Autumn continues..............

We are in the middle of a beautiful spell of autumn weather..................


Autumn is especially nice in south Hokkaido. Warm clear sunny days, nice colours in the forests and on the hillsides and usually a few interesting birds passing through as well.

The above Bewicks Swan was east of town. I think it is an injured bird and indeed may even be the same one we saw 3 1/2 years ago at the same location. It has survived but must be be lonely (and bored). We saw a small flock of swans heading south over the sea (not sure what species) and the first of the Whooper Swans have returned to Onuma too.

Yesterday near my apartment there were 5 species of duck (including a lone Pintail and 3 Tufted Duck), 2 Great Egret, 2 Night Heron, 1 Hawfinch, several Black-faced Bunting and Japanese Bush Warbler. This Slaty-backed Gull was tackling a salmon carcass: sone salmon even swim up the tiny river near where I live.

This scene was repeated in several places, like near Esan..........

We'd headed that way to photograph Harlequin Ducks but the rocks where they usually rest had been taken over by fishermen (trying to catch the salmon). The Harlequins were swimming offshore waiting to reclaim their rocks.

Hopefully there will be plenty of salmon left for the eagles, which will start arriving in a couple of weeks.

Onuma was a bit quiet. A few common ducks, Great-crested Grebes and a flock of 50 or so Brambling was around as were a few Rustic Bunting............

Kamiiso was also a bit quiet: 2 Great Egret were the only noteworthy species but the winter gulls have started arriving............