Hokkaido - Wildlife of Japan

2024.08.17 update

Ochiishi and Cape Kiritappu in Winter

Since drift ice does not come to the Pacific coast starting from Cape Nosappu, seabirds from the ice-shrouded Sea of Okhotsk and the Aleutian Islands migrate to this area in winter.

Also, since the land has little snowfall and the grassland is exposed, birds of prey that target rodents can be seen here.

Ochiishi Cruise and the Surrounding Waters

From late January to early March, Ochiishi offers cruises to observe seabirds, especially the families of Alcidae which migrate for the winter. To take part in observation, visitors must join the Ochiishi Cruise operated by the fishing association. The cruise takes about 2.5 hours on a local fishing boat and involves observing birds in the surrounding waters. Since this is a fishing boat, the cruise can be quite bumpy and subject to waves depending on the weather, so please make preparations to deal with seasickness, assure your belongings are adequately waterproofed, and bring warm clothes.
Ducks and seagulls can also be seen in fishing ports, so check the fishing ports of Habomai and Hanasaki on the Nemuro Peninsula, as well as Odaitou and Shibetsu in the east of Hokkaido—this will allow you to increase the number of species you can observe. Seabirds and marine mammals that can be seen are introduced below.

Left:Pigeon Guillemot(Kuril type)、Right:Spectacled Guillemot

Cape Kiritappu and the North Pacific Seaside Line

Sea otters can be seen year-round at Cape Kiritappu, as can many seabirds. If you are lucky, you may even see Harbor seals. This area is accessible by car and can be used as an alternative to the Ochiishi cruise in case the cruise is cancelled due to bad weather or lack of passengers. There are also several grasslands along the North Pacific Seaside Line from Cape Kiritappu to Ochiishi that are good for raptor viewing in winter.

The following is a list of birds that can be seen in grasslands. The seabirds at Cape Kiritappu are similar to those seen on the Ochiishi cruise mentioned above, so please refer to that section for details.

Photo & Text : Hiromichi HAYASHI

Observation : Ochiishi & Kiritappu, Nemuro, Hokkaido

*Contact us, Saiyu Travel for more information about wildlife and bird watching in Hokkaido. We can make various arrangements for your trip. We operate a guesthouse, Shiretoko Serai, in Rausu, Shiretoko and Teuri Island. both are perfect location for wildlife lover.

*Youtube : Wildlife of Japan

Tags: Hokkaido winter photography tour, Ochiishi Cruise, Kiritappu, Asian Rosy Finch, Short-eared Owl, Rough-legged Buzzard, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Hen Harrier, Wildlife of Japan, Bird photoraphy, Bird watching tour in Japan, Wildlife in Japan, Hokkaido birdwatching tour, Bird photography in Japan, Cape Kiritappu, Ochiishi

2024.07.17 update

Migratory Bird Season on Teuri Island

Here are some of the birds we observed on Teuri Island in May 2024.

This is a busy time of year for migratory birds on the island. One week, one species of bird is in certain parts of the island, the next week it is nowhere to be found and another appears in its place. Teuri Island in May happens to be on a migratory route, making it a real joy to explore every day.

First are the birds that arrive in early May, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
Cherry blossoms bloom in May on Teuri Island. A Japanese white-eye and Eurasian bullfinch were hard at work looking for food.

In coniferous forests, blue-colored birds such as the blue-and-white flycatcher and red-flanked bluetails shine.

Blue-and-white Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cyanomelana）

Red-flanked Bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus）

In a slightly more open area, we spotted a hawfinch.

Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes）

The Eurasian siskin, common redpoll, rosefinch, and brambling also come to the island to feed, as seeds here are plentiful. The brambling can be seen throughout the island, but they only stay for about a week.

Long-tailed Rosefinch (Uragus sibiricus）

We observed red-necked phalarope in a puddle on the shoreline.

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus）

A purple heron made a visit to the back of a house.

In the meadow, the call of the common cuckoo echoes out.

We also spotted harlequin ducks along the shoreline.

Harlequin duck（Histrionicus histrionicus）

Birds visit Teuri Island one after another! This year, rosy starlings also dropped by!

Asian brown flycatcher（Muscicapa dauurica）

From the second half of May to the first half of June, birds that come to Teuri Island to breed are busy searching for mates and preparing their nests.

