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

Wintering Pin-tailed Snipe!! (video)

This breaks the latest date record for Pin-tailed Snipe on Ishigaki Island by a full month!!

I found it among a small flock of Common Snipe. It was not a typical Pin-tailed Snipe individual, and at first I wavered between that and Swinhoe's Snipe, but after watching for a while I became certain it was Pin-tailed. I stuck it out for about an hour and managed to get photos of the tail feathers as documentary evidence.

It is an exceptionally Swinhoe's-like individual, which makes it all the more interesting. This is definitely a Pin-tailed Snipe I won't forget in a hurry. ^^

The previous late record for Pin-tailed Snipe on Ishigaki was an adult on 18 October, so this is a substantial update to the record. ^^

Incidentally, the earliest record is a juvenile in late February. That individual may well have been wintering, though.

Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, first-winter plumage.

Pin-tailed Snipe

This is how it looked when I found it. Bottom left is a Common Snipe.

Pin-tailed Snipe

A Pin-tailed Snipe that caught an earthworm.

Pin-tailed Snipe

Underwing and flanks of the Pin-tailed Snipe.

Pin-tailed Snipe

After nearly an hour of tracking, I finally got a clear view of the Pin-tailed Snipe's needle-like tail feathers. ^^

Common Snipe

Common Snipe, first-winter plumage.

Common Snipe

All Common Snipe.

Common Redshank

Common Redshank, winter plumage.

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpipers were numerous during the migration season, but their numbers thin out at this time of year.

Long-toed Stint

Long-toed Stint, first-winter.

Little Ringed Plover

I see small flocks of Little Ringed Plovers here and there.

White Wagtail

White Wagtail (ocularis), male, first-winter.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Taiwan Yellow Wagtail, first-winter.

Categories: 野鳥