Birdwatching in Lake Kussharo and Tsurui (February 9-10, 2026)

 The temperature at Lake Kussharo dropped to nearly –20 °C, and with a cold wind blowing off the lake, it felt colder than at any other point during the tour. The weather was fine, with a beautiful blue sky stretching out above us, and we were able to enjoy sightings of the Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker and the Grey-headed Woodpecker.

In the Kushiro Marshes, we spotted the Greater Spotted Woodpecker and the White-backed Woodpecker in the wintry woodland.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Shika Deer

Shika Deer

Shika Deer

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

White-backed Woodpecker

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Red-crowned Crane

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Grey-headed Woodpecker

Grey-headed Woodpecker