この時期、石垣島で見られるアジサシたち
石垣島では、7月の終わりごろになるとクロハラアジサシの秋の渡りが始まることによって、夏の間、八重山で繁殖しているオオアジサシ、ベニアジサシ、エリグロアジサシ、コアジサシと合わせて5種類のアジサシたちが観察できます。
もう少し経つとハシブトアジサシもやってきます。石垣島のオニアジサシはもう少し遅れて11月初旬にやってきます。
While watching Black-naped Terns, a large tern came in and landed. It was a Caspian Tern.
Roseate Terns were breeding in the same location as the Black-naped Terns, but fledging seems to happen a little earlier than the Black-naped Terns.
A Black-naped Tern carrying food to a recently fledged chick.
On this day, only Black-naped Terns were coming to the coast.
Little Terns have nearly finished raising their young, and the juveniles are already independent.
The Whiskered Tern was on its own. Late breeding plumage.
Caspian Terns are large and impressive. Breeding is over, moult has started, and the plumage is looking ragged.
A Little Tern transitioning into winter plumage.
Juvenile Pacific Reef Heron. Two of them were following a parent bird.