SICKLEBILL SAFARIS PO Box 387, Kuranda, Qld, Australia 4881, Ph. (61) 07 40 937 318 e-mail: [email protected]

Japan in Winter Tour Report 13th - 26th January 2018

Guide: Jun Matsui Participants:

Day 1 - 13th Jan.

Falcated Duck Japanese WagtailStarting from Narita we made a quick visit to a small pond near the hotel. It was good to see a pair of Japanese there. Marsh Warbler. was the first endemic of the trip. Then we drove to the reed beds along the . Diana got a decent view of Komoro Grand Castle After stopping at a local hospital, we headed to Karuizawa. We had short time to walk around Kaikoen Park near the Hotel. We stayed Day 2 at the - 14th Jan. , with a free drink and crab!

We started the day with a morning walk through Karuizawa Yacho- no-Mori (Bird Forest). At this time of year it is normally heavily covered Great-spotted Woodpecker with snow and ice but this year the trails were largely clear and walking was relatively easy. We Japanese picked up Waxwings a and some other nice birds in the car park. As we walked through the forest, we flushed a flock of from Varied Tit, Eurasian some mistletoe, but Nuthatchcouldn't get a decent view. After this we went for a cup of coffee at the Japanese Accentor Shiotsubo Onsen Hotel where we had nice views of , and . As we walked back, we tried the same mistletoe to see if any waxwings had come back, and yes, they were there. Japanese We also had an excellent view of them near the carPheasant Common Buzzard park later. After a short visit to an open field in the Hocchi area Long to -billed Plover pick up and Daurian Jackdaw. we then spent the rest of the day at Saku Reservoir. Several species of ducks, and Komoro Grand Castle. were there but not unexpected. To see there was rather a surprise. That night we stayed again at the

th th Sicklebill Safaris in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 1

Japanese Waxwing Day 3 -15th Jan. Snow Monkey This was a driving day. We set off early and got to the Park before the carJapanese Accentor, park filled up. It was a bit icy but a pleasant walk to Monkey Park. The monkeys were fabulous but there were not many birds about except a which Gimme picked up. After nice hot chocolate at cafe, we kept driving.Route Inn Komatsu Airport We stopped at Kahoku-gata before the hotel. There was not much open watDayer because of the ice. We s 4 -16th Jan. tayed at the .

Because of the heavy snow, we couldn't go anywhere except Kamo- ike (Duck pond). But it was same for the birds, because all of the birds Baikal Teal, Taiga White-fronted Geese, Bewick's Swan were at Kamo-ike and we had an unusually close view of them including Northern Goshawk, and Eurasian Sparrowhawk, and Japanese . We also had good selection of raptors. Sparrowhawk. Some of them were just fly-bys, but we got and Wryneck Hen Harrier Before going to Black Kamo-tailed Gull-ike, we stopped Japanese Cormorant at Shibayama-gata. We saw and there. We also stopped at Hashidate Harbour, where we saw and . We stayed

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 2 Route Inn Komatsu Airport again at the .

Japanese Macaques or Snow Monkeys keeping warm Day 5 - 17th Jan.

Hotel Wing We flew to Kagoshima and then we drove to Izumi. We saw some Cranes before got to the Hotel. We stayed at the and went out Dayfor dinner, 6 - 18th Jan. for a Japanese BBQ! It was great!

White-naped, Hooded, Common Sandhill Cranes Today we went to the Crane Centre. We had spectacular views of Black-faced Eurasian Spoonbills 15,000 Cranes. Rooks Daurian Jackdaws , and were there. We also saw and a large flock of and some Chinese . We visited Penduline the Kuma River Tit mouth. Sadly there was no Saunders’sHotel Wing Gull but there was a good selection of ducks and waders. We also saw in the riverbed. We stayed at the again. Went out for dinner at a Japanese Pub where we shared lots of small dishes, it was fun. Day 7 - 19th Jan. White-bellied Japanese Pigeon

We went to Koga-Dam, aiming for .

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 3 Crested Kingfishers Mandarin We had several nice viewDucks. s of them. We then drove around the dam and Falcated Ducks had good views of a Brown Boobypair of and some Pelagic CormorantAt the Crane Park, we got decent views of . It felt a bit strange to see a flying over the cold seawater; we also Hotel got the Wing at Akune and then checked . We spent the rest of the day at the Crane Centre. We again stayed at the Day 8 , today eating- 20th Jan. inside the hotel, which was OK.

