Isahaya December 2025

When I saw all those images of Short-eared Owls on SM, I thought I'd go and take a chance. It was surprisingly easy. Though I could never compete with the big-lens toting photographers, I was still happy with my results.

Short-eared Owl, コミミズク

What I was not happy about was my chances with the male Hen Harrier. I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. This is all I got:

Male Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ

Female Hen Harrier, ハイイロチュウヒ

Eastern Buzzard, ノスリ

Female Common Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

There were many Cranes, ツル flying in big V-s across the reclamation areas.

And at the end of the day the ducks, making loud noises with their wings, like a strong wind suddenly rushing in. They seemed to be Baikal Teals, トモエガモ

Animals included 5 Wild Pigs, 1 Weasel and this Raccoon dog, タヌキ

Oronoshima

The 1 night stay at Oronoshima resulted in 3 nights due to the weather. People ask: Why? It's sunny! It isn't even that windy... They can't see the waves here. So I filled in my time at school, but was allowed to come and go to walk around. The birds of 2 weeks before had nearly all left. What was still there?

Eurasian Wren, ミソサザイ I saw just once, after 4pm. 

A small flock of Yellow-throated Buntings, ミヤマホオジロ

Ms. Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ

A number of Eastern Buzzards, ノスリ. Often chased by a very fast and loud Falcon

The Peregrine Falcon, ハヤブサ at the very top of the island. Overlooking everything

The plunge dive

The usual Blue Rock Thrushes, イソヒヨドリ at their favorite places

These moths were seen along the road to school. Euonymus leaf notcher, ミノウスバ

Cat feeding time in the village. A strange cat from the mountains came down for the first time. He didn't get a chance to eat with the others. The rules are strict!

Brown Boobies, カツオドリ behind Genkaishima

Eurasian Wryneck, アリスイ and some more

On a sunny day, the features of the Wryneck, アリスイ stand out clearly. I love that intricate pattern of feathers and the small eyes that match so well. 

After the female, I saw a male Kestrel, チョウゲンボウ today. Not at the same location, but close. Would they meet?

Snipes, タシギ are still there. A group of 8 was watching me watching them.

Somewhere on the line, I saw these little butterflies. The settings on my camera were off and the photos turned out dark. Not too bad for an unlucky shot.

Short-tailed Blue, ツバメシジミ   Everes argiades