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

Pin-tailed Snipe Numbers Crash; Grey-faced Buzzard Migration Winding Down?

Pin-tailed Snipe have dropped sharply and the fields are now full of Common Snipe. A few Swinhoe's Snipe are still hanging on. Last year the final Pin-tailed Snipe of the autumn migration was recorded on 18 October. I wonder how long they'll be around this season. I don't think the 2024 birds will overwinter, but Pin-tailed Snipe and Swinhoe's Snipe were confirmed in February. I know it's getting ahead of myself, but I'd love to find overwintering birds in 2026.

I went back to check on the Grey-faced Buzzards again today after yesterday's visit, but things were quiet — it felt like the main push had already moved through the day before… ^^; At this time of year my daily snipe rounds make it hard to get out and watch the Chinese Sparrowhawk and Grey-faced Buzzard migration properly…

Pin-tailed Snipe

A juvenile Pin-tailed Snipe. This might turn out to be my last Pin-tailed Snipe of the season.

Swinhoe's Snipe

A Swinhoe's Snipe well advanced in its moult into winter plumage.

Common Snipe

At this time of year, almost all the snipe on Ishigaki Island are Common Snipe.

Marsh Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper in winter plumage. A few individuals are still lingering.

Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank in winter plumage. Only a few remaining here as well.

Pacific Golden Plover

Pacific Golden Plover juvenile. Both juveniles and adults are present on the island, but all five birds in this flock were juveniles.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail

First-winter Eastern Yellow Wagtail — when it popped into my binoculars I was startled for a moment, thinking it was some unfamiliar warbler.

Grey-faced Buzzard

Gray-faced Buzzard, male. Probably second-winter.

Grey-faced Buzzard

Same individual as above.

Grey-faced Buzzard

Gray-faced Buzzard, juvenile.

Categories: 野鳥