Bird Watching in Japan & Asia

2011-02-22

Birdwatching in downtown Tokyo (February 21, 2011)

Although I originally planned to photograph Golden-crowned Sparrow, which has been seen in north western Chiba Pref. since last month, I decided to go to Meiji-jingu likely last month. Weather was cloudy and even bit windy. The famous shinto shirne was very crowded as usual. However, gyoen is quite as not many people go in the park while 500 YEN is needed to go in.

A male Orange-flanked Bush-Robin was easily found and was still tame. I spent about 45 minutes and enjoyed photographing it. The individual was surprisingly tame. It even came closer.....

Flock of Grey Bunting was absent as nobody left seed for the buntings, though a male was briefly seen in the bush.

I dropped off one of the ponds in the shrine for watching Mandarin Ducks. Although the number was small, they are still in the pond, too.

In the emperor's palace (or Koukyo), Falcated Teal and Smew were seen well. A male Smew came closer unusually.

Orange-flanked Bush-Robin

Japanese Bush-Warbler

Great Tit (male)

Mandarin Duck

Mallard

Falcated Teal

Smew

Herring (Vega) Gull

Slaty-backed Gull

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)

Dusky Thrush (male)

Rustic Bunting (female)

Brown-headed Thrush (male)

Daurian Redstart (female, albino)

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