Bird Watching in Japan & Asia

2026-09-16

Birdwatching in Nagasuna Koen and Oarai (March 16, 2026)

During the winter of 2025–2026, the Chinese Grosbeak was also frequently recorded. A friend told me about a park in the neighbouring prefecture, so I drove out there. It was a rather bleak park, consisting merely of trees planted alongside a vast lawn, but I was able to spot flocks of Bohemian Waxwings and Japanese Waxwings—both on their migratory passage—as well as a large flock of Dusky Thrushes. In the afternoon, I went to Oarai Harbour and was able to spot a Yellow-billed Loon that had been staying there for some time. I also observed Red-necked Grebes, Black-necked Grebes and other birds.

Black-necked Grebe

Yellow-billed Loon

Dusky Thrush

Chinese Grosbeak

Great Cormorant

Red-necked Grebe

Pelagic Cormorant

2026-09-15

Birdwatching in Omuro Koen, Gunma (March 2, 2026)

The Japanese Waxwing is a winter visitor whose numbers vary from year to year. In good years, flocks of several hundred birds can be seen, whilst in other years they are not sighted at all. The winter of 2025–26 was a year when numbers were high, and flocks were observed in various locations. As flocks had been appearing at Ōmuro Park in Gunma Prefecture from around February, I decided to pay a visit in early March.

Japanese Waxwing

Japanese Grosbeak

2026-09-14

Birdwatching in Kyushu (February 24-26, 2026)

Whilst staying in Izumi, I also visited other birding spots in Kyushu. I was able to spot shorebirds and Saunder’s Gulls on the Kuma River, and I also saw a Green Pheasant displaying near Kagoshima Airport.