Emblem

Okhotsk Chapter
of the Wild Bird Society of Japan

himekubiwa-kamome
December 2013 - Event Dates
8 (Su), 10:00 a.m. Shari River mouth seabirds, part 1 22 (Su), 10:00 a.m. Shari River mouth seabirds, part 2

December's Gallery of Sightings  23 photos

D Location E Name J Name Status; Notes
1, am Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Eurasian Coot Oo-ban MB; 4, by DB
1, am Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) White-tailed Sea-Eagle Ojiro-washi RB; pair, by DB (ph)
1, am Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Stellar's Sea-Eagle Oo-washi WV; 2 adult, by DB
1, pm Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Common Merganser Kawa-aisa MB; ±2000, by Kanrinin (ph)
1, pm Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Eurasian Coot Oo-ban MB; 10, by Kanrinin
1, pm Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) White-tailed Sea-Eagle Ojiro-washi RB; 1 ad, 1 juv, by Kanrinin
1, pm Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Tundra Bean Goose (ssp) Hishikui PV; ±90, by Kanrinin
1 Hama-koshimizu Whooper Swan Oo-hakuchou WV; 87 ad 42 juv, K'nin (ph)
2 Abashiri River (nr Basic) Harlequin Duck Shinori-gamo WV, RB; Freppu-san
2 Abashiri River (nr Basic) Common Goldeneye Hoojiro-gamo WV; Freppu-san
2 Abashiri Lake Common Merganser Kawa-aisa MB; Freppu-san
2 Abashiri Lake Mallard Ma-gamo RB, PV; Freppu-san
2 Yobito (nr center) Great Spotted Woodpecker Aka-gera RB; Freppu-san
2 Cape Notoro (Abashiri) Steller's Eider Ko-kewata-gamo IV (E Hokk); 1♂, by N&M
4 Abashiri River Stellar's Sea-Eagle Oo-washi WV; Freppu-san
4 Abashiri River White-tailed Sea-Eagle Ojiro-washi WV; Freppu-san
4 Abashiri River Harlequin Duck Shinori-gamo WV, RB; Freppu-san
4 Abashiri River Tufted Duck Kinkuro-hajiro PV, MB; Freppu-san
4 Abashiri River Greater Scaup Suzu-gamo PV; Freppu-san
4 Abashiri Harbor Harlequin Duck Shinori-gamo WV, RB; Freppu-san
4 Abashiri Harbor Whooper Swan Oo-hakuchou WV; Freppu-san
4 Abashiri L (nr "Kozakura") Falcated Duck Yoshi-gamo PV, loc. MB; group, Freppu-san
4 Abashiri L (nr "Kozakura") Mallard Ma-gamo RB, PV; group, Freppu-san
4 Abashiri L (nr "Kozakura") Smew Miko-aisa PV; MB in north; Freppu-san
4 Abashiri L (nr "Kozakura") Common Merganser Kawa-aisa MB; group, Freppu-san
4 Yobito Birdwatching Trail Brown-eared Bulbul Hiyodori RB; Freppu-san
4 Yobito Birdwatching Trail Eurasian Siskin Ma-hiwa RB; ±30, Freppu-san
4 Yobito Birdwatching Trail White-backed Woodpecker Oo-aka-gera RB; ♀, Freppu-san
4 Yobito Birdwatching Trail Eurasian Nuthatch Gojuu-kara RB; call, Freppu-san
4 Abashiri (nr Mr. Donuts) Eurasian Tree Sparrow Suzume RB; ±15, Freppu-san
6 Yobito (nr Center) Varied Tit Yama-gara RB; Freppu-san
6 Cape Notoro (Abashiri) Steller's Eider Ko-kewata-gamo IV (E Hokk); 1♂, by Qoo&M
7 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Eurasian Coot Oo-ban MB; ±10, by DB
7 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Gr White-fronted Goose Ma-gan PV; ±9 among Bean G, by DB
7 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Tundra Bean Goose (ssp) Hishikui PV; 30+, by DB (ph)
7 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Northern Pintail Onaga-gamo WV; 1♂ among Mallards, DB
7 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Whooper Swan Oo-hakuchou WV; 2, by DB
7 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Smew Miko-aisa PV; MB in north; by DB
sharimouth8, 10:00 am - Shari River Mouth Event  This event has been timed to give us the best chances of seeing Ross's Gull (photo top right) which tends to appear when the weather is really rough and winds are from the north. We were unfortunately not able to see it today, but we did see a Great Crested Grebe, a rarity in the Okhotsk region. In fact we saw three types of grebes, the other two being the Red-necked Grebe and the Horned Grebe, so it was nice to see the differences to some extent. The other birds were the usual at this spot, all listed below. A sad find, however, was a Glaucous Gull that had been contaminated with oil. Most of these birds eventually die and we unfortunately do not have the means to save them. We also do not know where the oil comes from or how these birds became contaminated. They turn up every year along the Okhotsk coast from now until the drift ice comes in January. We can only record the occurrences and add them to our blog dedicated to this problem which you can see here (opens in a separate window). [from report by Nabeyoshi-san] (The blog entry for this date includes several photos. Photos for other recent dates are there, too. The background story in English is on the Surveys page. Okhotsk Chapter members and others around Hokkaido conduct coastal surveys every year in April and May.)
