Pied Avocet, ソリハシセイタカシギ and Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ

While in Saga I stopped at Higashiyoka to see who was there. It was the "wrong" time of the month and there were no people carrying scopes or cameras. However, the 3 Avocets I came to see were there, say it at a fair distance. Among the shelducks and gulls. All the birds in that corner were black and white.

Winterscene: mostly Shelducks and Gulls.

Saunders's Gull, ズグロカモメ

In the park was a very friendly Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ - a female again...

Pretty girl!

Shelducks on Ice

When the river is not completely frozen, ducks walk on thin ice

Common Shelduck, ツクシガモ

Half hidden in the grass, 2 Common Teals, コガモ

Garganeys and some more

April 5th. There were 25 Garganeys, シマアジ in the pond. Maybe 30! (some seemed to be hiding in the reeds) I had never seen such a big flock. Most of them were males. Why?

Other migrators had arrived, too.

Cattle Egret, アマサギ

For lack of cattle... Have to make do with goats.

Intermediate Egret, チュウサギ

Pipits were gathering. Buff-bellied Pipits, タヒバリ

I looked for some other kinds, but could not see any

A gruffy-looking Little Egret, コサギ in a sea of yellow

Shelducks, ツクシガモ　 Getting ready for take-off?

Winter trip 4

The last post of our visit to Izumi. Besides the cranes there are other birds of interest. The black and white Jackdaw, nicknamed panda, is popular among birders and photographers. The Daurian Jackdaw is the smallest crow that comes to Japan and appears in 2 types: black and white and all (dark grey-ish) black. In Izumi they usually hang out with the Rooks.

Daurian Jackdaw, コクマルガラス among Rooks, ミヤマガラス

The 2 types together. I don't know how to tell their gender

There were thousands of Rooks. More than other years?

In a muddy pool close to the center: about 100 Shelducks, ツクシガモ

Other regulars: Northern Lapwing, タゲリ

Often seen with Common Starlings, ホシムクドリ

Way out at the back was a group of geese. Maybe Bean Goose, ヒシクイ

And that was it. I hope to visit Izumi again next winter

Whooper Swan, オオハクチョウ and some more

 19 November surprise! A big white blob floating on dark water, filled with smaller ducks. After a few minutes it flew towards the tidal flats from were it moved on...

Later, at the river - Just for 1 day

Flying across the tidal flats, 2 Shelducks, ツクシガモ The first of the season

Other birds that day: Baikal Teal, トモエガモ Male and females

Another (small) surprise: The bright red eyes of a Black-necked Grebe, ハジロカイツブリ in the pond. Isn't it unusual here?

Great Crested Grebe, カンムリカイツブリ