GUIDED BIRDWATCHING TOUR
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.
The Ryukyu Tsuchitorimochi (Balanophora tobiracola), which parasitises the roots of Macaranga, Ryukyu persimmon and Ryukyu oak, is at peak flowering. This cluster was growing around a Ryukyu persimmon.
Balanophora fungus peering out from the dim forest floor.
A Desert Wheatear has turned up. There were records from Okinawa Island and Yonaguni Island, but this species had no record from the islands in between. I heard an unfamiliar call and was looking around when a bird flew out from a private house.
The moment it landed on a concrete roof across the road, I was certain it was a Desert Wheatear. I pulled the camera out of my bag and shot in a hurry. I had been completely off guard.
After a few frames the Desert Wheatear flew off somewhere. I'm hoping it will winter here and will look for it again if I get the chance.
A Desert Wheatear appeared out of nowhere. I rushed to get the shot.
The Desert Wheatear appears to be a first-winter male. It had a brief skirmish with a Dusky Thrush, perched on top of a roof, then vanished somewhere.