Yellow-browed Warbler, キマユムシクイ

 At the end of February, I found myself with a whole day with no birding plan. Thus, I decided to see if the White-shouldered Starlings were still in the park in K. I knew I took a risk and sure, they didn't show. Too bad, I should have gone earlier. Nevertheless, the park is nice, and during a pleasant walk I found these:

A Yellow-browed Warbler, キマユムシクイ. That's what I was told. I'm not good with warblers, that don't call, so I decided to go with it.

Another Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ They seem easier to capture than other "hitaki's" this year.

Brown-cheeked Rail, クイナ

Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ

Nishi Ojiro, where did you go? We sat in the park, side by side, watching Kikuchan come and go. We became good friends, I was happy. You ate and ate...Too much! It made you sleepy. Me too. Spring arrived and you had to leave. I miss you! 😔

A Centipede, ムカデ that's a big bite!

Spider, クモ next. You'll get fat!

Sleepy now 😴

Good luck! 💓

Saga, end of December

 The jobs are done, I can take a break. Before our yearly wintertrip we dropped by in Saga.

In the park at Higashiyoka: Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ

Common Starling, ホシムクドリ in a flock of White-cheeked

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ mobbing a Crow. 

Among the Rooks, a number of Daurian Jackdaws, コクマルガラス. All dark colored.

On this warm, sunny December day it was barely a surprise to see this pretty butterfly.

Japanese Oakblue, ムラサキシジミ

Autumn 2 - Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ

I went to the city park, just to see what was there and if any birds would pose for me in any of the golden colored trees of autumn. And there was the flycatcher, arguing with a Redstart. It stood its ground well and joined other birds in search of food. It was amicable as well, letting us take lots of photos. 

The ultimate "koyo" experience

It's hard to choose from the many photos I took in just an hour or so. 

The other birds around have their own blog post

Autumn in the park, part 1

The warm autumn weather made it impossible to stay indoors. I postponed my PC jobs for the umptieth time, knowing I'd have to make up for it one day. But I didn't regret it. This post is about a visit to the big park downtown.

In the pond: Black-necked Grebe, ハジロカイツブリ

Its red eyes are jumping at me

The maple trees were sparkling with gold and orange autumn colors. Any bird that came to perch here would be welcome. Like the Japanese Great Tit, シジュウカラ

A lovely surprise: Goldcrests, キｋウイタダキ

Briefly a small flock of Long-tailed Finches, エナガ

And on top of all that: Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ

Pied Avocet, ソリハシセイタカシギ and Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ

While in Saga I stopped at Higashiyoka to see who was there. It was the "wrong" time of the month and there were no people carrying scopes or cameras. However, the 3 Avocets I came to see were there, say it at a fair distance. Among the shelducks and gulls. All the birds in that corner were black and white.

Winterscene: mostly Shelducks and Gulls.

Saunders's Gull, ズグロカモメ

In the park was a very friendly Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ - a female again...

Pretty girl!