A few hours on this island walking along the forested hillside, some farmlands and the MTB course. The hiking trails were completely free of the usual hiking crowd that descends on the island during other times of the year on the weekends. Though birds were few, some interesting species were noted.
- Siberian Accentor – Total of 7 (or 8) birds encountered in 3 different spots.
- Eastern Great Tit – The most common bird during the trip. Conservative estimate of about 120 birds in different flocks. The largest flock consisted of about 30 birds.
- Eurasian Bullfinch – 4 very approachable birds encountered along the MTB course.
Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula, © Subhojit Chakladar
Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula, © Subhojit Chakladar
- Brambling – The only other finch species encountered. Just a single individual near the start of the trail.
- Ring-necked Pheasant – About 20 encountered during the trip, including 2 males squabbling on a tree top!
- Japanese Waxwing – A single bird feeding on ripe persimmon.
- Hoopoe – One on the edge of the beach just behind the school campus.
- Naumann’s Thrush – The most common thrush species. Very vocal and actively defending the fruiting trees from the Brown-eared Bulbuls.
- Red-throated Thrush – A probably individual was seen in a mixed group of thrushes. Initially watched through binoculars at a distance towards the end of the day, only a front view was available. But the clear boundary between the red and the white on the breast, stronger coloration of the bill and some other features indicate a possible Red-throated Thrush. However, lack of clear views of the flank and undertail coverts prevent a definitive ID (Thanks to Dr Moores for his suggestions on the ID). Expert opinion based on a rather poor image below is welcome.
Probable Red-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis, © Subhojit Chakladar