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

Ruddy Kingfisher Ryukyu scops owl Short-eared Owl Javan pond heron 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

ツバメチドリ、シロチドリ、コアジサシ繁殖 今季初アカアシシギ幼鳥飛来(動画あり)

ツバメチドリとシロチドリは繁殖順調で巣立ったヒナが多く見られました。特にツバメチドリは幼鳥だけで60羽近い群れを形成していました。シロチドリは埋立地で数つがいからのヒナが巣立ち、元気に走り回っています。

シロチドリの同じ場所でコロニーをつくっているコアジサシは、台風の影響で降った大雨で巣が浸水。数時間、水に浸かっていた卵も孵化しましたが予後が良くなさそうです。

田んぼには、今季初となりアカアシシギの幼鳥が飛来しました。毎年、シギの仲間の幼鳥で一番乗りはアカアシシギです。

シギやチドリの渡りもじょじょに増えてきています。アオアシシギやヒバリシギ、タカブシギが田んぼに飛来しています。海岸では、オオメダイチドリ、メダイチドリ、キアシシギなどが増えています。

Oriental Pratincole
Oriental Pratincole

Oriental Pratincole in juvenile plumage (left) and first-winter plumage.

Oriental Pratincole
Oriental Pratincole

A juvenile Oriental Pratincole flapping to shake off water after bathing.

Oriental Pratincole
Oriental Pratincole

Oriental Pratincole in first-winter plumage.

Kentish Plover
Kentish Plover

Juvenile Kentish Plovers. They were always together, so I assume they are siblings.

Kentish Plover
Kentish Plover

Adult Kentish Plover. Late summer plumage.

Little Tern
Little Tern

A Little Tern whose chicks have hatched.

Little Tern
Little Tern

A flock of Little Terns.

Little Ringed Plover
Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover in first-winter plumage.

Little Ringed Plover
Little Ringed Plover

Adult Little Ringed Plover. Late summer plumage.

Common Redshank
Common Redshank

It's hard to make out at this distance, but this is a juvenile Common Redshank — the first of the season.

Common Greenshank
Common Greenshank

Common Greenshank in late summer plumage.

Wood Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper in late summer plumage.

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

Long-toed Stint numbers are increasing too.

Common Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper in late summer plumage.

Greater Sand Plover
Greater Sand Plover

Greater Sand Plover. Transitioning from summer to winter plumage.

Lesser Sand Plover
Lesser Sand Plover

Lesser Sand Plover in late summer plumage.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint

Red-necked Stint in summer plumage.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint

Red-necked Stint, first-summer plumage.

Grey-tailed Tattler
Grey-tailed Tattler

Grey-tailed Tattler transitioning from breeding to non-breeding plumage.

Categories: 野鳥

キンバト、アカショウビン、ズグロミゾゴイ(動画あり)

近所の警戒心ゼロなキンバトが明るい場所に出ていました。そばをダンプが通っても動じない個体。落ちた木の実をついばんでいました。

リュウキュウアカショウビンは、ほとんどのペアで子育てが終わっているのですが、まだヒナに餌を運んでいる巣が三つほど。台風6号が近づいていますが、何事もなく通り過ぎてくれるのを祈るのみ。

Emerald Dove
Emerald Dove

Emerald Dove, male.

Emerald Dove
Emerald Dove

It appeared to be picking up seeds of Macaranga fallen on the ground.

Emerald Dove
Emerald Dove

A rare look at the Emerald Dove's underwing.

Emerald Dove
Emerald Dove

The bird showed no wariness at all — cars passing by were completely ignored, and a dump truck would only prompt it to hop from the ground up into a tree.

Emerald Dove
Emerald Dove

Females are rarely seen, so the Emerald Doves must still be in the thick of nesting.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

Ruddy Kingfisher, female. She is probably resting and recovering from the effort of raising young, ahead of migration.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

This pair is right in the middle of raising chicks. Three eggs were laid, but only two hatched. The chicks have grown large enough that the parents are bringing in Cryptotympana large cicadas.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

A Ruddy Kingfisher that nested in a Swinhoe's white ant mound built on a beach she-oak.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

A male Ruddy Kingfisher passing food to a chick.

Malayan Night Heron
Malayan Night Heron

A juvenile Ryukyu Night Heron hatched this year. They'll be appearing more and more from here on.

