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

Northern Boobook fledging, Ruddy Kingfisher, Cinnamon Bittern, Chinese Pond Heron, Black-naped Tern chick-rearing and more

The Northern Boobooks have fledged. Pair formation was later than usual this year, so fledging was delayed too. I wonder whether one of the pair has changed.

Ruddy Kingfisher fledging is finished everywhere now, and the adults are catching their breath. The fledglings are still within their parents' territories but are catching prey on their own.

Cinnamon Bittern chick-rearing is also over, and juveniles are appearing in rice paddies here and there. Juvenile Purple Herons that have become independent are also starting to show up in the paddies. Chinese Pond Herons and Black-faced Spoonbills are arriving on autumn passage.

Waders are beginning to move through little by little. As autumn migration gets into full swing, numbers and species will keep increasing.

Terns are in the thick of chick-rearing. Black-naped Tern chicks that are roughly one to two weeks post-hatch are starting to be seen.

Northern Boobook

The last fledgling of the season for the Brown Hawk-Owl. There were still some remaining in the nest.

Ruddy Kingfisher

A Ruddy Kingfisher that had finished raising its young. Zero wariness in this individual.

Ruddy Kingfisher

Same individual as above. Even with a car passing under the branch, it was this relaxed. I ended up sitting down to watch.

Yellow Bittern

Ryukyu Least Bittern, male. The nuptial coloration has faded, but the beautiful breeding plumage remains.

Chinese Pond Heron

A Chinese Pond Heron with a little winter plumage just starting to come in over the breeding plumage.

Purple Heron

Purple Heron, juvenile. Being seen here and there.

Black-faced Spoonbill

Two Black-faced Spoonbills have been staying together for several days now.

Black-faced Spoonbill

A Black-faced Spoonbill with prey. It was walking along the field edge catching something.

Common Greenshank

A few Greenshank arrived together. The extent of moult varied among individuals.

Common Redshank

Common Redshank, first-summer plumage.

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plovers arrived in a group of about ten. They looked tired, having just arrived.

Eastern Spot-billed Duck

Three Eastern Spot-billed Ducks growing up together after losing their parent. Whenever a Common Moorhen with chicks appeared, they would follow along as if longing for a family, but they kept getting left behind.

Pacific Swallow

A fledgling Ryukyu Swallow. It had come to the rice paddy to drink water.

Black-naped Tern

A Black-naped Tern chick, about ten days to two weeks post-hatch. At least two pairs and three chicks were visible.

Categories: 野鳥