GUIDED BIRDWATCHING TOUR
We'll drive you around Ishigaki Island to wherever the birds are showing best that day. Observation is mostly from inside the vehicle, and we keep it to a maximum of 3 guests so everyone can take their time.
Once September begins, opportunities to see Ruddy Kingfishers on Ishigaki Island decline. On this day I confirmed one adult and one juvenile on a forest road.
Ruddy Kingfisher, adult female. The bill has darkened and the plumage is growing duller as it transitions into winter feathering.
Same individual as above. There is a louse fly on its back — a parasite you often find on Ruddy Kingfishers.
The recent pattern on Ishigaki is that Javan Pond Herons appear in mid-August, and Chinese Pond Herons arrive once September begins. So far this season three Javan Pond Heron individuals have turned up, and I look forward to seeing how many Chinese Pond Herons I can find.
A Black-winged Kite appeared, putting this Chinese Pond Heron on alert — it puffed up the feathers from its head down to its neck. The proportions look completely off. It is most definitely not clowning around. ^^;
This is the same Chinese Pond Heron in its normal state. It looks like a completely different bird.
I was finally able to confirm a Common Snipe on Ishigaki too. That makes all three snipe species present. ^^
Common Snipe, juvenile. I found it while scanning for Chinese Pond Heron with binoculars. At first only the head was visible, but it had a strong snipe feel to it, so I waited — and it came out.
A different individual — Common Snipe, juvenile.
Swinhoe's Snipe juvenile (right) and Common Snipe juvenile (left).
Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.
Swinhoe's Snipe juvenile, perhaps?
Pin-tailed Snipe, juvenile.
The first Red-necked Phalarope of the season has arrived on Ishigaki too. It seemed to be eating small snails as it walked among the rice plants in a paddy. The water was too shallow, so I didn't see the charming spinning on the water surface that is typical of the Red-necked Phalarope... ^^;
Red-necked Phalarope, adult. Plumage is almost fully moulted into winter.
Red-necked Phalarope preening, photographed from behind.
Just a trace of brown remains around the breast. I'd love to see one in summer plumage someday.
I confirmed the first Pied Avocet of the season. It was moving together with a flock of Black-winged Stilts. Once it was startled by the sound of a farm vehicle's door closing and disappeared, but it came back again.
The third Black-tailed Godwit of the season, the increasing numbers of juvenile Grey-tailed Tattlers, and Common Redshank, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Dunlin and Marsh Sandpiper were also relaxing there. Sandpipers and plovers turn over quickly in the paddies, and numbers rise and fall from day to day, but a fair variety of species can be seen in fair numbers.
Pied Avocet, female. Possibly first-winter plumage.
The Pied Avocet was associating with the Black-winged Stilts.
Black-tailed Godwit, female. Transitioning from breeding to non-breeding plumage.
Grey-tailed Tattler moulting from juvenile to first-winter plumage.
Common Greenshank in winter plumage.
Swinhoe's Snipe (foreground) and Common Redshank.
Pectoral Sandpiper, adult. Moulting from summer to winter plumage.
Dunlin moulting from juvenile to first-winter plumage.