Hokkaido - Wildlife of Japan｜Saiyu Travel

2022.12.05 update

Ezo Sika Deer of the Notsuke Peninsula in Winter

Ezo sika deer with the Shiretoko mountain range in the background

The Notsuke Peninsula in the winter has many charms.
One of them was an encounter with the Ezo sika deer, Cervus nippon yesoensis. In the winter, the heavy snowfall causes the deer to face food shortages. The flat Notsuke Peninsula, which juts out into the Nemuro Strait, is well-ventilated with relatively little snowfall, making it a great feeding ground for the Ezo sika deer. Therefore, in winter, you can encounter hundreds of Ezo sika deer all at once.

The Notsuke Peninsula is also designated as a wildlife sanctuary, so the Ezo sika deer are not weary of people, therefore close range photography is possible.

In addition, you can see the Shiretoko mountain range and Kunashir Island from the Notsuke Peninsula in good weather. If the visibility is good, you can also see the Akan volcanic complex and Mt. Kamui (also Mt. Mashu). The sun rises behind Kunashir in the morning and then sets on the frozen icy side in the evening, making it an attractive location for photography throughout the day.

View of Kunashir Island (the Northern Territories) in the background

This is located only an hour (one-way) from Shiretoko, Rausu, so it is possible to visit on a day trip, perhaps after an early morning drift ice cruise.

Photo & text: Shohei MORITA (Shiretoko Serai)

*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.

Tags: Wildlife of Japan, エゾシカ, Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Wildlife tour in Japan, Shohei Morita Photography, Ezo-shika-deer, Notsuke Peninsula, Hokkaido deer, Sika deer, Widlife in Japan, 知床サライ, Shohei Morita, Shiretoko Serai, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Wildlife in Hokkaido

2022.11.20 update

Ezo Red Fox in Winter

The Ezo red foxes live all over Hokkaido island. Officially a subspecies of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes schrencki, they inhabit the islands of Hokkaido, Sakhalin and the Southern Kuril Islands.

For those of us who live in Hokkaido, they are a familiar face that we often see in the city. However, people should be careful not to get close to them because they are hosts to a parasite called Echinococcus. Echinococcus (a type of tapeworm) is said to have spread to Hokkaido through fur fox farming in the Aleutian Islands and Kuril Islands. Sadly, the Ezo red fox has become the definitive host of the parasite Echinococcus. There are programs for delivering anthelmintic drugs to the fox population to reduce the infection rate.

A pair of Ezo red foxes during the breeding season (Notsuke Peninsula).

During the summer, Ezo red foxes don’t look very beautiful because their fur sheds unevenly. Unlike the Japanese red foxes of mainland Japan (a subspecies of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes japonica), the Ezo red fox, Vulpes vulpes schrencki, which inhabits Hokkaido, north of the Blakiston’s line, has fluffy winter fur and gives it that beautiful look.

Also, the whiteness of the snow makes their brown fur stand out. Especially from February to March, during their breeding season, they are often seen in pairs. If you are lucky, you may see them chasing each other playfully, or mating in the forest.

Photo & text: Shohei MORITA (Shiretoko Serai)

Tags: Hokkaido Fox, Shohei Morita Photography, Red fox, Vulpes vulpes schrencki, Ezo-red fox, Hokkaido red fox, Mating of ezo red fox, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Kita-kitsune, Wildlife of Japan, Kitsune, Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Teshikaga, Wildlife tour in Japan, Widlife in Japan, Shohei Morita, Eagle photography of Japan, Wildlife in Hokkaido

2022.11.05 update

Sea Otters of Eastern Hokkaido

The wild sea otters in Japan, can only be found breeding in the eastern part of Hokkaido. The species that live in this northern coast of Japan are the subspecies Enhydra lutris lutris which uses the Commander and Kuril Islands of Russia. They were overharvested in Japan for their fur in Japan and was once thought to be extinct by the early 20th century, but since the 1980’s they were found to be breeding on the coast and near the islands around Nemuro.

