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

Glossy Ibis, ブロンズトキ

How many years since I saw these birds? There was that flock of over 1000 birds in 2016 - in Portugal. Saga was also 10 years ago. And now this year, 4 birds and easy to find. What a treat! (I took too many photos - when will we see them again?)

They flew often, but not nearby.

The best moments were when the cloud cover lightened up a bit...

  

...letting the colors come out.

Not that metalic glow that we can see on a sunny day...

...but I was happy

Cattle Egret, アマサギ in the same fields and...

... many Waxwings, ヒレンジャク

Imazu in December part 1

It is winter, but the sun is still warm during the day. The wintering ducks have all come; however, there are few on the mudflats. The small birds are few in number as well. I can hear Reed Buntings, I see them flying, but I have yet to see one perched in the reeds near the 2 ponds. Where is everybody?

A Cattle Egret, アマサギ in winter? Apparently

Ms. Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

Zitting Cisticola, セッカ early in the morning

Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ up in a tree!

The local gang of Oriental Magpies, カササギ

After sunset: Eurasian Woodcock, ヤマシギ

The funny colors are from the big lights above the baseball field

2 Raccoon dogs, タヌキ enjoying themselves 

Migrating birds expedition

Like most years I drove south to this place where migrating birds stop for a short break on their way to their breeding grounds. I was a bit later than usual and didn't know what to expect. Early in the morning a flock of Cattle Egrets, アマサギ hung around for a while, before continuing north. Among them were some Intermediate Egrets, チュウサギ in summer feathers. Clouds covered the sky and few other birds were heard.

A bunch of Snipes came out of the reeds every now and then. Other birders were discussing their origin, thinking they might be Pintails. Or Swinhoe's. Who knows... I go for the latter.

Swinhoe's Snipe, チュウジシギ

One Grey-tailed Tattler, キアシシギ was roaming in the river

Chinese Egrets, カラシラサギ

On May 3rd I found the 2 Chinese Egrets, カラシラサギ feeding together in the middle of the mudflats - far away. The tide was out and the birds didn't come any closer. I left to run some errands. 

When I returned it was after midday and the waterline had risen, so I could expect the birds to be closer to shore. I found one near the island...

...and the other one towards the east.

Before the tide was completely in one bird came to rest on the partly submerged concrete slab

Besides the Great Egret,ダイサギ there were Whimbrels, チュウシャクシギ as 1 Far-Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ flew in

  The 2nd Chinese Egret arrived soon

All in a row, from L to R: Chinese, Great, Chinese, Great and Little Egret

カラシラサギ、ダイサギ、カラシラサギ、ダイサギ、コサギ

In the meadows were a few Cattle Egrets, アマサギ

other birds included Grey-tailed Tattler, キアシシシギ

...and Common Greenshank, アオアシシギ