8 Shari River mouth Mallard Ma-gamo RB, PV
8 Shari River mouth Greater Scaup Suzu-gamo PV
8 Shari River mouth Harlequin Duck Shinori-gamo WV, RB
8 Shari River mouth Velvet Scoter Biroodo-kinkuro WV
8 Shari River mouth Black Scoter Kuro-gamo WV
8 Shari River mouth Long-tailed Duck Koori-gamo WV
8 Shari River mouth Common Goldeneye Hoojiro-gamo WV
8 Shari River mouth Common Merganser Kawa-aisa MB
8 Shari River mouth Red-breasted Merganser Umi-aisa WV
8 Shari River mouth Red-necked Grebe Akaeri-kaitsuburi MB
8 Shari River mouth Great Crested Grebe Kanmuri-kaitsuburi WV; 1
8 Shari River mouth Horned Grebe Mimi-kaitsuburi PV
8 Shari River mouth Japanese Cormorant Umi-u RB; 1 juv
8 Shari River mouth Black-headed Gull Yuri-kamome PV
8 Shari River mouth Mew Gull Kamome WV
8 Shari River mouth Glaucous-winged Gull Washi-kamome WV
8 Shari River mouth Glaucous Gull Shiro-kamome WV
8 Shari River mouth Herring Gull Seguro-kamome WV
8 Shari River mouth Slaty-backed Gull Oo-seguro-kamome WV; RB in east
8 Shari River mouth Black Kite Tobi RB
8 Shari River mouth White-tailed Sea-Eagle Ojiro-washi RB; 2 adult
8 Shari River mouth Carrion Crow Hashiboso-garasu RB
8 Shari River mouth Large-billed Crow Hashibuto-garasu RB
9 Yobito-ura campsite White-tailed Sea-Eagle Ojiro-washi RB; by Freppu-san
9 Abashiri L (Hotel Koso P) Common Merganser Kawa-aisa MB; group, Freppu-san
9 Abashiri L (Hotel Koso P) Smew Miko-aisa PV; MB in n; Freppu-san
9 Abashiri L (Hotel Koso P) Mallard Ma-gamo RB, PV; by Freppu-san
9 Yobito Birdwatching Trail Rustic Bunting Kashiradaka PV; by Freppu-san
11 Abashiri Lake Mallard Ma-gamo RB, PV; by Freppu-san
11 Abashiri Lake Tufted Duck Kinkuro-hajiro PV, MB; by Freppu-san
11 Abashiri Lake Common Goldeneye Hoojiro-gamo WV; by Freppu-san
11 Abashiri Lake Eurasian Coot Oo-ban MB; 4, by Freppu-san
11 Abashiri Lake Smew Miko-aisa PV; MB in n; Freppu-san
11 Abashiri Lake Common Merganser Kawa-aisa MB; by Freppu-san
11 Abashiri Lake Whooper Swan Oo-hakuchou WV; by Freppu-san
13 Yobito (nr center) Great Spotted Woodpecker Aka-gera RB; by Freppu-san
13 Yobito (nr center) Varied Tit Yama-gara RB; by Freppu-san
13 Yobito (nr center) Japanese Tit Shijuu-kara RB; by Freppu-san
13 Yobito (nr center) Marsh Tit Hashibuto-gara RB; by Freppu-san
14 Shari fishing harbor Great Crested Grebe Kanmuri-kaitsuburi WV; 1, by Kanrinin (ph)
14 Shari fishing harbor Pelagic Cormorant Hime-u PV; 1, by Kanrinin
14 Shari fishing harbor White-tailed Eagle Ojiro-washi RB; 2 adult, by Kanrinin
14 Shari fishing harbor Harlequin Duck Shinori-gamo WV, RB; 2, by Kanrinin
14 Shari fishing harbor Common Pochard Hoshi-hajiro PV; MB Kushiro; 1♂, by K'nin
14 Shari fishing harbor Greater Scaup Suzu-gamo PV; 119, by Kanrinin
14 Shari fishing harbor Tufted Duck Kinkuro-hajiro PV, MB; 12, by Kanrinin
14 Shari fishing harbor Slaty-backed Gull Oo-seguro-kamome WV; RB in east; by Kanrinin
14 Shari fishing harbor Glaucous Gull Shiro-kamome WV; by Kanrinin
14 Shari fishing harbor Glaucous-winged Gull Washi-kamome WV; by Kanrinin
14 Shari fishing harbor Mew Gull Kamome WV; by Kanrinin
14 Shari fishing harbor Black-headed Gull Yuri-kamome PV; by Kanrinin
14 Shari (Misaki) Great Grey Shrike Oo-mozu WV; 1, by Kanrinin (ph)
14 Koshimizu (Soei) Mountain Hawk-Eagle Kuma-taka RB; 1, by Kanrinin (ph)
14 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Eurasian Coot Oo-ban MB; 9+, by DB (ph)
14 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Falcated Duck Yoshi-gamo PV, loc. MB; 1♂, by DB
14 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Gadwall Okayoshi-gamo PV, MB; by DB
14 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Whooper Swan Oo-hakuchou WV; ±20, by DB
14 Tofutsu L (Swan Park) Northern Pintail Onaga-gamo WV; by DB
14 Tofutsu L (Swan Park) Northern Shoveler Hashibiro-gamo PV; 8+, by DB (ph)
14 Tofutsu L (Swan Park) Common Goldeneye Hoojiro-gamo WV; by DB
14 Tofutsu L (Swan Park) Whooper Swan Oo-hakuchou WV; by DB
16 Oumu-cho (Shiomi) Hawfinch Shimé MB; 3, by Y.N.-san
