Chasing Lifers: At the Land of the Rising Sun - Tokyo

After two and a half days at Takayama, it was time to say goodbye and head back to Tokyo.  But two and a half days was simply not enough time to explore this beautiful and quaint city.  It is my idea of a vacation destination and I want to be able to go back, hopefully soon.  We arrived in Tokyo early evening, had a quick meal at a McDonald's (hey, we wanted to see a McDo in Japan), and explored the nearby Family Mart and Seven Eleven looking for a powdered Pokari Sweat because it was the "bilin" of a favorite niece (I have many favorite nieces!!! baka may mag protesta). 

Early the following morning, I went birding in Shinjuku Park which was located across our hotel.  After going inside, walking a bit and not hearing anything but crows, I began to doubt my decision to bird here (I was debating on going to another but farther site).  But I was already committed to this site so I kept walking about.  And as with most birding sorties, patience is often rewarded... a lifer right in front of me...within good shooting distance, nice bokeh and good light.  Oriental Turtle Dove, Japan Lifer # 6.

Oriental Turtle Dove, Japan Lifer # 6

Bouyed by the Oriental Turtle Doves, I continued birding.  On one part of the park, I found a temple and decided to explore its grounds (I could hear birds!).

On one of the trees just outside the fence, I found my 7th lifer in Japan - Japanese Tit, also known as Oriental Tit.

Japanese Tit, Lifer # 7 in Japan

I also saw the Chestnut-eared Bulbul again but was not able to get any shot worth posting. Sometime later, a mixed flock of small birds arrived, very noisy and very active, but difficult to photograph. Seeing movement on some branches, I let out a burst was able to get a docu shot of a Japanese White Eye, my 8th Japan Lifer, 

Japanese White Eye, Japan Lifer # 8.

The Japanese Tits were back in numbers but still very active. While trying to get a photo of them, I spotted this lone bird on a branch to my left so I just fired away. Black-faced Bunting, Japan Lifer # 9!

Black-faced Bunting, Japan Lifer # 9.

After the Bunting left, I turned back my attention to the tree where the Japanese Tits were converging and just started shooting at anything moving.  And somehow, I got another lifer, #10, Long-tailed Tit!

Long-tailed Tit, Japan Lifer # 10

A slightly better photo of the Japanese Tit

And a more open docu shot of a Japanese White Eye

I espied a few White Wagtails on the well manicured grass in the distance.  I tried to get closer but they would fly away.  As I was about to go back to our hotel, two of them perched in front of me.

White Wagtail

Not only did they perch, they also started strutting...

White Wagtail, strutting

And after putting on a show, it gave me a bow!  We were in Japan, after all...

White Wagtail, giving me a "bow"

After the Wagtail show, it was time to head back to the hotel (the buffet breakfast time was about to end!).  Anyway, five lifers in a quickie morning birding is not bad at all!

The rest of the day was spent shopping - mainly for our sons. Leon, wanted to check out Tokyo Hands, a big school, arts and office supplies store for his Archi stuff.  Next stop was Akihabara, the electronics district where Luis wanted to look for some things.  

Early the following morning, our last day in Japan, I decided to go for broke and visited Kasai Rinkai Park, a site recommended by a birder from a Japanese FB birding site.  The only problem was, it was an hour away by train.  But, its bird list on ebird was quite impressive so off I went to a destination I have never been to.  Fortunately, the Japanese train system is easy to figure out and super efficient.  I arrived at the site after one hour and ten minutes.  

Upon entering the park, a flock of birds flew into a bare tree but quickly left. I was able to snap a few docu shots.  White-cheeked Starling, Japan Lifer # 11.

White-cheeked Starling, Japan Lifer # 11.

It was a large park, (per google, it's 81 hectares!!!), and all the signs were in Japanese. Hence, determining where the birding spots were was a challenge.  So I just walked and kept my eyes and ears open.  I again saw the Chestnut-eared Bulbuls.  This time, with better photo opportunities.

Chestnut-eared Bulbul

I continued walking and looking for the coast as most of the birds listed in ebird were waterbirds.  Along the way, I saw a Hawfinch (Japan Lifer #12), perch briefly near the top of a tree. Luckily, i managed a docu shot. 

Hawfinch, Japan Lifer # 12

Soon, I reached the coast but unfortunately, access to it was restricted.  I did read somewhere that there was an area that was off limits to people so that the wild bird population will come back. Reading between the lines, one may deduce that this must have been a bird habitat that was disturbed when they built the Kasai Rinkai Park (and Aqua Park) but now there are efforts to bring back the birds.  

