Will this season end with Pin-tailed Snipe numbers never really picking up…? Even today, out of a flock of around 20 birds, finding just 2 Pin-tailed Snipe was the best I could manage.
Pin-tailed Snipe, juvenile.
I have been watching snipe every day, but in between I also had two Broad-billed Sandpipers. Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Dunlin, Black-winged Stilt, Long-toed Stint, and Wood Sandpiper are also still present.
Two Broad-billed Sandpipers. Both were juveniles.
The large Swinhoe's Snipe I found yesterday — I caught up with it again. I also managed to photograph the tail feathers. I had been hoping for something a little more irregular, but it was unmistakably Swinhoe's Snipe, which was reassuring. ^^
A Swinhoe's Snipe with an impressive build.
Among a flock of around 20 Swinhoe's Snipe, one individual stood out conspicuously. It was large-bodied with a long bill, reminiscent of a Latham's Snipe. At this time of year a bird in near-juvenile plumage cannot realistically be Latham's Snipe, so Swinhoe's Snipe it must be. The tertial pattern also does not fit Latham's Snipe.
A Swinhoe's Snipe juvenile that stood out quite a bit among the flock.
I recorded my first Common Snipe of the season. The timing is about average for the year. On Ishigaki Island, all three snipe species — Common Snipe, Swinhoe's Snipe, and Pin-tailed Snipe — can be enjoyed through to around late October. ^^
First Common Snipe of the season. It was a juvenile.
We held the 3rd Ishigaki Island Snipe Camp, which has earned quite a following. The participant came from Aichi Prefecture. As it happens, every participant from the 1st through the 3rd camps has been from Aichi. ^^;
This time an unavoidable work commitment cut things short, so we only had about three hours of snipe watching — but we spent that time poring over roughly 20 snipe in paddy fields in a single area with intense focus.
Individual numbers this season have been as high as usual, but Pin-tailed Snipe were frustratingly scarce. On the other hand, we got to observe some very interesting Swinhoe's Snipe, so as snipe camps go it was a great success. ^^
Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.
I went out to scout for the 3rd Ishigaki Island Snipe Camp. That said, these are rice paddies I check every day, so I already have a fair idea of who's around.
First records for the season: juvenile Broad-billed Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, and Dunlin. All three are season firsts as juveniles.
Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile. A dark individual — or rather, one with a strong brownish tone. Every now and then you get a Swinhoe's Snipe like this.
There was a Pin-tailed Snipe in the finest condition I've seen this season. Among the Swinhoe's Snipe, one individual had notably narrow outer tail feathers — an interesting bird.
The juvenile Broad-billed Sandpiper is a first for the season.
Pin-tailed Snipe, juvenile. A very beautiful bird — I wanted to see it in full, but it was extremely wary and didn't move at all.
First record of a juvenile Common Greenshank this season. The remaining juvenile species still coming through include Red-necked Stint, Long-toed Stint, Dunlin, and Broad-billed Sandpiper.
Snipe are moving through steadily too. There are 20 or more in one area alone. The group seems to have settled into a regular cast, and things will probably stay that way until the second wave arrives.
Common Greenshank, juvenile. Still in full juvenile plumage.
I recorded the first Eastern Yellow Wagtail of the season — the macronyx type. Apparently there were many in the north of the island, so they should be moving down to the south by tomorrow.
Western Yellow Wagtail (supercilium white), adult. Already in winter plumage.
Pin-tailed Snipe and Swinhoe's Snipe have been building in numbers since around mid-August. Pin-tailed Snipe are noticeably scarce this season. The 3rd Ishigaki Island Snipe Camp is scheduled for August 30th, so I'm wondering whether numbers will pick up before then.
Pin-tailed Snipe juvenile.
A Crested Serpent Eagle that was rescued after a traffic accident on June 20th was returned to the wild after 70 days. Its weight had plateaued at 680 grams, but it was in good spirits and flew off strongly the moment it was released. The tail feathers had fallen out, which seemed likely to affect its flight somewhat, but it should adapt in time.
A yellow identification band was fitted to the right leg for tracking purposes, and it was assigned the number "4". It is an adult male, and was named Kanki (神起) by the person who rescued it.
A Crested Serpent Eagle released into the wild, beating its wings powerfully. A band is visible on the right leg.
Red Collared Doves turned up at two locations, four birds in total. Grey Wagtail is also a first for the season. From here on, migrants with a distinctly autumnal feel will keep arriving on Ishigaki one after another.
Painted Snipe were at two locations — two males and two females. In this paddy it was one male and two females.
First record of a juvenile Marsh Sandpiper this season. Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Black-winged Stilt, Wood Sandpiper, Long-toed Stint, and Red-necked Stint all appear to be passing through Ishigaki in a steady stream, with the cast turning over continuously.
The first Marsh Sandpiper juvenile of the season. Already in first-winter plumage.
The Ruff is still present. Red-necked Stint numbers are growing and small flocks are now being seen here and there.
Ruff juvenile. It was close, right in front of me.
Ishigaki had a rough day under the influence of a tropical depression. When the rain eased I did the rounds of the paddies and found the first Broad-billed Sandpiper of the season had arrived — encountered in a puddle in a sugarcane field. Out on the grassland I also picked up first records of Curlew Sandpiper and Grey Plover. Bad weather does have a way of pushing birds into unexpected places.
Found a Broad-billed Sandpiper in a puddle in a sugarcane field. Was able to observe it right in front of me.
First juveniles of the season confirmed for Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper. Red-necked Stint and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper also first records of the season. The Greater Painted-snipe chicks are still moving with the adults but have grown large enough that they are barely distinguishable from them.
First Wood Sandpiper juveniles of the season. It seems they arrived all at once.
Cinnamon Bittern, Malayan Night Heron, and Purple Heron — all of which breed on Ishigaki Island — can be seen as juveniles here and there. The Grey Heron, a winter visitor, was recorded for the first time this season.
Juvenile Ryukyu Least Bittern.
First Dunlin and Pacific Golden Plover of the season confirmed. The Dunlin was a single bird; the Pacific Golden Plovers were a flock of nearly ten.
Dunlin with winter plumage beginning to show in patches.
Pin-tailed Snipe numbers are gradually building. The first Ruff of the season has also arrived. Oriental Pratincoles appear to be on the move, fledglings included. First juvenile Long-toed Stint of the season also confirmed.
Spotted a Pin-tailed Snipe adult in the distance.