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

Iriomote Tit Short-eared Owl Ruddy Kingfisher Schrenck's little bittern Collared Kingfisher

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

Red Collared Dove, Black-winged Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle and more

Red Collared Dove numbers have been slow to build this season, but several have finally come in — around six individuals confirmed so far.

Black-winged Kites have recently been appearing in groups: two adults and one juvenile. On this day two were careening over the paddy fields and scattering all the small birds.

Crested Serpent Eagle juveniles are down in number this year, but encounters with adults are gradually increasing. The calls carry clearly from my house as well.

Small birds are also visiting the farmland. Red-throated Pipit, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, and Brambling confirmed — the Brambling was my first photograph of the species this season.

Eurasian Collared Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove

Two male Cream-coloured Doves. A female had also been present a few days earlier.

Eurasian Collared Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove

Several raptors were in the area, and the birds — including the Cream-coloured Doves — looked unsettled.

Black-winged Kite
Black-winged Kite

Black-winged Kite, adult. Two birds, presumably a pair, perched on a power line. The individuals here have become used to cars and motorbikes passing by and no longer flush.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

A Crested Serpent Eagle near my home.

Brambling
Brambling

Brambling — my first shots of the season. Two birds were associating with Red-throated Pipits and others.

Red-throated Pipit
Red-throated Pipit

Red-throated Pipits are increasing in number.

Citrine Wagtail
Citrine Wagtail

White-browed Wagtails and Eastern Yellow Wagtails are roosting together in mixed groups. Juveniles are difficult to identify.

Little Egret
Little Egret

Little Egret, juvenile. Whether it's dirt or a colour morph, I'm not sure.

Categories: 野鳥

Forest Wagtail roosting, Red Collared Dove staying

On the way home from work I found a pre-roost gathering of about 50 Grey Wagtails and 20 Eastern Yellow Wagtails, and while checking for anything mixed in I spotted one Forest Wagtail. They normally live along forest tracks, so finding a Forest Wagtail in a sugarcane field was a real surprise.

The following day it was again mixed in with the Grey Wagtail flock at the same spot, so it is presumably spending its days somewhere on a nearby forest track. One White Wagtail was in the same flock. It would be nice if it overwintered together with the Grey Wagtails.

Two Red Collared Doves are staying, but they look unsettled — a Black-winged Kite, Hen Harrier, and Eurasian Sparrowhawk come by every day. For some reason a Brown Shrike was moving around with the Red Collared Doves and Oriental Turtle Doves — perhaps because it too is wary of the raptors.

Grey Wagtail
Grey Wagtail

A rare experience — encountering a White-browed Wagtail in a sugarcane field. It appears to roost together with other wagtails.

Grey Wagtail
Grey Wagtail

It roosted in the same spot two days running, so I'm hopeful it will overwinter.

Eurasian Collared Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove

The two male Cream-coloured Doves have joined a flock of Oriental Turtle Doves.

Isabelline Shrike
Isabelline Shrike

A Bull-headed Shrike associating with Cream-coloured Doves and Oriental Turtle Doves. The other small birds are on edge too, with so many raptors around.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

In the end, the snipe have come down to Common Snipe only.

Categories: 野鳥

Red Collared Dove, Arctic Warbler, Yellow Bittern, White-shouldered Starling, Common Starling and more (with video)

Four Red Collared Doves at two sites; Arctic Warblers in thickets here and there; Yellow Bittern again doing well as it did last year, seen frequently. The starling flock, in order of abundance: White-shouldered Starling, White-cheeked Starling, Common Starling, Common Myna. Until a few days ago Red-billed Starling and Rosy Starling were with them, but the group seems to have split up. Six Asian Glossy Starlings are mixed in as well.

Geese and ducks are gradually increasing. In addition to the more numerous Eurasian Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Eurasian Wigeon, Falcated Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Garganey, Greater White-fronted Goose, and Lesser White-fronted Goose have also been recorded.

Eurasian Coot, first noted at the end of October, keeps increasing. Wader numbers in the paddies are declining — Black-winged Stilt, Temminck's Stint, Common Snipe, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Green Sandpiper, and Common Sandpiper.

Eurasian Collared Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove

First confirmed juvenile Cream-coloured Dove.

Eurasian Collared Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove

Male Cream-coloured Dove. At this time of year they are usually mixed in with flocks of Oriental Turtle Doves, so it's worth having a look.

Eurasian Collared Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove

Cream-coloured Dove in flight. The white tips to the tail feathers are conspicuous.

