Overview

With John Cooper, Richard Fairbank, and John King. Our 15 day Japan trip, privately arranged through Sarus Bird Tours, was largely based on their published itinerary. It made a refreshing change to bird in a country with almost zero hassle, where everyone was helpful and things worked on time. We found the Japanese people very service oriented, friendly and polite. It was also nice to meet local birders, even though the language difficulties meant resorting to pointing at plates in the field guide.

We enjoyed the trip immensely and would thoroughly recommend Japan to other world birders. Although this was largely a do-it-yourself trip, we used Sarus to pre-organise the ground arrangements for us. This worked out very well with Sarus able to deal with several last minute changes effectively. All the vouchers and tickets were waiting for us on arrival in Japan. Thanks to their organisational efforts, we were all surprised at how smoothly it went, as we'd been expecting a number of difficulties, especially with language and communication.

Based on the past, it is still somewhat of a pre-conceived idea that Japan is prohibitively expensive. For sure it is expensive, but by sharing costs, not eating in expensive restaurants and staying in more moderate accommodation, its cost is comparable to some western European countries.

Health, Safety and Hassles

No problems at all on this front. Travel was quite hassle free: in fact more hassle free than we had expected. The main issue we faced was our inability to communicate effectively. Being winter, mosquitoes, or any other type of biting insect, were absent. We picked up a couple of small ticks in the forest on Amami. Much has been written about the Habu-hubu snake on Amami, but unsurprisingly we never saw one, although being winter they are no doubt much less active.

If arriving from a tropical destination at the main airports you are required to fill in a health card, presumably to assist the tracing of people in the event of a public health problem; not a bad idea considering the outbreak of SARS a few months after our return. Tap water is safe to drink everywhere, and hygiene standards are way above what most westerners would consider the norm.

Flights and visas

The main Japanese cities are well served by a variety of international airlines. We flew either Thai Airways via Bangkok from the Middle Eas, or Air France from London via Paris to Tokyo. Most operators will allow an open-jaw for the same price as a straightforward return. This is useful as it can save at least one domestic flight. We flew into Tokyo and out from Osaka. Be aware that both these cities have two international airports. Visas are not required of most European, Australian or US passport holders. A 90-day tourist visa is granted on arrival. As the airport tax is included with domestic tickets there is no separate collection of an airport tax on departure.

Car rental and driving

All our car rentals were pre-booked through Sarus. On Hokkaido and Okinawa we used Avis. None of the major rental companies have offices on Amami, so we went with one of the local companies at the airport. On Kyushu we had originally pre-booked with Avis, but when we discovered that a one-way drop from Kagoshima to Osaka cost 55,000 Yen we changed the booking to Hertz (pre-booked in the UK). In theory Hertz did not charge a one-way rental fee. However, on collection of the car at Kagoshima not only did we get charged a one-way fee, but they failed to honour the pre-payment in the UK. To date we are still arguing with Hertz's customer services in the UK for a refund on the enforced one-way rental fee. We found car rental offices do not open outside of normal office hours, including the Avis office at Sapporo international airport at Chitose! This needed to be taken into consideration when planning an itinerary.

One excellent feature of all the cars we rented, other than on Amami on which the need does not arise, was the fitting of GPS navigational systems as standard. These proved incredibly accurate and made getting around a real doddle. We failed to get lost! However, the market has yet to mature sufficiently for a dual language interface, so it's necessary to get to grip with the all-Japanese interface and buttons before heading-off. Models differ, but only three functions are necessary to work out: zoom in/out, pan, and switch off the irritating Japanese lady presumably telling you to turn left, turn right, watch the junction, blah, blah.

In Japan's service-oriented society, no petrol stations are self-serve. As a pre warning, the first question you are asked when stopping at a station is "cash or card". This threw us a few times as we assumed we were being asked how much petrol we wanted and had great difficulty in understanding what they were waiting for. Car parking is problematic in most urban areas, and probably a nightmare in cities.

We were amazed to discover we had to pay to park our car overnight at the hotel in Kushiro - 500 Yen to simply leave it in front of the hotel. Although free for guests, it turned out that the car park at the Kansai Hotel (near the airport) in Osaka would have cost those of the group opting to sleep in the car more than a room in the hotel, despite arriving at 01.00!

Road tolls are very steep, with a basic cost of about 20 Yen per km – which soon mounts up. Speed limits are low when compared to European roads. However, the general volume of cars and the number of junctions means that "speeding" in urban areas is quite difficult except maybe early in the morning. The limit is only 50 km/h on the whole, and most people stick to it. Even on the toll highways the limit is 80 km/h. The only place where we saw speeding was on the highways around Osaka.

During the run-up to the 2002 football World Cup almost all road signs have been replaced and are now bilingual. This alleviates the need to some extent of a bilingual map. An International Driving Permit is absolutely essential – don't leave home without it. The number of drivers on the rental agreement does not seem to be an issue, as anyone with a valid licence can drive. As a general tip, try to limit long drives; progress is generally slow and the ubiquitous traffic lights at what feels like every junction, become quite irritating. Using toll roads is highly recommended if you can afford them. They cut down driving times considerably.

Internal flights

Being such a large country with potentially many islands to cover, almost all birders will end up flying at least some of their itinerary. Internal airfares are potentially very expensive, but this can be sidestepped by making use of the Visit Japan Air pass. Details are available on the Japan Airlines website or via a Japanese tour operator. During our stay we flew three sectors, each at around 11,000 Yen, which included the three-hour flight from Chitose to Okinawa – a great deal. One oddity of all the internal flights we took was that none served food, including three hours to Okinawa with no breakfast! Note that you should retain your domestic and international baggage tags, as they are verified before you are able to leave the arrivals hall.

Other miscellaneous information

We found obtaining a good bilingual map in advance in the UK to be difficult. The best road atlas was the 1:250,000 Japan Road Atlas published by Shobunsha. We purchased a copy in the bookshop situated on the 4th floor of the arrivals of terminal 1 in Narita Airport. The price was 3,000 Yen. Post offices were available and efficient, and are generally locatable on the car GPS systems. Even in airports they only opened normal business hours. Japan appears to have a dearth of Internet cafés, other than at airport terminals. Beware of keyboard mapping difficulties. Snappy Internet telephones were available in some airports, which even though allowed keyboard mapping in either Japanese, Korean or English still gave problems. None of the tourist hotels we stayed in had Internet facilities.

Money

During our visit the exchange rate was around 118 Yen to the US$ and 185 Yen to the UK £, both of which were freely exchangeable. As we had pre-paid most of the trip in the UK, we only exchanged money at one of the exchanges in the international airport on arrival. The rate appeared to be very similar in all the exchanges and banks we passed. Only at hotels, as usual, was a noticeably inferior rate offered. Despite its high tech image, credit cards are not widely accepted in Japan. Don't rely on being able to use one other than for major expenses such as hotels, car rental and expensive restaurants.

Accommodation

We stayed at a variety of tourist hotels and guesthouses. Most were pre-booked and paid in advance through Sarus, and several included meals. This is probably a good idea for evening meals as buying them separately at a restaurant would prove expensive. However we skipped breakfast just about everywhere (except Furen) as it was served too late (usually 07:00–10:00) and the hotels too distant from birding sites to make going out after, or popping back, a viable option. We stayed at the following:

Overnight ferry from Oarai to Tomakomai. We had a four-bedded (2 bunks) first class cabin, which was very comfortable. The food in the restaurant didn't look very exciting - we ate our own.

Tokyo Inn Hotel, Kushiro, Hokkaido. A typical, clean but characterless, high rise city hotel. Only seen in darkness. The only hotel we did not have prebooked (due to uncertainty about the length of the drive from Chitose).

Furen Nature Inn (Matseo-san's house), Hokkaido. This is one of the birders’ standard places and is mentioned in both bird finding guides. Finding it is not straight-forward as it isn’t signed at all - Matseo-San found us parked at the end of the road scratching our heads as to where his place was - we'd driven right past it without noticing his small name board on the font door. The place has a nice atmosphere with good Japanese food and flexible mealtimes. The homemade saké was especially memorable. Recommended, but note later comments concerning Blakiston’s Fish-Owl.

Hotel Nikko Chitose, Hokkaido. Another clean and characterless hotel not seen in daylight.

Okuma Resort Hotel, Okinawa. A very snazzy place that we didn't see in the light! The restaurant was self-service Chinese - OK but unexciting. Probably a waste of money on a birding trip, although there appeared to be no alternatives that were not much farther from the main birding site. Camping or sleeping in the car for at least one night should be given serious consideration.

Caretta House, Amami. The owner/manager was extremely hospitable, spoke English and drove to the airport to greet us and make sure we collected our car successfully. The hotel is situated in a good locality on a quiet bay just a few kilometres from the Amami Natural Forest Reserve. We stayed two nights, where we ate in the restaurant - one poor, one very good.

