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 1

September 3rd. After a whole month I finally had the chance to go to the fields again. I started early, before the heat and before the dragonflies got out. It was a bit hard at first, not being familiar with the fields, where to expect waders etc. At first I saw little and I was happy to find 2 Stints

Red-necked Stints,トウネン

Oriental Pratincole, ツバメチドリ

Hard to see when you are lying down. Did the Swallows wake you up?

Nearby, in the usual ditch: 2 Green Sandpipers, クサシギ

A Curlew flying overhead, heading for Itoshima? Can I find you there?

Further west, at the river mouth was 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ, in company with a couple of Red-necked Stints,トウネン

Down the embankment, looking over the rice paddies I noticed 2 Black-winged Stilts,セイタカシギ

 

But they were back-lit, so I moved to get a better angle.

Found them, but no way to get close.

Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ、Common Greenshank, アオアシシギ

Heading back east. Guess who was there?

ホオロクシギ

Also in fields on the way: 1 (just 1!) Dunlin, ハマシギ

and 3 Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ.

By now the light was too harsh. I needed a break.

Oriental Pratincole, ツバメチドリ

 One bird I always want to see. I'd missed the chance in Fukuoka, but I got lucky here with first 2, later 3 birds in just a small area.

They often took to their wings, swiftly catching insects 

This grumpy looking ball of feathers has a ring on its right leg

But I could not see the number

There was a lonely male Green Pheasant, キジ patrolling the fields

Was there some interferance? I didn't notice.

Migration update, the last of August

August 30th. Migration is in progress. Some days I see more then others, but this year the Pratincoles stayed around for a few weeks. They like to hide on/behind a sandy bump in the field that matches the color of their feathers. It's amazing how they appear and disappear. Until a few days ago:

Oriental Pratincole, ツバメチドリ

Red-rumped Swallow, コシアカツバメ

On August 30th I ran into one of my favorite waders, the Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ

At first glance a non specific wader, but when the birds start feeding it's all gracefully moving slender elegance, like a dancer

Here with some Wood Sandpipers, タカブシギ at the back

There were 2 Long-toed Stints, ヒバリシギ in the same field

About 6 or 8 Red-necked Stints, トウネン as well.

2 Wood sandpipers, タカブシギ

... and a Green Sandpiper, クサシギ who does not migrate, but keeps us company all year round.

At another location some Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ

Grey-tailed Tattler, キアシシギ one of several

Bull-headed Shrike, モズ watching us from a nearby tree.