Javan Pond Heron, Oriental Pratincole, Siberian Yellow Wagtail, and More
One Javan Pond Heron and three Chinese Pond Herons are staying on — all four are always together.
Oriental Pratincoles are increasing. On this day, nine were resting in the paddies, taking a break from the rain.
A Siberian Yellow Wagtail was on a paddy bund. The distance and the grass obscuring the bird made observation difficult; getting a few photos was the best I could manage. A Siberian Pipit was nearby.
The wintering Common Snipe have all but disappeared, though migrants are trickling through. Swinhoe's Snipe should be arriving soon.
Four Garganey turned up. If there's a duck that says spring on Ishigaki, it's the Garganey.
A Javan Pond Heron in winter plumage. Probably a first-winter individual.
Javan Pond Heron with wings spread. The outermost primary P10 is white all the way to the tip.
Chinese Pond Heron in winter plumage.
Oriental Pratincole, mostly in breeding plumage.
Siberian Yellow Wagtail, first-winter transitioning to summer plumage.
A Buff-bellied Pipit that was associating with the Siberian Yellow Wagtail. There is a wintering flock of Red-throated Pipits nearby, but this bird seemed uninterested?
Garganey — female (left) and male. The male has changed into his handsome breeding plumage.
A Common Snipe hiding in the grass. Likely a migrant.
A wintering Common Snipe.
The varying stages of moult in Cattle Egrets make for entertaining watching.
Tufted Duck, male in breeding plumage.