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

Black-winged kite Daurian starling Black-winged Cuckooshrike Glossy Ibis Crested serpent eagle

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

ソリハシセイタカシギ、ハリオシギ、ツルシギ、メボソムシクイほか

今季初のソリハシセイタカシギ、ツルシギ、ヒドリガモ、ハシビロガモが到着しました。メボソムシクイは鳴き声は数日前から聞いていましたが、写真は今回、やっと撮れました。

ハリオシギは数を減らし、今日はなんとか1羽だけ絞り出すことができました。チュウジシギはピークよりは減っていますがまだまだ滞在中。タシギは増えています。

Pied Avocet
Pied Avocet

Pied Avocet, juvenile.

Pied Avocet
Pied Avocet

Pied Avocet and Black-winged Stilt. Both juveniles.

Marsh Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper / Spotted Redshank

The Spotted Redshank is in first-winter plumage. It was keeping company with a Marsh Sandpiper.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Same individual as above.

Pin-tailed Snipe
Pin-tailed Snipe

Same individual as above.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Megasnipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Megasnipe, first-winter plumage.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

Common Snipe, juvenile.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

Common Snipe, adult.

Common Redshank
Common Redshank / Common Snipe

Common Snipe and Common Redshanks had gathered here.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

Common Snipe, adult.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

Common Snipe, juvenile.

Common Redshank
Common Redshank / Wood Sandpiper

Common Redshank and Wood Sandpiper foraging side by side.

Eurasian Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon, male. Eclipse plumage.

Eurasian Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon

Also eclipse plumage.

Eurasian Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon, female non-breeding plumage.

Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler, male. Moulting from eclipse into breeding plumage.

Japanese Leaf Warbler
Japanese Leaf Warbler

Japanese Leaf Warbler. I was able to identify it because I could hear its call.

Japanese Leaf Warbler
Japanese Leaf Warbler

Same individual as above.

Grey-streaked Flycatcher
Grey-streaked Flycatcher

Grey-streaked Flycatcher, juvenile, near my home.

Categories: 野鳥

サシバの渡りピーク(動画あり)

サシバの渡りがピークを迎えています。この日は、過去最高記録と思われる3000羽以上が渡っていきました。わたしは仕事で黒島に行っていたので、石垣島に戻ってから慌てていつもの渡り鳥観察所へ移動。向かっている最中もあちこちからサシバが湧いて来ていました。1000羽以上のタカ柱もあったそうです。

到着してからもあちこちからサシバが湧いてきてタカ柱をつくっていました。中には暗色型のいわゆるブラックサシバも確認できました。

渡り切らずに山林に降りる個体も相当数いたので、あすの朝は素晴らしいねぐらだちとなりそうです。

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

Grey-faced Buzzard, adult male.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

Grey-faced Buzzard, adult female.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

This is a juvenile.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

The dark-morph Black Honey Buzzard is visible slightly to the lower left of center in the image.

Categories: 野鳥