Sakata

September 5, 2020

A Summer Summary

I haven’t found too many birds the last month or so, but have seen some nice scenery. I had two weeks off in August and visited a few places in Niigata. We spent one night in a hotel in the Bandai Asahi National Park, and spent an afternoon at Sakata, Niigata. I also had a… Continue reading

Japan, Japanese Dragonflies

Bandai-Asahi National Park, Black-headed Gull, Golden Flangetail, Lesser Emperor, Niigata, Sakata, Uchinokura Lake
January 1, 2020

Days Gone, Days to Come

Here are some photos taken last Sunday. It normally wouldn’t be a big deal to post them on a Wednesday, but today is the start of a new decade. I had nice walks at Hyoko, Sakata, and Fukushimagata on the weekend. One distant sighting of a White-tailed Sea-eagle, lots of geese and swans, and ducks… Continue reading

Japanese Birds

Fukushimagata, Hyoko, Niigata, Sakata, Winter
December 4, 2017

Sunny at Sakata

Sakata Niigata, Japan December 3, 2017 Yesterday Keiko, Jonah, and Luke kindly took me to Sakata. It was sunny but very cool when we got there. It was nice to see plenty of waterfowl out on the water including Smew, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Shovelers and maybe more. I mostly enjoyed seeing long legged birds… Continue reading

Uncategorized

Bull-headed Shrike, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Oriental Stork, Sakata, Tundra Swan
May 22, 2017

Singing for Summer

Oriental Reed Warbler Sakata, Niigata, Japan May 20, 2017 It seems summer is here. Lots of Oriental Reed Warblers at Sakata. They are typical of summer sounds in Niigata. They are cheerful birds and I’m happy they are here. Continue reading

Uncategorized

Oriental Reed Warbler, Sakata
June 7, 2015

Tsubame Swallow

Barn Swallow “Tsubame” – Japanese Sakata, Niigata, Japan June 7, 2015 Beautiful weather today and I went on a nice bike ride with my mate, Billy. I’m teaching him a little about birding and we managed to watch this family of swallows for a bit. Actually, there was a lady there first trying to get… Continue reading

Uncategorized

Barn Swallow, Sakata
March 7, 2015

Oh, Fudge!

Furruginous Duck Sakata, Niigata, Japan October 2014 This is a new duck for me. Taken early Autumn last year at Sakata, Niigata. I walked around reeds to have a look at a hidden pool and there it was. I surprised it and just got the above shot, then the below flight shot as it took… Continue reading

Uncategorized

Eurasian Teal, Ferruginous Duck, Fudge Duck, Sakata
December 7, 2013

Sakata, Niigata

Sakata, Niigata, Japan January 5, 2013 Although I’ve posted some images and subjects from Sakata before I haven’t mentioned what an important birding place it is for Niigata. It was the tenth designated wetland site in Japan for the Ramsar Convention. Click here for more about the Ramsar convention. It has a wonderful glass-fronted observatory… Continue reading

Uncategorized

Eurasian Bittern, Giant Lotus, Great Egret, Grey Heron, Long-tailed Tit, Sakata
October 17, 2013

First Buzzard

Dragonfly Fukushimagata, Niigata, Japan September 2013 We’ve had a long summer this year in Niigata. The last real bird adventure for me was watching the Northern Goshawk fledglings back in June. It has been quiet ever since, so much Australian content has been added to this blog in that time. I’ve been trying to find… Continue reading

Uncategorized

dragonfly, Eastern Buzzard, Fukushimagata, giant tadpoles, Junsai-ike, Little Tern, Sakata, tiny tortoises, White Wagtail

About Me

Spring in February
by Russell Jenkins
February 15, 2026

Daurian Redstart (Female)

We had weeks of freezing, dull weather, but suddenly we had a glorious spring weekend. I went to Fukushimagata on Saturday but barely got any photos. I was surprised to see most of the geese and swans had gone. Then today I was really happy to see Daurian Redstarts. Surely a sign of spring.

Daurian Redstart (Male)
Fun, Sun, and Snow!
by Russell Jenkins
January 11, 2026
Great White Egret stalking at Fukushimagata.

