Summer Birding Japan 2016 | Japan Nature Guides

Summer Birding in Japan

30 May-19 June 2016

Mark & Mayumi Brazil with: Jenny & Terry Cloudman and Linda & Jim Hargrove

Each journey around Japan in search of birds is tailored to the season, the time available and the specific targets of those involved, hence no single trip provides a complete indication of what occurs, but provides an idea of what is possible. In the case of this most recent trip, our focus was on a broad combination of accessible avian Japanese breeding endemics, East Asian specialties and summer visitors, along with mammals, amphibians and reptiles, while travelling almost the full length of Japan from Okinawa to Hokkaido. Our goal was to enjoy birding, wildlife watching and photography at a reasonable pace in as wide a range of habitats as possible, and to see as many species as possible, though admittedly that did include the occasional 18-19 hour day, starts mostly at around 05:00, and rather little sleep! The birds and other animals that we found, watched and photographed, and the local naturalists and birdwatchers we met along the way made for an exciting, very pleasurable and unique trip, in great company.

The Japanese avifauna is undergoing steady change in relation to forces within and outside Japan, most notably the status of many summering species is changing making finding some very uncertain. For more on this topic please read my review of a similar trip taken in 2013.

Such ‘long-term’ changes in bird populations are only noticeable to those of us who have been in the field visiting the same sites over several decades. Visitors, with just a brief window into Japan’s avifauna may be unaware of such range changes or behavioural changes, however they will still find a wonderful abundance of species as attested to by what we found during our recent trip.

Diary of our trip

29 May Southern Okinawa

30 May Southern, central and northern Okinawa

31 May Northern Okinawa (Yanbaru)

01 June Northern Okinawa (Yanbaru)

02 June Northern Okinawa to Amami Oshima

03 June Amami Oshima

04 June Amami Oshima

05 June Amami Oshima to Tateshina, Honshu

06 June Tateshina, Honshu

07 June Tateshina to Karuizawa, Honshu

08 June Karuizawa, Honshu

09 June Karuizawa to Tokyo, Honshu

10 June Miyake-jima, Izu Islands

11 June Miyake-jima, Izu Islands to Tokyo, Honshu

12 June Haneda, Honshu to Kushiro then Rausu, Hokkaido

13 June Shiretoko NP (including boat trip into Nemuro Channel) and Notsuke, Hokkaido

14 June Rausu and Utoro (including boat trip along Shiretoko Peninsula) to Abashiri, Hokkaido

15 June Abashiri to Nemuro, Hokkaido

16 June Nemuro (including boat trip from Ochiishi), Hokkaido

17 June Nemuro to Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido

18 June Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido, to Narita, Honshu

19 June Ibaraki & Chiba Prefecture, Honshu

Birds (194 species)

Hazel Grouse A female with eight young chicks crossing a wet track in forest north of Nakashibetsu on 18 June.

Chinese Bamboo Partridge Heard calling several times on Miyake-jima on 10 & 11 June.

Copper Pheasant A male foraging and drumming along a forest track in the Tateshina area on 7 June.

Japanese Green Pheasant 2 males on 6 June, 2 males on 7 June, and a male and female on the 8 June in the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas; a male seen and two more heard in Chiba Prefecture on 19 June.

Mute Swan 1 seen near Lake Kussharo on 15 June and one in Ibaraki/Chiba on 19 June.

Mandarin Duck 7 or 8 males near Shari on 14 June.

Gadwall At least 30 at Tofutusu-ko on 14 & 15 June.

Falcated Duck A pair on 12 June in the Kushiro Marsh area, then c50 on 14 & 15 June at Tofutusu-ko and c 10 on 16 June in the Nemuro area.

Eurasian Wigeon c40 on 13 June on Notsuke Peninsula.

Mallard A female with two young on 1 June in northern Okinawa, single females on 6 & 7 June in the Tateshina area, a pair on 12 June in the Kushiro area, c20 on 15 June, c10 on 16 June and 2 males on 17 June in southeast Hokkaido.

Eastern Spot-billed Duck Small numbers (1-10) found on Okinawa, Amami Oshima, Tateshina and Karuizawa and eastern Honshu on 30 May, 4, 6, 7, 8, 18 & 19 June.

Northern Pintail 5 males with 2 females on 13 June at Notsuke Peninsula.

