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Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata)

Some late migrants at Notsuke and a male at Furen.

FALCATED DUCK (Mareca falcata)

These were a big surprise at Notsuke, with 12 birds including some of the beautiful males with the strange shaggy flat green head and falcate (sickle-shaped) tertials.

EURASIAN WIGEON (Mareca penelope)

Some late migrants at Notsuke and Furen.

EASTERN SPOT-BILLED DUCK (Anas zonorhyncha)

Small numbers from Honshu.

MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)

A few from Notsuke and Nemuro.

NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta)

Late migrants at Notsuke and Furen.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL (EURASIAN) (Anas crecca crecca)

A single male of the European species was at Furen amongst other late migrant waterfowl; confusingly still called Green-winged Teal in Clements even though it's the nominate which is Eurasian Teal not the American version, and is split by IOC.

TUFTED DUCK (Aythya fuligula)

8 at Meiji Park in Nemuro.

GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila)

A few late birds on Hokkaido as we came towards Furen.

HARLEQUIN DUCK (Histrionicus histrionicus)

About 10 off Cape Nosappu and Tom and Kristine saw 2 at Rausu.

Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)

GREEN PHEASANT (Phasianus versicolor versicolor) [E]

Wonderful looks at two fine males near Karuizawa.

Podicipedidae (Grebes)

RED-NECKED GREBE (Podiceps grisegena)

10 off Cape Nosappu and Onnemoto were unexpected, some well into summer dress too.

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]

Widespread in the urban areas.

BLACK WOOD-PIGEON (Columba janthina janthina) [E*]

Heard at the Nature Centre on Amami and glimpsed flying off; bad weather on Okinawa cost us views there.

ORIENTAL TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia orientalis orientalis)

Widespread and seen in small numbers on most days.

WHITE-BELLIED GREEN-PIGEON (Treron sieboldii sieboldii) [*]

Heard up at Shiga-Kogen but stayed out of sight.

WHISTLING GREEN-PIGEON (RYUKYU) (Treron formosae permagnus) [E]

Great views from Amami Nature Forest, with one eating fruits in the picnic area and others sat nearby and giving the lovely fluting call. Also seen nicely in flight from the viewpoint.

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

NORTHERN HAWK-CUCKOO (Hierococcyx hyperythrus) [*]

Heard on two days at Shiga-Kogen but could not be enticed to fly through. A heard lifer for Phil.

LESSER CUCKOO (Cuculus poliocephalus)

Heard at Shiga-Kogen and on Okinawa at the Laughing Gull harbour.

COMMON CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus)

Heard at Shiga-Kogen and seen nicely on Hokkaido.

ORIENTAL CUCKOO (Cuculus optatus)

Heard at Shiga-Kogen and seen at Meiji Park on Hokkaido.

Apodidae (Swifts)

WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL (Hirundapus caudacutus)

A couple over at Kushiro Forest Park in rainy conditions.

PACIFIC SWIFT (Apus pacificus)

A couple seen on Miyakejima and near Notsuke.

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

OKINAWA RAIL (Gallirallus okinawae)

Calling well, but elusive this trip. We got a fine bird in the road near Ada, and then saw 5 individuals on the very wet day as we were driving the forest roads. Japan's only flightless bird and a rare species, threatened by mongoose and cats.

EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)

Just one seen at Ukishima Marsh.

EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)

i think some saw this near Ukishima?

RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE (Zapornia fusca) [*]

One was was heard calling at Ukishima on the very wet morning there.

Gruidae (Cranes)

RED-CROWNED CRANE (Grus japonensis)

Marvelous as ever, we had sundry fine views of pairs and single birds, with a wonderful adult with a juvenile right by the road on the last day, the baby two-three weeks old and gingery coloured. We saw another pair with a juvenile later that day too, and 9 adults all told as we came back to Kushiro. One of the most beautiful of all cranes, the tancho is an icon in Japan, a symbol of longevity and fidelity, and a rare species overall. In 2020, winter counts recorded more than 3,800 red-crowned cranes (adults and immatures), including about 1,900 in Japan, more than 1,600 in Korea and about 350 in China, with around 2,300 adults overall.

Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)

EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER (FAR EASTERN) (Haematopus ostralegus osculans)

5 at Sambanze Bay; quite a rare and isolated taxon which would be worthy of taxonomic study.

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)

10 lovely summer plumage birds at Sambanze and 15 at Notsuke.

PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis fulva)

Just one at Ukishima Marsh.

SIBERIAN SAND-PLOVER (Anarhynchus mongolus)

One in summer plumage in the rain at Sambanze.

Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes)

GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE (Rostratula benghalensis)

A great find in the rice paddies at Ukishima was a female of this cryptic species; it stayed quite well concealed but was visible in parts at times.

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

WHIMBREL (SIBERIAN) (Numenius phaeopus variegatus)

4 of the Siberian taxon at Sambanze.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica)

30 at Sambanze and one at Notsuke.

AMAMI WOODCOCK (Scolopax mira) [E]

We left it till the very last moment on the second night's attempt, finally getting one just as the forest road ended and we were leaving. I can only assume they do not like rain, as on previous trips when dry they have been straightforward!

LATHAM'S SNIPE (Gallinago hardwickii)

One sat on phone wires near Furen with another flying there, then heard at Meiji park and one spotted sat on a fence by Kathy, distant but identifiable anyway. Happily it got better as we had several up on power poles and got to see them in display flight, with tail spread and making the strange raspy noise.

COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago)

One at Ukishima Marsh was a surprise, the white trailing edge was obvious in flight.

TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus)

One odd bird at Notsuke had a somewhat slender upturned bill, and dull yellowy legs; it looked quite bizarre.

GRAY-TAILED TATTLER (Tringa brevipes)

7 at Sambanze Bay included one with a white leg flag that means it was banded in Tokyo Bay; also seen at Nakagusuka Harbor and then at Notsuke and on rocks at Cape Nosappu.

WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)

Some saw one at Ukishima briefly.

SPOTTED REDSHANK (Tringa erythropus)

Likewise, a flyby at Ukishima.

COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)

Just one at Kin race paddies on Okinawa.

RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)

4 at Sambanze, a couple inland at Ukishima and 20 or so at Furen and Notsuke.

GREAT KNOT (Calidris tenuirostris)

Jun and Kathy saw one at Notsuke.

TEMMINCK'S STINT (Calidris temminckii)

One in the shorebird flock at Notsuke but quite mobile, so it was hard to locate in the scope; they look like small Common Sandpipers and have yellowy legs.

RED-NECKED STINT (Calidris ruficollis)

4 at Sambanze and 15 at Notsuke, some in the red-necked summer plumage.

SANDERLING (Calidris alba)

3 at Sambanze.

Alcidae (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)

RHINOCEROS AUKLET (Cerorhinca monocerata)

One off Cape Nosappu, and then great views of about 20 on the Ochiishi pelagic trip; a very strange looking bird.

TUFTED PUFFIN (Fratercula cirrhata)

The star of the show and something of a miracle in the fog; we had lovely views of 4 sat on the water not long after the guide told us we were in the best area. We missed this on two previous trips so it's a hard one and was a lifer for Phil.

SPECTACLED GUILLEMOT (Cepphus carbo)

Distant views off Cape Nosappu, then up close and personal on the Ochiishi pelagic, with maybe 80 birds. We got to hear them giving a high-pitched trilling call from the cliffs at the tip of the promontory.

PIGEON GUILLEMOT (Cepphus columba)

One distant bird off Cape Nosappu.

COMMON MURRE (Uria aalge)

Great views of a few on the Ochiishi pelagic.

ANCIENT MURRELET (Synthliboramphus antiquus)

One off Cape Nosappu showed very nicely, then we had 5 on the Ochiishi pelagic.

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (Rissa tridactyla)

One seen off Oshima as we were coming back into Tokyo from Miyake.

BLACK-TAILED GULL (Larus crassirostris)

One at Miyakejima, then one at Rausu, and about 25 off Notsuke where they seemed to be moving towards the mainland; 5 off Cape Nosappu then a couple of singles from Meiji Park and Ochiishi. I was quite surprised to see them on Hokkaido as they are scarce here in winter.

