A daily record.
Featuring photos of wild birds and nature, mainly from Okinawa Main Island and Ishigaki Island

Daurian starling Iriomote Tit Ryukyu scops owl Crested serpent eagle Black-winged kite

GUIDED BIRDWATCHING TOUR

Go where the birds are. The SHIMASOBA Tour launches.

We'll drive you around Ishigaki Island to wherever the birds are showing best that day. Observation is mostly from inside the vehicle, and we keep it to a maximum of 3 guests so everyone can take their time.

Max. 3 guests 4 hours in the morning Beginners welcome
Check availability and book

アメリカウズラシギ幼鳥2羽と今季初のハクセキレイ

先月、コシャクシギと同時に見つけて喜んでいたアメリカウズラシギですが、写真を手違いで消してしまい悔しい思いをしていたところ、きょうは、なんと2羽のアメリカウズラシギが姿を現しました。^^

水路の比較的近い個体と田んぼの遠い個体でした。両方とも幼鳥です。

畑には、今季初確認のハクセキレイを3羽発見。ツメナガセキレイに遅れてやってきたハクセキレイもこれから数を増やしていきます。

セイタカシギやアオアシシギ、コアオアシシギ、トウネン、タカブシギなどもいました。しかし、圧倒的に多いのはやはりヒバリシギ。小さな体で一生懸命に餌をとっている姿を見ていると癒されます。^^

Pectoral Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper, juvenile.

Pectoral Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper

The breast pattern is sharply divided into a clear upper-lower border.

Pectoral Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper

Another juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

Lately the only snipe I can find are Common Snipe.

White Wagtail
White Wagtail

First White Wagtail of the season. First-winter male.

White Wagtail
White Wagtail

Western Siberian Wagtail, first-winter.

White Wagtail
White Wagtail

White Wagtail, adult male, non-breeding plumage.

Categories: 野鳥

増えてきた越冬サシバ、畑で狩り

サシバの渡りを名護岳で見てきたのですが、200羽程度が渡っただけでした。群れは最大で40羽ほど。アカハラダカは1羽だけ確認できた。

帰り道、畑や田んぼに寄るとサシバが増えていました。これらのサシバは越冬組が多いと思われます。

土地改良中のサトウキビ畑には、サシバのメスが陣取っており、トカゲやバッタなどを捕まえているようでした。渡りの不完全燃焼もあったので久しぶりにサシバが獲物を捕まえるシーンを撮影した。しかし、肝心の獲物を捕る瞬間は、草に隠れて見えない…。^^; さらに、10月の最高気温を更新している暑さの中で、こちらの気力が持たず久しぶりのサシバの狩りもあまり観察できなかった。^^;

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

Perhaps a grasshopper had landed on the leaf.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

Launching after a lizard prey!!

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

The prey was in a grassy patch and I couldn't make out clearly what the Grey-faced Buzzard had caught.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

Another Grey-faced Buzzard launching toward prey. It was flying low, skimming just above the scorching ground, so heat shimmer got in the way of the shot. Everything looks hazy… ^^;

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

A Grey-faced Buzzard emerging from between the hills, heading for its wintering grounds.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

A Grey-faced Buzzard flying over downtown Nago trying to catch a thermal.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

Grey-faced Buzzard, juvenile.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

Perched on a branch, calling out. Perhaps summoning its companions to set off on migration.

Chinese Sparrowhawk
Chinese Sparrowhawk

An adult female Chinese Sparrowhawk flew far in the distance. It appeared anxious, with no companions around.

Categories: 野鳥