Bird Watching in Japan & Asia

2025-08-09

Birdwatching in Shiga Kogen (May 14-16, 2025)

At Shiga Kogen, which is over 1,500 metres above sea level, there was still some snow left, and the trees had just started to bud. From the forest of the plateau, the calls of Brown-headed Thrushes and Narcissus Flycatchers could be heard, and Eurasian Nuthatches and Coal Tits were observed busily searching for food. Both the Yellow Bunting and Grey Bunting, which I had hoped to encounter on this plateau, were well observed.

Asian Stubtail

Coal Tit

Northern Hawk-Cuckoo

Siberian Blue Robin

Eurasian Nuthatch

Asian Brown Flycatcher

Japanese Thrush

Grey Bunting

Narcissus Flycatcher

Eurasian Treecreeper

Japanese Bush Warbler

Brown-headed Thrush

Yellow Bunting

2025-08-08

Birdwatching in Karuizawa (May 13-14, 2025)

In the middle of May, the forests of Karuizawa were not yet lush, and I was able to hear many summer migrants singing their territorial songs. I encountered Green Pheasant and Chestnut-eared Bunting in the grasslands, and the next day I had the opportunity to observe White-backed Woodpecker.

Japanese Serow

Green Pheasant

Eurasian Wren

White-backed Woodpecker

2025-08-07

Birdwatching in Miyake Island (May 12, 2025)

Due to the passage of a low-pressure system, it rained all day on Miyakejima, which was only a one-day visit. Despite the bad weather, we were able to see some species, such as the Izu Robin, Izu Thrush, and Japanese Wood Pigeon, but we had to give up on observing others, such as Styan's Grasshopper Warbler.

Japanese White-eye

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker

Owston's Tit

Short-tailed Albatross

Izu Thrush

2025-08-06

Birdwatching in Amami Island, Kagoshima (May 9-11, 2025)

Unfortunately, Amami Oshima was cloudy and rainy for several days. Although the weather was not favourable, I was able to see the Amami Woodcock, Ryukyu Scops Owl, Ryukyu Robin, and Amami Woodpecker that I had wanted to see on Amami Oshima.