Long-tailed Shrike, タカサゴモズ and the rest

I didn't have much luck with the shrike. The first time I saw him he flew nearby and I kind of expected that to happen again.

But I didn't get any good shots that first time, so I went back for a second chance. It didn't come close.

A third time... even further away  :-(

Off to some easier targets: Hooded Cranes, ナベヅル

Dusky Thrush, ツグミ

Common Pheasant, キジ

Northern Lapwing, タゲリ

 And that was Isahaya for now.

Around the water

An early morning walk on the sea wall at Azuma. The full moon still visible at day break

 The first sunrays giving a warm glow to the reeds. The best time of the day! 

About 20 Spoonbills heading to their feeding spot.　

Black-faced, クロツラヘラサギ and/or Eurasian Spoonbills, ヘラサギ

4 Whooper Swans, オオハクチョウ in the distance. 

Common Teal, コガモ

male Smew, ミコアイサ

Found his girl

Eurasian Coot, オオバン

Great Crested Grebe, カンムリカイツブリ

About 20 Snipes in the canal, all Common Snipes, タシギ I guess

Pipits and Buntings

There was talk about a (Blakiston's) Water Pipit and I took the time to search. There were many small birds around, mostly common winter visitors and residents. This one looked different. Is this it?

Water Pipit, サメイロタヒバリ 

There were several of these Richard's Pipits, マミジロタヒバリ 

More then other years? Or am I getting better at finding them?

Buff-bellied Pipit, タヒバリ

Eurasian Skylark, ヒバリ If not singing high in the sky, then feeding in short grass along the ditches

Meadow Bunting, ホオジロ

Black-faced Bunting, アオジ, male and female

More Raptors

My favorite place to watch raptors. As usual I come back with way to many photos ;-)

female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ  ♀

male  ♂ 

Eastern Marsh Harrier, チュウヒ

Juvenile Northern Goshawk, オオタカ  sitting VERY close to me. With just the concrete sea wall between us it was no more then 5 meter. 

Contrary to other years I saw only one Eurasian Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

Raptors at dawn