Ryukyu Minivet Yellow- throated Bunting, Japanese Grosbeak, Japanese Green WoodpeckerWe said farewell to the Cranes. Then drove to Miike, Kirishima NP. We got a close view of and good views of Long-tailed Shrike Hen Harrier, and some other birds. Black-faced We v Spoonbill, isited the Kajiki area after the lunch where we Black-crowned Night Heron Western saw Osprey , which is a vagrant for Japan. Kagoshima A male Airport Hotel and were also there. We stayed at a

. Day 9 - 21st Jan.

Red-crowned Cranes Today we flew to Kushiro. After picking up ourKushiro Prince Hotel vehicle we drove to Tsurui to see before checking into the hotel. It was surprisingly calm weather. We stayed at the where they do a nice steak. Day 10 – 22nd Jan C Red-crowned Cranes This was a long day. We started before sunrise. It was -17 at Otowa Bridge but we got magical views of roosting through the mist. We then spent Common Crane some time at the feeding area, there weren’t many cranes there but those that were showed us bit of dancing. We were surprised to see a lone there. It was the first recorded there in 30 years. We Steller's Sea Eagle had lunch and took a short walk at Teshikaga before going onWashi to Rausu. Rausu harbour had-no-yado Blakiston' a nice collection s Fish Owl of gulls, and ducks. We also saw there. At the famous birding accommodation Washi a male -no-yado came to the pond several times. ...Well most of us just saw it twice but Gimme stayed up very late. We stayed where they served great food.

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 4 Day 11 - 23rd Jan

At Rausu, we visited the harbour and got nice views of gWhiteulls. We -winged the Scoterwent to the Notsuke Peninsula. There were nSnow ot m Buntingsany sea birds, because of the strong wind and snow. We did manage to see . And Blak we're iston's Fish Owl lucky enough to see there without walking through the snow covered field. Daiichi Yoroushi onsen Then we headed to Yoroushi. Another showed up later this night. We stayed at Day 12 – 24th Jan , with incredible meals!

Solitary Snipe We took a short walk through the snow after breakfast to look for before driving off towards Nemuro. Luckily we bumped into the Eagle Feeding by local fisherman at Swan 44. It was great timing. Spectacled Guillemot, After lunch, we visited Cape Nosappu. It was very mild weather fo Ancient Murrelet, Red-faced Cormorant Blackr that - place, throated Diver but yes it was still freezing Minshuku Furen cold. We picked up , and . We stayed at where we had a good meal and a warm friendlyDay 13 - 25th Jan warm atmosphere. It is a lovely place to stay.

We visited Meiji Park in the morning, then took the Ochi-ishi boat Cruise that afternoon, seeing Black-throated Diver, White-winged Scoter Pigeon, Spectacled and Brunnich’s Guillemot (ThickKushiro Prince Hotel -billed Murre) and Ancient Murrelet. It was freezing, but still milder than usual. We stayed again at the where the steak wasn't as nice as on our previous visit. Day 14 – 26th Jan

We flew back to Haneda, and then took the bus to Narita before saying goodbye and starting the onward journeys.

Trip List

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 5

Baikal Teal in the sow at Kamo -ike Anatidae Anser albifrons

1 White-fronted Goose Good close views at KamoAnser fabalis middendorffi-ike, where they usually do not stay that time of the day. 2 Taiga Bean Goose Good close views at KamoBranta bernicla-ike, where they usually not stay that time of the day. 3 Brent Goose Cygnus columbianus bewickii 4 at Notsuke Peninsula. 4 Bewick's Swancolumbianus Good numbers at KamoCygnus cygnus-ike. Also one of the American race , Whistling Swan. Whooper Swan Tadorna tadorna Common in . 6 Common Shelduck Aix galericulata Common in Kyushu. 7 Mandarin Duck

