Grey-headed Swamphen stay passes 10 days
The Grey-headed Swamphen had become difficult to see for a while, but from this day it started showing well again. It may be because the Hen Harrier, which had been causing the poor appearance rate, was no longer around.
I had been kept waiting 40 minutes for a work appointment, so in frustration I stopped by the paddies — and there was the Swamphen, walking along the farm track.
I contacted several acquaintances who had come to Ishigaki specifically to see it, and we all got to watch it together. Hearing them say "I can see it!! The trip was worth it!!" made me happy too. ^^
A Purple Swamphen walking along a farm track toward me.
After it disappeared into the undergrowth for a while, it reappeared at its usual spot to eat rice.
The Javan Pond Heron was feeding on dragonflies and grasshoppers around flocks of Eastern Cattle Egrets and Great Egrets.
Eastern Cattle Egrets now fully in non-breeding plumage. These and Great Egrets are what's in the paddies at the moment.
A flock of a dozen or so Common Redshanks is staying in the area.
Temminck's Stints are scarce, but some are also lingering.
Little Ringed Plover, first-winter. The most common plover in the rice paddies.