A grey Monday in October

Common Kingfisher

A quiet day at Yakumo with a few slightly interesting species: 6 species of gull including Black-legged Kittiwake and Glaucous-winged Gull, several skuas way offshore (Pomarine I think), Great Egret, lots of Pintail and Wigeon, Stejneger’s Scoter………….

Among the gulls were lots of Vega Gull: a common passage migrant in Hokkaido.

Vega Gull

The Kingfishers posed for the camera………………

Common Kingfisher

At Onuma there was a big flock of swans in one corner of the lake but I couldn’t get a clear view from the car: they were probably Bewick’s on their way south.

A long one

Common Kingfisher

This Kingfisher at Yakumo caught an odd-looking fish.

Common Kingfisher

It took it a couple of minutes to swallow it………….

Common Kingfisher

It was a dark, wet humid day. The wader passage has started at least: 1 Mongolian Plover, 1 Kentish Plover, 6 Grey-tailed Tattler, 2 Terek Sandpiper and 2 Red-necked Stint. The first Black-headed Gulls are passing through too.

The second half begins

Common Kingfisher

July begins………….and another dark overcast Sunday.

Common Kingfisher

July is generally the worst birding month in south Hokkaido. Most stuff is still singing at least. These Kingfishers were the only notable shots from today. 2 Oystercatcher were in Kamiiso a couple of days ago. The terns were no longer at Yakumo but the Ospreys were diving and a few intersting species were around at various locales: Japanese Green Pigeon, Sand Martin, Japanese Grosbeak and the usual common stuff.

Common Kingfisher

Back after a break

Common Kingfisher

Haven’t done much birding or photography recently. The above Kingfisher was at Yakumo this morning.

The last couple of weeks were pretty quiet. Rustic Buntings and Black-crowned Night Heron on the river near my apartment, Glaucous-winged, Vega and Black-headed Gulls at Kamiiso as well as a variety of returning duck species.

Last week we went up to Shikotsuko but nasty weather meant no decent photos. The first Glaucous Gull and White-fronted Goose of the season at Yakumo on the way back were the only noteworthy species of the trip………