Category: Raptors

Another dark windy Monday

by Stuart Price, posted in Oshamambe, Raptors, Shorebirds, Yakumo
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

A failed Spoonbill chase

by Stuart Price, posted in Raptors, Yakumo
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.

Golden Week 2023 #4

by Stuart Price, posted in Kaminokuni, Raptors
Osprey

We had a fruitless couple of days on the west coast. Nothing rare around: the only passage migrants were lots of Dusky Thrush, a few Rustic Bunting and Japanese White-eye and a lone Olive-backed Pipit. There were some summer plumage Black-throated Divers offshore and a load of commoner birds around including Chestnut-eared Bunting, Pacific Swift and Peregrine.

Ospreys everywhere too. The well-known nest is already occupied and the female is sitting on eggs.

Osprey
Osprey