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Blog Birds
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The Blue Rock Thrush heralding the arrival of spring
As the weather in Kyoto has begun to warm up, the complex melodies of the blue rock thrush—sounding something like ‘chee-chur-rur’—can now be heard at dawn and dusk. Although, as its name suggests, this bird naturally inhabits rocky shores, since the 2000s it has begun to breed in the urban areas of Kyoto City and has now become a common sight in the city. In Europe, they are commonly seen on rocky slopes and cliffs along the Mediterranean coast. Recently, however, they have made significant inroads into urban areas, reportedly nesting on high-rise buildings, construction sites and rooftops. That said,…
- Birds
- Kyoto
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American Wigeon on the Kamo River
Having finished an early morning request for travel support, I was strolling along the Kamo River when I spotted a particularly striking cream-coloured head amidst the usual flock of Eurasian wigeons. It was an American Wigeon, which breeds in North America and winters in Mexico and northern South America. Japan lies outside its breeding range, so it was quite a rare bird when I was a child, but sightings have increased recently. Still, it remains unusual. Upon checking, I learned it has been wintering on the Kamogawa since last year. The beauty of the Kamogawa is that even rare birds…
- Birds
- Kyoto
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Taiga bean goose
The second most numerous goose to visit Japan after the Greater white-fronted goose. Both the subspecies Anser fabalis serrirostris and the larger subspecies Anser fabalis middendorffii overwinter in Japan, with the Anser fabalis middendorffii said to constitute 80% of the total. Both subspecies can be seen around Lake Izunuma. The individual in the photograph appears to be the subspecies Anser fabalis serrirostris, as it has a thicker, shorter bill and a shorter neck. Whilst not considered endangered globally, concerns exist in Japan regarding the adverse impact of development on its wintering grounds. Following its listing as an endangered species, a key…
- Birds
- Izunuma
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Cackling goose
It was once considered the same species or a subspecies of the larger Canada Goose, primarily inhabiting North America. However, due to differences in size, bill length, and vocalisations, it is now classified as a separate species. Similar to the Canada Goose being classified into numerous subspecies, the Crackling goose is also classified into five or more subspecies. Originally, geese and ducks exhibit greater inter-species hybridisation compared to other birds. The subspecies of the Canada Goose and Cackling goose are groups formed by each subspecies, or un scholar even suggest these groups can be classified into six species and 200…
- Birds
- Izunuma
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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…
- Birds
- Izunuma
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Greater white-fronted goose
The most numerous goose in Japan, with approximately 200,000 individuals migrating here annually. That said, the vast majority overwinter at Lake Izunuma, passing through Miyajima Marsh and Lake Utunai in Hokkaido during spring and autumn. The Greater white-fronted goose and the Lesser white-fronted goose are similar geese. The Lesser white-fronted goose has a conspicuous yellow eye ring, but the Greater white-fronted goose also has a faint eye ring, as shown in the photo, and some individuals have white reaching close to the top of their heads. This geese are classified into five subspecies with different breeding grounds, and the…
- Birds
- Izunuma
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Lesser White-fronted Goose
Reconnaissance trip to Lake Izunuma for the wildfowl guide. This lake hosts Japan's largest wintering population of geese, and the majority of all goose species recorded in Japan can be seen here. That said, spotting a few dozen Lesser White-fronted Goose among over 100,000 geese is quite a challenge. If luck is against you, you might not see any at all. I searched the rice fields south of Lake Naganuma meticulously, but came up empty on the first day. On the second day, just as I was worrying I might miss my flight, I found them. The most…
- Birds
- Izunuma
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White-shouldered starling
As its Japanese and scientific names suggest, this starling breeds in southern China and northern Vietnam, wintering in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and other locations. While it is a rare migratory bird with records nationwide, including Hokkaido, a small number overwinter annually on Ishigaki Island. True to its English name, the male has conspicuous white shoulder patches. The female, in contrast, is uniformly pale gray. Though rather plain in appearance, the contrast between the white and glossy black feathers when in flight is striking. Some visitors come to Ishigaki Island in winter specifically to see this, and I am one of…
- Birds
- Ishigaki Island
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Brown shrike
It is a subspecies of the Brown shrike known in Japan as the Shima Akamozu Lanius cristatus lucionensis. This subspecies of the Brown shrike migrates from eastern China and the Korean Peninsula to the Amami, Okinawa, and Yaeyama Islands as a winter visitor. Whereas the subspecies Lanius cristatus superciliosus, once seen throughout Japan, has reddish-brown upperparts, the subspecies Lanius cristatus lucionensis is considerably more greyish. The subspecies Lanius cristatus has declined dramatically over the last century, with the Honshū population predicted to become regionally extinct by 2026. Conservation efforts, led by the University of Human Environments, are underway. Meanwhile, this…
- Birds
- Ishigaki Island
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Purple heron
This heron breeds only in Japan's Yaeyama Islands, such as Ishigaki and Iriomote. It is named the Purple Heron due to its reddish-brown plumage tinged with purple on the neck and sides of the body. However, the subspecies found in Japan, Ardea purpurea manilensis, has a generally paler overall colouration with a more strongly greyish upperparts, leading me to wonder, upon first sight, why it is called purple? The Indonesian name Cangak Merah (Red Heron) seems to capture its characteristics more accurately. It has a wide global distribution, with four subspecies known. Although its broad range means it is not…
- Birds
- Ishigaki Island
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Iriomote tit
Once considered a subspecies of the varied tit commonly found throughout Japan, DNA analysis has now classified it as a distinct species, endemic solely to Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands. This has become one of the reasons European and American birdwatchers visit Ishigaki Island. Whereas the varied tit has a pale cream-coloured forehead, cheeks, and crown, the Iriomote tit displays an orange hue. Its wings should be olive-grey, as suggested by its scientific name olivaceus, though this is difficult to discern in the wild. The Japanese name “Orii” originates from Mr. Orii Hyōjirō, a collector…
- Birds
- Ishigaki Island
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Pied avocet
This wader is the one of most popular species, characterised by its upturned black beak tip and striking black-and-white plumage. It is an extremely rare migratory bird in Japan. It is also known as the symbol of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Britain's largest nature conservation organisation. This year, eight individuals overwintered on Ishigaki Island. According to guide Mr Kobayashi, they remained in the rice fields until year-end but have recently begun gathering in flocks along the coast. Whilst common winter visitors in Senegal where I lived, I had never seen them in such large groups, making…
- Birds
- Ishigaki Island