Since cranes were the target, I started with Hooded Cranes at sunrise.

There was one Common Crane mixed in as well.

According to the Crane Observation Center there are two Sandhill Cranes, but I could only find one.

Hooded Cranes were gathered in large numbers in the fallow fields. The fields were screened off with sheeting all around — well looked after.

Lots of ducks too. Every time a Black Kite circled overhead they would take flight. Mallards and Eurasian Wigeons.

These are Northern Pintails.

Ducks packed in everywhere. Occasionally they were being chased around by crows.

Eurasian Wigeons at the river mouth as well.

A flock of Hooded Cranes flying in the morning glow.

Arriving flocks spiral down from very high up.

Common Crane in flight.

These are Falcated Ducks at Miyama Pond, near the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant exhibition hall.

There were also plenty of Mandarin Ducks at Miyama Pond.

Male Russet Sparrows at Nishi-Kantaku. Every bird lined up along the power lines was a Russet Sparrow. ^^;

There was a Daurian Jackdaw nearby too, but I forgot to photograph it….

This is a female Russet Sparrow.

Meadow Bunting at Satsuma-Sendai Takahama.

There were lots of Siberian Stonechats as well.

The Red-throated Pipit was fairly wary.