Kirishima Castle Hotel, Kyushu. A good base for Mi-ike (which is well worth a visit). An excellent Japanese dinner was served in the room – a great experience – we even photographed the meal before we ate it!

Izumi Wing Hotel, Izumi. A typical tourist hotel. It might have been better to stay in the Crane reserve, which would be handier, though would have more basic facilities. Several eating-places were a short walk from the hotel - one an excellent, relatively cheap noodle shop.

Kansai Airport Hotel/car park, Osaka. The car park would have cost a non-resident more than a room!

Food

Food varied from excellent to junk, but in the main we considered it dull and uninteresting. Some items we struggled to identify. Despite staying at several hotels catering to western tourists, we encountered little in the way of western meals, so be prepared to eat Japanese most of the time, unless you buy your own ingredients from a supermarket.

Restaurants looked expensive and we never dined in them other than those where we had already pre-paid as part of the package. As might be expected, there is a heavy bias to fish, seaweed, rice and green tea. We would suggest bringing plenty of snacks from home – cereal bars, dried fruit etc. - to supplement what can be found in local supermarkets. Fruits and vegetables were readily available but expensive. Decent, wholemeal bread was impossible to find. Beer was reasonably priced and available freely in convenience stores or often at vending machines.

In the junk food line, some convenience stores, such as the Lawson Stations and Seven-11s, served french fries, fried chicken and a line of local fried items we couldn’t identify. Noodles and noodle soup were similarly available. MacDonald’s was thankfully almost non-existent.

Each hotel room had a kettle enabling us to fill flasks each morning and the ferry had an urn of boiling water. This enabled us to make take coffee/tea/soup anywhere – highly recommended in the cold climates we experienced.

Language

Few people speak English, other than airline staff and a few staff at hotels accustomed to dealing with foreign tourists. For some inexplicable reason, although we had a phrase book we rarely found it useful – possibly because our accents were so terrible we confused people even further!

Weather

During the duration of our stay the weather was generally cold and windy with variable amounts of cloud cover. We experienced a few rain showers as well as snow flurries. Hokkaido experienced a cold snap during our stay, when for two days the weather was decidedly arctic with a maximum daytime temperature of around minus 10 degrees backed by a biting northerly wind. Temperatures here at night dropped to around minus 17 degrees, so come well prepared – long johns, many layers of shirts/jumpers, two hats, wind proof jackets and gloves are required. It would be easy to be ill-prepared for this type of weather. In such conditions we found it difficult to sea-watch. Although some lighthouses or other buildings offered shelter, the wind always seemed to be coming straight at us!

On the southernmost island of Okinawa the weather was much more pleasant, but surprisingly still required a coat during the day. During our time in Japan, daylight hours varied from 07:00 to 17:00 on Hokkaido and 07:00 – 18:00 on Okinawa.

References

A Field Guide to the Birds of Japan by the Wild Bird Society of Japan (1982). Despite the taxonomy being somewhat dated, this still remains the main English language field guide to Japan. Although some of the plates leave something to be desired, identification of most of Japan’s birds is possible.

A Field Guide to the Birds of Korea by W.S. Lee, T-H Koo and J-Y Park (2000).
LG Evergreen Foundation.

A Birdwatcher’s Guide to Japan by M.A. Brazil (1987). Kodansha Institute and Wild Bird Society of Japan. We found the directions and maps still accurate.

A Birder’s Guide to Japan by J.W. Robinson (1987). Ibis Publishing Co. Either of these two birding guides is useful for general overviews and directions, although we felt the Brazil book to be slightly more useful and had better maps.

The Birds of Japan by M.A. Brazil (1991). Helm.

Acknowedgements

In addition to the authors of the trips reports we used, we would like to especially thank Nigel Moorhouse, for up to date information and additional behind the scenes assistance, and who’s efforts greatly assisted the success of the trip. We would also like to thank the unnamed local birders in Japan whom we met in passing and with whom we exchanged information. We would as well like to express our dissatisfaction with the poor customer service and difficulties of our dealings with Hertz UK and Hertz Japan, whom we would not recommend to others visiting Japan.

Birding sites

In general we saw what we expected, though were disappointed with the lack of auks and the lack of numbers of seabirds from the ferry. We felt the trip would probably have produced more auks later in February when the pack-ice reaches the Hokkaido coast. The comments below are intended to add to information provided in any of the references listed above, either to correct any changes or add to that provided, and should be read in conjunction with them.

The Ferry Crossing from Oarai to Tomakomai

If one had more time we would recommend taking the ferry both ways. If not, it would be worth considering doing the ferry route from north to south and/or take the midnight ferry crossing. The crossing takes approximately 18 hours, depending on the sea condition, so by leaving at 18:30 there are only six hours of daylight. We also felt that the chances of albatrosses and shearwaters would be better if doing the southern end of the crossing in the light. Leaving at midnight would ensure 12 hours birding in the light. However, we were subsequently informed that the midnight ferry, being a different ship, is less suitable for birding, although of course this may well be subject to change in the future.

Furen-ko

The Blakiston's Fish-Owl situation needs sorting out and clarifying, as it appears to be very difficult to rely on being taken to a roost site or feeding station by a local guide and is probably frowned upon locally. We noted that all trip reports were rather vague on detail as to how to arrange a local to escort you to these owls. The most reliable way to see the owl is either at a feeding station or a daylight roost – the visibility at the Hattoushi bridge not being particularly good. This requires the services of a local guide. However, trying to find one who can legally escort you appears to be a problem. Neither Matseo-san at the guesthouse, nor Takamoto-san, the conservation project manager, wished to take us in, as it would set a president for others to visit. They are afraid of a demand from Japanese photographers; at least that was their excuse. We had to view nightly from the bridge with limited views. We would recommend trying to clarify this situation with Matseo-san in advance. He did tell us he knew of another property "up north", where they fed the owl that he could take us to. However he didn't, and he hasn't seen it himself there recently as we suspected he hadn’t visited recently (it is apparently near Rauso, an estimated two to three hours drive from Furen-ko). This was one of our major frustrations on the trip. Three of us saw the owl briefly at the bridge when it landed after dark.

Kushiro

The drive from Chitose to Kushiro is long and the roads can be very icy. Some Americans we met had flown to Kushiro and collected their car there. It might be worth doing the same, then taking a train to the ferry at Tomakomai. This would save about seven hours of driving in possibly treacherous conditions.

Okinawa and Amami

Our time on both these islands was, by necessity, very limited. We were lucky with the weather on both, as a day of rain on either could have wiped our itinerary completely. We felt that a couple of days longer on either island would be preferable in order to improve the chances of success. One would be hard pushed to see Okinawa Woodpecker with less than a day. We also dipped on the Okinawa Rail due to a shortage of time. The Ryukyu Scops Owl appears to be almost impossible in winter - unless someone knows a stakeout?

We strongly recommend on Amami to visit the Amami Natural Forest north east of the main town. The manager of the Caretta House where we stayed recommended this place to us, and we were glad of his recommendation. It proved quite easy to see Lidth’s Jay and Ryukyu Robin in this area, whereas we failed to see either along the Supa-rindo track. The Natural Forest is easy to get to from Caretta House (20 mins.) and has all the birds except maybe the Amami Thrush.

The drive to Supa-rindo took 75 minutes from Caretta House – longer than we had expected. Directions to Supa-rindo in Brazil, while accurate are not specific in the distances between the relative points. They are more than expected. Basically follow signs to the virgin forest. The best area was definitely the central part. Although the forest petered out outside this area still has lot of nice forest on the hills. Night drive useless in winter.

Itinerary

Generally we were very happy with the itinerary we followed, and how the trip worked out with limited difficulties and hassles. It would probably be difficult to have made it more efficient or visited more sites without sacrificing something somewhere or dipping on a key bird. It would have been better to have spent last night on the east coast of Kyushu, instead of Izumi, and then flown back from Kagoshima to Osaka Kansai (assuming suitable flight available). It would also be tempting to try and fit in a day's birding north of Osaka/Kyoto as we met a British birder at Arasaki who'd just seen Scaly-sided Merganser on a reservoir there. Perhaps flying back from Kagoshima to Osaka a day earlier might allow that, though it would be hard to cut out a day anywhere.

11 Jan. All members of the party arrived delayed due to flight disruptions at Osaka International airport. First up, was to collect the pre-arranged vouchers and tickets from the Narita View Hotel, where he should have been staying the previous evening if not for the delay. The hotel shuttle bus proved easy to find and within 45 minutes we had the vouchers and were set to go. We also investigated the airport bookshop where we purchased the Shobunsha Road Atlas Japan – the best bilingual map available – for 3,000 Yen.

Without too many problems, we quickly purchased railway tickets from the JR station below the airport to Oarai (2,170 Yen pp) and made it to the platform with 15 minutes to spare. We had expected this journey to be quite difficult, but with the train connection times written down, it made the process much easier. Unlike British Rail, we knew which station we were at as the train arrived and departed exactly to schedule. Fortunately, this journey was on a Saturday, so the trains around Tokyo were largely empty, which even allowed us to do some birding from the train, seeing Bull-headed Shrike in the Tokyo suburbs.

