The 3 ‘Grasshopper’ Warblers were present in the Mukawa area. Sakhalin Grasshopper Warbler (which are extremely shy) seemed less numerous than last year, Middendorff’s Warbler was commoner and there were also a few of this species…
Another morning in the Mukawa area…and a very close Latham’s Snipe.
I was surprised how common Chestnut-eared Buntings were.
And this is a common species up there too.
Back in Mukawa 2 of the common summer buntings were very numerous in the grasslands…
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.
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.
The best bird of the trip was the Lesser Scaup, my first lifer since last summer.
Apart from the wildfowl and eagles we also saw 2 male Hen Harriers, a flock of Bohemian Waxwing, Oriental Magpie and Ring-necked Pheasant.
Eagles must get really tired of crows…
The eerie calls of Black Scoter are a common sound this time of year…
The Lesser Scaup was still around the next day…
Some winter gulls…
A White-tailed Eagle in nice morning light…
Some port ducks…
One advantage of getting up so early every day was the early morning light…