Chestnut-cheeked Starling（Sturnus philippensis）

It is also a relatively easy season to observe the latham’s snipe which arrive from Australia without making any stops to feed along the way.

In May, when many migratory birds arrive on Teuri Island, the variety of birds that can be observed changes almost daily. Visit Teuri Island in May for a chance to meet those beautiful birds!

Photo & Text : Wataru HIMENO

Observation : May 2024, Teuri Island, Hokkaido

★ Visit our web site of TEURI ISLAND. ☜

★Contact us to make arrangements for photographing seabirds on Teuri Island and Wildlife of Japan.

★Wildlife videos are also available on Youtube – we have the playlist as well.

Tags: Teuri Island Naturelive, #teuri.jp, Wildlife of Japan, Birding in Hokkaido, Birds of Hokkaido, Bird watching in Hokkaido, Birds of Japan, Bird photography in Hokkaido, Bird watching in Japan, migratory birds in Japan, migratory birds season, Teuri Island, migratory birds season in Teuri Island, Teuri, Migratory Bird Season on Teuri Island, Bird photography in Japan, Birding tour in Japan

2024.06.08 update

Ochishi and Kiritappu in Early Summer

In early summer, seabirds in breeding plumage and sea animals can be seen on the Ochishi cruise and at Cape Kiritappu, and beautiful flowers and grasses can also be found in the marshlands along the way.

Ochiishi Cruise and Surrounding Waters

From Cape Nosappu to Cape Erimo, part of the cold Oyashio (Kuril) Current flows along the coast, especially from Nemuro to Cape Kiritappu, which is the area with the lowest sea water temperature in Japan. As a result, tufted puffins, red-faced cormorants, and other seabirds that are difficult to see outside of this area breed here. The uninhabited islands of Yururi Island and Moyururi Island in Ochiishi are especially important breeding grounds for seabirds, and both landing on the islands and fishing in the surrounding area are prohibited. Currently, seabird observation by permitted fishing boats is operated in some areas.

To visit the waters of Yururi Island and Moyururi Island, you must take a Ochiishi cruise operated by the fishing association. The cruise takes about 2.5 hours on a local fishing boat and involves observing birds in the surrounding waters. Since this is a fishing boat, the cruise can be quite bumpy and subject to waves depending on the weather, so please make preparations to deal with seasickness, assure your belongings are adequately waterproofed, and bring warm clothes.

The following is a list of seabirds and marine animals that can be seen.

Cape Kiritappu and the Surrounding Wetlands

Cape Kiritappu is a breeding ground for sea otters and many seabirds can be seen here. If you are lucky, you may see tufted puffins and harbor seals. Since this area is accessible by car, it can be an alternative destination in case the Ochiishi cruise is cancelled due to bad weather or lack of passengers.

In the Cape Kiritappu wetlands near Cape Kiritappu, large colonies of daylily, hare’s-tail cottongrass, and other grasses and flowers can be seen, as well as many birds that prefer the grasslands. In addition, along the road to Ochiishi, there are several small wetlands and grasslands suitable for flower and bird watching. Here you can also expect to see red-crowned cranes with their chicks.

Below are some of the birds and flowers that can be seen in the wetlands. Please refer to the seabirds at Cape Kiritappu, as they are similar to those on the Ochiishi cruise mentioned above.

Photo & text : Hiromichi HAYASHI

Observation : Ochiishi & Kiritappu, Nemuro, Hokkaido

*Youtube : Wildlife of Japan

Tags: Saiyu Travel Japan, Pacific Loon, #wildlifeofjapan, Japan Bird watching tour, #birdsofjapan, #saiyutravel, Birds Photography Hokkaido, #birdsofhokkaido, Ochiishi, Ochiishi Cruise, Birds of Hokkaido, Widlife tour of Hokkaido, Birds of Japan, Kiritappu, Tufted Puffin, Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, Spectacled Guillemot, Japanese Murrelet

2024.05.25 update

The Japanese Pika of Tokachi-dake Mountain

In the high mountains of central Hokkaido, the lovely pika, which is said to be a survivor of the ice age, can be found. The species seen here is the Japanese pika (Ochotona hyperborea yesoensis), a subspecies of the northern pika (Ochotona hyperborea). It prefers a cool climate, and its optimal temperature is said to be around 12 degrees Celsius.

he Physical Appearance of the Japanese Pika

What is a Pika?