Tufted Duck 4 on 13 June and a pair on 16 June in southeast Hokkaido.

Greater Scaup Small flocks of 5-30 in east Hokkaido harbours and bays 12-13, and 16-17 June.

Harlequin Duck A flock of approximately 10 birds off the Shiretoko Peninsula on 12 June, and 3 or 4 on 13 June.

Black Scoter Flocks of c150 on 12 June, c100 on 13 June and c25 on 14 June off the Shiretoko Peninsula.

Goosander A male and 2 females on 14 June, a female on 16 June, 2 females on 17 June and a single female on 18 June in East Hokkaido.

Red-throated Diver 15 on 12 June off the Shiretoko Peninsula and singles on 13, 14, and 16 June off various locations in east Hokkaido.

Pacific Diver One on 13 June and 2 on 14 June of Shiretoko Peninsula.

Northern Fulmar At least 5 in the Nemuro Channel off Rausu on 13 June.

Streaked Shearwater Hundreds daily off the Izu Islands (10-11 June).

Short-tailed Shearwater Two on 11 June north of Miyake-jima, 2 on 13 June off Rausu, and 2 on 16 June off Ochiishi.

Bulwer's Petrel Three north of Miyake-jima on 11 June.

Tristram's Storm Petrel Four or five north of Miyake-jima on 11 June.

Little Grebe One on 14 June in northeast Hokkaido and 2 in Chiba/Ibaraki on 19 June.

Oriental Stork One banded individual at Shin-misato on 19 June is part of a successful re-introduction programme.

Eurasian Spoonbill One in the Naha area of Okinawa on 29 May.

Black-faced Spoonbill Three in the Naha area of Okinawa on 29 May and 2 on 30 May.

Eurasian Bittern One heard at Inbanuma on 19 June.

Yellow Bittern Fifteen or more seen and heard at Inbanuma on 19 June including pairs in display flights.

Cinnamon Bittern Five on Amami Oshima on 4 June.

Black-crowned Night Heron Two on 29 May and 1 on 30 May in southern Okinawa, 1 on 1 June in northern Okinawa, and 2 on 19 June in eastern Honshu.

Chinese Pond Heron Two (1 in breeding plumage) on Amami Oshima on 4 June, 2 (both in breeding plumage) at a different location on Amami Oshima on 5 June.

Eastern Cattle Egret About 20 in southern Okinawa on 30 May, 5 on 31 May in central Okinawa, 8 on 1 June in northern Okinawa and about 20 on Amami Oshima on 4 June.

Grey Heron Small numbers in southern Okinawa, on Amami Oshima, in central Honshu and on Miyake-jima, then larger numbers up to 120 in east Hokkaido and small numbers in eastern Honshu: 29 & 30 May, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 & 19 June.

Great White Egret Five or more on 29 & 30 May in southern Okinawa, 1 on 1 June in northern Okinawa, 1 on 10 June on Miyake-jima and 1 on 15 June in east Hokkaido.

Intermediate Egret One on 29 May, 5+ on 30 May in southern Okinawa, 1 on 1 June in northern Okinawa, 3 on 4 June on Amami Oshima, 1 on Miyake-jima on 10 & 11 June, and 20+ in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Little Egret Three on 29 May and 2 on 30 May in southern Okinawa, 1 on Amami Oshima on 4 June, 1 on 10 June on Miyake-jima and 1 in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Pacific Reef Egret Approximately 10 on 29 May and 3-4 on 30 May in southern Okinawa, 3 on Amami Oshima on 2 June and 2 there on 4 & 5 June.

Swinhoe's Egret One on Amami Oshima on 2 June and again at the same location on 5 June.

Great White Pelican One un-banded individual at Inbanuma on 19 June has been resident at the location for 14 years. Its origin is unknown.

Brown Booby Three off Miyake-jima on 11 June.

Great Cormorant Approximately 30 at the Chosei-ike floating colony on 7 June, 1 on 8 June in the Karuizawa area, 3 on 12 June, 5-6 on 14 June , 10+ on 15 June in east Hokkaido, 2 on 18 June and 15+ on 19 June in Tokyo and eastern Honshu.

Temminck's Cormorant Two on 12 June, 100+ on 14 June and 150+ on 16 June in east Hokkaido.

