Emblem

Okhotsk Chapter
of the Wild Bird Society of Japan

Himekubiwa-kamome

Birding Events for FY2025-26

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The Okhotsk Chapter of the WBSJ holds numerous birding walks during the year, mostly in spring and autumn, and always at some location within the Abashiri Sub-prefecture of Hokkaido which extends along the Okhotsk coast from Mombetsu to Shiretoko where most of our membership lives.

The schedule this year contains roughly 35 events. We typically walk for around 2 hours. In the early-morning schedule, from mid-April to mid-July, there are 10 walks starting at 5:00 a.m. on Saturdays at locations in the Kitami area, and 2 early-morning walks are planned in other areas. One evening birdcall listening walk is planned for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday July 12 at rustic Chimikeppu Lake in Tsubetsu, in the mountains near Kitami.

Non-members are also welcome to join us and learn about the birds of the Okhotsk region. Many become members this way. Families are welcome, too. No special equipment is necessary, but having binoculars and/or a field guide would of course be useful if you can bring them. Some veteran members bring scopes and are happy to show you birds when possible.

If you would like to join us on a walk, please send an email via the Contact Us page and let us know when you wish to come. We will send you back the details you need to know about when and where to meet. (Our language skills are limited, but we hope you enjoy our walks!)

Our birding calendar begins in April and ends in March, the typical fiscal/academic year in Japan. The schedule for FY2025-26 is below. (Schedules are subject to change.)

Birding Schedule

Date Time Place Notes
4/12 (Sat) 5:00 a.m. Notsukeushi Park (Kitami)  
4/13 (Sun) 8:00 a.m. Midorigaoka Park (Kitami)  
4/19 (Sat) 5:00 a.m. Minamigaoka Park (Kitami)  
4/20 (Sun) 8:00 a.m. Notsukeushi Park (Kitami)  
4/26 (Sat) 5:00 a.m. Tokiwa Park (Kitami)  
4/27 (Sun) 8:00 a.m. Tomisato Dam (Kitami)  
5/3 (Sat) 5:00 a.m. Nakanoshima Park (Kitami)  
5/4 (Sun) 8:00 a.m. Seseragi Park (Bihoro)  
5/10 (Sat) 6:00 a.m. Yobito Birdwatching Trail (Abashiri) Along shore of Abashiri Lake
5/11 (Sun) 8:00 a.m. Shore of Abashiri Lake (Memanbetsu)  
5/17 (Sat) 5:00 a.m. Kotohira Sakura Park (Kitami)  
5/18 (Sun) 8:00 a.m. Midorigaoka Park (Kiyosato)  
5/24 (Sat) 5:00 a.m. Kotohira Sakura Park (Kitami)  
5/25 (Sun) 8:00 a.m. Midori no Mura (Bihoro)  
5/31 (Sat) 5:00 a.m. Kyoei Dam (Kitami)  
6/1 (Sun) 8:00 a.m. Kanoko Dam (Oketo)  
6/7 (Sat) 5:00 a.m. Midorigaoka Park (Kitami)  
6/8 (Sun) 3:00 - 15:00 Okhotsk Birdathon Various locations
6/14 (Sat) 5:00 a.m. Nakanoshima Park (Kitami)  
6/21 (Sat) 5:00 a.m. Midorigaoka Park (Kitami)  
6/22 (Sun) 8:00 a.m. Wakka Wild Flower Park (Tokoro) Saroma Lake and seaside scrub
6/29 (Sun) 6:00 a.m. Koshimizu Wild Flower Park (Koshimizu) Seaside dunes w/low vegetation across road from Tofutsu Lake
7/6 (Sun) 9:00 a.m. Notoro Seashore (Abashiri) Picking up litter while birding
7/12 (Sat) 19:00 Chimikeppu Lake (Tsubetsu) Extensive forest, Focus on listening
7/13 (Sun) 5:00 a.m. Chimikeppu Lake (Tsubetsu)  
7/13 (Sun) 8:00 a.m. Chimikeppu Lake (Tsubetsu)  
8/24 (Sun) 9:00 a.m. Tofutsu Lake (Abashiri/Koshimizu)  
9/7 (Sun) 9:00 a.m. Saroma Lake Coral Grass (Saroma) Shorebirds
9/20 (Sat) 9:00 a.m. Okhotsk Park (Abashiri) Cleaning birdhouses
10/5 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. Mouth of Shari River (Shari) Picking up litter while birding
11/16 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. Tofutsu Lake (Abashiri/Koshimizu)  
12/7 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. Cape Notoro (Abashiri)  
1/17 (Sat) 13:00 a.m. Indoor event (TBA)  
1/18 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. (TBA)  
2/1 (Sun) 10:00 a.m. Abashiri Port Popo 260 (Abashiri)  
3/8 (Sun) 13:00 Tofutsu Lake (Abashiri/Koshimizu) Stellar's & White-tailed eagles, etc.

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FrozenLake
Whooper swans with assorted ducks and gulls on Tofutsu Lake one day after a snowstorm froze this spot that is normally not frozen due to sea water coming in and out with the tide. A Red Fox is nearby, and Mt. Shari is in the background. (Swan Park, Tofutsu Lake, 22 February 2009; photo: DB)