David Farrow

13/06/2024

Long-billed Bush Warbler, Naltar Valley 130624
Thrilling to find this rare bird, with just one found in the last known locality for the species.
Better photos to come!
Birdquest
A Birdquest lifer!

16/05/2024

Birdquest

15/05/2024

Sharp-tailed and Marsh Sandpipers

15/05/2024

15/05/2024

hyposidra moth

26/02/2024

Our Birdquest Japan-in-Winter tour has been enjoying the delights of Arasaki in Kyushu with five species of Cranes to ogle, including a well-received Siberian Crane.

21/02/2024

A nice find for us today on the current Birdquest Japan in Winter tour, a lone Solitary Snipe feeding in a mountain forest stream at Karuizawa.
In addition to this, we have been doing remarkably well for Pheasants, with 12 Green Pheasant seen today (perhaps courtesy of the low cloud and drizzle) on top of yesterday's success of finding no less than 7 Copper Pheasants! No photos, but at least one of the males walked slowly through sunlit glades while we watched in amazement.

12/02/2024

The spectacle of the Cranes at Arasaki, Kyushu, Japan. Here are some of the 3000+ White-naped Cranes wintering in the rice fields.
On our private Birdquest group on behalf of Steve Bird 'Bird's Wildlife and Nature'

10/09/2023

I finally got round to editing some pics from my recent Birdquest tour to Sulawesi, Halmahera, Morotai, Obi and Bacan.

24/07/2023

A few avian delights from north Sulawesi
Birdquest

20/07/2023

Sulawesi Pitta, Gunung Mahawu. 19.07.23
A handsome fellow that showed very well, on the current Birdquest tour of Sulawesi and the North Moluccas.

Birdquest

19/06/2023

Still on the subject of my recent visit to Japan, here are thermal images taken on night drives on Amami Oshima and Okinawa.
Birdquest

14/06/2023

Some various wildlife from my recent trip around the Ryukyu Islands of Japan.
Birdquest

01/06/2023

Typhoon Marwa has meant things are all a bit messed up here in the Ryukyu islands of Japan, but the endemic birds have been kind to us as we head into the howling storm. On Amami island we had great encounters on nightdrives with Amami Woodcock and Lidth's Jay, plus the Amami Black Rabbit, and some fearsome looking Habu snakes. By day we found Ryukyu Robin and Amami Thrush, and on reaching Okinawa we found Okinawa Rail and Pryer's Scops Owl, on a warm windy night as the typhoon approached ever closer.
Birdquest

19/03/2023

Some of the excellent mammals encountered on the Birdquest Japan in Winter tour

18/03/2023

Steller's Sea Eagles
White-tailed Eagles
Large-billed Crow
Rausu, Hokkaido March 2nd. 2023

A totally awesome show. Both Eagles coming within just a few metres of us, with hundreds of birds present. A highlight of the Japan-in-Winter BBirdquesttour.

14/03/2023

A rather niche bit of nature appreciation!
A spectrogram recording made with a mobile app, of the high-pitched song of Asian Stubtail.
After a brief glimpse of the bird in the undergrowth, the bird continued to sing. Invisible, but also inaudible to all present! We had no idea which direction to look, the bird was never seen yet must have been very close!

12/03/2023

Some of the best things come in small packages:
The 'Umisuzume' or 'Sea Sparrow', better known as the Japanese Murrelet.
One of my favourite experiences on the Japan-in-Winter tour, when we go out in a fishing boat to see these delightful little birds at close hand.
Birdquest

09/03/2023

Aboard the new ferry Salvia Maru, somewhere south of Tokyo around the Izu Islands 070323.
A fine sunny day made for good sailing conditions, but poor seabird weather.
As we headed back north, suddenly we were surrounded by Short-tailed Albatross, a conservative estimate of 135, plus 45+ each of both Black-footed and Laysan Albatross, with a staggering 120 birds of 3 species following a fishing boat that crossed our bow. The most I've ever seen in these waters! A calm seastate meant it was also good for cetaceans, with 4 Humpback and a pod of >13 S***m Whales. A great end to a successful tour.
Birdquest

08/03/2023

March 7th. Ferry to the Izu Islands, aboard the new Salvia Maru. A fine day indeed

22/02/2023

Blimey! That's unexpected!
Part of a flock of 13 Lesser White-fronted Geese seen today at Kamo-ike Observatory, Ishikawa-ken.
Birdquest

11/02/2023

Grey-headed Parakeets, Mae Ping National Park. Thailand.
A good site for this scarce species, they are definitely attempting to breed!

11/02/2023

Buffy Fish Owl, Khao Yai National Park.
Some views of the roosting adult, plus the other of the pair on the nest in a clump of epiphytes and ferns

11/02/2023

Here's a couple of tasty Wood Owls from Thailand - Brown, and Spotted. The latter was the the last bird of the tour, seen on the way to Phuket airport.

24/01/2023

A smart fellow in the pines, sporting his dapper blue waistcoat and matching suit.

Ultramarine Flycatcher male, Doi Pha Hom Pok NP, Thailand.
Birdquest

19/01/2023

Blue Pitta male, Kaeng Krachan, Thailand.
A pulse of colour in the dark forest
Birdquest

16/01/2023

Still life with jackfruit

Ferruginous Partridge, Kaeng Krachan, Thailand 14.01.23

More fun on the ongoing Birdquest tour. Only the third time in my life I have seen this species, and I think it is now firmly a favourite. Despite the fantastic bright patterns, it seems to be rather camouflaged against the jackfruit lying on the ground.

12/01/2023

A good start to the Birdquest Thailand tour, with a splendid view of this Spoon-billed Sandpiper feeding on the saltpans at Khok Kham. Apologies for the ropey quality, it's a mobile phone video taken through the scope. Rarity over quality!