After a very cold week, Saturday brought sunshine to Niigata City. I woke up early but didn’t want to go out on black ice when it was 1 degree celsius and waited till after 8. By then, the centre of the roads had begun to thaw and I felt safer going out and about. I was in different minds where to go, but I’m glad I chose my old friend, Fukushimagata.

At first, I stayed along a canal in hope of finding Falcated Ducks, and a possible raptor using it as a corridor, but the Falcated Ducks were no longer where I knew them to be and there seemed to be more going on in the distance around me.

As I started to move up the canal towards the wetlands I encountered a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Japanese Tits, and Brambling at the trees to the side. The woodpeckers flew off quickly so I continued to step through the snow towards the wetland. Once I got to the next bridge, something stirred up the geese around me and there was noise and movement all about. I first came to Fukushimagata, Niigata, in 2004, and was amazed by the thousands of geese that autumn. As the years passed, I felt there has been fewer, but yesterday, I felt the same as I did when I first visited. It was lovely to see so many large, wild birds with the snow covered mountains in the background and the sun reflected off the melting white ground.

Greater White-fronted Goose

Bean Goose

Small family groups of humans and lone birders trudged to the observatory within the wetlands, but I chose to sit on an old bench and wait for the birds to come to me. Which they did. Lots of close encounters with swans, and geese, Great Cormorants, and coot. The Great Egret had no fear of me, and arrived right in front of me and stalked calmly at the water’s edge. At times the geese stirred up, and I was thrilled to see a distant White-tailed Eagle mixing up the place before it decided to land in a a tree out in the middle of the wetlands. I sat there waiting for it to get back into action, but it out-waited me, and I left to walk my dog before the fine day came to an end. I sat long enough to watch the eagle being mobbed by passing crows, harriers, buzzards, Black-eared Kites and anyone else bothered by its presence. Not me. I felt very calm sitting there with all the wild birds about me with the light reflecting upwards. I got sunburnt, but it was time to myself, and I did manage to walk an appreciative dog for 90 minutes in the sun afterwards. Guilt free happiness for one day.
A Japanese Buzzard prepares to swoop down at a White-tailed Eagle sitting in the tree below. The other raptor coming front-on is a Black-eared Kite.
The Winter Winds
by Russell Jenkins
January 7, 2026
I was standing alone with a cold wind gust up against my back and snow flakes sparsely twirling about when a pigeon hurried right past my face. I barely had time to begin to inhale when this Peregrine appeared in front of me from the same direction. I managed to fire off just four frames; the first two – blank sky, the third this image, and the fourth, blank sky again.

I arrived back to Japan after my September adventure in Australia and it was still hot. I walked around in a dream with the images of Fairy-wrens, Galahs, and kangaroos in my mind and the the days turned to nights and the bright summer light eventually faded and the winds came. Always in late October, there is a time when I find myself laying awake in the midst of night listening to the faint calls of swans arriving from the far north and the howls of the wind open a new door in my outlook and my wardrobe. A change of clothes and excitement that the winter birds have arrived to comfort me in the coming cold.

Pochard

Spot-billed Ducks

Swans

Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Teal

Swans

Niigata has two days when the sky is blue and the winds are gentle, then five when it sleets and gusts. As I get older, I wish to rest when I should be “making hay”, then I have an urge to go out when the wind will hurt my bones. Birds can be funny here too. I can go out and search and search to find crows and sparrows when it’s fine, but I have learned I can find something special when I should be playing guitar in a warm room with a cup of hot green tea. It is the brief outing in poor conditions when I seem to get unexpected thrills right in front of my face, such a Peregrine Falcon or Falcated Duck. I did, however venture out to find a Durian Redstart on a sunny afternoon the week before my winter vacation. To me it was a sign it was unlikely to snow as I usually see these superb little birds after the heavy snow season has come to an end, sometimes late February but I think mostly March. We did have some brief snow events so far this winter but my weather apps mostly describe days of “Freezing Rain”. I am still amazed to see people jogging in such conditions, when my mind is searching for cricket updates from home where the days are hot.
- Durian Redstart
- Bull-headed Shrike
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Eastern Buzzrd
- Also now known as
- Japanese Buzzard
I did have one other nice experience at Toyanogata on one of the two sunny days in my winter vacation watching, filming, and photographing, a Great Spotted Woodpecker pecking away undeterred by my presence stumbling below trying to find position with good light and angle. Woodpeckers are always a thrill for an Australian. Maybe I will go out looking again.

