Tractors Turn Rice Fields into a Bird Paradise

Late spring has finally arrived on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, nestled in the Sea of Japan. With it, the rice fields come alive as farmers begin plowing in preparation for the season. Among those most eagerly awaiting this work are the birds — including the Japanese crested ibis. After a long winter, the rumble of tractor engines fills the fields. As the tractors begin their work, birds gather nearby, drawn to the small animals, such as frogs and crayfish, that have been hiding under the soil. Before the fields are deliberately flooded for rice cultivation, it can be exhausting for the birds to dig through the hard earth to find food. The tractors take over this work, turning the soil and uncovering hidden creatures. The birds know exactly what is happening and swoop in, quickly capturing the frogs and crayfish exposed by the machinery. The Vital Task of Plowing Field plowing, done from March to April, is the first step in rice cultivation. Digging up the compacted soil allows air to penetrate, speeding up the breakdown of organic nitrogen into inorganic forms that plants can easily absorb. This aeration also helps roots grow strong when seedlings are planted. Leftover organic matter, such as rice stubble or milkvetch, is mixed into the soil, where microorganisms and earthworms break it down into nutrients, creating a natural fertilizer. The freshly plowed soil feels soft and fluffy underfoot. On Honshu, Japan's main island, plowing is usually done while the soil is dry. On Sado Island, however, the soil does not retain water well, so farmers add water as they plow, filling cracks and holes in the earth. Following closely behind the tractors are flocks of herons, ready to take advantage of the newly uncovered prey. Crested Ibises Join In Grey herons, who love to eat, are always on the lookout for an easy meal. They follow the tractors closely, snatching frogs and crayfish before they can dig back into the soil. Recently, even the shy crested ibis has started joining these opportunistic feeders. Above the fields, black kites circle, scanning for any movement. With eyesight nearly ten times sharper than a human's, they snatch up the small animals uncovered by the tractors at incredible speed. Skirmishes often break out between kites as they compete over these easy meals. Though unfortunate for the small animals, spring rice fields become a paradise for birds — a lively scene that never fails to fascinate. Soon, rice seedlings will be grown, and by May, planting will begin. I too will start serious farm work. This brief window offers a joyful chance to observe the bustling springtime life in the paddies before the busy harvest season takes over. RELATED: - Mantises Up Close, with a Cat Cameo - Swimming with Damselfish and Underwater Wonders - Swallows, Our Lucky Feathered Neighbors - Are Sparrows Disappearing? This is the 32nd in the series Sado Wildlife in Focus by photojournalist Fumie Oyama. Fumie Oyama is a two-time winner of the Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association Award as a photographer for The Sankei Shimbun. After covering the reintroduction of the crested ibis to the wild for 11 years, Oyama left the company in 2020 to move to Sado Island. There, he continues to photograph the ibis and other wildlife while engaging in farming. He currently promotes the charms of Sado Island as a photojournalist. Follow Fumie Oyama on Instagram.