Exploring the east

I hardly ever visit the other side of the city. Hence, I don't know the best time and place to see the Oystercatchers. It was all a bit far

Eurasian Oystercatcher, ミヤコドリ

Passing by the field where I used to see Lapwings before, I decided to stop and check. Sure, they are there. No chicks yet, as far as I could tell. Maybe they're on the way.

Grey-headed Lapwing, ケリ

Beach scenery with gulls

Little wind, warm sunshine. The best conditions for a walk on the beach in March. The ducks, the gulls and I, we all love it.

Mew Gulls, カモメ

Some ducks are playing in the gentle surf.

 Is the Scaup a bit upset?

More Gulls, Vega 2nd? winter youngsters and an adult.  

Black-throated Loons, オオハム

March 17th. It took me a while to find some. Without local knowledge, where do we go? Finally, I came to the place where 4 birds came a little closer, and from where I could see a little more than the pinpoints of the week before. No real summer plumage, though. 

Black-throated Loons, オオハム

4 birds together 

In a few minutes they were gone.

Enjoy your day on the beach!　Spot-billed Ducks, カルガモ

Cruising low above the fields behind the dunes, female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ

Imazu area

One day there were many, the next day none. Was it the Harrier that kept on coming back? 

Penduline Tits, ツリスガラ

female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ

Eurasian Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ

Common Snipe, タシギ

Lower mountains

The daily temperatures are rising. If it wasn't for the cold winds, we would have summer conditions. Butterflies are regular now. Time to post some

Asian Comma, キタテハ

Holly Blue, ルリシジミ

Japanese Oakblue, ムラサキシジミ

Small Copper, ベニシジミ

Blauwe Druifjes, in memory of my aunt, tante Bieb

Just a few birds - nothing special. Olive-backed Pipit, ビンズイ

Okawara Greenfinch, オオカワラヒワ

An early nesting bird. Maybe Varied Tit?

Lotus fields in Saga, 2

Continued from previous post. After the Stints and the raptors I was about to go home, when I noticed the Storks on their new nest.

Oriental Stork, コウノトリ

Looks promising.

Followed by the Swans.

Whooper Swan, オオハクチョウ R and Tundra Swan, コハクチョウ L

The Spoonbills, ヘラサギ were nearby...

  ...as well as some Northern Shovelers, ハシビロガモ

The sunlight was too low for their colors

I had not seen so many birds on one day for a while.