Higashiyoka mudflats, April 18

The American Godwit, that was the ultimate attraction of the weekend, was so popular, it was difficult to find a good spot for taking photos. The bird is in its own post:

 https://wingsndthings.blogspot.com/2026/04/hudsonion-godwit.html

 Next some other sightings, photos taken while pushing elbows at the slippery and muddy fence 😅

One of the most common visitors in this season are the long-distance flyers, the Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ. They migrate as far as Australia I heard.

Another Godwit, the Black-tailed, オグロシギ

When all the birds fly and the flocks sweep above the rising tide, the Curlews are easily distinguished

Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ and Far-Eastern, ホウロクシギ

The atmosphere is so intense. The search for anything interesting, tracking those birds once you found them, explaining their location and listening to others, all at the same time... And suddenly it's all over.

Once the water has withdrawn, the exposed mud offers nibbles for small waders

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ behind the purplish sea foliage, シジメンソウ

There is always a flag around. メダイチドリ

Red-necked Stints, トウネン

Little Terns, コアジサシ

Way back, 2 reddish colored birds with relatively short legs and bills.

Red Knot, コオバシギ

Tidal flats of Saga in February

 The time was a bit off. High tide at 11am is not very high and a little late for good lighting. Many images were back-lit. It's just a recording of what was there and of what I wanted to see.

Saunders's Gulls, ズグロカモメ in flight

mixed with Dunlins, ハマシギ

The 2 Oystercatchers, ミヤコドリ that stayed for the winter

Many Curlews, mostly Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ and a Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ

One Far-Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ on the right

The 2 smaller birds are Long-billed Dowitchers, オオハシシギ

Then there was a Red Knot, コオバシギ in winter plumage, among all the Grey Plovers, ダイセン

Another Godwit: Black-tailed, オグロシギ

Eurasian Spoonbills, ヘラシギ in the creek

Migrating Waders in Fukuoka

There are very few fields where migrating waders can go to rest and find food. In this small ricefield they were all huddling together during high tide, when the mudflats are submerged.

Spotted Redshanks, ツルシギ

Black-tailed Godwits, オグロシギ

Black-taled Godwit, オグロシギ and Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ

Something made them all fly up and return in a minute. The result was a parade, right in front of me.

Ruff, エリマキシギ and Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ

There were 2 Ruffs. Both male or both female?

Garganey, シマアジ

Other ducks were Spot-billed Ducks, Mallards and these 2. Gadwalls, オカヨシガモ?

Dunlin, ハマシギ moulting to winter plumage.

Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ

1 of 6 or 8 Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

Saga part 2: Godwits and some more

 Continued from previous post, a super high tide day at the Ariake Sea in Saga

Grey Plovers, ダイセン at Higashiyoka

Half mesmerized by the Spotted Greenshank, I stole some glimpses of the nearby Godwits, as they were arguing constantly. Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ

Black-tailed Godwit, オグロシギ flew by as well. Just a few.

Also just a few: Long-billed Dowitcher, オオハシシギ

Broad-billed Sandpiper, キリアイ

More is comimg! To be continued