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

Ryukyu flycatcher Glossy Ibis Pheasant-tailed jacana Eurasian Hoopoe Asian koel

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

ヒバリシギ飛来、タカブシギ、セイタカシギ、タマシギほか

お待ちかねのシギの秋の渡りが始まりました。ヒバリシギ6羽が到着。タカブシギも数羽。セイタカシギやアオアシシギは年間通して、少数が散発的に滞在しています。コチドリも到着。

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

First Wood Sandpiper of the season. Summer plumage.

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

Also summer plumage.

Wood Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper, summer plumage.

Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt, female, summer plumage.

Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt, male, summer plumage.

Greater Painted-snipe
Greater Painted-snipe

Greater Painted-snipe, female (left) and male.

Greater Painted-snipe
Greater Painted-snipe

Greater Painted-snipe, female, first-summer plumage.

Little Ringed Plover
Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover may also have been a first for the season. I've been busy lately and may have missed some records.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

Ryukyu Little Bittern, male. Singing. It was moving between several spots within the area and singing at each one.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

Breeding colour has come in.

Categories: 野鳥

エリグロアジサシ繁殖スタート

今季はアジサシの到着が遅い石垣島で、やっとエリグロアジサシの繁殖がスタートしました。ベニアジサシはいまだ始まらず。オオアジサシは例年並みです。沖縄本島も同様らしく今年の県内のアジサシは不発に終わりそう…。

Black-naped Tern
Black-naped Tern

The reef where Black-naped Terns form a colony every year. It is high tide, so the sea level is up.

Osprey
Osprey

An Osprey summering on the reef in the background.

Categories: 野鳥

アカショウビン巣立ち、サンコウチョウ巣作り(動画あり)

今季、2巣目のリュウキュウアカショウビンの巣立ち。サクラランを探して林道を歩いていたら、巣立ちしたヒナが出す独特の鳴き声を確認。息を殺して探してみると2羽のヒナを見つけることができました。

リュウキュウサンコウチョウは、これから巣作りするペアがいました。カラスがいない環境なので安心感は高いです。

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

A fledgling Ruddy Kingfisher perched on a rock.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

The forest interior is dark — the light in this photo is about what it actually looks like. Without the call, finding one would be impossible.

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher

A female Japanese Paradise Flycatcher putting effort into nest building.

Wax plant
Wax plant

Hoya blooming.

Categories: 野鳥