A daily journal.
Mainly introducing wild birds of Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, through photos.

石垣島でバードウオッチング(ヤツガシラ編・動画あり)

沖縄本島でのヤツガシラ探しは諦めて、石垣島で見つけてきました。事前の情報では、数日前にほとんど抜けてしまっていると言うことでしたが、なんとか3羽のヤツガシラを探し出しました。^^

石垣島には、毎年ヤツガシラが渡ってくる場所がいくつかあるのですが、今回の3羽はそのメインのポイントから微妙に離れた所にいました。

今年のヤツガシラは当たり年だったらしく、宮古島では一箇所に13羽いたり石垣島でも一日に10羽以上見つけられたり、西表島や与那国島でもいそうな場所には必ずいるという状況だったようです。

石垣島シリーズ(3月26日〜3月27日)

石垣島でバードウオッチング(カタグロトビ巣立ち編)

石垣島でバードウオッチング(クロウタドリ編)

石垣島でバードウオッチング(ヤツガシラ編)

Eurasian Hoopoe

A Eurasian Hoopoe was in the part of the field where compost had been spread. The colour matched the ground so well I nearly missed it… ^^;

Eurasian Hoopoe

This one was inside an agricultural greenhouse with only the crumbling frame still standing. Of all places!!

I would normally have walked past without looking, but this time I was searching quite thoroughly because I was determined to find one — and it paid off. Hoopoe number two.

Eurasian Hoopoe

The third Eurasian Hoopoe was found at Sakieda. It was on a footpath covered in dead leaves. I had hoped to photograph a hoopoe on a nice green lawn, but every background this time round was brown. ^^;

Eurasian Hoopoe

A car passed and startled it, and it flew up into a nearby Chinaberry tree.

Eurasian Hoopoe

A Eurasian Hoopoe eating a cockroach.

Eurasian Hoopoe

A Eurasian Hoopoe eating a white cockroach. Freshly moulted, perhaps?

Grey-headed Lapwing

In the field where compost was piled there was a Eurasian Hoopoe and a Grey-headed Lapwing. The lapwing seemed to be watching for a chance to steal the hoopoe's prey, but when it moved to attack, the hoopoe darted quickly into the trees. The video below shows that moment.

Daurian Redstart

There were large numbers of Daurian Redstarts. It seems we hit the timing of a flock passing through Ishigaki Island.

Daurian Redstart

A male Daurian Redstart. I have no idea how many Daurian Redstarts I saw in total that day. ^^;

Categories: 野鳥