Imazu in February part 1

Continued from previous post

Zitting Cisticola, セッカ

Towards the west, a big flock of Bramblings is skimming the fields. Just like some years ago.

More than 1000 birds

Imazu in February part 1

It is cold again - too cold to walk around. But Sunday was not so bad and though I arrived a bit late, I saw a lot of birds that I had not seen this winter yet.

Great or Eurasian Bittern, サンカノゴイ

Eurasian Penduline Tit, ツリスガラ

Common Reed Bunting, オオジュリン

Northern Lapwings, タゲリ

Mandarin Ducks, オシドリand some more

There is a path behind the fence. It brings you right to the edge of the water and if you're lucky the Mandarin Ducks don't notice you. However, they fly off soon... There was a male with 2 females. The male looked spectacular!

Handsome guy!

A Ryukyu Minivet, リュウキュウサンショウクイ caught a green Grasshopper, mid-winter!

It's a Kubikirigisu, クビキリギス. They can overwinter as adults. And they can bite fiercely!

Brown-eared Bulbuls, ヒヨドリ feasting in a berry tree

About 200 Rooks, ミヤマガラス gathered in the trees and in the field at the end of the afternoon

Tankiri beans, タンキリマメ

Q Fungus

White's Thrush, トラツグミ

I could see him from far away, it was hopping away on the grass. Its size and its typical posture were an easy giveaway. 

Looking for edibles on the ground

Got a worm!

A Pale Thrush stayed close by. Defending territory?

Look at the difference in size!

In the late afternoon light the colors get warmer.

and warmer

But I'm getting colder and colder - time to go home

Buntings in my neighborhood.

When I walked through the local park I saw several groups of Elegant Buntings feeding on the ground. Last year I saw very few and I worried. I'm relieved.

Yellow-throated Bunting, aka Elegant Bunting, ミヤマホオジロ

female

In the vicinity: Masked Bunting, アオジ

Red-flanked Bluetail, ルリビタキ

Other birds included Varied Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Pale Thrush, Oriental Greenfinch. About 15 Green Pigeons were flying overhead

Eurasian Siskin, マヒワ and some more

I went to the same place on a warm winter day. The small flock of Siskins remained hiding in the trees till midday, when they ventured out to their watering hole. Green Pigeons were calling.

Eurasian Siskin, マヒワ male

female

A dark place, under a small stream

At the orange orchards. 

My camera likes the oranges rather than the small fast moving birds.

Japanese Bush Warbler,ウグイス

Warbling White-eyes, メジロ

A single female Elegant Bunting, ミヤマホオジロ showed up as well.

The first plum blossom 梅 on January 19th 

Masked Bunting, アオジ