First Pin-tailed Snipe of the Season, Wintering Eurasian Bittern, Far Eastern Curlew Arrival, and More
Confirmed the first Pin-tailed Snipe of the season. Spring passage Pin-tailed Snipe on Ishigaki are a rare find. Swinhoe's Snipe are also present, cycling in and out, while Common Snipe remain the most numerous.
Among the curlews, a Far Eastern Curlew arrived after the Eurasian Whimbrel. It may be the individual some university students spotted at sea just after leaving Ishigaki port on the Yonaguni ferry a few days ago. The seabirding on that route this spring was apparently quite good — though the sea was rough, so you need to steel yourself before boarding. ^^;
I got to see the Eurasian Bittern that has been wintering since last year, for the first time in a while. As usual, it showed no wariness at all. The several Chinese Pond Herons present were starting to come into breeding plumage.
The first Pin-tailed Snipe of the season.
Three days later, a second Pin-tailed Snipe, separate from the individual above.
Common Snipe. It appeared to have injured its left wing.
Two Common Snipe. Fairly wary.
A Common Snipe that wouldn't wake up even when I got close.
Common Snipe are the most numerous.
A Common Snipe in the distant grass.
A Common Snipe startled by a Eastern Spot-billed Duck.
A Far Eastern Curlew in the rice paddies.
A Yellow Bittern that has been wintering since last year. I think it is starting to come into breeding plumage, but I can't really tell.
A Chinese Pond Heron with increasing breeding plumage. This individual showed no wariness either.
Three Northern Pintails were still present.
Eastern Yellow Wagtail, first-winter, transitioning into breeding plumage.
A Grey Wagtail also moving into breeding plumage.
A Common Starling was present on its own. It is gradually taking on its beautiful breeding plumage.
Related Posts
- サンカノゴイ3個体目(動画あり)（Dec. 14, 2021）
- Wintering Eurasian Bittern (video)（Jan. 30, 2023）
- 2年連続ノゴマ撮影成功（Nov. 19, 2020）
- 越冬ノゴマ、ウグイス、リュウキュウキビタキ（Dec. 10, 2019）
- 田んぼでサンカノゴイ、リュウキュウヨシゴイ、ヨシゴイ、ベニバトなど（Dec. 2, 2021）
- 石垣 - 与那国航路でアカアシカツオドリなど(動画あり)（May 2, 2019）
- 久しぶりのハリオシギ確認 アカガシラサギ夏羽飛来ほか（April 27, 2021）
- 父島航路(往路)（June 4, 2016）
- Birdwatching on Yonaguni Island（Jan. 24, 2025）
- 久米島家族旅行ついでに少しだけ探鳥（July 17, 2018）