A windy day in Kabashima

It was blowing 30 knots or more, the flycatcher that we had come to see had left. Through the inlet little birds were blown in and kind of crash-landed in front of us. There were Warblers, and Stonechats. We heard the voice of Japanese Robins,

Siberian Stonechat,  ノビタキ

It was awfully cold, but insects started to appear, creating a sense of spring

From above the waves around the cape seemed enormous. Shearwaters were having fun.

Streaked Shearwater,  オオミズナギドリ

But this captain most certainly not.

Our harbor 2, Dunlins and Sanderlings ハマシギ と ミユビシギ

They fly in thick flocks, from their resting place to feeding grounds and back. They chose an unusual place to reside: the end of a pontoon among cruising yachts and sport fishing boats. I can see them from our dock. At low tide they like to feed on our ramp at times.

Dunlins, ハマシギ　and Sanderlings, ミユビシギ

Dunlins,  ハマシギ

Sanderlings, ミユビシギ

The Japanese name of Sanderling, ミユビシギ means three toed shorebird. They miss the one toe at the heel that we see with Dunlins and most other shorebirds.

　 Dunlin, ハマシギ

　Sanderling, ミユビシギ

Once more Sanderling, ミユビシギ 

 

Side by side

happy together

Tsunoshima in April, 角島

It was a long, sunny day, starting before sunrise.
This is what we saw: A Naumann's Thrush, a Siberian Stonechat and many cormorants.
Thus many pix.

Siberian Stonechat,  ノビタキ  The first of the season (April 2nd)

Naumann's Thrush, ハチジョウツグミ

Japanese Cormorants, ウミウ

Gossiping...  秘密の話 himitsu no hanashi

On the run

2 Japanese Cormorants (left) and 1 Pelagic Cormorant (right)

Pelagic Cormorants hang on to the very edge. As if they are barely tolerated.

Pelagic Cormorant, ヒメウ

Our harbor 1

Sometimes, when people ask me about shore birds, gulls and ducks I feel embarrassed, knowing so little about them. "But you live on a boat!" Is the common response. I really should pay more attention to my neighbors.

Fishermen at work,  漁師の仕事

Our fishermen work very hard for very little. The amount of fish they catch dwindles each year. This catch of Scabbard fish made the man very happy!

Grey Heron,  アオサギ

At sea the gulls chase the boats, but in port it's the Grey Herons that fight for their share.

Red-breasted Merganser,　ウミアイサ

Eurasian Wigeon,　ヒドリガモ

Happy amongst the Dunlins and Sanderlings. (see next post)

What happened to you? Is that oil???

Anti-fouling???

(Vega Gull,　セグロカモメ）