17 Oumu-cho (Shiomi) Great Spotted Woodpecker Aka-gera RB; 1, by Y.N.-san
17 Oumu-cho (Shiomi) White-cheeked Starling Mukudori RB; by Y.N.-san
17 Oumu-cho (Sawagi Harbor) Harlequin Duck Shinori-gamo WV, RB; by Y.N.-san
20 Yobito Birdwatching Trail Great Spotted Woodpecker Aka-gera RB; by Freppu-san
20 Yobito Birdwatching Trail Eurasian Nuthatch Gojuu-kara RB; by Freppu-san
20 Yobito Birdwatching Trail Black Kite Tobi RB; by Freppu-san
20 Yobito Birdwatching Trail Brown-eared Bulbul Hiyodori RB; by Freppu-san
20 Yobito (nr center) Eurasian Jay Kakesu RB; by Freppu-san
20 Yobito (nr center) Great Spotted Woodpecker Aka-gera RB; by Freppu-san
20 Yobito (nr center) Coal Tit Hi-gara RB; by Freppu-san
20 Yobito (nr center) Varied Tit Yama-gara RB; by Freppu-san
17 Oumu-cho (Shiomi) Hawfinch Shimé MB; 6, by Y.N.-san
22 Shari fishing port Pine Bunting Shiraga-hoojiro IV; 4, by Nabeyoshi & M
22 Shari fishing port Common Redpoll Beni-hiwa WV; 50+, by N'yoshi & M
oshinkoshin22, 10:00 am - Oshinkoshin Waterfall (Shiretoko) Event  Ross's Gull is one of the Okhotsk Chapter's favorites. But it is a rare bird that most of our members have not yet seen. So this year we again had this event today following the one in Shari (8 Dec) so that more of us could see this beautiful bird. Last year the weather was clearly terrible, but this time I felt it was not too bad. The wind was not quite strong enough, and considering the season, the location, the wind direction, and past records, the chance of seeing Ross's Gull today was around 25%. And sure enough, we were not able to see it this year, either. Nonetheless, we saw a small group of Thick-billed Murres passing over the sea as they usually do in this season, maybe also a Least Auklet (not quite sure!), and the occasional Spectacled Guillemot that passes in single shots. It's physically and mentally tiring looking through the scope over the sea in cold wind, but it gives us a chance to see a world that we never see in daily life. We will definitely be here again next year! After the event, we also saw four sea lions (Todo). No, they were not the fur seals (Kita-ottosei) that are common here! [from report by Nabeyoshi-san]
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Harlequin Duck Shinori-gamo WV, RB
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Velvet Scoter Biroodo-kinkuro WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Black Scoter Kuro-gamo WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Red-throated Loon Abi WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Short-tailed Shearwater Hashiboso-mizunagidori PV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Pelagic Cormorant Hime-u PV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Black-legged Kittiwake Mitsuyubi-kamome WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Mew Gull Kamome WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Glaucous-winged Gull Washi-kamome WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Glaucous Gull Shiro-kamome WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Slaty-backed Gull Oo-seguro-kamome WV; RB in east
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Thick-billed Murre Hashibuto-umigarasu WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Common Murre Umigarasu WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Spectacled Guillemot Keimafuri RB
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Ancient Murrelet Umisuzume WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Least Auklet Ko-umisuzume WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Crested Auklet Etorofu-umisuzume WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Black Kite Tobi RB
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) White-tailed Sea-Eagle Ojiro-washi RB
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Stellar's Sea-Eagle Oo-washi WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Large-billed Crow Hashibuto-garasu RB
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Northern Raven Watari-garasu WV
