What are migratory Birds Observed at Fujimae-higata Shorebird flyway 0 2000 4000 Km birds? The Fujimae-higata and its surrounding area serve as a stopover for vast numbers of migratory Migratory birds are defined as birds that migrate birds on the East Asia-Australia flyway. In fact, this is one of Japan’s largest stopovers. In the Breeding site between a breeding site and a wintering site in Alaska specific seasons each year. spring of 2000, 11,000 shorebirds were recorded as using the tidal flat. In recent years, Siberia Shorebirds represent a major segment of the migra- 172 bird species (including woodland birds) have been observed in the surrounding Russia tory bird population. They can be seen mainly on area, of which 41 species were shorebirds. tidal flats and along the coastline. The birds that stop over in Japan in spring and autumn spend their During the wintering season and the spring and autumn migrations, many shorebirds China summers breeding on the tundra of Siberia and use the tidal flat and surrounding areas for feeding and resting. The bird species Japan South Korea Alaska and pass the winter in Southeast Asia and observed include dunlins, red-necked stints, grey plovers, bar-tailed godwits, Fujimae-higata Oceania. In many cases, these shorebirds migrate Stopover in flocks across great distances at a single stretch. lesser sand plovers, kentish plovers, grey-headed lapwings, common greenshanks, As a result, they must rest at stopovers in order to and grey-tailed tattlers as well as rare species such as Far Eastern curlews, Asian Taiwan regain the significant amounts of fat they require as the energy for continuing their migration. Migratory dowitchers, Nordmann’s greenshanks, and black-faced spoonbills. In winter, a Philippines birds cannot survive without all these breeding sites, large number of ducks (such as tufted ducks and common pochards) fly from wintering sites, and stopovers. And because they Russia, the Far East and Alaska for wintering. The Fujimae-higata is also visited by, or fly across national borders, migratory birds require Papua New Guinea the highest levels of international commitment to home to, many herons (Ardeinae, including great egrets and little egrets); seagulls ensure their survival. (Laridae, including black-headed gulls and common terns); eagles and falcons Indonesia

(Falconiformes); and raptors (including ospreys), which encompass rare Little tern Birds Inhabiting the Fujimae-higata species such as intermediate egrets, Saunders’s gulls, little terns, Australia Wintering site Eared grebe eastern marsh harriers, and peregrine falcons. Black-necked grebe Great crested grebe The downstream banks of the Shonaigawa and Shinkawa Rivers Streaked shearwater leading to the tidal flat are covered with reed beds, while the downstream New Zealand Great cormorant areas of the Nikkogawa River offer a tranquil freshwater environment. For this reason, Great bittern Yellow bittern these areas are inhabited by prairie birds (including great reed warblers) and freshwater The Fujimae-higata serves as a critical stopover for Black-crowned ducks (including northern pintails and Eurasian teals). A total of 31,000 waterbirds were the migratory birds that travel about 10,000 km night-heron Striated heron observed in March 2000. between their breeding sites in Siberia and wintering Cattle egret sites in Australia. Great egret Dunlin Intermediate egret This bird is characterized by its slightly downward-curving Little egret beak. Dunlins sometimes Gray heron form large flocks. They breed Fujimae-higata and surrounding areas: Black-faced spoonbill in northern Eurasia and North America and stop over or Greater white- A precious Wildlife Protection Area in an urban environment winter in Japan. fronted goose Tundra swan Overview of National Wildlife Protection Areas Common shelduck Mandarin duck ●A National Wildlife Protection Area is an area Mallard Spot-billed duck designated by the Minister of the Environment as Eurasian teal a critical area for wildlife protection from both a Green-winged teal national and international perspective. Baikal teal Falcated duck ●Hunting is prohibited in a refuge. An area Gadwall deemed of particular significance for the protection Eurasian wigeon Bar-tailed Godwit American wigeon This bird is recognized by the of wildlife or its habitat is designated as a Special long upward curve of its beak. Northern pintail The bar-tailed godwit breeds in Protection Area in order to restrict development Northern shoveler northern Eurasia and Alaska and for a specific period. Common pochard migrates south to Australia and City of Nagoya Tufted duck Africa in winter. It uses Japan as ●A protected area is classified into one of four a stopover in spring and autumn. Greater scaup categories: large habitat, site for migratory birds, Common goldeneye Smew breeding site, or wildlife habitat for endangered Red-breasted merganser species. Osprey Oriental honey- *Applicable law: Wildlife Protection and Hunting Law (Act buzzard No. 88 of 2002) Black-eared kite White-tailed eagle *As of March 31, 2003, 56 locations spanning a total Northern goshawk of 495,000 hectares have been designated as National Japanese sparrowhawk Wildlife Refuges, of which 44 have been named Special Eurasian sparrowhawk Grey Plover Protection Areas covering 117,000 hectares. Common buzzard A member of the Charadriidae Grey-faced buzzard family, the grey plover is known to migrate over long distances. Northern harrier It breeds in northern Eurasia Wildlife Protection Area Special Protection Area Eastern marsh harrier and North America and winters (Article 28 of the law) (Article 29 of the law) Peregrine falcon in Africa, Australia, and South Classification America. Japan is both a stopover Eurasian hobby and wintering site for this bird. The Minister of the Merlin Environment designates An area deemed of wildlife protection areas as particular significance to Eurasian kestrel Reed bed/muddy wetland areas deemed of particular the protection of wildlife Water rail significance to protect wildlife or its habitat within a Ruddy-breasted crake A variety of organisms Objective in an international and wildlife protection area Common moorhen inhabit the brackish national context. Eurasian coot water where fresh water and seawater Activities requiring Eurasian oystercatcher government permission intermingle. • Hunting is prohibited • Construction, Common ringed plover Tranquil water • Residents are prohibited renovation, and environment from interfering with the Little ringed plover expansion of construction of the nesting Kentish plover Duck habitat structures and feeding facilities

