Igidae, August 29, September 2 and 4

Bird News from Nial Moores

With the onset of milder temperatures (maxima of 31C on the 29th falling to 27C on 4th), a few hours spent seawatching off Igidae, and a quick check of a couple of the best areas for migrant landbirds.

On the 29th, with moderate southerlies, 150 phalarope (all presumed to be Red-necked) and >400 terns passed south in two hours of seawatching. Most of the terns were too distant to identify, but closer individuals were all Common Tern with the exception of a single Whiskered Tern.

On the 2nd, with Beaufort 3-4 SE winds and excellent visibility (much of the coastline of Teima Do was clearly visible), offshore movement was much reduced, with only a dozen Streaked Shearwater and two Red-necked Phalarope (both juveniles) offshore in 90 minutes of observation. In woodland, half-a-dozen Arctic Warbler and one presumed Japanese Leaf Warbler (identification based on clean yellow on much of underparts), 2+ Grey-streaked Flycatcher, one First Calendar-year Blue-and White Flycatcher, and two paradise flycatchers. One was obviously a male Black Paradise Flycatcher while the other was most likely a female-type (First Calendar-year?) Black Paradise. However, in dull dusk light and usually part-obscured by vegetation (as in both of the images), it appeared quite bright above (one view from the rear suggested quite rufous-tones, while other views suggested it was more obviously within the range of female Black), with a shiny black cap contrasting sharply with the otherwise dull blackish head and dark grey, diffusely-edged breast. How to confidently separate Black from Asian Paradise Flycatcher in this plumage? Comments welcome.

On the 4th, two more hours were spent at Igidae. Under sunny skies, with very good visibility and Beaufort Force 3-4 NE winds, diversity offshore was limited, but 214 Streaked Shearwater were counted passing north in the first hour, with 53 counted moving north in a single scan 30 minutes later. Few other birds appeared to be on the move, though 50+ Red-necked Phalarope were also seen. In the main gully, the highlight was provided by better views of the male Black Paradise Flycatcher (considered the same as on the 2nd), with apparently a second paradise flycatcher again heard briefly there (the female-type from the 2nd?).

Grey-streaked-Flycatcher_NMGrey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta, © Nial Moores

Black-Paradise-Flycatcher_NM-1Black Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata, © Nial Moores

Black-Paradise-Flycatcher_NM-2Black Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata, © Nial Moores

Black-Paradise-Flycatcher_NM-3Female-type Black Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata, © Nial Moores

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