A daily record.
Featuring photos of wild birds and nature, mainly from Okinawa Main Island and Ishigaki Island

Pechora Pipits have arrived again this season, in small numbers. Last year I found two among a flock of Red-throated Pipits. This time I noticed them by their calls overhead, and after a flock of five dropped into the paddy I searched and found two individuals. ^^

While looking for the Pechora Pipits, a Brown-cheeked Rail also appeared. It was a brief encounter — the bird was very wary — but a welcome one.

Ducks are growing in number and variety; I had my first Northern Shoveler of the season on this day. By the time the ducks arrive, both Pin-tailed Snipe and Swinhoe's Snipe have already moved on, leaving large numbers of Common Snipe behind.

The Javan Pond Heron that arrived in late July was still present. At peak there were three, but now only one remains. It should stay until around February, being in wintering mode.

Elsewhere, I noted Masked Bunting and Yellow Bittern. A Pied Avocet apparently made its way into the grounds of a facility where a friend of mine works.

Paddyfield Pipit seen again this season.

I finally got photos of the Pechora Pipits whose calls I had been picking up from the grassland for the past few days.

Red-throated Pipits have arrived in large numbers, so picking out the Pechora Pipits took some patience — but when I waited by the call, a bird popped up onto a rice-paddy berm right after the rain stopped. Finding a bird exactly as planned is a special kind of satisfaction. ^^

Chinese Sparrowhawk migration has been under way since early September, but bad weather has continued thanks to the typhoon and a lot of birds are lingering on Ishigaki-jima. At peak times three or so were perched on the power lines together. Once the weather clears they should push through all at once.

Grey-streaked Flycatchers on migration and wintering Arctic Warblers are also increasing. A large flock of around 500 Chestnut-cheeked Starlings was moving through parks in the town centre.

Buff-bellied Pipit, first-winter.

A Pechora Pipit has turned up!! It tends to hide deep in the grass, making it the hardest pipit to photograph. I heard its call, waited at the spot where it landed after flushing, and it came out for just a moment.

The Pied Avocet that arrived last month is still here — it has been in the same rice field for more than three weeks.

Managed to get a full-body shot of a Buff-bellied Pipit despite the obstructing grass. The primary projection beyond the coverts and the white stripes on the back are key features.