At one point, I could see plenty of birds in the distance.   

Nearer to the shore, I spotted several White-cheeked Starlings perched on some railings.

Docu shot of White-cheeked Starlings

A couple of large dark birds flew in the distance and I was able to get a very poor shot.  After some heavy cropping, these were identified by Rob Hutchinson as a pair of Black Cormorants. One of my target birds in this park.  Lifer # 13.  

Black Cormorants, Japan Lifer # 13

A bit closer were some white birds hovering near the water.  I assumed they were terns but after some cropping and enhancing, I guessed that they were Black-tailed Gulls.  My guess was confirmed by Mr Hutchinson.  Here is a docu shot of Lifer # 14.

Black-tailed Gull, Japan Lifer # 14.

By 8:30am, I started my way back to the park entrance (where the train station was).  It was a good twenty minutes walk away.  I needed to be at the hotel by 10am because we were checking out already. I passed by a large three-storey all glass building which turned out to be a bird observation deck complete with mounted telescopes (!) but it only opens at 9am.  So all I could do was look at it and imagine what lifers I could have seen through its powerful lenses.     

The bird observation deck/building

As I was walking towards the exit, I saw some ETS on a nice perch so I took a few photos.  I felt that it was only fitting that my last bird photo in this Japan trip is the same species as the first one I took four days earlier (in Takayama).

"Japanese" Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Birding wise, it was a satisfactory trip, given my limited time and knowledge of the birding sites.  It leaves me wanting for more, but then again, we birders are seldom satisfied. (hehehe).  But kidding aside, Japan is a beautiful country that I would always want to go back to.  Hopefully, I will get a chance to see and photograph the Cranes and the Stellar Sea Eagles.  

Domo Arigatogozaimashita Nihon! 

Big thank you to Mr. Robert Hutchinson for all the help in identifying these birds.

Chasing Lifers: At the Land of the Rising Sun - Takayama

Japan's rich culture, history, traditions, and people have always fascinated me. Its advances in industry and technology - the train system that runs on schedule (almost to the minute!), the infrastructure, the gadgets, the cameras (!), are simply amazing. And did I mention that I love the food? So when Lorna and I thought of our first overseas family vacation, the choice of Japan was a no brainer.

We were going to enter Japan via Tokyo and then travel via Shinkansen to Takayama, "a city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. To differentiate it from other places named Takayama, the city is also commonly referred to as Hida-Takayama. Takayama retains a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town." (source: Takayama Travel Guide).

Takayama is a four-hour, two-leg, train journey from Tokyo (via Nagoya). We arrived a little before 4pm, and after settling down in our hotel, and resting a bit, we set out to do some exploring and finding a place to eat.

The view from our hotel room window

Our first stop was the tourism office where a nice and respectful lady gaves us city maps and tips on where to go for food and shopping. I asked about birding spots but she was at a loss. She did show me where the park was.

After leaving the tourist info office, we looked for dinner. We chose a small ramen place on a small street and before long we were feasting on steaming bowls of tasty ramen with strips of Hida beef that melts in your mouth.

Tasty ramen with strips of Hida beef

Afterwards, we strolled back to our hotel, enjoying the cold air. Early the following morning, I set out to do some birding. Following the map given by the Tourism office, I walked for about twenty five minutes before reaching my destination. The Shiroyama Park. Japan is so tourist friendly. Maps like this one are found in every block.

Along the way, I saw my first bird in Japan. What else, but a Eurasian Tree Sparrow!

"Japanese" Eurasian Tree Sparrow

It was still a bit dark when I reached the park and there did not seem to be many birds around. But the fall foliage was beautiful to look at.

As I was catching my breath, a bird darted to a bush. I slowly made my way closer, but it flew before I could get a good shot. Then I saw small flock (which turned out to be the same bird), near a shed. It was difficult to get a decent shot because it was still a bit dark under the trees and the birds were perpetually moving. I was able to get one decent docu-shot. Varied Tit, (as identified by Robert Hutchinson), my first lifer in Japan.

Varied Tit, Japan Lifer # 1

I walked closer to the trees, and continued to admire the fall foliage, wishing that Lorna were with me because she was really looking forward to this.

And as if I needed a reminder that I was in Japan, there was a small Shrine within the park.

Several noisy birds arrived and I had my second Japan Lifer... Chestnut-eared Bulbul, also called Brown-eared Bulbul (again, thanks to Rob Hutchinson for the ID).

