Twiggy

Steller’s Sea Eagle

The eagles are back at Yakumo. This one (I think it’s the same one) always occupies the same spot on the river and it’s difficult to get a clear shot of it as it’s usually obscured by twigs. Hence the nickname ‘Twiggy’.

There seemed to be about 20-30 eagles of both species but for the third winter running salmon numbers are very low. As this is their main food supply I don’t think they’ll stick around for long. This juvenile Steller’s was pitifully thin…

Steller’s Sea Eagle

Twiggy did take a dump though; this photo is post-dump pose. Twiggy has eaten something recently at least.

Steller’s Sea Eagle

Other interesting stuff around included Whooper Swan, Crested Kingfisher and Stejneger’s Scoter.

August ends

Mongolian Plover

Wow that was a hot one. And it looks set to continue into September.

Yesterday was bearable in Yakumo; a bit of a cool breeze and under 30 at least. Lots of waders around including Great Knot and Long-toed Stint but not much posong for photos.

Mongolian Plover

2 Common Terns flew past at Yakumo. I don’t see many terns in Hokkaido so this was a nice surprise.

Common Tern

Another dark windy Monday

Eurasian Kestrel

Hakodate had its hottest every day last week but amazingly we had another cool Monday (the high temps will return later this week…again).

The above Kestrel at Yakumo was a nice find; not a bird I often see in Hokkaido.

The storms were pushing the waves right up the beaches so it was tricky to find waders; only 3 species around today. And terrible conditions once again for photos.

Kentish Plover
Eastern Curlew

It’s been a hot one

Pacific Golden Plover

Wow it’s been a hot humid summer this year. I’ve hardly left the house in the last 5 or so weeks…

But today the temperature dipped below 30 for the first time in what seems like ages and it was even breezy with low clouds. The waders had returned to the beaches anyway.

Sanderling

Hot temps will return tomorrow or the day after according to the forecast.

Terek Sandpiper

I might even get a get a good night’s sleep in this lull.

Pacific Golden Plover

Also around were Red-necked Stint, Whimbrel and Kentish Plover as well as Eastern Marsh Harrier and lots of Great Egret.

A failed Spoonbill chase

Black-browed Reed Warbler

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.

Great Egret
Osprey

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.