I revisited the forest at Shimabara Athletic Park late this morning for an hour or so. Although the Grey Bunting did not reappear at the pond, the other birds were all there and I could get good views of Hawfinch. There were a lot of Oriental Greenfinch along with Brambling, Eurasian Siskin, Elegant Bunting and […]
Author: John Wright
John Wright is an Australian wildlife photographer and bird guide based in Kyushu, Japan. John became seriously engaged in nature photography while living in Japan and then Thailand. He returned to Japan in 2008 and has since concentrated on wildlife photography, especially birds. John visits Southeast Asia and Australia regularly, but usually travels within the Japanese archipelago, where he also guides visiting birders and wildlife photography enthusiasts.
Black Stork | Ciconia nigra
While not an uncommon bird internationally, the Black Stork is a very rare passage migrant or visitor to Japan. However, almost every winter a single bird or sometimes two or three spend the coldest months of the year at Isahaya. This year an adult arrived first and then was joined later by a juvenile. Local […]
Japanese Weasel in Motion
While at Isahaya I spotted this Japanese Weasel (Mustela itatsi) hunting in the drainage ditches that run between the fields. The fast frame rate of the 1D-X allowed for this series of images…
Eastern Buzzard | Buteo buteo japonicus
After visiting Kasuga Park I went to the mountains behind Dazaifu. From the highest point I observed this Eastern Buzzard flying toward me. It continued on its path until it was fairly close but then must have spotted me and started spirally upward overhead before finally heading back to the east.
Yellow-bellied Tit | Periparus venustulus
This small tit is supposedly endemic to China, however it has been recorded at least four time in Japan. This one has taken up winter residence at Kasuga Park, Fukuoka, and has attracted birders from all over the country. It is very small and also very agile and active – it never sits still! I […]
Shimabara Athletic Park
This morning I decided to try again for Ryukyu Minivet at Shimabara Athletic Park. The western side of the sports park has a forested area with a couple of short trails which backs onto a mountainous area. The deepest part of this forest has a small, usually dry, pond-like area. I have checked this location […]
Eurasian Woodcock | Scolopax rusticola
The Eurasian Woodcock is a resident breeder in northern Japan, but migrates south in winter to my region. Usually only observed during the night, I spotted this pair on Mount Unzen just after sunset feeding on worms and grubs. Luckily I had the 1D X, as I doubt if any other Canon camera could have […]
Red-crested Pochard | Netta rufina
Although a fairly common bird in western Asia and Europe, the Red-crested Pochard is a very rare but annual visitor to Japan in winter. This female was discovered at a dam in Nagasaki, along with lots of Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mandarin Duck, Eurasian Teal and Common Coot. There is also a single Baer’s Pochard […]