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

Pied Avocet Schrenck's little bittern Asian koel Ruddy Kingfisher Black Bittern

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

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