From Oarai station we took a taxi the short distance to the ferry terminal (660 Yen). As we arrived several hours before ferry departure, and were kindly able to leave our luggage in the ferry ticket office, we took a hike around the terminal and Oarai town, where we bought a few stock items for the ferry crossing – bananas and buns for 1,200 Yen. Hmm, welcome to Japan – definitely not cheap. The walk around town produced a few of the commoner species, such as Black-faced Bunting, but also the only Brown Thrush seen well during the trip, feeding on a berry bush directly outside the terminal entrance. The ferry departed for Tomakomai after dark, exactly on schedule at 18:30. The four-bedded first class cabin (12,000 Yen pp) was definitely more than adequate, and we slept well. The on-board restaurant didn’t look too appetising, and besides we had brought our own food. A water-heater was available on board for making coffee, soup, noodles etc.

12 Jan. We awoke at dawn to a cold, overcast and windy day. The outside temperature, while pretty cold, was not as bad as we had expected. Sheltering in the lee at the rear of the ship was passable although after several hours the cold worked its way through no matter how much clothing we wore. The general lack of birds was disappointing, and it wasn’t until mid morning as we were approaching Hokkaido that any auks started to appear in reasonable number - until then a Dusky Thrush circling the ship looked set to be the highlight of the voyage! We had only single sightings of Laysan Albatross and Streaked Shearwater, although we finally hit a reasonable number of Crested Auklet and Least Auklet.

The ferry docked slightly ahead of schedule at 13:15. Unfortunately, as we were quite slow in leaving the ferry, all waiting taxis and the one bus at the terminal had departed. Eventually, we lucked into a taxi picking up another passenger, the driver of which radioed another taxi for us. From Tomakomai station we took a train to Chitose, where we changed onto an airport train. We arrived at the Avis desk at the airport, only to find that Avis transported us back to their office near Chitose station! Given the amount of ice on the roads it was reassuring that the Honda Accord we were given was the all-wheel drive version.

Next followed the long, six-hour journey to Kushiro, over the mountains through quite a bit of snow in sub zero temperatures. We stopped en route for some fast food (chicken and chips) and basics at one of the many Lawson Stations scattered throughout Japan. The drive was completed somewhere around 23:00 when we pulled into the Tokyo Inn Hotel (11,000 Yen/double) near the railway station in decidedly sub-zero temperatures. Fortunately it was open and had vacancies.

13 Jan. Up and out at 06:00. The car had frozen-solid; the temperature having dropped to about minus 12 degrees. The drive to the crane roosting area on Kushiro Marsh took only about 30 minutes, ably assisted by the in-car GPS. Surprisingly, despite the early hour, there were already heaps of Japanese photographers crowding along the bridge over the river. Very reminiscent of a major twitch, except they hardly had a pair of binoculars between them. However, only a few of them remained more than an hour or so, and by 07:30 we pretty much had the bridge to ourselves – oddly the photographers appeared to depart with the improving light.

Three hours were spent in the bridge area, where in addition to the cranes, we observed Japanese Wagtail in the river (one of the few places we actually did). At around 10:30 we were thoroughly chilled, so piled into the car for soup and coffee, after which we proceeded a short distance to the first piece of decent looking woodland, in which Pygmy Woodpecker was found readily.

During the afternoon we slowly worked our way around the coastal inlets and headlands. At an early stop a stunning adult Steller’s Sea Eagle flew right past us along the coast. It was the first of many we were to see on Hokkaido but was one of the most memorable. At a garden feeder on Cape Kiritappu we had a flock of 150 Asian Rosy Finch – another highlight of the trip. We timed our arrival at Furen-ko for dusk, where we took up position at the bridge for Blakiston’s Fish Owl. Although one was heard shortly after dusk it remained distant, and after an hour or so we gave up, assuming and hoping that we would be able to find a local to show us one at a daytime roost, or feeding station. Finding Matseo-san’s lodge, the Furen Nature Inn, proved none too easy as the small sign on the door is in Japanese only. Luckily he spotted us driving forlornly along the road and came out to assist us. At dinner we had our first taste of his excellent homemade saké, over which we did the daily log and then retired to the tatami mats for a good night’s kip.

14 Jan. Woke up to freezing conditions - zero degrees even inside the bedroom. We started with an early walk out onto the frozen lake just behind the Nature Inn. The icy northerly wind blasting straight across the pack-ice made standing around difficult. Multiple layers of clothing, two hats, long-johns, double trousers and two coats made conditions barely tolerable. Many superbly plumaged adult Glaucous Gull were feeding on the ice.

After an excellent breakfast we set off to Ochiishi Lighthouse, where we spent the first couple of hours scanning the harbour for Spectacled Guillemot, seen the previous week, without luck. Sea ducks were much in evidence with numerous Harlequin Duck, Velvet Scoter and Common Goldeneye. We also found a single Pacific Diver. Quite some time was spent, without success, trying to differentiate between Red-faced Cormorant and Pelagic Cormorant. The next couple of hours were spent walking around the peninsula, through often knee-deep snow, to the lighthouse where we were able to do some sea-watching in the lee of the buildings. The best bird seen was a couple of Long-billed Murrelet. Following the return trudge to the car, we continued our drive to Nosappu Miski and sea-watched from the headland. The wind here was vicious and the flying snow flurries made viewing difficult, so by 16:00 we gave up and returned to the Hattoushi Bridge to again look for the owl. Again around 17:15 a single call was heard, and then somewhat miraculously around 17:30 one bird flew in along the frozen river and perched on the ice at the forest edge for about 20 seconds before disappearing back the way it had come. It never returned, and this was to be the only sighting of the trip to our great diappointment. Somewhat reluctantly we returned to the Nature Inn by 18:40.

15 Jan. An even colder morning, with overnight temperatures dropping to around minus 17 degrees. We started the day with a short walk around the nearby nature centre, where a cute Eurasian Red Squirrel was feeding on the bird feeders along with the usual collection of tits and woodpeckers. At breakfast a female Hawfinch came to the bird feeder directly at the window less than 2 metres away. After fortification we decided to head out across the ice of lake Furen to watch the Steller’s Sea Eagles feeding on the pack-ice. Despite the excellent sunny day, the strong wind and freezing temperatures, took some beating – this was the coldest weather most of us had ever experienced. However, seeing over 200 eagles (both Steller’s Sea Eagle and White-tailed Eagle) more than compensated for the harsh conditions. After an hour or so on the ice every one was frozen through so we headed back to the car to thaw-out. We then returned to the Ochiishi Peninsula, where we again looked for, and failed to find, Spectacled Guillemot. By now we had discovered that it was unnecessary to walk around the peninsula, and took the short route to the lighthouse along the board walk through the pine forest, seeing Coal Tit and Goldcrest en route, as well as a large heard of Sika Deer. Sea-watching produced nothing new, so by 16:00 we returned to the Hattoushi bridge one last time to try for the owl. Again no luck.

16 Jan. We set off early at 07:00 in order to check Cape Hadoshi, where according to Matseo-san, we had a chance of finding auks. However we saw little, so continued on to Kiritappu again, this time walking right out to the end of the cape, but again seeing little new. A last look at the Asian Rosy Finches before heading off to Chitose, where we arrived seven hours later and checked into the Hotel Nikko Chitose.

17 Jan. We started the day with a short drive to Utonai - well positioned, just off the highway, for a short trip from Chitose. This allowed us an hour to check out the completely frozen lake as well as the feeders around the bird centre. Little of note however, other than a small group of Eurasian Siskin in the birches behind the hostel.

After an hour we drove directly to the Avis office, which returned us to the airport in time for our 11:00 flight to Okinawa. It was on this flight that we discovered internal flights in Japan do not serve food, much to our chagrin as we had been relying on them for breakfast. Consequently we were pretty hungry when, three hours later, we arrived in Okinawa. We experienced a bit of faffing around at the Avis rental where the GPS navigation system on the first car did not work, and the substitute car, although the same group, wouldn’t take all our baggage. After a small discussion over there “being no other car” another was produced and we set off. Frustratingly we drove past a number of interesting looking birds on the nearby estuary but there was nowhere immediately obvious to pull in and we were keen to get to the north of the island in daylight. Using the toll highways now cuts the travel time to northern Okinawa down to about two and a half hours, so we arrived at the Fungawa Dam area shortly before dark where we heard neither Ryukyu Owl nor Okinawa Rail. After dark we drove the twenty minutes down hill to the JAL Okuma Resort Hotel, our accommodation for the next two nights. Dinner at the Western/Chinese buffet of the hotel.

18 Jan. Up early, and the short drive back to Fungawa Dam had us there by 06:00, whereas in fact it was not even remotely daylight until 07:00. However we did hear a single Okinawa Rail close-by, but as the call was not repeated we had no chance to locate it – very frustrating. At first light we walked the side road at the 8.6 Km marker. At dawn a woodcock flew over and Ryukyu Robin was found surprisingly easily, as we had several hopping around the track edges in the first couple of hours. We spent the next three hours along this track, but disappointingly found neither Okinawa Woodpecker nor Okinawa Rail.

As others have seen the woodpecker around the dam itself we decided to try there next, but discovered construction work in progress, together with several workers and keep-out signs – so we blew that off. We next tried the road off at the 7.5 km marker, parking in the first parking area, and then walking down the road through fairly promisingly looking forest. Unfortunately after about 1 kilometre the forest petered out so we returned to the car, where a pair of Okinawa Woodpecker were discovered in the trees right next to the car! They proved surprisingly difficult to view well. After this success we revisited the first track we had tried in the morning as it was quiet and looked fairly promising for the rail. Although we stayed out until well after dark we didn’t get a sniff of the rail. Returned to the hotel for another buffet.

19 Jan. A very early start around 05:00, with the almost empty roads allowing us to complete the drive back to Naha by 07:00, where we parked in a side street near the estuary and spent a couple of hours scanning the waders and gulls in the hope of finding Saunders's Gull and Black-faced Spoonbill. We found neither, although we did meet a local birder who gladly informed us that both were around in the area.

Back to the airport for the 11:30 flight to Amami island. On arrival at Amami the very friendly and helpful manager of the Caretta House hotel met us. Although the car here had no in-built GPS, the island was relatively small and it was easy to find our way around with the map provided. Initially we had intended to drive to the Virgin Mangrove Forest in the centre south of the island. However, on the recommendation of the manager we tried the close-by Amami Natural Forest. This proved to be an excellent and well-recommended spot. The first birds we saw driving up hill to the forest was a group of three Lidth’s Jay! At the top we walked the wide trails around the centre finding the very distinctive Amami form of White-backed Woodpecker, as well as Ryukyu Robin and an Asian Stubtail. The weather was surprisingly cold and windy.

Returned to the hotel by 18:00 where we seemed to get special attention and had a Korean bar-b-que. This was one of the poorest meals we had in Japan, although it seemed the hotel meant well. Despite the cold and windy weather we returned to the Amami Natural Forest and tried for Ryukyu Owl. Not surprisingly we heard nothing. Winter would appear to be a particularly poor time to search for this bird, which is no doubt common in the warmer months.

20 Jan. An 05:30 start to drive to the Supa-rindo track. We had some confusion with the directions in Brazil’s book, but managed to locate it without getting lost, mainly by following signs to the virgin forest. However, the journey took an hour and a half – much more than we had considered initially. Directions in Brazil’s book do not include distances – a bit misleading. We spent the whole day here walking and driving most of the tracks that looked to have good forest (as well as some that didn’t). We found this a frustrating day with few species seen. Lidth’s Jay’s were only heard, and the Amami Thrush and Amami Woodcock were non-existent. The drive produced not a single owl sighting, no sign of the endemic Amami Black Rabbit (hibernating?) and only a single fly over of a possible woodcock. All in all a difficult day bird-wise although the forest did indeed look very promising, and would no doubt be excellent at the appropriate time of year. We felt the time of year was definitely not optimal. We returned to the Caretta House by 20:00 but despite a much better, more western style bar-b-que, this day was to be the low point of the trip.

21 Jan. At first light we returned to the Amami Native Forest in a last look for possible Amami Thrush. No thrushes, but some excellent views of Lidth’s Jay and Ryukyu Robin feeding fearlessly in the roadside draining channel, and photographed down to a few metres. We left at 09:00 and had a quick stop at the pond at the bottom of the hill where a small number of Brambling was found, as well as a quick look at the sea with Brown Booby of note.

We took the 12:00 flight to Kagoshima. It was here in the Toyota Rent-a-Car office that we had our biggest hassle of the trip. Although we had pre-paid the car in Europe they refused to honour our pre-payment, and also insisted that a one-way drop charge to Osaka would be 55,000 Yen. After an hour of difficult explanations and telephone calls to the head office in Tokyo we gave up arguing (or we might well still be there) and paid the rental locally with a view to taking up the issue with Hertz in the UK [note we are still arguing with Hertz at the time of writing in May 2003!].

The drive to Mi-ike took a little over an hour. We initially looked at the grassy edges of the lake, almost immediately finding Yellow-throated Bunting – an excellent-looking bird. Next we explored a few of the trails and roadsides, but saw very little. Activity in the forest at this time of year is apparently very poor, a view with which we would concur. At dusk we returned to the hotel where an absolutely splendid full-Monte Japanese meal was served in the room – well worth staying here just for this. The staff was very helpful and allowed us the use of the hotel office PC to send a much needed e-mail to Sarus concerning the car rental. However, using the Japanese version of MS-Explorer took some getting used to.

22 Jan.A reasonably early return to Mi-ike where we started with a thorough scan of the lake. This was rewarded with several Baikal Teal, including three males. We then took the three kilometre walk around the lake, seeing a reasonable collection of birds including good numbers of Japanese Grosbeak. The highlight was unexpectedly finding a Japanese Accentor among the rocky edges. This bird seems to be very rare in southern Japan. We then decided to try various forest trails for Copper Pheasant. This proved to be abortive – the bird seemingly impossible to locate in the very dead forest.

Drove to Izumi, the last part in darkness, with one or two not very productive roadside stops. We checked into the Izumi Wing Hotel on a cold and very windy night and tried to find a simple restaurant in the vicinity but gave up, ending-up scoffing junk chicken and chips in a Seven-11. After, we walked to locate a beer/food shop to stock up for the next day and in the process discovered a likely-looking fast noodle restaurant that appeared reasonably cheap – earmarked for tomorrow.

23 Jan. An early start on yet another icy morning. Having first de-iced the car, we drove to the crane sanctuary, where, as it was not yet officially open, we were able to get onto the roof and sheltered from the ever-persistent wind. We spent most of the morning watching and photographing the thousands of cranes, many of which continued to pile-in to the area throughout the morning. A few Common Crane and a single Demoiselle Crane were present among the hoard, but alas no Siberian Crane. A couple of dark phase Daurian Jackdaw were a bit of a disappointment. Next we explored various areas, as mentioned in the other trip reports, for specialities such as Green Pheasant and Penduline Tit. The strong winds definitely did not help with the later. We also tried the rivers for Long-billed Plover successfully and had a nice fly-by Crested Kingfisher. A young Japanese birder gave us directions to a group of Japanese Waxwing a couple of hours drive to the north. As we’d not had a particularly good day we decided that tomorrow we would try farther up the coast for Saunders’s Gull, as well as the waxwings. In the late afternoon we met Arman Hill, of Focus on Nature Tours, to whom we gave directions for Black–faced Spoonbill and received a suggestion of where to find Chinese Penduline Tit. After our return to the hotel, we tried yesterday’s discovered noodle shop – a good find (500 Yen for a large noodle soup with vegetables). Shopped at Lawson for food and beers.

24 Jan. We started the day at 07:00 trying the reed beds for Chinese Penduline Tit. Despite the wind, which was at least less than yesterday, we were fortunate to discover a feeding flock. This species would be very easy to overlook. Feeling suitably victorious we drove to the Yatsushiro estuary for Saunders’s Gull. However the tide was completely wrong so we continued on to the waxwing area we had been previously informed of. This proved to a total failure and, having had our hopes raised, was one of the main disappointments of the trip. Although we discovered several berry bushes in the general area they seemed to be infested with bulbuls and after a couple of hours of searching we gave up. We returned to Yatsushiro where the tide was just dropping, and just about perfect for Saunders’s Gull. Several were found within a few minutes of arrival, as well as a Great Black-headed Gull and a potential Heuglin’s Gull which gave a great deal of debate, and food for thought. Checked the fields around the estuary, which had impressive flocks of thousands of Brambling. After our return to the hotel we again visited the noodle shop discovered yesterday.

25 Jan. Although the primary aim was to drive to Osaka, which we figured would take most of the day, we decided it was worth the detour to Kadogawa to try for the highly restricted Japanese Murrelet. Having left at 06:00 the drive took us four and a half hours. We had great problems interpreting the map and directions in Andersen’s report, but eventually found our own way out onto the headland north of town and harbour. To our surprise we immediately found two Japanese Murrelet feeding in the bay, and over the next couple of hours discovered a few more feeding well out in the bay. All in all a very worthwhile detour. The drive back to Osaka was pretty awful, especially the first part along the Kyushu coast, and we finally made it back to Osaka by 01:00, with some members of the group opting to sleep in the car.

26 Jan.A hefty parking charge for non-residents had those not staying in the hotel worried – it was more expensive than the cost of a room! Fortunately a residents swipe card released the car and we quickly departed. We had a few problems to find the Toyota Rent-a-Car office, but after turning up at the wrong office we were given directions programmed into the GPS that anyone could follow. It was annoying to have to pay for the airport bus from the car rental office. Late morning plane departures for all.

