Bird Watching in Japan & Asia: Birdwatching in Sakawa River (18 December, 2011)

2011-12-18

Birdwatching in Sakawa River (18 December, 2011)

A male Scaly-sided Merganser had been seen between late October and late November this year. However, it was reported unseen for a week afterward. So, I was waiting for an updated record is heard. Last weekend, it was seen near Kaisei Area, about 3 km north of previously recorded area. I decided to go to the spot, though I thought it is bit risky.

After arriving in Sagami-Kaneko Station of JR Gotemba Line, I walked toward west about 2km. Unfortunately, it wasn't the spot where it was seen last weekend. Then, I walked down toward Houtoku-bashi bridge over 30 minutes. After crossing the bridge, a local uncle told me it was seen about 500m down from the bridge in this morning. Yes, certainly it was there! Although it stays about 30 meter from the river side, it is quite tame and very relaxing. Previous individuals of which I saw was all wary and shy unlikely this individual.

The merganser is regarded as endangered in IUCN's Red Data Book while the population is estimated only 1,000 - 2,499 matured individuals. Personally, I have seen it three times before (and missed twice before). The last individual of which I saw was about 10 years ago in Gifu Prefecture. In Kanagawa Prefecture, one individual (possibly female) was seen last winter in Sagami River. As I understand the rarity with my previous birding years, I spent photographing and watching it without doing anything else. Finally, I took over 600 shots!

I enjoyed watching the merganser for three hours and beautiful Mt. Fuji behind the river.