North Hokkaido 2015 #2

We spent a couple of days in the grasslands near Monbetsu................

North Hokkaido 2015 #1

We just got back from a week camping in north Hokkaido.......................

Phoned in Rubythroat vs Worm

The Rubythroat won.

Halfway

Well halfway through 2015 and it has been raining rather a lot.

Kingfisher and Chestnut Eared Bunting on the river last week, the regular summer species everywhere: Wryneck, Osprey, the above Black Browed Reed Warbler at Asabu yesterday. At Kamiiso there were 5 Goosander, 2 Red Breasted Merganser and 1 female Pochard: the latter 2 species probably sick or injured birds as I usually don't see them in summer.

A quiet midsummer

A very quiet midsummer weekend, I did nothing on the 21st and today (Monday 22nd) we checked Yakumo, Oshamanbe and Suttsu (where the above Osprey was taken).

2 Oystercatchers (scarce in Japan) at Yakumo, an Eastern Marsh Harrier at Yamazaki....................not much else though. 4 or 5 Osprey were fishing the rivermouth at Yakumo but I was alaways in the wrong place when they dived.

The Rescuers

I did my good deed of the week on a mountain road last Monday............

Black Browed Reed Warbler

A Black Browed Reed Warbler at Oshamanbe yesterday..............

Back to Hokkaido.............

I've been back a week................

England 2015 #5

My last batch of photos from England..................

England 2015 #4

Some more birds from the Farnes..............

England 2015 #3

Up close with Arctic Terns on the Farnes..............

England 2015 #2

A couple of weeks ago we took the boat trip out to the Farnes.....................

England 2015 #1

There is now a colony of Common Terns on the marina in Preston..............

Tokyo..........................

We set off to England 3 weeks ago and had a night in Tokyo on the way.................

On this day (June 1).................

June 1st 2013

2 Black Footed Albatross off Tomakomai 2 years ago today. Although we saw a lot of birds that day the weather was very foggy, this was one of the few 'keepers' from the day.............

This was the last time I was able to get up there for a pelgic trip...................work has gotten busier since then.

Phoned in Eider

Drake Eider at Seahouses processed in camera and on phone yet again.

Phoned in Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern on the Farnes processed in camera and on phone.

Phoned in Puffin

Puffin on Farnes processed in camera and on phone.

Phoned in Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern today in Northumberland processed in camera and phone.

Phoned in Avocet

Avocet at Leighton Moss today.

Phoned in Hare

Not many decent bird photos so far.  So here's a Brown Hare processed on my phone.

Phoned in Common Tern

Common Tern in Preston. Another dodgy photo processed on my tablet.

Phoned in Little Tern

Little Tern in Tokyo today. Crap photo but a new one for my Japanese list. Edited on my tablet so IQ is probably terrible.

Off on a trip very soon

Well it's a big day tomorrow.................

On this day (May 15).....................................

May 15th 2013

A male Siberian Blue Robin in Goryokaku Park 2 years ago today. This is a shy skulking forest dwelling species and I was lucky to have one so confiding................

To those who remain................

Most of the winter wildfowl has left by now.............

Some group shots..............

Some shots from Oshamanbe yesterday afternoon...................

Long Toed Stint and other stuff..............

A Long Toed Stint at Yakumo this afternoon...............

On this day (May 10).......................

May 10 2012

A male Mugimaki Flycatcher in Goryokaku park 3 years ago today. This was just coming into bredding plumage, one of these springs I'll get the male in full colours................

Waders in the smog

Strong west winds have blown over hazy smoggy air from China...................

A lull

It's a busy holiday week in Japan..................