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 6

Anas strepera Over 50 at Koga-Dam. 8 Gadwall Anas falcata Along the road and Kamo-ike. 9 Falcated Duck 2 in the small pond near the hAnas penelopeotel in Narita. Also at Izumi and Ochi-ishi. 10 Eurasian Wigeon Anas platyrhynchos Common in most water areas. 11 Mallard Anas zonorhyncha Very common. Huge flock at Kahoku-gata. 12 Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas clypeata Very common. 13 Northern Shoveler Anas acuta Good views at Shibayama-gata, and other places. 14 Northern Pintail Anas formosa Common. Enormous numbers at Izumi. 15 Baikal Teal Incredibly close view sat Kamo-ike. Normally they stay on the far side of the pond. Anas crecca

16 Eurasian Teal Anas carolinensis Very common. Huge flock at Kahoku-gata. 17 Green-winged Teal At Shibayama-gata, the North American GreenAythya ferina -winged Teal, now split by the IOC as a species in its own right. 18 Common Pochard Aythya fuligula Reasonably common. 19 Tufted Duck Aythya marila Reasonably common. Big raft at Kuma River. 20 Greater Scaup Histrionicus histrionicus Reasonably common in Hokkaido. 21 Harlequin Duck Melanitta deglandi Common in Hokkaido. Good view at Rausu Harbour. 22 White-winged Scoter Melanitta americana Good views on the Ochi-ishi Cruise. 23 Black Scoter Clangula hyemalis Common in Hokkaido. 24 Long-tailed Duck Good view at Ochi-ishi.

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 7 Bucephala clangula

25 Common Goldeneye Mergellus albellus Common in Hokkaido. 26 Smew Mergus merganser Good views at Saku Reservoir and Kamo-ike. 27 Common Merganser Mergus serrator Good views at Saku Reservoir. 28 Red-breasted Merganser Phasianidae Good view s at Ochi-ishi. Also at Kuma River. Phasianus versicolor

29Gaviidae Japanese Pheasant Saw several times on this trip. Best seen at Kahoku Gavia arctica -gata.

30 Black-throated Diver Distant views from Cape Nosappu. Good views on the Ochi- Podicep edishi cruise.idae Tachybaptus ruficollis

31 Little Grebe Seen at Narita, and ShibayamaPodiceps grisegena-gata.

32 Red-necked Grebe Distant views from Cape NosappuPodiceps cristatus. Also seen on the Ochi-ishi cruise. 33 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps nigricollis At Shibayama-gata. 34 Black-necked Grebe Threskiornithidae At Shibayama -gata. Platalea minor

35 Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Best views at Kuma River. Also at Izumi, and Kajiki. 36 Eurasian Spoonbill Ardeidae Some seen at Izumi. Nycticorax nycticorax

37 Black-crowned Night Heron Ardea cinerea Saw good numbers at Kuma River mouth, and Kajiki. 38 Grey Heron

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 8 Ardea modesta Reasonably common throughout the tour. 39 Eastern Great Egret Ardea alba Common. 40 Great Egret Egretta garzetta Common. 41 Little Egret Phalacrocoracidae Common. Phalacrocorax pelagicus

42 Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax urile Seen at Akune. Common in Hokkaido. 43 Red-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo A few fly overs at Cape Nosappu. 44 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus Common. Huge flock flying at Izumi. 45 Japanese Cormorant Pandionidae At Hashidate Harbour and Akune. Pandion haliaetus

Accipitridae46 Western Osprey Common. Close view at Kajiki perched atop Milvus migrans a pine tree.lineatus

47 Black (Black-eared) Kite Haliaeetus albicilla Common. Everyday bird. 48 White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus Common in Hokkaido. 49 Steller's Sea Eagle Circus spilonotus Common in Hokkaido. Great view at Swan site 44. 50 Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus cyaneus Uncommon, but seen at several locations. 51 Hen Harrier Seen at several locations on this trip. Normally Uncommon. Accipiter nisus Beautiful male at Kajiki. 52 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter gentilis One flew over at Kamo-ike. 53 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gularis One flew over at Kamo-ike giving a decent view. 54 Japanese Goshawk One flew over at Kamo-ike, brief view.

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 9 Buteo japonicus

55 Eastern Buzzard Rallidae Reasonably common. Fulica atra

56 Eurasian Coot Gruida Common in most wetlands, even on the sea. Grus canadensis e 57 Sandhill Crane Grus vipio Decent views at Izumi. 58 White-naped Crane Grus grus Almost half the world population wintering in Izumi. 59 Common Crane Grus monacha 1 at Izumi. Also at Tsurui, first in 30years. 60 Hooded Crane 80% or so of population wintering in Izumi. 61 Common x Hooded Crane There were a few hybrids at ArasakiGrus japonensis.

