A dark pool

Japanese Thrush

We sopped by a well-known forest pool a couple of times recently. Unfortunately we were there in the morning both times when the light is awful.

Still a good place to see some of the shyer forest birds like Japanese Thrush, Grey Bunting and Siberian Blue Robin though…………

Eastern Crowned Warblers were particularly common.

Eastern Crowned Warbler
Eastern Crowned Warbler

Kamchatka Leaf Warbler

Kamchatka Leaf Warbler

Eastern Crowned Warblers are the common phylloscopus breeders in Hokkaido. Another species, Sakhalin Leaf Warbler also breeds but seemingly not in the forests near this pool. This species, Kamchatka Leaf Warbler, is a common passage migrant in late May/early June. It is part of the Arctic Warbler complex that was recently split into 3 species.

Not many visit the pool, just the few passage migrants that happen to be passing through that part of the forest I suppose.

Kamchatka Leaf Warbler

Japanese Thrush

Japanese Thrush

A male Japanese Thrush at a well-known forest pool near Tomakomai. This is a common summer visitor but is a shy forest dweller and is generally difficult to photograph. The male put in 2 appearances as did the female but even at the pool they are jumpy and don’t stick around for long.

Japanese Thrush