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

The Lesser Crested Tern, once part of such a lively gathering, is now down to the last one.

A Eurasian Curlew still present.

Overwintering Ospreys are increasing.

Whimbrel and other waders are feeding on crabs — around four species of them.

A small species of fiddler crab.

This fiddler crab is a size larger than the one above.

White Wagtail (ocularis) first-winter. Unlike the distinctive summer plumage, it is difficult to separate from White Wagtail in first-winter, and I think many are being overlooked. I myself only started paying attention after moving to Okinawa Island. This individual shows relatively clear features: a collar-like black patch, a plain grey back, grey rump, and broad pale edges to the flight feathers.

Amur Wagtail first-winter. There are first-winter female White Wagtails that look similar, but this is almost certainly an Amur Wagtail.

White Wagtail first-winter. There were around 30 birds in total, including this and adults in winter plumage.

A male adult Pale-backed Pigeon pecking at fallen grain on the ground after the rice harvest.

Size comparison with an Oriental Turtle Dove. The Pale-backed Pigeon is Japan's smallest dove.

When startled by a Grey-faced Buzzard, the Pale-backed Pigeons would fly up and take refuge in a nearby mulberry tree.

Because Pale-backed Pigeons are so small, they are hard to find once they tuck in among the stubble left after harvest.

A Grey-faced Buzzard that had taken up position near the Pale-backed Pigeons. I don't think it was targeting the doves, but the Oriental Turtle Dove flock was very alarmed. Could they have come from an area where they've never encountered Grey-faced Buzzards?

Now that the Greater White-fronted Geese have arrived, the Bean Goose won't be lonely anymore.

An adult Greater White-fronted Goose staying alert while the juveniles feed.

Juvenile Greater White-fronted Geese going to town on abandoned rice.

In the evening, a flock of 11 Greater White-fronted Geese and 1 Bean Goose returned from the dam to the rice fields. The Bean Goose is the fourth bird from the back. Noticeably larger than the Greater White-fronted Geese.

Dark-morph Grey-faced Buzzard in flight.

A Grey-faced Buzzard perched on a utility pole, scanning for prey.

This is what a dark-morph Grey-faced Buzzard looks like seen from directly side-on.

It launched out toward the field after prey.

It caught a large Slender-winged Grasshopper.

Dark-morph Grey-faced Buzzards are stunning. ^^

It came straight toward me!!

After that it passed behind me and on to the woodland on the other side. Once it perches in a tree, this dark morph is hard to spot.