Raptors in this winter

Many raptors came around Tomakomai and Mukawa area.

Peregrine Falcon.

Rough-legged Buzzard.
Some Rough-leggeds stay around here, especially this individual was not shy.

Hen Harrier VS Large-billed Crow.

Short-eared Owl.

These photos were taken year end.
My friend went here yesterday (7th), but he couldn't see any raptors.
Probably heavy snow cleared out raptors.
Where raptors went???

The biggest owl

I observed Blakiston's Fish Owl at "Washinoyado" which was famous inn for watching this owl.

Now, the pare coming this site was in incubation period, so a male individual came to observation site twice a day.

Rausu, Hokkaido. 29th/Apr/2011.

Ural Owl

I went to Nopporo which was famous point of Ural Owl.

Great Tit.

Ebetu, Hokkaido. 21/Mar/2011.

Before and after of the cruise

Before the cruise, I went to Atuma where there was grass small birds feeding it.

Fortunately, I could see interesting birds.

Pine Bunting fed on Elymus mollis. It was first time to see it at short range, I saw it at a glance several years ago.

A flock of Rosy Finch. How many is it in this photo?

Additionally, I saw flock of Lapland Bunting, they flew away above us.

After birding, I went to Mukawa to see Short-eared Owl.

Young American Wigeon was in flock of Eurasian Wigeon, my friend pointed me.

Short-eared Owl were there yet.

Short-eared Owl in Mukawa

Fever of Short-eared Owl has come in Mukawa.
Many birders aimed the owl which stayed here at least 6 individuals.

This individual was tamed to human.

 It tried to hunt its prey but I couldn't observe its success.

I was first time to see its perching on standing grass.

In the evening I heard two individuals were hunted by falcon....

Chicks of Ural Owl

My friend told me the place of Ural Owl's breeding site after three chicks fledging.
The day I was told about the thing was 7th, but I couldn't go there.
They will disappear after several day, thus it is the best to go immediately. Though  I wanted to go there, the job inhibit me.
At 11th, I went to the place.

Two individuals of them stayed this place yet.
It is first time to see chick of Ural Owl. They were so cute!

They were dozing, repeated close and open eyes.

Several days later, I went this place again. But they disappeared.
I pray for healthy growth of them.

Photos in Tomakomai, 11/Jun/2010.

Short-eared Owl

In this season, raptors' fever happens in Mukawa.
I went there for every weekend from a New year.

In this entry, I upload Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus).

I heard about 6 individuals stay in Mukawa at beginning of January, but they decrease gradually. My friend saw an individual was predated by a Falcon.

They had relatively low wariness against humans.

All photos in Mukawa, Hokkaido. Jan/2010.

Ural owl

Ural owl (Strix uralensis)

This tree cave is used by Ural owl in winter.

Photo in Tomakomai, Hokkaido. Dec/2009