Bird Watching in Japan & Asia

2011-12-27

Birdwatching in downtown Meiji-jingu Shrine (27 December, 2011)

The shrine seems to be ready to welcome over 10 thousands of people who visit in the new year's day, though it is still quiet today.

Orange-flanked Bush-Robin has come back though number of Grey Buntings is still small in this winter. Due to low temperature in this couple of days, ponds in the shrine was frozen. Ducks, such as Mallard, Spot-billed Duck and Mandarin Duck, were skating and slipping to catch acorne on the ice.

Varied Tit

Great Tit

Orange-flanked Bush Robin (male)

Grey Bunting (1st year male)

Mandarin Duck

Mallard

2011-12-26

Birdwatching in Maioka Koen (26 December, 2011)

Arrival of winter migrants seem to be slower in this winter. None of woodcock, solitary snipe nor water rail is seen well. Only a male Orange-flanked Bush-Robin is relatively seen well, though I missed it today.

Japanese Green Woodpecker (male)

Great Tit (male)

Varied Tit

2011-12-18

Birdwatching in Sakawa River (18 December, 2011)

A male Scaly-sided Merganser had been seen between late October and late November this year. However, it was reported unseen for a week afterward. So, I was waiting for an updated record is heard. Last weekend, it was seen near Kaisei Area, about 3 km north of previously recorded area. I decided to go to the spot, though I thought it is bit risky.

After arriving in Sagami-Kaneko Station of JR Gotemba Line, I walked toward west about 2km. Unfortunately, it wasn't the spot where it was seen last weekend. Then, I walked down toward Houtoku-bashi bridge over 30 minutes. After crossing the bridge, a local uncle told me it was seen about 500m down from the bridge in this morning. Yes, certainly it was there! Although it stays about 30 meter from the river side, it is quite tame and very relaxing. Previous individuals of which I saw was all wary and shy unlikely this individual.

The merganser is regarded as endangered in IUCN's Red Data Book while the population is estimated only 1,000 - 2,499 matured individuals. Personally, I have seen it three times before (and missed twice before). The last individual of which I saw was about 10 years ago in Gifu Prefecture. In Kanagawa Prefecture, one individual (possibly female) was seen last winter in Sagami River. As I understand the rarity with my previous birding years, I spent photographing and watching it without doing anything else. Finally, I took over 600 shots!

I enjoyed watching the merganser for three hours and beautiful Mt. Fuji behind the river.