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

I went birdwatching on the side while on a work trip to cover the Yonaguni Town Council election. ^^

I confirmed multiple migrating Chinese Sparrowhawk, and Common Kestrel had also arrived to overwinter. Migrating Oriental Dollarbird and Grey-streaked Flycatcher were also present, along with good numbers of overwintering Brown Shrike, Arctic Warbler, and Eastern Yellow Wagtail.

In recent years the rice paddies on Yonaguni Island have decreased, so waders and plovers are sparse — just small numbers of Black-winged Stilt, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Wood Sandpiper, Long-toed Stint, Common Sandpiper, and Red-necked Stint.

Common Emerald Dove, having finished breeding, formed small flocks and I watched them feeding on several occasions.

Chinese Sparrowhawk, juvenile. I also picked out several adults soaring.

The Minister of Defense was visiting Yonaguni Island, so off I went on another work trip. I managed a little birdwatching in between duties. ^^

Driving through the farmland, I could hear Siberian Rubythroat, Ryukyu Robin, Manchurian Bush Warbler, Japanese Bush Warbler, Arctic Warbler, and Emberiza buntings calling. The density is considerably higher than on Ishigaki Island. It was a short visit, but I enjoyed it a great deal.

A Siberian Rubythroat in the morning, moving through the undergrowth while giving its call note.

I had a work trip to Yonaguni Island after a long absence, so I went birding in my spare time. I came across a Chestnut-winged Cuckoo — found it at a private house in Sonai. It looked annoyed at being pestered by a Brown-eared Bulbul. I also spotted what appeared to be a Pale Buzzard.

Across the island, Emberizas were coming in in good numbers — Rustic Bunting, Yellow Bunting, Little Bunting and others. Narcissus Flycatcher, Daurian Redstart and Grey-streaked Flycatcher were staying all over the island. One Common Pochard had dropped into Kubura Mitou.

A juvenile Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo. It seemed to be using the drainage channel running behind some houses, but was chased off by a Brown-eared Bulbul and flew away somewhere.

Red Collared Doves turned up at two locations, four birds in total. Grey Wagtail is also a first for the season. From here on, migrants with a distinctly autumnal feel will keep arriving on Ishigaki one after another.

Painted Snipe were at two locations — two males and two females. In this paddy it was one male and two females.

Ryukyu Ruddy Kingfishers are still being seen readily. Multiple individuals are observable around my neighbourhood. I expect them to move on by the end of September. From April to now — half a year of morning song and colour in daily life. ^^

One White-shouldered Starling was confirmed today for the first time this season, mixed in with a flock of Common Mynas. From here on, the wintering birds will start arriving on Ishigaki: White-shouldered Starling, Red-billed Starling, Chestnut-cheeked Starling, Common Starling, Rosy Starling and others.

The Ruddy Kingfisher closest to home. Together with the individual photographed a few days ago, it appears that at least two birds are here preparing for migration.

Wishing everyone a happy new year.

The new year got off to a rough start — the entire family came down with COVID-19 right at the beginning of the holidays. We couldn't go anywhere, and I spent the time in bed until the 8th. ^^

My first birding of the year was on the 9th. Overwintering since last year: Common Crane, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Shelduck, Tundra Swan, Korean Kestrel, Grey-faced Buzzard, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, thrushes, wagtails, Amur Stonechat, Chinese Pond Heron, and four species of starling.

For New Year's, you can't leave out a juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle — the bird celebrated in the Okinawan song "Washi nu Tui-bushi."

台風明けで一気にシマアカモズの数が増えました。ソリハシセイタカシギは台風の暴風を無事に乗り越えていました。

いっとき数を減らしていたインドハッカは再び増え出し、石垣島の各地で見られるようになりました。

Brown Shrike, juvenile.

今季初となるハリオシギとタシギを確認しました。少なくとも合わせて5羽の群れが田んぼの畔にいました。

石垣島では最近、インドハッカが増えてきました。繁殖は数年前から確認されていましたが、ここにきて個体数が増えています。

カンムリワシは活発に動き回り、この時季、あちこちで見ることができます。

A Pin-tailed Snipe that was relatively unguarded. Photographed from inside the car at a distance of a few metres.

新型コロナで県外へ出られないので、シルバーウイーク中は2泊3日で与那国島へ家族旅行に行ってきました。

移動途中、林道や海岸線などをちょっとだけ鳥見。秋の渡りには若干早かったのと、2日目まで南風が吹き続けていたので与那国らしい鳥は出せませんでした…。^^;

2日目の夕方から北寄りの風になり、前日まで全くいなかったアカハラダカは林道などでたくさん見られました。西崎で観光していると南側の海上から目線の高さでアカハラダカが単独で島へ飛び込んできました。アマサギやコサギの群れは北風が吹き出した3日目に幾度となく海から与那国島へ到着する群れを見ました。40羽から最大で100羽ほどの群れでやってきました。

ブッポウソウは2日目の夕方に1羽、3日目にもう1羽を確認しました。八重山のブッポウソウはだいたいこの時期で石垣島でも1羽出ていました。

この時期、島内で特に目につくのはエゾビタキとシマアカモズ とツメナガセキレイで、何羽見たかわかりません。ツメナガセキレイは珍しい亜種も期待したのですが、全てマミジロツメナガセキレイでした。

東崎では、まさに到着したばかりというチュウジシギが岬の先端にいました。

ライファーとなるアリスイも確認。沖縄ではなかなか見ることができず「やばいの見つけた」というと息子が「長芋見つけた?」と聞き返し3歳児のかわいさ全開です。^^

沖縄県が設置したウリミバエの不妊虫放飼カゴ周りにはサンコウチョウやキマユムシクイ、キセキレイ、エゾビタキ、ツバメ、タイワンヒヨドリなどが集まっていました。

林道ではトケン3羽を見たのですがどれも飛び去る後ろ姿だけなので同定できず…。カラムクドリは十数羽の群れ、サンショウクイも数羽の群れを何度か見ました。ムシクイは子連れでの撮影は厳しいですね…。^^;

そして与那国島で一番の成果はハリオシギの死体を拾ったことです。^^ このハリオシギは featherbase にて 羽根標本(Exhibit #5698) になりました。

An adult female Chinese Sparrowhawk photographed at close range.

与那国島出張で最終日に3時間ほど時間が余ったので原付バイクを借りて近くを探鳥。レンカク1羽とベニバト3羽、アカガシラサギ1羽を田原川の田んぼなどで確認しました。

原付なので鳥の警戒心が強いこと。^^; やはりブラインドがわりの車じゃないとダメですね…。

ベニバトはレンカクを撮ってると頭上を通過、アカガシラサギは飛ばれて藪の中に入られてタイムアップで終了でした。

A Pheasant-tailed Jacana in flight. A very wary individual that took to the air every time a farm truck passed by.