No water!

One day it was very cold. The water in the basin was frozen. Many Grosbeaks came down from the trees, but could not get a proper drink. Panic!

Japanese Grosbeak, イカル

Where are you walking? On Ice!!?

It didn't take long to figure it out. They all left.

Next chance: a nook in one of the big trees. The space is small and there wasn't much water in it. Good conditions for some squabbling and skirmishing.

Not only the Grosbeaks. These Dusky Thrushes, ツグミ were annoyed as well.

At a different tree, the same Grosbeaks.

It's hard in winter when the competition is fierce. I hope they will all make it to spring

Grosbeaks and Hawfinches

Early morning in the park again. Watching the Grosbeaks come to the water basin. Their behavior is interesting, I could watch it for hours...

The birds look real pretty in flight with their wings spread. Trying to capturing this moment is a lot of fun. I'm not nearly as good as some of my buddies, but look at this:

The flock generally behaves well. When 15 birds come down, all wanting a drink at the same time, the situation tends to become a bit tense. And a bit of squabbeling is normal. 

Most birds come to drink, some hardly gat a chance. Only once did I see one bathing. All by itself

Brr, cold!

Time to go!

The other day 2 Hawfinches, シメ were reported. I hoped to observe them, but they didn't come close. Not good for a picture. This is all I got.

Maybe another time.

Red-billed Starlings, ギンムクドリ

This winter they have been entertaining us from the side. While the audience was waiting for the Chinese visitor, a flock of 8 or 10 birds moved around the tall trees, often looking for water in the nook of a big trunk. Gradually, the audience moved with them.

Red-billed Starlings, ギンムクドリ

Male and female

Move on, it's my turn now

Great views at the basin. Male

Female

In the trees, way behind. Sometimes it's not clear whether they are fighting, asking attention, acknowledging, or just teasing each other. Who is in charge?

The last of Ko-ikaru, コイカル

In January I visited the park several times to see the birds gathering at the waterbasin. The Grosbeaks made it a great spectacle. They came down from the trees in numbers of 10 or mor e. There was only one Chinese Grosbeak, or Yellow Grosbeak among them and if you came early, you would have a chance to see it. sometimes once, just a few seconds. Other times 2 or 3 times. But never long.

Chinese Grosbeak, or Yellow Grosbeak, コイカル

Some days were sunny, other days cloudy. Cloudy was good.

But then I only saw its back

However, another day it would come again...

...and again

Until suddenly it stopped visiting us. That's (bird) life 😔