Currently, they can sometimes be observed along the coastline of eastern Hokkaido and around the fishing ports year around, regardless of the season. Around June of every year, you might see the adorable sight of the parents carrying their pups on their bellies.

Sea otters have a very thick layer of fur that has a special adaptation to trap air in between their hairs, which allows them to float all day long with no effort. During the day, they repeatedly dive down and then surface to eat seafood on their stomachs while floating. At night, they will wrap kelp around their bodies to keep from being carried away on the currents while they sleep.

These adorable sea otters actually have many problems due to human activities, so coexistence is a constant challenge for them. Since sea otters in eastern Hokkaido eat sea urchins and northern mussels, fishermen have raised various concerns about the damage they cause to the fishing industry.

Current estimates of sea otter populations say a little more than 12 otters live in the area. Fisheries representatives are looking for ways to balance sea otter conservation and fisheries.

Photography & text: Shohei MORITA (Shiretoko Serai)

Tags: Shohei Morita, Wildlife in Hokkaido, Shohei Morita Photography, Enhydra lutris lutris, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Sea otter, Wildlife of Japan, ラッコ, Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Rakko, Wildlife tour in Japan, Nemuro, Widlife in Japan

2022.10.20 update

The Snow Fairy: Hokkaido’s Long-tailed Tit

Hokkaido’s Long-tailed tit (A. c. japonicus)

The Long-tailed tit in Hokkaido is Aegithalos caudatus japonicus, a sub-species of the Long-tailed tits found on Honshu. Unlike the tits of the mainland, the Hokkaido tits do not have thick black eyebrows, so their faces are all white.

Youtube : Long-tailed tit

With a white face like a snowball, a small beak, round eyes, and yellow eyelids, the Hokkaido long-tailed tits are called “snow fairies” because they are so cute in their appearance. It became quite popular when it was featured in Japanese animation (anime) and comics (manga), and a variety of souvenir goods. They can be observed all year around in Hokkaido, but in the cold winter months, they will puff out their feathers to stay warm. Many wild bird photographers are aiming to capture them in that cute, round shape.

From mid-February to early March, once the bitter cold starts to loosen its grip, the parts of the trees that are damaged will start to drip out sap, which freezes into sweet icicles. Small birds, such as the Long-tailed tits, can be seen hovering around the trees, licking the sap as a precious source of sugars in their bodies.

Photograhy & text : Kaito IMAHORI (Shiretoko Serai)

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

Please see other article from Kaito IMAHORI about Wildlife of Hokkaido

Rausu : Where the Killer Whales Gather

Blakiston’s fish owl that lives in the forest of Shiretoko

Experiencing Autumn From the Notsuke Peninsula to Tokachi Plain: Seeing Flocks of Snow Geese, Brandt, and Pika (Part 1)

Experiencing Autumn From the Notsuke Peninsula to Tokachi Plain: Seeing Flocks of Snow Geese, Brandt, and Pika (Part 2)

Tags: Furen Lake, Bird tour Japan, Lake sunset, Bird Watching Japan, Wildlife in Japan, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Long-tailed tit, Kaito IMAHORI, Wildlife of Japan, Shimaenaga, Wildlife in Hokkaido, Birds of Hokkaido, Enaga, 根室, Birds of Japan, Bird watching in Japan, Kaito Imahori Photography, Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Nemuro, Aegithalos caudatus japonicus, Wildlife tour in Japan, Lake Furen, Birds Photography of Japan, Lake sunset in Furen Lake, Birding tour Japan

2022.10.05 update

Winter in Hokkaido：The Season of Love for the Ural Owl

Hokkaido’s Ural Owl(*Strix uralensis japonica)*

In Hokkaido you can find 10 out of the 11 species of owls that live in Japan, making it an owl sanctuary of sorts. There are two species that are especially sought after by birders, the Ural Owls and the Blakiston’s Fish Owls.

