A couple of cape Buntings

Siberian Meadow Bunting

Both these Bunting species are summer visitors to Hokkaido. They occur in many habitats but both can often be found together on local capes and headlands.

Chestnut-eared Bunting

These were on a cape on the west coast today. Other stuff around included Osprey, Peregrine, lots of Rhinoceros Auklet offshore, Blue Rock Thrush, Oriental Reed Warbler and 3 species of Cuckoo calling including several Lesser Cuckoo.

North Hokkaido 2019 #3

Chestnut-eared Bunting

On the other side of Mombetsu are 2 lakes: Komuke and Shibunotsunai. The former held 5 Japanese Crane and the latter had about 100 Greater Scaup. The narrow strips of land between these 2 lakes and the sea is very good for birding. White-tailed Eagle, Hobby, Japanese Green Pigeon, Eastern Marsh Harrier and many passerine species were present.

The above Chestnut-eared Bunting was there and was the only one seen on the trip: they seem far less numerous than down near Hakodate.