Chestnut or Brown-eared Bulbul

Soon it was time for me to head back to our hotel because breakfast was only until 9am (and I had a half-hour walk back). Along the route, I came upon a Large-billed Crow scavenging near some garbage bins.

Large-billed Crow

After breakfast, Lorna wanted to visit the morning market. There are two held everyday - the Miyagawa morning market and the Takayama morning market. I passed the latter while birding and it was not very impressive. So we went to Miyagawa which is older and bigger. I brought along my birding gear, just in case we see a bird along the way. And my effort paid off! The market was located beside the Miyagawa River (which cuts across the city) and there were wild ducks swimming in it. I excused myself from Lorna and quickly made my way down to the river side.

The first duck that caught my attention was a this lone handsome creature with a luminous dark green head - Mallard Duck, Japan lifer # 3.

Mallard Duck

Mallard Duck

At first, I thought the other ducks were the female of the species but I was happy to find out later that they were a different species - Eastern Spot-billed Duck (also known as Chinese Spot-billed Duck), Japan lifer #4!

May tatlong bibe akong nakita...

Eastern (or Chinese) Spot-billed Duck

I found it amazing that wild ducks were freely swimming in a clean river in the middle of a tourist city. And people - Japanese and foreigners were taking photos and feeding the ducks... all I could think of was... SANA GANITO DIN SA PILIPINAS!!!

While taking a break from photographing the ducks, I stood up and cracked my neck (to work out some kinks) and happened to glance up and saw this raptor majestically perched on one rooftop! Black Kite, juvenile, not really a lifer because I have seen this bird in Penang but a Japan lifer nonetheless. And I did not have decent photos in Penang.

Black Kite, juvenile

We toured Shirakawa-go after visiting the market. I brought along my camera but unfortunately, I did not see any birds. I did get one of my dream shots for this trip.

Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO heritage site

When we got back to Takayama, we had dinner at a small restaurant near the Miyagawa market. Of course, we had Hida Beef and Takayama Ramen...to die for...or as we say in Cuyonon, Sabor!

Grilled Hida Beef

Takayama Ramen

The following morning, I decided to forego the hotel breakfast so I could have more time to explore and bird. Instead of heading back to the Shiroyama Park, I headed for Sannomachi street, a part of Takayama where the old houses have been preserved. Some of these were built back in the Edo Period (1600-1868). Going early allowed me to see this historic street free of people. Here are some photos taken with my phone.

Sannomachi street, Takayama

I made my way back to the Miyagawa River and I was happy to see that the ducks were still there. This time there was more than one Mallard!

May tatlong bibe ulit!

Di lang tatlo, apat pa!

The Eastern Spot-billed Ducks were also there but some were still asleep or "at rest".

A smallish white bird appeared on the rocks and I snapped several shots. I assumed it was a White Wagtail, which is not a lifer anymore, having seen said bird in Coron. However, two days later, while browsing Japan birds online, I came across a Japanese Wagtail so I sent my photos to Rob Hutchinson who confirmed that it is a Japanese Wagtail, Japan Lifer #5.

Japanese Wagtail, Japan Lifer #5

I was scanning the rooftops for the Black Kite again and it did not disappoint. In fact he even brought two friends along! There were three of them in different perches along the river!

Black Kite, juvenile

All in all a satisfactory two mornings of birding. It netted me five lifers with goods shots! Plus some nice photos of the Black Kite in flight!

Delubyo (Armchair) Birding

To say that ''it has been raining cats and dogs'' the past few days is probably an understatement. The word ''delubyo'' is probably a more apt description of the weather. In fact several flights were cancelled and this morning there was a landslide on the road going to the airport. A landslide is something that is uncommon in Coron. Any plans of birding was quickly shelved.

I was having a rather late lunch at our bar when I saw both the male and female sunbirds dart to some plants. Decided to get my camera and tripod. While setting up, the male bird perched in one of the ornamental banana blossoms but as I was still fumbling with the tripod, I wasn't able to get good shots. So I went back to my adobong pusit all the while keeping my ears open. And as if the rains weren't enough, a really strong downpour occurred for several minutes. But when the rain abated a bit, my friend was back and we had a photo shoot. Presenting...our resident male Olive-backed Sunbird. Local name Chiwit or Siwit. The bird that this blog is named after...

Olive-backed Sunbird, locally called Chiwit

After almost an hour of alternating rain and photo shoot, we bade each other goodbye and resumed our daily tasks - me to my office to work, and him to the ornamental banana blossoms to feed.