Not often I get to use ISO 100 with the RF 600 f/11 but today was one of those rare days.
Crossbills and redpolls were still around but I couldn’t get any decent shots. The few that were around were a bit jumpy…
End of year stroll
Tag: Great Egret
More winter park birds
The crossbills were too high up but there was also a flock of Hawfinch.
And lots of Nuthatch. These have been unusually common this autumn/early winter. Some are a bit more reddish below, perhaps another subspecies? Who knows…
And on a mild day the ice receded and this Great Egret was fishing for tiddlers.
But not there today
I looked for the White-winged Crossbill from yesterday but couldn’t find it. Very dark and cold too…
The Common Crossbills were still around.
And this one was in a flock in the tiny park near my apartment.
Monday on the river
Crossbills aren’t the only birds on the pine trees…
3 species of heron about near my apartment including 8 Great Egret.
Also around were Dusky Thrush, Daurian Redstart, Nuthatch, 3 species of tit, Long-tailed Rosefinch, the injured Whooper Swan and 5 species of duck including 4 Goosander.
All 3
All 3 common heron species are in town at the moment…
A failed Spoonbill chase
2 Eurasian Spoonbills were seen at Yakumo so we went for a look. I saw one standing in the middle of the river, went back to the car to get my camera (with 2X T/C attached) but the bird flew off. I snapped the above warbler and then got the portable 600 f/11 and walked around trying to relocate the spoonbill but no joy.
Quite a lot of birds around though…
A lens I struggle with for BIFs.
Other stuff around included Pacific Swift, Mandarin Duck, Garganey, White-fronted Goose, lots of singing Sakhalin Leaf Warblers, Common Cuckoo etc…
But no spoonbill pics.
Spring!
A common sight at this time of year is Great Egrets snaffling tiny fish in the local park…
Very springlike mild weather. Oriental Greenfinch and Eastern Great Tit singing everywhere, lots of Dusky Thrush hopping around. In Kamiiso a couple of days ago I had my first Osprey of the year as well 000’s of Common Gull, 3 species of grebe and various passage duck including Smew and Gadwall.
Way home in the rain
It was raining all the way home…we stopped at a few spots.
Another quiet week
A Great Egret in town a couple of days ago. Several species of duck around including a pair of Common Goldeneye, my first Daurian Redstart of the season but not much else.
The first Steller’s Sea Eagle were at Yakumo last weekend but way too far off for a photo. Still very autumnal, wonder when winter will start?
Back in town
Very autumnal in Hakodate. Some birds around too: 3 Great Egret on the river near my place as well as Brown Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Hawfinch. Lots of common ducks around as well.
And the winter gulls are here…
Another walk on the river…
Some more low-key birding around town…
There were 7 species of duck including a small flock of Pintail and a couple of Shoveler…and the long-staying Whooper Swan too.
And 3 species of heron…
This Slaty-backed Gull had found a salmon-like fish to try and eat. I think its’ a salmon but not sure. I think there are 2 or 3 kinds in Hokkaido.
Back home
I just can’t escape geese: this lone straggling White-front was in parkland atop a cape!
The Ospreys have returned…not great pics it has to be said.
And near my apartment all the snow has gone…
Other birds around on Monday in the Esan area were Glaucous-winged Gull, Harlequin Duck, lots of Brent Goose and a lone White-tailed Eagle.