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

Oriental Stork family, コウノトリ

When in Saga we met the Storks, who had apparently just flown in. A parent was following a tractor, ploughing the field. Another parent flew over our heads. The kids were in a nearby field.

Oriental Stork, コウノトリ - parent

The youngsters. They may be 3 month old, or not yet. They look big, but so vulnerable.

The locals are proud of their storks and patrol the area in order to keep them safe.

Saga, you're doing a great job!

Oriental Storks, コウノトリ

There were 4 Oriental Storks, コウノトリ around the breeding site in Saga when I went there on October 20th. I didn't realize they had not been seen there for a while. Are they the family that nested here?

Windy feathers

Parent and child?

Trying to chase them off was a Peregrine, ハヤブサ... without much success

Last from the NE

I knew this place. I had been here with friends to look for a Pond Heron. It was in my "un-ga-warui" days and I wasn't in luck. But this time I saw it. 

Chinese Pond Heron, アカガシラサギ　winter feathers

2 photos from the previous time, when an Oriental Stork, コウノトリ flew by