One day trip to Okhotuku

I went to north-east Hokkaido (Shari, Abashiri and Monbetu; called sea of Okhotsk area) where Ross's Gull came in this season. It needs condition that the gull will be seen in bad weather, north wind brings the gull from Russia.
Unfortunately, it was "good weather", so we could not see Ross's Gull. This area was far from Sapporo where I live, it cost accomodate in general, but we tried one day trip by car.

Harlequin Duck.


In Abashiri fishery port, there are 3 Acient Murrelets, Brunnich's Guillemot, and Common Guillemot.
I heard this port was famous of auks, but it was first time to see them at this port and to see by short range.

We moved to Shari port, the most famous spot for Ross.
We searched sea bird by scope; Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, and Harlequin Duck...
And I saw Pigeon Guillemot-like bird, but it was too far to identify....

We drove about 900km on this day.

Abashiri, Hokkaido. 26/Dec/2010.

Flying Squirrel in the dark

After birding, I went back to Tomakomai Experimental Forest to see Flying Squirrel.
Three individuals were out from tree cavity nest at about 17:20.
It was too dark to take photo...
But they were friendly, they ate winter buds above me.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido. 19/Dec/2010.

Tomakomai to Mukawa

I went to Tomakomai to Mukawa to see birds with friends.

Marsh Tit and Eurasian Tree Creeper at Tomakomai Experimental Forest.

Common Scoter at Yuhutu.

Common Buzzard at Yuhutu moor.

A flock of Rosy Finch, Short-eared Owl and female Hen Harrier were seen at Atuma to Mukawa.
But I couldn't take good photo.

Tomakomai, Atuma and Mukawa, Hokkaido. 19/Dec/2010.

Chase

I found chasing of two Squirrels.

They repeated chasing on a pine tree. I wonder they are male and female, it is preparation of mating.

Breather.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido. 2/Dec/2010.

American Mink

I found an American Mink which was a alien species from America. It was first time to see it in Tomakomai Experimental Forest.

It is very good at swiming and carnivore. When it dived in water, ducks floating around mink flew away immediately.

It was on the small island in the pond and relax.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido. 1/Dec/2010.

Tomakomai walking

I walked around Tomakomai Experital Forest.

A Sparrow Hawk flew up from ground suddenly. It kept perching on branch a few minutes.

Some Goldeneye stay at pond in winter. We can observe it at relatively short range.

Dive!

This season, green eye brow Wigeon stay in pond which many Mallard assembling and many passengers give them food, so they are tamed to human.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido. 30/Nov/2010.

Other birds in Tokachi

This day, my friend organize sea bird research in Tokachi, but it was canceled because of bad weather. So I wandered around Tokachi to see birds.

Japanese Crane breed in yard of farmer's garden. It is said that "Every farmer has a pair of Japanese Crane in Eastern Hokkaido."
This photo is a juvenile born in this season.

A Harbor Seal and a fisherman.
Fundamentally, Harbor Seal has very cautious for human, but this individual is very tame to human. I uploaded previous entry.

I moved to other spot of birds.
A Squirrel greet me.

In this site, I found a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
I saw it six year ago. It was my pleasure.

Toyokoro and Obihiro, Hokkaido. 28/Nov/2010.

Eagle hot spot in Tokachi

There is a famous eagle watching site in Tokachi: Chiyoda enclosing bund.
Because there are many dead salmon around river, many eagles like White-tailed Eagle and Stellar Sea Eagle stay in winter.
Already, several tens of White-tailed and some Stellar has come.

We can observe their feeding and fighting to scramble of food.

Makubetu, Hokkaido. 28/Nov/2010.

Tokachi river

I went to Tokachi.

At first, I moved to Tokachi river where was well known as a duck spot and there are rare species.

A Ring-necked Duck comes to this river every year.

This individual was difficult to be taken photo because it kept staying at backlight position.

American Wigeon.

Obihiro, Hokkaido. 27/Nov/2010.