Pika are quite different in appearance from their close relatives, rabbits, being small (15-18 cm in length), with rounded, short ears, a short tail hidden from view by body hair, and short legs, giving them the appearance of a mouse or hamster at first glance. However, their dental structure is the same as that of rabbits, and they cannot grasp objects with their paws like rats. The Japanese name of the Pika is nakiusagi, which can be translated as “whistling hare.” As its name implies, the pika produces distinct sounds: the male makes a series of strong chirps, chit-chit, chit-chit, four to sixteen times in succession, while the female makes only a single or irregular series of sounds.

The pika’s habitats include exposed rock zones or “scree slopes,” where rocks of various sizes are piled up, providing a refuge from predators such as Ezo stoats, least weasels, and Ezo red foxes. They also allow the pika to benefit from the cool air in the crevices between the rocks in summer. The presence of bushes and forests nearby where food can be obtained is also a prerequisite.

Mount Tokachi (Tokachidake), viewed from Bogakudai

The Japanese Pika of Tokachi-dake Mountain

Japanese pikas can be seen in abundance in the scree slopes of Bogakudai, the trailhead for Tokachi-dake Mountain. Pikas do not hibernate, and autumn is the best season for observation as they become more active in order to store food. Especially when it is sunny and moderately warm with no wind, they stay still on the rocks and sunbathe, which is good for photography and observation. Chipmunks, which prefer a similar environment, can also be seen.

A Japanese Pika Making Its Distinct Call

Places to Visit in Conjunction

It is 44 km from Asahikawa Airport, so it takes less than an hour to arrive at the parking area of Tokachi-dake Bogakudai by car.

On the way there, you can also visit beautiful scenic spots such as the Blue Pond of Shirogane Onsen and the Hills of Biei to take pictures. You can stay at Shirogane Onsen, visit the Blue Pond in Shirogane Onsen in the early morning, then observe pikas in the morning, and visit the hills of Biei in the afternoon.

In autumn, the air is clear and you will encounter beautiful scenery！

Photo & text : Hiromichi HAYASHI

Observation : Tokachi-dake Mountain, Hokkaido

*Youtube : Wildlife of Japan

Tags: Tokachi-dake, Bogakudai, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Saiyu Trave Japan, Wildlife of Japan, Wildloife Photography Tour Japan, Birds of Japan, wildife tour of Hokkaido, Wildlife tour in Hokkaiddo, Japanese Pika, ナキウサギ, Nakiusagi, Tokachidake

2024.05.11 update

Wildlife on Teuri Island in Spring and the First Herring Spawn in 70 Years

>For information and tours of Teuri Island, click here!

On April 15, 2024, the first herring spawn in 70 years was observed on Teuri Island, Hokkaido. The islanders were excited to photograph and then harvest the herring. At an island inn, stewed herring and herring roe were served. No one on the island today knows what it was like in the heyday of the herring harvest.

Here is some of the wildlife we observed on Teuri Island in the spring.

On the route from Haboro Port to Teuri Island, black-throated divers (surprisingly common), ancient murrelets, rhinoceros auklets, and spectacled guillemots were seen.

Eight species of seabirds breed on Teuri Island: the common guillemot, spectacled guillemot, rhinoceros auklet, black-tailed gull, slaty-backed gull, Japanese cormorant (Temminck’s cormorant), pelagic cormorant, and ancient murrelet. By April, they have already begun their breeding season.

Black-tailed gulls are breeding and expanding their territory on the Kurosaki coast, and around April 20, mating (or pseudo-mating) has already started taking place throughout the area.

Black-tailed gulls mating (or pseudo-mating)

Kurosaki Coast, where the breeding grounds of black-tailed gulls are expanding

When I looked at the Japanese cormorant breeding site from the seabird observation hut, they were already feeding their chicks. The Japanese cormorant is a seabird that starts breeding early, and it seems to be getting even earlier. Slaty-backed gulls were breeding and mating on the upper slope of the bluff. There were many rhinoceros auklet nesting sites in this area as well.

