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

Short-eared Owl Javan pond heron Ryukyu scops owl Collared Kingfisher Daurian starling

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

Chinese Pond Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, Ruddy Kingfisher and others

A few Chinese Pond Herons are staying. Plumage varies widely, from individuals still mostly in winter dress to those that have almost fully switched to breeding plumage. A Cinnamon Bittern was nearby as well — it is probably breeding in the vicinity.

White-winged Terns were still present but numbers seemed to have dropped. Black-tailed Godwit, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Common Redshank, and Common Greenshank are also staying.

Chinese Pond Heron
Chinese Pond Heron

A Chinese Pond Heron almost fully into breeding plumage. This individual was a bit wary.

Yellow Bittern
Yellow Bittern

A female Cinnamon Bittern that appeared near the paddy field where the Chinese Pond Heron above was seen.

White-winged Tern
White-winged Tern

The six Whiskered Terns that had arrived were down slightly in number.

Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit

A Black-tailed Godwit also showed up. This individual appeared to be injured — all the toes on its left foot were missing. Perhaps it had an accident with fishing line or something similar.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

A Pectoral Sandpiper passing through — the first in a while.

Common Redshank
Common Redshank

A Common Redshank in breeding plumage. Beautiful.

Common Greenshank
Common Greenshank

The Common Greenshank is starting to come into breeding plumage as well.

Ruddy Kingfisher
Ruddy Kingfisher

A Ruddy Kingfisher on the forest track near my house. As usual, it showed no wariness at all.

Categories: 野鳥