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

Collared Kingfisher Emerald dove Black-winged Cuckooshrike Asian koel Eurasian Hoopoe

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

ヤツガシラ、トラツグミ、ズグロミゾゴイ、ジョウビタキ(動画あり)

2月24日から滞在のヤツガシラはまだいました。驚いて一度、林に逃げ込むとなかなか出てこないようです。

今季、全国的に多いトラツグミは石垣島も例に漏れずであちこちで確認されています。大柄で迫力がありますね。

Eurasian Hoopoe
Eurasian Hoopoe

The Eurasian Hoopoe that has been present since yesterday was raising its crest frequently. I wish it would move somewhere a little more peaceful….

Eurasian Hoopoe
Eurasian Hoopoe

Perched on the artificial log right in front of me.

White's Thrush
White's Thrush

A Scaly Thrush that has completely lost its wariness. Reactions to people vary enormously from individual to individual.

Malayan Night Heron
Malayan Night Heron

An adult Malayan Night Heron. The breeding season is approaching, and they will soon be showing their vivid nuptial colours.

Daurian Redstart
Daurian Redstart

Daurian Redstarts were increasing. I suspect they are birds moving through on migration.

Categories: 野鳥

メジロガモ、カタグロトビ、リュウキュウコノハズクほか

石垣島のちょっといいカモと言えば、メジロガモ。今季は単独での飛来でした。警戒心はあまりなく、観察しやすい個体です。

田んぼで娘とバードウオッチングをしているとカタグロトビの幼鳥が目の前の枝に止まりました。猛禽類好きの娘は大喜びでしたが、この後、車のエンジンをかけようとすると無反応…。レッカーを呼んで整備工場送りとなりました…。^^;

Ferruginous Duck
Ferruginous Duck

A male Ferruginous Duck. No juveniles or adults could be confirmed….

Tufted Duck
Tufted Duck

Tufted Ducks number in the hundreds at the dam, but there were 4 at this sedimentation pond.

Black-winged Kite
Black-winged Kite

A juvenile Black-winged Kite. It came right in front of me repeatedly, searching for prey.

Elegant Scops Owl
Elegant Scops Owl

First night outing in quite a while. Stopped by a convenience store and observed several Ryukyu Scops Owls along the way.

Black-winged Stilt
Black-winged Stilt

15 Black-winged Stilts arrived. Spring migration is underway.

Green Sandpiper
Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpipers on the move also seem to be increasing.

Common Snipe
Common Snipe

Common Snipe were moving actively in mid-January, but things have settled down now. Come April, large numbers will be passing through Ishigaki Island.

Categories: 野鳥

ナンヨウショウビン、カタグロトビ、ホオジロハクセキレイほか

友人が石垣島を訪れるので、ナンヨウショウビンの滞在をチェック。いつもの海岸で元気に過ごしていました。昼間っから酒盛りしているおじさんたちがいますが、あまり気にする様子もありません。歩行者がくると逃げますが、すぐに定位置のテトラポットや防風林の枝にもどってきます。

カタグロトビは市役所に行った帰りに発見。電話線に止まってネズミを食っていました。町の個体は人への警戒心が薄れて観察しやすいですね。

Collared Kingfisher
Collared Kingfisher

A Collared Kingfisher on a tetrapod. Perching on spots like this is probably why its tail feathers are so heavily worn.

Collared Kingfisher
Collared Kingfisher

It is quite close, but because I am watching through gaps in the vegetation it is relaxed.

Black-winged Kite
Black-winged Kite

Black-winged Kites on Ishigaki-jima breed multiple times a year, so I'm not sure what to call the season, but this individual is in the process of moulting out of juvenile plumage.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

A wintering juvenile Grey-faced Buzzard. It will likely head north next month.

White Wagtail
White Wagtail

A male White Wagtail of the leucopsis type. The season has come when I start seeing White Wagtails passing through on migration as well.

Giant Mottled Eel
Giant Mottled Eel

While watching the Collared Kingfisher, a Giant Mottled Eel was eating what appeared to be a tilapia.

Categories: 野鳥

クロハラアジサシ、ムナグロ、カラムクドリ

前日までの強い北風に運ばれてきたのか、クロハラアジサシとムナグロを複数箇所で確認。両種が本格的に増えるのはまだ先です。

職場の駐車場にあるゲッキツの実を食べにカラムクドリが十数羽やって来ていました。先日は、ミドリカラスモドキの群れも訪れるなど、町の鳥たちの餌場になっています。

Whiskered Tern
Whiskered Tern

White-winged Tern in winter plumage. Numbers increase sharply come April.

Pacific Golden Plover
Pacific Golden Plover

Pacific Golden Plovers recorded in rice paddies and sugarcane fields. These too don't build up until April.

White-shouldered Starling
White-shouldered Starling

Daurian Starlings visiting my workplace. At peak times a flock of around 30 will come by.

Categories: 野鳥