Geese and Ducks All Present
The wintering ducks of Ishigaki Island are all assembled. Six Greylag Geese, Taiga Bean Geese, and Greater Bean Geese have arrived; in the rice paddies the most numerous ducks are Eastern Spot-billed Ducks, Northern Shovelers, and Eurasian Wigeons, while a large flock of Tufted Ducks is on the reservoir. Mallards, Eurasian Teals, Northern Pintails, Gadwalls, and Falcated Ducks are also present. This season I am seeing Mallard × Eastern Spot-billed Duck hybrids frequently.
Update, 3 March 2024
The six Greylag Geese that were on Ishigaki Island until around the end of January were on Kume Island as of late February. I hear a Smew is also there; since the Greylag Geese on Ishigaki sometimes used the same reservoir as a Smew, that bird too may have moved from Ishigaki.
The Grey-lag Geese have been here since last year — a long stay. All five are present.
A small-type Bean Goose is also still around.
Two Bean Geese staying in the area.
Mallard × Eastern Spot-billed Duck hybrid.
Another Mallard × Eastern Spot-billed Duck hybrid.
A pair of Mallards.
Northern Pintail male (left) and Eastern Spot-billed Duck.
Eurasian Wigeon female, non-breeding plumage.
Eurasian Teal male, breeding plumage.
Eurasian Teal female, non-breeding plumage.
Falcated Duck male. Moulting from juvenile to first-winter breeding plumage.
Northern Shoveler male. Transitioning from eclipse to breeding plumage.
Gadwall male, breeding plumage.
Female non-breeding Gadwall.
Ten Common Pochards joined a flock of 150 Tufted Ducks.