Restrictions • Landfilling or Lesser sand plover required for wildlife breeding ★ reclamation of the Greater sand plover Osprey Village of Tobishima and habitat. A large, fish-eating hawk, the water environment Pacific golden-plover osprey inhabits coastlines and • Tree cutting Grey plover lakeshore, where it can be Grey-headed lapwing seen hovering above water Tidal flat With in the effective Northern lapwing before diving to catch fish 20 years max. (renewable) period set for a wildlife with its claws. The osprey is A feeding and resting period

Effective protection area Ruddy turnstone considered a species at risk. Breakwater/levee site for large flocks of Red-necked stint Resting site for shorebirds; a habitat for Long-toed stint shorebirds benthic organisms such Temminck’s stint as Japanese mud shrimp Dunlin and Japanese corbiculae Curlew sandpiper Red knot Great knot Tidal flat Area around the Sanderling A feeding ground for training dike Ruff benthic organisms A resting site for water birds Broad-billed sandpiper (crustaceans) and when the adjacent tidal flat Long-billed dowitcher large snipes; a feeding is submerged; a feeding/ Tidal Flats — Purifying Water and Sustaining Wildlife and resting site for Asian dowitcher Eastern Marsh Harrier★ resting site for osprey A small group of Eastern marsh shorebirds when the Spotted redshank Wastewater generated by human activity contains harriers breeds in reed beds in adjacent tidal flat is Common redshank Central Japan and northward. submerged a large volume of inorganic nutrients and organic Common greenshank They migrate to the main substances — including phosphorus and nitrogen Green sandpiper island of Japan and southward to winter in reed beds in Wood sandpiper wetlands and on reclaimed — that feed phytoplankton. Prolonged warm Grey-tailed tattler land where they prey on birds weather produces phytoplankton blooms and Common sandpiper and small mammals. This species is listed as vulnerable. triggers a phenomenon called “red tide,” which Terek sandpiper ©JSI Black-tailed godwit significantly harms fish and shellfish. On tidal Bar-tailed godwit Legend National Wildlife Protection Area ●Classification: Sanctuary for migratory birds flats and shoals, however, benthic organisms Eurasian curlew ●Area: Wildlife Protection Area: 770 hectares Far eastern curlew such as Japanese mud shrimp, corbiculae, crab, Special Protection Area (Ramsar site) Special Protection Area: 323 hectares Whimbrel and lugworms purify the water by consuming Common snipe Tidal flat ●Effective period: November 1, 2002–October 31, 2012 Latham’s snipe phytoplankton. Holes created by these organisms Black-winged stilt The Tidal Flat in the mud also help to Red-necked phalarope bring oxygen into the Pomarine jaeger Ecosystem Black-headed gull Saunders's Gull★ seawater to promote Herring gull The largest colony of Saunders’s gulls is located in water purification. These Slaty-backed gull China. In Japan, they winter Glaucous gull on tidal flats and at river benthic organisms also Mew gull mouths mainly in the western provide a food source for part of the country. They fly Black-tailed gull low in order to catch crab and migratory birds; thus, tidal Saunders’s gull fish. The Saunders’s gull is Black-legged kittiwake listed as a vulnerable species. flats play a critical role in White-winged tern sustaining the life cycles of Whiskered tern ★＝Rare species Common tern Bar-tailed godwit a great number of diverse Little tern creatures. Common kingfisher Grey wagtail Black-backed wagtail Japanese wagtail Illustration by Fujimae Ramsar Society, an NPO and others