62 Red-crowned Crane Beautiful bird, worth waking up early for. At Tsurui and Charadriidae Furen. Vanellus vanellus

63 Northern Lapwing Vanellus cinereus Good view at Tone River reeded. 64 Grey-headed Lapwing Good views at Shibayama-gata. 65 Grey Plover Pluvialis fulvaPluvialis squatarola Large numbers at Kuma River mouth. 66 Pacific Golden Plover Charadrius placidus Good views at the Tone River reed beds. 67 Long-billed Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Reasonably common on this trip. 68 Kentish Plover Scolopacidae Large number s at the Kuma River mouth. Gallinago gallinago

69 Common Snipe

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 10 Actitis hypoleucos Common in Kyushu. 70 Common Sandpiper Tringa nebularia Uncommon, saw several times at Kyushu. 71 Greenshank Tringa ochropus Surprisingly common, not many but saw several locations. 72 Green Sandpiper Calidris alpina Reasonably common. 73 Dunlin Laridae Good numbers at Kuma River mouth. Chroicocephalus ridibundus

74 Black-headed Gull Larus crassirostris Not many. Seen sometimes. 75 Black-tailed Gull Larus canus Good views at Hashidate. 76 Mew Gull Larus glaucescens A few in Hokkaido. 77 Glaucous-winged Gull Larus hyperboreus Common in Hokkaido. 78 Glaucous Gull Larus vegae Common in Hokkaido. 79 Vega Gull Larus schistisagus Common in Kyushu. 80 Slaty-backed Gull Alcidae Very common in Hokkaido. Uria lomvia

81 Thick-billed Murre Uria aalge Saw one on the Ochi-ishi Cruise. 82 Common Murre Cepphus columba Distant views from Cape Nosappu. 83 Pigeon Guillemot Cepphus carbo Brief but good views on the Ochi-ishi Cruise. 84 Spectacled Guillemot Synthliboramphus antiquus Good view son the Ochi-ishi Cruise. 85 Ancient Murrelet Columbidae Good view s on the Ochi-ishi Cruise.

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 11 Columba livia

86 Rock Dove Streptopelia orientalis Common. 87 Oriental Turtle Dove Treron sieboldii Not many, but seen at various locations. 88 White-bellied Green Pigeon Strigidae Good view sat Koga-Dam. Bubo blakistoni

89 Blakiston's Fish Owl Strix uralensis Good view sat Washi-no-yado, and also at Daiichi. 90 Ural Owl Alcedinidae Good view s of one happily sunbathing at a day roost. Alcedo atthis

91 Common Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris Good views at the Kuma River mouth. 92 Crested Kingfisher Picidae Good view sat Koga-Dam. Dendrocopos kizuki

93 Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos Reasonably common. 94 White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Good view at Koga-Dam. 95 Great Spotted Woodpecker Picus awokera Some good view at Karuizawa. 96 Japanese Green Woodpecker Jynx torquilla Good view at the car park, Karuizawa. 97 Wryneck Falconida Surprised to see one at Shibayama-gata. Falco tinnunculus e 98 Common Kestrel Falco columbarius Seen on several occasions, mostly along the road. 99 Merlin Falco peregrinus A fly over at one site. 100 Peregrine Falcon Fly over at Kamo-ike. Also on the Ochi-ishi Cruise.

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 12 Campephagidae Pericrocotus tegimae

101 Ryukyu Minivet Laniidae Good views at Miike. Lanius bucephalus

102 Bull-headed Shrike Lanius schach Common. Everyday bird except in Hokkaido. 103 Long-tailed Shrike Corvidae Vagrant to Japan, with one at Kajiki near Kagoshima. Garrulus glandarius japonicus

104 Eurasian Jay Coloeus dauuricus Good views at Karuizawa. And at Daiichi. 105 Daurian Jackdaw Corvus pastinator Rather surprised to see one at Saku. Also seen at Izumi. 106 Eastern Rook Huge flocks at Saku, and Izumi.Corvus corone orientalis

