Bird Watching in Japan & Asia

2026-08-28

Birdwatching in Maioka-Koen (February 17, 2026)

This is the closest birding spot to the house in Yokohama where I lived until four years ago. Whilst the number of birds is by no means large, species such as the Eurasian Woodcock and the Brown-cheeked Rail can be seen there. Although I didn’t spot either of them on this particular day, I did manage to see a White’s Thrush.

Long-tailed Tit

Asian Tit

Hawfinch

White's Thrush

2026-08-07

Birdwatching in Okinawa (February 15-16, 2026)

We spent three days in Kunigami Village, Okinawa. However, we were unable to observe important endemic species such as the Okinawa Rail and the Okinawa Woodpecker under favourable conditions. On the other hand, we were fortunate to have good opportunities to observe the Okinawa Robin and the Ryukyu Minivet. On our final day, we also had an unexpected encounter with a Desert Wheatear on the coast.

Desert Wheatear

Okinawa Robin

Ryukyu Minivet

2026-08-06

Birdwatching in Amami (February 11-13, 2026)

February on Amami Ōshima is a little early in the season for observing endemic species, and at the Amami Nature Observation Forest—which I visit regularly—there were still few birdsong to be heard. It was just the time when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and I could see small, deep pink cherry blossoms—slightly different from those on Honshū—here and there. A Varied Tit with an unusually long beak, a rather odd-looking specimen, was visiting the cherry blossoms.

The breeding season for resident birds had already begun, and I was able to observe the nests of Lidth’s Jay and Ryukyu Green-pigeon.