Another encounter with a peregrine in the snow.

A Japanese Tree Sparrow

Japanese Buzzard

Bull-headed Shrike
Runaway Trains
by Russell Jenkins
October 21, 2025
Rainbow Bee-eater diving into a dam on the Darling Downs, Queensland, September 2025.

Runaway Trains

Not long ago, I finished only my second real holiday since before the pandemic. It was my second visit to Australia since 2019. The days went by so fast. I barely started each day and my mind and body were overtaken by the atoms buzzing around me. I thought I had plans, but I had no chance to do everything with few days and the distractions all about me. All better than my plans. Each day was like riding in an old wooden buffet car of a runaway train.
- Brown Goshawk
- Australian Pelican
- Black Swan
I had barely stepped both feet out of the customs and security exits at Brisbane Airport and I was amazed to see the large soaring figure of an adult White-bellied Sea-Eagle in front of the passenger pick-up. Rob and Rod then grabbed me by the collar and we were whisked around giant warehouses where bouncing monster trucks were surrounded by Australian Pelicans, Black Swans, Mangrove Gerygones, Superb Fairy-wrens, Brown Goshawks, Brahminy Kites and other distant sea eagles. So much was going on before the minute-hand completed a single circuit. And as far as a buffet car goes, in Japan, we can enjoy many exotic delicacies like miso ramen, sashimi from the Sea of Japan, koshihikari rice, sasadangos, and even Murakami beef, but nothing is anything like one of Sid’s pies.

Tawny Frogmouth

Cutlery bounced and rattled on the saucer in front of me with all the windows wide down as the carriage slid and clattered and rattled on rusted, weathered rails. I stuck my head out into the sunshine and hooed and cooed with the wind blasting up my nostrils. It only seemed a moment before we faded into the dark quiet of a tunnel, and I awoke back, bouncing around in my booth with the roar of the wind, and persistent calls of Butcherbirds, Magpies, Currawongs, Lorikeets, and even a distant Kookaburra, announcing the start another journey on the new Bakelite speakers.

Rainbow Bee-eater with a wasp.

It was the middle of the week in September when we trekked to the doorstep of the west. Far away from working days in the city. Thank you to Martin and Karen for your generosity. Milly, Lincoln, Blackie, and the Bottle Trees, all greeted me kindly and I listened intently to the absence of motors and devices. The depth of the night sky is truly incredible from here. The sky is so bright, and the ground so dark; until your headlamp catches thousands of eyes of Wolf Spiders gazing back at you. Like a reflection of the night sky.

On the second night, as I went to unzip the entrance to my tent, a large Huntsman ran down along the path of the zipper and departed to the right. I entered the tent, organised my things, and as I lay down I realised I hadn’t closed the outer flaps. Not to worry. The night breeze was clean and fresh and I could watch satellites pass through the stars. Then it started to rain. A city boy in the bush, I unzipped the inner layer to reach out and zip up the outer. All done, I rested flat on my back and watched the return of the Huntsman. He was inside the outer layer but outside the inner layer. His shape was beautiful directly above my face and I fell deeply asleep.

Double-barred Finch late in the morning

I woke in the same position. Like I came out of the tunnel unmoved. It was just before six, and the spider had gone. I thought about how clear my mind felt and I had no pain in my back. Then I noticed the wisps and trills of Fairy-wrens just metres to the back of my tent. The train carriage was sharply bouncing about and I had no time to relax. It was the third and final chance to chase Purple-backed Fairy-wrens. They had been there from the start. They hopped and chatted right in front of me but were always obscured by sticks and stalks, and leaves. When I crept closer they would go to the back of the shrub they were in, then flutter to a farther bush. I followed them blindly and I treaded steadfully onward, but they out-paced me as they dispersed outback. I finally gave up the chase realising each time their voices had become more distant and spread out. It was unlikely I could catch up with them. I stood alone. Only in view of the Bottle Trees. The tea in my cup was stale and cold and the carriage was empty. I would head back to the camp. Then I noticed. Every time I headed back to the camp, the fairies would follow me. They’d get close behind just before I could get back to my seat. I thought they were tormenting me.

