Lapland Longspur Turns Up on Ishigaki!!
The Lapland Longspur that Ishigaki BIRD Kansatsu-san first found on October 9 . That day I couldn't rush over because of work, and when I went after noon I only caught a brief glimpse of it.
About two weeks have passed, and in the middle of a downpour I found a Lapland Longspur in the very same area!! I waited for the rain to ease and somehow managed to get photographs.
The Lapland Longspur, like the Snow Bunting, gives the image of a northern bird from places like Hokkaido, but this season it has been found on many islands: Okinawa Island, Aguni, Yonaguni and Ishigaki.
If you are coming to Ishigaki for birdwatching, please do use the bird guide Spotter-san. You might get to see a Lapland Longspur!!
An adult female Lapland Longspur in winter plumage.
A puffed-up Lapland Longspur. It showed little wariness and was busily pecking at grass seeds.
A Lapland Longspur feeding in the shelter of the grass.
The Lapland Longspur was larger than a Eurasian Tree Sparrow. According to the field guide it measures around 16.5 cm — the same size as a Meadow Bunting — but the Lapland Longspur looks bigger because it is more stockily built.
A full-body shake to shed the rain from its wet feathers.
If it turns out to be the same individual as before, there are hopes it will stay for the winter.