GLAUCOUS GULL (Larus hyperboreus)

Laurel spotted one immature going by at Notsuke; a late stayer, they are quite common here in winter.

LITTLE TERN (Sternula albifrons sinensis)

10 at Sambanze and 3 at Nakagusuku Harbor on Okinawa.

COMMON TERN (LONGIPENNIS) (Sterna hirundo longipennis)

Three distant terns from the Tokyo ferry were most likely this species, but left as tern sp.

Gaviidae (Loons)

ARCTIC LOON (Gavia arctica)

One in summer plumage off Notsuke, the white flank patch showing.

PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica)

At least 3 on the Ochiishi pelagic. The white flank patch is a good field mark. There were also 3 diver sp. flying off Cape Nosappu which are either this or Arctic loon.

Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)

BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS (Phoebastria nigripes)

David saw one from the ferry back to Tokyo just after I left; a good find.

Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)

BONIN PETREL (Pterodroma hypoleuca)

A major surprise from the ferry back to Tokyo, a flock of about 40 were settled on the sea and flew up as we drew near. Kathy and I saw them well and a few others came up just as they were disappearing. Unexpected, but seems to have been an influx this year; it was a lifer for Phil. There was one later off Oshima too.

STREAKED SHEARWATER (Calonectris leucomelas)

Hundreds from the ferry back to Tokyo.

SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER (Ardenna tenuirostris)

7 seen from the ferry back to Tokyo.

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

RED-FACED CORMORANT (Urile urile)

Another miracle from the Ochiishi pelagic when the fog cleared enough for the local guide to be able to point out 3 birds on a rock stack. The white breeding patch was a handy mark to pick them up against the dark rocks, and the red face showed well; a rare bird here with just a few pairs nesting.

PELAGIC CORMORANT (Urile pelagicus)

Small numbers off Rausu, Notsuke, Cape Nosappu and at Ochiishi; they look very slender in the water.

GREAT CORMORANT (EURASIAN) (Phalacrocorax carbo hanedae)

30 at Sambanze and 5 at a marsh on Northern Hokkaido.

JAPANESE CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax capillatus) [E]

One immature on rocks off Naha in Amami was much appreciated, then they proved to be quite common on the rocky costs of Hokkaido, with something like 400 estimated on the Ochiishi pelagic, with many nesting on the rock stacks there.

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

CINNAMON BITTERN (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus)

Those of us who braved the downpour were rewarded with good flight views of this at Kin rice paddies on Okinawa, briefly perching in a bush too. Uncommon and a good find.

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Just one at Kin rice paddies.

PACIFIC REEF-HERON (Egretta sacra sacra)

One dark morph on rocks at a lunch stop on Okinawa was the only one of the trip, they seem curiously scarce here.

LITTLE EGRET (WESTERN) (Egretta garzetta garzetta)

5 at Kin rice paddies.

EASTERN CATTLE EGRET (Bulbulcus coromandus)

One on Amami and one at Kin rice paddies on Okinawa.

GREAT EGRET (MODESTA) (Ardea alba modesta)

Seen on the first two days around Tokyo, but only one later on Okinawa.

MEDIUM EGRET (Ardea intermedia)

Seen around Tokyo, then on Amami and Okinawa in small numbers, max 3 birds.

GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

Up to 10 around Tokyo and plentiful on Hokkaido around Notsuke.

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD (Pernis ptilorhynchus)

One seen up at Shiga-Kogen was the only record.

JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter gularis)

A nesting female in a park at Gion was very nice, and being constantly mobbed by Azure-winged Magpies. A diminutive, rather damp looking male was seen near Kin on Okinawa, perched on electric wires in town, and was of the endemic race iwasakii.

BLACK KITE (BLACK-EARED) (Milvus migrans lineatus)

Small numbers on Hokkaido; rather different to Black Kite as more mottled, paler headed and with big white wing patches.

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (Haliaeetus albicilla)

Some great views on Hokkaido at Rausu and then on the Notsuke Peninsula, a very striking species.

EASTERN BUZZARD (Buteo japonicus japonicus)

Just two on day 3 as we went to Shiga-Kogen.

