Smew, ミコアイサ

  November 30th was a dull day with gray skies and little ambient light. At one of the ponds the Smews looked the same. Dull and gray. 8 Birds

December 2nd was much better. The sunshine and warm air made me drowsy as I sat in the grass waiting for the flock to come a little closer... 12 birds

It's hard to get all 12 in one shot. There is always 1 under water 😆

9 December, still there. The sun as well and it seemed summer was back. How many birds? I forgot to count...

Greater White-fronted Goose, マガン

One Goose is hanging around and we can see it in the field all by itself. But it's shy and soon flies up and some days it doesn't appear at all...

At sunrise

Flying again

Landing gear out

thirsty?

It would be nice if you had some company.

Raptors in the west

Every day around noon the female Hen-Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒdoes her rounds. She flies close to the ground and by the time you notice her she has passed, resulting in many photos of her behind... 😁

Another regular visitor, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ Stopped right in front of me in the early evening

The magnificent Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ who doesn't get upset when you approach him carefully

2 Brown Buzzards. Where are they from?

Eurasian Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

Nice collection for our small birding field

Light-vented Bulbul, シロガシラ and its neighbors

Finally, the Light-vented Bulbul, シロガシラ. There were so many things going on, it nearly landed in the "Forgotten items" box. It is not an easy bird to capture, it took me quite some time. But here it is.

Around the same time, at the same creek: juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron, ゴイサギ

Japanese Bush Warblers, ウグイス are often heard saying ch ch ch, but on sunny days I sometimes hear their song.

Flying across the creek, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ

In the early morning: Common Greenshank, アオアシシギ

The reeds worked nicely for me as a hide and a soft filter

Common Kingfisher, カワセミ as usual at the opposite bank of the creek

Pied Avocet, ソリハシセイタカシギ

Finally, back on the road. Losing my purse with all sorts of cards and my driver's license had me grounded for some time. GRRRR. 😖 Now all has been dealt with or replaced (except for the money of course) so I can go out again. Back to MF

10 Years ago, it was such a novelty when an Avocet was seen. Birders from all over Kyushu gathered to watch the 1 or 2 birds. Now I wonder: who will come to the pond to see this one bird?

On a grey and cloudy day all looks monochrome

The Shovelers, ハシビロガモ have their special way of feeding. 

All bums up and move around, let's go!

It's so funny, I can't stop watching them.