Spring 2017..........it begins.

The start of a holiday week in Japan saw more summer visitors arrive......................


These included Pacific Swift..........

Other new arrivals included Eastern Crowned Warbler, Narcissus Flycatcher and Chestnut-eared Bunting. Also around were Peregrines and Ospreys in various locations, Great Egret, Crested Kingfisher and the usual seaducks and common forest birds.

Here's another species that leaves in Hokkaido in winter but is fairly common in summer, and it's the first time I've posted a pic of one on my blog. The humble Grey Wagtail..........

The most interesting sight of the day was a large pile of Brown Bear scat as we headed into one of the mountain forests. Yes they really do it in the woods. It looked a couple of days old (you could smell it at least)............................