Tsushima 4, Pratincole and some more

 One day we drove to Sago in the north. There were some Pratincoles and the regular Herons and Egrets. At midday about 30 raptors passed by, they all appeared to be Honey Buzzards.

Oriental Pratincole, ツバメチドリ

Cattle Egret, アマサギ were flying from field to field in flocks of 10 or more

In the bay of Azamo Grey Tattlers, キアシシギ were resting on a rock. Among them were 2 Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ

Many Black-tailed Gulls, ウミネコ were bathing in the quiet waters of the bay. I was wondering: Are they breeding here?

I was not the only one watching the Gulls - Common Kingfisher, カワセミ

Black Reef Egret, クロサギ playing hide and seek among the seaweed? nets in Azamo

Honey Buzzards, ハチクマ

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!

Early September update

 On the 6th I went to check on the fields again. Most birds were gone. Just 2 Stilts where there were 10 of them 2 days before. But some small waders were lurking at the back.

Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

What are you looking at?

A Long-toed Stint, ヒバリシギ and....

Looks like a Terek Sandpiper, ソリハシシギ

The Long-toed Stint, ヒバリシギ  again

1 Dunlin, ハマシギ was there as well.

At another field the Pacific Golden Plovers, ムナグロ were still there.

Plains Cupid, クロマダラソテツシジミ

Migrants in the west, part 2

It's midday now, September 3rd. I'm driving back from Itoshima to Imazu. The fields glitter in the bright sun shine. I should not take any photos anymore. But I finally meet some waders.

In just a second, before they all scutter to the back. No time to adjust camera settings.

A Dunlin, ハマシギ, Red-necked Stints,トウネン and a Common Snipe, タシギ

 2 Briefly appeared again

At the far side: 2 Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ. I cannot get close to them

Coincidence 😅

At the river bank, thousands of crabs, laughing at 2 Common Greenshanks, アオアシシギ

Grey-tailed Tattler,キアシシギ

The flock of Golden Plovers returned

Pacific Golden Plover, ムナグロ

And... my first ducks of the season:

Common Teal, ホシハジロ  and Tufted Duck, キンクロハジロ  Greater Scaup, スズガモ

But actually at least one them was here the whole summer...

At last a field with 10 Black-winged Stilts,セイタカシギ. I was worried, but they are here!

2 Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ joined the party.

More later

Migrants in the west, part 1

September 3rd. After a whole month I finally had the chance to go to the fields again. I started early, before the heat and before the dragonflies got out. It was a bit hard at first, not being familiar with the fields, where to expect waders etc. At first I saw little and I was happy to find 2 Stints

Red-necked Stints,トウネン

Oriental Pratincole, ツバメチドリ

Hard to see when you are lying down. Did the Swallows wake you up?

Nearby, in the usual ditch: 2 Green Sandpipers, クサシギ

A Curlew flying overhead, heading for Itoshima? Can I find you there?

Further west, at the river mouth was 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ, in company with a couple of Red-necked Stints,トウネン

Down the embankment, looking over the rice paddies I noticed 2 Black-winged Stilts,セイタカシギ

 

But they were back-lit, so I moved to get a better angle.

Found them, but no way to get close.

Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ、Common Greenshank, アオアシシギ

Heading back east. Guess who was there?

ホオロクシギ

Also in fields on the way: 1 (just 1!) Dunlin, ハマシギ

and 3 Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ.

By now the light was too harsh. I needed a break.