July Imazu bird-watching meeting 今津 探鳥会

The meeting of WBSJ was held on the only day it didn't rain during this rainy season. How lucky we were. It was humid and a little hot, but clouds came in at the end of the morning and we didn't suffer too much.

A young Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ awaited us. Was it born this year?

Overlooking the mudflats

Someone seemed to be watching from the other side. A parent?

Before 8am there was a Ruddy -breasted Crake, ヒクイナ

But no sign of kids

The Moorhens, バン were walking up and down the edge of the reeds, at the usual place.

A young bird briefly popped out, but was back into hiding before I could take a shot.

The 2nd encounter this year. (Red?) Fox, キツネ

I love that face!

A washed-out Intermediate Egret, チュウサギ

  Osprey, ミサゴ Cooling off on the other side of the river

Several dragonflies were out. Below a Kofuki Tombo, コフキトンボ

Akasuji Shieldbug, アカスジカメムシ

Caterpillar of Impatiens Hawkmoth, セスジスズメの幼虫

Every year I have to ask the name of the flower. It's シロバナサクラタデ　(Shirobana Sakuratade)

But the buf I know. Small Copper, ベニシジミ

Infestations on the way. Japanese beetle Mamekogane, マメコガネ

Funny looking Triops, カブトエビ swimming on their backs in the rice paddies

Male and female Common Bluetail, アオモンイトトンボ

Between rain showers in the mountains

It was raining some of the time and the forecast was for more to come. However, we have so few days together, that we take any chance to hop on the bus and get away to the places we both love most and to do our things. Not usually together. While Jaap negotiates the trails in a fast pace to reach the summits, I go slow and stay where the birds are. Even in the rain. And when we catch up at the end of the day, we both have stories to tell. And photos to share

Starting off with a butterfly I'd never seen. With some help from the experts, it got a name

ミズイロオナガシジ, Antigius attilia

I found it on my way to meet Kibi.

At our regular meeting point we had a bit of a chat. Did you just take a bath? Your feathers look terrible!

We all have a bad hair day sometimes

Do something about it

A little more

That's better

While doing the rounds I ran into the Pygmy Woodpecker, コゲラ family again

The Jays, カケス stopped by as well

When the rain stopped a few bufs showed up

Hikagecho, ヒカゲチョウ (Lethe sicelis)

Diana Treebrown, クロヒカゲ,（Lethe diana）

What's this hairy fellow going to turn into?

Fighting bugs, ready for a confrontation...

Baby Shrike, モズ doesn't know yet where he is

And the rain started again. Pfff

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, サンコウチョウ

 I went to check up on a few things and heard the call. Not for the first time, but this time I decided to follow up on it. After a short hike I found a curious female, flying around in the darkest part of the woods. I watched from a distance. She came to see me a few times, but the dark and overcast sky made it hard to get any decent photos. A male was following her, but didn't come close. Except for once. It's the end of June, when are you going to build a nest?

Oriental Dollarbird, ブッポウソウ

On June 24th we finally went to see the Dollar birds in Oita. I was worried that I had not understood the directions well, but it turned out ok. It was not too hard to find and even the camping car was no problem. Somehow, we never visited that area. It seems nice, I'd like to go back.

There were 2 birds, obviously a pair. One of them, the male I guess flew around regularly, the female was on the nest it seemed, but briefly made an appearance as well. It was after 4pm, but we had enough light. Lucky