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

Daurian starling Ashy drongo Pheasant-tailed jacana Black-winged Cuckooshrike Purple Swamphen

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

Javan Pond Heron, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Swinhoe's Snipe and others

In the same area, the Javan Pond Heron count is up to two birds and the Broad-billed Sandpiper to three, much to the delight of visiting birdwatchers from outside the prefecture.

Javan Pond Heron
Javan Pond Heron

The Javan Pond Heron count in the same paddy field has gone up to two.

Broad-billed Sandpiper
Broad-billed Sandpiper

Broad-billed Sandpiper, juvenile. The Broad-billed Sandpipers in this area are now up to three.

Greater Painted-snipe
Greater Painted-snipe

Greater Painted-snipe, adult male.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe / Red-necked Stint

Swinhoe's Snipe juvenile (right) and Red-necked Stint juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Same individual as above.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Same individual as above. I really wanted to photograph this bird's tail feathers, so I visited four days in a row. With just three minutes left before I had to leave, it finally spread its tail. ^^

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, adult.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint

Red-necked Stint, adult (foreground) and juvenile.

Citrine Wagtail
Citrine Wagtail

White-browed Wagtail, juvenile.

Categories: 野鳥

Ruddy Kingfisher and Common Emerald Dove (video)

Did a quick loop around the neighbourhood before heading to my child's school sports day. Observed five Ruddy Kingfisher and three Common Emerald Dove. Ruddy Kingfisher is reasonably numerous and can be seen without too much trouble. The Common Emerald Doves were carrying nesting material repeatedly. As on Miyako Island, it seems some individuals breed at this time of year too. Perhaps they breed twice a year?

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

The Ruddy Kingfisher near my home. It will be departing soon, so I've been checking every morning to confirm it's still around, hoping to record the last sighting of the season. There is one more bird nearby.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

Rufous Kingfisher on a forest road.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

An individual near the Rufous Kingfisher above. As the migration season approaches, I get the sense that Rufous Kingfishers tend to gather in small loose groups.

Emerald Dove
Emerald Dove

A male Emerald Dove at the usual feeding spot.

Emerald Dove
Emerald Dove

A different feeding spot. The male was carrying nest material back and forth repeatedly.

Emerald Dove
Emerald Dove

Same individual as above. He has a small twig in his bill.

Emerald Dove
Emerald Dove

A male Emerald Dove that turned back because I was too close.

Emerald Dove
Emerald Dove

A juvenile male that appeared at the same feeding spot as the adult above. They may be parent and offspring.

Categories: 野鳥