Birdwatching in eastern Hokkaido (January 12-15, 2026) 1

 I led a week-long tour of eastern Hokkaido for guests from Australia.

In addition to seeing popular birds, such as the Steller's Sea-eagle, Red-crowned Crane, and Blakiston's Fish-owl, we were also able to spot Solitary Snipe, Ancient Murrelet and Asian Rosyfinch.

Solitary Snipe

Solitary Snipe

Red-necked Grebe

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Ancient Murrelet

Ancient Murrelet

Ancient Murrelet

Ancient Murrelet

Ancient Murrelet

Ancient Murrelet

Ancient Murrelet

Hokkaido Sika Deer

Hokkaido Sika Deer

Hokkaido Sika Deer

Hokkaido Sika Deer

Hokkaido Sika Deer

Hokkaido Sika Deer

Hokkaido Sika Deer

Hokkaido Sika Deer

Hokkaido Sika Deer

Hokkaido Squirrel

Hokkaido Squirrel

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

Steller's Eagle

White-tailed Eagle

White-tailed Eagle

White-tailed Eagle

White-tailed Eagle

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Nuthatch

Eurasian Nuthatch

Harlequin Duck

Harlequin Duck

Blakiston's Fish-owl

Blakiston's Fish-owl

Blakiston's Fish-owl

Blakiston's Fish-owl

Blakiston's Fish-owl

Blakiston's Fish-owl

Blakiston's Fish-owl

Blakiston's Fish-owl

Blakiston's Fish-owl

Glaucous Gull

Birdwatching in Eastern Hokkaido (December 28-29, 2025)

 I guided a short, four-day tour visiting Nemuro and Shiretoko. It appeared that snow had fallen early in the season, as snow was visible in various locations. The participants were successfully able to see the Steller's Sea Eagle and Blakiston's Fish Owl—species they had hoped to spot.

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

White-tailed Eagle

White-tailed Eagle

White-tailed Eagle

Red Fox

Red Fox

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Steller's Sea-lion

Glaucous-winged Gull

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Asian Rosyfinch

Sea-otter

Sea-otter

Sea-otter

Sea-otter

Pelagic Cormorant