Bird Watching in Japan & Asia

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

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)

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.