Arctic Warbler
Arctic Warbler

Lesser Whitethroat can be heard calling here and there. Arctic Warbler is scarcer. Kamchatka Leaf Warbler not yet confirmed.

Arctic Warbler
Arctic Warbler

The other side of the same individual as above.

Arctic Warbler
Arctic Warbler

Two Lesser Whitethroats are currently staying in this spot.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

Yellow Bittern juvenile. Three birds appeared simultaneously. A Ryukyu Yellow Bittern also confirmed in the distance.

White-shouldered Starling
White-shouldered Starling / White-cheeked Starling

Chestnut-cheeked Starling male and White-cheeked Starling.

White-shouldered Starling
White-shouldered Starling

Chestnut-cheeked Starling juvenile.

Common Starling
Common Starling

About 20 Common Starlings.

Whiskered Tern
Whiskered Tern

A single White-winged Tern juvenile is still lingering.

Garganey
Garganey

Two Garganey. The temperature is high and the atmospheric haze is terrible.

Eurasian Teal
Eurasian Teal

Plenty of Eurasian Teal. Some individuals show little wariness.

Temminck's Stint
Temminck's Stint

Long-toed Stint, first-winter plumage.

Temminck's Stint
Temminck's Stint

Long-toed Stint, winter plumage.

Eurasian Coot
Eurasian Coot

A small flock of Eurasian Coots as well. Numbers will keep growing from here.

Little Grebe
Little Grebe

Migrant Little Grebes have been increasing.

Categories: 野鳥

Red Collared Dove, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Caspian Tern and more

Lesser White-fronted Goose, Siberian Pipit, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, and Caspian Tern all photographed for the first time this season in one go. Red Collared Doves continue to stay at multiple locations.

Common Snipe numbers are growing as birds settle into wintering mode. Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, and Common Redshank are also wintering in the island's paddies, though in small numbers.

Among raptors, Crested Serpent Eagle is becoming easier to find, and Common Kestrel, Grey-faced Buzzard, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, and Peregrine Falcon are all increasing.

Eurasian Collared Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove

Pale-capped Pigeon male juvenile. Spooked by raptors and not coming down into the paddies.

Lesser White-fronted Goose
Lesser White-fronted Goose

First Lesser White-fronted Goose of the season. An adult. Moving around with Greater White-fronted Geese.

Water Pipit
Water Pipit

Found one Buff-bellied Pipit among a flock of Red-throated Pipits. Distant, but a first for the season.

Red-throated Pipit
Red-throated Pipit

Red-throated Pipits are present in good numbers.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

A Crested Serpent Eagle that has caught a Black Rat. The rat's ears are visible between its feet.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Eurasian Sparrowhawk

First Eurasian Sparrowhawk of the season. It was chasing a flock of Eastern Yellow Wagtails around.

Common Kestrel
Common Kestrel

Common Kestrel adult male. In the same paddy as the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, but this one was targeting grasshoppers.

Northern Lapwing
Northern Lapwing

First Northern Lapwings of the season. All juveniles, as usual.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

Common Snipe, first-winter plumage. A flock of about ten. I searched for Swinhoe's Snipe but they are all Common Snipe.

Dunlin
Dunlin

Dunlin in winter plumage.

Green Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpipers are everywhere, alone or in twos and threes.

Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt

Juvenile (right) and adult Black-winged Stilt.

Purple Heron
Purple Heron

Juvenile Purple Heron.

Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler

Shovelers are increasing too.

Caspian Tern
Caspian Tern

A Caspian Tern diving for small fish.

Caspian Tern
Caspian Tern

The hunt appears to have failed.

Caspian Tern
Caspian Tern

The Caspian Tern is impressive, flying right in front of you with that large body.

Categories: 野鳥

First Common Hoopoe and Dusky Thrush of the season, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Common Starling and more

A Common Hoopoe has arrived on Ishigaki. Numbers are lower than in spring, but several have been confirmed this season too.

The first Dusky Thrush of the season also confirmed. I heard a Pale Thrush calling but could not see it. Daurian Redstarts and Amur Stonechats are increasing.

Lesser White-fronted Goose, Taiga Bean Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose are still present. Common Starling, White-cheeked Starling, White-shouldered Starling, Asian Glossy Starling, and Japanese Waxwing are also lingering and dropping in.

Eurasian Hoopoe
Eurasian Hoopoe

A Eurasian Hoopoe in the distance.

Dusky Thrush
Dusky Thrush

First Dusky Thrush of the season. A White's Thrush was calling nearby too.

Daurian Redstart
Daurian Redstart

I had my first female Daurian Redstart of the season about a week ago, but this is my first photo this season. A fine-looking male.

