Birding Diary Jan. - June, 2003



Birding Diary (Top)

21 June : Inbanuma-lake (Chiba) fine and got sunburned 9:15-12:40 Temp in Chiba: Low 73.2, High 89.0 (F)
It was so hot I got goose flesh! Because I got sunburned, my legs and arms are swollen. We'd better wear hats and long sleeves to keep the sun off.
Last year, we visited Inbanuma on 29 June, and it was too late for recording the voice of Eurasian Bittern. We know we have to come a little earlier, by mid-June at the latest. We will try to come next year, if we can.
We were satisfied to see Chinese Little Bittern with translucent color. When it flied, its black color of the wings were clearly defined. I like its flying style and the voice. In reed beds, it is filled with the energy of life: Frogs, Moorhen and Great Reed Warbler who was busy in feeding their chicks.
Other birds we saw today wereLittle Grebe, Great Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Gray Heron, Spot-billed Duck, Pheasant, Moorhen, Rufous Turtle Dove, Skylark, Barn Swallow, White Wagtail, Fan-tailed Warbler, Japanese Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Gray Starling, Carrion Crow and Jungle Crow.

31 May - 1 June & 7-8 June : A certain place....
We went to a secret forest in the midland of Honshu to see Ruddy Kingfisher. It is one of the bird of our dreams... also of many other birdwatchers. Our certain birding friend took us there, and we really appreciated it. We were unable to resist the appeal of its beautiful red color, cute round black eyes and the magnetic voice in falling intonation... We visited there for two consecutive weekends. Every morning, we woke up at 4:00 a.m. and waited in hope. Only a few chance was enough to give us satisfaction. We can't expect too much. We left the forest before noon, it's a long drive from there to Tokyo. See you next year...

And... we were shocked to hear "a tragedy of Ruddy Kingfisher in Matsunoyama". It is a famous bird watching point, where we visited last year and the year before. Many people gathered to see Ruddy Kingfisher. Some years ago, people who wanted to take photos used recordings to attract birds. And then... can you guess what happened to Ruddy Kingfisher ? One after another, people came and used recordings, and every time he appeared. He was busy in attending to bird watchers during the breeding season, and remained single that year. Using recordings is against the "Birders Code of Ethics", isn't it? Sigh.... I hope it never happen again.

Other birds we saw these weekends wereLittle Grebe, Gray Heron, Spot-billed Duck, Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Green Pigeon, Horsfield's Hawk-Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, Oriental Cuckoo (need cough drop ? ), Little Cuckoo, Needle-tailed Swift, White-rumped Swift, Ruddy Kingfisher, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Gray Wagtail, Ashy Minivet, Brown-eared Bulbul, Gray Thrush, Brown Thrush, Bush Warbler, Arctic Warbler, Crowned Willow Warbler, Narcissus Flycatcher, Blue-and-White Flycatcher, Brown Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Japanese White-eye, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Japanese Yellow Bunting, Gray Bunting, Oriental Greenfinch, Japanese Grosbeak, Russet Sparrow (in anger), Tree Sparrow, Gray Starling, Jay, Carrion Crow and Jungle Crow.

May: In my neighborhood and my verandah (Suginami-ku, Tokyo)
I am sure that the most conspicuous birds in Tokyo is Jungle Crow. It is on a top of a food chain in Tokyo. In April, I was shocked to see a Jungle Crow was digging my herb planter. She was so close and didn't fly away soon, so I had much time to bring my camera and took some photos, I was frightened though. Her beak was big enough to carry a whole egg, and I found it in my planter! (@_@) What should I do? Eggs are great favorite for them, I saw another one was carrying it on the garbage day. Mmmm.... I want to meet Brown Hawk-Owl in our nearby Shrine, where my husband heard its voice in 9 May. We've never heard the voice after that, it migrated through the Shrine.

3-6 May : Karuizawa, Tateshina and its vicinities (Nagano)
5/3 Karuizawa Bird Forest 5:00-10:00
Golden Week Holidays! We got up 2:00 and left Tokyo at 2:55 to avoid traffic tie-up on the Kanetsu-Expressway. And the congestion from last night was still there, so we got off the expressway at Matsuida-Myogi IC, and it was the right choice. We arrived in the Karuizawa Bird Forest at 5:00: a good time to start bird watching. We enjoyed walking there for 5 hours !