Strigidae (Owls)

RYUKYU SCOPS-OWL (Otus elegans elegans)

Heard each night on Amami, but the one I spotlit flew before we got a decent look at it. Heavy rain on Okinawa spoilt the chances there.

BLAKISTON'S FISH-OWL (Ketupa blakistoni)

The owl gods smiled on us as an terrific adult came to the stocked pond at 1930 and gave great views as it caught fish several times. We were worried it might be a small hours job but mercifully not the case. One of the birds of the trip for sure, as always, and arguably the biggest owl in the world.

Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

RUDDY KINGFISHER (Halcyon coromanda) [*]

Heard on both Amami and Okinawa but did not come in.

CRESTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle lugubris)

One flew over at Kushiro Forest Park, the call curiously like that of a Great-spotted Woodpecker.

Picidae (Woodpeckers)

JAPANESE PYGMY WOODPECKER (Yungipicus kizuki)

Some nice views of this tiny bird from the park at Gion, Shiga-Kogen and Yanbaru on Okinawa. A near-endemic species too, otherwise only in Korea.

OKINAWA WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos noguchii) [E]

We did really well for this rarity, with one in flight by the hotel at Ada, two nesting at the Hiji Waterfall Trail and allowing very good looks, then 2 below Benoki Dam just before the rain began. It is Critically Endangered, with total numbers below 600 birds, and declining due to forest damage and disturbance.

WHITE-BACKED WOODPECKER (AMAMI) (Dendrocopos leucotos owstoni) [E]

A nesting pair at the Nature Forest with a youngster peering out at the massed Chinese photographers. We saw what is likely this pair up a nearby trail with the female feeding the juvenile, but sadly I missed the video op. It seems an obvious split too, as per BirdLife, but neither IOC nor Clements have yet implemented it

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (JAPONICUS) (Dendrocopos major japonicus)

Nice views of this colorful bird from Shiga-Kogen, Nagakura Shrine and Kushiro Forest Park. It is a potential split too it seems.

BLACK WOODPECKER (Dryocopus martius) [*]

Heard drumming at Kushiro forest Park, but regrettably disappeared before we could see it.

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus)

Just one near Gion on the second day.

Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)

RYUKYU MINIVET (Pericrocotus tegimae) [E]

Seen nicely up at Amami Nature Forest.

Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)

BLACK PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (NORTHERN) (Terpsiphone atrocaudata illex)

A skulking pair on Amami, the male showing nicely, and glimpsed on Okinawa near Benoki Dam.

Laniidae (Shrikes)

BULL-HEADED SHRIKE (Lanius bucephalus)

One near Ukishima and one at Nagakura Shrine, then 3 sightings from Hokkaido, with one bird bearing quite a close resemblance to Brown Shrike until we saw the white patch on the wing bend.

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

EURASIAN JAY (JAPANESE) (Garrulus glandarius japonicus)

Good views of this yellow-eyed taxon up at Shiga-Kogen, split by Birdlife as Plain-capped Jay, in a complex long overdue for breaking up.

LIDTH'S JAY (Garrulus lidthi) [E]

Seen nicely on Amami but elusive; we had several encounters at Amami Nature Forest but they are breeding and quite wary. A very striking endemic.

AZURE-WINGED MAGPIE (JAPANESE) (Cyanopica cyanus japonica)

Mobbing a Japanese Sparrowhawk at Gion Park and seen very nicely there, maybe 7 birds.

CARRION CROW (EASTERN) (Corvus corone orientalis)

The common corvid on Honshu and Hokkaido, but not on the Ryukyus.

LARGE-BILLED CROW (LARGE-BILLED) (Corvus macrorhynchos japonensis)

The common mainland crow; the large bill and high-domed forehead are distinctive, as are the calls, but greatly outnumbered by Carrion Crow on Hokkaido.

LARGE-BILLED CROW (LARGE-BILLED) (Corvus macrorhynchos connectens)

Note how distinctive these Ryukyu birds are from the mainland ones- smaller, shorter winged, longer tailed, smaller bill, much less domed forehead and quite different calls. It seems obvious this is another species; if the 5 Australian lookalike corvids are split, then this one is equally as distinct as any of them. The whole complex really needs to be properly evaluated with up to date methods.

Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)

COAL TIT (CONTINENTAL) (Periparus ater insularis)

The local race has a small crest and is quite dull looking; we saw them at Shiga-Kogen and around Kushiro,

VARIED TIT (Sittiparus varius varius)

A couple of singles from Shiga-Kogen.

VARIED TIT (Sittiparus varius amamii)

We saw a couple on Amami, much paler than mainland birds and with a pale breast gorget.

OWSTON'S TIT (Sittiparus owstoni) [E]

We finally got good views of two by the Nature Centre. It looks larger, heavier billed and much darker below than the mainland and Ryukyu Varied Tits from which it is split. Clearly uncommon too, and seemingly now of great concern as an introduced insect pest is killing the trees that produce the fruit and seeds it likes.

MARSH TIT (Poecile palustris hensoni)

Seen on Hokkaido at Kushiro Marsh and the Forest Park.

WILLOW TIT (WILLOW) (Poecile montanus restrictus)

Some good views up at Shiga-Kogen. 3 birds seemed to be associating there and we saw up to 6.

JAPANESE TIT (Parus minor)

Fairly common on Honshu and also seen on Hokkaido, also seen on the Ryukyus.

Alaudidae (Larks)

EURASIAN SKYLARK (FAR EASTERN) (Alauda arvensis japonica)

2 at Ukishima marsh, and a few singing and displaying at Notsuke. Another potential split.

Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)

ZITTING CISTICOLA (FAR EASTERN) (Cisticola juncidis brunniceps)

Nice views at Ukishima and Kin paddies; this taxon has double zitting notes and some single musical notes preceding. The whole complex is long overdue for splitting as several taxa are quite distinct.

Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)

BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus bistrigiceps)

Vocal and seen quite well, albeit skulking, at the marsh along the Nemuro tram footpath.

ORIENTAL REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus orientalis)

Nice views at Ukishima marsh.

Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)

MARSH GRASSBIRD (Helopsaltes pryeri)

This rare bird eventually showed well at Ukishima Marsh, we saw them in heavy rain on day one but had great looks on day 2 in quite good conditions.

PLESKE'S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Helopsaltes pleskei)

This was great on Miyakejima, where despite strong winds we got close views of several. It is an obscure and little known bird that only nests on small offshore Japanese islands where it is a summer visitor.

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia ijimae)

One that flew past Onnemoto Bird Hide was a Japan tick for Phil, they seem very uncommon.

PACIFIC SWALLOW (PACIFIC) (Hirundo tahitica namiyei)

Nice views of this red-throated species on the Ryukyus.

BARN SWALLOW (BUFF-BELLIED) (Hirundo rustica gutturalis)

About 50 at Ukishima, then seen on Miyake, with just one seen on Hokkaido by some.

ASIAN HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon dasypus)

3 up at Shiga-Kogen.

Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)

BROWN-EARED BULBUL (Hypsipetes amaurotis amaurotis)

Very common and noisy throughout the mainland except on Hokkaido, where we saw just 2 this trip.

BROWN-EARED BULBUL (Hypsipetes amaurotis pryeri)

Common and noisy on the Ryukyus, this race has a distinctive reddish chest and a slightly less shrill voice than the mainland birds.

LIGHT-VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus sinensis)

First at a lunch stop near Naha, then seen at Kin paddies; only in the southern Ryukyu islands in Japan.

Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)

EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER (Phylloscopus coronatus)

Seen nicely and very vocal at Shiga-Kogen and around Kushiro.

IJIMA'S LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus ijimae) [E]

Initially hard but then great views and calling well at Miyake Nature Centre. An Izu Islands endemic, and a summer visitor here. The pale orange lower mandible was quite striking.

SAKHALIN LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus borealoides)

One heard and seen poorly at Shiga-Kogen, then a great singing bird at the Nemuro Footpath tram trail, excellent to see it vocalizing the distinctive song.

JAPANESE LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus xanthodryas)

Seen nicely and calling well up at Shiga-Kogen; a summer visitor here.

