Waders update

 August 26, it was sunny and hot. The birds at the regular fields seemed the same as 3 days before. Plus one Curlew, who flew around a lot before he could take a quick bath.

Far-Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ

The Oriental Pratincoles, ツバメチドリ were still there, I think they were the same 2 birds

A bonus at this field was a Broad-billed Sandpiper, キリアイ

The Rednecked-Stints,トウネン came a bit closer now that there was less water

Long-toed Stints, ヒバリシギ were there as well, but also at the nearby field behind the pigfarm

Wood Sandpipers, タカブシギ

Ruff, エリマキシギ - the same female probably

And that was it for today.

Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

 3 Birds were left from the crowd (about 20 birds I heard) when I got there. 1 male was constantly chasing the other 2 females, acting like a real prick. I wonder if that's why the others had left.

The bird on the right must be a male. His wings and back are glossy black. The other 2 seem to be more grey-ish, females I suppose.

Waders in the west

It's autumn. I started cruising the fields, looking for water locked paddies that could harbor some migrating water birds. It's a challenge nowadays. I really miss my old Estima, that provided some height when I wanted to peer over the tall reeds. 

Long-toed Stints, ヒバリシギ

with a Ruff, エリマキシギ. Not so big, so probably a female

To the left a Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ 

All together now.

More Wood sandpipers, タカブシギ lurking at the back

Oriental Pratincole. ツバメチドリ

The 2 birds in the field had lost most of their summer markings (too bad!) They often choose a darkish grey colored field to blend in and stay unnoticed while taking a rest on their journey south. 

A Little Ringed Plover, コチドリ

 is watching from behind.

Apart from the Little Ringed Plovers there were 2 Red-necked Stints, トウネン... 

... and some Pacific Golden Plovers, ムナグロ at the far end.

Demoiselle Crane, アネハヅル

2 Years ago I saw Aneha in Izumi. It was pretty hard to find her among the thousands of Hooded and White-naped Cranes. When I heard about her being in Itoshima I thought it would be easy. But when I arrived there were lots of herons and egrets, but no crane. She took off around midday, I was told. Other disappointed birders were leaving, but I arrived late and decided to hang around a bit, while searching the fields. After an hour I gave up and got into the car to head home. Doing a U-turn I spotted something in the sky towards the mountains....

getting closer

with Grey Heron, アオサギ

It became windy