Japanese cormorants nesting on a bluff. Most of the nests had chicks in them.

Red-breasted mergansers are seen near Maehama Fishing Port. Red-breasted mergansers migrate to Teuri Island as winter visitors. They will soon be heading north as well.

And then there are the harlequin ducks. They are the most common ducks on Teuri Island. I often saw them near Maehama Fishing Port and Lombaba Beach. Harlequin ducks can be seen all year round on Teuri Island, but they are definitely easier to see—and more beautiful—during the winter months.

On one morning when the wind had calmed a bit, we went out to the sea on the Keimafuri-Gou, a small boat operated by island photographer Takaki Terasawa. The view from the boat was that of Teuri Island in spring!

A steller sea lion we met as soon as we left the harbor. They migrate to Hokkaido from the Kuril Islands in winter. This young male was all alone. Teuri Island, where herring now spawn, attracts wildlife as well as people. It is a symbol of the richness of the sea.

Steller sea lions will soon be moving north.

From the boat, we observed the black-tailed gull breeding grounds on the Kurosaki coast and then headed in the direction of Akaiwa. We did not see any common guillemots at the breeding site, but we did see four common guillemots flying over the sea in the vicinity.

The reef was teeming with some very dry and fluffy spotted seals.

The beautiful sound of spectacled guillemots chirping at each other echoes out to sea. On a rocky shore, an adorable pair is seen in a courtship gesture.

A flock of Spectacled guillemots at sea near nesting cliffs

Lovely spectacled guillemots showing off their red legs

Lastly, please take a look at this herring spawn, photographed on April 15 by the staff of Saiyu Travel’s Teuri Office (Teuri Island Naturelive).

The herring spawn turning the sea white and murky, viewed from Lombaba beach.

Spawning occurs in spring, when females lay their eggs on seaweed in shallow waters less than one meter deep, and males release sperm to fertilize the eggs. This spawning causes the seawater to become white and murky.

A herring dish served at the Yorozuya Ryokan（萬谷旅館）where I stayed. The fresh herring was so tasty.

I myself had just returned from a trip to Sitka, Alaska, in search of the wildlife that gathers there during the herring spawn. In Alaska, the “Herring Run” is a very popular wildlife tour where you can encounter humpback whales, gray whales, bald eagles, steller sea lions, and other creatures that congregate in the waters of Sitka.

Will Japan’s herring spawn one day be referred to as Hokkaido’s “Herring Run”? Before that, it is important to first restore the richness of the sea where herring come to spawn every year. I sincerely hope that the herring will return next year too.

Image & Text: Mariko SAWADA & Midori KUDO
Observation: April 2024, Teuri Island, Hokkaido

Photo & text : Mariko SAWADA

Photography of Herring spawning : Midori KUDO

★ Visit our web site of TEURI ISLAND. ☜

★Contact us to make arrangements for photographing seabirds on Teuri Island and Wildlife of Japan.

★Wildlife videos are also available on Youtube – we have the playlist as well.

Tags: Teuri Island, #teuri.jp, Spectacled Guillemot, Widlife in Japan, Teuri, Keimafuri gou, Wildlife of Japan, Widlife of Hokkaido, Birds of Japan, Birds Photography Hokkaido, Wildlife tour of Japan, #spectacledguillemot, Birds Photography of Japan, Teuri Island Naturelive, Spectacled

2024.04.16 update

Birds of Eastern Hokkaido in Winter

During this winter, we were able to observe many birds, including red-crowned cranes and Ezo Ural owls. The number of photographers from abroad has also increased considerably—especially in Tsurui Village, where red-crowned cranes can be seen. Over 200 people gathered on the Otowa Bridge to photograph the birds sleeping in the river.

Near the Otowa Bridge, from January to early March, temperatures drop below -15°C, and on humid days, a phenomenon known as “Steam Fog” in which steam rises from the river, can be observed. The white breath of the red-crowned cranes as they chirp at each other is beautiful, and the large snowflakes that fall create a magical scene.

Ezo Ural owls are usually found in the trees they’ve chosen for their fixed nest sites, but they may change their location from year to year. We speculate that this may be due to changes—precipitated by the amount of snowfall in a given year—in their rodent-hunting spots. In the month of February, at the nests we observe every year, we can see the owls stand side by side in pairs—for them, this is courtship season. In some nests, we could not see the pair line up together, perhaps because one of the two had disappeared.

