Quietish mid March

Great Egret and Crossbills in Hakodate yesterday afternoon................

A bit of a quiet time birdingwise.............I'm busy with work being the main reason.


 Yesterday was mild and I walked downstream to see if the Crossbills were still around. They were but not so many of them............

I seemed to be photographing the same male bird most of the time...................

I guess there were less than 10 of them today...............

Once they get started on a pinecone there's nothing stopping them.............

3 Great Egret were also in the same area.................

Also around were a small flock of Goosander, a lone Goldeneye, some Teal and Tufted Duck, Hawfinch, Dusky Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Coal Tit and a few Redpoll. A few days ago there were Long Tailed Rosefinch, Daurian Redstart and Brambling.

Today was very nicre weather and we travelled far and wide and saw very very little. At Yakumo and Oshamanbe there was nothing interesting. In the harbour were a few Dunlin, various gulls, a couple of Goldeneye and a small flock of Scaup.

In the late afternoon we were in Sawara waiting in vain (again) for the Gyrfalcon to appear. A lone White Tailed Eagle was around and at Shikabe there were a few Black Necked Grebe. In among the Dusky Thrush was this................

It was very dark and it is a heavy crop but it shows a Naumanns Thrush. I've seen several this winter but haven't got close enough for a decent pic yet.

So what about Liverpool. Can they do it? I'm beginning to think they might you know.