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

Purple Swamphen Asian koel Collared Kingfisher Pintail Snipe Ruddy 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

Ruddy Kingfisher, Black-faced Spoonbill, Chinese Pond Heron and others

The Ruddy Kingfishers appear to be progressing well through the breeding season — I can watch them nest-building and courtship-feeding.

A Black-faced Spoonbill has been staying for several days. Chinese Pond Herons in breeding plumage are scattered across various paddies, with several individuals present.

In paddies with open water, Ruff, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper and Whiskered Tern were resting.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

A Ryukyu Ruddy Kingfisher near my home. It appears to be test-digging trial nest holes in several spots.

Black-faced Spoonbill
Black-faced Spoonbill

A Black-faced Spoonbill in the rice paddies. A young bird.

Chinese Pond Heron
Chinese Pond Heron

Squacco Heron in breeding plumage. Some nuptial coloration is showing as well.

Chinese Pond Heron
Chinese Pond Heron

These two Squacco Herons were together. They still retained some winter plumage.

Ruff
Ruff

A female Ruff. Winter plumage is still prominent.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Four Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. This individual had the most advanced breeding plumage of the group.

Marsh Sandpiper
Marsh Sandpiper

The Little Stint is transitioning into breeding plumage but still retains some winter plumage.

Whiskered Tern
Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Terns in breeding plumage. A small flock of several birds.

Categories: 野鳥