Higashiyoka mudflats, April 18

The American Godwit, that was the ultimate attraction of the weekend, was so popular, it was difficult to find a good spot for taking photos. The bird is in its own post:

 https://wingsndthings.blogspot.com/2026/04/hudsonion-godwit.html

 Next some other sightings, photos taken while pushing elbows at the slippery and muddy fence 😅

One of the most common visitors in this season are the long-distance flyers, the Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ. They migrate as far as Australia I heard.

Another Godwit, the Black-tailed, オグロシギ

When all the birds fly and the flocks sweep above the rising tide, the Curlews are easily distinguished

Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ and Far-Eastern, ホウロクシギ

The atmosphere is so intense. The search for anything interesting, tracking those birds once you found them, explaining their location and listening to others, all at the same time... And suddenly it's all over.

Once the water has withdrawn, the exposed mud offers nibbles for small waders

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ behind the purplish sea foliage, シジメンソウ

There is always a flag around. メダイチドリ

Red-necked Stints, トウネン

Little Terns, コアジサシ

Way back, 2 reddish colored birds with relatively short legs and bills.

Red Knot, コオバシギ

Saga, part 4, Around the fields

 A visit to Saga is not complete without a stop at the Lotus fields.

After seeing so many in the morning, I felt exhilerated to find a few in a greener environment.

Red-necked Stints, トウネン

Below with a Long-toed Stint, ヒバリシギ

Red-necked Stints, トウネン again, at the end of the day

Finally I found what I hoped to see: Temminck's Stint, オジロトウネン

At the same time: 1 lonesome Dunlin, ハマシギ

It was getting late. Around 12 Stilts were gathered in one corner.

Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

Patrolling the canals: 2 Whiskered Terns, クロハラアジサシ

The next morning, a sunny day. Black-browed Reed Warbler, コヨシキリ were very vocal, but not easy to spot.

Just 1 bird among other Starlings: Common Starling, ホシムクドリ

Sand Martin, ショウドウツバメ

It hopped out of one field, right into the next. Richard's Pipit?, マミジロタヒバリ?

More than I expected.

Red-necked Stints. トウネン again

I can't get enough of these little beach runners. Sitting in the wet sand, my bum got salty. So an unscheduled visit to the coin laundry was imminent. 

Here we come!

Running back and forth, in tune with the rolling waves

Resting and preening in the green seaweed

I'm not good with video, but I tried

Red-necked Stints. トウネン

Every year they visit the beach near our home. Mostly small groups of 4 or 6. This time there were 14 birds. It was such a pleasure, watching them fly and run back and forth, on the first coolish day after the summer!  😍

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!