Snow goose

　The beautiful white figure of the Snow goose became a target for hunting, dwindling to such an extent that it became known as the very rare bird in Japan. By the early 20th century, its numbers had plummeted to just 3,000 worldwide, not only in Japan. Similar to conservation efforts in America and Canada, persistent efforts by organisations like the Japanese Swan Protection Society led to a recovery in numbers. Today, several hundred birds migrate annually to Ōgata Village in Akita Prefecture, and several dozen to Lake Izunuma.

　The Snow goose roosting at Lake Izunuma take flight at dawn. With luck, one might spot them resting in the rice fields just to the north, but on this occasion they seemed to have ventured considerably further afield; on both days, I was unable to observe them resting in the fields.

   The contrast between the black wing tips and their entirely white plumage in flight is beautiful and elegant. Should you visit Tōhoku in winter, it is one of the birds worth seeking out.