Migrators in the city park: Siberian Robin, Japanese Thrush and some more

 When the thrill of the first Blue-and-White Flycatcher wore off, I returned to see what was up. A colorful Robin came out of the bush

Siberian Blue Robin, コルリ

It was then that my camera failed. Fortunately, I found the issue. The bird was very friendly and came back a few times.

There were many Thrushes in the trees, but they were very reluctant to come down and out of the darkness. Only one bird was brave enough.

Eyebrowed Thrush, マミチャジナイ

While waiting, White-eyes visited the Maple trees and made it look like autumn

Warbling White-eye, メジロ

That day I hoped to see a Yellow Flycatcher, but I was out of luck. However, on my way out, I encountered another blue colored bird. 

Red-flanked Bluetail, ルリビタキ -  "mesu-type", or female type.

Coming from a dark area, I had not adjusted the exposure settings yet, thus the result looks bright. 

From light to dark, a pretty female Thrush just a few meters away.

Japanese Thrush, クロツグミ ♀

This was another great day. But when will I see a Yellow Flycatcher?

Small stuf around Kanatake

 My camera gear is much more tuned for small creatures. I love to take photos of beetles, butterflies, caterpillars etc. Below a compilation:

Caterpillar of Japanese Siren butterfly, ゴマダラチョウの幼虫

Look at that "rabbit" face!

 

Caterpillars of Squeaking Silkmoth, ウスタビガ

Pink-barred Angle moth, ウラベニエダシャク

Indian fritillary, ツマグロヒョウモン pairing

キクラゲ, Jelly Ear

Japanese Gentian, フデリンドウ

Brittlestem, ナヨタケ科

Noble Orchid, シュンラン

Thin-legged Wolf Spider, コモリグモ - with eggs

Small Copper, ベニシジミ

More of Saga on April 18th

After the American guest at Higashiyoka on April 18, we drove to Shiroiashi to check out the lotus fields. Instantly, a long-time wish came true: A male Merlin was sitting on the wire! Last time I saw one was so long ago, I could barely remember it. 

Merlin, コチョウゲンボウ

It was close to a field with lots of Stilts. More than 20 birds. They are doing well, it seems

Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ

Next was the Stork family. A parent was flying around, looking for food...

Oriental Stork, コウノトリ

...and landed in a ditch near me. What a close-up!

I backed up the car and had another look.

The birds are clearly used to having people around

At the nest I could see 4 chicks! I hope they will make it to adulthood safely

Back around the old Lotus fields, where the water level was too high for small birds like Stints, but some others were there.

Marsh Sandpipers, コアオアシシギ

Wood Sandpipers, タカブシギ

Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, ウズラシギ

Common Snipe, タシギ

The new-comers were announcing their present in a loud voice, but stayed mostly hidden below. Except for one, that stayed quiet...

Great Reed Warbler, オオヨシキリ

At the far end of one of the fields were about 6 Garganeys, シマアジ

Higashiyoka mudflats, April 18

The American Godwit, that was the ultimate attraction of the weekend, was so popular, it was difficult to find a good spot for taking photos. The bird is in its own post:

 https://wingsndthings.blogspot.com/2026/04/hudsonion-godwit.html

 Next some other sightings, photos taken while pushing elbows at the slippery and muddy fence 😅

One of the most common visitors in this season are the long-distance flyers, the Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ. They migrate as far as Australia I heard.

Another Godwit, the Black-tailed, オグロシギ

When all the birds fly and the flocks sweep above the rising tide, the Curlews are easily distinguished

Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ and Far-Eastern, ホウロクシギ

The atmosphere is so intense. The search for anything interesting, tracking those birds once you found them, explaining their location and listening to others, all at the same time... And suddenly it's all over.

Once the water has withdrawn, the exposed mud offers nibbles for small waders

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ behind the purplish sea foliage, シジメンソウ

There is always a flag around. メダイチドリ

Red-necked Stints, トウネン

Little Terns, コアジサシ

Way back, 2 reddish colored birds with relatively short legs and bills.

Are they Knots? Great Knot? Red Knot? オバシギ?　コオバシギ?