Birdwatching on Yonaguni Island
I squeezed in some birdwatching alongside a work trip to Yonaguni Island. Strong winds and occasional rain kept migrant numbers low.
Even so, there was a spring feel to it: Common Hoopoe, a flock of several dozen male White Wagtails, a group of around 30 Red-throated Pipits, and large flocks of Eastern Yellow Wagtail.
A Eurasian Hoopoe near the northern coast. It was foraging in light rain.
Eurasian Hoopoes have been arriving in good numbers on Ishigaki Island this season too. I had hoped to see several on Yonaguni Island, but due to bad weather there was only this one bird.
Eurasian Hoopoes tend not to emerge from the undergrowth in rain, but this individual had apparently just arrived and hunger won out — it was foraging intently.
Two Eurasian Buzzards confirmed. Both were of the common form.
A flock of White-faced Wagtails, all males, arrived. Most individuals had already moulted into summer plumage.
A few White Wagtails were mixed in among the White-faced Wagtail flock. In the Yaeyamas — Ishigaki Island, Yonaguni Island and elsewhere — White-faced Wagtails outnumber White Wagtails.
A large flock of Eastern Yellow Wagtails was along the coast on the southern side of the island.
A flock of around 30 Red-throated Pipits confirmed at Agari-zaki.
Moult condition varies among individuals. This one is showing a little reddish colouration.
This individual still appeared to be largely in winter plumage.
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