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Once the water has withdrawn, the exposed mud offers nibbles for small waders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

Migrators in the city parks: Blue-and-White Flycatcher, オオルリ

16 April, I made it to the park. Checking the usual locations, all was quiet. But at last I found the place where birds were active and a Flycatcher perched in a cherry tree.

Blue-and-White Flycatcher, オオルリ

In the same tree at the same time, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, コゲラ

Hudsonion Godwit, アメリカオオソリハシシギ

The American visitor drew a big crowd on the 19th. Birders from all over Japan came to see this beautiful bird. Maybe because of all the spectators, the bigger birds, Godwits, Curlews, Whimbrels etc flew a lot. Once landed briefly the search was on and people came running. With its dark plumage, it was fairly easy to pick out and to follow, I thought.

For a positive identification, I wanted to capture the black underwings

Among other Godwits, mostly Bar-tailed, オオソリハシシギ 

At the far side of the flood line, with Grey Plover, ダイセン

When everybody flies, I stay behind... briefly

Can you find me? ↓

Imazu on the 13th

Monday. The excitement of the day before drove me to the fields again. Not a bad decision. There was no wind, a good condition for small birds in the reeds. Around the 2 lakes:

Penduline Tits, ツリスガラ

On to the river, I stumbled upon a flock of Stints. Had I complained about small numbers the day before? There were 21!　Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

Immediately followed by Garganeys, シマアジ. Below a group of 6. Plus 3 others, made it 9 birds.

On the way back I checked the location for the male Stonechat and... Bingo!

Stonechat, ノビタキ

I probably used all my luck up. The next day, my intentions of looking for flycatchers were washed away in the rain...

Imazu on the 12th

A surprise visit to Imazu, since we returned early from work-related duties. The weather was cloudy and...a bit dark. No rain yet, but it hung in the air. I fell with my nose in the butter (Dutch saying, look it up). 2 Stints, looking great in the fresh green. 3 or 4 Wood Sandpipers at the same place. And a few bonuses from nearby fields. 

Black-winged Stints, セイタカシギ

Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ

Common Kingfisher, カワセミ

Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ

Meadow Bunting, ホオジロ

Small numbers, but at least... migraters have arrived