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

Ryukyu flycatcher Collared Kingfisher Lesser Whistling Duck Daurian starling Asian koel

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

アカハラダカ越冬?

数日前にリュウキュウツミのペアを見た場所で、今日もペアでいました。オスの方は警戒心が強いのでたかーい松か木の陰に止まっていますが、メスは見晴らしのいい場所で獲物を狙っていました。と思ったのですが、写真をよく見るとアイリングもなくろう膜の黄色が目立ち、胸がオレンジなので季節外れのアカハラダカのメスですね。このまま越冬してくれたらうれしいなー。

先日見たペアはじゃれていたように見えましたが、実は、アカハラダカのメスとリュウキュウツミのオスが喧嘩していただけかも…。^^;

Chinese Sparrowhawk
Chinese Sparrowhawk

A female Chinese Sparrowhawk. She showed no fear of people at all — even when I got out of the car and set up a tripod she didn't flee. Afterward she caught a cicada and ate it in the undergrowth. If only I'd known it was a Chinese Sparrowhawk, I'd have taken a lot more shots!!

Categories: 野鳥

サシバの渡り始まりました

例年より少し早めにサシバの大きな群れが入りました。700羽ほどのカウントです。また、チゴハヤブサも1羽現れました。

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

A juvenile Grey-faced Buzzard.

Grey-faced Buzzard
Grey-faced Buzzard

An adult Grey-faced Buzzard.

Eurasian Hobby
Eurasian Hobby

When a butterfly passed over the observation spot, a Eurasian Hobby made a pass at it. It didn't catch it — just a playful swipe.

Categories: 野鳥

カンムリワシ幼鳥4個体目

林道にカンムリワシの幼鳥がいました。前回見つけた幼鳥同様、人を全く恐れない個体でした。

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

There is a blood-sucking mite below its eye.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

A juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle watching a hornet in the foreground.

Barn Swallow
Barn Swallow

With strong winds from Typhoon No. 18, the swallows were resting on the ground.

Categories: 野鳥

カンムリワシ幼鳥(動画あり)

御嶽にカンムリワシの幼鳥がいました。道中、アカショウビンと今季初のチョウゲンボウにも合えました。^^

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

It keeps looking up because crows come to harass it from time to time.

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

It caught something, but I couldn't make out what it was. ^^;

Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle

I was hoping it would fly toward me, but no luck. ^^;

Categories: 野鳥

アカハラダカの渡り(動画あり)

昨日に引き続き、今朝もアカハラダカの渡りを観察してきました。風があまりなく暑かったですが、数百羽のタカ柱も見られました。

Chinese Sparrowhawk
Chinese Sparrowhawk

A juvenile Chinese Sparrowhawk.

Chinese Sparrowhawk
Chinese Sparrowhawk

Also a juvenile. At the moment, juveniles make up a large proportion of the flock.

Chinese Sparrowhawk
Chinese Sparrowhawk

The only kettling of the day. It was an exceptionally dense, impressive kettle.

Categories: 野鳥