Tsushima 4, Pratincole and some more

 One day we drove to Sago in the north. There were some Pratincoles and the regular Herons and Egrets. At midday about 30 raptors passed by, they all appeared to be Honey Buzzards.

Oriental Pratincole, ツバメチドリ

Cattle Egret, アマサギ were flying from field to field in flocks of 10 or more

In the bay of Azamo Grey Tattlers, キアシシギ were resting on a rock. Among them were 2 Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ

Many Black-tailed Gulls, ウミネコ were bathing in the quiet waters of the bay. I was wondering: Are they breeding here?

I was not the only one watching the Gulls - Common Kingfisher, カワセミ

Black Reef Egret, クロサギ playing hide and seek among the seaweed? nets in Azamo

Honey Buzzards, ハチクマ

Gulls.

Whenever I watch gulls in the harbor or at the rivers, I feel a pang of gilt that I don't pay more attention and learn about them. Distuinguishing adult birds is ok, as long as they are among the common species. Now I look at younger birds and look out for a different type. It's hard...

Mew Gulls, カモメ at Muromi River

Adult Vega Gulls, セグロカモメ

From left: Vega, Vega, セグロカモメ -  Black-tailed, ウミネコ - Black-headed, ユリカモメ - Mew Gull, カモメ

Recent birds in the West

Mid September held a few surprises. Number 1:

Male Brown Shrike, シマアカモズ　　2nd time this year

Chestnut-cheeked Starling, コムクドリ

Zitting Cisticola, セッカ among Black-browed Reed Warbler, コヨシキリ and Middendorff's Grasshopper Warblers, シマセンユウ the only bird I managed to capture 😆

Young Common Kingfisher, カワセミ

After 100s of Black-tailed Gulls, ウミネコ a flock of 60 noisy young Black Kites, トビ, lots of Great Egrets, ダイサギ and Cormorants, カワウ -  FINALLY the Black-headed Gulls, ユリカモメ came to our harbor.

2 Black-headed Gulls, ユリカモメ and 1 Black-tailed Gull, ウミネコ 1st winter

Looking forward to see you more often!

The kindergarten of Black Kites, トビ

End of an era

Shikanoshima, 志賀島

December 10. Several small groups of Black-necked Grebes, ハジロカイツブリ were foraging among the rocks before they headed out to sea.

2 Brown Boobies カツドリwere cruising along the east coast. I didn't see them diving.

At the usual places Japanese Cormorants, ウミウ were perched on the rocks, with some Pelagic Cormorants, ヒメウ between them.

The unmistakable female Blue Rock Thrush, イソヒヨドリ made an appearance as well.

At the north shore many gulls, Black-tailed, ウミネコ and Vega Gulls, セグロカモメ were circling around an area where lots of Red-breasted Mergansers, ウミアイサ could be seen 

Black-tailed Gulls, ウミネコ

Birds in the fields in West Fukuoka

Ever since September started, I have been busy. I found time to roam the fields occasionally. When it was not too hot. Which was not very often. I hope things will get better after the next typhoon

7 Garganeys, シマアジ in a rice field with water.

They took off after a few minutes

At the same location: 3 Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ looking rather concerned.

When I don't see much in Imazu I continue west. At Izumi River:

Grey Plover, ダイセン; Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ; Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ. Just 1 each.

Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ; Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ.

Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ.

And a number of adult Black-tailed Gulls, ウミネコ

The next day, Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ

I wonder if that's the same bird that comes to the 2 ponds in Imazu.