Beppu Park

It's been quite a long time since these photos were taken. The last few days of November saw me repeatedly visiting the local Beppu Park or Beppu Koen (別府公園) in Japanese. The main target for each visit was the large flock of Eurasian Siskins, a new species which seems to be so numerous this winter, as I've also seen a lot more in Oita. Last time I checked the park, which is on the last Wednesday, about 20+ birds were still around in the park. Though Furuso-san told me that there was also a Brambling in the park, I still couldn't find one. Bramblings are normally common in autumn, when a small number joins a flock of the commoner Grey-capped Greenfinches. I feel a bit weird not seeing Brambling this season. Apart from the finches, the number of thrushes were notable. Dusky and Pale Thrushes were all over the park. I wish this coming January brings in more Normann's and Dark-thraoted as it did earlier this year.

Eurasian Siskin (Carduelis spinus)

It's always entertaining to watch them swirling through the air in a massive number over the park. I tried to capture them in flight but found it very difficult to get a decent shot. Above is the only acceptable one. When they come down to perch on the open treetops before coming down to drink, they also look like yellow autumn leaves ready to be blown away by winter breeze. New arrivals of the park were 3-4 Olive-backed Pipits (Anthus hodgsoni) which were feeding along the small stream where the siskins often came down to drink. Other birds like the usual tits and wagtails were all showing well. Below are some of the shots I did.

Japanese Tit (Parus minor)

Non-breeding male White Wagtail (Motacilla alba lugens)
Male Daurian Redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus)

Olive-backed Pipits (Anthus hodgsoni)

Singing Japanese Wagtail (Motacilla grandis)

Male Grey-capped Greenfinch (Carduelis sinica)

And here's the female

Some more autumnal shots of the Eurasian Siskins to finish up this entry.