Common Hoopoe, White-shouldered Starling, juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle (with video)
We went birdwatching as a family in the evening. We only had a short window before our dinner reservation, but we managed to see the first Common Hoopoe of the season and a few other species. The kids were delighted by a juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle calling loudly. ^^
Common Hoopoe turned up at two locations, three birds in total. They have already been recorded on Iriomote Island as well. I wonder if it will be a bumper year like the Hoopoes last spring.
I also had my first White-shouldered Starling of the season and got a look at the juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle. I spotted an Asian Koel on a wire but could not get a shot. The following day an Asian Koel was seen on wires in the same area. Numbers are increasing year by year — could it be settling here year-round rather than just in spring?
A tired-looking Eurasian Hoopoe. Freshly arrived on migration, perhaps.
Foraging on the lawn. Of the two Eurasian Hoopoes, one was extremely wary….
The Eurasian Hoopoe was busily preening on a power line.
A Daurian Starling was nearby on its own. Numbers will start building from here. Last year there were quite a few individuals.
Around three Crested Serpent Eagle juveniles have been recorded. This individual is the easiest of them to observe. It seemed to be calling for its parent.
Crested Serpent Eagle adult. Presumed to be the parent of the juvenile above.