Photos / Sounds
What
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)Observer
tuedaDescription
Two male blackbirds amongst the cattails around the pond. Haven't actually seen them around before, but now that I know what they sound like, I have definitely heard them around.
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Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)Observer
tuedaDescription
Having not seen them all winter, it was good to see that flash of white out on the pond again.
Photos / Sounds
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Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)Observer
tuedaDescription
My boss was looking out the window and asked me what this was. I knew it was a merganser, but I don't remember seeing this type before. Luckily, we have a whole collection of stuffed birds on the other side of the museum where we could ID it.
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Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)Observer
tuedaDescription
I believe this squirrel was actually an albino. Same size as a typical gray squirrel, but snow white. Didn't manage to get close enough to see if it had the red eyes, sadly. All I had on me was my phone, so the photos aren't so great.
Photos / Sounds
What
Amur Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica ssp. gutturalis)Observer
tuedaDescription
I saw these sparrows flitting around in Kyushu and on Miyajima. This was the only time one stayed still enough for me to photograph. My best guess is it's a barn swallow.
Photos / Sounds
What
White-cheeked Starling (Spodiopsar cineraceus)Observer
tuedaDescription
This little bird looks like it might be a myna or other starling. My best guess right now is it's a grey starling or white-cheeked starling (both Sturnus cineraceus), seems to more or less fit the description.
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Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)Observer
tuedaDescription
The deer in Nara are not exactly a rare sight. They are for the most part domesticated, living in relative peace (though also considerable nuisance to tourists) in the parks of Nara. They have a distinct tendency to eat anything paper that you might have out, including money.
Photos / Sounds
What
Japanese Earth-boring Dung Beetle (Phelotrupes auratus)Observer
tuedaDescription
This was a decent sized beetle, maybe 2.5cm in length. Beautiful shiny iridescent blue.
Photos / Sounds
What
Greater Lady Beetles (Genus Harmonia)Observer
tuedaDescription
I don't know too much about ladybugs and their ilk, but it did strike me that this one had inverse coloration to the normal ones found in northeast United States.
After some research, I think this is, in fact, the same species as that found in North America, only form conspicua.
Photos / Sounds
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Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope)Observer
tuedaDescription
I can't find this duck in the bird book I have.
Photos / Sounds
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Black-eared Kite (Milvus migrans ssp. lineatus)Observer
tuedaDescription
A flock of well over a dozen kites descended on the river shore, scaring off a flock of pigeons. Apparently they were after the breadcrumbs the pigeons were eating.
Photos / Sounds
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Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)Observer
tuedaDescription
I don't think I've ever noticed how oddly proportioned the neck of a swan is until I saw it stretched straight. It seems very top-heavy.
Photos / Sounds
What
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)Observer
tuedaDescription
I had heard these guys (and gals) had appeared last week and was disappointed to have missed them, but they made an appearance today! Sadly the sun and the weird setup of our office and its windows put a ghost of my hand right in the shots I managed to get...
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)Observer
tuedaDescription
The common mergansers were clustered just off to the left of the hooded ones, like they didn't quite get along.
Photos / Sounds
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Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)Observer
tuedaDescription
We spotted a group of mergansers outside our office window yesterday, but none of us knew what they were. Saw them again today and overheard some people (of some bird authority) saying they were common mergansers, and that hooded mergansers had also been seen hanging around last week.
Photos / Sounds
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Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)Observer
tuedaDescription
Spotted the guy (or gal?) perched on a low branch of a tree by the Cambridgeside Galleria. It's breast was very white with black speckles and I didn't particularly notice a red tail on it, so it may have been a juvenile? Didn't see it in flight, so can't say for sure.
Photos / Sounds
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Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)Observer
tuedaDescription
Typical of most of New England, the back yard is infested with grey squirrels. I think the record is 5 or 6 on the deck at a time.
Photos / Sounds
What
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)Observer
tuedaDescription
Also spotted the female, which is more brown than slate, but couldn't get a pic of her.
