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

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

Chinese Sparrowhawk, juvenile. I also picked out several adults soaring.

Common Kestrel

My first Common Kestrel of the season. It was flying along the cliffs facing the sea.

Oriental Dollarbird

A few Oriental Dollarbird juveniles confirmed. All were juveniles.

Isabelline Shrike

Isabelline Shrike were found in a variety of habitats — farmland, residential areas, the harbour, forest tracks and more.

Isabelline Shrike

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

Grey-streaked Flycatcher were coming into Yonaguni Island in considerable numbers.

Arctic Warbler

I also heard Arctic Warbler calls. Numbers are still low, but wintering birds will be increasing from now on.

Citrine Wagtail

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 Plover

Pacific Golden Plovers were also in, with multiple flocks on farmland and grassland.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

A single Sharp-tailed Sandpiper mixed in with a flock of Pacific Golden Plovers. It looked quite exhausted.

Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt at the reservoir. There are few water sources on Yonaguni Island, and various shorebird species had gathered here.

Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Tern at the reservoir.

Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Terns could also be observed in grasslands and similar areas.

Emerald Dove

Encountered small flocks of Common Emerald Dove several times. They are very wary, so photography is a challenge.

Emerald Dove

This Common Emerald Dove was alone, so I was able to photograph it at close range.

Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher at the reservoir. I wonder whether it breeds on Yonaguni Island?

Common Myna

Common Myna numbers are increasing year by year.

Mallard

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.

Categories: 野鳥