More of Saga on April 18th

After the American guest at Higashiyoka on April 18, we drove to Shiroiashi to check out the lotus fields. Instantly, a long-time wish came true: A male Merlin was sitting on the wire! Last time I saw one was so long ago, I could barely remember it. 

Merlin, コチョウゲンボウ

It was close to a field with lots of Stilts. More than 20 birds. They are doing well, it seems

Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ

Next was the Stork family. A parent was flying around, looking for food...

Oriental Stork, コウノトリ

...and landed in a ditch near me. What a close-up!

I backed up the car and had another look.

The birds are clearly used to having people around

At the nest I could see 4 chicks! I hope they will make it to adulthood safely

Back around the old Lotus fields, where the water level was too high for small birds like Stints, but some others were there.

Marsh Sandpipers, コアオアシシギ

Wood Sandpipers, タカブシギ

Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, ウズラシギ

Common Snipe, タシギ

The new-comers were announcing their present in a loud voice, but stayed mostly hidden below. Except for one, that stayed quiet...

Great Reed Warbler, オオヨシキリ

At the far end of one of the fields were about 6 Garganeys, シマアジ

Imazu on the 13th

Monday. The excitement of the day before drove me to the fields again. Not a bad decision. There was no wind, a good condition for small birds in the reeds. Around the 2 lakes:

Penduline Tits, ツリスガラ

On to the river, I stumbled upon a flock of Stints. Had I complained about small numbers the day before? There were 21!　Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

Immediately followed by Garganeys, シマアジ. Below a group of 6. Plus 3 others, made it 9 birds.

On the way back I checked the location for the male Stonechat and... Bingo!

Stonechat, ノビタキ

I probably used all my luck up. The next day, my intentions of looking for flycatchers were washed away in the rain...

Migrating Waders in Fukuoka

There are very few fields where migrating waders can go to rest and find food. In this small ricefield they were all huddling together during high tide, when the mudflats are submerged.

Spotted Redshanks, ツルシギ

Black-tailed Godwits, オグロシギ

Black-taled Godwit, オグロシギ and Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ

Something made them all fly up and return in a minute. The result was a parade, right in front of me.

Ruff, エリマキシギ and Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ

There were 2 Ruffs. Both male or both female?

Garganey, シマアジ

Other ducks were Spot-billed Ducks, Mallards and these 2. Gadwalls, オカヨシガモ?

Dunlin, ハマシギ moulting to winter plumage.

Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ

1 of 6 or 8 Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

October in Imazu

 It rained again and the northerly winds picked up. Good conditions for spotting migrating birds. Some irregular visitors could be around. Despite the bad weather birders go out to the fields. Meaning, the ones that don't have to go to work... When I left the job and made it out there there was a lot of movement, but little left for me to be seen. Should I become a full-time birder? No, I won't go that far...

First Kestrel of the season, a female. チョウゲンボウ

Flying around, but mostly hiding in the ricefield, a mixed flock of Eurasian Teals, コガモ (2 on the right) and Garganeys, シマアジ (1 bird on the left)

It is clear how the beaks are different. The Teal has an elegant bill, the Garganey somewhat massive.

I hope I got this right

Pretty Garganey, are you a young male?

Intermediate Egret, チュウサギ it's time to stock up on food. 

Hundreds? of Snipes. It seemed so. They were litterally everywhere. They all seemed to be Common Snipes, タシギ to me. Did anyone see the odd one out? A Jack Snipe, コシギ???

The following day the scene had changed drastically. The sunshine made the river glow. I was happy to see the Black-faced Spoonbills, クロツラヘラサギ in the river again.

A single Stint in a small creek. Red-necked Stint, トウネン

Still on the move, Grey-tailed Tattler, キアシシギ

The Kestrel was around as well, but didn't come close.

That's it for now.