Birdwatching in Saitama Prefectural Forest Park (January 5, 2026)

 

I heard that the Pallas’s Rosefinch had arrived for the first time in two years, so I went to Saitama, partly to carry out a recce for a guided tour. The roads were narrow and still covered in snow, so I had to drive very carefully. Two beautiful males had arrived this season, but there weren’t many other birds to be seen.

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Pallas's Rosefinch

Willow Tit

Asian Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Varied Tit

Birdwatching in Kumagaya (January 3, 2026)

 I’d heard that a Greater Yellowlegs had arrived in Kumagaya, so I popped in whilst showing a guest around. It was foraging alongside a Common Greenshank, but I was able to identify it by the vivid yellow colour of its legs.

Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs