A not especially good photo of what appears to be an injured bird (check out its bill) but this Eurasian Curlew was a Japan tick for me. An early migrant: waders don't usually start passing trough until late April. All the curlews I'd seen up to now have been Eastern Curlews which lack the white rump............
This bird was over in Esashi, I noticed it while we were watching 2 Seals in the harbour............
Not sure which species it is.
We had a long drive west, not much going on birdwise. Most of the winter waterbirds were around but not in great numbers and almost none in harbours. This winter has been very poor for harbour birds and I have no idea why. The first Osprey of the year were at Asabu but not much else.
Nice, detailed pic of the curlew and good close-ups of the seal. I don't know the species. We had a strange winter in Niigata for birds too. I'm still waiting for it to happen.
ReplyDeleteHi Russell, it may be a Harbour Seal maybe?
DeleteWOW!
ReplyDeleteI just had a look at your previous posts, truly outstanding photography, Stu!
It looks like this Curlew has an overgrown lower beak.
You eagle and crossbill pics are tremendous!
congratulations!
Thanks for the comment Noushka.
DeleteThat bill does look badly damaged, but it's surprising what birds manage to function with.
ReplyDeleteIt did seem to be feeding and as you can see it is healthy enough to fly............
DeleteNice BIF - I imagine it can still feed but you do wonder about its chances. I like gulls so the Slaty backs last time were a treat.
ReplyDeleteLike the seal whatever it may be. In the last pick it looks as though its about to say "We shall fight them on the beaches....."!
Or "in the harbours" in this case............
DeleteCongrats on the addition to your J-list. Like one of the earlier commenters I think the lower mandible is somehow overgrown.
ReplyDeleteHi John, yes the bill would be amazingly long if the upper manible was the same length.
DeleteCongrats! It's not that scarce in Kyushu though.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised it took me this long to see one here. Seen thousands of them in the UK though................
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