Ruddy Kingfisher, Northern Boobook, Oriental Pratincole, Black-naped Tern
Migratory birds have all but disappeared from Ishigaki Island, but breeding by the Ruddy Kingfishers, Northern Boobooks, and Oriental Pratincoles seems to be going smoothly. Black-naped Terns have also arrived and are beginning to form colonies on the rocky reefs.
As every year, I worry about the effect of typhoons, but I hope the breeding season ends in success. ^^
A Ruddy Kingfisher in the shade of a tree at a ranch. After taking prey, it flew right over my head and off into the forest.
A Brown Hawk-Owl that nests in this busy spot every year. It looks like the young will be fledging soon.
Oriental Pratincoles, presumably breeding somewhere on the island, came to a rice paddy.
The Black-naped Terns that had been offshore have arrived at the coastal rocks. Breeding is about to begin.