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

Lesser Whistling Duck Ryukyu scops owl Ryukyu flycatcher Black-winged kite Emerald dove

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

今季初のオジロトウネンとウズラシギ、アカアシシギ、コアオアシシギほか

今季初のオジロトウネンが成鳥、幼鳥と続けて飛来しました。石垣島では少なく、入ってもすぐに抜けてしまいます。

ウズラシギは幼鳥がぱらぱらと飛来中。アオアシシギとコアオアシシギは成長に交じって幼鳥が数羽いました。幼羽は擦れて第1回冬羽が目立ち始めています。

ヒバリシギは増減を繰り返しています。南下していく中継組と思われます。アカアシシギは成鳥、幼鳥とも数を増やしています。タカブシギは幼鳥が目立ちます。

Temminck's Stint
Temminck's Stint

Temminck's Stint, juvenile.

Temminck's Stint
Temminck's Stint

Temminck's Stint, adult. Moulting into winter plumage.

Temminck's Stint
Temminck's Stint

It was catching tiny prey resembling red midge larvae.

Temminck's Stint
Temminck's Stint

Even in the wide paddy fields it seems to have a favourite spot — even when startled by something, it kept foraging in the same place.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper, juvenile.

Common Greenshank
Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank, moulting from juvenile to first-winter plumage.

Marsh Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper

Marsh Sandpiper, moulting from juvenile to first-winter plumage.

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

Long-toed Stint, adult (foreground) and juvenile.

Wood Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper, moulting from juvenile to first-winter plumage.

Common Redshank
Common Redshank

Common Redshank, moulting from juvenile to first-winter plumage.

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

Large numbers of Long-toed Stint juveniles, Common Redshank juveniles, Common Sandpiper juveniles, and others.

Pacific Golden Plover
Pacific Golden Plover

Pacific Golden Plover winter plumage birds are starting to appear.

Categories: 野鳥

ハリオシギ、チュウジシギ、タシギ

田んぼによっては全くいなくなってしまったのですが、この日は十数羽のジシギが集う田んぼを見つけました、

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Both are Pin-tailed Snipe. Moulting from juvenile to first-winter plumage is progressing. It's gradually becoming harder to tell juveniles from adults.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe / Pin-tailed Snipe

Two Pin-tailed Snipe and a Swinhoe's Snipe (background).

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, adult.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Same individual as above. Tail feathers checked.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Two Swinhoe's Snipe. The bird on the left is the same individual as above. The tail feathers are visible on the right bird. At first glance they look like Pin-tailed Snipe tail feathers, but it is only because we are viewing from the side that they appear narrow.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

A plump juvenile Swinhoe's Snipe. It must be building up fat reserves ahead of its onward southward migration.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Most Swinhoe's Snipes in Okinawa tend to be on the pale side, but this one is an even more confusing rufous-tinged individual among them. The spots within the lateral crown stripes add another layer of confusion. This is the same individual as the Swinhoe's Snipe visible in the background in the photo 6 images above.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Same individual as above. Swinhoe's Snipe.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe. Moulting from juvenile to first-winter plumage.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

A Common Snipe that won't move…. A juvenile, perhaps?

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

Common Snipe. Beautiful. ^^

Categories: 野鳥