The long-tailed tit is the most popular wild bird in Hokkaido nowadays. In winter, they look like snowmen when viewed from the front, puffing up their feathers to ward off the cold.

Long-tailed tits are only about the size of a ping-pong ball and usually hang from branches at the top of trees, pecking at insects and winter buds. If you are lucky, they will come down to a lower branch to catch their food, and you may even be able to photograph them at eye level.

Food is scarcest from February to March, and in addition to the food they normally eat, they strive to eat really small plant seeds to sustain themselves.

In April, insects appear, ensuring that the long-tailed tit will be well nourished. By May, we can expect to see new chicks.

Red-crowned cranes, Ezo Ural owls, and long-tailed tits are all difficult to observe from mid-March onward, as their activity patterns change dramatically for the breeding season.
Mid-February, when they are actively courting, is the best time to observe these three species.

Photo & Text: Kaito IMAHORI
Observation: Tsurui Village, East-Hokkaido

*Contact us, Saiyu Travel for more information about wildlife and bird watching in Hokkaido. We can make various arrangements for your trip. We have a guesthouse, Shiretoko Serai, in Rausu, Shiretoko Peninsula.

*Youtube : Wildlife of Japan

Tags: Tsurui village, Bird photography in Japan, Shiretoko peninsula, Bird Photography Hokkaido, Long-tailed tit, Tsurui, Shiretoko, Bird Watching Japan, Ezo Ural owl, Red-crowned Crane, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Photography tour of Red-crowned carane, Wildlife of Japan, Birds of Hokkaido, Birds of Japan

2024.03.25 update

Reasons Why Teuri Island Became a Sanctuary for Seabirds

>For information and tours of Teuri Island, click here!

Teuri Island is a small island with a circumference of about 12 km, and as of 2024, it has a population of approximately 250 people. Despite its size, Teuri Island is considered a “paradise for seabirds,” with an estimated breeding population of around one million birds. Such a sanctuary for seabirds is unique within Japan, as even the neighboring Yagishiri Island, which is about 3 km to the east and of similar size, lacks a significant seabird population.

The reason behind this phenomenon can be attributed to the maritime climate around Teuri Island, particularly during winter when it is influenced by the Siberian high-pressure system from the continent. As a result, the island is continuously exposed to northwestern winds. Over millions of years, these prevailing winds have shaped the landscape, forming cliffs predominantly on one side of the island.

The red lines indicate the original location of the island.

The arrows indicate the direction of the wind. Cliffs were formed on the northwest part of the island where the wind directly hits.

Cliffs, which are among the most challenging terrains for mammals, including humans, become easily accessible for birds capable of flying. Consequently, seabirds, which primarily reside at sea, are not well-adapted to terrestrial life, leading them to choose cliff habitats for breeding where their predators find it difficult to access.

The slaty-backed gull, which breeds on cliffs.

The pelagic cormorant and the black-tailed gull, which breed on cliffs.

The most abundant breeding location for rhinoceros auklets on Teuri Island is on land with soil situated atop the cliffs. Rhinoceros auklets choose to nest on land, despite the presence of many predators, as it becomes harder for predators to spot them during the evening twilight when they return to their nests all at once at sunset. If there were tall trees around the nesting area, they would be at a higher risk of colliding with them in the dark. Therefore, they prefer nesting in areas without tall trees.

Thanks to the island’s strong winds, which prevent the growth of tall trees, Teuri Island provides the ideal conditions for rhinoceros auklets. They have a habitat where approximately 400,000 breeding pairs thrive, making it the world’s No. 1 breeding site for these birds.

Rhinoceros auklets return to their nests by diving into treeless grasslands.

In this way, a miraculous convergence of ideal conditions for seabirds has resulted in the creation of Teuri Island, where numerous seabirds breed. During the seabird breeding season, boat tours are also available, allowing visitors to observe seabirds and geological formations from beneath the cliffs.

Photo & text : Wataru HIMENO

★ Visit our web site of TEURI ISLAND.

★Contact us to make arrangements for photographing seabirds on Teuri Island and Wildlife of Japan.

