These 2 bunting species were in the same spot as the Ospreys. Also around were Blue Rock Thrush, Lesser Cuckoo and Rhinoceros Auklet whilst nearer Hakodate some stray wildfowl including a drake Falcated Duck and at Kikonai there was a lone Greater White-fronted Goose.
Both these Bunting species are summer visitors to Hokkaido. They occur in many habitats but both can often be found together on local capes and headlands.
These were on a cape on the west coast today. Other stuff around included Osprey, Peregrine, lots of Rhinoceros Auklet offshore, Blue Rock Thrush, Oriental Reed Warbler and 3 species of Cuckoo calling including several Lesser Cuckoo.
On the other side of Mombetsu are 2 lakes: Komuke and Shibunotsunai. The former held 5 Japanese Crane and the latter had about 100 Greater Scaup. The narrow strips of land between these 2 lakes and the sea is very good for birding. White-tailed Eagle, Hobby, Japanese Green Pigeon, Eastern Marsh Harrier and many passerine species were present.
The above Chestnut-eared Bunting was there and was the only one seen on the trip: they seem far less numerous than down near Hakodate.
A Chestnut-eared Bunting from near Oshamanbe this morning. This is a common summer visitor and a frequently seen roadside bird…………….
Other stuff nearby included Oriental and Common Cuckoo, Black-browed Reed and Gray’s Grasshopper Warblers, Latham’s Snipe and Eastern Marsh Harrier.
