One of the most noticeable birds in late winter/early spring is Black Scoter. There are loads on the sea at this time of year and their eerie calls are very atmospheric. Sometimes they visit the local ports, like this male above.
Black Scoter
Month: March 2019
Dunlins in the sunshine
The flock of Dunlins in Oshamanbe were enjoying the spring sunshine…………..
Some were on the beach, some in the port…………
Dusky Thrush
A Dusky Thrush near my apartment yesterday. Not many birds in town at all: Wren, Eastern Great Tit, Common Teal…………….only. In Kamiiso there were the usual common winter species with the addition of a couple of Smew. In the sky there were several groups of geese flying north. Bean Goose and White-fronted Goose, nothing rarer. At Onuma there were 3 White-tailed Eagles and a few Pintail in among the duck flock.
Still there……….
The adult Steller’s Sea Eagle was still at Esan on Monday but it didn’t co-operate for any photos. The above subadult flew over, a different individual maybe passing through on its way north. The White-tailed Eagle below was one of at least 6 in the area…………
This surely must be my last eagle post of the winter……………
Another resident
Small birds have been very few and far between this winter. Just the resident species like this Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker on the cape at Esan.
On the move
White-tailed Eagles were everywhere this weekend, some of them presimably just passing through on their way north. This one was at the cape in Esan.
Great Spotted Woodpecker
A Great Spotted Woodpecker on the cape near Esan this afternoon……………..
Capeside
The cape near Esan is now snow free. Which meant it was easy to see this Peregrine…………….
More roadside Eagles
Now is the season for finding Eagles all over the place as they head north. These 2 White-tailed Eagles and the Steller’s below were all sitting around next to the river in the middle of Oshamanbe.
Milky White
Thanks to Mike Kilburn for explaining to me the meaning of the word ‘Glaucous’……
Some waterbirds
I was in Oshamanbe on Sunday in very mild spring (!) weather. We were looking for Long-tailed Ducks or the 2 Scoter species but they were well offshore. The above Black-throated Diver came a bit closer. There were also several Black-necked Grebes and this lone Great-crested Grebe.
