Looking for Wagtails, セキレイ in Imazu on a rainy day.

After reading about the foreign wagtails, I went out to search for them in the west. It was a rainy day; I found none. But... I saw a fox! And it was wagging its tail to me 😉

Japanese fox, キツネ

A big flock of Whimbrels, チュウシャクシギ was crossing the river. When they landed, they blended in with the concrete wall. From a distant, just the bills sticking out above the water could be seen. A closer look produced one different face. An up-turned bill, rather than downwards curved caught my eye.

Can you see it?

There is one Bar-tailed Godwit, オオソリハシシギ

Towards the south, a Grey-faced Buzzard, サシバ was crying out loud. Glad the rain had stopped

Then in the evening at a busy intersection, the noise of many wagtails! Maybe 50 birds. But no foreigners, I think

The one and only Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ in the field, would he be glad　to have the place to himself?

More of Saga on April 18th

After the American guest at Higashiyoka on April 18, we drove to Shiroiashi to check out the lotus fields. Instantly, a long-time wish came true: A male Merlin was sitting on the wire! Last time I saw one was so long ago, I could barely remember it. 

Merlin, コチョウゲンボウ

It was close to a field with lots of Stilts. More than 20 birds. They are doing well, it seems

Black-winged Stilt, セイタカシギ

Next was the Stork family. A parent was flying around, looking for food...

Oriental Stork, コウノトリ

...and landed in a ditch near me. What a close-up!

I backed up the car and had another look.

The birds are clearly used to having people around

At the nest I could see 4 chicks! I hope they will make it to adulthood safely

Back around the old Lotus fields, where the water level was too high for small birds like Stints, but some others were there.

Marsh Sandpipers, コアオアシシギ

Wood Sandpipers, タカブシギ

Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, ウズラシギ

Common Snipe, タシギ

The new-comers were announcing their present in a loud voice, but stayed mostly hidden below. Except for one, that stayed quiet...

Great Reed Warbler, オオヨシキリ

At the far end of one of the fields were about 6 Garganeys, シマアジ

Imazu on the 12th

A surprise visit to Imazu, since we returned early from work-related duties. The weather was cloudy and...a bit dark. No rain yet, but it hung in the air. I fell with my nose in the butter (Dutch saying, look it up). 2 Stints, looking great in the fresh green. 3 or 4 Wood Sandpipers at the same place. And a few bonuses from nearby fields. 

Black-winged Stints, セイタカシギ

Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ

Common Kingfisher, カワセミ

Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ

Meadow Bunting, ホオジロ

Small numbers, but at least... migraters have arrived

Autumn visit to Saga 2

After a coffee break we moved south west to the Lotus fields and ricefields. Not many fields were suitable for waders, but we found a few.

One field held about 7 Ruffs, エリマキシギ male and female.

Nearby was an unkempt Lotusfield with some Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, ウズラシギ

A Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ

Long-toed Stint, ヒバリシギ

Temminck's Stint, オジロトウネン

The Stilts had moved to the lake. Was there no place for them in the fields anymore?

Would the lines that are stretched across the fields and the netting have anything to do with it?

Black-winged Stilts, セイタカシギ

Just before we left, a Goshawk, オオタカ crossed our path.

Lucky!