February 17th in Imazu

The Goldeneyes, オオジロガモ had an intruder. A Herring Gull (Vega Gull), セグロカモメ was constantly on top of them, bothering them when they came from a dive down looking for food, landing nearly on top of them.

Common Shelducks, ツクシガモ

At the creek I found Black-crowned Night Heron, ゴイサギ nr 12

With so many Reed Buntings, オオジュリン around this year it's easy to find one at a photogenic spot

A Buzzard, ノスリ flew in and sat on the tree right next to me briefly. I'm sure he or she had it's eyes on one of the Reed Buntings, but didn't get it.

What a raffled tail. Life must be hard on the sometimes

The lucky bird that got away

The Kingfisher, カワセミ at one of it's favorite spots

Around the big waves: Black Scoter, Black-throated Loon, Osprey, more ducks and gulls

Uminonakamichi.
There are some strong waves around the rocks off Shioya. Knowing all about the force of breaking waves I admire the ducks that venture there. This single Scoter seemed quite skilled.

Black Scoter, クロガモ

A few solitairy Loons, facing the same breakers.  Black-throated Loon, オオハム

Diving just before the crash

Out in the far distance: hundreds, maybe thousands of Red-breased Mergansers, ウミアイサ

detail ↓

An Osprey, ミサゴ landing his catch

Herring Gull, セグロカモメ

Black-tailed Gull, ウミネコ left and below,      Slaty-backed Gull, オオセグロカモメ on the right

 There weren't many ducks in the wild bird pond. This trio got my attention. The one in front looks all roughed up. Why? Just wet, or...?  Common Teal, コガモ

Nothern Shovelers, ハシビルガモ doing their thing like going around and around in circles

Recent sightings at the harbor: Gulls, カモメ

So far the Black-tailed Gulls, ウミネコ have enjoyed a private life in the harbor, where it's easy to find food. But now they have to share it and make room for the bigger Vega Gulls, セグロカモメ who have started to come in little by little. I was watching them for a while, when I noticed 2 smaller birds: Black-headed Gulls, ユリカモメ. They have arrived!

Black-tailed Gull, ウミネコ

Vega Gull, セグロカモメ

Black-headed Gulls, ユリカモメ

Daijugarami, May 1st B

A small army of  Black-faced Spoonbills, クロツラヘラサギ  patrolling the coast. 

In front a gull that I think is a common Herring Gull, セグロカモメ but who knows...

The small waders at the water line also showed quite a bit of red.

Red-necked Stints,トウネン in summer plumage

With the incoming tide the water is coming closer and closer

And suddenly they all fly

At the back of the crowd the bigger birds were Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ

Black-tailed Godwit, オグロシギ

Long-billed Dowitcher, オオハシシギ

All 3 of them below

Uzura-chan, my favorite was there, too

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ

Black-faced Spoonbills, クロツラヘラサギ

I didn't move much, so I didn't take any photos of Curlews and Whimbrels 

Maybe next time.

Gulls in a fight

Some weekends, when the fishing has been good the harbor bursts with activities. Sports fishers bring home their catch and often do the cleaning on board. The gulls smell an easy meal and lie in wait.
Then, when the offal gets chucked over the side:

The big Herring Gulls, セグロカモメ have to fight for a piece. One other gull, the Black-headed Gull, ユリカモメ has a keen eye on the action

See that brave little bird on the right!

The fighting is fierce

But this is only for the strongest

Herring Gull, セグロカモメ and Black-headed Gull, ユリカモメ

However, daring closer to the boats he (or she) managed to get some too.