First Sharp-tailed Sandpiper of the season, and a Black-winged Kite hunting
I recorded my first Sharp-tailed Sandpiper of the season — about three birds arrived together. The autumn shorebird passage is now getting properly underway, with Wood Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Long-toed Stint, Red-necked Stint, Black-winged Stilt, Common Greenshank, and Little Ringed Plover passing through the paddies day by day.
While watching the waders, a sudden tension ran through the paddy. Looking up, a juvenile Black-winged Kite appeared to hunt. It plunged into the grass and came out gripping a White-breasted Waterhen chick. The prey seemed heavy and the bird was struggling to carry it off.
The first Pectoral Sandpiper of the season turned out to be an adult.
Common Redshank juvenile. As usual, juveniles arrive before the adults at this time of year, and juveniles outnumber adults right now.
Red-necked Stint in breeding plumage. Many individuals are worn and looking whitish.
A female Greater Painted-snipe appeared right in front of me.
Intermediate-morph Pacific Reef Heron juvenile (left) and Little Egret juvenile. For some reason this Pacific Reef Heron is in the rice field every day.
A Black-winged Kite juvenile that had caught a White-breasted Waterhen chick.