Black-winged Kite, Black Wood Pigeon, Garganey, Pied Avocet and more (video)
For the first time in a while, I came across a Black-winged Kite pair with little wariness at Kabira. They seemed to be eyeing prey in the grassland. On Ishigaki Island they can now be seen anywhere: Hirakubo in the north, Kabira in the west, and around Ishigaki City Hall in the south. I can watch them hunting in the evening almost every day from my own living room.
The Crested Serpent Eagles have finished raising their young, and wintering Common Kestrels are increasing. The migration of Chinese Sparrowhawks and Grey-faced Buzzards is also going well.
This season I have had many chances to observe Black Wood Pigeons, with flocks of several birds flying across the island and individuals eating fruit in the trees.
In the rice paddies, I was able to confirm Pied Avocet, Garganey and Eurasian Teal together, the first of the season.
A female Black-winged Kite. In the north wind, it perched on top of a dead branch looking for prey.
The male that was in the same place. Since they're together, they may breed from now on.
A Crested Serpent Eagle beside the road. Traffic accidents involving Crested Serpent Eagles will increase from now on, so drivers need to be careful at the wheel.
A juvenile Common Kestrel. Among the birds that winter on Ishigaki Island, the proportion of juveniles is high.
While watching the grove where a Chinese Sparrowhawk had dived in, I spotted a Black Wood Pigeon.
Two juvenile Pied Avocets have arrived.
The first juvenile male Garganey confirmed this season.
A juvenile male Eurasian Teal that was with the Garganey above.