More Common Hoopoes, and a first island record Snow Goose (video)
As on the previous day, Common Hoopoes were turning up all over the place — six birds at five sites over two days. I was only making brief detours while travelling for work, so there are likely quite a few more on the island than I've been finding.
I have no photos, but two Snow Geese appeared — a first record not just for Ishigaki but for all of Okinawa Prefecture. They were still being seen just before sunset, so I'm hoping they're still on the island. Getting a re-find and some photos is the goal. ^^
I also caught up with Dusky Thrush — numbers had been exceptionally low this season. Naumann's Thrush was noted at three sites, but the birds were either too wary, the conditions too poor, or I simply ran out of time during work, so I got no photos.
Daurian Redstarts on the move appear to be coming through, and I'm encountering them more frequently.
A Eurasian Hoopoe picks up a cockroach and flicks it straight into its bill. The usual way it eats.
A different individual Eurasian Hoopoe. Spreading the crest really emphasises how striking it is.
This season is a good year for Eurasian Hoopoes. Head to the northern part of Ishigaki Island and you have a good chance of running into one.
Something startled it — the Eurasian Hoopoe flew up into a tree and fanned out its crest.
Black-winged Kite, 2nd calendar year. That said, since the species breeds year-round across Ishigaki Island, the true age is hard to pin down — but it is certainly not an adult.
The wintering numbers of Common Kestrels this season were higher than usual. It was also striking how many individuals showed little wariness.
Dusky Thrushes were a rare sight this season. Pale Thrushes can be heard calling reasonably often, but actual sightings are infrequent, so the wintering population doesn't seem particularly large either.
A male Common Redstart. It appeared to be catching small insects while hopping across the lawn.
A female Common Redstart. Early in the migration period, females are fewer than males.
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