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

Ashy drongo Ryukyu flycatcher Asian koel Schrenck's little bittern Purple Swamphen

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

Pechora Pipit Arrives; Pied Avocet Continues Long Stay

A Pechora Pipit has turned up!! It tends to hide deep in the grass, making it the hardest pipit to photograph. I heard its call, waited at the spot where it landed after flushing, and it came out for just a moment.

The Pied Avocet that arrived last month is still here — it has been in the same rice field for more than three weeks.

Buff-bellied Pipit
Buff-bellied Pipit

Managed to get a full-body shot of a Buff-bellied Pipit despite the obstructing grass. The primary projection beyond the coverts and the white stripes on the back are key features.

Buff-bellied Pipit
Buff-bellied Pipit

A look at the face of the Buff-bellied Pipit. The bill is on the thick side.

Buff-bellied Pipit
Buff-bellied Pipit

Buff-bellied Pipit, head-on. The bold streaking on the breast and white belly are prominent.

Pied Avocet
Pied Avocet

A Pied Avocet on an extended stay.

Categories: 野鳥

Grey-faced Buzzard Migration in Full Swing

The Grey-faced Buzzard migration has begun. It is still early days, but the movement is already well under way. On this day, by around 4:00 p.m. the entire sky within view was filled with Grey-faced Buzzards.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

An adult female Grey-faced Buzzard flying over the city.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

Good numbers of juvenile Grey-faced Buzzards were also recorded.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

I was able to see kettles forming repeatedly. The sky was unfortunately overcast, but it offered a glimpse of the Grey-faced Buzzards' spectacular migration.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

A Grey-faced Buzzard flying against the backdrop of the Okinawa Electric Power Company chimney.

Categories: 野鳥