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

Long-awaited Latham's Snipe at the away Snipe Camp!! (video)

I visited Aichi Prefecture for an away Snipe Camp. Taking the shinkansen from Nagoya Station, I arrived in Toyohashi. On the first day, two powerful local helpers supported me, and I was finally able to observe the long-awaited Latham's Snipe — both adults and juveniles!!

On the second day I headed alone to Aisai City to search for Latham's Snipe. The lotus fields were thick with leaves and looked hard to work, so I covered the nearby paddy areas instead. Of four birds found, one could be observed well. On the third day I returned to the same spot and photographed one bird.

Wood Sandpiper, Greater Painted-snipe, and Little Ringed Plover were also present, though their numbers were overwhelmingly fewer than on Ishigaki Island.

I am now a little better prepared for the one-in-a-million chance of encountering Latham's Snipe on Ishigaki Island. ^^

Latham's Snipe

An adult Latham's Snipe. I had a good, fairly close look at it.

Latham's Snipe

The same individual as above. When startled by something, it retreated into the adjacent grass.

Latham's Snipe

It occasionally paused from feeding to rest on a field bank.

Latham's Snipe

It also showed off the tail feathers.

Latham's Snipe

I observed it preening several times as well.

Latham's Snipe

A Latham's Snipe fanning its tail feathers at a Grey-headed Lapwing in a threat display.

Latham's Snipe

A Latham's Snipe lit by the early morning sun.

Latham's Snipe

A juvenile Latham's Snipe seen in Okazaki. The only juvenile of this camp. I wanted to observe it at length, but we flushed it at close range and it flew off immediately.

Latham's Snipe

The first adult Latham's Snipe I saw on this snipe camp. It was distant, but I was thrilled!!

Latham's Snipe

Same individual as above. I was just barely able to confirm the tail feathers as well.

Greater Painted-snipe

Also found a Greater Painted-snipe.

Green Sandpiper

There were several Green Sandpipers.

Grey-headed Lapwing

As always, Grey-headed Lapwings were recorded in good numbers.

Little Ringed Plover

Found a Little Ringed Plover with a curved bill tip. You see it occasionally.

Japanese Wagtail

Located a Japanese Wagtail by its call. After waiting a while, it appeared briefly from the grass.

Eurasian Skylark

Juvenile Eurasian Skylark. There were many birds hatched this year.

Grey-capped Greenfinch

Also observed many juvenile European Greenfinches.

Categories: 野鳥