Red-breasted Flycatcher, ニシオジロビタキ ♂

December 5th, already 2 weeks in the park, will I be in time to see it? Will it stay for a few more weeks? The morning was nerve-wrecking with the bird flying in the distance, but not coming close. Later in the afternoon a few tits stopped by and then he appeared. Just a few times and often behind branches, but I got some results.

At the same place, same day: Ryukyu Ashy Minivet, リュウキュウサンショウクイ

Carrion Crow, ハシボソガラス

今津探鳥会 December 2nd

The weather was very nice. This could very well have been the last warm and sunny day of the year. Better enjoy it! The first pleasant encounter was a Nightheron at one of the lakes. Later we saw 2 more flying nearby

juvenile Black-crowned Nightheron, ゴイサギ

At the mudflat the Spoonbills were seen parading to the feeding spot...

 ...where they got into a frenzy with the Japanese Cormorants, ウミウ

Eurasian Spoonbills, ヘラサギ

Keeping us company at the observation corner: female Daurian Redstart, ジョウビタキ

One female Baikal Teal, トモエガモ among the Mallards, マガモ Thank you Mr K for spotting it!

After the meeting the sun disappeared and raptors became active

Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ in front of Motooka el. school

At the other side of the mudflats, near the entrance to Hakata Bay were 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, ウミアイサ

And in the distance a Goldeneye, ホオジロガモ

Last minute stop at Taromaro to see the pipits - yes, they are still there.

Red-throated Pipit, ムネアカタヒバリ

Autumn bird update 2

The weather is good. Cool and sunny Good for a walk around the fields. Autumn colors are making place for winter-grey and -beige. Buntings are flying in small groups, Finches in big flocks. There are still insects, seeds, enough for them to eat. Farmers are working their lands, cutting and burning the weeds, turning up soil, bringing out the goodies

Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホアカ

Raptors frequent the fields for their share. Birds fly and hide, but not all

female Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

The ditches are popular with wagtails, snipes, winter waders

Just a concrete ditch, but supplying food for 5 different birds. (1 White Wagtail flew up) 

Pushing the f-stop to the limits, trying to get all of them in there. Wasn't too happy with it, so did some stacking to get the right idea (Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Japanese Wagtail, Common Snipe)

below the Common Greenshank, アオアシシギ with his catch of the day

Many ducks have gathered in the river. Picking out the Northern Pintail, オナガガモ but too far for a close-up. I will have to post a 'duck special' some day.

1 single Shelduck, ツクシガモ on the mudflat

I'm sitting in the sun, enjoying the last warm rays of the year. Feeding right in front of me are 20+ Dunlins, ハマシギ  They lost their summer feathers completely. It makes me sad and happy at the same time.

Northern Lapwings, タゲリ suddenly got frightened. What's up there? Another raptor probably. I'm too lazy to get up and look.

Common Sandpiper, イソシギ not too scared of me.

The Thrushes have arrived as well. Just a few still.

Dusky Thrush, ツグミ The first one of the season.

Towards the end of the day the spoonbills like to gather inone of the lakes. 

Black-faced and Eurasian Spoonbills, クロツラヘラサギ,  ヘラサギ side by side. They seem to get along alright, though this place is really preferred by the Eurasians.

Time to go home. And that's when I found the owl... 

Long-eared Owl, トラフズク

They come to our part of the country in autumn, but we don't get to see them every year.
This time I was lucky!