Higashiyoka in March

The weather was good. A little windy, but mostly sunny. The high tide midmorning was not as high as expected, but the sightings were interesting.

3 Long-billed Dowitchers, オオハシシギ

Common Ringed Plover, ハジロコチドリ

Eurasian Oystercatchers, ミヤコドリ

A flagged Dunlin, ハマシギ Too far for my lens to read a number. Maybe someone else...

One of several Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ  (in front)

I missed the Black-tailed Godwit this time, though I heard it was seen.

Lined up with the 2 Curlew species. Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ in the middle, Far Eastern, ホウロクシギ at the back

Far Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ. There were 2 birds, maybe 4

Some of the gulls had a striking white head, Mongolian Gull, モンゴルセグロカモメ?

The flock of Eurasian Curlews, ダイシャクシギ

Just when I was leaving, I saw this vaguely shaped bird on a steel buoy way out. When I recognized it I hurried back for a closer look, but it was still so far!

Short-eared Owl, コミミズク at sea!

Yellow-browed Warbler, キマユムシクイ

 At the end of February, I found myself with a whole day with no birding plan. Thus, I decided to see if the White-shouldered Starlings were still in the park in K. I knew I took a risk and sure, they didn't show. Too bad, I should have gone earlier. Nevertheless, the park is nice, and during a pleasant walk I found these:

A Yellow-browed Warbler, キマユムシクイ. That's what I was told. I'm not good with warblers, that don't call, so I decided to go with it.

Another Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ They seem easier to capture than other "hitaki's" this year.

Brown-cheeked Rail, クイナ

Low mountain forests

An expedition to find some colorful wings. This is what I got:

 Masked Bunting, オアジ

Very shy Male Red-flanked Bluetail, ルリビタキ

The female was around as well, but her portrait is not worse publishing 😒

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, コゲラ

Red-billed Leiothri, ソウシチョウ

Olive-backed Pipit, ビンズイ

Female Daurian Redstart, ジョウビタキ in a bush of colorful berries. There were no White-eyes

Finally, in a dry field south of the city: Green Pheasant, キジ

male

and female

Around the mountains

During the last week of February, I walked around the mountainous areas south of the city. There was very little to see, and whatever flew by disappeared immediately. A few birds caught my attention, but taking photos was quite a challenge. 

 Grey Wagtail, キセキレイ

Brown Dipper, カワガラス

Rustic Bunting, カシラダカ

Japanese Green Woodpecker, アオゲラ

Long-tailed Tits, エナガ

Ryukyu Minivet, リュウキュウサンショウクイ

There was a loud noise in the bush. Tracing it I stumbled on a small pool. All of a sudden, the place was silent. Here and there pairs of eyes floated on the surface.

Japanese Brown Frog, ニホンアカガエル

 Once I withdrew the noise started again. I carefully slid back, hiding behind a tree. Many frogs, maybe 100 or more jumped up, yelling like a bunch of hungry kittens! There seemed to be more frogs than water. A large blob of spawn floated on the edge of the pond. 

Japanese Waxwings, ヒレンジャク

It's a yaerly event, Waxwings visiting the city park. But instead of the Mistletoe, they headed straight to the water basin, after the Grosbeaks, Starlings and Thrushes.

Waiting in the same trees

Descending, one after the other

Quickly heading back up.

Tidal flats of Saga in February

 The time was a bit off. High tide at 11am is not very high and a little late for good lighting. Many images were back-lit. It's just a recording of what was there and of what I wanted to see.

Saunders's Gulls, ズグロカモメ in flight

mixed with Dunlins, ハマシギ

The 2 Oystercatchers, ミヤコドリ that stayed for the winter

Many Curlews, mostly Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ and a Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ

One Far-Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ on the right

The 2 smaller birds are Long-billed Dowitchers, オオハシシギ

Then there was a Red Knot, コオバシギ in winter plumage, among all the Grey Plovers, ダイセン

Another Godwit: Black-tailed, オグロシギ

Eurasian Spoonbills, ヘラシギ in the creek