Oriental Storks in Watarase Yusuichi (Reservoir)

Watarase Yusuichi, a detention basin to store flood water and vast reedbeds surrounding the basin was the destination of our 2-day birdwatching trip in March. 

The water is full in winter for wintering waterfowl but on the 1st of March every year, they have controlled reed burning and the water in the reservoirs is drained. That's why it looks like mudflats. 

Many birdwatchers come here to see Oriental storks (Konotoriコウノトリ) and so did we. 

They are magnificent looking birds and you won't miss them because of their size. (Teals look like tiny dots in the pictures!) 

There is an artificial stork nest in the middle of the plain and a parent stork is sitting on eggs! 

The other parent was flying towards the nest.

We thought they were going to change the brooding shift.

but then it just flew past! WHY?!

The one on the nest looked a bit pissed off?!😆

It flew right over us, which was very lucky! 👍

Some non-breeding individuals were on the ground probably foraging.

Other non-breeding ones were on the mudflats as well. 

We saw at least 6 individuals including the breeding pair. 

Wonder if they are all related? (if you can see the combination of the coloured rings on their legs, they will tell you who each individual is.) 

Glad to see oriental storks there, which means the re-introduction project has been a success 👍