In total, 160 species of birds were seen on the trip to Japan, including 91 species on Hokkaido and 103 species on Kushiro. Eight species of mammal were also noted, all on Hokkaido or from the ferry to Hokkaido.

For quick reference, the sites mentioned in this list are on the following islands:

HOKKAIDO: Tomakomai (port), Kushiro, Akin Crane Centre, Setsurigawa Bridge, the Nemuro Peninsula (including Hattaushi Bridge, Nossapa-misaki, Ochiishi-misaki and Furen-ko) and Rasau.

HONSHU: Oarai (port).

KYUSHU: Arasaki, Yatsushiro, the Hikawa River (east of Yatsushiro), Kadogawa Harbour, Mi-ike and the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF BIRDS

Hazel Grouse. On one of my failed owl attempts, a male Hazel Grouse was seen adjacent to Hattaushi Bridge at dawn, feeding near the small river.

Japanese Green Pheasant. A very nice bird, one was seen alongside a reedy river inlet at Arasaki, with another bird heard calling nearby.

Whooper Swan. Good numbers at several sites in eastern Hokkaido, with the best counts being 140 at the Akin Crane Centre, 60 on a sea inlet near Nossapa-misaki and 190 at Furen-ko.

Taiga Bean Goose. Seen from the train, large flocks of several hundred settling on snow-free patches on the outskirts of Tomakomai.

Common Shelduck. Common on the estuaries of southern Kyushu – at least 250 were present at Yatsushiro, while they were also about 30 at Arasaki and 25 south of Kagoshima Airport.

Mandarin Duck. Mostly in pairs or groups of three, a total of 12 were seen along the Hikawa River.

Falcated Duck. Two birds seen, both males - one on the sea north of Furen-ko and one at Yatsushiro.

Eurasian Wigeon. Small numbers on Hokkaido , with just 55 on a sea inlet near Nossapa-misaki and about 40 at Furen-ko. On Kyushu, however, the species was abundant - many thousands were on the estuary at Yatsushiro, many hundreds on a river inlet at Arasaki and numbers in 200-300 range at both Kadogawa Harbour and along the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Gadwall. One record only – about 15 birds at Arasaki.

Mallard. Several dozen near Oarai (from train). On Hokkaido, records were limited to just five birds near Kushiro, two at Furen-ko and two on an inlet near Nossapa-misaki. On Kyushu, numbers were far higher – there were several hundred at Yatsushiro and totals in excess of 200 at each Arasaki, Kadogawa Harbour and the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Eastern Spot-billed Duck. Only seen on Kyushu, where fairly common. Principal counts included at least 400 at Arasaki, 650 at Yatsushiro, 80 at Kadogawa Harbour, 30 at Mi-ike and about 45 on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Northern Shoveler. 40 birds were seen at Arasaki.

Northern Pintail. Not abundant – on Hokkaido, separate flocks of 35 and 55 were seen in the Furen-ko area, while on Kyushu, flocks of about 25 were seen at both Arasaki and along the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Common Teal. Only recorded on Kyushu, where at least 200 were present at Arasaki and 300 at Yatsushiro. Smaller numbers (in the region of 10-20 birds) were also seen at Kadogawa Harbour and on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport).

Common Pochard. Several hundred were seen on pools inland of Oarai (from train), but otherwise the only records were 10 on Furen-ko and six at Arasaki.

Tufted Duck. Three records – one on Furen-ko, about 25 at Arasaki and 12 south of Kagoshima Airport.

Greater Scaup. Ten were seen off Nossapa-misaki and about 30 in Rasau port. A flock of approximately 40 birds was also seen in Oarai port.

Harlequin Duck. On Hokkaido, very common on the sea off the Nemuro Peninsula – many hundreds were seen at both Nossapa-misaki and Ochiishi-misaki, with good numbers at all other coastal sites visited in the area.

White-winged Scoter (M.d.stejnegeri). Both records on Hokkaido , two birds were seen flying past at Nossapa-misaki and 12 on the sea in the bay adjacent to Ochiishi-misaki.

Black Scoter. Abundant on the sea throughout eastern Hokkaido – thousands off Nossapa-misaki and many hundreds at Ochiishi-misaki, sizeable flocks at almost all other coastal localities visited.

Long-tailed Duck. All on Hokkaido, a minimum of 25 were seen at Nossapa-misaki, five on the sea near Furen-ko and six at Ochiishi-misaki.

Common Goldeneye. All records on Hokkaido, about 30 were noted at Nossapa-misaki, a total of about 25 at Furen-ko and about 15 at Ochiishi-misaki.