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and richness of the tidal flat, and enjoyably learn about a model for a sustainable society. sustainable a for model a about learn enjoyably and flat, tidal the of richness and

unlimited potential as a stage from which to observe the wonders of nature, enjoy the beauty beauty the enjoy nature, of wonders the observe to which from stage a as potential unlimited

model for the commitment of large cities to a sustainable society. In fact, the Fujimae-higata has has Fujimae-higata the fact, In society. sustainable a to cities large of commitment the for model

The Fujimae-higata is significant not only as a symbol of environmental conservation but also as a a as also but conservation environmental of symbol a as only not significant is Fujimae-higata The

situation inspired the City and its residents to undertake a major waste reduction effort. reduction waste major a undertake to residents its and City the inspired situation

public movement to save the tidal flat and the City of Nagoya’s recognition of its importance. This This importance. its of recognition Nagoya’s of City the and flat tidal the save to movement public

once been proposed as a waste disposal site. Thankfully, this proposal was abandoned due to a a to due abandoned was proposal this Thankfully, site. disposal waste a as proposed been once

plans for large-scale landfill projects in the surrounding area; in fact, part of the tidal flat had had flat tidal the of part fact, in area; surrounding the in projects landfill large-scale for plans

Surrounded by large cities, harbors, and industrial areas, the Fujimae-higata has barely escaped escaped barely has Fujimae-higata the areas, industrial and harbors, cities, large by Surrounded

Environmental Research and Eco Tours Eco and Research Environmental

worldwide. of shorebirds observed at the Fujimae-higata is among the largest in Japan. In In Japan. in largest the among is Fujimae-higata the at observed shorebirds of

birds, and regularly supports more than one percent of seven species of shorebirds shorebirds of species seven of percent one than more supports regularly and birds, of shorebirds use the tidal flat as a feeding and resting area. Notably, the number number the Notably, area. resting and feeding a as flat tidal the use shorebirds of

the shorebird life cycle as a stopover, regularly sustains more than 20,000 water water 20,000 than more sustains regularly stopover, a as cycle life shorebird the During the spring and autumn migrations and wintering seasons, vast numbers numbers vast seasons, wintering and migrations autumn and spring the During

because it is used regularly by endangered species, supports a critical phase in in phase critical a supports species, endangered by regularly used is it because flyway.

In November 2002, the Special Protection Area was registered as a Ramsar site site Ramsar a as registered was Area Protection Special the 2002, November In Ise Bay. It serves as an important stopover for shorebirds on the East Asia-Australia Asia-Australia East the on shorebirds for stopover important an as serves It Bay. Ise

named a Special Protection Area by the Ministry of the Environment. the of Ministry the by Area Protection Special a named the Fujimae-higata is the last remaining broad tidal flat in the deepest reaches of of reaches deepest the in flat tidal broad remaining last the is Fujimae-higata the

designated a Wildlife Protection Area and its core, including the tidal flat, was was flat, tidal the including core, its and Area Protection Wildlife a designated Extending across the mouths of the Shonaigawa, Shinkawa, and Nikkogawa Rivers, Rivers, Nikkogawa and Shinkawa, Shonaigawa, the of mouths the across Extending

in the protection of migratory birds. Deservingly, in November 2002 the area was was area the 2002 November in Deservingly, birds. migratory of protection the in

as a Ramsar site. Ramsar a as

Consequently, the area plays an important role, both nationally and internationally, internationally, and nationally both role, important an plays area the Consequently,

Wildlife Protection Area and has been registered registered been has and Area Protection Wildlife Rivers provide habitat for many prairie birds and freshwater ducks. freshwater and birds prairie many for habitat provide Rivers

