On this day (March 23rd)....................

March 23rd 2014.

A Eurasian Curlew at Esashi 2 years ago today. I grew up seeing plenty of these in the UK but in south Hokkaido they are surprisingly rare and this is the only one I've ever seen in Japan (the similar Eastern Curlew is a common passage visitor).

Its upper mandible was half missing and it was around very early for a passage wader, I hope it survived its visit to my little corner of the world...............

A surprise addition to my Japan list

A not especially good photo of what appears to be an injured bird (check out its bill) but this Eurasian Curlew was a Japan tick for me. An early migrant: waders don't usually start passing trough until late April. All the curlews I'd seen up to now have been Eastern Curlews which lack the white rump............

This bird was over in Esashi, I noticed it while we were watching 2 Seals in the harbour............

Not sure which species it is.

We had a long drive west, not much going on birdwise. Most of the winter waterbirds were around but not in great numbers and almost none in harbours. This winter has been very poor for harbour birds and I have no idea why. The first Osprey of the year were at Asabu but not much else.