Pelagic Cormorant One off the Shiretoko Peninsula on 13 June, 3-4 there on 14 June, and 20+ on off Ochiishi on 16 June.

Red-faced Cormorant One briefly off Ochiishi on 16 June (leader only).

Northern Hobby One near Abashiri on 15 June.

Osprey Two in southern Okinawa on 29 May, 2 on Miyake-jima on 10 June, 1 there on 11 June, and 1 in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Black-eared Kite Small numbers daily from 6-19 June (except on Miyake-jima).

White-tailed Sea Eagle From 3-c10 daily in east Hokkaido from 12-16 June.

Eastern Marsh Harrier A female in east Hokkaido on 12 June.

[Japanese Sparrowhawk An empty nest only, seen in southern Okinawa on 29 May.]

Northern Goshawk One from the highway en route to Tateshina on 5 June

Grey-faced Buzzard One at Tateshina on 6 June

Eastern Buzzard Three on 6 June in Tateshina, 1 on 7 June in Tateshina/Karuizawa, 1 on 10 June on Miyake-jima, 3 on 14 June and 1 on 15 June in east Hokkaido.

Upland Buzzard One in the Tateshina area on 6 June.

Okinawa Rail Four seen and more heard on 30 May, 7 seen and several more heard on 31 May, 9 seen and several heard on 1 June, all in Yanbaru. This year birds were far less visible during the day at many of their usual haunts.

White-breasted Waterhen One heard in southern Okinawa on 30 May, 1 heard on Amami Oshima on 2 June and 2 seen on Amami Oshima on 4 June.

Ruddy-breasted Crake One seen in southern Okinawa on 29 May, singles heard on 30 and 31 May in northern Okinawa, 1 seen on 1 June in northern Okinawa and 3 seen on 4 June on Amami Oshima.

Common Moorhen In southern Okinawa 5-6 on 29 May, 3 on 30 May, 1 on 31 May; 3 adults and 3 young on 1 June in northern Okinawa, with 1 there on 2 June; 1 on Amami Oshima on 4 June.

Common Coot Two at Chosei-ike in Saku, Nagano Prefecture, on 7 June; 1 on 14 June in east Hokkaido, and 2 in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Red-crowned Crane A pair with two well-grown young, then 2 further adults in the Tsurui area; then 6 on 13 June, 4 on 14 June, 3 on 15 June, 6 on 16 June and 2 on 18 June at various sites all in eastern Hokkaido.

Black-winged Stilt One in southern Okinawa on 29 May, another on 2 June; 1 on 4 June on Amami Oshima.

Long-billed Plover One on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, on 13 & 14 June.

Common Ringed Plover One female was seen on 29 June in southern Okinawa.

Little Ringed Plover One on 29 June, and another on 2 June, in southern Okinawa; 1 on 4 June on Amami Oshima.

Kentish Plover Fifteen or more in southern Okinawa on 29 May.

Lesser Sand Plover Five in southern Okinawa on 28 May

Eurasian Woodcock Five or six roding over forest on the Shiretoko Peninsula on 12 & 13 June.

Amami Woodcock On Amami Oshima, 1 on 2 June, 4 on 3 June and 4 on 4 June.

Latham's Snipe Small numbers (1-5) each day in east Hokkaido (12-18 June).

Whimbrel Five in southern Okinawa on 29 May.

Common Redshank Two in southern Okinawa on 29 May.

Common Greenshank One in southern Okinawa on 29 May.

Marsh Sandpiper One in southern Okinawa on 29 May.

Grey-tailed Tattler More than 10 at various wetlands in southern Okinawa on 29 May, 1 on 30 May.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper One in southern Okinawa on 29 May.

Common Sandpiper One upstream from Rausu on 13 June.

Oriental Pratincole Two in southern Okinawa on 29 May; 3 on Amami Oshima on 5 June.

Black-tailed Gull Daily in Tokyo, around the Izu Islands and in east Hokkaido (9-17 June), especially common on Shiretoko and Nemuro peninsulas.

Glaucous Gull An injured immature bird at Rausu harbour on 13 June.

Slaty-backed Gull Hundreds daily in east Hokkaido (12-16 June), breeding commonly on rooftops in towns and fishing villages, and along harbour walls.

Black-headed Gull Small numbers (2-15) daily in east Hokkaido 12-15 June).