At the same time, the lower reaches of the Shonaigawa, Shinkawa, and Nikkogawa Nikkogawa and Shinkawa, Shonaigawa, the of reaches lower the time, same the At

this tidal flat has been designated a national national a designated been has flat tidal this

peregrine falcons. peregrine

An important site for migratory birds, birds, migratory for site important An

and falcons (Falconiformes), including rare species such as Saunders’s gulls and and gulls Saunders’s as such species rare including (Falconiformes), falcons and

area is also inhabited by many herons (Ardeinae), seagulls (Laridae), and eagles eagles and (Laridae), seagulls (Ardeinae), herons many by inhabited also is area situated in an urban environment. environment. urban an in situated

winter, numerous ducks from Russia, the Far East and Alaska gather here. This This here. gather Alaska and East Far the Russia, from ducks numerous winter, The Fujimae-higata is a precious natural habitat habitat natural precious a is Fujimae-higata The

Access to Fujimae-higata One of Japan’s Largest Shorebird Sites Fujimae Area ●By bus From Meitetsu Bus Center (Nagoya Station) Take the Mie Kotsu bus bound for Sunbeach Nikkogawa, Nagashima Onsen, or Minami-kuwana. Get off at Nanyo- cho Fujimae and walk for 15 minutes. Inae Area Fujimae-higata ●By train Get off at Noseki Station on the Aonami Line and walk for 10 minutes. The Ramsar Convention and Fujimae-higata ●By bus Government-Designated Wildlife Get off at Tsukijiguchi Station on the Meiko Subway Line. From Exit 3, The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance ●board a City Bus bound for Inae Sports Center, get off Protection Area Especially as Waterfowl Habitat is popularly known as at Inae Sports Center, and walk for seven minutes. ●board a City Bus bound for Noseki or Ferry Futo, get “the Ramsar Convention” because it was signed at an off at Noseki, and walk for 10 minutes. A Ramsar site international conference in Ramsar, Iran. (The convention You can also board a City Bus bound for Noseki from was signed on February 2, which has been designated Nagoya or Kanayama Stations, or board a City Bus bound for Inae Sports Center from Takabata Station on the “World Wetlands Day”; a one-week period spanning Higashiyama Subway Line. February 2 has been designated “World Wetlands Week.”) The convention is intended to protect wetlands N To Nagoya Arakogawa of international importance as well as the plants and 59 Park animals that inhabit these wetlands. The parties to the convention are expected to designate wetlands and Shonaigawa River register them with the convention secretariat. Shinkawa As of March 8, 2006, the 150 countries listed as parties River 23 to the convention had registered 1,591 wetlands span- Shonai-Shinkawa Inaei ning a total of 134 million hectares. Bridge Japan became a party to the convention in 1980 and Nikkogawa Fujimae Park designated Kushiro-shitsugen (an area of low moors, River Fujimae Active Center National Route No. 23 Nagoya Wild Bird freshwater lakes, and rivers) as a registered wetland. Observation On November 18, 2002, Fujimae-higata and Miyajima- Fujimae- Center Nikkogawa Noseki numa (a freshwater lake) in Hokkaido were registered. Bridge higata Inae As of March 8, 2006, Japan had registered 33 wetlands Visitor Center

spanning a total of 130,293 hectares. e n

Ramsar Sites in Japan Li Aonami (as of March 2006) Kutcharo-ko Akan-ko Sarobetsu-genya Tofutsu-ko

Notsuke-hanto Uryunuma-shitsugen and Notsuke-wan Miyajima-numa Furen-ko and Shunkuni-tai Utonai-ko Kiritappu- Ministry of shitsugen the Environment Akkeshi-ko and Sakata Bekambeushi-shitsugen Kushiro-shitsugen Chubu Regional Environment Office, Ministry Hotoke-numa Katano-kamoike of the Environment Izu-numa and Uchi-numa http://chubu.env.go.jp/ Kabukuri-numa and Biwa-ko the surrounding rice paddies Mikata-goko Oze Nagoya Ranger Office for Nature Conservation Nakaumi Oku-Nikko-shitsugen Inae Visitor Center, 4-11-2 Noseki, Minato-ku, Dunlins in flight Shinji-ko Yatsu-higata Nagoya 455-0845, Japan Fujimae-higata Tel: (052) 389-2877 Fax: (052) 389-2878 Kushimoto Coral Communities E-mail: [email protected] Akiyoshidai Groundwater System Kuju Bogatsuru and Tadewara-shitsugen Grey Plover Imuta-ike Yakushima Nagata-hama Photos: Toyohisa Morii Manko Kerama-shoto Coral reef Nagura Amparu

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