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

Collared Kingfisher Black Bittern Emerald dove Ashy drongo Short-eared Owl

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

Juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle, Greater Painted-snipe family and more (video)

As the young birds begin to move away from their parents, juvenile Crested Serpent Eagles are becoming easier to observe. Multiple juveniles have been confirmed across Ishigaki Island. There were no typhoons this season so breeding success looks good — I'm looking forward to seeing how many individuals are counted.

Of the recent Greater Painted-snipe brood, one chick died in the nest, but the surviving chick is doing well with the parent. There are plenty of predators — cats, crows, and Black-winged Kites — so let's hope it makes it through safely.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

Crested Serpent Eagle, juvenile. When it spotted something in a roadside ditch it would swoop down — practising its hunting on its own.

Purple Heron
Purple Heron

Purple Heron, juvenile. Perhaps because this area wasn't hit by the typhoon, numbers seem high this year.

Purple Heron
Purple Heron

Purple Heron, adult.

Greater Painted-snipe
Greater Painted-snipe

Greater Painted-snipe, male parent with chicks just a few days after hatching.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint / Long-toed Stint

Red-necked Stint, adult (left), and Long-toed Stint, juvenile.

Red-necked Stint
Red-necked Stint

Red-necked Stint, juvenile.

Terek Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper

Terek Sandpiper, adult. Every now and then you get one that wanders into the paddies.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Another Swinhoe's Snipe, juvenile.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Nothing but Swinhoe's Snipe juveniles.

Swinhoe's Snipe
Swinhoe's Snipe

Swinhoe's Snipe, adult. Birds in winter plumage are starting to appear.

Categories: 野鳥