Finally I was able to get myself to Sekino-e again after a long time since the last visit. I was actually hoping for some waders or buntings, but ended up seeing nothing more interesting than Common Sandpiper, Siberian Meadow Buntings and Common Snipes. The same Bull-headed Shrike was still occupying the very same area just like the last time I visit. However, the number of the snipes seemed to be increased. But I did find something I hadn't expected before, a flock of about 30 Common Teals (Anas crecca) feeding in flooded fields just behind the railway, a Sparrowhawk and a chance to photograph the shy Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and the Oriental Bush Warbler (Cettia diphone).
The Common Teals were very shy to me at first, but they didn't mind the farmers who were walking around in the field next to them at all. I tried so hard to approach them and finally able to get some satisfied shots. I was quite happy to see so many drakes in the flock since the last time at Oita river there were not so many and all of them didn't seem to be in full breeding plumage like these drakes I've found today. However, the birds later flew up because of an Osprey which was just flying by and didn't come back to the same area. I was so pissed off because I was still trying to get closer to them. Anyway, tomorrow I'll be checking the same point again. These ducks should learn how to identify birds of prey more. Ospreys won't eat you!
The wind was so strong that I almost fell off the dike into one of those flooded lotus fields.
The females really look like those muddy lumps, I've almost mistaken it.
Ooh I thought this is still a non-breeding season. Isn't this strange?
Finally! Some decent shots of a Buff-bellied Pipit!
1 comment:
Nice shots, especially the Kingfisher one...........
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