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

First birds of 2023

Wishing everyone a happy new year.

The new year got off to a rough start — the entire family came down with COVID-19 right at the beginning of the holidays. We couldn't go anywhere, and I spent the time in bed until the 8th. ^^

My first birding of the year was on the 9th. Overwintering since last year: Common Crane, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Shelduck, Tundra Swan, Korean Kestrel, Grey-faced Buzzard, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, thrushes, wagtails, Amur Stonechat, Chinese Pond Heron, and four species of starling.

Crested Serpent Eagle

For New Year's, you can't leave out a juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle — the bird celebrated in the Okinawan song "Washi nu Tui-bushi."

Lesser Kestrel

Lesser Kestrel, juvenile. Wintering in the same spot. An individual with no wariness at all — easy to watch.

Common Kestrel

Common Kestrel, juvenile. This one also showed no wariness whatsoever.

Hen Harrier

A Hen Harrier appeared while I was watching the Rosy Starling. It seemed to be eyeing the starling flock but failed. Please, just don't hunt the Rosy Starling… ^^;

Black-winged Kite

Black-winged Kite, juvenile.

Grey-faced Buzzard

Grey-faced Buzzard, juvenile. It was catching grasshoppers in a mown pasture.

Chinese Pond Heron

Three Chinese Pond Herons are staying at two locations.

Hooded Crane

A wintering Hooded Crane. Lately it has been moving from feeding site to feeding site almost every day.

Ruddy Shelduck

Ruddy Shelduck, juvenile. Starting to come into first alternate plumage.

Marsh Sandpiper

Marsh Sandpiper, first-winter plumage.

Northern Lapwing

Northern Lapwing. A flock of about ten birds, all juveniles, currently staying in the area.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Swinhoe's White Wagtail, first-winter plumage. Two birds were among a flock of about twenty White Wagtails.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail

A different individual from the one above — Swinhoe's White Wagtail, first-winter plumage.

White Wagtail

White Wagtail (leucopsis), adult male.

White Wagtail

White Wagtail, adult male.

Siberian Stonechat

A wintering male European Stonechat.

Common Starling

A Common Starling associating with Common Mynas.

Common Myna

The Common Mynas were in a flock of a dozen or so birds. They were eating Ficus (gajumaru) berries.

Naumann's Thrush

Naumann's Thrush, adult. The tail feathers were almost completely missing.

Dusky Thrush

Dusky Thrush, first-winter.

Blue Rock Thrush

Blue Rock Thrush, male, first-winter.

Categories: 野鳥