Birdwatching in Rausu and Yoroushi 1 (February 22, 2026)

 The winter season of 2025–2026 proved to be the most spectacular for eagle watching in Rausu. The sight of the White-tailed Eagle and Steller’s Eagle perched on the drift ice was truly beautiful, and the contrast against the blue sky was particularly striking. We were able to observe the Blakiston’s Fish-owl at Yoro-ushi well on that day too, but sadly, it died in May.

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

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

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Asian Tit

Asian Tit

Hawfinch

White's Thrush

White's Thrush

White's Thrush

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