107 Carrion Crow Common. Corvus macrorhynchos japonensis

108 Large-billed Crow Seen in smaller numbers than Carrion Crow, but still Bombycillidae common. Bombycilla japonica

109 Japanese Waxwing Paridae Incredible views at Bird Forest, Karuizawa, a very good find. Parus palustris

110 Marsh Tit Parus montanus Reasonably common in Hokkaido. Good views at Furen. 111 Willow Tit Parus varius Good views at Bird Forest, Karuizawa. 112 Varied Tit Parus ater Best views at Shiotsubo Hotel. 113 Coal Tit Parus minor Good views at Bird Forest, Karuizawa. 114 Japanese Tit

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 13 Remizidae Common. Remiz consobrinus

115 Chinese Penduline Tit Alaudidae Good view sat Kuma River. Alauda arvensis japonica

116 Eurasian Skylark Pycnonotidae Common in Kyushu. Microscelis amaurotis

117 Brown-eared Bulbul Hirundidae Common. Everywhere. Delichon dasypus

118 Asian House Martin Hirundo rustica Seen near Izumi. 119 Barn Swallow Reasonably common in Kyushu. Cettidae Cettia diphone

120 Japanese Bush Warbler Heard in several locations but difficult to see. Had views at Aegithalidae Kuma River mouth. Aegithalos caudatus

121 Long-tailed Tit Cisticolidae Common. Locustella pryeri

122 Japanese Marsh Warbler Came very close, even too close. Incredibly cryptic. Some of Zosteropidae us got brief view s, very hard to see in winter. Zosterops japonicus

123 Japanese White-eye Wasn't very common. We usually see more on this tour.

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 14 Troglodytidae Troglodytes troglodytes

124 Winter Wren Sittidae Difficult in winter, we managed to see one at Daiichi. Sitta europaea amurensis

125 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea asiatica Good views on the feeder at Shiotsubo Hotel. Eurasian Nuthatch Sturnidae Common in Hokkaido. Sturnus cineraceus

126 White-cheeked Starling Turdidae Very common except in Hokkaido. Turdus pallidus

127 Pale Thrush Turdus eunomus Good views at Shibayama-gata. 128 Dusky Thrush Common in many places. Muscicapidae Tarsiger cyanurus

129 Red-flanked Bluetail Phoenicurus auroreus Good view at Bird Forest, Karuizawa. 130 Daurian Redstart Monticola solitarius Common in Kyushu. 131 Blue Rock Thrush Cinclidae Reasonably common, best view at Hashidate Harbour. Cinclus pallasii

132 Brown Dipper Passeridae Good views at Bird Forest, and Koga-Dam. Also at Daiichi. Passer rutilans

133 Russet Sparrow Passer montanus Large flock at the Kuma River mouth. 134 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Very common.

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 15 Prunellidae Prunella rubida

135 Japanese Accentor Good views at the feeder oat Shiotsubo Hotel. Also at Snow Motacillidae Monkey Park. Motacilla cinerea

136 Grey Wagtail Motacilla alba lugens Common in river. 137 White Wagtail Motacilla grandis Very common. 138 Japanese Wagtail Anthus hodgsoni Reasonably common. 139 Olive-backed Pipit Anthus cervinus Small flock at Miike. 140 Red-throated Pipit Anthus rubescens japonicus Brief views at Izumi. 141 Buff-bellied Pipit Common. Good views at Tone River and Izumi.

Fringillidae Fringilla montifringilla

142 Brambling Carduelis sinica Common in Karuizawa and Kyushu. 143 Oriental Greenfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Common. 144 Hawfinch Eophona personata Not many sightings on this trip. 145 Japanese Grosbeak Emberiza cioides Good views at Karuizawa. 146 Meadow Bunting Emberiza rustica Common in Karuizawa but not anywhere else. 147 Rustic Bunting Emberiza elegans Glad to see some at Karuizawa, and good views at Kamoike. 148 Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza spodocephala Good view at Miike. 149 Black-faced Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Not many sightings on this trip. 150 Common Reed Bunting

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 16 Calcariidae Very few this trip. Plectrophenax nivalis

151 Snow Bunting Didn't need to walk several kms, which is often the case, good to see them along the side of the road at Notsuke instead.

Jun Matsui and Sue Gregory Feb 2018

th th Sicklebill Safaris Japan in Winter Trip Report 13 – 26 January 2018 17