Tag: Stejneger's Stonechat

Midsummer Road Trip 2023 #1

by Stuart Price, posted in Mukawa, Shorebirds
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

2022 Summer Road Trip #4

by Stuart Price, posted in North Hokkaido
Stejneger’s Stonechat

It was our first visit to the grasslands of North Hokkaido since 2019. We visited one of our favourite wild flower spots. It was a bit quiet to be honest. Don’t know if it was because we were a few days later than previous visits or some other reason…

All the usual species were present but not in such great numbers or posing for photos much. Except for this male Stonechat.

Stejneger’s Stonechat

Finally!

by Stuart Price, posted in Mukawa
Sakhalin Grasshopper Warbler

Near Tomakomai last weekend I finally got a shot of one of the most difficult to photograph local birds. Sakhalin Grasshopper Warblers are common summer visitors to the grasslands and their song can be heard everywhere in suitable habitat. I’ve been trying for years to get a shot. They are extremely skulking. But then one above popped up and sang atop a bush for a few seconds!

A few minutes earlier I’d been delighted with this lame effort, the first time I’d ever photographed it.

Sakhalin Grasshopper Warbler

There were several Siberian Rubythroat around but they were also skulking. Other stuff included Masked, Chestnut-eared and Common Reed Buntings, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Eastern Crowned Warbler, Japanese Thrush, Black-browed Reed Warbler and lots and lots of Stonechats…

Stejneger’s Stonechat