Winter trip - Part 5

Still in Izumi, but now looking at other birds. Most prominent are the Rooks, but my interest goes to the Daurian Jackdaws, that are mixed in the big flocks. There were many this year. Several "Pandas" as the birders affectionally call them, when they have white, or white-ish breast feathers

4 Daurian Jackdaws, コクマルガラス and a Rook, ミヤマガラス

Often perched on the wires around the Crane visitor center.

If not on the wires, then in the fields with their big brothers

The small pond behind the center is good for all sorts of wings

3 Dunlins, ハマシギ

1 Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ

Often the odd Northern Lapwing, タゲリ

Side by side

Saga, end of December

 The jobs are done, I can take a break. Before our yearly wintertrip we dropped by in Saga.

In the park at Higashiyoka: Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ

Common Starling, ホシムクドリ in a flock of White-cheeked

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ mobbing a Crow. 

Among the Rooks, a number of Daurian Jackdaws, コクマルガラス. All dark colored.

On this warm, sunny December day it was barely a surprise to see this pretty butterfly.

Japanese Oakblue, ムラサキシジミ

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

鹿児島県出水 part 7: Daurian Jackdaw, コクマルガラス

 Last part of the Izumi series

There were hundreds of Rooks in the area, often sitting on the wires. I looked for the smaller birds among them, but without success. In the field they were easier to locate. Mostly between the cranes' feet. Of the 20+ Jackdaws the majority was dark grey/black. I saw just 2 birds with silvery white body parts.

Daurian Jackdaw, コクマルガラス

But none of them have those bright blue eyes as their brothers in The Netherlands

Migrating crows: Rook, ミヤマガラス

Not just a few

Last raptor: Eastern Buzzard, ノスリ with some Carrion Crows, ハシボソガラス (Corvus corone - has nothing to do with corona - I hope😌)

Aneha 2

The following morning, watching the sunrise at the feeding grounds, spectacular when thousands of birds come flying in.

When the sun was high enough to shed some light we searched for the less common cranes. At the far back were 2 Common Cranes, クロヅル, more or less at the same place as last year.

Lifting its head up for a second and stretching its wings, Common Crane, クロヅル

Closer by a Sandhill Crane, カナダヅル guiding the family to a safe corner

They didn't seem to be bothered by us much

At the field in front of the observation centre. A mix of Hooded Crane, ナベヅル and White-naped Crane, マナヅル hurrying to get their share

That was MY bit!

You stood on my toes!

After a while the mass thins out. Some birds return to their possy with their families, others just wander off.

It seemed impossible to find Aneha. 

Scanning the extensive area I was just about to give up when... I found her! Demoiselle Crane, アネハヅル At the far far end.

Changing location to get a better look

With quite an accomplished feeling I started looking at other birds.

White-naped Crane, マナヅル

The most common crane in Izumi, Hooded Crane, ナベヅル considered a bit dull compared with the elegant White-naped Cranes, but look at that intricate pattern of feathers. Isn't that beautiful?

It's always such a pleasure  to find beauty in common birds. White-naped Crane, マナヅル again

Below a raptor probably a female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ, flying low, scanning the field. The cranes don't seem to care. They are too big to be considered prey of course

Common Starlings, Common Starling, ホシムクドリ basking in the early morning sun

Thousands of Rooks, ミヤマカラス taking every inch of the electricity wires

♥ Sweethearts ♥

Between them 5 smaller sized crow-type birds: Daurian Jackdaw, コクマルガラス 

I was wondering about the bird on the far right. Did it have blue eyes?

Another common bird here, the Russet Sparrow, ニュウナイスズメ. I often wonder, when will they come to Fukuoka?