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

Emerald dove Ashy drongo Eurasian Hoopoe Iriomote Tit Ryukyu flycatcher

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

シギ、チドリ秋の渡り エリグロアジサシ子育て

7月も中旬を過ぎるとシギやチドリの秋の渡りが盛り上がってきます。例年通り、タカブシギ、ヒバリシギが先頭を切ってやってきます。続いて、アオアシシギやキアシシギ、オオメダイチドリが続々と入り出します。

一方で、エリグロアジサシやコアジサシは子育て真っ最中。今季はベニアジサシの繁殖が見えません。今後、増えるといいのですが…。

Common Redshank
Common Redshank

Common Redshank, first-summer plumage.

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

Long-toed Stint, late summer plumage.

Common Greenshank
Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank, summer plumage.

Common Greenshank
Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank, first-summer plumage.

Common Greenshank
Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank, first-winter plumage.

Greater Painted-snipe
Greater Painted-snipe

Greater Painted-snipe, male. First-summer plumage.

Whimbrel
Whimbrel

Whimbrel also passing through in small numbers.

Grey-tailed Tattler
Grey-tailed Tattler

A dozen or so Grey-tailed Tattlers lingering.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint

Distant Red-necked Stints. About four have stayed through the summer.

Greater Sand Plover
Greater Sand Plover

Around ten Greater Sand Plovers have arrived.

Common Greenshank
Common Greenshank / Black-naped Tern / Grey-tailed Tattler / Little Tern

Bridled Terns and Little Terns are breeding. Common Greenshanks and Grey-tailed Tattlers are on the move.

Categories: 野鳥

巣立ったリュウキュウヨシゴイ、ムラサキサギ、ズグロミゾゴイと移動中のアマサギ、チュウサギ

リュウキュウヨシゴイの幼鳥3羽が同じエリアの田んぼにいました。3兄弟と思われます。近くにはムラサキサギの幼鳥もいました。山林ではズグロミゾゴイが繁殖。巣立った2羽は親元を離れたようです。

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

A juvenile Ryukyu Least Bittern. The feathers are ragged — moult seems to be proceeding rapidly.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

A juvenile Ryukyu Least Bittern that flew past right in front of me.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

I went over to where the bird above had landed, and there it was. White down still remains on the head and tertials.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

A different individual. White down also still remains on the head and tertials.

Purple Heron
Purple Heron

A juvenile Purple Heron. Encounters will become more frequent from here on.

Malayan Night Heron
Malayan Night Heron

A juvenile Ryukyu Night Heron. On its own now, catching tadpoles or something in a shallow puddle.

Eastern Cattle Egret
Eastern Cattle Egret

Eastern Cattle Egret, transitioning from summer to winter plumage.

Intermediate Egret
Intermediate Egret

Intermediate Egret, summer plumage.

Categories: 野鳥

今季、8巣目のリュウキュウコノハズクほか

今季、8個目となるリュウキュウコノハズクのペアを見つけました。何日か前に巣立ったアオバズクのヒナの様子を見に行ったら偶然に発見。オスもメスも巣の外にいたので、ヒナの巣立ちは間も無くだと思われます。

Elegant Scops Owl
Elegant Scops Owl

Ryukyu Scops Owl, female.

Elegant Scops Owl
Elegant Scops Owl

The male, paired with the bird above. Both birds are outside the nest, so fledging appears to be imminent.

Brown Hawk-Owl
Brown Hawk-Owl

Male Brown Hawk-Owl. Three recently fledged chicks are nearby.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

A singing Ruddy Kingfisher. Most pairs have finished raising their young, but three pairs are still incubating.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

A Ruddy Kingfisher looking ragged as its moult progresses and feathers fall out.

Categories: 野鳥