A 7 raptor day

 It can happen that you see 7 different raptors in Fukuoka on one day. I didn't go looking for them and I have no images to proof it. In the morning during the Kanatake walk the 8 of us saw Eastern Buzzard (3), 1 Eurasian Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Eurasian Kestral and several Black Kites. In the afternoon I stopped by Imazu and saw several Ospreys as well as the female Hen Harrier. The only one who's photo is worth publishing ;-)

Female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ

Short-eared Owl, コミミズク

 The people who attended the WBSJ meeting in Imazu were in for a treat. At mid-morning a Short-eared Owl flew right in front of everybody and landed on a pole so we could have a good look. Lucky!

Short-eared Owl, コミミズク

Ears up!

It was soon chased off by a Kestrel

Other birds that were reported were Black-crowned Night Herons, ゴイサギ

and Bull-headed Shrikes, モズ with something that he pried off the branch with force.

Do Caterpillars have glue on their feet?

Numerous Kentish Plovers, シロチドリ were running up and down the mudflats. Boy, can they run!

There was a bright white pigeon sitting on top of a roof. It looked stunning, but I don't think it was a Barbary Dove, the white bird used in ceremonies.

A Ztting Cisticola, セッカ enjoying a bit of sunshine.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, ハイタカ

 First thing a saw when I arrived in Imazu. It stayed in the tree for about 15min, flew to the field were it was for another 20 min. I'd never seen one this close for such an extended period of time.

I'm not good with genders, but I think it was a young female.

Lesser White-fronted Goose, カリガネ

All by itself, it seems to be moving around a lot. Looking for company? Where will it go next?

Not really happy among the Wigeons, ヒドリガモ? It left after a few minutes.

Common Starling, ホシムクドリ 1 of just 2 birds. Will we get some more this winter?

Northern Lapwing, タゲリ

In the Netherlands, when someone walks steady and fast we say he "loopt als een kievit", which translates to "walks like a lapwing"

Hooray for Japanese cabbages. They taste the best!

In the park, Siskins, マヒワ and a Kingfisher, カワセミ

  The city parks are full with birds. Siskins have hit the town it seems. First the resident Kingfisher

Common Kongfisher, カワセミ

Ever so popular with photographers overloading the internet with their images. I tend to walk away from such a scene. But this day it was a lot of fun!

Siskin, マヒワ

Winter birds 1

It is still warm, but walking around Imazu I can feel the winter. Birds are on the move

Amur White Wagtail, ホオジロハクセキレイ

female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ

Common Kingfisher, カワセミ

Penduline Tits, ツリスガラ

Black-crowned Night Heron, ゴイサギ

There were just 2 adult birds visable in the beginning of November.

Later the juveniles appeared as well. I think there are around 8 birds at the moment.

Winter birds 2

Around Taromaru: A big flock of Bramblings, アトリ

A Kestrel チョウゲンボウ　on the look-out, watching the Bramblings. She launched an attack at the flock, but didn't catch anything...

The first Northern Lapwings, タゲリ

Several Chestnut-eared Buntings, ホオアカ could be seen achi kochi

3 Eurasian Spoonbills, ヘラサギ in a field way west of the mudflats. Have they just arrived? Not sure where to go yet?

Rustic Bunting, カシラダカ

Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