2021-02-05

Birdwatching in Oike Koen (February 3, 2021)

 According to my friend, a female Ring-necked Duck had come back.  However, she wasn't there again when I checked the pond.  Plum flowers are nearly in full bloom.  A  female Eurasian Sparrowhawk suddenly flew across the forest while a Ryukyu Minivet was seen in spruce forest.  Although it was a sunny and peaceful day, nothing much special were photographed.  Probably, male Grey Bunting was highlight.


Observed species

Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Tufted Duck, Eurasian Sparrowhawk 1, Oriental Turtle Dove, Common Kingfisher 1, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Japanese Woodpecker 1, Ryukyu Minivet 1, Eurasian Jay, Large-billed Crow, Carrion Crow, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Brown-eared Bulbul, Japanese Bush Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Japanese White-eye, White-cheeked Starling, Pale Thrush, Dusky Thrush, Daurian Redstart 1, Red-flanked Bluetail 1, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, White Wagtail, Hawfinch, Oriental Greenfinch, Siskin, Meadow Bunting, Rustic Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Grey Bunting 3

Tufted Duck male

Tufted Duck male

Tufted Duck male

Tufted Duck male

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker

Japanese Woodpecker

Japanese Woodpecker

Common Kingfisher male

Ryukyu Minivet

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Dusky Thrush

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Great Tit

Great Tit

Daurian Redstart male

Daurian Redstart male

Daurian Redstart male

Daurian Redstart male

Rustic Bunting male

Rustic Bunting

Rustic Bunting

Grey Bunting male

Grey Bunting male

Grey Bunting male

Grey Bunting immature male



2021-02-02

Birdwatching in Nogawa River, Tokyo (31 January, 2021)

This is sixth winter for the male Garganey in Nogawa.  Normally, Garganey is a passage migrant in Japan.  So, it is very unusual to see the duck in winter season.  Besides the duck, there were Common Kingfisher, Dusky Warbler (very hard to see) and Egrets.

Common Moorhen

Common Kingfisher (male)

Common Kingfisher (male)

Garganey (male)

Garganey (male)

Garganey (male)

Garganey (male)

Garganey (male)

Garganey (male)

Garganey (male)


2021-02-01

Birdwatching in Minuma-Koen, Saitama (January 31, 2021)

 A male Baikal Teal has been staying in the park.  This is his 5th winter.  Somehow, he never brings his partner.  Normally, Baikal Teal is very shy and wary duck.  Probably, I will not find any other Baikal Teal which is so tame and allows to approach within 1 meter.

Besides the Baikal Teal, there were a small flock of Brambling, three Pale Thrush, several Dusky Thrush and a few Hawfinches were observed.


Baikal Teal (male)

Baikal Teal (male)

Baikal Teal (male)

Eastern Spot-billed Duck

Eurasian Wigeon

Northern Pintail (male)

Northern Pintail (male)

Northern Pintail (male)

Northern Pintail

Brown-eared Bulbul


Brambling male

Brambling female

Oriental Greenfinch

Oriental Greenfinch

Oriental Greenfinch

Dusky Thrush male

Pale Thrush male

Dusky Thrush and Pale Thrush

Pale Thrush male

Pale Thrush male

Pale Thrush immature

Pale Thrush male

Pale Thrush male

Pale Thrush male