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Japanese Tit Shijuu-kara RB
22 Oshinkoshin F (Shiretoko) Common Redpoll Beni-hiwa WV
23 Mokoto Lake Red-crowned Crane Tanchou RB; 1, rel. young, by Y.S.
23 Abashiri R (nr Echo Center) Whooper Swan Oo-hakuchou WV; 5, by Freppu-san
23 Engaru (Ikutahara) Brown Dipper Kawa-garasu RB; 1, by Y.N.-san
23 Engaru (Ikutahara) Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker Ko-gera RB; 1, by Y.N.-san
23 Engaru (Ikutahara) Eurasian Nuthatch Gojuu-kara RB; 1, by Y.N.-san
23 Shari (Misaki) Common Redpoll Beni-hiwa WV; 300+, by Kanrinin
23 Shari fishing harbor Pine Bunting Shiraga-hoojiro IV; 5, by Kanrinin (ph)
23 Shari fishing harbor Common Redpoll Beni-hiwa WV; 2+, by Kanrinin (ph)
23 Shari fishing harbor Great Crested Grebe Kanmuri-kaitsuburi WV; 2, by Kanrinin
24 Oumu-cho (Shiomi) Hawfinch Shimé MB; 20+, by Y.N.-san
24 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Mallard Ma-gamo RB, PV; 1♂, inj. r wing, Y.S.
24 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Eurasian Coot Oo-ban MB; 10, by Y.S.
24 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Black-necked Grebe Hajiro-kaitsuburi WV; 3, by Y.S.
24 Tofutsu L (Mitoyo road) Naumann's Thrush Tsugumi PV, WV; ±10, by Y.S.
24 Tofutsu L (Swan Park) Northern Shoveler Hashibiro-gamo PV; 4, by Y.S.
25 Kitami (Kitamigaoka) Pine Bunting Shiraga-hoojiro IV; 1, by Hanada-san (ph)
25 Kitami (Kitamigaoka) Japanese Tit Shijuu-kara RB; by Hanada-san
25 Kitami (Kitamigaoka) Oriental Greenfinch Kawara-hiwa MB or PV; by Hanada-san
25 Kitami (Kitamigaoka) Brown-eared Bulbul Hiyodori RB; by Hanada-san
25 Kitami (Kitamigaoka) Naumann's Thrush Tsugumi PV, WV; by Hanada-san
25 Kitami (Kitamigaoka) Large-billed Crow Hashibuto-garasu RB; by Hanada-san
25 Kitami (Kitamigaoka) Eurasian Jay Kakesu RB; by Hanada-san (ph)
25 Cape Notoro (Abashiri) Steller's Eider Ko-kewata-gamo IV in e; 1♂, by N'yoshi (ph1)
25 Cape Notoro (Abashiri) Northern Raven Watari-garasu WV; by Nabeyoshi (in pp1)
25 Abashiri L (Memanbestu) Little Grebe Kaitsuburi MB; 2, Kuu-san
27 Cape Notoro (Abashiri) Northern Raven Watari-garasu WV; 2, by Nabeyoshi+
27 Cape Notoro (Abashiri) Rough-legged Buzzard Keashi-nosuri WV; 1, by Nabeyoshi+ (ph1)
27 Cape Notoro (Abashiri) Steller's Eider Ko-kewata-gamo IV in e; 1♂, N'yoshi+ (in ph1)
27 Cape Notoro (Abashiri) Pigeon Guillemot Umibato WV (2 ssp); 1, by N'yoshi+
28 Oshinkoshin Wf (Shiretoko) Ross's Gull Hime-kubiwa-kamome IV; 1 1st win, N'yoshi+ (ph1)
28 Oshinkoshin Wf (Shiretoko) Red-legged Kittiwake Akaashi-mitsuyubi-kamome AV; 11, by N'yoshi+ (in ph1)
28 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Eurasian Coot Oo-ban MB; 2, by DB (ph)
28 Field nr Yamubetsu R mouth Snow Bunting Yuki-hoojiro WV; 1, by S & Ta-san