★Wildlife videos are also available on Youtube – we have the playlist as well.

Tags: ウトウ, Wildlife tour in Japan, Bird photography in Japan, Wildlife tour of Japan, Pelagic Cormorant, Bird Photography Japan, Teuri Island, Bird Photography Hokkaido, Rhinoceros Auklet, Spectacled Guillemot, Teuri, 天売島, ケイマフリ

2024.01.30 update

The Spectacled Guillemot : A Timeless Favorite among Teuri Island’s Seabirds

>For information and tours of Teuri Island, click here!

The Spectacled Guillemot: A Timeless Favorite among Teuri Island’s Seabirds

The Spectacled Guillemot, known as “ケイマフリ” (Keimafuri) in Japanese, holds an unwavering popularity on Teuri Island. Its name is derived from the Ainu word “ケマフレ” (Kema-fure), meaning “red-legged.”

True to its name, the Spectacled Guillemot not only possesses red legs but also has a similar crimson color inside its mouth. While observing its courtship behavior on rocky shores, it display its legs while opening its mouth to court potential mates, they leave viewers mesmerized by its stunning beauty.

Compared to other Alcidae birds inhabiting Teuri Island, the Spectacled Guillemot excels at taking off from the water’s surface. It performs a skillful take-off by running on the water while building momentum before finally lifting off. (On the other hand, the other two species, Common Guillemot and Rhinoceros Auklet, perform take-offs by half-swimming and flapping their wings on the water’s surface.)

The sight of “Teuri Blue,” the mesmerizing color of the sea, combined with the radiant red legs of the Spectacled Guillemot, is incredibly beautiful. Many visitors come to Teuri Island solely to witness this enchanting spectacle.

Furthermore, during the latter part of the breeding season, around late June, you can also observe the Spectacled Guillemots carrying food in their beaks to feed their chicks. This heartwarming sight showcases the dedication and care these birds have for their offspring, adding to the enchanting experience of witnessing their behavior on Teuri Island.

The diverse range of prey that the Spectacled Guillemot carries, such as larval fish and small sculpins, adds to its allure and charm. Observing these graceful birds transporting various types of food is truly captivating.

It’s wonderful to hear that Terasawa Takaki, a photographer residing on Teuri Island, has been so captivated by the charm of the Spectacled Guillemot that he created a Japanese sake named after them and even adorned his own boat with illustrations of the bird. His passion for these birds is truly inspiring.

Takaki Terasawa’s boat ケイマフリ号 name after Spectacled Guillemot

I wholeheartedly agree with the invitation for everyone to come and visit Teuri Island to experience the magic of meeting the Spectacled Guillemots in person. It is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience that will leave visitors in awe of the island’s natural beauty and its remarkable avian residents.

Image & text : Wataru HIMENO

★ Visit our web site of TEURI ISLAND.

★Contact us to make arrangements for photographing seabirds on Teuri Island and Wildlife of Japan.

★Wildlife videos are also available on Youtube – we have the playlist as well.

Tags: ケイマフリ, Keimafuri, Bird photography in Japan, Wildlife of Japan, Birds photography, Birds of Hokkaido, Sea birds, Birds of Japan, #birdsofjapan, #teuriisland, Teuri Island, #birdphotographyhokkaido, Rhinoceros Auklet, Birds Photography Hokkaido, Spectacled Guillemot, #spectacledguillemot, Teuri

2024.01.18 update

The Nocturnal Creatures of Teuri Island (Hokkaido）

>For information and tours of Teuri Island, click here!

Teuri Island is located at 44 degrees north latitude, so during the period from spring to summer, the daylight hours are long, and the sky becomes completely dark around 21:00 (9:00 PM). In the morning, it starts to get bright around 3:00 AM, which means that the nocturnal creatures are spending super busy throughout the night.

Speaking of nocturnal creatures, one cannot fail to mention the owl family. In the year 2023, the breeding of the Long-eared Owl (トラフズク Torahuzuku in Japanese) has been confirmed on the island.

During the early spring, we confirmed the presence of three chicks, but from the first half of July onwards, we could only find two. It is suspected that one of them might have died at some point. This experience made us realize the true harshness of nature.

Furthermore, the Kiwi of Japan is called a “ヤマシギ” (Yamashigi), which refers to the Eurasian Woodcock, also inhabits Teuri Island.

