Miyakogawa Mizunosato Koen

This year autumn seems to have arrived rather early (thank god!) and it was a gorgeous autumnal day today.

I cycled down to the Miyako river to see if any shrikes have come to Chiba for winter.

There she is!
She was calling really loudly, perching at the very top of a tree, claiming her territory.
She is a Bull-headed Shrike (Mozuモズ), which is the most common shrike species in Chiba.
They are famous for mimicking other birds' calls and this lady was singing like a brown-eared bulbul:)

Today this year's rice was just harvested. Local volunteers grow it every year in the park and it is a part of education programme for local children to learn how rice grows.

On the paddy field, Tree Sparrows (Suzumeスズメ) were feasting away. The number of them was definitely more than 200.

Some of them were enjoying a bath:)

9 Spotbilled Ducks (Karugamoカルガモ) were quietly foraging in the stream (the Miyako).

A Little Grebe (Kaitsuburiカイツブリ) was already in its winter plumage.

An Oriental Turtle Dove (Kijibatoキジバト) looked rather startled.

Lots of Dragonflies were flying around or resting like this one.

I've never seen so many grasshoppers in one place.










I'm not good at identifying spiders but I thought it looks beautiful.

Walnuts!!!

A map of the park.
The park itself is not so large but it is a good place for bird-watching especially during the week when it is very quiet.