Record Number of Swan Geese; First Common Pochard of the Season
Last year's four Swan Geese were already a lot, but this year a record five Swan Geese have arrived.
There was also a male Mallard nearby, a rarity in Okinawa, but it was very wary and I couldn't get a photo.
The first Common Pochard of the season arrived alone. It was moving together with Northern Pintails.
Black-faced Spoonbills are wintering, scattered in several places around the island.
Adult Swan Goose. No white at the base of the bill — perhaps a young bird?
Five Swan Geese. They were grazing on grass.
Swan Goose, adult. Sex unknown.
It let its guard down completely and dozed off.
Common Pochard, adult male in breeding plumage.
Northern Pintail, adult. Transitioning from eclipse to breeding plumage.
A Tufted Duck (right) and a Northern Pintail that stayed behind even as the wary Spot-billed Duck flock took flight.
Five Black-faced Spoonbills at two spots in the paddies in the same area. This is a young individual.