Birdwatching in Nagoya
I spent the New Year holidays in Nagoya, so I squeezed in three hours of birdwatching. There were several bunting species in the same area and it was fun listening to their calls. A short outing, but very satisfying — experiences you simply can't have on Ishigaki Island. ^^ I also got to see Eurasian Skylark and Bull-headed Shrike, both rarely encountered on the island.
There was a Common Starling in the same paddy field, which surprised me. Five birds were mixed in with a flock of White-cheeked Starlings. Northern Lapwing and Grey-headed Lapwing were there too. Grey-headed Lapwings are always around in that area, but it was my first time seeing Northern Lapwing there.
I was listening for Emberiza calls when a Reed Bunting appeared right in front of me. You don't get to see these on Ishigaki.
Same individual as above. It looked around for a while, then flew off.
Meadow Bunting, male. A flock of about ten was moving in and out of view.
Meadow Bunting, female.
Rustic Bunting, male. There were a few of them in a small flock.
Rustic Bunting, female.
Eurasian Skylark was also present in a small flock.
A Buff-bellied Pipit in the distance. That was the only pipit.
I heard Oriental Greenfinch calls, then spotted two birds far off.
I saw Bull-headed Shrikes here and there, but this individual was the closest one. It was hunting something like a Common Skimmer nymph.
A Spotless Starling among the White-cheeked Starlings.
Dusky Thrush were fewer than usual — though I only visit once a year, so… ^^;
A few Northern Lapwing were moving around in loose association with Grey-headed Lapwing.
Grey-headed Lapwing were as numerous as ever. They were just casually present in paddies along a busy prefectural road.
The only shaper confirmed was Wood Sandpiper. Fewer than usual, it seemed.
Carrion Crow, from my family home window. This is the first time a Carrion Crow has appeared on this blog. There are no records of Carrion Crow on Ishigaki.
A pair with the individual above. Sex unknown.