Very dark and grey this July. So far at least. Not much west of town today: a lot of Osprey, a few stray ducks stuck here for summer, Pacific Swift and the above Blue Rock Thrush, one of many individuals west of hakodate.
Grey July
Category: Shiriuchi
Blue Rock Thrush
A male Blue Rock Thrush to the west of town yesterday. Summer is starting and just the breeders remain now. Other noteworthy species around included Kentish Plover and a few Rhinoceros Auklet close inshore chasing the sardines. Not quite close enough for any decent photos although one did pop very briefly nearby the port.
Otherwise just the regular summer stuff around: Reed and Chestnut-eared Buntings, Oriental Reed Warblers and lots of Siberian Stonechats.
Back after a break
I just got back to Japan sfter a break in the UK with a short stop off in Hong Kong.
Yesterday we took a short drive out west. There were several flocks of Brent Goose on the coast as well as large numbers of Common Gull and various duck species including Wigeon, Scaup, Red-breasted Merganser and Harlequin Duck. Also around were Slavonian and Great-crested Grebes as well as some stuff that had arrived whilst I was away like Barn Swallow, Asian House Martin and Bullheaded Shrike.