Higashiyoka Spoonbills

After the waders had started flying, there was a lull, in which the only thing to do for us was watching the sleeping Spoonbills. Black-faced and Eurasians alike, their head feathers blowing in the wind. Once they woke up, there was a bit more action.

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

Winter trip to Izumi, Kagoshima

During the yearly school break, we usually plan a trip with Billie, our Bus. To avoid any chance of snowfall, we often head south and end up in Izumi, Kagoshima, to watch the Cranes and other birds around the reserve.

The most common sight. Cranes gathering at one of the feeding stations.

There seem to be many White-naped Cranes, マナヅル this year.

The end of the day, Hooded Cranes, ナベヅル are getting ready for the night

Watching the sunrise has become a tradition and is always a good start of the birding day.

Back to the feeding station. A single Swan Goose, サカツラガン is making its way between the many long legs

It's not too concerned, even getting some sleep in the middle of it all.

Spoonbills, Black-faced and Eurasian, クロツラヘラサギ, ヘラサギ  pop up here and there.

It must be a hassle for locals who go by their daily routine, having to deal with the thousands of birds spending the winter months in the fields around Izumi.

Imazu in December part 2

Continued from the previous post

2 Spoonbills, Eurasian and Black-faced, ヘラサギ / クロツラヘラサギ, side by side

Grey Plovers, ダイゼン staying for the winter?

3 from the 4

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ flying by on a sunny Sunday

The yearly American Wigeon, アメリカヒドリ visiting us again

Would it be the same bird as last year? It stays in the same location...

More birds in the lotusfields of Saga

When I found the swans (see previous post) I mentioned the Spoonbills, that were there as well. I hardly paid attention, being so used to seeing them here in Fukuoka. Then I remembered Mr. Brazil's words: They are one of the rarest birds on the globe. Why do we ignore them? So, I trained my bino's on the birds at the back. 

Black-faced Spoonbill, クロツラヘラサギ - one with ringed legs - and Eurasian Spoonbills, ヘラサギ

The time was around 5pm, nearly sunset. A flock of Stilts landed in a nearby field. There were at least 15 birds. Will they all stay this winter?

Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ

The golden hour

Apart from another flock, Lapwings they were, I saw about 40 sleepy Dunlins huddled together.

Dunlin, ハマシギ

5pm - a good time to be here.