The Blakiston’s Fish Owl lives in only a limited number of places in the northeastern part of the Eurasian continent, and due to that, many birders come from around the world for a chance to see them in the wild.
The Ural Owls are more widely distributed in northern Eurasia – from Scandinavia to East Asia. Although it is a common pet species, the subspecies that lives in Hokkaido, Strix uralensis japonica, is particularly lovely in appearance, with whiter feathers compared to their cousins elsewhere. For this reason, they are often pursued by bird watchers in Japan and beyond.

Ｈokkaido’s Ural owl (Strix uralensis japonica)

From January to March, the courtship activities of the Ural Owl can be observed. Especially in February, when the mating is at its peak, you will often see the pairs cuddling. They will often preen each other’s wings and feathers, sticking close together. This is often referred to as a symbol of happiness.

A pair of Hokkaido’s Ural Owl(Strix uralensis japonica)

Photography & text : Kaito IMAHORI (Shiretoko Serai)

Please see other article from Kaito IMAHORI about Wildlife of Hokkaido

Rausu : Where the Killer Whales Gather

Blakiston’s fish owl that lives in the forest of Shiretoko

Experiencing Autumn From the Notsuke Peninsula to Tokachi Plain: Seeing Flocks of Snow Geese, Brandt, and Pika (Part 1)

Experiencing Autumn From the Notsuke Peninsula to Tokachi Plain: Seeing Flocks of Snow Geese, Brandt, and Pika (Part 2)

Tags: large Japanese field mouse, Wildlife tour of Japan, Strix uralensis japonica, Ezo Akanezumi, Birding tour Japan, Ezo Ural owl, Bird tour Japan, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Bird Watching Japan, Wildlife of Japan, Birds of Hokkaido, Wildlife in Japan, Birds of Japan, Kaito IMAHORI, Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Wildlife in Hokkaido, Wildlife tour in Japan, エゾフクロウ, Tsurui village, Ural Owl, Hokkaido’s Ural Owl, Kaito Imahori Photography

2022.09.20 update

Steller’s Sea Eagles and the White-tailed Eagles Living in the Drift Ice in the Sea

White-tailed eagle, at fishing port in Rausu

This year (2022), many Steller’s sea eagles and white-tailed eagles have come to Shiretoko and Rausu to pass the winter. This year, about 300 Steller’s sea eagles and about 120 white-tailed eagles, made a total of 420 birds that were observed at one time.

Rausu has long been used by many eagles during the winter months. A big reason for that is the fishing industry. In winter, cod fishing reaches its peak in the Nemuro Strait between Rausu and Kunashir Island. Until 30-40 years ago, Rausu accounted for nearly half of all Hokkaido catches, with 110,000 tons of fish being caught in 1989, the catch was the highest. At that time, the ships were overflowing with fish, and the eagles were busy eating them. Today the harvest has decreased to about 10,000 tons a year, so the fish no longer overflow from the boats. Now, the tourist boats serve the role that the fishing vessels once did, giving them the fish to eat to help the Eagles survive the winter.

Steller’s Sea Eagles and White-tailed Eagles gathered around the tourist boats.

Photography & text : Kaito IMAHORI (Shiretoko Serai)

Please see other article from Kaito IMAHORI about Wildlife of Hokkaido

Rausu : Where the Killer Whales Gather

Blakiston’s fish owl that lives in the forest of Shiretoko

Experiencing Autumn From the Notsuke Peninsula to Tokachi Plain: Seeing Flocks of Snow Geese, Brandt, and Pika (Part 1)

Experiencing Autumn From the Notsuke Peninsula to Tokachi Plain: Seeing Flocks of Snow Geese, Brandt, and Pika (Part 2)

