The Ose Coast

The Ose Coast at the mouth of the Maeda River, just north of Amami Airport, is the island's most important bird-watching site. A reef extending several hundred meters offshore creates extensive tidal flats rich with food, drawing 120 recorded species including summer residents like the ruddy kingfisher. It is the largest stopover point on the Amami Islands for migratory birds traveling north and south, with sandpipers, egrets, spoonbills, terns, and plovers among the regular visitors. The area is spacious and open, so binoculars or a monocular scope make a real difference. Early morning visits tend to yield the most activity.