Bird Watching in Japan & Asia

2011-02-27

Birdwatching in Matsudo & Abiko (February 27, 2011)

Finally, I visited Matsudo to see a Golden-crowned Sparrow and Red-breasted Flycatcher. As I missed one train in Totsuka station, I needed to wait for nearly 2 hours untill the American sparrow appears from bush. Although more than 1.5 month has passed after the individual was firstly seen there, approx. 20 birdwatchers were still waiting for it. Accordingly one of the birdwatchers, it was firstly found by an American birdwatcher. He or she heard something familiar call for him/her. Otherwise, it wouldn't be surrounded by thousands of photographers during the stay in Japan.

A Red-breasted Flycatcher was much easier to see. It was immediately found after photographing the sparrow. The flycatcher is relatively tame and easy to photograph. Well, this is more enjoyable.

Then, I visited Abiko to see a Pallas's Leaf-Warbler. The warbler was spotted within 15 minutes after I arrived but was so restless!! I took a few shots but none was so good.... Additionally, there were still more than 50 birdwatchers who were chasing around such a tiny warbler. I gave up for photographing it and dropped in taking photos of a male Orange-flanked Bush-Robin, which stayed on a nice plum branch.

Black-faced Bunting (male)

Daurian Redstart (female)

Oriental Greenfinch (male)

Golden-crowned Saprrow (non-breeding plumage)

Buff-bellied Pipit (non-breeding plumage)

Red-breasted Flycatcher (female?)

Pallas's Leaf-Warbler

Orange-flanked Bush-Robin (male)

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