Birdwatching in Tokara (Naka-no-shima) (May 4-7, 2023)

 Tokakara Island chain is located in the Kagoshima Prefecture between Yakushima Island and Amami Island.  The island chain is quite remote with limited access, only accessible by a ferry twice a week.  

Due to low pressure during our stay, birding was affected by strong wind and rain.  So, unfortunately, no interesting passage migrants were seen.   Most of residential species were recorded well.  Ryukyu Robin and Ijima's Leaf Warbler were rather abundant while Whistling Green Pigeon, Japanese Wood Pigeon and Japanese Paradise Flycatcher were relatively common.  Varied Tit and Japanese Bush Warbler call unlikely from the main land subspecies.

As the avifauna is quite unique and interesting, I hope I have another opportunity to visit there.

Ryukyu Robin (female)

Ryukyu Robin (male)

Ryukyu Robin (female)

Ryukyu Robin (male)

Ryukyu Robin (male)

Ijima's Leaf Warbler

Ijima's Leaf Warbler

Ijima's Leaf Warbler

Ijima's Leaf Warbler

Ijima's Leaf Warbler

Ijima's Leaf Warbler

Ijima's Leaf Warbler

Brown Booby

Brown Booby

Brown Booby

Japanese Wood Pigeon

Japanese Wood Pigeon

Japanese Wood Pigeon

Japanese Wood Pigeon

Japanese Wood Pigeon

Japanese Wood Pigeon

Japanese Wood Pigeon

Japanese Wood Pigeon

Japanese Wood Pigeon

Japanese Wood Pigeon

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher (male)

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher (male)

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher (male)

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher (female)

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher (female)

Whistling Green Pigeon

Whistling Green Pigeon

Whistling Green Pigeon

Whistling Green Pigeon

Intermediate Egret

Intermediate Egret

Intermediate Egret

Intermediate Egret

Brown-eared Bulbul

Japanese White-eye

(Amami) Varied Tit

(Amami) Varied Tit

(Amami) Varied Tit

(Amami) Varied Tit

(Amami) Varied Tit