This morning I decided to try out Mt Hiyamizu for the first time. This is a low mountain on the edge of the northern coast of Nagasaki Prefecture, just outside of Sasebo city. It is famous as an observatory for watching migrating raptors, mostly Chinese Goshawk and Oriental Honey Buzzard. Chinese Goshawk migrate from the beginning of September to the end of September, while Oriental Honey Buzzard start from about September 20 until around October 10. They take very different routes, with Chinese Goshawk heading southeast and Oriental Honey Buzzard northwest. So it is possible to have them coming at you from different directions if you time it right! This morning, however, I didn’t see any Chinese Goshawk, only Oriental Honey Buzzard along with White-throated Needletail. A lovely spot, though! I stayed from 06:30 to 09:30, with most action between 07:30 and 08:30. Around 100 Oriental Honey Buzzards were observed.
Dawn from Mt Hiyamizu
Dawn from Mt Hiyamizu (looking northwest towards Hirado island)
Dawn from Mt Hiyamizu (looking south)
Dawn from Mt Hiyamizu
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Oriental Honey Buzzard
White-throated Needletail