Black-legged Kittiwake One off the Shiretoko Peninsula on 13 June (leader only).

Roseate Tern On Amami Oshima on 2 June (7-8) and 5 June (9).

Black-naped Tern Two or three in southern Okinawa on 29 May, 7-8 on 30 May; c20 on Amami Oshima on 2 June and 2 there on 5 June.

Little Tern More than 10 in southern Okinawa on 29 May, 2-3 on 30 May; 3 in Tokyo on 5 June and 2 in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Whiskered Tern One in almost full breeding plumage on Amami Oshima on 2 June, and 1 at Lake Kussharo on 15 June.

Pigeon Guillemot One off Ochiishi on 16 June.

Spectacled Guillemot More than 40 along the Shiretoko Peninsula on 14 June; approximately 30 off Ochiishi on 16 June.

Ancient Murrelet Two off Ochiishi on 16 June.

Rhinoceros Auklet Off the Shiretoko Peninsula, 30-40 on 13 June, more than 100 on 14 June and more than 30 off Ochiishi on 16 June.

Tufted Puffin One off Ochiishi on 16 June.

Rock Dove Common and widespread from Okinawa to Hokkaido; recorded on 11 out of 22 field days.

Black Woodpigeon Heard in Yanbaru on 31 May, 2 seen there on 1 June and 1 on 2 June, on Miyake-jima 5+ seen on 10 June and 3-4 on 11 June.

Oriental Turtle Dove Common and widespread from Okinawa to Hokkaido; recorded on all 21/22 field days.

White-bellied Green Pigeon In east Hokkaido, 5 on 15 & 16 June and 6 on 18 June.

Ryukyu Green Pigeon In southern Okinawa 3 on 29 May, 2 on 30 May; on Amami Oshima 4 on 2 June5+ on 4 June and 2 on 5 June.

Northern Hawk Cuckoo Three heard in the Tateshina area on 6 & 7 June.

Eurasian Cuckoo Five seen on 6 June in the Tateshina area; in east Hokkaido 1 on 12 June, a hepatic individual seen on 15 June, 3 heard on 16 June, and in easterh Honshu 1 heard on 19 June.

Oriental Cuckoo One seen on 7 June in Tateshina, heard in Karuizawa on 8 June, and 1-2 heard daily in east Hokkaido (12-16 & 18 June).

Lesser Cuckoo Heard in Yanbaru, Okinawa on 30 & 31 May, in Tateshina and Karuizawa and on Miyakejima (6-11) June, with sightings on 8 June and 11 June.

Elegant Scops Owl Several seen and heard each night in Yanbaru, and on Amami Oshima (30 May to 5 June)

Blakiston's Fish Owl Males heard on 12, 13 17 & 18 June in east Hokkaido.

Ural Owl An adult with two fledglings near Akan on 12 June.

Brown Hawk Owl In northern Okinawa one seen on 1 June, 1 seen and 2 heard on 2 June, and on Amami Oshima 1 seen on 3 June and 2 on 4 June.

White-throated Needletail Seen only in east Hokkaido, 2 on 12 June, 2 on 14 June, and 3 on 16 June.

Pacific Swift On 6 June c5 in Tateshina, 1 in Karuizawa on 9 June, 15-20 on 10 & 11 June on Miyake-jima, 20+ on 12 June in east Hokkaido, 150+ on 14 June from Shiretoko to Shari, 10+ on 15 June, 5 on 16 June and 3 on 18 June in east Hokkaido.

Ruddy Kingfisher Small numbers (up to 4) daily on Okinawa and Amami Oshima (31 May to 5 June).

Common Kingfisher Three in southern Okinawa on 29 May, and one there on 30 May; 1 in northern Okinawa on 1 June and 1 on Amami Oshima on 4 June.

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker Widespread from Okinawa to Hokkaido; 1-6 encountered on 15/22 days.

Pryer's Woodpecker In Yanbaru 2 pairs, one with 2 young, and a further 4 adults heard on 31 May, and 5 seen and an additional 3 heard on 1 June.

Owston's Woodpecker Two seen plus 2 heard on 3 June on Amami Oshima; 2 seen and 3 heard in a different area on 5 June.

Great Spotted Woodpecker In the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas seen daily (2-5) 6-9 June; and in east Hokkaido on 14-16 & 18 June.

