Third Ruddy Shelduck of the season, long-staying Greylag Goose, summer-plumage Siberian Sand Plover (video)
Following the previous two adults, a juvenile Ruddy Shelduck has now arrived. The adults were extremely wary, but this juvenile showed almost no wariness — perhaps a sign of its youth — and was easy to observe.
The Greylag Goose has been staying a long time; it looks like it may well winter over. Taiga Bean Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, and Common Crane are also still present.
On the coast, small numbers of Siberian Sand Plovers, Kentish Plovers, Pacific Golden Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones, Common Greenshanks, and Dunlins are staying on. In the paddies, Spotted Redshanks, Black-winged Stilts, Wood Sandpipers, Long-toed Stints, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, and Common Snipe are conspicuous. Whiskered Terns — both adults and juveniles — are also still present.
This season, the starling family is represented by several species but numbers are low.
Dusky Thrushes, Pale Thrushes, Brown-headed Thrushes, and Eyebrowed Thrushes have started arriving.
The third Ruddy Shelduck of the season was a juvenile — in the process of moulting from juvenile plumage into first breeding plumage.
Feeding in a dry, unflooded rice paddy. I wonder what it's eating.
The Greylag Goose, completely unafraid, is in the middle of a long stay. Does it intend to winter here?
The bird always accompanying the Greylag Goose is a Tundra Bean Goose. For some reason these two never join the flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese and Lesser White-fronted Geese.
Lesser Sand Plover in breeding plumage. At this season almost all individuals are in winter plumage, but every now and then one turns up that still hasn't shaken off its summer mood. Where do they come from?
Lesser Sand Plover in winter plumage. This is what the vast majority look like.
Lesser Sand Plover, juvenile. Molting into first-winter plumage.
Spotted Redshank, adult. Molting into winter plumage.
Common Greenshank, juvenile.
Kentish Plover, juvenile.
Dunlin, winter plumage.
Dunlin resting on the coast and in rice fields.
White-winged Tern, juvenile.
Rosy Starling, adult male. Most of this year's flocks have been on the small side.