Two-barred Crossbill

Two-barred Crossbill is a very rare species in Japan.
It is observed once a few years in Hokkaido.
But it is lucky year in this season, many Two-barred Crossbills were observed around Hokkaido: Sapporo, Teuri-island, Kitami, northern Hokkaido, and Hakodate. At least over 20 individuals were observed in Hokkaido in this season.

Especially flock of Kitami was very tame to human, I went to see them to Kitami and photo of them very short distance.

To tell the true, I organized cruise in Tomakomai this day, but the weather was bad, so I  canceled the cruise and moved to Kitami the distance from my home about 300Km.

At first, I heard the flock containing 4 males, but one individual striked to glass.
When I went to the site, more one individual decreased.

They fed on corn of Mountain Pine (Pinus mugo) planted, which was low height so it can be observed easily,  in the site.

Kitami, Hokkaido. 3rd/Apr/2011.

Hybrid duck and more

A Mallard*Northern Pintail hybrid stays in pond of Tomakomai Experimental Forest several years ago in winter.

Japanese Wagtail is a common species in Japan, but there is a few individuals in Hokkaido, Tomakomai Experimental forest is spot to see this species in Hokkaido.

Stellar's Sea Eagle, I think this is final observation in this season in Mukawa.

26th/Mar/2011.

Intra family competition

I found a Chipmunk in Maruyama park, Sapporo. Did it recover its hibernation in this season?

 !!!!!

 Of course, lager one wins the contest.

Goldcrest.

Sapporo, Hokkaido. 2/Apr/2011.

Common Goldeneye vs Lamprey

I found a female of Common Goldeneye tried to swallow a Lamprey.

 It took a few minutes, so I tried to take video.

「Common Goldeneye eats Lamprey 」

Tomakomai, Hokkaido. 25th/Mar/2011.

Food of Slaty-backed Gulls

I observed feeding of Slaty-backed Gulls.

 A Large-billed Crow ate Sea Urchin, a Slaty-backed Gull aimed it.

 After leaving the crow, it got it.

 A woman threw bulk of fish which she didn't eat, Large-billed Crow and Slaty-backed Gulls began to scramble.

 An individual ate crab.

Other individual ate seaweed.


Tomamae, Hokkaido. 2th/Mar/2011.