Ducks, Shorebirds, Wagtails, and Terns on Autumn Migration
Ducks have started arriving on Ishigaki-jima. Eurasian Teal and Garganey — the first of the season — are increasing. The first Tufted Duck of the season was also in a drainage ditch on farmland.
In the rice paddies, the snipe are now down to Common Snipe only. Black-winged Stilt, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Long-toed Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, and Common Sandpiper are all still present. Eastern Yellow Wagtails are turning up here and there but numbers aren't building much. Could the heat be slowing their movement?
Whiskered Terns have been lingering along the river near my house.
Garganey, juvenile male. Fairly approachable.
Common Teal juvenile, associating with the Garganey.
A female Tufted Duck arrived alone. From here numbers will build steadily, with several hundred wintering on the reservoir.
A Common Snipe that refused to come out from behind the grass.
Common Snipe, juvenile.
Also a Common Snipe juvenile. A small flock of a few birds is in the paddy fields around the island.
Green Sandpiper in winter plumage.
Common Sandpiper keeps a low profile and there are few chances to observe or photograph it. It doesn't form flocks, but the population is reasonably present.
Black-winged Stilt, adult male.
Black-winged Stilt, female, first-winter plumage.
Eastern Yellow Wagtail, adult in winter plumage.
Eastern Yellow Wagtail, first-winter plumage.
Adult Whiskered Tern in the process of moulting into winter plumage.
An adult as well. In the process of moulting into winter plumage.
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