Scotocercidae (Bush Warblers and Allies)

JAPANESE BUSH WARBLER (NORTHERN) (Horornis diphone cantans)

The default voice of the tour; they were singing very well and we got very nice looks at multiple sites starting at Shiga-Kogen, though oddly none on Amami this year.

Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)

LONG-TAILED TIT (CAUDATUS) (Aegithalos caudatus caudatus)

The delightful white-headed nominate taxon is an icon now in Hokkaido, the image used on multiple items and for promotion purposes. We saw them at Kushiro Marsh and Kushiro Forest Park, and my grandkids now have t-shirts with the image!

LONG-TAILED TIT (EUROPAEUS GROUP) (Aegithalos caudatus trivirgatus)

These stripe-headed birds showed well at Shiga-Kogen.

Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)

WARBLING WHITE-EYE (Zosterops japonicus)

Widespread in small numbers; formerly Japanese White-eye but now split into multiple lookalikes.

Regulidae (Kinglets)

GOLDCREST (ASIAN) (Regulus regulus japonensis)

One in Meiji Park Nemuro only showed briefly, they are strangely low-density and elusive in Japan.

Sittidae (Nuthatches)

EURASIAN NUTHATCH (WHITE-BELLIED) (Sitta europaea clara)

Seen at Kushiro Forest Park, this one has white underparts.

EURASIAN NUTHATCH (BUFF-BELLIED) (Sitta europaea roseilia)

A great view of one up at Shiga-Kogen, the buff belly showing well, and giving an unusual call unlike normal nuthatch-vocals.

Certhiidae (Treecreepers)

EURASIAN TREECREEPER (Certhia familiaris japonica)

A few saw one at Shiga-Kogen, and then there was another at Kushiro Marsh, always low-density and seldom encountered for some odd reason.

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

EURASIAN WREN (EURASIAN) (Troglodytes troglodytes fumigatus)

This dark taxon showed well at Shiga-Kogen and then at Kushiro.

EURASIAN WREN (EURASIAN) (Troglodytes troglodytes mosukei)

This is the endemic taxon we saw on Miyakejima.

Cinclidae (Dippers)

BROWN DIPPER (Cinclus pallasii)

One on a stream at Rausu, much to Laurel's delight, and Kathy saw one at Shiga-Kogen.

Sturnidae (Starlings)

CHESTNUT-CHEEKED STARLING (Agropsar philippensis)

Just one encounter at a village on Hokkaido; it's a scarce summer visitor.

WHITE-CHEEKED STARLING (Spodiopsar cineraceus)

Seen at a couple of sites near Tokyo.

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

SIBERIAN THRUSH (SAKHALIN) (Geokichla sibirica davisoni)

Phil's great want this trip, we saw one shoot across the trail late one afternoon, barely tickable, but got a very responsive male next morning that sat atop several song posts and showed well. They tend to sing very early morning or very late pm so it was fortunate this one was inquisitive. A Lifer for Phil, and split by BirdLife as Sakhalin Thrush.

BROWN-HEADED THRUSH (Turdus chrysolaus chrysolaus)

Common by voice in the mountains and seen well at Shiga-Kogen.

IZU THRUSH (Turdus celaenops) [E]

Seen nicely on Miyakejima, endemic to these islands.

Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)

ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa dauurica)

Seen up at Shiga-Kogen, and around Kushiro.

BLUE-AND-WHITE FLYCATCHER (Cyanoptila cyanomelana cyanomelana)

A fine singing male at Kushiro Forest Park, a summer visitor here in Japan.

IZU ROBIN (Larvivora tanensis) [E]

Surprisingly hard on Miyakejima; we heard several singing but they were very unresponsive, and most only got glimpses.

RYUKYU ROBIN (Larvivora komadori) [E]

Great looks at responsive males on Amami, singing very well and clearly breeding. I have no idea why this is not simply now called Amami Robin following the split of Ryukyu Robin.

OKINAWA ROBIN (Larvivora namiyei) [E]

Inclement weather made this one hard this year, and we had glimpses on day one at Yanbaru, but got a pair near the Ada Hotel on the last morning before the rain set in.

SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT (Calliope calliope)

A singing male atop a spruce as we came back to the van at Furen footpath where I had been looking for this species.

