Hokkaido 5 Mar 2018 (Day 11)

Time flied, and came to the final birding day in Hokkaido this trip. We grabbed the chance to see more birds but we just wandered near Kushiro area in order to catch the flight back to Sapporo in afternoon. So, the birding spots were more or less the same as previous days.

Otowa Bridge was the first spot of the day, hoping for sunrise shot but sadly no fog this day.

final rice dumpling breakfast this trip

not bad

we arrived before sunrise, but there were already many birders and photographers

view from Otowa Bridge - the famous crane roosting site

getting brighter

and brighter

no fog this day, so foggy scene next time

crane may walk closer to the bridge

Crested Ibis on the bridge

we could also see the crane flying from the bridge

We then visited the owl again before the crane feeding show.

Ural Owl

Eurasian Wren

just arrived, we saw some crane flying, and Common Crane is one of them

see the size difference between Common and Red-crowned Crane

feeding time

feeding time

the feeding video

a pair of Red-crowned Crane

dancing crane

weather was not good for photo, but always an enjoyment to see crane dancing!

our ibis with the cranes

peaceful scene

a Carrion Crow flew by

more crane

and flying crane

the Japan Birdwatching society was doing survey here too

very cute, Tung must love this

and time for looking some more to see any lifers...

snack first

and tea

then birds, Brambling on road

Rustic Bunting

many Rustic Bunting

can you see the Rustic

unexpectedly, we could still get some lifers! My first lifer of this day - Long-tailed Rosefinch

then a second lifer for us! Pallas's Rosefinch

the flying Pallas's Rosefinch

a better shot of this male Pallas's Rosefinch

not too long for our third one! Eurasian Bullfinch

Eastern Buzzard

lunch to celebrate, my favorite curry!

and ice cream

Snow came again, so we just went back to the crane spot before heading to airport.

final chance to see crane this trip

crane

and crane

Hokkaido should be the only place you can enjoy many Red-crowned Crane so close

standard shot, with a juvenile behind

a dancing pair, crane in love, this is also one of my favorite shot

you can see how heavy snow here!

Ibis with crane

our lens were all covered by snow!

video of crane

more video

and finally, we needed to go...

miss you the fish owl!

Crane inside Kushiro airport

these are all famous animals in Hokkaido

we flied to Sapporo first to spend one more day in Hokkaido this time while Guillermo, Irene and Yann were heading home. 

Thanks Guillermo, Irene and Yann for giving us a fruitful trip, especially Yann for driving and made this trip so successful!

we took train from airport to Sapporo town, cheaper than Tokyo skyliner

Sapporo city, a place Wing Tung wanted to come for long

our hotel

chicken before shopping

the shopping street

one of my favorite 

Sake is also my favorite, I chose the one made in Nemuro

tasty!

also fatty tuna, another favorite!

still wanted one more cup even after the great sushi dinner!

and beer to end the last night in Hokkaido this trip!