2011-02-13

Birdwatching in Maioka Koen (February 13, 2011)

After raining/snowing for two days, it was finally fine.  Despite the beautiful sky, birds tended to be less active.  An Eurasian Sparrowhawk (female) attacked Brown-eared Bulbul, but it failed to hunt.  A Water Rail was feeding in the marsh as usual while albino female Daurian Redstart is still in the park.  Today's highlight was Eurasian Woodcock.  Two birds came closer than usual.

Recorded Species
1. Eurasian Sparrowhawk 1 (female) 2. Chinese Bamboo Partridge 3. Water Rail 1 4. Eurasian Woodcock 2 5. Oriental Turtle-Dove 6. Common Kingfisher 7. Japanese Woodpecker (call) 8. Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker 9. White Wagtail 10. Brown-eared Bulbul 11. Bull-headed Shrike 12. Daurian Redstart 13. Brown-headed Thrush 14. Pale Thrush 15. Dusky Thrush 16. Long-tailed Tit 17. Great Tit 18. Varied Tit 19. Japanese White-eye 20. Meadow Bunting 21. Rustic Bunting 22. Black-faced Bunting 23. Hawfinch 24. Tree Sparrow 25. White-cheeked Starling 26. Large-billed Crow

Water Rail

Black-faced Bunting (male?)

Daurian Redstart (male)

Daurian Redstart (male)

Daurian Redstart (male)

Dusky Thrush (male)

Rustic Bunting (female)

Brown-headed Thrush (male)

Daurian Redstart (female, albino)

Daurian Redstart (female, albino)

Eurasian Woodcock

Eurasian Woodcock

Eurasian Woodcock

Eurasian Woodcock

Eurasian Woodcock

2011-02-06

Birdwatching in Oike Koen (February 6, 2011)

  As I expected "Chinese Grosbeak fever" may have finished, I visited the park to take pictures of White's Thrush.  Although hundereds of people visit the park for jogging, A White's Thrush turned up within 30 minutes.  Accordingly a local birdwatcher, there are not only one thrush but also at least 3 or 4 thrushes. 

  Around 9:30 A.M,, while I was waiting for a thrush starts feeding, the other thrush flew in and chased the former one.  Yes, actually, at least two!

  After spending two hours for photographing the thrush, I briefly saw a small family of Grey Buntings.  The party strangely consists of only immature and mature males.

Recorded Birds

1. Mallard 1 male  2. Spot-billed Duck  3. Tufted Duck  4. Oriental Turtle-Dove 5. Chinese Bamboo Partridge 6. Common Kingfisher 7. White Wagtail  8. Bull-headed Shrike  9. Brown-eared Bulbul 10. Dusky Thrush 11. Pale Thrush  12. White's Thrush 2  13. Great Tit 14. Long-tailed Tit 15. Japanese White-eye  16. Black-faced Bunting 17. Grey Bunting 4 18. Siskin 19. Howfinch 20. Tree Sparrow 21. White-cheeked Starling 22. Large-billed Crow

White's Thrush

White's Thrush (probably, different individual from above)

White's Thrush (different individual from above)
White's Thrush (same individual from above)
White's Thrush
White's Thrush
White's Thrush
White's Thrush
White's Thrush
Dusky Thrush
Dusky Thrush

Dusky Thrush

Dusky Thrush

Dusky Thrush

Grey Bunting male (probably, immature)


Hawfinch (female)
 
Hawfinch (male)







2011-01-31

Birdwatching in Maioka Koen (January 31, 2011)

A pair of Orange flanked Bush-Robin was seen in the early morning.  Although the male is a bright blue individual, I diidn't take a picture (while there are several photographers). 

Black-facecd Buting (female)

Daurian Redstart (male)

Hawfinch

Hawmei


Orange-flanked Bush Robin (female)

Pale Thrush (male)

Pale Thrush (male)

Woodcock

Woodcock

Woodcock

2011-01-30

Birdwatching in Tama-gawa River (January 30, 2011)

Long-eared Owls were still there.  Three of them were sitting in a willow tree.  However, I wondered where the rest of four?  I found tree branches were cut by someone.  For photographing?  It is really pity if it is so....






2011-01-23

Birdwatching in Maioka Koen (January 23, 2011)

Weather was bit cloudy but fortunately not windy.  As I heard Solitary Snipe has been seen in the park, I decided to visit there shortly. According to local birdwatchers, it has not been seen yet this year.  While I was in the park, I enjoyed watching Black-faced Bunting (very tame), Water Rail, Woodcock and Siskin. There have been three woodcocks, though only one was seen during my one hour stay.

Highlight of the day was fighting match between Brown-headed Thrush and Dusky Thrush.  They were fighting each other at least three times.  Finally, Brown-headed Thrush won.  The poor Dusky Thrush was even attacked by a Pale Thrush later.

1st round: they seem to be ready...

Brown-headed Thrush attacks!

kicking each other

short break between 1st and 2nd round

2nd round: Dusky Thrush's attack

3rd round

3rd round: Brown-headed Thrush pins Dusky Thrush

3rd round: Brown-headed Thrush pins Dusky Thrush

3rd round: Brown-headed Thrush pins Dusky Thrush

3rd round: Brown-headed Thrush nearly kicks Dusky Thrush

the poor Dusky Thrush

Pale Thrush (male)

Daurian Redstart (female)

Brown-eared Bulbul drinks water

Black-faced Bunting (pair)

Black-faced Bunting (female)

Black-faced Bunting (female)

Black-faced Bunting (female)

Woodcock

Water Rail

Water Rail