Species List

Taxonomy and scientific names follow Clements (2000, and updates). Species order and common names follow Brazil (1991). Significant records seen by only one or two members of the Group are indicated by their initials: JFC, RJF, JWK or DES.

Pacific Diver Gavia pacifica. Seen only at Cape Ochiishi, Hokkaido with three on the 14th and another three on the 15th.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis. Seen only on Kyushu with up to six seen on Lake Mi-ike on the 21st and 22nd and two on the river near Araskai on the 23rd. All belonged to the race poggei.

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena. One seen at Cape Ochiishi on the 14th and four there on the 15th. All belonged to the race holboellii.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus. Odd birds recorded on four dates, at Oarai Ferry Terminal, Honshu and on Kyushu. All belonged to the nominate race.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis. Two seen at Oarai Ferry Terminal, Honshu on the 11th. Five seen on the 12th on the drive to Kushiro, Hokkaido. Singles in E Hokkaido on the 14th and 16th and one on the 24th at Yatsushiro, Kyushu. All belonged to the nominate race.

Laysan Albatross Phoebastria immutabilis. A superb adult seen close to the Ferry on the 12th as we approached Hokkaido was an early highlight of the trip.

Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas. Two seen from the Ferry to Hokkaido on the 12th were the only observation, with only distant views obtained.

Brown Booby Sula leucogaster. One seen on the 21st out to sea, close to the airport from Amami Oshima, belonged to the race plotus.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. The only ones positively identified from the following species were one seen at Oarai Ferry Terminal, Honshu on 11th, six on the rivers on Kyushu on the 23rd, and 200+ around Arasaki on the 24th. All were presumed to belong to the race hanedae.

Japanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus. We found it difficult to differentiate from Great Cormorant. Twelve seen at the Ferry Terminal at Oakai were considered to be this species. One seen from the Ferry on the 12th, one on the 14th at Cape Nosappu, Hokkaido, two on Amami on 19th and one on 21st and 50 in the harbour at Kadogawa, Kyushu, on the 25th.

Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus. Up to 100 seen daily on Hokkaido chiefly at Cape Ochiishi. All belonged to the nominate race.

Red-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax urile. Just two identified at Cape Ochiishi, Hokkaido on the 15th. We found this species difficult to differentiate from Pelagic Cormorant although the larger pale bill, head shape and more glossy body were useful pointers.

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax. 15 seen on the 24th around Yatsushiro, Kyushu. All belonged to the nominate race.

Eastern Cattle Egret Ardea coromandus. One from the car on Amami Oshima on 19th and three seen at Yatsushiro, Kyushu on the 24th.

Eastern Reef Heron Egretta sacra. Singles seen on the 17th and 19th on Okinawa, with three on the 25th at Kadogawa, Kyushu. All belonged to the nominate race.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta. Recorded in small numbers on seven days with a daily maximum of ten on the 24th but not seen on Hokkaido. All belonged to the nominate race.

Great White Egret Ardea alba. Recorded on five dates with a maximum of seven on the 17th. These included two flying over Lake Utonai on 17th - the only ones seen on Hokkaido. Most were probably of the smaller race modesta, although those on Hokkaido were perhaps more likely to be nominate.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea. Recorded on seven dates with a maximum of at least 20 on the 23rd. All belonged to the race jouyi.

Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor. One identified from the car as we drove over the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 17th and three or four seen along the sea-wall on the cranes feeding grounds, Arasaki on the 23rd. Considered Endangered by Collar (2000).

Mute Swan Cygnus olor. Two seen on the 23rd near Arasaki, Kyushu. Presumed to be feral birds. Brazil (1991) does not mention a feral population in Kyushu but lists only one wild record for Japan.

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus. Forty seen on the 13th near Kiritappu, Hokkaido, 20 on the 16th on the drive, eight at Lake Utonai, Hokkaido on 17th, four on the 23rd at Arasaki, Kyushu and one on the drive across Kyushu on 25th.

grey goose sp. Anser albifrons/fabalis. A distant bird at Arasaki on 23rd created some debate as to whether it was a White-fronted or Bean Goose.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna. Seen only on two dates on Kyushu with eight on the 23rd and 15 on the 24th.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope. Just two seen on Hokkaido on the 13th but good numbers seen on Kyushu with at least 800 on the 23rd at Arasaki Crane Reserve.

Gadwall Anas strepera. Small numbers recorded on three dates on Kyushu. All belonged to the nominate race.

Baikal Teal Anas formosa. A party of five including three fine drakes were found on Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on the 22nd and good views were obtained. Considered Vulnerable by Collar (2000).

Common Teal Anas crecca. Ten seen on Hokkaido on 13th, one on Amami Oshima on the 21st with 100 on the 23rd and 50 on the 24th at Arasaki, Kyushu. All belonged to the nominate race.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. Recorded on six dates with a maximum of 300 at Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on the 22nd. All belonged to the nominate race.

Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha. Only recorded on Kyushu with a maximum of 200 at Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on the 22nd. All belonged to the race zonorhyncha.

Northern Pintail Anas acuta. Recorded on six dates with impressive numbers at Arasaki Crane Reserve, Kyushu on the 23rd when 2000 were estimated. All belonged to the nominate race.

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata. Just a single female seen near Arasaki, Kyushu on the 24th.

Common Pochard Aythya farina. An estimated 200 seen from the train on the journey to Oarai, Honshu on the 11th, ten seen on the 17th at Nopporo Forest Park Lake, Hokkaido and 100 seen on the drive across Kyushu on 25th.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula. Four seen on the 22nd at Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu and 50 seen on the drive across Kyushu on 25th.

Greater Scaup Aythya marila. Surprisingly, seen only in very small numbers on four dates on Hokkaido. Belongs to the race mariloides.

Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus. Seen only on Hokkaido where it proved to be one of the commonest duck and drakes appeared to outnumber females. Daily maximum of 150 on the 14th. Superb! All belonged to the race pacificus.

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis. Seen only on Hokkaido and not as common as Harlequin with a maximum of 30 on the 14th. Many were well plumaged males.

Common (Black) Scoter Melanitta nigra. Seen only on Hokkaido where it was very common with a maximum of 150 on the 14th. All belonged to the North American form americana, sometimes treated as a separate species.

White-winged (Velvet) Scoter Melanitta fusca. Small numbers recorded on three dates on Hokkaido with a maximum of eight on the 14th. All belonged to the race stejnegeri.

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula. Recorded on four dates on Hokkaido with a maximum of 40 on the 13th. All belonged to the nominate race.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator. Recorded in small numbers on four dates on Hokkaido also 30 seen on the 24th at Yatsushiro, Kyushu.

Goosander Mergus merganser. Recorded on three dates on Hokkaido with a maximum of 33 on the 13th. All belonged to the nominate race.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus. Seen on Okinawa with six on the 17th and five on the 19th, also on Amami Oshima with two on the 19th and two on the 21st, and on Kyushu with two on the 21st, one on the 22nd, five on the 23rd and one on the 24th. All belonged to the nominate race.

Black Kite Milvus migrans. Very common on Hokkaido with up to 150 daily. Smaller numbers on Kyushu with up to 40 daily and also seen on Honshu. Not seen on Okinawa or Amami Oshima. Seems strange to see so many on Hokkaido in the thick snow and very cold weather. All belonged to the race lineatus which many consider to be a distinct species - Black-eared Kite - a view it is easy to concur with given their setting.

White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla. Recorded on three dates on Hokkaido with eight on the 14th, an amazing 100 at the frozen Lake Furen on the 15th and four on the 16th. This and the next species proved to be one of the great sights of the trip. Considered by Collar (2000) as Near Threatened.

Steller’s Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus. Recorded on all four dates on Hokkaido with seven on the 13th, six on the 14th an amazing 150 on the ice at Lake Furen on the 15th and four on the 16th. The majority were adults. Superb, and has to be bird of the trip. Considered by Collar (2000) to be Vulnerable.

Japanese Sparrowhawk Tachyspiza gularis. A single male was well seen on the 18th in the forest near Fungawa Dam, Okinawa with another accipiter seen less well on Amami Oshima on 21st thought to be this species too. The former was most likely to have belonged to the resident race iwasakii while the latter would have been a migrant of the nominate race.

Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus. Proved to be fairly common on both Okinawa and Amami Oshima with a daily maximum of ten on the 17th but not seen on the other islands.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo. Recorded on six dates in small numbers on Honshu, Hokkaido and Kyushu but not seen on Okinawa and Amami Oshima. All belonged to the distinctive race japonicus.

Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus. Just a single bird seen on Cape Kiritappu, Hokkaido on the 13th. Probably belonged to the race menzbieri.

Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus. Odd birds recorded on seven dates from all the islands visited other than Okinawa. All belonged to the race interstinctus.

Merlin Falco columbarius. Singles recorded on Hokkaido on the 13th and 14th probably related to the race insignis.

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus. Recorded on five dates involving seven birds including one flying around the ferry to Hokkaido on the 12th. Probably the majority related to the race japonensis.

Green Pheasant Phasianus versicolor. A fine adult male was seen well near Arasaki, Kyushu on the 23rd.

Okinawa Rail Rallus okinawae.One was heard calling just once before dawn at Fungawa Dam, Okinawa on the 18th. It was close to the road but we were unable to locate it with flashlights. Footprints assumed to belong to this species were seen beside a muddy pool along the ‘US Marine track’ near Fungawa Dam but an afternoon vigil was unproductive. Numbers of this species appear to have declined dramatically following the introduction of mongooses onto Okinawa in an attempt to control the numbers of Habu-hubu, a venemous snake the Japanese seem to be paranoid about.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus. One or two seen briefly in reedy ditches at Arasaki, Kyushu on 23rd were of the race indicus.

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus. Odd birds recorded on four dates on Okinawa and Kyushu. All belonged to the race indica.

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra. Recorded on three dates on Honshu and Kyushu. All belonged to the nominate race.

Common Crane Grus grus. Three were seen on the Crane Reserve at Arasaki, Kyushu on the 23rd. We also located a hybrid crane probably Common x Hooded on the reserve on the 23rd. They would most likely have belonged to the form lilfordi, were it recognised.

Hooded Crane Grus monacha. 7,000+ were seen at Arasaki Crane Reserve on the 23rd and 1,000+ were seen in the fields close to the reserve on the 24th. The official count from earlier in the month was 7,307. One of the great sights of the trip when thousands of Hooded and White-naped Cranes came flying into the reserve from their roost on the 23rd. Considered by Collar (2000) to be Vulnerable.

Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis. Just a single juvenile was found amongst all the thousands of cranes at the Crane Reserve, Arasaki, Kyushu on the 23rd. It was our sixth species of crane for the trip and belonged to the nominate race.

White-naped Crane Grus vipio. 3,000+ were seen at Arasaki Crane Reserve, Kyushu on the 23rd, with 1,000+ on the 24th. The official count from earlier in the month was 3134. A beautiful, graceful crane and without doubt one of the highlights of the trip. Considered by Collar (2000) to be Vulnerable.

Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis. At dawn on the 13th we visited a river valley on Kushiro Marsh, Hokkaido and watched for three hours at least 220 of these superb cranes at their roost site standing in the unfrozen volcanic warm river with steam rising from the water, surrounded by thick snow. Several of the cranes were watched dancing and this was simply superb and unforgettable sight. Considered by Collar (2000) to be Endanagered.

Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo. A fine adult was found amongst the thousands of cranes at Arasaki Crane Reserve, Kyushu on the 23rd.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. Two seen feeding on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 17th belonged to the nominate race.

Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta. Five seen on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th.

Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus. Two found on a gravel river close to Arasaki, Kyushu on the 23rd and gave excellent views. There were of the form japonicus, were it to be recognised.

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus. Ten found roosting in rice paddies at Arasaki, Kyushu on the 23rd. They were presumed to belong to the race nihonensis.

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva. Several seen on the 17th on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa with four there on the 19th.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola. Thirty seen on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th, and 100 on the mudflats at Yatsushiro, Kyushu on the 24th.

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus. Seen only on Kyushu with seven on the 23rd and 30 on the 24th.

Sanderling Calidris alba. Five seen on the 14th at Cape Nosappu, Hokkaido and 15 on the 16th at Cape Hadoshi, Hokkaido.

Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta. Eight seen on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th with two on the 24th in a rice paddy at Yatsushiro, Kyushu.

Dunlin Calidris alpina. Seen only on Kyushu with 50 on the 23rd and five on the 24th. All belonged to the race sakhalina.

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago. Only recorded on Kyushu with ten on the 23rd and two on the 24th. All belonged to the nominate race.

woodcock sp. Scolopax rusticola/mira. A single bird seen twice in flight at dawn on the 18th in the forest at Fungawa Dam, Okinawa probably related to Amami Woodcock. It twice flew past just over the trees, almost as if it was roding but did not call. Unfortunately, no plumage details could be seen due to the very poor light at dawn. A fleeting glimpse of a second individual was had flying across the track after dark in the forest at Kinsakubaru Virgin Forest Reserve

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica. Three seen on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th belonged to the race baueri.

Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus. Seen only on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa with four on the 17th and six on the 19th. All belonged to the race variegatus.

Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata. Twelve seen on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th belonged to the very long billed race orientalis.

Common Redshank Tringa tetanus. Ten seen on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th belonged to the race eurhinus.

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis. Two seen on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th.

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia. Recorded on four dates with a maximum of 50 on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus. Two singles seen on Kyushu on the 23rd and 24th.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos. Recorded on four dates with a maximum of eight on the 23rd on Kyushu.

Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes. One seen on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th.

Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus. A fine adult in transitional summer plumage was found on the mudflats at Yatsushiro, Kyushu on the 24th.

Saunders’s Gull Larus saundersi. Eight second winter plumage birds were seen very well on the mudflats at Yatsushiro, Kyushu on the 24th. Considered by Collar (2000) as Vulnerable

Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus. Recorded in small numbers on three dates. All belonged to the form sibiricus, were it recognised.

Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris. Four seen from the ferry crossing to Hokkaido on the 12th. Two seen on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th and 25 on the mudflats at Yatsushiro, Kyushu on the 24th. We were surprised how few of this smart gull we saw.

Common Gull Larus canus. Fifty seen on the 13th on Hokkaido with two the next day, were the only ones positively identified. All related to the race kamtschatschensis.

Vega Gull Larus Larus vegae. Good numbers recorded on eight dates but not recorded on either Okinawa or Amami Oshima. Maximum count was 200 on the Yatsushiro mudflats, Kyushu on the 24th. Included in Brazil (1991) as a race of the very similar Herring Gull L. argentatus.

Heuglin’s Gull Larus heuglini. A large yellow-legged gull considered to be this species of the race taimyrensis was found standing with other gulls on the mudflats at Yatsushiro, Kyushu on the 24th. It was a large bulky gull with long yellow legs with the mantle and wings not appearing as dark as nominate heuglini. The head was unstreaked. This race is not included by Clements (2000) and the form is not listed in Brazil (1991) although it would seem to be recorded in Japan increasingly regularly.

Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus. Good numbers seen from the ferry and on Hokkaido with up to 300 daily but otherwise just a single bird seen at Arasaki, Kyushu on the 23rd.

Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens. Seen only on two dates on Hokkaido with five on the 13th and 30 on the 14th.

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus. Recorded from the ferry and on Hokkaido, with six on the 12th, four on the 13th, 60 on the 14th, 50 on the 15th and one on 16th. Many fine adults were seen. All belonged to the race pallidissimus.

Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla. Twenty were seen on the ferry crossing to Hokkaido on the 12th. All belonged to the race pollicaris.

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus. Two were seen feeding on the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th and were of the race javanicus. Brazil (1991), classifies them as a rare late summer and autumn migrant with the occasional winter record.

Common Guillemot Uria aalge. Just three identified from the ferry crossing to Hokkaido on the 12th belonged to the race inornata.

Brunnich’s Guillemot Uria lomvia. At least 30 identified from the Ferry crossing to Hokkaido on the 12th belonged to the race arra.

Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus perdix. One seen on the 14th and three on the 15th from Cape Ochiishi, Hokkaido. One on the 16th from Cape Kiritappu, Hokkaido. Included in Brazil (1991) as Marbled Murrulet.

Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus. At least two were identified from the ferry crossing to Hokkaido on the 12th. Thirty were seen on the sea-watch off Cape Nosappu, Hokkaido on the 14th and good views of four on the sea off Cape Ochiishi, Hokkaido on the 15th.

Japanese Murrelet Synthliboramphus wumizusume. Seven of these fine murrelets were located on the sea of Kadogawa harbour, Kyushu on the 25th. It proved to be our final new species in Japan and was a fine ending to the trip. Considered by Collar (2000) as Vulnerable.

Crested Auklet Aethia cristatella. As we approached Tomakomai, Hokkaido on the ferry on the 12th, one party of eight plus seven other birds flew alongside the Ferry giving reasonable views.

Least Auklet Aethia pusilla. A few miles south of Tomakomai harbour, Hokkaido on the 12th we came across 12 of these diminutive auklets on the Ferry crossing and good views were obtained both in flight and two were seen well sitting on the sea, close to the ferry. Up to another 15 small auklets were also seen further away from the ferry which were also probably this species. On Hokkaido singles were seen off Nosappu Misaki on 14th, Ochiishi Misaki on 15th and Kiritappu on 16th.

Rock Dove Colombia livia. Seen, but usually ignored, in most urban areas.