Categories: 野鳥

リュウキュウヨシゴイ救護

自宅付近を車で走っていると、後ろから私を追い抜いた軽自動車がリュウキュウヨシゴイをはねました。

路上で動けない状態なので救護。状態が悪く死ぬのを覚悟していましたが、なんと24時間ほど経過すると自立できるまでに回復しました。サギ類はやはり生命力ありますね。

エサは、庭のビオトープに大量に生息しているヤエヤマヒメアマガエルのオタマジャクシ。台風6号が石垣島に近づいてきていましたので時間との戦いでしたが、なんとか無事に放鳥することができました。

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

An adult male Ryukyu Bittern immediately after being rescued.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

After about 24 hours it was able to get up on its own and had started showing wariness toward people. Remarkable vitality!!

Ryukyu tree frog
Ryukyu tree frog

A tadpole of the Yaeyama Rhacophorus that became its prey.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

Released into a rice field near the rescue site. It flew off, clucking a grumpy-sounding "kok-kok-kok" as it went.

Categories: 野鳥

台風避難のオオアジサシ、ベニアジサシ、エリグロアジサシ

台風6号が石垣島に接近する中、砂浜に台風避難のオオアジサシ、ベニアジサシ、エリグロアジサシがいました。

オオアジサシは例年通り、かなりの数が飛来していますが、エリグロアジサシは少なめ、ベニアジサシはさらに少ない状況です。沖縄本島も同じような状況です。

Caspian Tern
Caspian Tern

Five Greater Crested Terns resting on the sandy beach. Around 100 were present at the shrimp farm.

Caspian Tern
Caspian Tern

Caspian Tern, first-summer plumage.

Roseate Tern
Roseate Tern

Roseate Terns were scarce this season.

Black-naped Tern
Black-naped Tern

The Black-naped Tern colony appeared to have come through the typhoon.

Categories: 野鳥

台風明けの今季初ハリオシギ、チュウジシギ、アカエリヒレアシシギほか

台風6号が石垣島から離れたので田んぼのパトロール。今季初となるハリオシギ、チュウジシギ、アカエリヒレアシシギが飛来していました。

タカブシギとヒバリシギは幼鳥を今季初確認。アオアシシギやコチドリも増えていました。

島で繁殖するリュウキュウヨシゴイは、巣立ったヒナと会う機会が増えました。

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

First Pin-tailed Snipe adult of the season.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Quite distant, but a running Pin-tailed Snipe.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Also a Pin-tailed Snipe. Three individuals confirmed on this day.

Greater Painted-snipe
Greater Painted-snipe

Greater Painted-snipe adult female.

Greater Painted-snipe
Greater Painted-snipe

A Greater Painted-snipe male accompanying the female above.

Greater Painted-snipe
Greater Painted-snipe

Another pair in the same paddy field as the Greater Painted-snipe pair above. I watched to see if a territorial dispute would break out, but nothing happened. Perhaps because the breeding season is over?

Wood Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper

First Wood Sandpiper juvenile of the season. There were several dozen Wood Sandpipers, of which around 10% were juveniles.

Red-necked Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope

First Red-necked Phalarope of the season. Moulting from breeding to non-breeding plumage.

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

A Long-toed Stint juvenile bathing.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

A Ryukyu Dwarf Bittern juvenile. Beginning to transition into first-winter plumage.

Categories: 野鳥

ハリオシギ、今期初のコアオアシシギとクサシギほか(動画あり)

尾羽付きの写真収集のため、前日に続きハリオシギのストーカー状態。そんな中、なんと!! ハリオシギの鳴き声が入った動画が撮れてしまいました!! 今季もすばらしい秋の渡りになりそうです!!

今季初となるコアオアシシギとクサシギを確認。アカアシシギやクロハラアジサシも飛来していました。

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

An extremely close Pin-tailed Snipe. Preying on a cricket.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Same individual as above.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Two Pin-tailed Snipes. The left is the same individual as above.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Same individual as the right bird above.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

A Pin-tailed Snipe that caught a soldier fly larva.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

A Pin-tailed Snipe swallowing a large earthworm.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

A dark-morph Pin-tailed Snipe.

Marsh Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper

First Marsh Sandpiper of the season. Moulting from juvenile to first-winter plumage.

Marsh Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper

Marsh Sandpiper moulting from breeding to non-breeding plumage.

Green Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper

First Green Sandpiper of the season. Late breeding plumage.

Wood Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper

Juvenile Wood Sandpipers have increased noticeably. When juveniles arrive in good numbers it means breeding went well — a relief.

Common Greenshank
Common Greenshank

Juvenile Common Greenshanks are still a little way off.

Common Redshank
Common Redshank

Common Redshank in late summer plumage.

Whiskered Tern
Whiskered Tern

White-winged Tern moulting from summer to winter plumage.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

A young Crested Serpent Eagle. Around 3cy?