NARCISSUS FLYCATCHER (Ficedula narcissina)

Very nice looks at this striking species at Shiga-Kogen and Kushiro Forest Park.

DAURIAN REDSTART (Phoenicurus auroreus)

One fine male up at Shiga-Kogen.

BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (PHILIPPENSIS) (Monticola solitarius philippensis)

Great looks on the Ryukyu islands; one was nesting in a hollow support beam at Kunigami on Okinawa.

AMUR STONECHAT (Saxicola stejnegeri)

Great looks at them at Kushiro Marsh; the males are a very colorful bird.

Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)

SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA (Lonchura punctulata) [I]

Two at Kin rice paddies on Okinawa.

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

RUSSET SPARROW (Passer cinnamomeus rutilans)

A fine pair at Shiga-Kogen were unexpected.

EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus)

Small numbers were widespread throughout.

Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)

GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea)

Seen near Tokyo and at Rausu.

JAPANESE WAGTAIL (Motacilla grandis)

The last addition to the trip with a bird on a sandbar in the river at Otowa Bridge as we returned to Kushiro; it's a near-endemic and always near rivers or creeks.

WHITE WAGTAIL (BLACK-BACKED) (Motacilla alba lugens)

Widespread on Honshu and Hokkaido.

OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus hodgsoni)

One at Teshikaga in very rainy conditions.

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

HAWFINCH (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)

Two seen briefly at Kushiro Forest Park.

LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH (Carpodacus sibiricus)

Seen nicely at Meiji Park in Nemuro, and also at the Furen footpath, with several lovely pink frosty males. An IOC split as Siberian Rosefinch.

EURASIAN BULLFINCH (BAIKAL) (Pyrrhula pyrrhula griseiventris) [*]

Heard up on the top of the high altitude road at Shiga-Kogen.

ORIENTAL GREENFINCH (Chloris sinica)

Small numbers around Tokyo and on Hokkaido.

EURASIAN SISKIN (Spinus spinus)

Two at Kushiro Forest Park were unexpected.

Emberizidae (Old World Buntings)

CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING (Emberiza fucata)

A surprise find near Karuizawa in the cultivation there where it apparently breeds.

MEADOW BUNTING (Emberiza cioides)

Nice looks at Ukishima Marsh.

OCHRE-RUMPED BUNTING (Emberiza yessoensis)

Seen sitting up and singing in the long reedy grass is Ukishima Marsh near Tokyo, a very localized species.

REED BUNTING (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Two at Kushiro Marsh.

YELLOW BUNTING (Emberiza sulphurata)

This rather rare bird showed well at Shiga-Kogen at a site given us by Koji the local birder.

MASKED BUNTING (Emberiza personata)

Great views of singing birds late one afternoon at Kushiro Marsh, and again later at Meiji Park and Furen footpath.

GRAY BUNTING (Emberiza variabilis)

Seen singing at Shiga-Kogen but elusive, always a difficult bird to find.

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MAMMALS

JAPANESE MACAQUE (Macaca fuscata) [E]

Great views up at Shiga-Kogen with 30 animals on one day; they are much blonder in summer than in winter, and nice to see them away from a hot spring!

RYUKYU RABBIT (Pentalagus furnessi) [E]

This endearing blackish beast with the rather short ears showed well on the second night, with 6 animals seen and a nice video obtained, see the Smugmug site. Numbers have improved since the mongoose eradication program began, but feral cats remain an issue for this Amami endemic.

NORWAY (BROWN) RAT (Rattus norvegicus)

Common on the forest road at night on Amami.

RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes)

Nice looks at these rather pale colored animals on Hokkaido.

SEA OTTER (Enhydra lutris)

Fantastic views of two huge animals swimming, peering up at us and climbing out on seaweed covered rocks on the Ochiishi pelagic. They have the densest fur of all mammals and no blubber as the fur does the job, no wonder they were hunted to near extinction.

HARBOR SEAL (Phoca vitulina)

One seen by some on the Ochiishi pelagic.

SIKA DEER (Cervus nippon)

Small numbers of these on Hokkaido, with the stags in velvet so no large antlers yet.

