Wajima, Japan 16th October 2010

16/10/10 Awoke to a windy morning, West 5, so it was no surprise that the ferry was again cancelled. We walked to the harbour to photograph the Black-eared Kites and Gulls present and whilst there became aware of a Wildfowl movement seeing several flocks heading in a westerly direction along the shore. We returned to the Route Inn where we found a convenient location to seawatch seeing nearly 500 Mandarin fly past by midday when the passage had virtually ceased. Lesser numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Spot-billed Ducks, Pintail, Scaup and Tufted Duck were all seen also moving west. Walked to Wajima Park where we spent the afternoon although with the exception of a female Daurian Redstart no migrants were obvious.

Adult winter Black-tailed Gull at Wajima Harbour

First-winter Black-tailed Gulls at Wajima Harbour

First-winter Black-headed Gull at Wajima Harbour

Juvenile Black-eared Kites at Wajima Harbour

Mandarin and Teal over Wajima Harbour

Eastern Great Tit at the Route Inn, Wajima

Mandarin flying west off Wajima

Osprey along Wajima seafront

Blue Comma at Wajima Park

Spider at Wajima Park

Species noted:

Cormorant 8

Grey Heron 6

Mandarin Duck 500W

Wigeon 12

Teal 15

Mallard 12

Spot-billed Duck 10

Pintail 1 drake

Scaup 1 female

Tufted Duck 1 drake

Osprey 1

Black-eared Kite c.80

Black-headed Gull 1

Black-tailed Gull 500

Vega Gull 6

Slaty-backed Gull 3

Feral Pigeon 2

Black-backed Wagtail 2

Brown-eared Bulbul 10

Daurian Redstart 1 female

Blue Rock Thrush 32

Eastern Great Tit 2

Bull-headed Shrike 1

Carrion Crow 6

Large-billed Crow 20

Tree Sparrow 10

Siskin 3