Smew. Both records on Hokkaido, 12 birds were seen on the river north of Furen-ko and a pair flew past Nossapa-misaki.

Goosander. Fairly common on Hokkaido, with 15 at Kushiro, 40+ at Nossapa-misaki, 90 at Furen-ko, and two at the Setsurigawa Bridge. One also seen on sea at Oarai.

Red-breasted Merganser. Only recorded on Hokkadio, with at least 60 on the sea at Nossapa-misaki, 35 at Furen-ko and about 25 at Ochiishi-misaki.

Red-throated Diver. Three on passage at Ochiishi-misaki.

Pacific Diver. Light passage at Ochiishi-misaki – 16 heading west in a couple of hours.

White-billed Diver. In the southern sector, a pair of White-billed Divers flew past the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry.

Laysan Albatross. Two singles seen from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry.

Little Grebe. Two on pools inland of Oarai (Honshu), but otherwise al records on Kyushu - 18 at Arasaki, six on Hikawa Dam and one on Mi-ike Lake.

Red-necked Grebe. One on the sea at Ochiishi-misaki.

Great Crested Grebe. Only recorded three times - one inland of Oarai (from train), one in Oarai port and then 12 in Kadogawa Harbour.

Black-necked Grebe. All in coastal localities, two were seen in Oarai port, one in a small port near Nossapa-misaki and nine on the sea at Ochiishi-misaki.

Eurasian Spoonbill. Initially disappointed that they were not Black-faced Spoonbills, two immature birds were found roosting in a reed-fringed canal at Arasaki.

Black-faced Spoonbill. All in southern Kyushu, possibly as many as 24 birds were seen in total. On the river estuary at Yatsushiro, a flock of five birds (including a ringed individual) were found on the first day, while the next morning a total of seven were present (a pair, a single and a group of three) – as the ringed individual was not amongst them, I am presuming these were different birds.  Remarkably, 12 more birds were later found on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport, seven feeding on intertidal flats and five roosting on freshwater pools nearby.

Black-crowned Night Heron. Only recorded at Yatsushiro, where fairly common – even in the middle of the afternoon, at least 25 could be seen roosting on rocky islets in the river.

Grey Heron. Very common at coastal sites on Kyushu – minimum counts included 40+ at Arasaki, 60+ at Yatsushiro, 85+ at Kadogawa Harbour and 40+ on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport. Inland, six were also seen along the Hikawa River and two at Mi-ike River.

Great White Egret. Common at coastal sites on Kyushu, counts including 15 + at Arasaki, 10 at Yatsushiro, 20 at Kadogawa Harbour and 10 along the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Little Egret. Most records were from Kyushu, where common – counts included 40+ at Arasaki, 80+ at Kadogawa Harbour and 15 on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport. Additionally, two birds were seen in Oarai.

Pacific Reef Heron. One dark-phase bird with other herons and egrets on the fish frames at Kadogawa Harbour.

Brown Booby. A surprise find on coast south of Kagoshima Airport – after a very distant bird offshore, two more then flew directly overhead!

Great Cormorant. Total records consisted of at least 20 birds roosting on harbour walls at Oarai port (some of these may have been Temminck’s Cormorants), four at Arasaki, two at Yatsushiro and two at Mi-ike.

Temminck’s Cormorant. Recorded three times – three birds from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry, at least 30 at Kadogawa Harbour and 50+ on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Pelagic Cormorant. Common on the Hokkaido coast – records including at least 150 around Nossapa-misaki, 20 on the sea north of Furen-ko and a cliff roost of at least 50 at Ochiishi-misaki.

Red-faced Cormorant. One in a roost of about 70 Pelagic Cormorants on a rock pinnacle at Nossapa-misaki. Failed to find at the nearby Ochiishi-misaki despite considerable efforts.

Common Kestrel. Two birds seen, both in southern  Kyushu– one at Yatsushiro and one on the coast near Kagoshima Airport.

Peregrine Falcon. One bird seen just inland of Ochiishi-misaki.

Osprey. Widespread in sothern Kyushu, with records consisting of two at Arasaki and singles at Yatsushiro, Kadogawa Harbour, Mi-ike and the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Black-eared Kite. Seen at most localities visited, quite often in large numbers. On Hokkaido, the best record was of a flock of about 90 in a small village north of Furen-ko, whilst elsewhere on the island two were scavenging for fish at the Akin Crane Centre, about 15 were noted at Nossapa-misaki, 10 at Furen-ko and six at the crane bridge.  On Kyushu, the species was even more common with widespread records of small numbers and best counts of 25+ at Arasaki, 40+ at Yatsushiro and 60 in Kadogawa Harbour. Two were also seen at Oarai (Honshu).

