Ruddy Kingfisher, アカショウビン July 17th

Thanx to my friends, Mr T, Ms M and Mr. Y I had the opportunity to watch the Ruddy Kingfishers at their nesting site. Feeding the chicks (whose faces we couldn't see, though I could hear them ) all day long. The blinds provided excellent shelter, so the birds were not disturbed.

The female was easily recognized, because of the scar on her head. What happened to her?

Others in the same place, Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, サンコウチョウ male...

...and male - bathing in the small stream

Also Narcissus Flycatcher, キビタキ and Asian Stubtail, ヤブサメ (no pic)

What a special day!

Mid May sightings

A collection of wings that flew in the 2nd and 3rd week of May, mostly around Fukuoka.

The Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, サンコウチョウ was calling on May 6th, but I didn't get to see it until the 13th. And only briefly, with no one else around. Too bad, others would have taken buch better pictures...

There was a time when I hardly looked up to yet another one. Now I have to search hard.

Asian Brown Flycatcher, コサメビタキ

Inspecting the housing situation. Mr. and Mrs. Blue Rock Thrush, イソヒヨドリ

A migrator in Nishi-ku but not close by. Black-faced Bunting, シベリアアオジ

The first Narcissus Flycatcher, キビタキ to start nesting in a nearby park.

Japanese Wagtail, セグロセキレイ on a rainy Mayday. Feeding chicks, I reckon.

Up in a tall, tall tree the baby Black Kite,トビ was born.

A curious spectator. Ryukyu Minivet, リュウキュウサンショクイ.

Birds around Fukuoka in July

Not many. as expected. However a few surprises

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, サンコウチョウ

Black Kite baby, トビ

Family of Chinese Bamboo Partridge, コジュケイ

Young birds and Flycatchers

Birds in the woods are early this year.

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, サンコウチョウ

Young Barn Swallows, ツバメ have left the nest already

Oriental Greenfinches, カワラヒワ as well

Long-tailed Tits, エナガ too

Narcissus Flycatchers, キビタキ have established their territory

Some are shy, others not so

Snakes are hunting, looking for frogs and eggs

Tiger Keelback, ヤマカガシ

Chestnut Tiger, アサギマダラ

What is this guy up to? You need a bath!

Oriental Magpie, カササギ

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, サンコウチョウ 3, - BABIES!

 Another day at the usual location and the Sankocho flycatchers were calling out loud. The male in his usual cheerfully challenging way hoi hoi hoi, the female with her throaty keh-keh. And... some more tiny keh keh sounds

My only decent images of the ever so lively, swift and supersonic male.

1 of 2 or 3 chicks. Very shy and fiercely protected by Mum

The following day I tried to locate them and found the whole family high up in the canopy...

where they will probably stay till ETD

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, サンコウチョウ 2

They have been here for a while now and I hear them calling whenever I visit this place. The male calls so loud, I can't stop myself from following him. His challenging voice lures me deep into the woods. Taking photos is very hard, unless they decide to come to the open areas of the park. And that happens - sometimes.