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…
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.
I don’t usually see them in this light and from this angle…
The sun went behind a cloud so I upped the ISO to 800, a rarity when photographing this species this sunny spring.
I took a lot of shots of these on Sunday…
Black-winged Stilts are pretty variable. I think both the ones at Yakumo were males but one was very well marked with a black head and neck. This one was less well marked but still striking…
This stilt was in a sticky situation…
But it broke free…
There seems to have been an influx of Black-winged Stilts into Hokkaido. I’ve seen them in 3 locations already this spring and I know of several other local sightings. Plus they’ve also been seen further north and south…
There were 2 at Yakumo the other day in beautiful afternoon light.
Heard one of these was in Southport recently!
Not quite so rare in Hokkaido but still a pretty uncommon spring overshoot.
The Black-winged Stilt from 2 days ago was still around and today I could get a better angle to shoot with…
An odd-looking bird!
This Black-winged Stilt was west of town yesterday. Not a great angle (I was looking down from a riverbank) but this species is always worth a second look in Hokkaido.
This Grey-tailed Tattler was feeding in the same area…
