Wild Mandarin

January 8th saw me trying to find a flock of Japanese Waxwings in Kaku without luck. So I continued walking from Kaku to Onozuru in hope of getting some interesting species. I walked and walked until I reached the area of Taromaru (太郎丸). My eyes caught a sight of a lush green curve of the Oita River bordered by dark tall trees in the distant. One moment I thought that it looked an ideal place for the exotic Mandarin Ducks. Then I was a bit shocked to see that there was actually a flock of approximately 100 Mandarin Ducks (Aix galericulata) swimming in the river along with other species of ducks like Mallards and Common Teals. That lush green curve of Oita River seemed like a real heaven to me!

Mandarin Ducks (Aix galericulata)

My first sight of a flock of wild Mandarin Ducks

The Mandarin Duck is probably one of the most well known ducks in the world. We often see them in parks and captivities, but nothing compares to the sight of them in the wild. I have seen them several times back in Thailand, where the species is a rare vagrant to the northern wetlands. I once saw it in Beppu as well. A female once flew across the Spa Beach next to my dorm. However, according to Furuso san, they can also be found at Sekino-E as well. But these former sightings do not compare to the sight of a large flock swimming happily in the midst of the green water surrounded by thick forest. The males were constantly displaying towards the females in groups. Their weird calls filled the sound of the area. A Northern Goshawk and 2 Eurasian Sparrowhawks also came perching on the tree nearby. I thought I would get some action shots but all of them just flew out too soon. I didn't know why. Too bad I couldn't find a way to get any closer to the ducks as the area was very limited. Guess I just have to go back again and figure out how to get a better position.

There was one blind bird. The male in the front right has a blind left eye.

Sekino-E

Here's a set of some old photos taken at Sekino-E from various visits during the late December. There was nothing much actually. A flock of Japanese Grosbeak was found quite regularly, though. I wondered why it took me almost a year and a half to finally see my first Japanese Grosbeak, when it's actually one of the most often seen birds right now. Seeing and photographing are different stories though. The pair of Bean Geese were and are still presenting well. They look happy and healthy as ever. Lately they've been a bit more active in flying too.

Male (above) and female (below) Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)

December 29, I found a small flock of 3 Kentish Plovers resting on the rocks near the Sekino-E beach. One of them was a male bird in a half breeding plumage showing bright orange crown with black mask and forehead band. It seems like there are more Kentish Plovers around here than I thought. Spring would definitely be more fun, as the birds will fully be in their breeding plumage.

Japanese White-eye (Zosterops japonicus)

Black-eared Kites (Milvus lineatus)

There's a pair of Black-eared Kites which often perches near the Sekino-E beach. A few Ospreys often soar around and stoop into the sea to catch fishes as well, but they always disappear when I get my camera ready. Sometimes there are Kestrels, Eurasian Sparrowhawks and Common Buzzards, but I always see them while I'm on the bus, which means no photos. There are still many unprocessed photos left in my hard disk. Seems like I gotta keep up!

The Little Devil

Thursday, I was in the kitchen cooking lunch before going to the campus. As I gazed through the kitchen's window to the small harbour below, I saw a small duck-like bird swimming in the water. I went back to my room, grabbed my binocular then came back and watched the bird again and I was surprised to see that it was a Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), a new species to my Beppu List as well as my Life List! Though a common species elsewhere in Japan, and Stu often shows us great photos of this little devil from Hakodate, I have never seen it before. It is also recently found in Thailand. The first individual was found at Bung Boraphet in central Thailand on December 2007. That time I was still in Thailand, but was very busy preparing for my departure to Japan. Terrific images of that individual were all over the Thai internet bird forums, and I just couldn't go twitch. Several more were reported both from the same place and Chiang Saen Lake in Chiang Rai province.

Some of you might remember how last winter offered so many photos of the Great Crested Grebe. I already thought it is a common bird around here. Shockingly, this winter I still haven't seen any around Beppu! Last winter it was like everywhere. I've only seen in Oita River a few weeks ago, but Oita River used to hold a flock last time. Guess this smaller Black-necked came as the representative! Actually, I first saw it around noon as I've stated above that I was about to have lunch, but as I went down to the harbour, the bird kept staying far in water body and I didn't have time to wait for it cos I had to go to class, so I left and went back to take photos of it again in the evening after coming back from the campus.

Non-breeding Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

Its red swollen eyes look a bit creepy, and really give it a devilish look. The bird came much closer in the evening, but it was very active in diving, so it's not too easy to get photos. When it wanted to rest, it stayed far in the middle of the water and preened and stretched. There was one specific corner of the harbour where the bird seemed to favour more than any other spots. I sat and waited there until the bird came around and finally got all the shots in this post. Evening light really made the shots look warm, but actually it was really cold and a bit windy. I finally left the place as the sun slowly set behind Mt. Tsurumi with a big smile on my face. I watched the bird dived up and down at dusk for the last time before walking back to my room, praying it will stay for the whole winter.