Aimlessly in Kumamoto

A short break between jobs in Kumamoto, at our favorite hot spring campsite. The sun was out, fruit trees bloomed, Swallows were chattering, what else would you want? I can think of a hundred things or more, apart from the White-eyes in the Sakura trees that were so very absent...

Barn Swallow, ツバメ

Papillons in the gardens! Chinese Windmill butterfly, ジャコウアゲハ on Wild Radish, ハマダイコン

Chocolate Vine, アケビ It's the name that makes me love this plant.

Things that you run into, when aimlessly walking around: An old house in the countryside with a remarkable entrance

On the way back, we stopped at the Ariake Sea side to look for waders at high tide. There were NONE! Fortunately, a few Green Pigeons called from the trees and came down for a quick sip. That was all.

White-bellied Green Pigeon, アオバト

Green Pigeons, アオバト

 The locals told me that the Green Pigeons have become residents in the park. Will they stay during the summer?

White-bellied Green Pigeon, アオバト

More birds in the city parks

In a park the east, where I saw the Japane Thrush. At the same time a White's Thrush appeared. It didn't seem to be in a hurry to move on. 

White's Thrush, トラツグミ

A small flock of White-bellied Green Pigeons, アオバト sat in the trees and came down to "drink" acorns 😊(as Japanese say)

At another park a コサメビタキ, Asian Brown Flycatcher flew by once

Grey Buntings, クロジ. I finally got more than a glimpse. Will I ever see them up close?

Closer to home: our neighbouring Blue Rock Thrush, イソヒヨドリ

(Japanese) Great Tit, シジュウカラ

Others in the park

One morning I arrived early and headed for the 'komadori kaidan'. Something was there! I could see it, hear it. There were 2 or 3. Soon they appeared: 

Red-billed Leiothrix, ソウシチョウ

A bit disappointing, but at the water basin they looked good

Other birds coming to drink or bath: Yellow-throated Bunting, ミヤマホオジロ

It gets busy here sometimes. Japanese Grosbeak, イカル  Pale Thrush, シロハラand Brown-eared  Bulbul, ヒヨドリ

Grey Bunting, クロジ

My bad luck with them hasn't changed. There are several around, I heard, but...

White-bellied Green Pigeon, アオバト

Brown-headed Thrush, アカハラ

Pale Thrush, シロハラ

Long-tailed Tit, エナガ

Ryukyu Minivet, リュウキュウサンショウクイ

Chikugo River

This post is about a day trip with Billie, our RV, in the middle of March. Just the 2 of us to recover from the winter blues. I had heard about Mergansers and we decided to stay at a park near the river. In the morning, I walked up and down but didn't see any of my target birds. After lunch, when we continued upriver, I spotted 1 pair from the height of the RV, but the only place to stop and watch was a long way off..

They are there, Mr. and Ms Merganser, カワアイサ

A bit further east at a well-known checkpoint. A Buzzard perched in a tree was not a good sign. 

(I saw you there, Mr T, patrolling in your car)

Eastern Buzzard, ノスリ

When the left others flew in. White-bellied Green Pigeons, アオバト about 14 birds.

But not for long...

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ

 Crested Kingfisher, ヤマセミ

At the end of the afternoon: Female Common Merganser, カワアイサ

Sorry for the low quality of the birds in flight. I will practice more!

White-bellied Green Pigeons, アオバト

Coming back from Kumamoto, we inserted an overnight's stop at the Ariake Sea. Just 1 or 2 hours in the morning before work was enough to see the Green Pigeons drinking seawater again. Some sports fishermen with rods and reels walked on the pier and I thought I wouldn't get a chance. Was that why there weren't any photographers? But the guys left and the birds came.

My companion on the concrete wall: Blue Rock Thrush, イソヒヨドリ