Western Sandpiper, ヒメハマシギ

I had hoped for an Asian Dowitcher, but got a Westerling instead. The distance was actually too big for my small lens, but I tried anyway. A LIFER, that's why

Western Sandpiper, ヒメハマシギ to the left of the Red-necked Stints

Equally far, Broad-billed Sandpiper, キリアイ

Flying by, Spotted Redshank, ツルシギ

The rest of the time I spent watching the pretty/ugly Turnstones that were running up and down in groups. 10 or 20 birds!

Ruddy Turnstone, キョジウジョウシギ

The tide is rolling in. Time to move in with the Sandpipers and Whimbrels

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ

Autumn visit to Saga 1

On September 7 I got up early and left home around 4am. When I arrived at the mudflats of the Ariake Sea the sun was up, but the birds were still far. The tide was rolling in slowly. Big birds came in my field of vision. Starting with the Spoonbills. 

Black-faced Spoonbill, クロツラヘラサギ

One of the rarest bird species in the world, yet often over-looked by photographers in Kyushu

Curlews, mostly Far Eastern, and Bar-tailed Godwits, ホオロクシギ、オオソリハシシギ

Ready to fly?

Go!

 The シジメンソウ, Suaeda Japonica has extended all along the shoreline and has become rather tall. I could not see any of the small birds behind. When the water is at its highest level, small birds leave the mudflat and come to rest on the shore. Time to have a better look.

Dunlins, ハマシギ

Among them a number of Ruddy Turnstones, キョウジョシギ

Stints and Plovers. トウネン、メダイチドリ、オオメダイチドリ

Several Broadbilled Sandpipers, キリアイ

Among the many Red-necked Stints, トウネン, somebody discovered one Little Stint, ヨーロッパトオネン

When the waterline withdraws, most birds leave. 

That's when we saw the 1 Nordmann's Greenshank, カラフトアオアシシギ -  far away

Thank you for finding it, and your general support, Mr. H!

It was a pleasure meeting you, Dr. Mark Brazil!

Spring migration at Higashiyoka

I went to the tidal flats and got there 2 hours before high tide. The majority of birds were still far frome the shoreline, but soon the waves started to roll in. I observed my first target birds, the Ruddy Turnstones through the binoculars, waiting with pictures until they had come closer. Nevertheless, I took a few shots. Just in case. And that was just as well. About 20 or 30 min before the highest water level all small birds started flying and they flew and flew in tight flocks, sweeping through the sky. It was beautiful. But they didn't come back to stop and land. 

Ruddy Turnstone, キョウジョシギ

Grey Plovers, ダイセン in summer plumage. They look so solemn in their black and white outfits

Dunlins, ハマシギ in front (out of focus)

Just before the big take-off, a flock of Red-necked Stints,トウネン landed right in front of me.

Suddenly, they all started to fly and the mudflats turned quiet. Only the Spoonbills stayed. And some gulls.

Black-faced Spoonbills, クロツラヘラサギ

After a thick half hour, the first birds came back. Curlews, Whimbrels and Godwits

ホウロクシギ、ダイシャクシギ、チュウシャクシギ、オオソリハシシギ

Small birds came later, when the tide was way out. 

Imazu end of April

Every year is different, migrating birds can be early or late or sometimes both. Waders have arrived, but in small numbers. Flycatchers seem early. I wonder how next month will proceed.

Wood Sandpipers, タカブシギ

Marsh Sandpiper, コアオアシシギ

Together

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ

Ruddy Turnstone, キョウジョウシギ

Great Crested Grebe in summer plumage, カンムリカイツブチ　夏羽

A flock of Whimbrels, チュウシャクシギ and a Far-eastern Curlew, ホウロクシギ huddling together at high tide

Ruddy Turnstone, キョウジョシギ

There were at least 3 birds on this day, the 17th. Before I had the chance to find any more the whole lot started flying. Thanx to a zeppelin with a beer commercial 😞😓😩