Smew, ミコアイサ

Never have I seen so many Smews in one place. I counted 32 birds. Mostly females, about 7 males. They were divided into 3 groups, patrolling the pond in the vicinity of the trees on the opposite side.

It was a funny situation. I checked the pond mid-morning and saw just 1 female. A hawk flushed out the whole lot and I left. An hour later, when I returned I didn't see much. It started to rain and I left again. Shortly after that the cloud cover lifted and a bit of sunshine broke through. I was still nearby and decided to try again. That's when all the Smews were there. Where had they come from??

If you look well, you can count 30 or 31 Smews, ミコアイサ

There were Baikal Teals, モエガモ as well. A few hundred.

A majestic Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ crossing my path on the way.

Bull-headed Shrike, モズ

Isahaya in February 2

The Hen Harriers must have been surprised at the lack of attention they got. Very few birders were present and the owls were more popular. 

Male Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ ♂ cruising the reedbeds, searching for food in the strong wind.

Often crossing the embankment, venturing toward the fields

Smews, ミコアイサ in the waterways.

2 males here

 2 couples there

coming close

Winter has arrived

It's cold! After my stay with family in tropical Indonesia it's hard to get acclimated again. I left the colorful birds and butterflies of Bali and got a grey world in return. Brrr. First thing I realized is that I missed out on the geese, particularly the Snow Goose that came to Imazu. I drove around aimlessly to see what was left.

2 Eastern Buzzards, ノスリ hunting together

Great Crested Grebes, カンムリカイツブリ at the 2 ponds

2 Black-crowned Nightherons, ゴイサギ along the creek

A few Baikal Teals, トモエガモ hidden in the reeds

Black-necked Grebe, ハジロカイツブリ - Glad to see your red eyes.

2 (again!) Greenshanks, アオアシシギ chasing each other up and down the creek.

Smews, ミコアイサ  2 males and 5 females

3 more females at another pond.

At the entrance to M river, a decent sized flock of Lesser Scaups, スズガモ

Among the a group of Eurasian Coots, オオバン - 48 birds. Were there ever that many before?

Smew, ミコアイサ

  November 30th was a dull day with gray skies and little ambient light. At one of the ponds the Smews looked the same. Dull and gray. 8 Birds

December 2nd was much better. The sunshine and warm air made me drowsy as I sat in the grass waiting for the flock to come a little closer... 12 birds

It's hard to get all 12 in one shot. There is always 1 under water 😆

9 December, still there. The sun as well and it seemed summer was back. How many birds? I forgot to count...