Migrating birds expedition

Like most years I drove south to this place where migrating birds stop for a short break on their way to their breeding grounds. I was a bit later than usual and didn't know what to expect. Early in the morning a flock of Cattle Egrets, アマサギ hung around for a while, before continuing north. Among them were some Intermediate Egrets, チュウサギ in summer feathers. Clouds covered the sky and few other birds were heard.

A bunch of Snipes came out of the reeds every now and then. Other birders were discussing their origin, thinking they might be Pintails. Or Swinhoe's. Who knows... I go for the latter.

Swinhoe's Snipe, チュウジシギ

One Grey-tailed Tattler, キアシシギ was roaming in the river

Imazu

 Birds seem to come and go fast. Some of what I saw in the brief moments they and I where there:

7 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, ウズラシギ

Which Snipe would this be? Swinhoe's? チュウジシギ?

Even though it was sunny, the colors are lacking. Close to the creek with Sandpipers was a flower field. 

I long for colors!!

April 6 around Imazu

The first Sunday in April, WBSJ day. We walked, talked and counted. There were not many surprises. The highlight was the Stonechat. 

On the mudflats, we saw 1 Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ

The American Wigeon, アメリカヒドリ with his black head was still there

In the afternoon a few waders flew in. Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ

A Hawk landed in the mess of lotus stalks with what? A Snipe?

Female Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ

Some of the White Wagtails seemed different. The big apron reaching up to the chin.

Taiwan or East Siberian White Wagtail, M.a.ocularis？

Buff-bellied Pipit, タヒバリ all by itself

Last bird of the afternoon, Swinhoe's Snipe, チュウジシギ

Imazu on April 30th part 1

The rain had stopped. It brought 50+ Wood Sandpipers, タカブシギ to the fields. I haven't seen this many for quite some years! 

Among them were Red-necked Stints, トウネン 3 birds

Long-toed Stints, ヒバリシギ 2 birds

The day before there was a Snipe, ジシギ maybe Swinhoe's Snipe, チュウジシギ

Some Cattle Egrets, アマサギ had arrived as well. They were still all white.

to be continued

Follow up at Imazu

 Sunday May 9th, I had just a couple of hours, so I headed to the mudflats of the Zuibaiji River. There were no big surprises this time, though I was pointed to a Curlew Sandpiper, サルハマシギ that I saw clearly through a digi scope, but could not find ever since :-( Too bad. But the other waders made up for that.

About 70 or 80 Dunlins, ハマシギ are still there, looking handsome in their summer feathers, though I keep on remembering the day I thought they all had rested in an oil field, causing their bellies to be so dirty.

Below with a Grey-tailed Tattler, キアシシギ

The Tattler again

Red-necked Stints, トウネン were there as well, 8 birds at least

1 Broad-billed Sandpiper, キリアイ. Happy to see it here!

All together now

Further out a couple of Eurasian Curlews, ダイシャクシギ

Look at this one. How far can he turn his neck?

A snipe at the lotus field. Common Snipe, タシギ? Maybe not, maybe Swinhoe's. チュウジシギ He stayed in the water as long as I was there, which is something the Common do however...

Another favorite: Long-toed Stint, ヒバリシギ

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, ウズラシギ

Little Ringed Plover, コチドリ....

...showing his big chest in display

The weather was fine, but rain is on its way. I wonder who will fly in next.