Tags: Rausu drift ice cruise, 知床, Kaito Imahori Photography, Birds of Hokkaido, Eagle photography of Japan, Birding tour Japan, White-tailed eagle, Birds of Japan, Birds Photography of Japan, Bird tour Japan, Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Rausu sunrise drift ice cruise, Bird watching tour Japan, Wildlife tour in Japan, Shiretoko peninsula, Bird Watching Japan, Oowashi, Wildlife in Japan, Ojirowashi, 知床サライ, Eagle fighting, Kaito IMAHORI, White-tailed sea eagle, Eagle in action, Shiretoko Serai, Steller's sea eagle, Shiretoko, Wildlife in Hokkaido, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Rausu, Drift ice cruise, 羅臼, Wildlife of Japan

2022.08.14 update

East Hokkaido Wildlife Photography Tour in Early Summer (Part 1)

This is a June field report on the tour conducted by Gaku Tozuka, a photographer, when we toured Eastern Hokkaido during the early summer.

Winter Photography Tour of Red-Crowned Cranes, Tsurui Village -Part 1

Winter Photography Tour of Red-Crowned Cranes, Tsurui Village -Part 2

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June 12 (Sunday)　Cloudy with Heavy Rain
We started with taking photos around Lake Furen, early in the morning. Typically, on good weather days, we would start the morning around 4:30 to 5am, but on this day, it was dark and cloudy so we gathered in front of the lodging to begin shooting.

A pair of Red-crowned Cranes were in the marsh.

The yellow flowers of the Thermopsis montana in the foreground help to frame the pair off in the distance.

I was loading the bags in the car after breakfast when I saw a bright red male Long-tailed Rosefinch just on the opposite side of the road. Everyone started clicking away.

We head to the Ochiishi port, and on the way there were a pair of White-tailed Eagles perched on a large tree. We approached quietly and slowly and showing no signs of wanting to fly away, we could get photos of them from the bridge.

I was honestly a little worried about the rough seas and being able to get out for the cruise in Ochiishi, but we were able to leave safely.

The Rhinoceros auklet was the first thing we saw, appearing now and then. But the real challenge is taking photos with the waves rocking the boat…it was really swaying. Such difficult conditions to get a good photo!

So I happened to look up just as a bird was flying over us…(It was stubby and plump, but flew higher than a puffin…!) So I blurted out “Tufted Puffin!” and luckily or unluckily by the time everyone looked up, the bird had flown so close, but all they could see was the tail as it flew away. These recent years have seen a decrease in the number of sightings, so we were just lucky to see it at all!

*Side note: In Japan, these species are so rare to be seen but they do breed on Yururi Island and Moyururi Islands.

After that, our guide spotted a young Horned Puffin which we photographed. The other tour participants seemed to have trouble getting a good photo of it that was in focus. But this bird is rarely seen in Japan and on top of that, it was in its summer plumage, which is even more rare!

There was some information going around that many Red-faced Cormorants were around this year, so we went to the rocky outcrops. It is very challenging to photograph from the rocking ship, but the tour members did a pretty good job.

We then made our way to the rocky area where we could observe the Sea Otters, and the first ones we saw were a baby with its parent. Soon after that we encountered a raft of sea otters, maybe 10 or so who were wrapped in kelp. It was like we transported to California! For me, this was the first time to see such a scene and I was super excited! In Hokkaido the sea otters only breed in the Nemuro area (Cape Kiritappu and the Moyururi Islands) so again, we were so lucky to see this many at once.

The otters wrapping themselves in the kelp beds. Sea otters found in Hokkaido are subspecies, Enhydra lutris lutris. It had at one time disappeared from the wild in Japan, but it was confirmed to be breeding since 1980.

There were some Spectacled Guillemots in the area so now and then we could grab some photos of them as well. Just before entering the harbor to alight, the Arctic Skua also made an appearance. I could not get a good photo of them, but typically they live offshore, so again, we had a fortunate chance to get to see some so close to the port.

