Some late winter ducks...........

On Monday we ventured north of town for the first time in ages................


And although snow was piled everywhere and the fields were waist deep in the stuff the roads were clear once we left Hakodate city limits. Other municipalities can afford to clear their roads it seems.

I was hoping the small Falcated Duck flock and lone Baikal Teal were still around and indeed they were. Sort of. In the morning there were 2 drake Falcated Ducks with the Mallard flock. Poor light and a bit of snow in the air........so we decided to go back at the end of the day for them.

This was early in the morning.

When we came back in the late afternoon the light was much better but there was only 1 falcated Duck and it was resting..............

Whilst I was waiting for it to move I noticed the female Baikal Teal walk across the ice.............

By far the best views I've ever had of this species (which is scarce in Hokkaido): shame it wasn't a male though.

The Falcated Duck eventually started moving...........

It can look very different depending on the light...............

And the Baikal Teal had a last walk around before the light went.............

There were also 4 Smew and 2 Goldeneye in among the Mallards. For the last few years there was also a small group of Pintail but they haven't returned this winter. The female Ring-necked Duck which was I saw intermittently the 2 previous winters hasn't put n an appearance this winter either.