First Swinhoe's Snipe of the Season, Javan Pond Heron, Pied Avocet, and More
Confirmed the first Swinhoe's Snipe of the season — two birds on a paddy bund. Several Common Snipe as well.
Six Pied Avocets arrived, which I believe is a record count for a flock here. The paddies also hold Common Redshank, Black-winged Stilt, Wood Sandpiper, Oriental Pratincole, and Grey-headed Lapwing — a scarce species on Ishigaki.
A small group of four pond herons — Javan Pond Heron and Chinese Pond Heron combined — is also lingering.
In the farmland on the western side of the island, Daurian Redstarts have arrived in large numbers. Apparently the situation is similar on Iriomote.
The first Swinhoe's Snipe of the season. It's good to finally meet one again.
A Swinhoe's Snipe on a distant bund.
Swinhoe's Snipe and Common Snipe.
A group of six Pied Avocets.
A female Pied Avocet.
A Common Redshank transitioning into breeding plumage.
Oriental Pratincole in breeding plumage. Looking closely, a little winter plumage seemed to remain.
Uncommon on Ishigaki Island — a Grey-headed Lapwing.
Javan Pond Heron. It's been popular lately and drawing a lot of birders from the mainland. There were already people waiting when I arrived that day.
This is a Chinese Pond Heron staying alongside the Javan Pond Heron.
A male Daurian Redstart.
A female Daurian Redstart.