Bird News from Jason Loghry
Although the winters here can be cold and grey and at times dreary, some winter days are absolutely gorgeous. Today was one of those days. I had only a few hours in the afternoon so I decided to visit the Junam Reservoir (especially after hearing about reports in the north of the country of a of a Demoiselle Crane and Black-shouldered Kite). At Junam, the main reservoir, the water seems to remain at a high water level. There were mostly Whooper Swan, Taiga Bean Geese, Mallard, a few Northern Pintail and a few Common Pochard among many of the usual wintering ducks. On the rice fields there were hundreds of geese opposite the main lake, including Greater White-fronted and Taiga Bean. I found a small group of about 38 White-naped Crane in a flock on the rice fields accompanied by two Hooded Crane. They were a stunning site. Far Eastern Skylark and Buff-bellied Pipits could be found on the field s and at one exciting moment a Merlin dropped by in hot pursuit of some Oriental Turtle Doves. Still, the most impressive sights of the afternoon were that of a Hen Harrier in flight over the rice fields and then anAmur Leopard Cat observed catching the night’s dinner, a mouse. The day was finished with a beautiful sunset as a few of the White-naped Cranes taking roost on the rice fields near the many hundreds of feeding geese.
White-naped Crane Grus vipio with adult and juvenile Hooded Crane Grus monacha, © Jason Loghry
White-naped Crane Grus vipio with adult and juvenile Hooded Crane Grus monacha, © Jason Loghry
White-naped Crane Grus vipio with adult and juvenile Hooded Crane Grus monacha, © Jason Loghry