February birds

I visit Imazu and the surrounding fields at least once a week. I often feel that there is nothing to see, but that is not really true. There is always something and common birds are something as well. They might not be there in big numbers, but they are present. It has become quite a collection.

The Falcated Ducks, ヨシガモ can usually be seen in the river mouth or at low tide near the mud flats. Below 2 males

When the Dunlins, ハマシギ fly past in a big flock I watch them all turn at the same time. I often wonder who is the leader? How do they communicate?

A Common Kingfisher, カワセミ. A common sight if you know where to look 

Of all the gulls that spend the winter with us, the Mew Gull, カモメ is not the least common, but there are not so many around.

I love watching the Pipits in the fields and often find Red-throated Pipits, ムネアカタヒバリ, foraging in small groups

In the bay this Black-necked Grebe, ハジロカイツブリ came close briefly. No golden ear-tuffs yet. Next month maybe.

The Goldeneyes, ホオジロガモ stay in the river near the mouth as well, but boy are they shy! Always far away, it's hardly worth a photo...

... but one early morning I took them by surprise

Of.course they turned their back on me the moment I stopped to look

 

There were 6 birds. Below 2 males and 2 females.

The Shelducks, ツクシガモ don't mind me much. But they do like to show their bum when they are feeding.

At the 2 ponds some Northern Shovelers, ハシビロガモ have come in, while other ducks, like Wigeons and Pochards are leaving.

A couple of Gadwalls, オカヨシガモ are there now as well.

 Among the regular buntings in the reeds: Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ

Meadow Bunting, ホオジロ

The daikon contest

Winter tour Kyushu 2019

The warm, spacy camper "Auckland" is so comfortable, I wondered why we don't do this every month, or even full time. But then... our yacht "Alishan" would suffer from neglect. And our bank account too. But not Nori the cat, who came along. He cried the first few hours and then found a warm sun-lit place on his blanket in front of a window and settled down. He loved the rest of the 4 days. Even the last km in "Esther" our Estima he was quiet!
We left early, but just missed out on dawn at lake Ezuko in Kumamoto.

Little Egret, コサギ hunting for his breakfast

 

To the local's delight one Black-faced Spoonbill, クロツラヘラサギ came to spend the winter at Ezuko

Visited Kumamoto's famous Suizenji park

 

...and drove south to Koshiki Beach, where we arrived early, not to miss the sunset at low tide.

Cruising through Amakusa included a few surprise stops and saw the Mulder House in Mizumiura, the Octopus in Amakusashi and a huge orange... 

... many quiet, rustic fishing villages with pretty adorned houses next to collapsed ruins in various stages of decay. 

There were statues of gods, deities and a pretty girl dancing at the Ushibuka Haya, all together a colorful bunch.

Via Izumi ( see previous post) we ended up in Hitoyoshi before heading back to our normal daily life

We had more luck with the Mandarin Ducks, オシドリ in the Kuma river then the Crested Kingfisher...

... guess why...?     Northern Goshhawk, オオタカ

I very much enjoyed our winter holiday in Kyushu again. Many thanks to 377 for letting us use the Auckland and many thanks to Jaap making my birthday unforgettable, for driving safely and supporting me all the way while waiting and looking for birds. And to Nori for acting like a well-behaved traveling cat.

(Jaap's present!)