6th Ishigaki Snipe Camp — Side Notes
6th Ishigaki Island Snipe Camp side notes: a Broad-billed Sandpiper showed at close range, and the paddies also produced a flock of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Long-toed Stints in summer plumage, freshly arrived Eurasian Whimbrels, breeding Greater Painted-snipes, and Cinnamon Bitterns in beautiful nuptial plumage.
While traveling between sites, we encountered Ruddy Kingfishers, a Crested Serpent Eagle, Red-throated Pipits, and a large flock of Eastern Yellow Wagtails.
When I first spotted it the Broad-billed Sandpiper was at the far end of the rice paddy, but it gradually worked its way closer.
Sharp-tailed Sandpipers seen in groups ranging from around ten birds down to just a few.
Long-toed Stints were at various stages of moult — some fully in breeding plumage, others still largely in winter plumage.
Three Whimbrel appeared at the river mouth.
A pair of Greater Painted-snipe. Some males were already accompanied by chicks.
A male Ryukyu Bittern. It appeared right in front of me while I was watching snipe.
This male Ryukyu Bittern is showing breeding plumage.
White-breasted Waterhen were largely seen moving in pairs.
Ruddy Kingfisher at the start of the breeding season. Every individual in the park shows no wariness whatsoever….
Crested Serpent Eagle on the signboard pointing toward Omoto hamlet.
Black-bellied Terns are wheeling over rice paddies here and there.
I came across 2 Red-throated Pipits — unusual for this time of year.
Eastern Yellow Wagtails were gathering in large flocks on farmland.
