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

Pheasant-tailed jacana Ryukyu scops owl Iriomote Tit Glossy Ibis Asian koel

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

Okinawa Rail in Yanbaru

I made a trip to Yanbaru while I was already in Naha on assignment for the House of Councillors election.

Results started coming in around 9:30 p.m. By 11 p.m. I had filed my story and taken a shower, then headed north. I reached Yanbaru around 1 a.m. Conditions were good after the rain, but the owls were uncooperative — one Japanese Scops Owl, two Ryukyu Scops Owls, and zero Northern Boobooks. On the other hand, I found six Okinawa Rails in total: four sleeping in trees and two walking along the road. I also ran into an Okinawa Spiny Rat along the way.

Okinawa Rail
Okinawa Rail

A Okinawa Rail roosting in a tree. Unfortunately I was unable to photograph a Ryukyu Scops Owl — the first time I've visited Yanbaru and come away without one.

Categories: 野鳥