East Hokkaido 2014 #5

After the eaglefest at Rausu I didn't do so much birding...................

We headed up to the other side of the Shiretoko peninsula and the sea was completely frozen over. Not many birds in evidence except a few eagles here and there.

We headed inland to Lakes Mashu amd Kusharro. Both places had a few eagles and the latter had a flock of Whooper Swans............

And a few Jays foraging in the ice free areas.......................

We stayed in a very nice guesthouse in the forest at Kawayu. the feeders attracted a lot of common birds. 4 or 5 species of tit, nuthatches, woodpeckers and lots of Bullfinch and Hawfinch.....................

There were Jays here too..............

This Red Fox was near Lake Shikaribetsu the next day...............

We stopped at Mukawa on the last day and watched a distant Short Eared Owl being harassed by crows and there were also 3 Japanese Crane, a rarity away from the Kushiro area. There was also at least 1 roadside Rough Legged Buzzard.................

Thanks to Kim for all the driving. And thanks to my wife and aunt for putting up with me and my bird fixation.

We had almost no snow on the trip. Amazing really, it has been snowing heavily the last 3 days here in Hakodate.....................

Here are some non birding photos from the trip......................