28 Field nr Yamubetsu R mouth Lapland Bunting Tsumenaga-hoojiro WV; 10, by S & Ta-san
28 Field nr Yamubetsu R mouth Common Redpoll Beni-hiwa WV; ±100, by S & Ta-san
28 Field nr Yamubetsu R mouth Oriental Greenfinch Kawara-hiwa MB or PV; 1, by S & Ta-san
28 Field nr Yamubetsu R mouth Bull-headed Shrike Mozu MB; 1♂, by S & Ta-san
28 Field nr Yamubetsu R mouth Northern Raven Watari-garasu WV; 6, by S & Ta-san
29 Cape Notoro (Abashiri) Steller's Eider Ko-kewata-gamo IV in e; 1♂, by N'yoshi+
29 Tokoro (nr Seico-mart) Bohemian Waxwing Ki-renjaku WV, PV; ±180, mtn ash, by F
29 Shari (nr Shari Hot Spring) Great Grey Shrike Oo-mozu WV; by F-san
29 Abashiri R (nr Oomagari) GreaterScaup x TuftedDuck Suzugamo x Kinkurohajiro 1♀ ad, by S & Ta-san
29 Abashiri R (nr Oomagari) Tufted Duck Kinkuro-hajiro RB, PV; ±100, by S&Ta-san
29 Abashiri R (nr Oomagari) Greater Scaup Suzu-gamo PV; 5, by S & Ta-san
29 Yubetsu fishing port beach L. a. smithsonianus Amerika-seguro-kamome [AV?]; 1 ad, by S&Ta-san (ph)
29 Yubetsu fishing port beach Herring Gull Seguro-kamome WV; 1 ad, by S & Ta-san
29 Yubetsu fishing port beach Glaucous Gull barrovianus Shiro-kamome [?]; 2 ad, by S & Ta-san
29 Mombetsu (nr center) Rough-legged Buzzard Keashi-nosuri WV; 1♀ ad, by S&Ta-san (ph)
30 Kitami (Notsukeushi Park) Naumann's Thrush Tsumugi PV, WV; 5, by O-san
30 Kitami (Notsukeushi Park) Brambling Atori PV; 10, by O-san
30 Kitami (Notsukeushi Park) Brown-eared Bulbul Hiyodori RB; ±10, by O-san
30 Kitami (Notsukeushi Park) Eurasian Nuthatch Gojuu-kara RB; by O-san
30 Kitami (Notsukeushi Park) Japanese Tit Shijuu-kara RB; by O-san
30 Kitami (Notsukeushi Park) Marsh Tit Hashibuto-gara RB; O-san
30 Kitami (Notsukeushi Park) Eurasian Jay Kakesu RB; 3, by O-san
30 Kitami (Notsukeushi Park) Eurasian Tree Sparrow Suzume RB; by O-san
30 Kitami (Notsukeushi Park) Large-billed Crow Hashibuto-garasu RB; by O-san
30 Abashiri L (north shore) White-backed Woodpecker Oo-aka-gera RB; 1♂, by KibitakiHP (ph)
30 Kitami (Toryo-cho) Tree Sparrow Suzume RB; 1, by M.T.-san (ph)
31 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Eurasian Coot Oo-ban MB; 1, by DB (ph1, ph2)
31 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) White-tailed Sea-Eagle Ojiro-washi RB; 1, by DB
31 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Whooper Swan Oo-hakuchou WV; 6, by DB (ph)
31 Tofutsu L (Heiwa Bridge) Japanese Tit Shijuu-kara RB; 3+, by DB (ph)
swanpark
The last day of the year 2013 at Swan Park, Tofutsu Lake. No wind, temperature about 4°C (37°F). Most of the lake was frozen, but this area, where the tide moves in and out via a nearby outlet to the sea and the water is saltier, only freezes during a heavy snowstorm or cold snap. Clear view to Mt. Unabetsu (left) and Mt. Shari. (31 December 2013, 2:30 pm; Photo by DB)