June 13 (Monday) Rainy and Remained Cloudy after the rain
We headed to the Nosuke Peninsula in the early morning. There, the deer had already finished off the grass in the most easily accessible areas for photography. This is usually the place that the birds go for collecting nesting materials, but due to the overgrazing, the bird’s numbers are decreasing, and we could not see them. We moved on to some spots where we could see some flowers blooming, but it was quite cold there, so the birds were not feeding near the flower blooms. This is because when the temperatures are cold, the bugs stay close to the ground.

The Ezo deer in their summer coats.

However, the Common Cuckoo was flying around in the area. We could see some other small bird species that were nesting in the area as well.

This day’s lodging in Rausu was the Shiretoko Serai, an inn run by our Saiyu Travel Agency. The dinner was so elaborate and presented to nicely, that I could not believe I was in Rausu. Then at night, we were off to see the Blakiston’s fish owls…if only we could have stayed to relax and enjoy the meal a little longer! lol

This year, the pair of fish owls had 2 chicks, so the parents were at the feeding spot often to catch food for them. They came at 7:50pm, then again at 8:50, but we did not see them again after that. We finished our evening birding activities as planned around 11PM. (If the Owls had not made any appearance, we would have stayed until midnight, just in case.)

Photography & Text : Gaku TOZUKA (Bird photographer)
Visit: 2022, 11-16 JUN, Eastern Hokkaido

Please see other article related “Birds Photography in East Hokkaido”

Bird Photography : Steller’s Sea Eagle and White-tailed Eagle (Rausu, Hokkaido)

Spectacular View! Rausu Drift Ice Cruise at Dawn (Rausu, Shiretoko Peninsula)

Rausu’s Drift Ice Cruise and the Drift Ice in the Port of Rausu・The Steller’s Sea Eagle and White-tailed Eagle

Icy Lake Furen: Steller’s Sea Eagle and White-Tailed Eagle (Lake Furen, Hokkaido)

Long-tailed Tit : Winter Photography Tour (Nemuro, Hokkaido）

Tags: Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Wildlife in Japan, Wildlife tour in Japan, Blakiston’s Fish Owl, Rausu, Blakiston’s Fish Owl observatory, Washi no yado, Shiretoko, GAKU TOZUKA, Wildlife of Hokkaido, 知床, Wildlife of Japan, Birding tour Japan, Birds of Hokkaido, Bird Watching Japan, Birds of Japan

2022.08.01 update

Traditional Summer in Shiretoko Rausu: Kelp Harvesting

Our guesthouse in Rausu, Shiretoko Serai’s Nature guide, Shouhei Morita sent us a report from the 2021 Summer Season. It is actually not a wildlife report, but an article about ‘Local Foods’ of Rausu where we can introduce more about the bounties of the sea.

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Unfortunately, this year the Shiretoko summer season experienced a smaller catch of fish then usual.

Since kelp is harvested every 2 years, based on the growth rates from one year, the fishermen predicted that “Sadly, next year’s harvest will not yield very much.”

The harvest is conducted from late July to the end of August. During the kelp harvest, you can see the kelp lined up on the stone beach on the way to the Aidomari fishing port, only 25 minutes away from central Rausu by car. At its peak, the whole town is wrapped in the nice scent of kelp.

Rausu kelp, which is treated as the finest product in Japan, is carefully produced by hand for a majority of the 23 processes, with the whole family pitching in. The white powder on the surface of the kelp is not mold, but is another product. It is a sugar called Mannitol, which is sweet and umami ingredients.

One of the things that makes Rausu kelp special is this white powder on the surface. This year was a not a very good year, and only a small quantity of high quality kelp could be shipped out.

In recent years, kelp has finally been recognized world-wide. Rausu kelp contains plenty of marine minerals from Shiretoko. It is a unique sight of “Rausu’s fishing village,” where we can see the kelp being processed and harvested up close.

