Kuju mid November

 Not the right time for winter, nor summer birds. But some Thrushes were there. Mostly Eyebrowed, and a few Flycatchers. 

Eyebrowed Thrush, マミチャジナイ - again

female Mugimaki Flycatcher, ムギマキ?

Fungi

Japanese Gentian, リンドウ

Fruit of Skimmia japonica, ツルシキミ

Mugimaki and some more

The Mugumaki's came late this year. I missed my chance 😆The only one I got to see was this female. I waited at the right tree, but only saw 1 Elegant Bunting. When I decided to aim for those further afield they'd all moved on, but 1 female Mugimaki came to the maple tree... 😂

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

female Mugimaki Flycatcher, ムギマキ

female Elegant Bunting, ミヤマホオジロ

Eyebrowed Thrush, マミチャジナイ

Little surprise: Goldcrest, キクイタダキ

Same place earlier in the month: Brambling, アトリ

Ryukyu Minivet, リュウキュウサンショウクイ

Mugimaki Flycatcher, ムギマキ

April 27th in the park. Probably my worst bird photo session ever. Feeling totally unfit and completely under the weather. I could not do any better than this. But anyway, the bird was seen. Mugimaki Flycatcher, ムギマキ

A Blue-and-white Flycatcher, XXX as well

Giving up at the and of the morning, going to work with a soar neck and a head-ache. OUCH!!

Mugimaki Flycatcher, ムギマキ

Every year I look forward to look for the birds, but every year it seems to be a struggle. This year started off wel with a beautiful male resting in one of the Karasu Sansho trees, after that there was nothing for a while. Was the wind too strong? The peppers too dry?

When finally some birds arrived the light had become so harsh

Taking photos is getting harder and harder, but I enjoy watching them

Also at the same tree: Blue-and-white Flycatcher, オオルリ

Narcissus Flycatcher, キビタキ

Mugimaki Flycatchers, ムギマキ

On November 3rd I went to check out the trees around Sawara with their favorite berries. At one place  I saw 3 females fluttering under the canopy. One bird that looked like a young male flew in briefly. It was late in the afternoon and I had to go home. When I returned the next day with lots of expectations I found nearly no birds. A raptor was calling somewhere. Disappointed.

2 of the 3 females

young male?

The following day:

At the same place