Early Chicks

On an island in the Yokojukkengawa Canal Park, there were 5 nests of Grey Heron (Aosagiアオサギ) and on one of them these 2 chicks were sitting already!

On each of the other 4 nests, parents were sitting so they must have eggs in the nests.

This one has beautiful reddish beaks for the breeding season but was just standing in the bush, preening its feather.

There are many signs of spring everywhere in Tokyo:)

Japanese White-eye

A pair of Japanese White-eyes (Mejiroメジロ) started visiting to my sugar water bowl on the wood-deck frequently so I couldn't resist putting out something which they would like - pieces of apples, satsumas or a spoonful of raspberry jam.

Unlike Tree Sparrows and Brown-eared Bulbuls coming to the wood-deck, the Japanese White-eyes don't fly away even when I opened the curtains so I was able to take pictures of them quite easily:)

Garden, or Pot Visitors

 I scatter some rice or breadcrumbs in our pots during the winter and look what happened...

More than 25 Tree Sparrows (Suzumeスズメ) squabbling, squeaking, pushing and pouncing on others...
All saying is it's mine, mine, mine!





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Sweet-Tooth

Since a Japanese White-eye (Mejiroメジロ) spotted a bowl of raspberry jam water on our wood-deck, she has come to the bowl very often to have a sip of the sweet water or eat tiny pieces of apples in it.

She is soooooo sweet!!






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Mihama-en

Mihama-en is a traditional Japanese garden situated right in the busy business district of Kaihin-Makuhari and was created when the whole area was developed in the 90s.

the entrance next to skyscrapers

the map

a stream

A pair of White Wagtails (Hakusekireiハクセキレイ) were foraging on the short grass.

the entrance gate of the tea room - Shourai-tei （松籟亭)
(松: pine trees, 籟: a sound when wind touches something, 亭: a hut)

Today's wagashi (a traditional confectionary) - ume (梅Japanese plum)

inside the gate to the tea room

a toro (灯篭a stone lantern) inside the gate

a gazebo

a sliding door by the tea room

the lake and the tea room

and skyscrapers...

carp

a wooden bridge (you can cross it to the island)

a gazebo overlooking the lake and the tea room

Spotbill ducks (Karugamoカルガモ） & hybrid of spotbills and mallards

a close shot of a Spotbill Duck

beautifully coloured speculum

Hmm... What are you doing up there, I wonder.

looking rather guilty... What are you up to?

Where are you going?!

a waterfall

～fin～


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River-mouth of the Hamada

There were about 90 Black-headed Gulls (Yurikamomeユリカモメ) floating, pecking, flying and arguing by the vent.

I didn't see any other types of gull and I was wondering why.

Some brave ducks were trying to get their share.

Gadwalls (Okayoshigamoオカヨシガモ)

Ducks and coots away from the gulls looked rather relaxed in the winter sun.

a Greater Scaup (Suzugamoスズガモ)

 Wigeons (Hidorigamoヒドリガモ)

a Teal (Kogamoコガモ）

A male Blue Rock Thrush (Isohiyodoriイソヒヨドリ) was watching the feast from the bank.

A noisy family of Azure-winged Magpies (Onagaオナガ) found some berries in the trees by the water.

I am really glad that I decided to take the walk on that day.



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Hamadagawa

I have been busy sorting out things for our moving for the last two weeks or so and I felt like I would go mad unless I went out to see some birds!

I had to go to Kaihin-makuhari on that day, which was an excellent excuse to have a look in the small river called Hamadagawa near Kaihin-makuhari Station.

Towards the river-mouth, I heard gulls screaming and I got as excited as the gulls!!

Something must have been floating out from the underground drainage as all of the birds were crazy near the exit.

There were also Japanese White-eyes, Great Tits, Brown-eared Bulbuls, Oriental Turtle Doves, Blue Rock Thrushes, Dusky Thrushes and an Olive-backed Pipit alongside the river.



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