

Japanese Robin, コマドリ and ....

Migrating birds taking a rest in the park on top of the hill

Japanese Robin, コマドリ

Something stumbled out of the bush where the robin was a few minutes before. To all our surprise it was a Woodcock, ヤマシギ !

Asian Brown Flycatcher, コサメビタキ

Ashy Minivet, サンショクイ

Eastern Crowned Warbler, センダイムシクイ

to be continued

Isahaya on a windless day 3, Woodcock, ヤマシギ and some more

Another pleasant surprise, a wandering woodcock, in open grass at midday... what did I do to get this lucky?

Eurasian Woodcock,  ヤマシギ

Other birds in the vicinity:

Water Pipit,  タヒバリ

Red-throated Pipit,  ムネアカタヒバリ

Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ  (female) 

A family of Hooded Crane,  ナベヅル

Many Penduline Tits,  ツリスガラ

Peregrine Falcon,  ハヤブサ

Kingfisher,  カワセミ (male) 

No photos of  Harriers of any kind. They were seen perched in trees and occasionally flying at a great distance. Maybe they don't like quiet windless days. Plus, you can't have it all, right?