Higashiyoka in March

The weather was good. A little windy, but mostly sunny. The high tide midmorning was not as high as expected, but the sightings were interesting.

3 Long-billed Dowitchers, オオハシシギ

Common Ringed Plover, ハジロコチドリ

Eurasian Oystercatchers, ミヤコドリ

A flagged Dunlin, ハマシギ Too far for my lens to read a number. Maybe someone else...

One of several Bar-tailed Godwits, オオソリハシシギ  (in front)

I missed the Black-tailed Godwit this time, though I heard it was seen.

Lined up with the 2 Curlew species. Eurasian, ダイシャクシギ in the middle, Far Eastern, ホウロクシギ at the back

Far Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ. There were 2 birds, maybe 4

Some of the gulls had a striking white head, Mongolian Gull, モンゴルセグロカモメ?

The flock of Eurasian Curlews, ダイシャクシギ

Just when I was leaving, I saw this vaguely shaped bird on a steel buoy way out. When I recognized it I hurried back for a closer look, but it was still so far!

Short-eared Owl, コミミズク at sea!

Ito 1: Gulls

Outside the bay is a place where gulls come to rest. There were not as many as other years. However, having a teacher with me was good. We could see 1 Mongolian

Mongolian Gull, モンゴルセグロカモメ in the center

Temminck's Cormorants, ウミウ

A few days later I went back to see what I could find on my own among the juveniles. This young bird is a 1st winter Vega Gull, セグロカモメ 

The one below looked different. A Mongolian 2nd winter maybe, モンゴルセグロカモメ

Usually around, inspecting strangers and singing its beautiful song, Blue Rock Thrush, イソヒヨドリ  male

Saga, at the northern tip of the Ariake Sea 3

A fair number (over 50) of curlews were on the move. They headed for shallow waters in tune with the incoming tide

Eurasian Curlew, ダイシャクシギ

White under the wings and lower belly

Some Far Eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ appeared as well. 

More brown and streaked under wings

In the gull department we saw some different birds among the Vega's. 

Below a Taimyr Gull, タイミルセグロカモメ on the right with bright orange-yellowish legs.

And a Mongolian Gull, モンゴルセグロカモメ. More fleshy colored legs and brown spots on upper and lower bill.

Thanx to Mr H. for helping me with the identification.

Last in the far far distance the fat shape of a Long-billed Dowitcher, オオハシシギ