Last Ruddy Kingfisher fledgling of the season, first Grey Wagtail
The last Ruddy Kingfisher of the season fledged successfully. I found the nest on June 24, confirmed 2 eggs on July 3, and the chicks fledged on August 12 and 13 in quick succession.
There has been large-scale development in the area, and perhaps because suitable nest sites were scarce, the pair nested in a Formosan subterranean termite colony in a horsetail casuarina tree alongside a fairly busy road. I worried about traffic accidents right after fledging, but they made it safely and disappeared into the shrubs on the ranch.
I recorded my first Grey Wagtail of the season — the usual time of year, the usual spot.
Crested Serpent Eagles are approaching their fledging season too, and the adults are turning up regularly in farmland and cultivated fields.
A Ruddy Kingfisher chick that fledged on the 12th. This was taken on the 13th, the second day after fledging, and it was already flying about fairly freely.
The parent of the chick above. It was perched in a nearby tree, encouraging the youngster to fly.
The nest is in the centre of the frame. It faces the road at about 1.5 metres above the ground.
A Ruddy Kingfisher that finished raising its young near my home. It is so used to people that it shows zero wariness.
The first Yellow Wagtail of the season. From here on, Citrine Wagtails, White Wagtails and Eastern Yellow Wagtails will be passing through Ishigaki-jima.
Crested Serpent Eagles are turning up more often. Three individuals on this day. It won't be long before juveniles start appearing too.
