Birdwatching in Enrei, Nara and Yamato River (January 26-27, 2026)

 At Enrei, the snow and cold temperatures made it difficult to spot birds, but I was lucky enough to come across a Pallas’s Rosefinch. In Nara, I spotted a male Baer’s Pochard—a species classified as ‘Endangered’—and a female Ferruginous Duck, whilst on the Yamato River I saw a Scaly-sided Merganser, a rare sighting.

Baer's Pochard

Baer's Pochard

Baer's Pochard

Baer's Pochard

Baer's Pochard

Baer's Pochard

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Scaly-sided Merganser

Scaly-sided Merganser

Scaly-sided Merganser

Scaly-sided Merganser

Scaly-sided Merganser

Smew

Smew

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Birdwatching in Takatsuki, Senri-chuo, Yamada-ike Park, Osaka and Takarazuka (9 February, 2025)

 It was quite a hectic birding day, visiting four sites in one day, and we managed to see Baer's Pochard, which I think pleased our guests.  Showing Yellow-throated Bunting was not possible, which was disappointing.

Baer's Pochard (male)

Baer's Pochard (male)

Baer's Pochard (male)

Baer's Pochard (male)

Baer's Pochard (male)

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Grey Wagtail

Daurian Redstart

Daurian Redstart

Daurian Redstart

Daurian Redstart

Daurian Redstart

Daurian Redstart

Daurian Redstart

Pale Thrush

Falcated Duck

Red-flanked Bluetail

Red-flanked Bluetail