19/10/10: High cloud with a fresh NE5 becoming hot and sunny by midday although the wind persisted causing the ferry to arrive and then immediately depart. The early morning walk saw some Thrushes arriving at dawn and Finches were on the move again albeit in smaller numbers. Immediately after breakfast, on arriving at the Central Track at the NTT tower, we heard a familiar liquid ‘tuc tuc’ call and quickly located a Radde’s Warbler. Whilst we attracted the attention of one of Aki’s friends, a Pine Bunting flew-in and settled in the tree immediately above the Radde’s Warbler, leading to the dilemma of which to watch first! After such a good start, the remainder of the day proved somewhat quieter, although we still recorded our only (over-flying) Pacific Golden Plover, our first Japanese Green Pigeon and maximum daily count of 4 Blue-and-white Flycatchers, of our trip. There was another ‘no show’ by the Booted Warbler and a vigil at the Observation Platform at dusk failed to produce any sign of the Japanese Robin although a Middendorff’s Grasshopper Warbler was entertaining as it crept around mouse-like along the fringes of the drinking pool.
Radde's Warbler along the Central Track
Pine Bunting along the Central Track
Male Elegant Bunting
Hawfinch at the Drinking Pool
First-winter Daurian Redstart
Black-eared Kite at the School Field
First-winter Blue-and-white Flycatcher
Preying Mantis
First-winter male Daurian Redstart in the South western Enclosures
Female Daurian Redstart in the South western Enclosures
Olive-backed Pipit in the South western Enclosure
Pine Bunting along the Central Track
Middendorff's Grasshopper Warbler at the Drinking Pool at dusk
Species noted:
Streaked Shearwater 50
Cormorant 2
Eastern Reef Egret 1
Grey Heron 4
Mandarin Duck 7
Black-eared Kite 2
Sparrowhawk 3
Merlin 1
Peregrine 2
Pacific Golden Plover 1
Black-tailed Gull 50
Rufous Turtle Dove 6
Japanese Green Pigeon 1
Skylark 3
Olive-backed Pipit 1
Siberian Buff-bellied Pipit 1
Grey Wagtail 3
Amur Wagtail 1
Black-backed Wagtail 2
Brown-eared Bulbul 3
Red-flanked Bluetail 1
Daurian Redstart 50
Siberian Stonechat 2
Blue Rock Thrush 3
Pale Thrush 20
Dusky Thrush 40
Japanese Bush Warbler 6
Middendorff's Grasshopper Warbler 1
Arctic Warbler 6
Radde's Warbler 1
Goldcrest 30
Blue-and-white Flycatcher 4
Japanese White-eye 50
Eastern Rook 4
Large-billed Crow 4
White-cheeked Starling 1
Brambling 75
Oriental Greenfinch 10
Siskin 500
Hawfinch 6
Black-faced Bunting spodocephala 1
Masked Bunting 1
Pine Bunting 1 ex.
Elegant Bunting 20
Rustic Bunting 3
