Ferruginous Ducks in Osaka

Chances to get into the field have continued to be few and far between of late, though with any luck that's about to change. With three days off next week, I'm hoping to see a few good birds plus most Saturdays are likely to be free from now on giving me the luxury of real weekends to look forward to.


Taking advantage of my first free Saturday since New Year I aimed to catch up one one or two winter birds today. There have been a few things around I haven't had time to go for, and time is very obviously running out for winter visitors. Though I'd hoped to cover more ground the only good bird I saw was one of two drake Ferruginous Ducks that have wintered in Osaka.


On the walk from the nearest station to the Yodo River I quicky realized how very warm - and how over-dressed I was for the spring-like conditions. But once on the riverside minus jacket and sweater the weather was beautiful. Though the strong sun made a clear case that the time has come to throw my brimmed summer hat into my pack even if it isn't safe to ditch the winter wooly just yet.


The duck was on a pool, one of many ringed by fishermen, connected to the main river. Like the other wintering ducks here it was quite used to all the humans sitting around the water's edge idly casting lengths of line into the water so one more merely pointing a lens towards the water was nothing to be concerned about and it drifted very close to shore at times. Below are more images than perhaps are necessary, but it was nice to have a cooperative bird for a change.