I don’t remember when it happened. The fairy-wrens were around the camp and I begrudgingly got off my seat to have another go at capturing their image. I felt somewhat cynical, and doubtful. It was still nice being beside the trees and the grasses, but I was less ambitious about my photography and stopped and browsed my camera menu. I totally removed my attention from the birds. Without any warning, five of them popped their faces out barely 2 metres away. As if they were wondering why I was no longer playing with them. In just a moment I grabbed some pictures to be happy with. Then I knew they weren’t tormenting me at all. Maybe they enjoyed the attention and were playing with me. It felt like a Dreamtime story. I’m sure it is. I miss them now. Not for their pictures, but for their companionship.
I would understand if Ludwig Leichhardt followed Fairy-wrens far, far through the lands and into the stars.

Rob and I attempted to photograph Rainbow Bee-eaters as they splashed into a dam for insects, and the sun slowly went down. It was amazing and frustrating, and we didn’t know if we were getting any useful photographs, yet we could have continued that for eternity too, if the day hadn’t ended.
(Images Below: Spiny-checked Honey-eater in flight, Brown Honey-eater drinking, and Black-striped Wallabies.)
Grey Kangaroos on the Darling Downs

I visited the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Parade for the first time in more than twenty years. They announced it was only the second time it had ever rained. Niigata City celebrated their dance festival during the same period, and it was reported to me when I returned, that it was sunny. It rained there my last few visits. One must not be superstitious.

South-eastern Queensland is vivid and beautiful in September. I was freezing at night during my first week, but the forecast was for 36 Celsius in Brisbane just days after I left. It is an old, wooden carriage that rattles and bounces, and bumps. But the light bounces like metal wheels in all directions and the breezes bring aromas of pollen, bat poo, oxygen and stories.

Lace Monitor on the Darling Downs
- Welcome Swallow
- Leaden Flycatcher
- Yellow-rumped Thornbill
- Orchid
Bearded Dragon in the Lockyer Valley

Superb Fairy-wren at Duggan Park

I gate-crashed one event of the inaugural Toowoomba Bird Fair. It is now part of the Carnival of Flowers, which is forever blooming brighter and wider. My friend Mick, picked me up this time as well as helping a birding tour of Duggan Park, where we found Superb Fairy-wrens, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Welcome Swallows, Galahs, Little Corellas, White Ibis, Wedge-tailed Eagles, et, al; and even a Dollarbird. Furthermore, I was reminded there are other people in the world who love birds and even photograph them. Mick and I then witnessed the beginning of a whole new era of naturalists and Astro travellers taking up the art at the Toowoomba Bird Habitat with bird focussed activities for children. I hope they’ll join up to celebrate the 50th reunion in 2075, and laugh about the days when they started.

Galah

Little Corella

I cannot complete a complete diary of my holiday for there is limited space on the internet. I can only recall my tour along the north shore of Brisbane, where we ate fish and chips, and prawns from the hand-script of Herman Melville. I bought a freshly made Cappuccino and sipped it as I photographed a beautiful Brahminy Kite. I’ve decided now to always sip cappuccinos while photographing raptors. That was on a Friday. On Monday morning I was asked to teach the alphabet to Grade Threes. Fortunately, the students were patient and kind to me as I fumbled through it. Just as everyone else.
- Dogfight between Australian Hobby and a Whistling Kite
- Magpie Geese at Gatton Uni
- Yellow-rumped Thornbill
- Magpie Goose in flight
I didn’t see who placed a new cup of tea in front of me, but I see the cup is now sitting still and quiet on the saucer, and the tea is hot and fresh. Thank you. It would be nice though, to have just one more chocolate brownie.

