Imazu on the 13th

Monday. The excitement of the day before drove me to the fields again. Not a bad decision. There was no wind, a good condition for small birds in the reeds. Around the 2 lakes:

Penduline Tits, ツリスガラ

On to the river, I stumbled upon a flock of Stints. Had I complained about small numbers the day before? There were 21!　Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

Immediately followed by Garganeys, シマアジ. Below a group of 6. Plus 3 others, made it 9 birds.

On the way back I checked the location for the male Stonechat and... Bingo!

Stonechat, ノビタキ

I probably used all my luck up. The next day, my intentions of looking for flycatchers were washed away in the rain...

Nobitaki in Imazu

The first Stonechat of the season deserves a blog post. Here it is, in Imazu. A female-type bird that was very shy, but it briefly posed on a green flowering plant with Chinese Milkvetch, レンゲ in the background.

Stonechat, ノビタキ

There was a Buff-bellied Pipit nearby. Not so common here. When did I last see one in Tajiri?

Buff-bellied Pipit, タヒバリ

I was a bit worried when no Dunlins were reportedly seen for a while. Well, they are back! 31 of them.

There is also a Greenshank, アオアシシギ in there. Not very clear? See below:

Last, another Stonechat, ノビタキ,  also in Tajiri

And that was it.

Imazu update

What's new in Imazu? The Daurian Redstarts have arrived. On October 26 about 10 birds were playing hide and seek. There wasn't much else to report until November came. On the 1st, I saw the first Lapwings. Lots of Stonechats had come in with the strong winds. The Kestrel had a good time. On the mudflats and the connecting rivers all sorts of ducks were now getting ready for their winter stay.  Among the ducks were 2 Geese.

October 26th  Daurian Redstart, ジョウビタキ

Northern Lapwings, タゲリ Here they come!

Northern Pintails, オナガガモ

Lady Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

chasing Stonechats

Stonechats ノビタキ on a windy day. 

Stonechats, ノビタキ

 The season is long, yet so short. They arrived in the first week of October, but didn't show up much at first. Then, when checking them in their usual locations, they visited the field, but the flowers were not in bloom yet. Then of course other (business) things get in the way, the wind becomes too strong or too many people walk around. Before you know, the birds are gone...

No dark heads here. Had to find them somewhere else.

After the rain, birds were bathing in a distant rain puddle. My TC broke down, so just at 400mm...

Recent wings at Kanatake

There is always a lot to see in Kanatake. During the monthly Walk, many eyes are looking out and we see lots of birds, bugs and flowers. It is a real treat for me. Thank you all for your support! Below are the birds from October 16th.

Blue-and-white Flycatcher, オオルリ

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ

Bull-headed Shrike, モズ male

Bull-headed Shrike, モズ female

Mandarin Ducks, オシドリ

Stonechat, ノビタキ