Goldcrest, キクイタダキ special

It was a once in a lifetime experience. The male Goldcrest came to rest right in front of us, lifted its top feathers and showed the bright orange part on its head. Then he stayed there, looked around and... did it again!

Male Goldcrest, キクイタダキ

I followed them for a while and could catch its best moments in the lower pine trees. Most were females

Mushi! Caught an insect in the Pine

Brown Dipper, カワカラス and some more

It was still reasonably warm when I went to the river and dampark where the Crested Kingfishers live. I waited, but they didn't come. I entertained myself with the Goldcrests, キクイタダキ for a while.

Then I started following the Brown Dippers, カワカラス

There were 2 birds feeding in the fast flowing water

It amazed me how comfortable they seemed to feel in the water. It must be so cold!

It's nearly time for these two to start nesting. Are they a pair?

Autumn in the park, part 1

The warm autumn weather made it impossible to stay indoors. I postponed my PC jobs for the umptieth time, knowing I'd have to make up for it one day. But I didn't regret it. This post is about a visit to the big park downtown.

In the pond: Black-necked Grebe, ハジロカイツブリ

Its red eyes are jumping at me

The maple trees were sparkling with gold and orange autumn colors. Any bird that came to perch here would be welcome. Like the Japanese Great Tit, シジュウカラ

A lovely surprise: Goldcrests, キｋウイタダキ

Briefly a small flock of Long-tailed Finches, エナガ

And on top of all that: Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ

Mt. Kuju, after a long time

The heat of the summer has long passed. We hadn't made it back here since then. This place seems to be my second home, and I feel the need to report on it. End of November. There was not much, However, one thing surprised me. A Goldcrest in the trees above 800m elevation. Maybe it's not rare, but I had never seen one here.

Goldcrest, キクイタダキ Not a pretty picture, just reporting

Even when there are few birds to see, we can always rely on a Nuthatch, ゴジュウカラ

Thrushes, Grossbeaks, Bramblings and Finches were heard from the top of the canopy. A White-backed Woodpecker flew by. One Dusky Thrush, ツグミ landed briefly in front of me.

So did a Brambling, アトリ

Autumn colors had faded, but there were pretty red and purple berries 

Many moths were fluttering low to the ground. All a dull kind of beige

One looked slightly different

There were no beetles, nor butterflies around the sap trees. But an amazing number of killer bees!

Giant Hornets, オオスズメバチ

Birds in the park

With this mirrorless camera details come out so clear and the surroundings often becomes too pronounced. Occasionally that's interesting, like with the Cedar branches below

Goldcrest, キクイタダキ

Tits. ヤマガラ, シジュウカラ　

Oronoshima

The planned 3 days' stay didn't happen. I wasn't surprised. In the city the weather might seem calm, but out there it's a different story. On the 3rd and last day I could finally take the morning ferry, and run to work. Then after lunch I had to run back to the harbor to make it in time for the returning ferry. Hilarious! It's a wonder I managed to take any photos for this post. Birds were everywhere! In the morning a big flock of birds of various sizes was swooping around the west side of the island. Raptors were following in pursuit. Hawks, Falcons, at least 1 Hen Harrier. At midday the small birds were hiding and I heard them from the undergrowth beside the road. Some sneeked out:

Brambling, アトリ male

female

Elegant, or Yellow-throated Bunting, ミヤマホオジロ

Goldcrest, キクイタダキ

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ

Falcon, but which? Peregrine? Amur? Hobby?

Adult male Peregrine says Mr. H. ハヤブサ

In the harbor, a Lark-type bird was perched on the dock. I ran, thinking it might be something special. 

But I think it's just an ordinary Eurasian Skylark, ヒバリ

One of many Daurian Redstarts, ジョウビタキ. A male with a bad foot. Good luck, buddy!

At sea, through the window, Brown Booby, カツオドリ

There were 2 or 3 birds, near the entrance of the bay