Eurasian Wryneck, アリスイ

There were 3 birds, but only 1 showed itself occasionally. Keen photographers tried to get a glimpse. I wonder how successful they were... You just need luck.

Eurasian Wryneck, アリスイ again

 Cloudy days are good for spotting the Wryneck. While Shrikes and Thrushes are quarreling and sorting out their territories, this bird that likes to hide in the bushes gets disturbed and flushed out by times.

Eurasian Wryneck, アリスイ

Strong-minded Female Bull-headed Shrike, モズ flapping her wings and making a lot of noise while chasing another 5 or 6 of her kind

Another Eurasian Wryneck, アリスイ

Ran into her again, Lady Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

Eurasian Wryneck, アリスイ and some more

On a sunny day, the features of the Wryneck, アリスイ stand out clearly. I love that intricate pattern of feathers and the small eyes that match so well. 

After the female, I saw a male Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ today. Not at the same location, but close. Would they meet?

Snipes, タシギ are still there. A group of 8 was watching me watching them.

Somewhere on the line, I saw these little butterflies. The settings on my camera were off and the photos turned out dark. Not too bad for an unlucky shot.

Short-tailed Blue, ツバメシジミ   Everes argiades

Eurasian Wryneck, アリスイ

It's the season for them. I think there are/were 3 birds in the area; 2 of them were arguing loud one early morning. But they didn't show up much. Below the only decent photo so far. I wonder if more will follow...

Chased from its hiding it rested on the fence for a minute.

There were shrikes and Redstarts as well, vying for territory

The back feathers show really nice against the Goldenrod flowers

After a few seconds in a tree it disappeared.

Another one on top of a Conifer. Too far!

New Arrivals!

  Today in Imazu: 8 Black-faced Spoonbills, クロツラヘラサギ. They were not there yesterday and the Northerly winds must have brought them in

Also in the vicinity: Stejneger's Stonechat, ノビタキ

No beautiful pictures yet...I saw just 2 birds

I personally am happy to see these ducks, the スズガモ, Greater Scaup.

The male had me confused with its colors, but the nail at the tip of the bill is rather large. 

1 male and 3 females

Was this the bird we saw flying on Sunday?

female Eurasian Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

Too many leaves, vines, branches, whatever are covering this bird. But it's here,

Eurasian Wryneck, アリスイ

Imazu area end of March

 The weather has been unseasonably unstable. Grey and cloudy days produce grey and cloudy images. My mood seems to become grey and cloudy as well.

On the 25th I was at the 2 ponds when 2 Curlews flew overhead, calling loudly. They circled around right above me, so identifying them as Far-Eastern was easy. An hour later they were still at it. Had they just come in and were looking for a place to land at the submerged mudflats? Or were they on their way out?

Far-Eastern Curlews, ホウロクシギ

Buff-bellied Pipits, タヒバリ

(Always looking for red heads and throats)

In the darkness of a rainy morning: Eurasian Wryneck, アリスイ

Further west: 3 Common Snipes, タシギ trying to stay unseen

Nothing special to report from this part of the country. 

Oriental or Grey-capped Greenfinches, カワラヒワ are everywhere.

Imazu WBSJ meeting

March 5th was the day of the Imazu birdwatching meeting. The early "birds" were able to see a Brown-cheeked Rail, クイナ and a Common Snipe, タシギ

Common Starlings, ホシムクドリ

Black-faced クロツラヘラサギ and Eurasian Spoonbills ヘラサギ 

One dull and sleepy American Wigeon, アメリカヒドリ

Shelducks, ツクシガモ

5 Greenshanks, アオアシシギ and a Sandpiper, イソシギ

Common Kingfisher, カワセミ (with fish)

While waiting for the Starlings a Wryneck, アリスイ appeared!

The Magpies カササギ have started to build their collection of nests. How many this year?