Korean Weasel, チョウセンイタチ

 You know that feeling that you are being watched? When we watch birds, they keep an eye on us all the time. Their eyes are everywhere. They can look behind them without turning their head. But with mammals it's different. They look at you directly. You are being watched

I was walking around the stone-roofed huts, thinking nobody would live here, when I noticed some movement on the roof. Korean Weasel, チョウセンイタチ

View from a window

Tsushima 6, Last birds

The resident birds of Tsushima have slightly different markings. The Pygmy Woodpeckers look darker. They have more black in their wings. While watching them, I could see that clearly, but in the photos, it is not so obvious.

Tsushima's Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, ツシマコゲラ

It's a boy!

The Tsushima Long-tailed Tits, チョウセンエナガ have dark eyebrows.

The Minivets all seemed to be Ryukyu, リュウキュウサンショウクイ

Many warblers were singing, but the trees are too high. I tried to capture them, but failed.

I cannot id it, just saying it's a Warbler, ムシクイ

Asian Brown Flycatcher, コサメビタキ

On the way back to Hakata. Below the coast of Iki Island

Streaked Shearwaters, オオミズナギドリ were flying near Iki

Tsushima 5, Swallows and some more

During our day in the north we found a place where Red-rumped Swallows were nesting. Their nests unmistakably glued to the overhang of a roof. Several birds flew on and off, carrying mud to repair the nests, chattering all the time.

Red-rumped Swallow, コシアカツバメ

The bird on the left doesn't seem to be involved. He or she clings to the wall, watching the others come and go. Would it be too young to breed?

While waiting for other exciting wings, I watched the Barn Swallows, ツバメ - going about their routine as well.

A Grey-faced Buzzard, サシバ flew over several times. What is he looking for?

A lonesome Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ with a sad expression on its face. Looking for company?

Tsushima 4, Pratincole and some more

 One day we drove to Sago in the north. There were some Pratincoles and the regular Herons and Egrets. At midday about 30 raptors passed by, they all appeared to be Honey Buzzards.

Oriental Pratincole, ツバメチドリ

Cattle Egret, アマサギ were flying from field to field in flocks of 10 or more

In the bay of Azamo Grey Tattlers, キアシシギ were resting on a rock. Among them were 2 Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ

Many Black-tailed Gulls, ウミネコ were bathing in the quiet waters of the bay. I was wondering: Are they breeding here?

I was not the only one watching the Gulls - Common Kingfisher, カワセミ

Black Reef Egret, クロサギ playing hide and seek among the seaweed? nets in Azamo

Honey Buzzards, ハチクマ

Tsushima 3: Chamashiko, Pond Herons and Drongos

The one bird that got everyone's attention. Not particularly colorful or spectacular, female Common Rosefinch,アカマシコ or チャマシコ. I loved her soft, sweet face and the way she was determined to eat alllll those fruits of the Japanese Zelkova, ケヤキ tree. (I think it took her 3 days😉)

female Common Rosefinch,アカマシコ

A must during Golden Week: capturing a Chinese Pond Heron, アカガシラサギ

The Drongo's were seen at several locations in the south. Sometimes 3 at the time. But I was just lucky with one bird, twice. Black Drongo, オウチュウ