Midsummer Road Trip 2023 #1

Latham’s Snipe

We took a short 4-day trip around the Sapporo area earlier this week…

I got a half-lifer on the way up as we drove north at night. A Siberian Thrush singing. Unfortunately it was still pitch black so I couldn’t find it…so that will have to wait to make it onto my J-list.

We arrived in the Mukawa area in the early morning and the usual species were present.

Black-browed Reed Warbler

Most interesting birds were a pair of Japanese Crane (presumably with chick) but they were impossible to photograph well due to them being in the long grass as well as the harsh summer light.

Stejneger’s Stonechat

Golden Week 2023 #10

Black-winged Stilt

This bird was at a tidal pool we often go to. The tide was out but the sun was in the wrong place for photos…

Black-winged Stilt

We returned later but the tide had come in and there was no exposed mud anywhere.

Lots of waders scattered around yesterday; in addition to the stilt there were Ruddy Turnstone, Grey Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Grey-tailed tattler, Wood Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit.

Plus a flock of Sanderling.

Sanderling

Up the beach

Eurasian Curlew

The curlew wasn’t the only wader around. There were also Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover and Northern Lapwing. Other stuff on Sunday at Yakumo included my first Barn Swallow of the year, my probable last local White-tailed eagle, lots of Whooper Swan, a lone White-front, lots of Common Gull and a few Glaucous too.

Eurasian Curlew
Eurasian Curlew