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

Ryukyu flycatcher Pied Avocet Short-eared Owl Schrenck's little bittern Glossy Ibis

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

Two Pechora Pipits Show Up!!

I finally got photos of the Pechora Pipits whose calls I had been picking up from the grassland for the past few days.

Red-throated Pipits have arrived in large numbers, so picking out the Pechora Pipits took some patience — but when I waited by the call, a bird popped up onto a rice-paddy berm right after the rain stopped. Finding a bird exactly as planned is a special kind of satisfaction. ^^

Chinese Sparrowhawk migration has been under way since early September, but bad weather has continued thanks to the typhoon and a lot of birds are lingering on Ishigaki-jima. At peak times three or so were perched on the power lines together. Once the weather clears they should push through all at once.

Grey-streaked Flycatchers on migration and wintering Arctic Warblers are also increasing. A large flock of around 500 Chestnut-cheeked Starlings was moving through parks in the town centre.

Buff-bellied Pipit
Buff-bellied Pipit

Buff-bellied Pipit, first-winter.

Buff-bellied Pipit
Buff-bellied Pipit

Same individual as above. The field marks of Buff-bellied Pipit show up well.

Buff-bellied Pipit
Buff-bellied Pipit

Same individual as above. From behind.

Buff-bellied Pipit
Buff-bellied Pipit

A second Buff-bellied Pipit. Also in first-winter plumage. It was associating with the individual above.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Eastern Yellow Wagtail

Eastern Yellow Wagtail, first-winter plumage.

Chinese Sparrowhawk
Chinese Sparrowhawk

Chinese Sparrowhawk, adult male.

Grey-streaked Flycatcher
Grey-streaked Flycatcher

Grey-streaked Flycatcher, adult.

Chestnut-cheeked Starling
Chestnut-cheeked Starling

White-cheeked Starlings came in large flocks to parks in town and similar spots.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

Common Snipe numbers have been increasing.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

The Crested Serpent Eagle has entered its easier-to-observe season.

Categories: 野鳥