[Black Woodpecker Feeding signs seen in forest between Kiritappu and Akkeshi in east Hokkaido on 16 June.]

Japanese Woodpecker In the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas 1-2 daily from 6-9 June.

Ashy Minivet In the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas 1-3 daily from 6-9 June.

Ryukyu Minivet Small numbers (up to 4) on 30 & 31 May and 2 June in Yanbaru; on Amami Oshima 2-3 daily on 3-5 June.

Bull-headed Shrike In the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas, 3-6 daily on 6-9 June, 5+ daily on Miyake-jima on 10 & 11 June, and 1-2 in east Hokkaido on 12, 16 & 18 June, and 1 in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher A pair in southern Okinawa on 29 and 30 May, heard on 31 May and 1 June in Yanbaru, 1-2 heard on 4 & 5 June on Amami Oshima, and a young male seen on 9 June in Karuizawa.

Eurasian Jay Seen daily (2-5) in the Tateshina/Karuizawa from 6-9 June); single Brandt’s Jays seen on 14 & 16 June in east Hokkaido.

Lidth's Jay On Amami Oshima, 2 seen on 2 June, 10+ on 3 June with four more heard and 10+ again on 5 June.

Spotted Nutcracker Two heard on 6 June and 1 on 7 June in the Tateshina area.

Carrion (Oriental) Crow Small numbers daily in central Honshu (6-9 June) and larger numbers (up to 10) daily in east Hokkaido (12-18 June), and in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Large-billed Crow Widespread and reasonably common in all areas from Okinawa to Hokkaido. Seen on all 22 field days. The highest density encountered was along the forest roads in Yanbaru, although the largest numbers (50+) were recorded along the Shiretoko Peninsula.

Japanese Tit Recorded on 14/22 field days, in all areas.

Coal Tit Small numbers (3-5) in the Tateshina/Karuizawa areas (6-9 June), and in east Hokkaido (14-18 June).

Varied Tit Small numbers (2-5) on most days in northern Okinawa, Amami Oshima and in the Tateshina/Karuizawa areas (31 May to 9 June).

Owston's Tit Reasonably common, up to 8 seen daily, on Miyake-jima (10-11 June).

Marsh Tit On 13 June 3-4 seen in east Hokkaido.

Willow Tit In the Tateshina/Karuizawa areas 2-5 seen daily on 6-9 June.

Sand Martin In east Hokkaido, c20 on 12 June, 5 on 15 June and 2 on 18 June.

Red-rumped Swallow Approximately 50 in a loose flock over Amami Oshima on 4 June.

Barn Swallow Two at Cape Hedo, northern Okinawa on 1 June, then common (10-30) each day in the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas from 6-9 June, 2 on Miyake-jima on 10 June, 1 there on 11 June, and more than 25 in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Pacific Swallow Seen daily (up to 20) on Okinawa and Amami Oshima from 29 May to 5 June.

Asian House Martin In the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas 5-10 daily from 6-9 June; similar numbers from 12-15 June in northeast Hokkaido.

Long-tailed Tit Small numbers (2-5) in the Tateshina/Karuizawa areas (6 & 9 June), and 2 seen on 12 June, and heard on 15 June in east Hokkaido.

Eurasian Skylark Three in the Tateshina area on 7 June; small numbers daily in east Hokkaido (13-15 June); 2 in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Zitting Cisticola Common (25+ daily) in southern Okinawa on 29 & 30 May, up to 5 daily in northern Okinawa from 31 May to 2 June; several on Amami Oshima (3-4 June); also common (10+) in the Sasagawa/Ukishima/Inbanuma area on 19 June.

Chinese Bulbul Common (up to 25 daily) in southern Okinawa on 29 & 30 May, and 1-2 daily in northern Okinawa from 31 May to 2 June.

Brown-eared Bulbul Common and widespread from Okinawa to Hokkaido; recorded on 19/22 field days.

Marsh Grassbird Up to 10 birds singing and giving display flights in the Sasagawa area on 19 June.

Asian Stubtail Surprisingly silent at sites visited in Honshu. In east Hokkaido, 3 heard on 15 June, and 1 seen and 2 heard on 18 June.

Japanese Bush Warbler Recorded on 18/22 days, but again not on Amami Oshima, where they were strangely silent.

