Tsushima 4, Pratincole and some more

 One day we drove to Sago in the north. There were some Pratincoles and the regular Herons and Egrets. At midday about 30 raptors passed by, they all appeared to be Honey Buzzards.

Oriental Pratincole, ツバメチドリ

Cattle Egret, アマサギ were flying from field to field in flocks of 10 or more

In the bay of Azamo Grey Tattlers, キアシシギ were resting on a rock. Among them were 2 Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ

Many Black-tailed Gulls, ウミネコ were bathing in the quiet waters of the bay. I was wondering: Are they breeding here?

I was not the only one watching the Gulls - Common Kingfisher, カワセミ

Black Reef Egret, クロサギ playing hide and seek among the seaweed? nets in Azamo

Honey Buzzards, ハチクマ

Migrants in the west, part 2

It's midday now, September 3rd. I'm driving back from Itoshima to Imazu. The fields glitter in the bright sun shine. I should not take any photos anymore. But I finally meet some waders.

In just a second, before they all scutter to the back. No time to adjust camera settings.

A Dunlin, ハマシギ, Red-necked Stints,トウネン and a Common Snipe, タシギ

 2 Briefly appeared again

At the far side: 2 Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ. I cannot get close to them

Coincidence 😅

At the river bank, thousands of crabs, laughing at 2 Common Greenshanks, アオアシシギ

Grey-tailed Tattler,キアシシギ

The flock of Golden Plovers returned

Pacific Golden Plover, ムナグロ

And... my first ducks of the season:

Common Teal, ホシハジロ  and Tufted Duck, キンクロハジロ  Greater Scaup, スズガモ

But actually at least one them was here the whole summer...

At last a field with 10 Black-winged Stilts,セイタカシギ. I was worried, but they are here!

2 Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ joined the party.

More later

Migrating birds expedition

Like most years I drove south to this place where migrating birds stop for a short break on their way to their breeding grounds. I was a bit later than usual and didn't know what to expect. Early in the morning a flock of Cattle Egrets, アマサギ hung around for a while, before continuing north. Among them were some Intermediate Egrets, チュウサギ in summer feathers. Clouds covered the sky and few other birds were heard.

A bunch of Snipes came out of the reeds every now and then. Other birders were discussing their origin, thinking they might be Pintails. Or Swinhoe's. Who knows... I go for the latter.

Swinhoe's Snipe, チュウジシギ

One Grey-tailed Tattler, キアシシギ was roaming in the river

April 30 in Imazu

There are no water fields in the area. Where can the waders go? The images below are of a small group at the mudflats.

Red-necked Stints, トウネン. 2 birds

About 25 Dunlins, ハマシギ, a Terek Sandpiper, ソリハシシギ and a Grey-tailed Tattler, キアシシギ

Another Grey-tailed Tattler, キアシシギ. 6 birds in total

Terek Sandpiper, ソリハシシギ again.

At the opposite side a Common Greenshank, アオアシシギ

Loudly announcing its presence: "I have arrived!" Great Reed Warbler, オオヨシキリ

Among the few Wigeons the Blackhead is still active. American Wigeon, アメリカヒドリ

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.