The Dunlin flock north of Yakumo were still around on Monday and in summer plumage too.
Not many waders around this Golden Week though: 1 Mongolian Plover, and several small flocks of Grey-tailed Tattler were the only passage shorebirds around and there were the breeders: Latham’s Snipe, Common Sandpiper and Little-ringed Plover.
In Oshamanbe the Dunlins sometimes rest on the concrete side of the ports. A bit odd to see them there.
Mind you I did see one on a picnic table in the mountains one time. Now that was odd.
The flock of Dunlins in Oshamanbe were enjoying the spring sunshine…………..
Some were on the beach, some in the port…………
A footnote to the Dunlins………
The above individual was tagged in Kamchatka, Siberia and has been returning to Oshamanbe every winter for the last 5 or 6 years.
The flock stays until early May and this is s species that looks far better in breeding plumage.
The Dunlin flock moved along the coast to one of the beaches. I often check this beach in May and again in August/September for waders so it was odd to be there with lots of snow still on the ground.
This species is the only sandpiper around in winter (although Rock Sandpiper do occur in northeast Hokkaido).
A Dunlin in Oshamanbe today, one of a flock of 30-40 or so that quietly pokes around the corner of one of the ports there.