Japanese Woodpigeon Columbia janthina. Three seen in the Fungawa Dam area, Okinawa on the 18th. Ten seen on the 19th including several seen very well sat in the trees at the Amami Forest Reserve, Amami Oshima and five there on the 21st. All belonged to the nominate race. Considered by Collar (2000) as Near Threatened.

Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis. Seen on all the islands visited except for Hokkaido and proved to be reasonable common both in the forests and the towns. Daily maximum was ten on the 17th. Birds on Honshu and Kyushu were assumed to belong to the nominate race while those on Okinawa and Amami Oshima were most likely stimpsoni.

Red-capped Green Pigeon Treron formosae. Seen on four dates on Okinawa and Amami Oshima. Three seen on the 18th near Fungawa Dam, one seen on the 19th in flight at the Amami Forest Reserve. One watched feeding on fresh leaf buds at close range for nearly 10 minutes on the 20th in the Kinsakubaru Virgin Forest Reserve and finally one on the 21st in the Amami Forest Reserve. All belonged to the race permagus. Considered by Collar (2000) as Near Threatened.

Ryukyu Scops Owl Otus elegans. One seen in flight and perched in a tree at dawn on the 18th in the forest at Fungawa Dam, Okinawa (RJF). Despite birding on Amami Oshima after dark this species could not be located there.

Blakiston’s Fish Owl Ketupa blakistoni. One was heard calling several times from the Hattoushi Bridge near Lake Furen, Hokkaido on 14th and 15th (but not 13th) and was seen briefly by three members of the group sitting on the frozen river in moonlight on 14th before flying off out of sight down river. It is only possible to watch from the road at this site as the woodland on each side is private with no unauthorised access allowed. It was disappointing not to see a bird at a daytime roost; disturbance by Japanese photographers was the reason we were given as to why it wasn’t possible to be shown one, although this may have been a convenient excuse in what we detected was a political situation. As helpful as the owner of Nature Inn is, it maybe that one has a better chance of being shown a roosting owl if staying at other accommodation in this area. Birds on Hokkaido are of the nominate race.

House Swift Apus nipalensis. Six seen on the drive from Kadogawa, Kyushu on the 25th belonged to the race subfurcatus. Included in Brazil (1991) as a race of Little Swift A. affinis.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis. Recorded on four dates on both Okinawa and Kyushu. All were of the local race bengalensis.

Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris. One of these fine large kingfishers was seen well in flight along a gravel river near Arasaki, Kyushu on the 23rd belonged to the nominate race.

Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla. A single bird was seen on the walk around Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on the 22nd belonged to the form japonica were it recognised.

Okinawa Woodpecker Sapheopipo noguchii. A male was seen briefly and a female showed well for ten minutes from the first lay-by on the left along the 7.5km road near Fungawa Dam, Okinawa on the 18th. Considered by Collar (2000) as Critically Endangered with a world population of approx. 500 birds.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major. One to three were seen daily on Hokkaido and all relate to the race japonicus.

White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos. Seen each day on Amami Oshima, with one on the 19th at Amami Forest Reserve, three on the 20th at Kinsakubaru Virgin Forest Reserve and another at Amami Forest Reserve on 21st. All were seen extremely well and were watched for long periods. All belong to the very distinctive race owstoni which is endemic to Amami Oshima and on plumage, size etc. must rank as a potential full species. One seen briefly at Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on 22nd was of the more usual looking race namiyei.

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos kizuki. Two singles seen on Hokkaido on the 13th and 15th, one near the Fungawa Dam, Okinawa on 19th, one on on Amami Oshima on the 20th and two on the drive out to Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on the 22nd. Very smart, a variety of races were involved ijimae on Hokkaido, amamii on Amami Oshima and kizuki on Kyushu and Okinawa (where sometimes recognised as nigriscens).

Japanese Skylark Alauda japonica. Seen only on Kyushu where it was common in the fields around Arasaki with 40+ being seen on the 23rd and 70+ on the 24th. Although very similar in appearance to Eurasian Skylark, considered to appear darker with more black streaking on the back and the tail also appeared slightly shorter. Included in Brazil (1991) as a race of Sky Lark A. arvensis.

Pacific Swallow Hirundo javanica Seen only in small numbers on both Okinawa and Amami Oshima. All belonged to the race namiyei.

Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus. Up to 50 seen on the 22nd on the drive to Izumi, Kyushu, 3 at Arasaki on 23rd and 40 seen on the drive from Yatsushiro, Kyushu on the 24th.

Richard’s Pipit Anthus ricardi. A large pipit considered to be this species was seen briefly on the field outside the airport on Amami Oshima on the 19th and much better on the 21st when its identity was confirmed. It belonged to the race sinensis.

Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni. Two seen on the 21st and three on the 22nd on the camping ground at Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu were presumed to belong to the nominate race.

Siberian Pipit Anthus japonicus. Pipits seen from the train to Oarai on 11th were assumed to be this species while good numbers were present in the fields around Arasaki, Kyushu with 40 seen well on the 23rd and 20 on the 24th. All belonged to the race japonicus.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea. Small numbers seen on Okinawa, Amami Oshima and Kyushu belonged to the race robusta.

Black-backed Wagtail Motacilla lugens. Common and widespread but not seen on Hokkaido and only odd birds seen on Okinawa and Amami Oshima. A somewhat of a confusion species as many show very pale grey backs in winter. All belonged to the nominate race.

Japanese Wagtail Motacilla grandis. Two were seen well along the warm volcanic river on Kushiro Marsh, Hokkaido on the 13th and another was seen from the car driving across Kyushu on 25th (JWK). A smart wagtail.

Ryukyu Minivet Pericrocotus tegimae. Three seen well on the 18th near Fungawa Dam, Okinawa, two at Kinsakubaru Virgin Forest Reserve, Amami Odhima on 20th and one seen briefly around Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on the 22nd.

Chinese Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis. Six seen in the mangroves along the Naha Estuary, Okinawa on the 19th belonged to the race orii.

Brown-eared Bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis. Common and widespread, although just two were seen on Hokkaido. Seen on all the islands and on Kyushu large flocks were seen feeding in berry trees.

Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii. Just one pair seen along a river on the drive through the mountains to Kadogawa, Kyushu on the 25th belonged to the nominate race.

Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes. One in the forest around Lake Furen, Hokkaido (DES), and two seen in the forest at Mi-ike on 21st belonged to the very dark race fumigatus.

Japanese Accentor Prunella rubida. A single bird found on rocks around the edge of Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on the 22nd. After showing well for a several minutes it departed into the forest. Brazil (1991) gives wintering records for northern Kyushu only making this a particularly good find.

Ryukyu Robin Erithacus komadori. Eleven of these delightful robins, including three adult males, were seen very well on the forest paths near Fungawa Dam, Okinawa on the 18th. At the Amami Forest Reserve, Amami Oshima two were seen on the 19th and three on 21st, including a fine male which showed very well. Those on Amami Oshima belonged to the nominate race while those on Okinawa belonged to the race namiyei which was quite distinct as the males have a more extensive black breast, greyier belly and lack the black flank patch. Superb and one of the highlights of the trip.

Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus. Four seen near Fungawa Dam, Okinawa on the 18th, six in the Kinsakubaru Virgin Forest, Amami Oshima on the 20th, nine at Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on the 21st and five there on the 22nd. Virtually all were in female or immature plumage and all belonged to the nominate race.

Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus. Small numbers seen on all the islands other than Hokkaido. In total approximately 40 different birds were recorded over nine dates with a maximum of 11 on the 22nd on Kyushu. Many fine full plumage males were seen. All belonged to the nominate race.

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius. Recorded on five dates with a total of at least 20 different birds being logged. Seen on Okinawa, Amami Oshima, Kyushu and Honshu, with a maximum of nine on the 19th. Virtually all were males, belonging to the chestnut-bellied race philippensis.

White’s Thrush Zoothera dauma. One flushed and seen well in flight on the 23rd at the Green Pheasant site near Arasaki, Kyushu belonged to the migrant race aurea.

Brown Thrush Turdus chrysolaus. One was seen briefly from the train to Oarai on 11th (RJF) while a male, seen outside the ferry terminal at Oarai, Honshu later in the day, was watched feeding on the ground and in a berry bush with excellent views obtained. A male was seen on the drive to Izumi, Kyushu on the 22nd (JFC). The English name Brown-headed Thrush seems more appropriate given the brightness of the underparts of the individuals seen.

Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus. Not seen on Hokkaido but proved to be common on Okinawa and Amami Oshima with smaller numbers seen on Kyushu. An estimated 100 were seen at dawn on the track leading to Kinsakubaru Virgin Forest, Ashima Oshima on the 20th.

Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni. Eight were seen on the 11th on Honshu and one flew several times around the ferry heading towards Hokkaido on the 12th (and looked for most of the journey to be bird of the day). Five were seen on Hokkaido on 12th and three on 16th. None were seen on Okinawa, although eight gave excellent views just outside the airport on Amami Oshima on the 19th with ten there on the 21st. It was commonest on Kyushu with 50 on the 23rd, 100 on the 24th and 10 on the 25th. Majority were of the race eunomus although one bird seen had some red on the underparts and was probably an intermediate phase. One of the star birds of the trip.

