GUIDED BIRDWATCHING TOUR
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.
I was worried about damage from the recent heavy rain, so I went to check on the Ryukyu Scops Owl and Ryukyu Northern Boobook nests. All four Ryukyu Scops Owl nests and three Northern Boobook nests were unchanged and appear to be progressing well.
A Ryukyu Scops Owl keeping watch from its usual branch.
A Japanese Scops Owl nesting in a conspicuous spot — I'm a little worried.
I took my children to the shore to catch crabs and found four Gull-billed Terns and two Chinese Egrets. Both species seemed completely unafraid — even with the kids making a racket, they did not appear bothered at all. ^^
Bridled Terns wheeling right in front of me. Three were in breeding plumage and one was in non-breeding plumage.
The crab-specialist Bridled Tern, once it has a target, hugs the ground at ultra-low altitude and creeps up on the crab.
A Bridled Tern that caught a Soldier Crab.
A Bridled Tern eating a Soldier Crab.
When it spots a crab, it wheels sharply and dives.
Soldier Crabs are abundant on Ishigaki Island. Besides Bridled Terns, Whimbrels and Grey-tailed Tattlers also take them.
Fiddler crabs were also on the menu.
The Chinese Egrets are now up to two. They were catching juvenile mullet.
The tide came in and it moved closer.
As the tide approached full, it moved to the rocky area.