Pheasant-tailed Jacana, レンカク

Not the first time seen in Northern Kyushu, but in summer plumage it is a first for me.

And it rained and rained and rained...

Ruddy Kingfisher, アカショウビン

South towards Miyazaki we had more luck finding the Ruddy Kingfisher. But it came at a price!

The day after I had sore muscles and I was still shivering with the thought I nearly put that leech in my mouth that looked so much like a raisin fallen from my breadroll...

Look... Blue back feathers!

Cotton Pygmy Goose, ナンキンオシ

After Hikosan we drove to another part of Kyushu to see this very special visitor. Only for the 4th time seen in Japan. The bird must have followed the wrong flock. These cute little ducks breed much further south, in the tropical parts of South East Asia. I hope she will find her way back sometime.

A lot of photos - we might never see this again.

Little Grebes in trouble

While waiting for the Cotton Pygmy Goose to come closer we watched some birds chasing a snake.
The Grebes were nesting nearby and very keen for the snake to move on.

Little Grebe, カイツブリ

Little Grebe chasing snake

and vice versa.

It ended all well when the snake crossed the lake and left the water.

Still hungry for eggs...

A weekend out.

On Saturday we drove to Mt Hiko, (2 and half hours and still in Fukuoka!) where a group of birders got together for a walk, a talk, another walk and drinkies. We stayed at some kind of student's camp house and slept in bunk beds. Had a few giggles about the lists of chores and sheet folding instructions. More secret giggles when one of the ladies told me it was her first time to sleep between sheets and she really would not have known what to do with them.
The cafeteria served reasonable meals and we had dinner, breakfast and a bento, all for a very low price! No complains. The more because the compulsory lecture by Mr. Hatano turned out to be quite entertaining and useful, so the 3 hours in a stuffy classroom actually flew by.

At the nearby Takasumi shrine a Wren, ミソサザエ was singing his (or her) heart out on top of the roof.

山いか　mountain squid

Singing from one of the cables (look well!)  オオルリ,  Blue-and-white Flycatcher

We heards lots of other birds, like Hodgson's Cuckoo and Ruddy Kingfishers, and were hoping to see that particular Kingfisher, but no such luck...

Dunlins and Sanderlings

Every year a flock of small shorebirds winters over in the river next to our harbor. There is a yacht harbor with floating pontoons that don’t see many people in winter and they love that place.

From there they make little trips along the shore and occasionally to the boat ramp at our fishing harbor. Only when the time and tide are right.

On the pontoon: They are all Dunlins at first sight. Dunlin, ハマシギ

But one Sanderling is watching from the right:

And many more linger at the back:

On the ramp, searching little seabugs between the seaweeds.

Sanderling, ミツユビシギ

End of the day, time to take a bath. The Dunlins seem to like this most.

Dunlin, ハマシギ

Another visitor: Eurasian Wigeon, ヒドリガモ

One moment all is well, everybody is happy together, the next it's over. Off they go.

Dunlin, ハマシギ

Sanderling, ミツユビシギ

Who gave the sign?

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