Common Hoopoe!! (video)
The second Common Hoopoe of the season has arrived. The Common Hoopoe is one of the birds that herald spring on Ishigaki Island, though it feels as if the arrival date gets a little earlier every year.
With the warmer weather, Crested Serpent Eagle and Black-winged Kite on Ishigaki Island have been observed carrying nesting material and displaying — confirmed breeding behaviour. Wintering waders and ducks are still present.
A Eurasian Hoopoe that turned up a little early. There are good years every few years, but I have a feeling this season will see a large influx of Eurasian Hoopoes on Ishigaki Island.
Foraging for insects from the ground to fuel up. The Eurasian Hoopoe is quite the hearty eater — it puts away a considerable amount.
The Crested Serpent Eagle has entered the breeding season and is moving around actively. You can hear territorial calls coming from all directions.
A wintering Grey-faced Buzzard. A male.
This one is a female Grey-faced Buzzard.
A Great Crested Grebe, an uncommon bird on Ishigaki Island.
Tufted Ducks winter here in large numbers every year. Last year a Baer's Pochard was mixed in among them, but none has been found this season.
A few Marsh Sandpipers are wintering here.
Green Sandpipers are also wintering here.
Common Sandpipers seem to be around all year.