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.

© 2016 Mark Brazil

Last updated: 20160808