We saw and heard...Spot-billed Duck, Black Kite, Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, House Martin, Gray Wagtail, Japanese Wagtail, Ashy Minivet, Brown-eared Bulbul, Bull-headed Shrike, Wren, Siberian Blue Robin, Gray Thrush, Brown Thrush, Short-tailed Bush Warbler, Bush Warbler, Narcissus Flycatcher, Blue-and-White Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Japanese White-eye, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Japanese Yellow Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Oriental Greenfinch, Siskin, Japanese Grosbeak, Jay, Azure-winged Magpie and Jungle Crow.

5/3-6 Tateshina
In spring last year, we noticed that the number of the birds in our surroundings was increased. For example, we could hear and see Blue-and-White Flycatcher, Narcissus Flycatcher, Brown Thrush and Crowned Willow Warbler from inside of the house. During winter, we filled the bird feeder with sunflower seeds, so Tits were still come to the garden, and it seemed that they expected the meal. Sorry to disappointed you! Anyway, I woke up early in the morning and waited them to sing. 3:30--I woke up. 4:20--Brown Thrush and Tits begans to sing. 4:55--Gray Thrush began to sing. 5:00--Narcissus Flycatcher began to sing....the same as last year. If you want to enjoy it, you don't have to get up so early. Form 5:00 to 7:00 is the best hours.

Other birds in Tateshina were Spot-billed Duck, Copper Pheasant, Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, Indian Tree Pipit, Brown-eared Bulbul, Wren, Siberian Blue Robin, Gray Thrush, Arctic Warbler, Brown Flycatcher (song), Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Japanese White-eye, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Oriental Greenfinch, Japanese Grosbeak, Gray Starling, Jay, Azure-winged Magpie and Jungle Crow.

5/4 a certain park in Okaya 8:00-15:30
Aruga-san invited us to his birding field in Okaya. Thanks!
In Nagano, cherry blossoms were in full blooom. We enjoy both picnicing and bird watching. In this park, we could see many birds very close. Early in spring, we can see Siberian Blue Robin singing on the branch, who is always in the bush. That's why they were busy in keeping their territories. We heard their fighting voice, for the first time! And... Gray Thrush was listening attentively to their songs... Did he add its song to his repertory ? Was I making too much of it ?

Other birds in this park were Ashy Minivet, Brown-eared Bulbul, Gray Thrush, Brown Thrush, Crowned Willow Warbler, Narcissus Flycatcher, Blue-and-White Flycatcher, Brown Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Japanese White-eye, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Japanese Yellow Bunting, Oriental Greenfinch, Hawfinch, Jay, Azure-winged Magpie and Jungle Crow.

29 April : Tama Science Forest (Tokyo) 9:25-13:45 Sunny and windy Temp: Low 59, High 75(F)
As we had no car, we went to the Tama Science Forest, which was easy to access, and also famous for its Cherry blossom trees.
We didn't think to come to this park at the peak of cherry blossoms. In the end of April, most trees were in green color. Yes, it's Greenery Day, today. In the holiday park, we could see/hear various kind of sounds. The sound of emergency vehicles (a set of 911), right-wing sound truck, trains, chopper and groups of middle aged women. Under such adverse conditions, we could record some bird sounds, Narcissus Flycatcher and Hwamei. The recording of Hwamei was better than before, and it was interesting to see the fight of Hwamei.

Other birds we saw today wereSpot-billed Duck, Copper Pheasant, Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, Ashy Minivet, Brown-eared Bulbul, Short-tailed Bush Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Japanese White-eye, Oriental Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, Jay and Jungle Crow.

27 April : Akigase (Saitama) 8:45-14:30 Sunny Temp in Saitama: Low 54.86, High 74.12 (F)
Welcome back, migrating birds *^.^*
It was a warm spring day. The springlike song of Crowned Willow Warbler made us happy. Many birdwatchers were strolling, including us. They expected to see migrating birds, Akigase is "stop over" park for migrating birds. We could hear/see Blue-and-White Flycatcher and Narcissus Flycatcher. They were busy in singing and moving in the forest. It was a very intriguing scene that a bunch of birdwatchers trooped after one flycatcher.
We heard funny voice from the bush and it was a family of Azure-winged Magpie, our lucky charm bird.