Osprey House
- Crested Tern
- Brahminy Kite
The End
Dark, Quiet,
by Russell Jenkins
January 2, 2025

Apart from my visit to Australia, my 2024 was fairly uneventful birding wise. I’m on holidays at the moment but rain, rain, rain, wind, wind, wind, has been the schedule since December started. Snow is on the menu for tomorrow. The max will be 3, but it has been steadily going between 3 and 5 Celsius for a while now. It is dark. The middle of the day is too dark for bird photography. I’ve had my eye on the Nikkor 600mm f6.3 for a while, but it’d be too dark at that aperture. Even f4 struggles in the middle of winter here.

The photos I’m adding today are from a stroll through Toyanogata on the first day of 2025. It was a better day than last year. I ended up huddled on a rooftop with the threat of tsunami after the earthquake, and the year before I was sick in bed. Yesterday was dark, but I could go for a walk. I saw a Great-spotted Woodpecker, a Northern Goshawk and a Japanese Green Pheasant, but I was too slow to get clear shots. I did see lots of shrikes however. I don’t have many photos of shrikes, so I might try and get some if I have a chance in the days ahead. Birds were the usual suspects, and I was focussing on a Brown-eared Bulbul when it narrowly escaped a charging shrike. The shrike was much smaller, but very fast and aggressive. I always see these things and forget to take the photo!

Bull-headed Shrike

I’m an Australian interested in nature, photography, culture, and art based in Japan.

2026 (3)
2025 (2)
2024 (5)
2023 (5)
2022 (8)
2021 (11)
2020 (21)
2019 (34)
2018 (30)
2017 (31)
2016 (54)
2015 (40)
2014 (46)
2013 (55)
2012 (53)
2011 (43)
2010 (45)
2009 (14)

A Summer Summary

November 22, 2025

I haven’t found too many birds the last month or so, but have seen some nice scenery. I had two weeks off in August and visited a few places in Niigata. We spent one night in a hotel in the Bandai Asahi National Park, and spent an afternoon at Sakata, Niigata. I also had a…
Days Gone, Days to Come

November 22, 2025

Here are some photos taken last Sunday. It normally wouldn’t be a big deal to post them on a Wednesday, but today is the start of a new decade. I had nice walks at Hyoko, Sakata, and Fukushimagata on the weekend. One distant sighting of a White-tailed Sea-eagle, lots of geese and swans, and ducks…
Sunny at Sakata

November 22, 2025

Sakata Niigata, Japan December 3, 2017 Yesterday Keiko, Jonah, and Luke kindly took me to Sakata. It was sunny but very cool when we got there. It was nice to see plenty of waterfowl out on the water including Smew, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Northern Shovelers and maybe more. I mostly enjoyed seeing long legged birds…
Singing for Summer

November 22, 2025

Oriental Reed Warbler Sakata, Niigata, Japan May 20, 2017 It seems summer is here. Lots of Oriental Reed Warblers at Sakata. They are typical of summer sounds in Niigata. They are cheerful birds and I’m happy they are here.
Tsubame Swallow

November 22, 2025

Barn Swallow “Tsubame” – Japanese Sakata, Niigata, Japan June 7, 2015 Beautiful weather today and I went on a nice bike ride with my mate, Billy. I’m teaching him a little about birding and we managed to watch this family of swallows for a bit. Actually, there was a lady there first trying to get…
Oh, Fudge!

November 22, 2025

Furruginous Duck Sakata, Niigata, Japan October 2014 This is a new duck for me. Taken early Autumn last year at Sakata, Niigata. I walked around reeds to have a look at a hidden pool and there it was. I surprised it and just got the above shot, then the below flight shot as it took…
Sakata, Niigata

November 22, 2025

Sakata, Niigata, Japan January 5, 2013 Although I’ve posted some images and subjects from Sakata before I haven’t mentioned what an important birding place it is for Niigata. It was the tenth designated wetland site in Japan for the Ramsar Convention. Click here for more about the Ramsar convention. It has a wonderful glass-fronted observatory…
First Buzzard

November 22, 2025

Dragonfly Fukushimagata, Niigata, Japan September 2013 We’ve had a long summer this year in Niigata. The last real bird adventure for me was watching the Northern Goshawk fledglings back in June. It has been quiet ever since, so much Australian content has been added to this blog in that time. I’ve been trying to find…