I had a one-night, two-day work trip to Yonaguni Island and managed a little birdwatching on the side. Near the airport I found a Merlin, a species rarely recorded in the Yaeyamas and on Okinawa Island. An Upland Buzzard that has been present since last year was also nearby.

Spring passerines included Amur Stonechat, and a Garganey was among the ducks. I came across thrushes perched several to a branch on several occasions, as if gathering themselves for migration.