Swans in Saga

On the way back from a "non-birding / non-hiking weekend" Jaap suggested to stop at this place near the Ariake Sea. How can I say no? And look who was there!

Whooper Swan, オオハクチョウ and Tundra Swan, コハクチョウ?

I have my doubts about the one on the left.

↓ Tundra, コハクチョウ on the left, Whooper, or Tundra コハクチョウ or オオハクチョウ on the right ↓ 

In a water-logged Renkon field, with Spoonbills and some more

End of the day, time to snooze

Imazu WBSJ meeting

March 5th was the day of the Imazu birdwatching meeting. The early "birds" were able to see a Brown-cheeked Rail, クイナ and a Common Snipe, タシギ

Common Starlings, ホシムクドリ

Black-faced クロツラヘラサギ and Eurasian Spoonbills ヘラサギ 

One dull and sleepy American Wigeon, アメリカヒドリ

Shelducks, ツクシガモ

5 Greenshanks, アオアシシギ and a Sandpiper, イソシギ

Common Kingfisher, カワセミ (with fish)

While waiting for the Starlings a Wryneck, アリスイ appeared!

The Magpies カササギ have started to build their collection of nests. How many this year?

Oriental Stork, コウノトリ

 In the first week of March I finally got to see the Oriental Storks. My 4th attempt! Yet there were only 2 of the initial 7 :-( 

Both only 10 month old, one a male, the other a female and according to the rings not from the same nest. First the girl:

Below with the Stilt who was still around

Next the male. Below with a Grey Heron, アオサギ for comparison. Who thought herons were big?

The female has much softer features than the male and seems less mature

Once more to compare with the Spoonbills, (クロツラ) ヘラサギ