Lanceolated Warbler At Toufutsu-ko three were singing and one was seen on 15 June.

Middendorff's Warbler Found at only a handful of sites in coastal east Hokkaido: 1-6 individuals (12-16 June).

Pleske's Warbler On Miyake-jima, with c10 on 10 June and 2-3 on 11 June.

Gray's Warbler Rather few were encountered in eastern Hokkaido this year: 3 heard on 12 June, 1 heard on 13 June, 1 seen and 4 heard on 15 June and 3 heard on 16 June.

Oriental Reed Warbler In the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas 1-2 daily from 6-8 June, but probably more than 25 at Sasagawa and Inbanuma on 19 June.

Black-browed Reed Warbler Only small numbers (3-15) encountered in east Hokkaido (12 & 14-17 June), and 5-6 in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Japanese Leaf Warbler Up to 5 daily in Tateshina on 6 & 7 June.

Sakhalin Leaf Warbler Two heard and glimpsed only in Tateshina on 6 June, 3 heard there on 7 June; 2-10 heard in east Hokkaido on 12 & 15-17 June.

Eastern Crowned Warbler From 2-4 each day in the Tateshina/Karuizawa areas from 6-9 June; 1-5 daily in east Hokkaido on 12 & 13 and 15 & 16 June.

Ijima's Warbler Common on Miyake-jima, particularly in the surviving mature forest near Tairo-ike (10-11 June).

Chinese Hwamei Three seen and a further 5+ heard near Lake Myogi in Gunma Prefecture on 8 June; 1 seen and 3 heard at Karuizawa on 9 June.

Japanese White-eye Reasonably common (on 15/22 days of the trip), with 1-30 recorded daily on Okinawa, Amami Oshima, in Honshu and on Miyake-jima (29 May to 11 June). Not seen in east Hokkaido, but 2-3 heard in eastern Honshu on 19 June.

Goldcrest One heard on 18 June in southeast Hokkaido.

Eurasian Wren Seen or heard daily (2-7 birds) in the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas (6-9 June) and on Miyake-jima (10-11 June) and in east Hokkaido, where heard on 15, 16 & 17 June.

Eurasian Nuthatch Small numbers (2-3) daily in the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas (6-9 June), and 4-5 in east Hokkaido on 15 June.

Chestnut-cheeked Starling In Tateshina 3 on 6 June and 10+ on 7 June, then in east Hokkaido 5+ on 12 June, 2 on 15 & 16 June and 1 on 17 June.

White-cheeked Starling Two in southern Okinawa on 29 May, then 2-20 daily in the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas (6-9 June). Seen in east Hokkaido 2-10 daily from 14-17 June. Also encountered in eastern Honshu on 18 & 19 June.

Siberian Thrush One heard singing in Tateshina on 6 June a male glimpsed in east Hokkaido on 16 June and a female on 18 June (leader only).

White's Thrush A pair heard singing in Tateshina on 6 June and a pair heard in east Hokkaido on 18 June.

Amami Thrush One seen roosting on 2 June, then a male heard singing and 2 birds seen on 5 June on Amami Oshima.

Japanese Thrush Seen and heard only in the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas, 3-10 daily from 7-9 June.

Brown-headed Thrush Very scarce: none heard or seen at a range of sites visited in Honshu; 1-4 seen and heard in east Hokkaido (14-16 & 18 June).

Izu Thrush Small numbers (5+) daily on Miyake-jima (10-11 June.

Japanese Robin Several heard on Miyake-jima on 10 June, 2 seen and c5 heard on 11 June; then in east Hokkaido 1-4 heard daily from 15-18 June.

Ryukyu Robin Both races were encountered: small numbers daily in Yanbaru, Okinawa (31 May to 2 June), and on Amami Oshima on 3 & 5 June.

Siberian Rubythroat Very scarce; recorded on just 2/22 days. One male seen and two heard on 15 June at Toufutsu-ko, and one male seen at Ochiishi on 16 June.

Siberian Blue Robin In the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas 3 heard on 6 June, male and female seen on 7 June and 5+ heard on 8 June; 2 were heard in east Hokkaido only on 18 June.

