Early May in Chiba

There is not so much of a dawn chorus in May in Chiba as there is in Britain because there are not many songbirds breeding around here, but there are lots of activities going on among the thick leaves which already have grown.

An Azure-winged Magpie's nest

a flock of Azure-winged Magpie (Onagaオナガ) foraging in a tree and on the ground

a female Japanese Sparrowhawk (Tsumiツミ) calling

a pair at a different location

In Japan, Azure-winged Magpies are known to build their nests in the territory of a breeding pair of Japanese Sparrowhawks in order to avoid nest predation, mainly by Thick-billed Crows. Japanese Sparrowhawks probably benefit from it as the Magpies are colonial communal breeders and very vocal so they could be like an alarm system.

Oriental Turtle Doves (Kijibatoキジバト)

 a family of Long-tailed Tits (Enagaエナガ）

They were still so fluffy!!

A male Meadow Bunting was singing by a small pond.

It will be more lively soon as chicks start leaving their nests:)