Bird-watching

 I’m not really a birder, and I used to think bird‑watching would be easy. But it turned out to be much harder than I expected. Still, I’ve recently become interested because I realized there are so many different kinds of birds around us.

 

 Yesterday, I rode my bicycle to Tonbo‑ike Park by myself. It took a little over an hour. The weather was beautiful—not hot at all—and many families were out enjoying the day.

Magamo / Mallard



There were lots of wild ducks on the pond, and watching children play with them along the water’s edge was very relaxing. I took a few photos of the ducks. 

  

Seguro Sekirei / Japanese Wagtail



Yamagara / Varied tit


However, I couldn’t find any other birds besides ducks and wagtails. I climbed the hill and searched along the path. I heard birdsong, and eventually I spotted a varied tit. 

 

Tugumi / Dusky thrush

Jyobitaki / Daurian Redstart (female)

I also found some dusky thrushes and a daurian redstart in the hydrangea garden behind the hill. 
 

In the end, I wasn’t able to take as many photos as I had hoped. Birds don’t wait patiently for beginners like me to take their picture. As a newcomer to bird‑watching, it was a slightly discouraging experience.

Hiyodori / Brown-eared Bulbul

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