This morning was very cold (1 degree Centigrade) at Isahaya, but the sky was clear and many birds very active. Wintering species are now arriving, as well as the late Autumn migrants. Eight Common Starlings were on the wires, as were lots of different kinds of pipits, while the calls of White-naped and Hooded Crane could be heard. Despite the presence of harriers, merlins, sparrowhawks and goshawks, many buntings were showing well; Little Bunting, Chestnut-eared Bunting, Elegant Bunting, Common Reed Bunting, Japanese Reed Bunting and Palla’s Reed Bunting were all singing and feeding in earnest, along with the usual Meadow Bunting and Zitting Cisticola. A male Hen Harrier haunted the reeds along the edge of Isahaya Bay, and a female Eastern Marsh Harrier passed quite close to my position. Early in the morning there were also a few bitterns and night herons flying around, albeit just a short distance so not much chance of a photo.

Common Starling

Little Bunting

Chestnut-eared Bunting

Hen Harrier (male)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (female)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (female)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (female)

Eurasian Bittern

Today I spent several hours at the pond at Azamidani. It had been a while since my last visit and as usual at this time of year there had been a lot of hiking activity and the birds were therefore quite shy. However I was able to photograph Elegant Bunting, Varied Tit, Red-flanked Bluetail and Pale Thrush. This was my first time to observe Elegant Bunting and Red-flanked Bluetail at Azamidani.

Elegant Bunting (male)

Elegant Bunting (male)

Elegant Bunting (male)

Red-flanked Bluetail (female)

Pale Thrush (female)

After hearing reports of a Siberian Accentor at Houbaru, I decided to try to find it today. No luck, but a male Elegant Bunting showed nicely, albeit in dark shade.

Elegant Bunting (male)

Elegant Bunting (male)

Elegant Bunting (male)

Elegant Bunting (male)

Elegant Bunting (male)

Today I met up with a group of birders from Fukuoka and took them around the Chuo, Moriyama and Oe reclaimed land areas of Isahaya Bay. I met them at 10 and left at 2, so not the best birding hours, but we did get good views of a male Merlin and male Hen Harrier. Lots of pheasant activity as well!

Hen Harrier (male)

Hen Harrier (male)

Japanese Green Pheasant (male)

Japanese Green Pheasant (male)

Merlin (male)

Merlin (male)

Merlin (male)

Merlin (male)

Merlin (male)

This afternoon I spent some time at spot 355 on the wall at Moriyama, overlooking the reeds of Isahaya Bay. Lots of activity, particularly later in the afternoon when Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Hen Harrier, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Kestrel, Common Starling (a very rare bird in Japan) and Red-throated Pipit all showed well.

Common Starling

Eastern Marsh Harrier (female)

Hen Harrier (male)

Hen Harrier (male)

Red-throated Pipit

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (juvenile)

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (juvenile)

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (juvenile)

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (juvenile)

This afternoon I stopped along the Shimabara coast to take a few shots of Black-tailed and Black-headed Gulls.

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

Black-tailed Gull

Black-tailed Gull

Black-tailed Gull

Black-tailed Gull

Black-tailed Gull

This afternoon I was able to photograph one of my favourite subjects: a male Merlin. They are very shy and difficult to approach which, added to their small size, makes it very difficult to get close enough for a decent photograph while they are wintering in Japan. Other birds that were active today included Northern Goshawk, Rustic Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Olive-backed Pipit, Eastern Marsh Harrier and Hen Harrier. Northern Lapwing and Rook are also in abundance, so the autumn migration will soon be coming to an end with the arrival of the wintering thrushes.

Merlin (male)

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (juvenile)

Black-faced Bunting (male)

Rustic Bunting (male)

Eurasian Teal

I also took the chance to search for other birds in the Isahaya central reclaimed land area. Lots of Eastern Marsh Harrier and Eurasian Kestrel, and also my first Merlin for this season. Richard’s Pipit was also seen, as were four Hooded Cranes.

Eastern Marsh Harrier (female)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (female)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (female)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (female)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (male)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (male)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (male)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (male)

Eastern Marsh Harrier (male)

Eurasian Kestrel (male)

Eurasian Kestrel (female)

Eurasian Kestrel (female)

Eurasian Kestrel (female)

Merlin (female)

Hooded Cranes

This morning I joined a team of bird researchers from Nagasaki University, led by Dr. Noriyuki Yamaguchi. They have been trapping birds with mist nets for banding during the course of the autumn, concentrating on the smaller migrating passerines passing through the Isahaya reclaimed land area. It seems this year the birds are migrating about 10 days later than usual due to unseasonably warm weather. While I was with them only one bird was banded – a 1st winter female Common Reed Bunting.

Setting Mist Nets

Banding Common Reed Bunting (first winter female)

Creating a Photographic Record

Ready for Release!