Ruddy Turnstone

On the afternoon of April 17th, I went out to Sekinoe beach to look for some waders. There were at least 2 pairs of shy Kentish Plovers, several Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Common Sandpipers and a breeding Ruddy Turnstone! It's always nice to see this unique wader especially in the breeding plumage. The bird was busy feeding among the rocks which only appeared at low tide. I could get pretty close to it considering how skittish it was. It later flew out into the sea as a group of noisy young boys came passing by.

Ruddy Turnstone in breeding plumage

There were plenty of small crabs for it to feed on.

Interesting to see greenish gloss on the black parts

A different menu, some kind of worm?

Rising tide!

And of course, the symbol of summer in Japan, mosquitoes!

Both Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers seemed to be preparing to nest somewhere along the beach. I still couldn't find the nest though. In the sea, there were still several Taimyr Gulls and few pairs of Black-tailed Gulls. Almost all large white-headed gulls left in late spring are Taimyr and many of them like the one photographed here, still retain some streaks on the nape.

Taimyr Gull still showing some streaks on the nape

Probably male Little Ringed Plover

Probably female according to its brownish ear coverts