Siberian Stonechat
Siberian Stonechat

A female Siberian Stonechat in a pineapple field.

Common Starling
Common Starling / White-cheeked Starling

A flock of Common Starlings and Rosy Starlings. Foraging at a farm.

Common Kestrel
Common Kestrel

A first-year male Common Kestrel. Moult has begun.

Lesser White-fronted Goose
Lesser White-fronted Goose

A Lesser White-fronted Goose photographed at close range. Small and charming.

Lesser White-fronted Goose
Lesser White-fronted Goose

A Lesser White-fronted Goose in flight.

Lesser White-fronted Goose
Lesser White-fronted Goose / Tundra Bean Goose

Lesser White-fronted Goose (foreground) and Tundra Bean Goose. Both adults. Quite a difference in size.

Categories: 野鳥

Ducks increasing

Tufted Duck, Mallard, and Northern Pintail recorded for the first time this season. Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, and Eurasian Teal are staying, though scattered. Lesser White-fronted Goose, Taiga Bean Goose, and Greater White-fronted Goose are also lingering.

Tufted Duck
Tufted Duck

Male Tufted Duck.

Tufted Duck
Tufted Duck

First-year female Tufted Duck.

Mallard
Mallard

A sleeping male Mallard.

Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail

A few Northern Pintails flew in.

Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler, male.

Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler, juvenile male.

Eurasian Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon.

Categories: 野鳥

Pied Avocet, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Northern Lapwing and more

Overwintering in the paddies: Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Marsh Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Little Ringed Plover, and Northern Lapwing. Dozens of Common Snipe are staying, but Swinhoe's Snipe have not been found…

Pied Avocet
Pied Avocet

Pied Avocet, first-winter.

Long-toed Stint
Long-toed Stint

Long-toed Stint, winter plumage.

Marsh Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper

Marsh Sandpiper, winter plumage.

Common Redshank
Common Redshank

Common Redshank.

Green Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper, first-winter.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

Common Snipe, first-winter.

Northern Lapwing
Northern Lapwing

Northern Lapwing, juvenile.

Little Ringed Plover
Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover, first-winter.

Categories: 野鳥

First Rustic Bunting of the season, increasing Dusky Thrushes, Japanese Waxwings and more

Rustic Buntings arrived in a flock of around 30 — quite unusual to see numbers like that on Ishigaki. Four Japanese Waxwings are on a kapok tree. Dusky Thrushes are increasing, several Amur Stonechats are staying, and Eastern Yellow Wagtails, White Wagtails, and Grey Wagtails are also on the rise.

Rustic Bunting
Rustic Bunting

Rustic Bunting preening.

Rustic Bunting
Rustic Bunting

Two Rustic Buntings.

Rustic Bunting
Rustic Bunting

The Rustic Buntings were feeding on rice in a harvested paddy field.

Bohemian Waxwing
Bohemian Waxwing

Four Japanese Waxwings. They were eating Schefflera berries.

Dusky Thrush
Dusky Thrush

Dusky Thrushes have been increasing in the farmland and paddies. They will likely spread out across the island from here.

Siberian Stonechat
Siberian Stonechat

Multiple Siberian Stonechats staying on.

Siberian Stonechat
Siberian Stonechat

Siberian Stonechats at a different location. All females.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Eastern Yellow Wagtail, first-winter. White Wagtails have finally started to increase as well.

Categories: 野鳥

Javan Pond Heron, Malayan Night Heron, Cinnamon Bittern

Javan Pond Heron, Malayan Night Heron, and Cinnamon Bittern confirmed. Chinese Pond Heron and Yellow Bittern are also still present.

Javan Pond Heron
Javan Pond Heron

Javan Pond Heron in winter plumage.

Javan Pond Heron
Javan Pond Heron

Same individual as above. It has been staying for a long time.

Malayan Night Heron
Malayan Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron adult.

Malayan Night Heron
Malayan Night Heron

A Black-crowned Night Heron at an elementary school.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

A juvenile Ryukyu Striated Heron in a drainage channel.

Categories: 野鳥

Crested Serpent Eagle juvenile and Red Collared Dove

Crested Serpent Eagle juveniles are few this season. One has settled in a small paddy field but is in constant conflict with a Common Kestrel.

Red Collared Doves are staying at several locations.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

A juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle fleeing after being startled by a Common Kestrel.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

The frame before the photo above. It is being mobbed by a juvenile Common Kestrel.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

Crested Serpent Eagle adult.

Eurasian Collared Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove

A male Pale-capped Pigeon. Too spooked by raptors to come down from the tree.

Categories: 野鳥