Wild Watch

Tune in to nature's sounds

Jul 19, 2009 The phenomenal diversity of Japan, in its landscapes, climates, ecosystems, fauna and flora, has enthralled me for more than a quarter of a century. For part of each year I am extremely fortunate to be able to travel the length and breadth of the country seeking out its wilder places in order to experience the unique nature of Japan and to write ab...

'Spotted snakes, with double tongue'

Jun 21, 2009 In ages past we humans relied on natural phenomena and omens from nature to guide us in our understanding of seasonal events and our attempts to make predictions about the uncertain future. ...

Mayhem, madness and bumps in the night

May 17, 2009 Picture this: Darkness; a strong wind blowing; fog thickening and swirling; the ceaseless crashing of waves against a rocky shore. Not a night for nature observation you may think, but think again. ...

A rip and a burp and the land is ours

Apr 19, 2009 It’s that time of year when Japan’s media are meticulously monitoring the iconic cherry-blossom front as it passes up through the archipelago in a wave of warming temperatures and bursting buds. ...

Icy white 'blossoms' and a flourish of deep pink

Mar 15, 2009 Each day last week I strapped on cross-country skis to patrol some trails quartering the primeval, 2,050-hectare Nopporo Forest adjoining Sapporo. ...

Celebrating a life with cranes

Feb 15, 2009

In the dim gray light just before a winter’s dawn, a wash of sound emanates from some 12,000 tall, long-necked and long-legged birds as they awake in the fields of rural Kyushu....

Karori: A wildlife sanctuary for our times

Jan 18, 2009 A new year has begun, signs of change abound, and this column has migrated to a new page. The economic crises of 2008 are still with us and the nightmare of global climate shock is not one that we can awaken from. But among all this there are signs of hope. ...

In praise of 'Ice Birds'

Dec 17, 2008 The rush, chatter and babble of a stream on a summer’s day is a great delight; the constantly shifting sounds make entrancing music and provide a wonderful source of entertainment for the wait-and-see naturalist. ...

Sweet dreams in the forest

Nov 19, 2008 It's closing time in the woodlands of Sapporo as animals prepare for winter....

Let them eat whales!

Oct 15, 2008 Are Japan's 'research' killings really a failed business in disguise?...

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