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

Second Record of Ring-necked Duck for Okinawa Prefecture!!

I tracked down the second-ever Ring-necked Duck for Okinawa Prefecture among a flock of 600 Tufted Ducks. The distance was over 200 metres and branches and leaves limited the view, but after searching for about an hour I managed to find it. Once I knew which area it was floating in, I didn't lose it again and was able to watch it for over an hour.

Ring-necked Duck

Ring-necked Duck, male breeding plumage. Following a record on Miyako Island in 2023, this became the second record in the prefecture — a valuable sighting.

Ring-necked Duck

It is sleeping, but the Ring-necked Duck is the one in the middle. All the others are Tufted Ducks. Once your eye adjusts, you can spot it straight away.

Ring-necked Duck

When it lifts its head, the difference between the Ring-necked Duck and the Tufted Ducks is immediately obvious.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Eastern Yellow Wagtail, first-winter plumage.

Long-toed Stint

Long-toed Stint, first-winter plumage. Numbers have been increasing lately. Perhaps the return migration has begun.

Striated Heron

A Striated Heron, unusual for Ishigaki Island. I was also able to hear its call.

Tundra Swan

The two Tundra Swans are still present.

Osprey

An Osprey came to bathe. It seemed to be wary of me, so I left the area promptly.

Isabelline Shrike

A Brown Shrike that has wintered in my workplace car park every year since it was a juvenile. Several years on, it has grown into a fine adult male.

Categories: 野鳥