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

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

Last waders? No, latest waders

What's this with the Stilts? Have they had a fall out? I drove around the Imazu area, and found Stilts, bout 6 or 7, all in different fields. Often accompanied by another wader, 1 or 2. I thought it was strange. Don't they usually stay together? Doesn't the presence of the others make them feel safe? Did they have a big argument on the way???

Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ and Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ

Just the Stilt, セイタカシギ

Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ

At other fields: Terek Sandpiper, ソリハシシギ

Red-necked Stint, トウネン

Common Snipe, タシギ

How unusual, 5 Stilts in 1 field!

Higashiyoka 2

 Continued from Higashiyoka 1

Waiting. Curlews in the back

Grey Plover, ダイセン in formal outfit

Some Saunders's Gulls ズグロカモメ were there. Breeding or not yet?

The Siberian Sand Plovers, メダイチドリ, were gathered in one corner

Greater sand plover, オオメダイチドリ

Bill size

2 Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ

A Common Greenshank, アオアシシギ left, and a Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ right

A bit unusual here maybe, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ  Don't you prefer the lotus fields?

Uzura hiding among the Dunlins, ハマシギ

Off again, by itself

In flight

A single Kentish Plover, シロチドリ - brooding about his future...

Last, the Spoonbills. Black-faced クロツラヘラサギ and a few Eurasians, ヘラサギ