2 weeks of nothing

Well it's been dark, foggy and drizzly for the last 12 days. The above Black Browed Reed Warbler was taken on this day just outside Hakodate 5 years ago (with my 400D/100-400). The weather was crap then too I see.

Hopefully I'll get out and about soon and take some pics, I'm also as busy as I've ever been workwise (I'm self employed so this is mainly a good thing).

Mind you my only immediate plan involves me getting up early tomorrow to shout and scream curses at the TV.

I may go to Onuma after the Italy game, perhaps both England and me won't have a fruitless visit to a humid mozzie infested forest.

Kites

Stoners on the weed

We took a short trip to central Hokkaido last week. Not much birding, the highlight was a stop at Yakumo (near home) where there was a very tame pair of Siberian Stonechat.

What the **** are you looking at?

Siberian Stonechat giving me the eye. RAW file converted in-camera and uploaded via my smartphone. I am away for a few days in the middle of Hokkaido...

Narcissus in the mist............

More of the same..........

A stint in the ricefields

The quietest

A Black Headed Gull, part of a flock at Kamiiso a couple of days ago. This is only a winter/passage visitor to Japan so we don't get to see them in their summer finery much...................

An extremely quiet spring migration season is drawing to an end. I wish I had something more interesting to post than a Black Headed Gull.

Still, their harsh calls take me back to the Ribble Marshes and Leighton Moss in summer. Sadly I haven't been to the UK in late spring/early summer this century.

Some common waders.............

A surprise in the fog...............

A Hooded Crane near Oshamanbe this afternoon...............and I even took a short video of it.

Tattlers

I spent a brief hour or so in Kamiiso this afternoon.....................

End of Golden Week

A Varied Tit this morning.............

Duck in a tree

I was in a park in the east of town this morning.................

Still waiting......................

A Little Ringed Plover at Asabu this afternoon...................

Another long day with not many birds

Peak season nowhere near peaking

A long long drive again in beautiful spring weather but nothing happening birdwise. Japanese, Pale and Whites Thrush were at Asabu but they were shy and in the shadows all the time. Nothing much else of note, the above Osprey was at Kamiiso just before I gave up.......................

An ill wind

The wind was blowing from the north today meaning very few migrants crossed the Tsugaru straits.....................

Peak season starts slowly

Pacific Golden Plover

Still still here