Oriental Pratincole, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Common Emerald Dove, Ruddy Kingfisher, Ryukyu Scops Owl (video)
The Oriental Pratincole colony was ploughed up, but birds that were already flying apparently managed to escape. A few pairs were still carrying food to chicks.
The Japanese Sparrowhawk breeding is also going well, and chicks were confirmed at one nest. The Common Emerald Doves are probably getting along fine too. The local Ruddy Kingfisher was seen carrying a large cicada, and I assumed it was for large chicks — but it ate the cicada itself. Some nests have already hatched, and on hot days the chicks poke their heads out.
A Collared Pratincole chick that cannot yet fly, being fed by one of the parents.
This one is a juvenile that has already learned to fly. It was moving through the air almost as well as the adults.
A Collared Pratincole bringing food to the chick.
Watching them fly around against a backdrop of sugarcane fields feels very much like Ishigaki Island.
A male Ryukyu Sparrowhawk. It appeared to be targeting a recently fledged House Sparrow.
One of three Emerald Doves that appear in the neighborhood.
Just after 7 p.m., I came home to find a Ruddy Kingfisher holding a freshly emerged Cryptotympana facialis cicada in its bill. At this time of day on Ishigaki Island it is still quite bright.
Same individual as above. The female appeared to be bringing food to the nest. For a moment an Emerald Dove perched on the same branch, but unfortunately I couldn't get a shot.
A Ryukyu Scops Owl keeping watch. We've known each other long enough that it shows no wariness toward me at all.