Red-flanked Bluetail Two were heard in Tateshina on 6 June and a pair seen in the same area on 7 June. In east Hokkaido 2 were heard on 15 June, 3 were seen and a5 heard on 16 June and 2 were heard on 17 June.

Stejneger’s Stonechat In the Tateshina area there were 3-4 on 6 June, and in east Hokkaido it was quite common, with 5-30 seen daily (12-18 June).

Blue Rock Thrush Reasonably common on Okinawa and Amami Oshima with 10-30 or so on each day (29 May to 5 June); also common on Miyake-jima (9-11 June.

Asian Brown Flycatcher Three at Karuizawa on 8 June, 2 on 9 June, 2 in east Hokkaido on 15 June and a male singling in east Hokkaido on 18 June.

Narcissus Flycatcher Reasonably common, with 5-15 individuals daily in Tateshina and Karuizawa (6-9 June); surprisingly scarce in east Hokkaido with just 2 heard on 15 June and a male seen on 18 June.

Ryukyu Flycatcher On Amami Oshima, a male was seen on 3 June, and a female was seen and 3 males heard on 5 June.

Blue-and-white Flycatcher Common in the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas with 10-15 daily (6-9 June); in east Hokkaido 1 was heard on 13 June, another on 17 June and a male was seen on 18 June.

Brown Dipper One was heard at Karuizawa on 7 June; an adult with 2 fledglings was seen beyond Lake Myogi on 8 June, and 1 was heard in east Hokkaido on 13 June.

Russet Sparrow Surprisingly scarce: 2 pairs were seen in east Hokkaido on 14 June, and one pair on 15 June.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Reasonably common and widespread from Okinawa to Hokkaido; encountered on 21/22 days of the trip.

Scaly-breasted Munia In southern Okinawa, 2 were seen on 29 May and again on 30 May.

Grey Wagtail 5-10 In the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas 5-10 were seen daily from 6-8 June; 1 was on Miyake-jima on 11 June, and in east Hokkaido one was seen on 13 June and 2 on 14 June.

White Wagtail Small numbers (2-10) were in the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas on 7-9 June, in east Hokkaido (12-18 June); and in the Sasagawa/Inbanuma area on 19 June.

Japanese Wagtail Only one young bird was found, at the river below Lake Myogi on 8 June.

Olive-backed Pipit Two were seen at Tateshina on 6 June and singles were hears on 7 & 8 June at Tateshina and Karuizawa. In east Hokkaido, 1 was seen on 15 June and one was heard on 18 June.

Oriental Greenfinch Small numbers daily in Honshu, on Miyake-jima, in east Hokkaido, and eastern Honshu (6-19 June).

Long-tailed Rosefinch Very scarce with records on only 4/22 days: 3-4 near Tsurui on 12 June, 1 heard on 13 June, 2 seen and 3 heard on 14 June and 4 seen and 5 heard on 15 June.

Grey-breasted Bullfinch A pair in Tateshina on 6 June.

Japanese Grosbeak In the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas, 2 were seen on 6 June, 1 heard on 7 June and 2 seen on 8 June.

Meadow Bunting In the Tateshina and Karuizawa areas 5-10 were seen daily (6-9 June); 5 were seen on Miyake-jima on 11 June; 1 was seen on 18 June and 2 on 19 June in the Sasagawa/Inbanuma area.

Chestnut-eared Bunting Three singing males were found near Tateshina on 6 June; in east Hokkaido, 3 were near Abashiri on 14 June and 4 on 15 June in the Toufutsu-ko area.

Japanese Yellow Bunting One was heard singing briefly at Karuizawa on 8 June, but could not be located. Seemingly only one individual returned to this traditional site this summer.

Black-faced Bunting Small numbers (1-10) daily in east Hokkaido (12-18 June).

Japanese Reed Bunting At Sasagawa, 4-5 males were singing on territory on 19 June.

Common Reed Bunting Only seen in east Hokkaido: single males were seen on 13 & 14 June, 3 males on 15 June and 1 on 16 June.

Mammals (22 species)

Ryukyu Flying Fox In northern Okinawa we encountred a gathering of about 80 individuals on 31 May, 2-3 on 1 June and 2 on 2 June.

Red Fox One on 5 June in Tateshina, and 1-7 daily in east Hokkaido from 12-16 June.

Tanuki (Raccoon Dog) One in southeast Hokkaido on 16 June (leader only).

