Spring migration 2023

Lately birding has all been about hearing calls and songs, but seeing very little. I often went out and came back without any decent pictures How sad...

In the mountains I heard all the summer birds, but they seemed to stay high up in the canopy. Why? Weren't there enough bugs to eat down below? Even the chicks of Tits stayed up high.

Around Fukuoka I often took walks, mostly in Nishi-ku. Twice I heard the Ruddy Kingfisher, アカショウビン. It was calling in Imazu!

Also in Imazu: A Rufous hawk-cuckoo, ジュウイチ. Calling, calling, calling. I saw it for just 2 or 3 seconds.

Roaming the forests, I listened to Narcissus and Blue-and white flycatchers, Woodpeckers, tits and bulbuls. I frequently heard the Japanese Paradise Flycatchers, but managed to take only 1 so so ok photo. 

There was one big surprise: I saw the Fairy Pitta, ヤイロチョウ Right in front of me! It sat in a tree for just a short moment. I heard it coming and it came straight towards me. I briefly watched it, utterly astonished. It flew before I could point my camera. But it lifted my spirits and the sad feeling of seeing so few birds subsided for a moment.

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, サンコウチョウ

Last year's lucky shot.

Fairy Pitta, ヤイロチョウ

This is the 2nd attempt to post. The first one was disrupted when I heard about the crowd of photographers nearby. Not the same place, but close enough. By now the season is over and I presume this is safe.

June 1st, I went up the mountain to see Eagles with friends. There were many sounds in the forest. The Ruddy Kingfisher was calling frequently and sometimes came very close. It stopped in a tree right in front of us, but nobody could take a picture. Tough luck. However, that changed on the way home, when I heard the call of the Fairy Pitta while driving. Stopping quickly, getting out of the car, hearing the bird closer and closer and suddenly it sat right in front of me. For just a few seconds. I was stunned, I could only watch it at first. Then I realized I had one chance, just one. At 4pm there is litlle ambient light in the mountains, but I got this picture.

And that was it. Over and done with in 3 minutes.

Looking for Pitta

I went to the mountains 3 times in search of the Pitta. The first time I didn't hear anything, I arrived a bit late I guess. The 2nd time was better. I heard the call. In fact, I heard 3 birds.First 1, far away, and later at another location 2, real close! One was only about 20m away from me, calling very loud. Another one answered from also not too far and...  I DIDN'T SEE ANY OF THEM!
These birds are notorious for being secretive and shy. I had heard similar stories. But I felt stupid. And frustrated. All I got was a glimpse of movement.
However, it means that they are there, and probably breeding too. That is great!

Birds I did see included a Common Pheasant, キジ

A number of babies, like this Varied Tit, ヤマガラ

A curious Meadow Bunting, ホオジロ

Lesser Cuckoo, ホトトギス

And one interesting encounter with a　 Cuckoo, カッコウ

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