
Not many passerines around anywhere, and Hakodate is no exception.
Just a few Dusky Thrush. Hope they leave a few berries for any waxwings that may wander this way…

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?
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.
A common sight in autumn: Black-crowned Night Herons hiding in the bushes next to the small river near my apartment.
Lots of Stonechat passing through on the same river. Also around recently have been Eurasian Teal, Northern Pintail, Masked Bunting, Grey Wagtail, Common Kingfisher, Hawfinch and Bull-headed Shrike….
Cool enough for a jacket today too.
Pretty quiet now in town. The Chestnut-cheeked Starlings (male above, from this afternoon) are busy feeding their young but not much else about. In the past week or 2 I didn’t take my camera out when going for a walk. Black-crowned Night Heron and Peregrine were the most noteworthy birds.
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.