On December 13, 2018, I rode my mountain bike down along the left bank of Yasugawa to Moriyama. Along the way quite a few Japanese black kites (トビ) were flying and roosting on the ground and in trees near the carcass of a large fish.
Below the weir I rode over the embankment that divides the riverbank from houses and fields in Moriyama. A patch of weeds along the road included shepherd’s purse (ナズナ) with tiny white flowers.
At the end of the road I rode up the hill and along a playgound (北川原公園) to Shiga Prefectural Route 151. I turned left and followed the right fork of the street to Hatonomori Park (滋賀県 守山市 鳩の森公園).
In the park I left my bike near a bridge across the little stream, where calla lilies were blooming.
I was hoping to find small birds among the camellias, but there were only flowers and fallen petals.
Fortunately, quite a few birds were near Firefly Pond (蛍池), the upper pond. Japanese white-eye (メジロ) were in large trees.
Some bushes and trees border the area above the pond. A pygmy woodpecker (コゲラ) was on a small tree right in front of me.
Nearby a Japanese tit (シジュウカラ) flitted between bushes. The shy but curious little bird stayed in the area as it kept its distance and peered out at me from cover.
A female Daurian redstart (ジョウビタキ) in the same area perched in the open and called. She did not seem to mind my presence.
At the lower pond a flock of Eastern spot-billed ducks (カルガモ) included one with green head plumage, perhaps a hybrid.
As usual at this pond, two pairs of mallards (マガモ) joined the Eastern spot-billed ducks. One of the females swam leisurely, and other was more active.
One of the mallard males put on a show right in front of me as he stood and fanned his wings. What a beautiful creature!
After I left the park, I rode back toward the river, stopping at Ten Shrine (天神社) to admire the late fall colors.

At Yasugawa I crossed Kawata Ohashi (川田大橋) and rode upriver along the right (north) bank.

A few kilometers from home I paused atop a mound to rest and enjoy the late afternoon scenery.

In nearly five hours I rode only 19.25 kilometers, but I was lucky to enjoy the colorful late fall scenery, see wildflowers still in bloom, and photograph some beautiful birds. A short bike ride down along the riverbank turned into a very good day outdoors.
Thank you for posting photos of lovely birds.
Winter used to be my least favorite season, but birds have changed it to likable one. It is about time a dusky thrush ツグミ comes to our garden, we are looking forward to seeing her again.
Have a nice winter time.
Thanks for your kind words. I am also looking forward to seeing thrushes and other winter visitors.