Greater Painted-snipes, タマシギ

 I was told they hardly ever came out of hiding. I had just missed a chance. But with little else to do I walked around and... Got lucky. The male followed the lady wherever she went. So, I could see them together most of the time. When a worker came to cut the grass, the game was over.

Greater Painted-snipes, タマシギ

However, a few hours later I stopped by and found them at another field. Is this another pair?

There were 2 Grey-headed Lapwings, ケリ as well. 

I didn't notice any chicks here.

There were many other birds. Shrikes, Starlings, all with fledglings following them around.

See the next post

The following day

The typhoon that brought the waders has moved on, and so have most birds. I had to look real hard to find these. But then, that is part of the fun!

2 big Ruffs, エリマキシギ  about the same size, so I guess they are both young males

One of the few Stints left in the original field.

Red-necked Stint, トウネン

Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ A lucky encounter

Now this is a different story. 2 Far-Eastern Curlews, ホウロクシギ were very active, walking from field to field, preferably on the road (as they usually do). Hard to miss.

The hard part was the 2 shot!

Hey, long time no see! I thought I'd miss you this year.

female Greater Painted Snipe, タマシギ

Watching me, watching you. Oriental Turtle Dove, キジバト

Greater Painted-Snipe, タマシギ and some more

 Going east on a mission, I passed a field where I expected to see Lapwings. When I stopped there, I didn't see any lapwings, but there were 2 Painted Snipes

Male and female of Greater Painted-Snipe, タマシギ at the far end of a rice field. Fortunately, the rice plants were still small.

On the way back I dropped by again, hoping for better light conditions. I could not find the Painted Snipes anymore, but there was a Grey-headed Lapwing, ケリ...

Why are you all by yourself? Don't you have any chicks somewhere?

Young White Wagtails, ハクセキレイ - Fluffy and cute　

Calling loud, but difficult to locate was the Lesser Cuckoo, ホトトギス

Greater Painted-snipe, タマシギ

It was a special day when I saw these pretty birds. 2 Friends joined me in the search, and thanks to them we found them. 

Male and female, the female being the pretty one, the male the caretaker and babysitter - reversed roles

female

male

Grey-headed Lapwing, ケリ

2 Ruddy-breasted Crakes, ヒクイナ

Greater Painted-Snipe, タマシギ

Following a notice about 3 or 4 of these birds I went to check it out on November 5th and found 1 bird in company with many Common Snipes, タシギ.  After watching it for a few minutes a raptor, probably a Falcon flew by. All birds scattered or took off. I didn't see any Painted-Snipes anymore.  What happened to the other birds?

Facing east the morning light was at its worst, but I took some photos anyway.

On to the lake with the Ferruginous Duck, メジロガモ which was at the far end again, but on this sunny day a bit clearer

With a female Pochard, ホシハジロ

Note the bill's shape and white vent. Color of eyes is not visible, but should be brown

A brief visit the following day didn't produce any Painted-Snipes. A single tern flew past the creek once, アジサシ

At the edge of the reeds sat 1 Black-crowned Night Heron, ゴイサギ

Among the usual rubbish