The Buff-bellied Pipit was there again today. First-winter plumage, perhaps. One field guide states that the darkened claw can be used as an identification feature, but from what I saw today, individuals of both Buff-bellied Pipit and Red-throated Pipit with darkened claws are perfectly common… ^^;

Buff-bellied Pipit is paler than Buff-bellied Pipit and the like, but when only the upperparts are visible the paleness is not so obvious.

The breast markings of Buff-bellied Pipit are dotted-line in character.

Buff-bellied Pipit is often found deep in grass like this, but with patience it can be located.

Heaving its small body over the grass, one clambering step at a time.

It's hard to get a clear view of the whole bird.

It rested on the rice-paddy bund for a while.

This one is Buff-bellied Pipit, first-winter plumage.

Red-throated Pipit, winter plumage.

(Yellow-browed) Citrine Wagtail, first-winter plumage.

White-faced Wagtail, summer to winter plumage transition.