Stub-tailed Bush Warbler Urosphena squameiceps. Seen only on Amami Oshima when one showed very well at Amami Forest Reserve on the 19th and then three were seen in the Kinsakubaru Virgin Forest on the 20th. These records suggest this skulking species might be a more frequent winter visitor to the Ryukyu Islands than is suggested by Brazil (1991).

Japanese Bush Warbler Cettia diphone. Recorded on Okinawa and Amami Oshima where common and on Kyushu where considerably less so. In total over 40 different birds were seen on seven dates with many more heard calling. Maximum of 20 seen on the 18th in the Fungawa Dam area. Several behaved in a strange manner for a Bush Warbler being seen quite high up in the trees and no where near as secretive as other species of Bush Warblers. Those on Okinawa and Amami Oshima belonged to the race riukiuensis while those on Kyushu were most probably cantans.

Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus. Two seen on the 18th near Fungawa Dam, Okinawa and three on the 20th in Kinsakubaru Virgin Forest, Amami Oshima belonged to the nominate race.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus. One on the 15th at Cape Ochiishi, Seen on the 18th at Fungawa Dam, Okinawa belonged to the race japonensis.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus. Seen only on Kyushu with 16 on the 21st and 15 on the 22nd. Unfortunately no white-headed forms were seen, all belonging to the race kiusiuensis.

Marsh Tit Poecile palustris. Seen only on Hokkaido with 35 birds logged on four dates mostly at bird feeders. All belonged to the race hensoni. Separating this species from the next seemed to present more problems than in the UK!

Willow Tit Poecile montanus. Recorded on two dates on Hokkaido with six on the 13th and three on the 15th. One was also seen at Mi-ike, Kyushu on 22nd (RJF). All belonged to the race restrictus.

Varied Tit Sittiparus varius. Ten seen in the Fungawa Dam area, Okinawa on the 18th, two seen on Amami Oshima on the 19th with six there on the 20th. Four seen at Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on the 21st and six there on the 22nd while one at Osaka Kansai, Honshu (JWK) was the last bird seen in Japan. All belonged to the nominate race with the exception of those on Okinawa and Amami Oshima which belonged to the race amamii.

Coal Tit Parus ater. Two seen on the 15th on Hokkaido, two on the 18th at Fungawa Dam, Okinawa and six on the 22nd at Mi-ike, Kyushu. All belonged to the race insularis.

Great Tit Parus major. Recorded in fair numbers on all the islands visited except Honshu. Those on Hokkaido and Kyushu belonged to the race minor, those on Okinawa okinawae and those on Amami Oshima amamiensis.

Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea. Seen only on Hokkaido and Amami Oshima, with a total of ten birds seen over five days. Nine were seen on Hokkaido and were of a very cold white plumage and belonged to the race asiatica. The single bird seen on Amami Oshima was much darker with more chestnut underparts and belonged to the race roseilia.

Common Treecreeper Certhia familiaris. Just a single bird seen on Hokkaido on the 13th was of the pale race daurica.

Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus. A party of ten were located in a reed-bed close to the Arasaki Crane Reserve, Kyushu on the 24th. Included in Brazil (1991) as a race of Penduline Tit R. pendulinus.

Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus. Recorded in fair numbers on Okinawa, Amami Oshima and Kyushu. The birds seen on Okinawa and Amami Oshima appeared a lot different to those on Kyushu (which were of the nominate race) and were assumed to belong to the island race loochooensis as indicated by Brazil (1991), although according to Clements (2000) this race is restricted to Irimote.

Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus. A total of 18 different birds were logged over five dates but was seen only on Honshu and Kyushu with a maximum of six on the 25th. All belonged to the nominate race.

Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor. A single bird was found on the 13th on Kushiro Marsh, Hokkaido belonged to the race bianchii.

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius. Two were seen on the drive across Hokkaido on 16th and another near Chitose Airport, Hokkaido on the 17th. They belonged to the race bambergi.

Lidth’s Jay Garrulus lidthi. A party of five seen on the drive up to Amami Forest Reserve, Amami Oshima on the 19th and five were also seen at the Forest Reserve in the early morning of the 21st and superb views obtained. Well worth the effort in going to Amami Oshima. Considered by Collar (2000) as Vulnerable.

Daurian Jackdaw Corvus dauuricus. Eight dark morph birds were seen with the Rooks at the Arasaki Crane Reserve, Kyushu on the 23rd, so we were somewhat relieved to find a pied morph bird with two dark morphs near Arasaki following morning.

Rook Corvus frugilegus. Up to 1.000 were present around the Arasaki Crane Reserve, Kyushu on the 23rd with 250 seen in this area on the 24th and 50 on the 25th when we were passing close by. All belonged to the eastern race pastinator.

Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos. Seen virtually every day. Most common on Okinawa and Amami Oshima but was also seen on Honshu, Hokkaido and Kyushu. All belonged to the race japonensis with the exception of those on Okinawa and Amami Oshima which were connectens.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone. Seen on Hokkaido (where generally commoner than Large-billed) and in small numbers on Kyushu. All belonged to the eastern race orientalis.

White-cheeked Starling Sturnus cineraceus. Forty seen on Honshu, chiefly from the train, on the 11th. Not seen on Hokkaido, Okinawa or Amami Oshima but common on Kyushu with a maximum of 100 on the 24th.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus. Recorded in very good numbers on Honshu, Hokkaido and Kyushu but only one recorded on Okinawa (in Naha) and none on Amami Oshima. A flock of 500 in the fields at Yatsushiro, Kyushu on the 24th was the highest count. All belonged to the race saturatus.

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla. Forty seen on the 21st on Amami Oshima with ten on the 23rd on Kyushu and then a huge flock of approx. 2,000 feeding in the fields at Yatsushiro, Kyushu on the 24th.

Oriental Greenfinch Carduelis sinica. Fifteen feeding outside the Oarai ferry terminal, Honshu on the 11th and ten on Hokkaido on 12th. Not seen on Okinawa or Amami Oshima, but common on Kyushu and seen in good numbers daily including 500+ feeding in the fields at Yatsushiro on the 24th. Assumed to include both resident minor and wintering kawarahiba.

Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus. Twelve or more in a small feeding flock at Lake Utonai on 17th (DES), eight seen on the 18th at Fungawa Dam, Okinawa and six being seen on Kyushu on the 24th.

Asian Rosy Finch Leucosticte arctoa. A superb flock of 120 came to a bird feeder at Cape Kiritappu, Hokkaido on the 13th but only 12 were seen here on the 16th. All belonged to the race brunneonucha.

Common Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula. Unfortunately just three seen and only in flight, on Kyushu on the 22nd. These would almost certainly have belonged to the resident race griseiventris although the views obtained precluded a sub-specific identification.

Japanese Grosbeak Eophona personata. Seen only on the 22nd when at least 50 were found. Firstly on the drive to Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu when a party of ten were feeding along the road-side and we then found a flock of 15 feeding on the ground behind the Administration Building in the car-park at Lake Mi-ike while a further 35 were seen during the walk around the lake. All belonged to the nominate race.

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes. Odd birds recorded on six dates on Honshu, Hokkaido and Kyushu. All belonged to the race japonicus, a duller less gingery bird than the nominate race.

Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala. A male was seen in Oarai, Honshu on 11th. Not seen on Hokkaido or Okinawa. Small numbers seen on Amami Oshima and good numbers seen on Kyushu with 40 on the 22nd, 30 on the 23rd and 50 on the 24th. Most belonged to the resident race personata, typified by its yellow underparts. At least four individuals belonging to the migratory nominate race were seen on Amami Oshima and Kyushu. Lacking any yellow on the underparts they were scrutinised carefully to be sure a Grey Bunting was not being overlooked.

Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides. Seen only on Kyushu, with the first being a singing male on the drive to Lake Mi-ike on the 22nd. Four seen on the 23rd in the fields around Arasaki, a flock of six on the 24th at the Green Pheasant site and three in fields at Kadagowa on 25th. All belonged to the race ciopsis.

Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata. Just six seen in the fields near Arasaki, Kyushu on the 24th belonged to the race fucata.

Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans. This superb bunting was first seen in the camp site at Lake Mi-ike, Kyushu on the 21st when a party of 12 was found feeding on the short grass. Up to 25 were seen the following day at several sites and one was present in fields at Kadagowa on 25th. All belonged to the nominate race.

Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Seen only in reedy areas around Arasaki, Kyushu with ten seen on the 23rd with four on the 24th. Views were generally not very good. All belonged to the race pyrrhulina.

Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea. Up to five were seen feeding on a track as we were leaving Kadogawa, Kyushu on the 25th. This species is only included in Brazil (1991) as an escape, although the number of individuals involved and their somewhat remote location (a wooded area several km from the nearest village) might suggest a newly established feral population.