Brown Bear At least 5 along the Shiretoko Peninsula on 14 June and droppings seen in southeast Hokkaido on 16 & 17 June.

Japanese Weasel One on Miyake-jima on 10 June (leader only).

Japanese Badger Two at Tateshina on 6 June.

Sea Otter Three around Moyururi Island on 16 June.

Small Asian Mongoose Three seen in Okinawa on 30 May.

Wild Boar Tracks and signs were seen each day in Okinawa and Amami Oshima from 31 May to 8 June, with 2 seen at night on Amami Oshima on 2 June.

Japanese Deer Seven at Tateshina on 6 June and 3-4 on 7 June; 5-10 daily in east Hokkaido (12-17 June).

Eurasian Red Squirrel One in east Hokkaido on 15 June.

Japanese Squirrel Two in the Tateshina area on 6 June, and one found dead on 7 June.

Siberian Chipmunk One in east Hokkaido on 16 June.

Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel At Karuizawa on 8 June (Linda only).

Roof (Black) Rat One on Amami Oshima on 3 June.

Ryukyu Long-furred Rat Two on Amami Oshima on 3 June and 1 on 4 June.

Amami Rabbit On Amami Oshima, c 15 on 2 June, 3 on 3 June, 1 seen and 1 heard on 4 June.

[Japanese Rabbit A dead individual found on 19 June.]

Orca Approximately 15 in the Nemuro Channel off Rausu on 13 June gave tremendous views.

Pacific White-sided Dolphin Approximately 5 seen from the ferry north of Miyake-jima on 11 June.

Risso’s Dolphin 3-4 seen from the ferry north of Miyake-jima on 11 June.

Short-finned Pilot Whale Two pods of approximately 30 individuals seen from the ferry north of Miyake-jima on 11 June.

Rorqual Whale One (species uncertain) seen from the ferry north of Miyake-jima on 11 June.

Amphibians and Reptiles (23 species)

Sword-tailed Newt One on 31 May in Yanbaru; more than 50 on Amami Oshima on 4 May, 2 on 5 May.

Hallowell's Tree Frog Many heard on Amami Oshima on 2 June.

Ezo Brown Frog One in east Hokkaido on 18 June.

Montane Brown Frog At Karuizawa, 30+ tadpoles and small frogs on 9 June.

American Bull Frog Several heard at Inbanuma on 19 June.

Namie's Frog Four seen in Yanbaru on 31 May.

Amami Ishikawa's Frog 3-4 adults and several tadpoles on Amami Oshima on 4 June.

Okinawa Tip-nosed Frog Three in Yanbaru on 1 June.

Amami Tip-nosed Frog Five on Amami Oshima on 3 June, more than 10 on 4 June.

Otton Frog One on Amami Oshima on 3 June, more than 10 on 4 June.

Holst's Frog One seen in Yanbaru on 30 May.

Okinawa Green Tree Frog Heard in Yanbaru on 31 May and on Amami Oshima on 3 June.

Ryukyu Kajika Frog one in Yanbaru on 30 May, heard there on 31 May, 2 seen on 1 June. More than 20 on Amami Oshima on 2 June, 10+ on 3 June and 20+ on 4 June.

Loggerhead Turtle One off Amami Oshima on 2 June.

Red-eared Slider One at Tairo-ike, Miyake-jima on 10 June.

Common House Gecko One in southern Okinawa on 29 May, and 1 in Yanbaru on 1 June.

Kuroiwa's Ground Gecko Two in Yanbaru on 31 May, and 1 on 1 June.

Okinawan Tree Lizard One in Yanbaru on 31 May, and 1 on 1 June.

Japanese Ratsnake One found dead on 6 June in Tateshina, and one live individual near Karuizawa on 8 June.

Ryukyu Green Snake One in Yanbaru on 30 May, and 1 on 31 May.

Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake Five in Yanbaru on 31 May; on Amami Oshima one dead individual found on 2 June, and 2 live individuals seen on 3 June.

Hai Coral Snake One in Yanbaru on 31 May.

Habu One in Yanbaru on 1 June, and 1 on Amami Oshima on 3 June.

A total of 239 taxa (Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians).

Species names and taxonomic order are based on references cited elsewhere on the Japan Nature Guides website.

Last updated: 20160808