Other birds we saw/heard today were Spot-billed Duck, Pheasant, Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Skylark, Barn Swallow, Ashy Minivet, Brown-eared Bulbul, Bull-headed Shrike, Siberian Blue Robin, Brown Thrush, Dusky Thrush, Bush Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler, Great Tit, Japanese White-eye, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Gray Bunting, Oriental Greenfinch, Japanese Grosbeak, Tree Sparrow, Gray Starling and Jungle Crow.

12-13 April : Tateshina (Nagano) Rainy, fair next day Temp in Suwa : Low 44.2, High 71.6 (F)
It was a both traumatic and commemorable weekend. On our way to Tateshina, I caused a car accident... Fortunately no one was hurt. After the interview by a police investigator, we rented a car and made a move as scheduled. In the rain, we tried to find any marks of Red Crossbill, in vain. I hope chicks have already left the nest and they are getting along well. They must be. I believe it.
And the next morning, our most favorite bird photographer, Wada-san, came to the secret forest of Red Crossbill. We were very honored to meet him for the first time! My gloomy mood got blown away. It was a commemorable day for us.

Birds we saw this weekend wereLittle Grebe, Spot-billed Duck, Rufous Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Barn Swallow, Gray Wagtail, Brown-eared Bulbul, Bull-headed Shrike, Wren, Dusky Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Rustic Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Brambling, Oriental Greenfinch, Siskin, Red-Crossbill, Tree Sparrow, Jay, Azure-winged Magpie, Carrion Crow and Jungle Crow.

5-6 April : Tateshina & Nobeyama (Nagano) Heavy snow fall on Saturday and fair on Sunday Temp in Suwa: Low 32.4, High 50.7
We had a heavy snow fall on Saturday. It was not unusual weather, the early spring snowfall. It was an unavoidable calamity for the family of Red Crosbill. On Saturday, we visited there morning and evening. We were stunned by the sight..: the nest was under the heavy snow... We could do nothing but pray. On the following morning, it was clear and sunny. And...we finally found (at least) two chicks in the nest. We were really impressed with their life forces. On our way home to Tokyo, we stopped off in Nobeyama to see Redpoll. In windy Nobeyama, we only could see cute Siskins on the snow.

Secret forest in Tateshina, 3/21 16:15-30, 3/22 9:30-12:40, 16:10-17:30, 3/23 8:20-9:45
We visited there daily: morning and evening, during our stay in Tateshina. It is about 10 minutes drive from the house. We drove carefully on icy road...it was so slippery and I couldn't control my car; in a week, it will melt, though. Today we could see 7 Red Crossbills(2 females and 5 males). Siberian Meadow Bunting was singing cheerfully and his song has improved every day. And we were very anxious about the safety of the family of Red Crossbill: Carrion Crow and Jungle Crow were gathering there. We can do nothing but pray...

Other birds we saw during this weekend were Black Kite, Common Buzzard, Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, White Wagtail, Brown-eared Bulbul, Bull-headed Shrike, Wren, Dusky Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Oriental Greenfinch, Siskin, Japanese Grosbeak, Tree Sparrow, Gray Starling and Jay.

1-2 March : Tateshina and its vicinities (Nagano) Heavy rain on Saturday; Clear and sunny on Sunday. Temp(Suwa): Low 28, High 48.7 (F)
Nobeyama (Saturday)7:30-9:10 and (Sunday)1:00-3:30
Nobeyama was covered with snow. There were several our favorite birding points in Nobeyama, but we gave up going up some of them, and only went to Yatsugatake Ranch. We expected to see Northern Shrike, which we haven't seen. As the road was closed with snow, we walked on the snow having our showshoes on. From there, we could see beautiful Mt. Fuji over the 'snow wall'. I was always behind my husband, because I was carrying a telescope. So we squabbled a little, when only my husband saw a Bohemian Waxwing ! Later, it appeared again, and acted as a peacemaker. We both saw Bohemian Waxwing for the first time, and wondered why it was alone. Anyway, we enjoyed seeing its beautiful yellow color and well-fed body (!). When we were having a lunch of instant noodle, Rosy Finch was eating, too.
Secret forest in Tateshina(Sunday)9:30-11:00
We went up to the secret forest of Red Crossbill, and could see a a beautiful red one was on the top of the tree. We comfirmed three Crossbills (2 males and 1 female), and only one male came to the wall. We felt their indications among the tree: a female was singing in a sotto voce... We hit the way, because we didn't want to disturb them. We will be back again.

