Common Hoopoe, Rosy Starling, Red-billed Starling, White's Thrush, and More (video)
Common Hoopoes are being reported from all over the island. It looks like a decent start to the season.
The Rosy Starling that has been wintering since last year is gradually moulting. I'm hoping it will stay as long as possible, but I have a feeling it may move on soon…
Lately, a fairly large flock of Red-billed Starlings has been coming to the car park at my workplace. They appear to be feeding on the fruits of the planted ironwood trees.
A completely fearless White's Thrush turned up — spotted and pointed out to me by a friend visiting from Akita Prefecture. I had several encounters with White's Thrush from late last year into early January, but after that they vanished. This individual seems to have stopped in on spring passage.
Japanese Bush Warblers have increased sharply, just as the Manchurian Bush Warblers have completely disappeared. I'm hearing subsong frequently these days. Little Buntings and Red-throated Pipits — whether they're on passage or moving around within the island I can't say — are fluctuating, with numbers going up and down.
Eurasian Hoopoes at the reliable spot. There appeared to be around four of them.
A Rosy Starling mid-moult.
White-shouldered Starlings gathering in ironwood trees.
This one was probing its bill into gaps between the leaves of Calophyllum inophyllum. Looking for insects, perhaps.
Twenty to forty of them show up at my workplace car park almost every day — quite lively.
A White's Thrush that paid no attention to me whatsoever. It even treated me to a spot of the tiger dance.
It was flipping over fallen leaves and eating earthworms and the like.
Japanese Bush Warblers, whose presence I often notice first by their call notes, are now at high density. The Korean Bush Warblers, on the other hand, have disappeared almost entirely.
It was moving busily through the undergrowth.
Pale Thrushes sometimes turn up mixed in with flocks of White-cheeked Starlings.
Little Buntings, which I also often notice first by their call notes. Wintering numbers are decent enough, but they're difficult to photograph.
Little Buntings, always tucked away in the grass.
I've been encountering Red-throated Pipits in larger flocks more often too. Some individuals in summer plumage are visible among them.
A Siberian Stonechat that wintered here. Individuals wintering on Ishigaki Island are few.
Wintering Brown Shrikes are everywhere. Around this time of year their moult tends to accelerate rapidly.
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