Categories: 野鳥

今季最後のアカショウビン巣立ちと今季初のキセキレイ

今季最後となるリュウキュウアカショウビンが無事に巣立ちました。6月24日に巣を発見して、7月3日に2卵の産卵を確認。8月12日と13日に立て続けに巣立ちました。

周囲で大規模な開発行為があり、巣を作る場所がなかったのか、交通量がそこそこある道路沿いのモクマオウにあるタカサゴシロアリに営巣しました。巣立ち直後の交通事故など心配しましたが、巣立ちが成功し、牧場内の灌木へ消えていきました。

今季初となるキセキレイを確認しました。例年通りの時期に例年通りの場所で初認です。

カンムリワシもそろそろ巣立ちシーズンで、親鳥たちも農耕地などによく現れる時期になりました。

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

A Ruddy Kingfisher chick that fledged on the 12th. This was taken on the 13th, the second day after fledging, and it was already flying about fairly freely.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

The parent of the chick above. It was perched in a nearby tree, encouraging the youngster to fly.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

The nest is in the centre of the frame. It faces the road at about 1.5 metres above the ground.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

A Ruddy Kingfisher that finished raising its young near my home. It is so used to people that it shows zero wariness.

Grey Wagtail
Grey Wagtail

The first Yellow Wagtail of the season. From here on, Citrine Wagtails, White Wagtails and Eastern Yellow Wagtails will be passing through Ishigaki-jima.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

Crested Serpent Eagles are turning up more often. Three individuals on this day. It won't be long before juveniles start appearing too.

Categories: 野鳥

ソリハシシギ、ミユビシギ今季初認

ソリハシシギとミユビシギを今季初確認しました。

ソリハシシギ3羽、ミユビシギ4羽でほかには、オオメダイチドリやメダイチドリ、キアシシギ、キョウジョシギ、トウネン、ムナグロ、シロチドリなどがいました。海岸の鳥たちも、これからどんどん増えていきます。

Terek Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper

Juvenile Terek Sandpiper.

Sanderling
Sanderling

Sanderling moulting from summer to winter plumage.

Greater Sand Plover
Greater Sand Plover

Greater Sand Plover in first-winter plumage.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint

Red-necked Stint moulting from summer to winter plumage.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint

Red-necked Stint in winter plumage.

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

Juvenile Long-toed Stint.

Categories: 野鳥

ハリオシギ、チュウジシギ増加

田んぼのハリオシギとチュウジシギは、順調に数を増やしています。両種ともすべて幼鳥でした。

この日は、鳥が見たいという島内の生き物屋2人を連れて軽く田んぼと海岸を回りました。

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Juvenile Swinhoe's Snipe.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Another Swinhoe's Snipe.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Amami Woodcocks.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

A Swinhoe's Snipe looking tired — perhaps just arrived on migration.

Categories: 野鳥

チュウジシギ、ハリオシギさらに増加

先日は、ハリオシギの尾羽を集中的に狙った ので、この日は、チュウジシギの尾羽狙い。いい感じで個体数を稼ぐことができました。^^

同じ田んぼに少なくともチュウジシギ8羽、ハリオシギ3羽がいました。別の田んぼにもジシギの群れがいましたが、遠いのと大気の揺らぎがひどくて後日、リトライします。

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Same individual as above.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

The nearer individual from the shot above.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Another Swinhoe's Snipe juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Same individual as above.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

A Swinhoe's Snipe that kept pulling funny faces. ^^;

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

There were around 8 Swinhoe's Snipe in total.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, juvenile.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Another Pin-tailed Snipe.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Quite distant, but Pin-tailed Snipe. Three individuals in all.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe in a different area. Way too far away….

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

A Swinhoe's Snipe sharing the same paddy field as the Pin-tailed Snipe above. This one was a little closer.

Categories: 野鳥

増えてきたヒバリシギ、コアオアシシギ、トウネン

ヒバリシギは幼鳥、成鳥ともに増えてきました。トウネンは成鳥のみで幼鳥の到着はまだ。コアオアシシギは成鳥、幼鳥ともぼちぼち通過しています。

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

Long-toed Stint, juvenile. Numbers are steadily increasing.

Marsh Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper

Marsh Sandpiper in winter plumage. The bluish winter plumage is really beautiful.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint

Rufous-necked Stint, adult, moulting into winter plumage.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint

Rufous-necked Stint in late summer plumage.

Categories: 野鳥

今季初のジャワアカガシラサギとマミジロツメナガセキレイ、リュウキュウヨシゴイほか

今季初となるジャワアカガシラサギとマミジロツメナガセキレイが到着。ジャワアカガシラサギはこれからパラパラと通過し、マミジロツメナガセキレイはどっと数を増やします。

今年生まれのリュウキュウヨシゴイは分散が進んでいるようで、同じエリアの個体は減ってきました。

Javan Pond Heron
Javan Pond Heron

Javan Pond Heron with a tadpole it had caught. First record of the season.

