Japanese Waxwings, ヒレンジャク

I went to the city park to see a flycatcher. The yearly Waxwings had not yet arrived I heard, and indeed, the big Mistletoe tree looked desolate in the bleak light. The Morning had been ok, but now an extensive cloud cover came rolling in. There were big flocks of noisy Starlings and Dusky Thrushes circling around the treetops. A few startled Bramblings, アトリ flew up and headed for a Muku Tree. When I followed them I found these Waxwings snacking on the berries.

Which one looks sweet?

Waiting their turn. There were 15 bird in total

On the way back: Next aid station?

Red-breasted Flycatcher in the west, 西区の ニシオジロビタキ

 Another rainy day - on Sunday, our day off! 

I wanted to go to that field in the NE, but I have yet to get a chance. There are some interesting birds there, one of them a Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ. I was thinking about it, but decided to go to the nearest park, 5 min. from home. Lots of White-eyes were noisily moving around. Between them a Goldcrest, キクイタダキ high up. When I came to the spot where the R-b Flycatcher was seen 10 years ago I got a surprise. Who is that? Another R-b Flycatcher!

Not as friendly as some I had to wait a bit for it to come out. While waiting I saw the Red-flanked Bluetail, ルリビタキand guess what? A small raptor flew out of the trees. Not bigger than a pigeon. Japanese Sparrowhawk, ツミ?! Maybe that was the bird Mr. K. had seen...

Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ

Red-flanked Bluetail, ルリビタキ

Goldcrest, キクイタダキ

After the rain

Meanwhile in the fields

 A flock of Lapwings approached me at full speed. When they landed I found a different species among them

Grey Plover, ダイセン and Northern Lapwing, タゲリ

A Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ was hunting nearby

One rainy Sunday in Itoshima

A cold and rainy day. It was both our day off, unexpectedly. We didn't want that to go by at home behind the PC. Got in the car and drove off. The intended hike had to be postponed, but the rest turned out nicely.

Looking for spring

Nanohana, fresh and young 菜の花

In the river nearby: Brown Dipper, カワガラス

The first Cherry blossom. Yes, Cherry blossom! サクラ

Warbling White-eyes, メジロ love these berries. What could it be?

ロウバイ, Wintersweet or Japanese Allspice

2 Varied Tits, ヤマガラ have chosen this plum tree as there hang out.

What did you bring now?

Tasty!

Doesn't that look like an orchid. Somebody must have planted it

Kanatake walk in January

The weather was good on this day and we gazed at some flowers, as if spring had come

コスミレ, Viola japonica

Dwarf Lilyturf, リュウノヒゲ

Kadsura japonica, サネカズラ

Birds that showed up: Eastern Buzzard, ノスリ

Ryukyu Minivet, リュウキュウサンショウクイ

Way up high, hardly visible: Goldcrest, キクイタダキ

Oriental Turtle Dove, キジバト 

Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

This year's firsts: Asian Lady beetle, ナミテントウ

Painted Lady, ヒメアカタテハ

Asian Comma, キタテハ

The frogs had been busy. So was GFC Mr. S looking after their spawn

Japanese Brown Frog, ニホンアカガエル

Frogs spawn, カエルの卵

Coralberry, マンリョウ

Mistletoe ヤドリギ

Who will come to eat that fruit?

A skull with some hair still attached Is it a Tanuki? タヌキ?

GCF M's work