Pin-tailed Snipe, Swinhoe's Snipe, Javan Pond Heron and more (video)
After finding the season's first Pin-tailed Snipe the day before , I went back after work to try for shots of the tail feathers. You want the first record of the season to be done properly. While I was there I also picked up the season's first Swinhoe's Snipe — more than a month earlier than usual. Spring migration this year is behaving strangely.
Two Javan Pond Herons are continuing to winter here. Every year I hope they'll stay long enough to come into breeding plumage, but in most years they depart during February. We'll see how this season goes.
I'll be holding the "2nd Ishigaki Snipe Camp" sometime in early to mid-April. A report from the 1st is here → Day 1 , Day 2 , Extra edition .
First-winter Pin-tailed Snipe. Same individual as the previous day.
Same individual as above. Observing after finishing work. Shortly after arriving on site, it showed its tail feathers.
Same individual as above. A charming bird.
The first Swinhoe's Snipe of the season. It has just arrived and is on edge.
Adult winter Common Snipe.
First-winter Common Snipe.
Javan Pond Heron, winter plumage. Still not the slightest trace of wariness in this individual.
Purple Heron, adult. The legs are taking on their breeding colour.
Red-throated Pipit, first-winter plumage.