Around the Lotus fields

After visiting the mudflats of Higashiyoka we went to check the fields in Shiroishi. 7 Stilts were feeding in a waterlogged field, while people were working there. It was surprising to see how close they got to 2 of the women. Maybe it was because their bodies were partly submerged and thus didn't seem big and threatening to the birds.

Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

The male Northern Shovelers, ハシビロガモ look stunning in their spring-time outfits

Again, 2 Ospreys, ミサゴ at the same location as before. I suppose they are a pair. Where would they build their nest?

Common Reed Bunting, オオジュリン. Will I ever see your black head?

Oriental Turtle Doves, キジバト resting in the low sunlight

The Stork nest was in use. Just 1 parent's head stuck out above the rim. Better not come close.

I'm looking forward to the results!

Lotus fields in Saga, 1

I didn't expect any waders here yet, so I was quite surprised to find these Stints. But I wonder, how long have they been here? And if they had just arrived, then where from?

Temminck's Stint, オジロトウネン

The raptors were wel represented.

Eurasian Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ

Osprey, ミサゴ

to be continued

Some odd bits and pieces 3

I only point my camera at Ospreys when there is really nothing else. This time I was in for a surprise!

A double banger!

The fields and the river

The weather is so nice now. Walking around the West has never been so pleasant. We surely deserve this after that unbearable summer. But the migrating birds and the wintering ducks that are slowly coming in tell me it won't last... 

Juvenile Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ 

New ducks! October 11th: Northern Pintail, オナガガモ

Tufted Duck, キンクロハジロ

Common Pochard, ホシハジロ (in the back)

One of the regular Ospreys, ミサゴ

Siberian Sand Plovers, メダイチドリ

The Stonechats, ノビタキ show up a bit more now, but birds in flight is still a challenge!

Also youngsters I think, a family gathering of Oriental Magpies, カササギ

Imazu April 21st

 After the visit of the Black-winged Stilts, there was a bit of a gap in Imazu's updates. I spend more quality birding time in the parks, looking for colorful flycatchers and the like. But I did come here on the 21st of April and, though it was a grey and bleak day, This is what I saw:

Some of the Garganeys, シマアジ were still at the pond in the west

At the mudflats some Whimbrels, チュウシャクシギ had arrived

1 Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ among them

The Godwit and a Far-Eastern Curlew, ホオロクシギ

The only bit of color in this grey world, the legs of Terek Sandpipers, ソリハシシギ

Osprey, ミサゴ

Day trip to the North-east

Looking for Loons and the like I headed out to S-Island. There was a flock of some sort way out towards A-Island. Too far to id anything. In one of the parks, a Wagtail got my attention.

Amur White Wagtail,  ホオジロハクセキレイ  (Motacilla alba leucopsis)

The Osprey couple were at their nest.　ミサゴ

 The only image of the Loons, オオハム  that is worth the blog post

On the way back: Oystercatchers at low tide. ミヤコドリ

Morning light would have been better...