May birds 3

At the same time in the fields there was not much happening either. The Sandpipers were gone.
Just 2 Grey-tailed Tattlers, キアシシギ were roaming in the river.

The number of Cattle Egrets, アマサギ had increased. A few showed pretty breeding colors. I wonder where they go to build their nest...

Bad weather on the way.

May birds 2, Red-rumped Swallows

In the mountains the story was the same. Halfway May it felt like summer. The nest of Brown Flycatchers was empty next time I saw it. Abandoned? I buried my disappointment and went to look for the Red-rumped Swallows, コシアカツバメ at the sand heap where they collect their nesting materials

 

I spent some time watching the butterflies, trying to remember their names.

Papilio protenor, クロアゲハ, Spangle

Suddenly another visitor came out of the bush.

Japanese Badger, アナグマ ...

... came up to less than a meter from me.

At the same place as last year: Solomon's Seal, ナルコユリ

May birds 1

This year nature seems to be in a hurry. I was too occupied with my new work schedule to go out and when I finally broke away from my private worries the forest was all green with young leaves, grasses stood quite tall and the calls of young birds demanding food sounded everywhere. The foliage was already too thick to see them. So very few photos of this period, but the one that was always heard singing in a loud voice is here:

male Narcissus Flycatcher, xxx

A young Japanese Great Tit, シジュウカラ - just left the nest - wondering what is edible and what is not

It's got the right size... 

... right color...

... but not the right taste

The rains came early too

Japanese White-eye, メジロ , soaking wet, bathing in the drenched leaves of a Maple tree

Dontaku

Finally got my GW photos sorted out. The Dontaku file stayed unopened in my PC. The reason? I don't really like this festival. The season is good for birding and hiking. After 28 years I thought I should check it out once more. If only to take some colorful images to put on the blog...
I didn't see the parade, but hung around at the park where all the groups gathered before the start.

Last practice

Waders around west Fukuoka

Where are they? Where have they gone?
Just a few birds were seen in the last week or 2. One rainy day about 20 Wood Sandpipers stayed in the watered field near the farm. A few Dunlins were still with them, as well as a couple other small birds, 2 or 3 Long-toed Stints, 2 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and a Terek Sandpiper. Then a small group of Greenshanks landed, I noticed one with red legs and bill and I jumped up as if I was seeing a rare migrant!

Dunlin, ハマシギ

 Long-toed Stint, ヒバリシギ...

...seeking protection from the larger Wood Sandpipers, タカブシギ

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ

Terek Sandpiper, ソリハシシギ on the right

Common Greenshank, アオアシシギ

Common Redshank, アカアシシギ

The Cattle Egrets, アマサギ were still around and they found a 3rd mate. 

Coming back home I had some visitors :-)