Aoba no Mori Koen

Leaves have started changing colours in mild Chiba, at last!

 very much autumnal everywhere

It was relatively early in the morning and sunny so the park was full of bird calls.

A Dusky Thrush (Tsugumiツグミ)! but he perched right at the top of a tree above me! 

and a Hawfinch (Shimeシメ) too!!  He was eating some kind of seed.

Both Dusky Thrushes and Hawfinches will come down on the ground later in the season but there are plenty of seeds/berries to eat high up in trees at the moment.

A Bull-headed Shrike (Mozuモズ) was making a shrieking call

he (she?) was on top of a tree on the other side of the lake but their call is unmistakeable!

Quite a few White Wagtails (Hakusekireiハクセキレイ) were foraging on the lawn and the paths in the park, which means there are still plenty of insects for them to eat.

Familiar calls by a Daurian Redstart (Jobitakiジョウビタキ) came from a tree nearby. A lovely female was eating seeds (or berries?).

She flew closer and

closer! 

Thick-billed Crows (Hashibutogarasuハシブトガラス) like to keep themselves clean:)

You can see their really thick bills!

After having a good wash, breakfast!

A great time for birdwatching has finally arrived in Chiba as we see more birds in parks and we don't have to wear long sleeves while sweating like crazy to avoid mosquitoes or other biting insects. I love autumn and winter here!