Birdwatching in Inbanuma, Lake Saiko, Karuizawa and Komoro (January 23-25, 2025)

 I went birdwatching in central Honshu—at Lake Imba and Karuizawa—as part of a Rockjumper tour. At Lake Imba, I saw a flock of tens of thousands of Baikal Teals, and in Karuizawa I was lucky enough to spot a Mountain Hawk-eagle.

Brambling

Brambling

Brambling

Brambling

Brambling

Brambling

Brambling

Mountain Hawk-eagle

Mountain Hawk-eagle

Dusky Thrush

Dusky Thrush

Dusky Thrush

Dusky Thrush

Dusky Thrush

Dusky Thrush

Baikal Teal

Baikal Teal

Baikal Teal

Baikal Teal

Baikal Teal

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Lesser  White-fronted Goose

Lesser White-fronted Goose

Smew

Smew

Birdwatching in Kyoto (December 18, 2025)

 Hearing that there were two Ferruginous Ducks in Kyoto City, I visited the area with a friend. We went to the location we had heard about and quickly spotted the target birds. Afterward, we observed Common Mergansers and other species along the Kamo River in Kyoto City.

Gadwall

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Hybrid: Ferruginous x Tufted Duck

Hybrid: Ferruginous x Tufted Duck

Little Egret

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Ferruginous Duck

Bull-headed Shrike

Bull-headed Shrike

Bull-headed Shrike

Bull-headed Shrike

Bull-headed Shrike

Bull-headed Shrike

Bull-headed Shrike

Bull-headed Shrike

Baikal Teal

Baikal Teal

Baikal Teal

Baikal Teal