Bird Watching in Japan & Asia

2014-01-03

Birdwatching in Maioka Koen (3 January, 2014)

New Year birding in Maioka Koen. Although Wryneck and (Eastern) Water Rail were seen early in the morning, I missed both. Enjoyed watching Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker and Brown-headed Thrush. Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker has already shown breeding plumage of red patch on the nape. Brown-headed Thrush is probably female.

Chinese Bamboo Partridge

Daurian Redstart (female)

Dusky Thrush

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker (male)

Brown-headed Thrush (female)

2013-12-31

Birdwatching in Meiji-jingu Shrine (31 December 2013)

Cold morning. no Mandarin Duck was seen in the pond. Fortunately, a male Grey Bunting was seen well in Gyoen of Meiji-jungu.

Japanese White-eye

Grey Bunting (male)

Varied Tit

Orange-flanked Bush Robin (male)

Orange-flanked Bush Robin (nale)

2013-12-24

Birdwatching in Maioka Koen (24 December 2013)

Although I went to Maioka Koen in Christmas eve, there was no special present. It seems less winter visitors are staying in Maioka Koen this winter.

I enjoyed watching a Grey Heron was trying to swallow a turtle!

Grey Heron

Black-faced Bunting (male)

Black-faced Bunting (female)

Rustic Bunting (male, winter plumage)

Great Tit

Pale Thrush (male)

2013-12-23

Birdwatching in Shinjuku Gyoen (22 December 2013)

A pair of Baikal Teal was easily found in one of the ponds. According to local birdwatchers, they keep resting in the same place but sometimes come closer. Besides the teal, no other interesting bird was seen.