Higashiyoka Tidal flats part 1: Spoonbills, Avocet.

December 6, the day after spring tide. Since high tide was around 11am I could sleep in a bit and didn't need to hurry to get there in time. After a 2nd cup of coffee I wandered down the slope of the sea wall and immediately got overwhelmed by the sound of 1000s of shorebirds. 

The weather was clear. Sunny and warm. The sunlight a bit too strong for the camera, There was a big flock of Spoonbills, I counted about 60 on one side of the area. Another group was further west. I can see the Black-faced Spoonbills every day in winter in Fukuoka, but not often this close in big numbers. 

Black-faced Spoonbill, クロツラヘラサギ

Eurasian Spoonbill, ヘラサギ  juvenile

 I was so busy watching them, I nearly missed the Avocets

Pied Avocet, ソリハシセイタカシギ　 8 adults and 1 juvenile

Spotted Redshank, ツルシギ

To be continued

A different duck

It was raining when I walked in the park. From the back of the pond came a white-ish colored duck hurrying toward me. Wow, so cute!

Hurry hurry, wait for me!

Not shy at all, it let me take some close-ups...

... but it seems to expect a reward...

Not really white, but a pretty soft beige color in front. The bill has a pale blue-reddish tint,

Overall it looks like a Common Pchard. Would it be a female? It doesn't have that high-domed crown of the male.

I want to see it again when the weather clears

Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ in Imazu area

The annual winter visitor in Imazu, also this year. The light was not favourable for me in the direction of the bird. It was hard to get reasonable images. I hope to do better one day

This season we see so many geese. On the 4th of December there were 7 Tundra Bean Geese, ヒシクイ in the fields of Taromaru

Every now and then a Baikal Teal, トモエガモ shows up between the regulars at "nakashima"

Short-eared Owl, コミミズク

During the meeting of WBSJ an unusual bird flew right over our heads at 9:30 am.

Short-eared Owl, コミミズク

In the reeds, among several other Buntings (Reed Buntings, Meadow Buntings): Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ

and a Bunting, probably Black-faced Bunting, アオジ

Earlier at the island in the river: 1 male Baikal Teal,トモエガモ

The start of December

 The last month of the year, Christmas is in the air already. The temperatures went down, the wind picked up and birds are active. Me too, just to stay warm.

More geese have come, 7 Bean Geese, maybe all Taiga Bean Geese, オオヒシクイ

Geese are grazing birds, they eat leafs, roots, shoots. What do these ones like most? 

Both falcons ハヤブサ were on the hunt. 1 Caught a white dove, 白い鳩 - only to loose it again when the crows got to him. 

The other one was having a late lunch of probably a Water Rail, クイナ

A Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ hiding in a paddy field

More Geese, ガン on the move. I think we are in for a cold winter!