Red-throated Pipit, ムネアカタヒバリ and some more

 Last but not least the bird I had been looking for all day. I set all my hopes on a field with lots of other pipits and bingo! It appeared briefly before it popped out of sight again. I watched it for just a few seconds. But it was there! I'm tempted to go look for it again... 

Red-throated Pipit, ムネアカタヒバリ

Its back feathers look distinctly different from the other pipits, the Buff-bellied Pipits, タヒバリ

Buff-bellied Pipit, タヒバリ

Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ

The collection would not be complete without 1 image of a Lapwing. They were there in large numbers, but slightly less than during my previous visit 6 weeks before. Northern Lapwing, タゲリ

A lovey-dovey couple of Black Kites,トビのラブラブ

Offering a present (just a twig, but maybe mend for a nest)

Flying synchronized

Their acrobatic flights are awesome, but I didn't see any of that. Were they passed that stage yet?

Driving at night at least 12 Raccoon dogs, タヌキ crossed my path

Taken from the car. Below no trimming!

Finally, some more of the male Kestrel, チョオゲンボウ that kept me company all the time.

Hope to see you again!

Isahaya part 5, Rough-legged Buzzard, ケアシノスリ

 A young bird was perched at about 100m distance and stayed there for many hours. I would have loved to see it fly, but did not want to waste all that time waiting around. However, it was exciting to watch this lifer for a while.

Firmly settled on a tree branch at10:30 am

Still there at 5pm

Isahaya part 4, Hen Harriers, male and female. ハイイロチュウヒ♀♂

 Continued from part 3

 female

male

Will I ever see a male close up like the female that nearly knocked me over?

Short-eared Owl, コミミズク

Another highlight of that day in Isahaya. The Short-eared Owl came flying in around 3:30pm and landed in a field near our base. We all had a good view. Later another one (or 2?) flew above the reeds, meeting Hen Harriers on the way.

 

Taking off

Coming back

Scanning the field

Another bird skirting the reeds

Note the bird in the back

It's a female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュヒ♀

Last view before dusk.

Did they get their prey?

Isahaya part 2

At sunrise the Cranes start flying. There were not as many as before, but still more than I had ever seen here. The weather started off all right, but soon cloud cover rolled in.

The first raptors are hunting. Before sunrise it's too dark to tell who is who, but around 7am I could see some details. Below an Eastern Marsh Harrier, チュウヒ

Next a female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ I think (Forgive me if I'm wrong)

More Cranes in flight, Hooded Cranes, ナベヅル

White-naped Cranes, マナヅル

A flock of Common Starlings, ホシムクドリwas actively foraging. They hardly took the time to argue. I prayed for a bit of sunshine to bring the colors out, but it didn't happen

At the same time a male Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ landed right in front of me. It was finishing off something small and started preening.

A Japanese Weasel, イタチ popped up from the ditch.

There were lots of other small birds. I'll come back with them later