The life style of the Eurasian Woodcock is similar to the Kiwi of New Zealand, it is a nocturnal creature and preys on worms and other creatures found near the ground. However, the Eurasian Woodcock has the advantage of being able to fly, which allows it to have a broader range of habitats. It has numerous holes in its beak with nerve endings, enabling it to sense movements and detect prey while inserting its beak into the ground.

Additionally, on warm nights, the only snake species found on Teuri Island, the Japanese Mamushi Viper (マムシ: Mamushi, also known as the Japanese pit viper), also becomes more active.

Japanese Mamushi Viper, Japanese pit viper 　マムシ (Mamushi)

The snake, often referred to as a nocturnal creature, on Teuri Island, might also be quite active during daytime, especially in the cooler seasons like early spring. Despite being a reptile, it gives birth to live offspring instead of laying eggs. This adaptation might be what allowed it to efficiently reproduce in the fluctuating temperatures of Teuri Island, making it the only snake species on the island.

The Japanese Mamushi Viper is the most well-known venomous snake in Japan. The image of “Mamushi = danger” is deeply ingrained, and this might be a reason why drivers tend to be less aware of avoiding them compared to other creatures. As a result, during the season, I witnessed numerous instances where these vipers were hit and killed by vehicles.

Also, the Japanese tree frog (ニホンアマガエル Nihonamagaeru), the only amphibian species found on Teuri Island, becomes active during the night.

Due to its small size, approximately 12km in circumference, Teuri Island has limited sources of stable freshwater, making it challenging for amphibians, which constantly require water, to find suitable habitats. However, despite the scarcity of such environments, numerous individuals of the Japanese tree frog can be found breeding near locations such as rainwater accumulated in abandoned ships and in small springs close to the coastline.

Furthermore, after observing the nocturnal activities, one can enjoy the breathtaking sight of a beautiful starry sky. On clear nights, shooting stars can be observed almost without fail.

When you visit Teuri Island, please make sure to look up at the night sky before you leave.

Image & Text: Wataru HIMENO

★ Visit our web site of TEURI ISLAND.

★Contact us to make arrangements for photographing seabirds on Teuri Island and Wildlife of Japan.

★Wildlife videos are also available on Youtube – we have the playlist as well.

Tags: #birdphotographyhokkaido, Birding in Japan, #longearedowl, Wildlife of Japan, Long-eared Owl, Birds of Hokkaido, Eurasian Woodcock, Japanese Mamushi Viper, Teuri Island, Japanese pit viper, Teuri, Mumushi, Saiyu Travel, Japanese tree frog, Bird photography in Japan, Bird photography, Sea birds, #teuriisland, Widlife of Hokkaido

2023.11.17 update

Shiretoko Peninsula: Red Foxes Born at the Fisherman’s Hut (Banya)

We met a family of Red Fox in Rausu during the spring months, when the temperatures had not yet risen to double digits yet.

The three red fox kits lived under the floor of a building called ‘Banya’, which is a hut used by the sea fishermen.

I met these kids when they were less than two weeks old, and they still couldn’t see very well. The parents were frequently grooming them, to remove the dirt from their fur.

After observing them for a few days, I could get to know their daily schedule, and the relationships between the three siblings.

The third kit, which is a little smaller, was often seen dozing off or behaving a little differently then the other two. Every morning, when the time came for the fishermen to return to the port, the parent fox would also go to the port to get the fish from the fishermen.

Every year, from May to June in Rausu, it is not uncommon to find baby foxes coming out suddenly from under the floor of the huts, jump out onto the road, or sadly even get hit by a car in the road. During this season in Eastern Hokkaido, animals such as deer and fox are raising their families, so there is a need to be extra careful when driving.

Photo & Text: Kaito IMAHORI
Observation: Rausu, Shireoko Peninsula, Hokkaido

Tags: Red fox, Fox cub, Ezo-red fox, Kita-kitsune, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Kitsune, Wildlife of Japan, Shiretoko, Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Widlife in Japan, Wildlife tour in Japan, Wildlife in Hokkaido, Hokkaido red fox, Rausu, キタキツネ, Hokkaido blog, Hokkaido Fox, Banya