Birds of the Ai River (July 2021)

 

In July, the weather continued to get hotter and there were few birds along the river. Interestingly, while I hadn’t seen many ducks along the river in recent previous months, there were a couple of groups of Spot-billed Ducks (Anas poecilorhyncha) in July.

I was also able to photograph a

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).

and a Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis).

Also, this Feral Pigeon:

Other birds such as tree sparrows were also seen but not photographed.

Birds of the Ai River (May, June 2021)

Continuing the pattern observed in April, there were very few birds spotted along the river during the months of May and June.  On most days, the water levels were low,

and vegetation along the river continued to thrive.

The only birds consistently spotted were Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea), 

Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta),

and a Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).

On most days there were zero ducks to be seen.  On some days, there were one or two Spot-billed Ducks (Anas poecilorhyncha).

Other birds spotted included:

White Wagtail (Motacella alba)

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

White-cheeked Starling (Sturnus cineraceus)

Crow (Corvus sp.)

There were also tree sparrows and feral pigeons, but I didn’t capture any photographs of them.

 

Birds of The Ai River (April 2021 Update)

The start of April coincided with the decline of the cherry blossom season.  By about two weeks into April, most of the Sakura trees were lush with green leaves and no remaining trace of the delicate pink blossoms.  The disappearance of the Sakura blossoms also coincided with a disappearance of the ducks along the river.  In the beginning of April, flocks of Eurasian Wigeons (Anas Penelope)  were still visible.

But, by the fourth week of April, there were only a few ducks of any species left to be seen.  In fact, there were few birds of any kind to be seen anywhere along the river.  Instead, there was a lot of green vegetation and flowers sprouting up along the riverside.

Below are photos of the few birds that I managed to photograph during the month of April.

Eurasian Wigeons (Anas Penelope)

Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha)

Common Teal (Anas crecca)

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

White Wagtail (Motacella alba)

Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia)

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

I went upstream to check on the spot where last month I spotted a pair of gallinules.  This time, there was no sign of them.

 

Birds of the Ai River (March 2021 Update)

Entering March, we have seen more days of rain, but due to the dredging work that was done last summer, the drainage capabilities of the river system have greatly increased.  And so while there may be a higher water level after a significant morning rainfall, by the afternoon the water levels return to almost as low as the days that have no rain.  

March has also brought the beginning of spring.  Temperatures are slowly climbing, and the Sakura has started to bloom.

Overall, the bird species that I have spotted this month are the same as in the past two months.  But it does seem that the number of Spot-billed ducks, Mallards, and Teals have decreased.  The Eurasian Wigeons (Anas Penelope)   still appear to be plentiful, and their numbers dominate in this local area.

Last month, I discovered the carcass of a Eurasian Wigeon that appeared to have been attacked by a stray cat or perhaps a Black Kite (Milvus migrans).  I found another wigeon carcass this month, but its cause of death is a mystery.  Although there appeared to be some blood on the ground next to the body, there were no obvious injuries to the bird and none of the scattered feathers you might expect to see after an attack from a cat or other predator.

The other birds photographed this month were mostly the same as in February.  

Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha)

Common Teal (Anas crecca)

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Note the cute yellow feet.  

 

Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia)

Larger than the Little Egret, and the feet are black.

Crow (Corvus sp.)

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) (juvenile)

Dusky Thrush (Tardus naumanni)

Common Gallinule (Gallinula chloropus)

There is a spot upstream where the stream comes to a gentle flow amid some clumps of reeds.

There is a pair of Common Gallinules living there.  They are quite shy and hide in the brush whenever a jogger or stroller comes by.  But if you sit and wait quietly for about 15 minutes, they will pop out again.

They like to hide under the reeds at the water’s edge.

The Gallinules aren't the only ones who like to hide in the underbrush.  Here is a Spot-billed duck.

 

Other birds spotted, but not photographed:

Plover (Charadrius sp.)

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Feral Pigeon (Columba livia)

White-cheeked Starling (Sturnus cineraceus)