Ishikari bay and a little snow shoe treck

I went to the Ishikari Bay to see sea birds, but there were few interesting birds.

Only seen some sea gulls were seen,

Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis),

Harlequin Duck　(Histrionicus histrionicus).

  I was not satisfied, so I went to Maeda-forest park that is near the Ishikari new port to see small birds.
The park is covered with snow and is used as a cross country ski spot, so many people are walking and skiing around.
I wandered around to see small birds with snow shoes.

While watching tits, I heard Eurasian Bullfinch's call from afar, so I went toward it.
A male Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) was parched on an above branch. And after a minutes it flew to a shrub and ate fruits.
So I carefully　approached it by creeping forward, and took photos.

 

All photos in Sapporo, Hokkaido. 24/Jan/2010.

Birding in Shimane5 -Other birds-

Finally I upload photos of other birds.

I explain difference between "Hikawa" and "Hiikawa". One letter "i"  means different object.
"Hikawa" is a name of town in Shimane prefecture and "Hiikawa" is a name of river.
Hiikawa river flows in Hikawa town.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) was near, this individual kept opening its nib, I didn't know the reason.
Photo in Hikawa, Shimane prefecture. Dec/2009.

A male Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) parched on outdoor light.
Photo in Hikawa, Shimane prefecture.

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) was very near.
Photos in Higashi-izumo, Shimane prefecture. Jan/2010.

These crow were Rooks (Corvus frugilegus).

They were found around agriculture region.
I searched Daurian jackdaw, but it was not in this group.

Photos in Hikawa, Shimane prefecture.

Large group of Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) was found, I counted over 260. They rested and fed at mouth of Hiikawa.

A group of White-cheeked Starlings flied against snowstorm.
I found this scene in my parents' home and went got out to took photo of them.
Photos in Matue, Shimane prefecture.

Birding in Shimane4 -Great Bittern-

Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) was found at Hikawa.
It usually hides in reed, but comes out sometimes.

It moved slowly and stopped this style to aim fish and caught a small one.

All photos in Hikawa, Shimane prefecture. 3/Jan/2010.

Birding in Shimane3 -Black-faced Spoonbill-

 Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) was found at Hiikawa, Shimane prefecture.

This species is threaten extinction because their estimation number is c.a. 2000.

I took photos of  its taking off.

All photos in Hikawa, Shimane prefecture. 29/Dec/2009.

Birding in Shimane2 -Geese and Ducks-

In winter, many ducks and geese stay in Shinji-ko and Nakaumi.

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila) and Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) are dominant in these lake.

Tufted Duck male in Matue, Shimane prefecture. Dec/2009

Greater Scaup male in Matue, Shimane prefecture. Dec/2009.

Greater Scaup female in Matue, Shimane prefecture. Dec/2009.

Greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) and Bean goose (Anser fabalis) are found around mouth of Hiikawa and Yonago waterbirds sanctuary.

Photos in Hikawa, Shimane prefecture. Dec/2009.

Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) and Baikal Teal (Anas formosa), these are mainly seen in western Japan, stay around here(But I couldn't find Baikal Teal).

Photos in Higashiizumo, Shimane prefecture. Dec/2009.

I found hybrid duck (Mallard-Spotbill) in Mallards' group.

Photo in Matue, Shimane prefecture. Jan/2010.

Birding in Shimane1

Year-end and New Year, I went to Shimane prefecture where is famous for birding spot in western Japan.

Shinji-ko and Nakaumi (link is explanation of there) are famous of southern limit of passing winter place for Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus).

And Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) is seen only at Hiikawa, Shimane in Japan.

In this season, four individuals came to Hiikawa.

In Shimane, there were other attractive birds, I will upload later entries.

Photos in Matue city (Bewick's Swan) and Hikawa town, Shimane prefecture, Japan.

Ural owl

Ural owl (Strix uralensis)

This tree cave is used by Ural owl in winter.

Photo in Tomakomai, Hokkaido. Dec/2009

Birds feeding

A day in December, I took photos of birds' feeding behavior walking around Teganuma, Chiba prefecture.

Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) fed on lawn grass.



Dusky Thrush (Turdus naumanni) fed on a dried fruit.



Common Coot (Fulica atra) ate floated grass and alga on pole in water.



Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) were striped reeds and search bugs but I couldn't see their catching bug.




In opposite, Siberian Meadow Bunting (Emberiza cioides) picked reeds' spike.


Brown-eared Bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis) ate peal of mandarin orange.


White-cheeked Starling　(Sturnus cineraceus) fed on fruit, I don't know name of this tree.



All photos in Kashiwa, Chiba prefecture. Dec/2009

Shiretoko Ship -Sea mammals-

On the Shiretoko Cruising,I saw two mammals: sea lion and whale.


Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus).



Giant beaked whale (Berardius arnuxii).
The island behind their is Kunashiri island.

All photos in Rausu, Hokkaido. 28/Nov/2009