Other birds we saw this weekend were Black Kite, Goshawk, Common Buzzard, Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Brown-eared Bulbul, Dusky Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Japanese Grosbeak, Tree Sparrow, Gray Starling, Jay, Carrion Crow and Jungle Crow.

26 February : Sagamihara Park (Kanagawa) 10:40-15:15 fair and pollen-heavy day Temp (Yokohama):Low 40.1, High 58.8 (F)
We got frustrated because of the rainy weather every weekend: today my husband took the day off and went to the weekday birding. After 90 minutes drive, we arrived at the Sagamihara Park, which is famous for "Hoopoe" in recent days. Moritsu-san, our good birding friend, talked us about it and we could easily get to the point. There were already many camera men, it was Wednesday though, and the lax atmosphere told us that it was not there. We saw Tree Sparrow whose eyewinkers half closing and singing Daurian Redstart there. And after waiting there for one hour, other bird watcher told us it appeared on the field across the road. We moved quickly and saw it eating in the lettuce field. More than 20 people followed it, including us. See you again.

Other birds we saw today were Great Cormorant, Common Buzzard, Rufous Turtle Dove, Skylark, White Wagtail, Brown-eared Bulbul, Dusky Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Japanese White-eye, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Oriental Greenfinch, Gray Starling, Jay, Azure-winged Magpie and Jungle Crow.

22 February : Kitaura, Hasaki and Choshi (Ibaragi & Chiba) 7:00-14:40 Cloudy, cold rain laterTemp (Choshi): Low 41.2, High 45.0 (F)
The consolation race, and we could see Pacific Loon today! According to the weather forecast, it would be fine late in the afternoon, but it seemed that the weather in Choshi was always worse than in Tokyo, and so this week end. When we arrived at Kitaura, it was still cloudy and we could walk around there without umbrella. We saw Pacific Loon for the first time, and its white head was prettier than we thought. Its flapping right leg was very unique and also cute.
After seeing Canvasback and Whooper Swan in Kitaura, we moved to Hasaki and Choshi, where we expected to see Common Scoter and Velvet Scoter : we only saw Harlequin Duck. Maybe the next time or next year. Because of the heavy cold rain, we did birdwatching from inside our car and we were luckily to see a yellow billed one.

Other birds we saw were Pacific Loon, Pacific Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great Cormorant, Mute Swan, Mallard, Spot-billed Duck, Green-winged Teal, Falcated Teal, Gadwall, Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Black Kite, Steller's Sea-Eagle, Coot, Herring Gull, Mew Gull, Black-tailed Gull, Kittiwake, Black-headed Gull, Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, White Wagtail, Indian Tree Pipit, Brown-eared Bulbul, Daurian Redstart, Dusky Thrush, Japanese White-eye, Black-faced Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Gray Starling and Carrion Crow.

16 February : Kitaura (Ibaragi) 11:15-13:50 Cold rain Temp(Tokyo): Low 41.2, High 47.3 (F)
On Sunday we got up late, we went to Kitaura to see Pacific Loon. Because of the heavy rain, we gave up walking and search about it. Instead of that, we could meet the regular members here: Canvasback, Whooper Swan and Mute Swan. Three grown-up cygnets(!?) were very cute. The rain changed into snow, later. We miss the sun.

Other birds we saw today were Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Egret, Spot-billed Duck, Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Indian Tree Pipit, Brown-eared Bulbul, Dusky Thrush, Black-faced Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Gray Starling and Carrion Crow.

