Yonaguni Island
I went birdwatching on the side while on a work trip to cover the Yonaguni Town Council election. ^^
I confirmed multiple migrating Chinese Sparrowhawk, and Common Kestrel had also arrived to overwinter. Migrating Oriental Dollarbird and Grey-streaked Flycatcher were also present, along with good numbers of overwintering Brown Shrike, Arctic Warbler, and Eastern Yellow Wagtail.
In recent years the rice paddies on Yonaguni Island have decreased, so waders and plovers are sparse — just small numbers of Black-winged Stilt, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Wood Sandpiper, Long-toed Stint, Common Sandpiper, and Red-necked Stint.
Common Emerald Dove, having finished breeding, formed small flocks and I watched them feeding on several occasions.
Chinese Sparrowhawk, juvenile. I also picked out several adults soaring.
My first Common Kestrel of the season. It was flying along the cliffs facing the sea.
A few Oriental Dollarbird juveniles confirmed. All were juveniles.
Isabelline Shrike were found in a variety of habitats — farmland, residential areas, the harbour, forest tracks and more.
Subspecies such as Isabelline Shrike and Chinese Grey Shrike turn up, but the subtle differences make identification tricky, especially for females and juveniles.
Grey-streaked Flycatcher were coming into Yonaguni Island in considerable numbers.
I also heard Arctic Warbler calls. Numbers are still low, but wintering birds will be increasing from now on.
Found a leucistic Eastern Yellow Wagtail. It was in a flock of "Siberian Thrush"-type Eastern Yellow Wagtails, so it's probably that subspecies. When I first spotted it I thought it might be a crazy rare subspecies. ^^;
Pacific Golden Plovers were also in, with multiple flocks on farmland and grassland.
A single Sharp-tailed Sandpiper mixed in with a flock of Pacific Golden Plovers. It looked quite exhausted.
Black-winged Stilt at the reservoir. There are few water sources on Yonaguni Island, and various shorebird species had gathered here.
Whiskered Tern at the reservoir.
Whiskered Terns could also be observed in grasslands and similar areas.
Encountered small flocks of Common Emerald Dove several times. They are very wary, so photography is a challenge.
This Common Emerald Dove was alone, so I was able to photograph it at close range.
Common Kingfisher at the reservoir. I wonder whether it breeds on Yonaguni Island?
Common Myna numbers are increasing year by year.
This Mallard was observed at the same reservoir last year as well. It may be spending the entire year at this pond, unable to migrate due to some kind of trouble.
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