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Now that Obon (Japanese religious festival, a bit like our X-mas) is behind us and all that TV business over and done with the days seem empty. Today's sailing schedule was postponed... again... So much rain, no interesting birds... 

Fortunately a Kingfisher came to rest on a mooring line not far from Alishan. Probably disturbed at his usual hang-out by the Tamori-cup boating parade. He made me feel good.

2 Common Sandpipers were there as well.

A short stop at Imazu revealed small number of waders:  Long-toed Stint, ヒバリシギ

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper,　ウズラシギ

When this beautiful morning sky drew me to the seaside park...

...I noticed something odd:

An albino Tree Sparrow? That's what it seems.　スズメ　(passer montanus)

Too conspicious!

Brown Hawk Owl, アオバズク, more families.

I can't get enough of these funny little owl babies!
There are a few more breeding sites in northern Kyushu and when the chicks leave the nest, we get a chance to watch them during the day. The little ones sit patiently, watching the world with great curiosity on their first day out. Every now and then they stretch their wings, eager to practise and explore. At night they will fly and catch their first cicadas. And after a few days they'll be gone. But for now here they are, all so very cute and adorable.

The following group Mum (left) and 2 chicks were most entertaining. Watch this:

Winner of the cutie pie contest!

The following family, 2 parents on the outside, 2 chicks in the middle took it very easy. While the youngsters watched their surroundings, the adults slept mostly, keeping one eye open.

Below we have another mother on the right, 3 babies on the left. Just out of the nest. Father??? Somewhere nearby I think. He'd stayed out of sight during most of the previous 2 weeks, probably watching from a secret hideout. After dusk he'd show up to help with the feeding.

They seemed a bit disturbed by my presence. Better leave them at peace.
See you next year.

Oriental Stork, コウノトリ

In Europe it's not unusual to see storks, nesting on high poles or just strolling around in a paddock. 

Sometimes they march through the fields like an army! (CLICK)

Here people drive for hours to see just 1 - or 2. But then, ours are Oriental.... Thus, one VERY rainy day I went across the mountains to the bean fields in Saga, our neighboring prefecture.

Soaking wet... Stork nr 1

And below nr 2.

Both ringed, the bird on the left seems a bit younger.

 

Surprising a Grey Heron, who thought he was the tallest in the field.

Big Brother

Left ok, Right ok, GO

  

A rainy day in August.

It's raining all day long and the world looks dark and wet. I should do something about that mountain of laundry, but I'm bad...
There were a number of waders around Imazu, Grey-tailed Tattler, Terek Sandpiper, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Dunlin and one Long-toed Stint.
And a snipe. Latham's I think.

Red-necked Stint, トウネン

 

Wood Sandpiper, タカブシギ

Terek Sandpiper, ソリハシシギ

Latham’s Snipe, オジシギ