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ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Birds of the trip were an unusually varied assortment, with the usual favourites like Red-crowned Crane and Blakiston's Fish Owl having rivals with Narcissus Flycatcher, Amami and Okinawa Woodpecker, Japanese Bush Warbler for it's sheer persistence and background vocals on so many days, Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Falcated Duck, Amami Woodcock, Brown Dipper, Okinawa Rail and alcids in general, with Tufted Puffin an obvious mega and Siberian Thrush also very popular. Phil chose those last two plus Ryukyu Tree-Rat and Ishikawa's frog too.

Mammals were not too shabby either, with the Japanese Macaques, Red Foxes and Sika Deer good to see, with Ryukyu Flying-fox on one night at Ada, and the marvelous Ryukyu Tree-Rat (Diplothrix legata) on Amami, one I'd long wanted to see as it bears a curious resemblance to the similarly large and often arboreal Giant White-tailed Rat (Uromys) back home in Far North Queensland. The small hopping rodents with the shorter tails on that track are I think Amami Spiny Rat (Tokudaia osimensis), I got one on a Black Rabbit video. They are unusual in seemingly having no Y-chromosomes.....

Herps

A Pryer's keelback (Hebius pryeri) was in the pond by the swordtail (fire-bellied) newts (Cynops ensicauda) on Amami, likely hunting them.

Akamata (Lycodon semicarinatus), the Loo-Choo big-tooth snake or Ryukyu odd-tooth snake was seen on the road at night, it is one of the few species that can prey on the poisonous and greatly feared habu snakes (which are also used in medicinal products and sake of all things, that snake in a bottle is truly grim!)

Japanese rat snake (Elaphe climacophora) one on the bridge at Kushiro Forest Park, hiding under the planks each time we came by and non-venomous.

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) One off the harbor at Miyake, always a good place to see them.

Ryukyu Black-breasted Leaf Turtle (Geoemyda japonica) seen in the road by the Ada Gardens Hotel, a strange and rare species that I'd long wanted to see, with one central and two lateral ridges on the shell, and a black belly. It did not appreciate being rescued and hissed when I picked it up!

Frogs were good in the wet conditions in the Ryukyus; we saw Amami Green tree frog (Zhangixalus amamiensis) calling by and in the pond at the Nature Forest, Amami Ishikawa's frog (Odorrana splendiae) in a tree hole there, Holst's frog (Bedina holsti) at Yanbaru and Ryukyu tip-nosed frog (Odorrana narina) also there on our frog-spotting and very wet night drive.

Ryukyu kajika frog or Japanese stream frog (Buergeria japonica) was the one by the Ada Gardens Hotel

Plants

The endemic cycad that was common on N. Okinawa is Cycas revoluta, I hope the die-back we were seeing is not something sinister. The purple flowered primrose on Hokkaido is Japanese primrose, Primula japonica. The common large round-leafed roadside plant on Hokkaido is a giant butterbur (Petasites japonicus), which is edible in small quantities and is called

fuki.

Butterflies

The rainy and windy conditions meant butterfly activity was much reduced this trip, though the warmer climes of the Ryukyus had a better variety of butterflies. I have erred on the side of caution and mainly identified from photographs where feasible, though it was hard with the swallowtails which never seem to alight. Some Japanese butterfly experts via i-Naturalist were very helpful as I posted most photos there, and these are some firm identifications:

Atrophaneura alcinous: Chinese Windmill- the long-tailed large red-bodied black with yellow sub-apical dots swallowtail of Okinawa.

Papilio helenus: Red Helen- Common on Okinawa, another widespread species

Papilio protenor: Spangle Swallowtail- Amami

Graphium sarpedon: Blue Triangle- common on Honshu and the Ryukyus, a very widespread species locally.

Striped blue crow (Euploea mulciber) Nesari on Amami

Ceylon glassy blue tiger (Ideopsis similis) Nesari

Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow (Colias erate) Amami

Camberwell Beauty or Mourning Cloak (Vanessa antiopa) Shiga-Kogen

Awlking (Choaspes benjamiinii) the spectacular large skipper on Kristine's boots at Yanbaru

Totals for the tour: 170 bird taxa and 7 mammal taxa