Javan Pond Heron
Javan Pond Heron

There are two birds on the island, but this Javan Pond Heron is the same individual as above. Winter plumage.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

Ryukyu Striated Heron, adult male.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

Ryukyu Striated Heron, juvenile. Moulting into first-winter plumage.

Little Egret
Little Egret

Numbers of migrant Little Egrets are increasing too.

Eastern Cattle Egret
Eastern Cattle Egret

Eastern Cattle Egret transitioning from breeding to non-breeding plumage.

White-breasted Waterhen
White-breasted Waterhen

White-breasted Waterhen, male (background) and female.

Citrine Wagtail
Citrine Wagtail

First Citrine Wagtail of the season. Male in winter plumage.

Categories: 野鳥

数が増えて面白くなってきたハリオシギ、チュウジシギ

8月も下旬が近づくとジシギの数がどんどん増えてきます。多いところでは1枚の田んぼに7羽ほどがいました。数の多いチュウジシギの渡りがピークを迎えつつあるので、相対的にハリオシギの数が少なくなっています。

1週間後には、初開催の「石垣島ジシギ合宿」を開催します。本土からのジシギウオッチャーとともに、石垣島のジシギをなめ回すように観察したいと思います。

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Same individual as above.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Same individual as above.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

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

Swinhoe's Snipe (left) and Pin-tailed Snipe. Both juveniles.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

This one also a Swinhoe's Snipe juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, adult. Transitioning into winter plumage.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, adult in breeding plumage.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, adult. Some winter feathers coming in here too.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile (left) and adult.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, adult.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, late breeding plumage.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, two juveniles.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, flock.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, juvenile.

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

Pin-tailed Snipe (left), the same individual as above, with Swinhoe's Snipe.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, adult.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile. With mud on the bill like this, for a moment the silhouette can look like a Pin-tailed Snipe.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

The Swinhoe's Snipe on the left is the same individual as above.

Categories: 野鳥

増えてきたツメナガセキレイ、今季初のセイタカシギ幼鳥ほか

マミジロツメナガセキレイが増えてきました。最大20羽ほどの群れです。今季初となるセイタカシギの幼鳥も確認。トウネン、ヒバリシギ、タカブシギなども入れ替わりながら増えています。タマシギは抱卵中。

Citrine Wagtail
Citrine Wagtail

Eastern Yellow Wagtail, 1st-winter.

Citrine Wagtail
Citrine Wagtail

Eastern Yellow Wagtail, adult winter.

Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt juveniles have also arrived.

Wood Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper, 1st-winter.

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

Long-toed Stint, juvenile plumage.

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

Long-toed Stint, late breeding plumage.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint

Red-necked Stint, 1st-summer to winter moult.

Greater Painted-snipe
Greater Painted-snipe

The incubating Greater Painted-snipe occasionally appears for a bath to cope with the heat.

Categories: 野鳥

与那国島初記録のジャワアカガシラサギ、立神岩のヨナグニカラスバトほか

与那国島で初記録のジャワアカガシラサギを発見。何十年も与那国島通いをするベテランや目録にもないので恐らく初記録でしょう。

島の南東に位置する立神岩には最大7羽ほどのヨナグニカラスバトがやってきました。何しに来るのでしょうか?

雨上がりの久部良小学校のグラウンドにはハリオシギ1羽とチュウジシギ2羽がいました。与那国島の田んぼは全滅しているので、行くところがないものと思われます。ムナグロ十数羽も降りていました。

Javan Pond Heron
Javan Pond Heron

A Javan Pond Heron — a first record for Yonaguni Island. It was at Agariizaki. This individual was fairly wary.

Ryukyu Wood Pigeon
Ryukyu Wood Pigeon

A Ryukyu Wood Pigeon sunbathing with wings spread.

Ryukyu Wood Pigeon
Ryukyu Wood Pigeon

The Ryukyu Wood Pigeons formed a flock of up to around seven birds.

Brown Shrike
Brown Shrike

The first Isabelline Shrike of the season — a female.

Citrine Wagtail
Citrine Wagtail

A Siberian Wagtail, female, winter plumage.

Citrine Wagtail
Citrine Wagtail

A Siberian Wagtail, first-winter plumage.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Pin-tailed Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Another Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Pacific Golden Plover
Pacific Golden Plover

Pacific Golden Plover transitioning from summer to winter plumage.

Categories: 野鳥