Photo & text: Shohei MORITA (Shiretoko Serai)

Tags: 知床, Wildlife in Japan, 知床サライ, Rausu Kelp, Umami, Wildlife of Hokkaido, Rausu Kombu, Wildlife of Japan, Shohei Morita, Shiretoko Serai, Rausu, Shiretoko peninsula, Ojirowashi

2022.05.20 update

Photographs from the Small Fishing Boat! Spectacled Guillemot of Teuri Island

Spectacled Guillemot, Teuri Island, Hokkaido

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

In early July of 2021, the “Teuri Island Seabird Class” was led by nature photographer, Takaki Terasawa, who lives on Teuri Island. The tour was 4 days and 3 nights, with a full syllabus, to learn about the seabirds, take pictures of them, and learn more about the environmental issues they face, and to just enjoy seeing the Island itself.

Rhinoceros Auklets on the Rocky Cliffs: Teuri Island

Homecoming of the Rhinoceros Auklet (Teuri Island – Hokkaido）

Spectacled Guillemot at Terui Island / Akaiwa Observatory

Ocean Sunset at Terui Island, with the Spectacled Guillemot and Rhinoceros Auklet

During the stay, on a clam morning, Mr. Terasawa captained the ship named “Keimafuri-Gou” for our seabird observation cruise. (Keimafuri is the Japanese name for the Spectacled Guillemot.) During this season, daybreak was at 4am, so by the time we left the dock at 6am, it was already bright out. As we pulled out from Maehama Fishing Port, we could see the Rhinoceros Auklets floating around us in the water here and there. We headed out towards the direction of Akaiwa (Red Rock.)

As we neared Akaiwa (Red Rock) I could see the Spectacled Guillemots flying! They are a seabird that only breeds on the coasts of the Sea of Okhotsk, on the Kamchatka Peninsula, and in Japan, they are only found in Aomori Prefecture and Hokkaido. So it is so rare to see them in the world and even more rare to be able to see their breeding grounds.

Just around Akaiwa (Red Rock) and Byobuiwa (Folding Screen Rock) there were so many Spectacled Guillemots. Their appearance makes the name pretty easy to understand, as their wonderful eye rings makes them look as if they are “wearing glasses.” Some of the Kuril Island’s Pigeon Guillemots with their white eyes where worriedly looking at our boat “Is that the Keimafuri?” But the thick white-ringed eyes of the Spectacled Guillemots were really superb.

The Spectacled Guillemots that were sitting on the rocks. According to Mr. Terasawa, these rocky areas are very significant areas for these seabirds. There have been various behaviors while observing them here, as well as even seeing birds mate on this rocky outcrop.

I could also hear the loud calls of the Spectacled Guillemots from the rocks. It feels like I could just watch them forever, as they are engaged in their conversations out there.

Over here also, it’s as if the other birds are watching these two birds at the top converse.

This is a splendid pair. The breast feathers of the bird on the right are unique.

Then, as if it is timed, they all take off in unison. The red legs of the Guillemots are kicking at the surface of the water as they take flight.

Keimafuri-gou by Takaki Terasawa – Teuri Island, Hokkaido

Captain Terasawa’s vessel “Keimafuri-Gou” is a small 6-seater. Getting that eye-level view, is possible only on the Keimafuri-Gou! And the name of the boat on the side, was beautifully hand-painted by Mr. Terasawa himself!

Japanese Sake, with Spectacled Guillemot label from Asahikawa, Hokkaido

This is a bottle of Junmai Sake sold at “Umi no Uchukan” (Teuri Visitor Center) is named after the Spectacled Guillemots as well. The “Keimafuri” sake is 100% made from Hokkaido grown rice in Asahikawa by farmer Takasago Shuzo. And the Guillemot pair on the label is a drawing made by illustrator Hiroshi Abe. It is a very nice label.

After seeing the wild birds in the morning, we enjoyed the evening with sea urchin caught locally and some delicious Keimafuri Sake at night…

To close the trip, we had a tasty local flavor of “Teuri’s Barbecue.” This is the peak season for the harvest of purple sea urchins! By the way, the meat in the background is “the phantom Suffolk lamb” from nearby Yagishiri Island. I could receive the “fortunes” of Yagishiri Island also!

