Black-winged Kite Breeding Underway, Pacific Swifts Arrive
The Black-winged Kites that have been breeding continuously for several years in a woodland near my home appear to be starting their first breeding attempt of the year. Black-winged Kites on Ishigaki breed roughly twice a year, and the timing seems fairly irregular, though warmer periods likely bring higher success rates. Black-winged Kites can now be found everywhere on the island, from the towns in the south to Hirakubo in the north.
Pacific Swifts have arrived at the rice paddies. Around five birds were wheeling through the air together with Barn Swallows. I also recorded my first Sharp-tailed Sandpiper of the season, and Common Redshanks that are hard to separate from overwintering birds but appear to be on passage. Black-winged Stilts are also gradually increasing.
A Black-winged Kite perched on a prominent dead branch, occasionally calling back and forth with another individual perched nearby.
The mate of the Black-winged Kite above. Telling the sexes apart in Black-winged Kites is tricky.
The first Fork-tailed Swift of the season.
They fly energetically over the paddies without any sign of fatigue — quite a contrast to the waders, which look utterly worn out from their long journey.
The first Sharp-tailed Sandpiper of the season. Extremely tired-looking — eyes closing, not moving at all — but one night's rest and they bounce back.
A solitary Common Redshank. It turned up in a paddy that hasn't been flooded over winter, so it's likely a spring passage bird.
The Common Redshank above foraging alongside several Black-winged Stilts.