2 February : Tama Cemetery (Tokyo) 8:20-10:50 Cloudy Temp: Low 33.8, High 42.6 (F)
Our birding friends, Mr. & Mrs. Hashimoto came flying to see Red-breasted Flycatcher, so we went to the cemetery again to meet both!
It was about a year ago in Karuizawa that we met Miho-san & Shuji-san. Nice to meet you again. Today we could see not only Red-breasted Flycatcher, but Yellow-throated Bunting and White's Ground Thrush. Many people came together to see them, but they seemed to be fully satisfied to see "service minded" Red-breasted Flycatcher. Triple as many cameramen gathered at the feeding point. Before long, he appeared in public, beautiful yellow one. Anyway, we were satisfied to see cute Red-breasted Flycatcher again, and could record its call.

Other birds we saw were Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Brown-eared Bulbul, Bull-headed Shrike, Daurian Redstart, Dusky Thrush, Pale Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Japanese White-eye, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Rustic Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Brambling, Oriental Greenfinch, Hawfinch, Tree Sparrow, Gray Starling, Azure-winged Magpie and Jungle Crow.

25 January : Tama Cemetery (Tokyo) 8:20-10:30 Sunny and cold Temp: Low 35.1, High 49.3 (F)
Bird watching in the cemetery, again!
It is the busiest season for my husband, so we gave up stay over birding trip. Moritsu-san, our birding friend, told me about Tama Cemetery, where we could see Red-breasted Flycatcher today. I was too optimistic to the coldness in Tokyo; I was frozen up... Anyway, we could see cute Red-breasted Flycatcher, which was artificial feeding there. It moved so fast that it was difficult to take photos, but I could take some. (1 & 2) And we heard its call, which resembled to the call of Narcissus Flycatcher and Blue-and-white Flycatcher.

Other birds we saw/heard today were Bamboo Patridge, Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Brown-eared Bulbul, Dusky Thrush, White's Ground Thrush, Pale Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Japanese White-eye, Brambling, Oriental Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow and Jungle Crow.

27 Dec. - 3 Jan. & 11-13 Jan. : Tateshina and its vicinities (Nagano)
Secret forest in Tateshina
It is the annual event to spend the year-end and New Year holidays in Tateshina. It is quite cold at a height of 1,100 meters above sea level, but it is supercold this winter! We didn't expect to see birds here: we were satisfied to stay here. BUT, we found a Secret Forest of Red Crossbill. It is a private property of a certain company, so I decide to keep this place secret. Anyway, we visited daily and observed in the morning and early evening. It is quite interesting to see them come to the wall and eat it. (I am now preparing some photos. Please wait to see them.) We saw a Red Crossbill in Tokyo, and to see one Red Crossbill, more than 30 people came to Tama Cemetery. And in this forest, there were more than 7 or 8 Crossbill and only two (to four) of us. During our stay in Tateshina, their action pattern was changing. It seemed that a handsome one and a beautiful girl were going to breed. We want to make sure their chicks are growing up, but we can't come back here until March.

Other birds in Tateshina were Black Kite, Sparrow Hawk, Rufous Turtle Dove, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Japanese Green Woodpecker, White Wagtail, Brown-eared Bulbul, Bull-headed Shrike, Wren, Siberian Bluechat, Daurian Redstart, Dusky Thrush, White's Ground Thrush, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Varied Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Siberian Meadow Bunting, Brambling, Oriental Greenfinch, Siskin, Long-tailed Rose Finch, Bullfinch, Japanese Grosbeak, Hawfinch, Tree Sparrow, Gray Starling, Jay, Jungle Crow, Fox, Squirrel and Antelope.

Suwako Lake 1/11 7:30-8:30 1/12 11:20-13:30
In this season of the year, we expected to see a Steller's Sea-Eagle on the frozen lake. It is a bitter winter and the Suwako Lake was perfectly frozen. Two years ago, it was easy to find the one, we could see it without binoculars. And this year....we found a small black spot near the bank on the other side. We moved and found it near the opposite side !??? Well, it was on the middle of the lake, far from all the banks. Please come here next year again!

Other birds we saw in Suwako Lake were Great Cormorant, Bewick's Swan, Spot-billed Duck, Pintail, Smew, Black Kite, Rufous Turtle Dove, White Wagtail, Tree Sparrow, Gray Starling and Carrion Crow.




Birding Diary Top Page inserted by FC2 system