Brown Shrike, シマアカモズ

In the park near my home, unexpected, and a first for many. It was just this afternoon, and watching it from a cafe, while drinking ice coffee with friends, that was the most luxurious kind of birding - ever!

Other birds at the same park were the White and Japanese Wagtails. One Japanese Wagtail, セグロセキレイ stayed on the ground, sitting still, for long periods of time. I first thought it had an injury, but then I saw the chicks. It was a parent, watching out for the kids.

At a pond towards the east, a Great Cormorant, カワウ was creating pretty patterns of reflection.

Mid May sightings

A collection of wings that flew in the 2nd and 3rd week of May, mostly around Fukuoka.

The Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, サンコウチョウ was calling on May 6th, but I didn't get to see it until the 13th. And only briefly, with no one else around. Too bad, others would have taken buch better pictures...

There was a time when I hardly looked up to yet another one. Now I have to search hard.

Asian Brown Flycatcher, コサメビタキ

Inspecting the housing situation. Mr. and Mrs. Blue Rock Thrush, イソヒヨドリ

A migrator in Nishi-ku but not close by. Black-faced Bunting, シベリアアオジ

The first Narcissus Flycatcher, キビタキ to start nesting in a nearby park.

Japanese Wagtail, セグロセキレイ on a rainy Mayday. Feeding chicks, I reckon.

Up in a tall, tall tree the baby Black Kite,トビ was born.

A curious spectator. Ryukyu Minivet, リュウキュウサンショクイ.

Pacific Reef Heron, クロサギ

There were 2 birds at the mouth of the creek. I got there aound noon on a sunny day and lighting conditions were not good. I want to see them again

Black-necked Grebe, ハジロカイツブリ

Japanese Wagtail, セグロセキレイ

Kanatake walk, 2023-11-15

  We started off on a cold morning, wearing winter jackets, hats and mufflers. But as the sun rose the world warmed up and in the afternoon, it felt like summer again. 4 Seasons on 1 day. There were 20+ Mandarin ducks in the first pond, as well as some Pochards. We heard some other winter birds as well. In the morning, before the sun came out very few butterflies were seen, but afterwards they suddenly seemed everywhere. All in all, an exciting day

Many pretty Thunberg's Chives, ヤマラッキョウ were flowering

So was the Japanese wild mint variety Isodon, ヤマハッカ

Clusters of small コスミレ, Viola japonica made me feel like spring already

Near-perfect balls of Japanese Kadsura, サネカズラ

Just as colorful: Fruit of the Korean Sweetheart Tree, ゴンズイの実 

Why Korean? It's a Japanese plant..

Quite a number of dragonflies were hanging out in the warmer parts of the park

They all seemed to be Mayutate Akane, マユタテアカネ

Some of the birds: Bull-headed Shrike, モズ

Japanese Wagtail, セグロセキレイ

At my request, Japanese Yew, イヌマキ

The fruit tastes sweet!

We all know the caterpillars of this moth, but some people had never seen the real thing

Ramie moth, フクラスズメ Struggling to survive

Raptors were flying in the distance. For good measure I took this shot of Black Kite, トビ and Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ 

S-san brought a caterpillar to show us and we all adored this cute lovely creature that didn't mind to be touched. Ringo Dokuga, リンゴドクガ

Showing the black spot that might indicate a sense of danger

After the meeting broke up, I went back to check on butterflies

Pea Blue, ウラナミシジミ

Small Copper, ベニシジミ

Kuromadara Sotetsu Shijimi, クロマダラソテツシジミ

Indian Fritillary, ツマグロヒョウモン♀ ♂

Indian Red Admiral, アカタテハ and Pale Grass Blue, ヤマトシジミ

Asian Comma, キタテハ

Insect Gal, ムシコブ on Mugwort, ヨモギ