Photo & text: Mariko SAWADA
Observation: July 2021, 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: Akaiwa Observatory, Keimafuri, Keimafuri gou, Spectacled Guillemot, Birding tour Japan, Wildlife of Japan, Bird tour Japan, Birds of Japan, Bird Watching Japan, Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Wildlife in Japan, Wildlife tour in Japan, Wildlife in Hokkaido, Birds Photography of Japan, Teuri, 天売島, Teuri Island, ケイマフリ

2022.05.08 update

Rhinoceros Auklets on the Rocky Cliffs: Teuri Island

Rhinoceros Auklets, Teuri Islnad, Hokkaido

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

In the beginning of July, we operated a tour called the “Teuri Island Seabird Class” lead by Takaki Terasawa, a nature photographer living on Teuri Island. First thing in the morning, we took his boat the “Keimafuri-Go” and headed out to sea. (Keimafuri is the Japanese name for the Spectacled Guillemot.) We went to the rocky outcrop near Aka iwa (Red Rock) where the Rhinoceros Auklet like to gather.

Photographs from the Small Fishing Boat! Spectacled Guillemot of Teuri Island

Homecoming of the Rhinoceros Auklet (Teuri Island – Hokkaido）

Spectacled Guillemot at Terui Island / Akaiwa Observatory

Ocean Sunset at Terui Island, with the Spectacled Guillemot and Rhinoceros Auklet

These birds are said to be widely distributed along the North Pacific Seas, from Japan’s northern coast to the Kuril Islands, Aleutian Islands, and towards Alaska, but it is not easy to get close enough to see them. It is quite rare to find places where you can observe them actually!

Teuri Island is the largest breeding area in the world for these Auklets, and here you can see them when the adult birds display their “horns” (and pretty easily to access at that!) so this spot is quite a precious place.

The “horns” of the Auklets are a special growth that appears on their beaks during the breeding season on adult birds. This horn is where they get the name “Rhinoceros Auklet.” This protrusion is not seen on young birds or non-breeding birds. The first time I saw a Rhinocerous Auklet was super exciting! I happened to be on a sperm whale cruise in the Nemuro Strait and we knew the sighting was so rare.

The outcrop that is near the tidal areas of Akaiwa (Red Rock). For some reason the birds are always trying to land on this rock and there seems to be some important social interactions happening there. Some of them display some territorial behaviors and chase away other birds to keep them off of the rocky structure.

This group of 4 birds seem to be involved in a conversation about something.

Dynamic moves afoot!

These two are looking quite, um, friendly?

These two are also having a good relationship as well?

These two are an item, it seems!

There are so many different things going on in this place, I could just watch them for a long time! It is an important place for the Rhinoceros Auklets.

Rhinoceros Auklets seen from the Akaiwa Observatory, Teuri Islnad, Hokkaido

The view you see, looking down from the Akaiwa Observatory. You can see how all the Auklets are gathering around this single rock outcrop.

Rhinoceros Auklets, Teuri Island, Hokkaido

While I was observing them, they suddenly, all took off and flew away at once. This morning, we could have stayed watching them all day long, watching the interesting interactions of the Auklets. In 2021 their breeding situation was a little concerning, so I pray that as many chicks as possible could fledge from this breeding area.

Text & Photo: Mariko SAWADA
Observation: July 2021, 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, ウトウ, Rhinoceros Auklet, Utou, Akaiwa Observatory, Bird in Hokkaido, Seabirds in Japan, Birding tour Japan, Wildlife of Japan, Bird tour Japan, Birds of Japan, Bird Watching Japan, Wildlife Photography tour in Japan, Wildlife in Japan, Wildlife tour in Japan, Wildlife in Hokkaido, Birds Photography of Japan, Teuri, 天売島