Winter Bird Watching in Watarase-yusuichi

Watarase-yusuichi is the largest detention basin in Japan, covering an area of 33 square kilometers. It is a vast expanse of reed beds, lakes, marshes, and riverside forests. 1,000 species of plants, 260 species of birds, 1,700 species of insects, and 50 species of fish have been recorded. Because of this rich biota, the area has been designated as a registered wetland under the Ramsar Convention.

Watarase-yusuichi as seen from an airplane
Watarase-yusuichi as seen from an airplane
Fuji and a flock of Great Cormorant
Fuji and a flock of Great Cormorant

One of the Best Raptor Wintering Grounds in Japan

Twenty-five species of eagles and hawks have been recorded so far, especially in winter, and the area is one of the best wintering grounds in Japan—especially for the eastern marsh harrier. Several species of owls can also be seen here.

Eastern Marsh Harrier

Eastern Marsh HarrierAlthough they are resident birds, their numbers increase every winterdue to migration. They can be seen in reed beds and nearby rice fields, and return to their roosts in the floodplain at sunset.

Hen Harrier

Hen HarrierA winter bird, it can be seen in reed beds and nearby rice fields, returning to its roost in the playground at sunset. They are few in number.

Eastern Buzzard

Eastern BuzzardThey are resident birds, but their numbers increase every winter due to migration from the mountains. The most common species, along with the kite.

Eurasian Goshawk

Eurasian GoshawkA resident bird, it can be seen flying in a variety of environments from forests to reed beds.

Osprey

OspreyA resident bird, here only in winter, it can be seen above the lake water and in the surrounding trees.

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine FalconA resident bird, here only in winter, it can be seen in reed beds and nearby rice fields.

Common Kestrel

Common KestrelAlthough they are resident birds, their numbers increase every winter due to migration from the mountains. They can be seen in reed beds and nearby rice paddies.

Merlin

MerlinA winter bird, found in reed beds and nearby rice fields. Few in number.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared OwlA winter bird, it can be seen in reed beds at sunset. However, the location where they can be seen varies, as they are natural enemies of the tundra-winged teal.

Long-eared Owl

Long-eared OwlA resident bird, it is found here in the riparian forests in winter and spring. They breed in the spring and migrate after leaving the nest.

Waterfowl Seen in Reed Beds and Lakes

Watarase Yusui is one of the few breeding grounds for the Oriental Stork, a globally endangered species, and other rare species can also be seen here, including the taiga bean goose, tundra swan, and Eurasian bittern. In winter, numerous ducks, herons, and snipes can be seen, but only the rarer species are shown here.

Oriental Stork

Oriental StorkA resident bird, several pairs successfully molt annually. Found near the water’s edge of lakes and marshes.

Falcated Duck

Falcated DuckA beautiful winter duck, found in lakes and marshes.

Smew

SmewA beautiful two-tailed winter duck, found in lakes and marshes.

Northern Lapwing

Northern LapwingA large winter plover with beautiful metallic luster feathers. They can be seen in rice paddies and low grasslands.

Grey-headed Lapwing

Grey-headed LapwingA large resident plover, found in rice fields and low grasslands. Few in number.

Eurasian Bittern

Eurasian Bittern
A resident heron, found in deep reed beds. They are very wary and are rarely seen.

Winter Birds and Mammals Found in Reed Beds and Riverside Forests

In addition to waterfowl, a variety of winter birds can be seen in reed beds and riverside forests. Some of them are introduced here, alongside other mammals.

Long-tailed Rosefinch

Long-tailed RosefinchA beautiful little bird found in reed beds and grasslands.

Common Reed Bunting

Common Reed BuntingSeen in reed beds, they look for insects while splitting reed stalks.

Brambling

BramblingThey move in flocks through riverside forests.

Daurian Redstart

Daurian RedstartFound singly or in pairs in riverside forests.

Hawfinch

HawfinchFound in groups or singly in riparian forests.

Green Pheasant

Green PheasantFound in reed beds and around deep bushes, they are easy to see in March during the breeding season.

Japanese Boar

Japanese BoarFound around reed beds and deep bushes. Bringing children along is not advised.

Raccoon Dog

Raccoon DogFound around reed beds and deep bushes. Other predators include the red fox, Japanese weasel, and the non-native common raccoon.

 

Photo & Text : Hiromichi HAYASHI

Observation : Watarase-yusuichi, Tochigi

*Contact  us, Saiyu Travel for more information about wildlife and bird watching in Japan. We can make various arrangements for your trip.

*Youtube : Wildlife of Japan

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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.

Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot(Aleutian type)
Left:Pigeon Guillemot(Kuril type)、Right:Spectacled Guillemot
Spectacled Guillemot
Crested Auklet
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Harlequin Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Steller’s Sea Eagle
White-tailed Sea Eagle
Harbor Seal
Sea Otter

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.

Common Kestrel
Hen Harrier
Rough-legged Buzzard
Short-eared Owl
Asian Rosy Finch

 

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

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