Hen Harrier. One female seen on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

White-tailed Eagle. A common coastal bird on Hokkaido, with up to 80 birds seen daily. Best numbers were seen on Furen-ko, though also frequent at Nossapa-misaki, Ochiishi-misaki. Inland, four were watched dramatically snatching fish during the feeding of cranes at the Akin Crane Centre, while another was seen over the crane bridge.

Steller’s Sea Eagle. The speciality of Hokkaido – up to 60 seen daily, the best numbers being on the frozen Furen-ko, though also frequent at eh headlands and harbours around Nossapa-misaki and Ochiishi-misaki. Also noted during my brief visit to Rasau, a locality that is famed for its very large numbers.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk. One near Hattaushi Bridge.

Eastern Buzzard. On Hokkaido, one near Kushiro and another near Ochiishi-misaki.

Eastern Water Rail. One in reedbeds on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Common Coot. Moderately few records. On Honshu, about 40 were seen on pools inland of Oarai (from the train) and two in Oarai port itself, while on Kyushu, six were noted at Arasaki, two at Hikawa Dam, four at Mi-ike and 15 on pools on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Common Moorhen. Two were seen on freshwater channels at the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Red-crowned Crane. Hokkaido speciality – a delight to see dancing in the snow. Easily found at the winter feeding stations, where at least 80 were present at the Akin Crane Centre and 18 at the Tancho-no-Sata feeding site. A total of 38 were also seen at the dawn roost at Setsurigawa Bridge and further pairs near Kushiro, near Hattaushi Bridge, on a sea inlet near Nossapa-misaki and at Furen-ko.

Sandhill Crane. One amongst the thousands of Hooded Cranes at Arasaki.

White-naped Crane. Surprisingly only a single seen at Arasaki – presumably the large wintering flocks had already migrated.

Eurasian Crane. At least two individuals picked out amongst the flocks of Hooded Cranes at Arasaki. Several presumed Hooded Crane/Common Crane hybrids also present.

Hooded Crane. An impressive spectacle, an estimated 10,000 birds were present at Arasaki, massing at the feeding centre at dawn before spreading across neighbouring dry paddies through the day.

Black-winged Stilt. One at Arasaki.

Northern Lapwing. Three birds present at Arasaki.

Grey Plover. A minimum of 120 were noted on the estuary at Yatsushiro. A single was also seen on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Kentish Plover. At least 100 present on the estuary at Yatsushiro and about 30 on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Little Ringed Plover. Two birds were seen at Arasaki.

Common Snipe. Two in were seen in freshwater ditches at the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Eurasian Curlew. One record only, a single at Kadogawa Harbour.

Far Eastern Curlew. Two birds seen, both on Kyushu – one at Yatsushiro and one on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Marsh Sandpiper. Eight birds on the estuary at Yatsushiro.

Common Greenshank. One bird on the estuary at Yatsushiro.

Terek Sandpiper. Two birds on the estuary at Yatsushiro.

Green Sandpiper. Three seen - one near Oarai, one at Arasaki and one along the Hikawa River.

Common Sandpiper. At least eight birds present at Arasaki, one at Kadogawa Harbour and three on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Red-necked Stint. About 50 were seen on the estuary at Yatsushiro and a single on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Dunlin. About 300 birds were on the estuary at Yatsushiro and 65 south of Kagoshima Airport. Six were also seen at Arasaki.

Black-tailed Gull. Abundant in Oarai port and in the southern stretches of the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry, very few further north. On Hokkaido, records were limited to two individuals at Nossapa-misaki, three at Furen-ko and six at Rasau. On Kyushu, several were noted at Yatsushiro and the species was fairly common in Kadogawa Harbour.

Kamchatka Gull. From the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry, large numbers were found congregating around a headland midway, but only smaller numbers further north. On Hokkaido, just two were seen at Furen-ko and one at Rasau.

Glaucous-winged Gull. Abundant around Hokkaido, especially in fishing ports and on Furen-ko.

Glaucous Gull. One from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry. Less common Glaucous-winged Gull on Hokkaido, but still many seen, especially at Furen-ko and the beach near Ochiishi town, both localities holding many dozens of birds.

Vega Gull. Fairly common in Oarai port, but only five from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry. On Hokkaido, the only records were four at Furen-ko and two at Ochiishi-misaki. By contrast, very common on Kyushu where at least 30 were at Arasaki and several hundred at both Yatsushiro and Kadogawa Harbour.

Slaty-backed Gull. The most abundant of the gulls on Hokkaido, hundreds at most coastal sites. Elsewhere, several in Oarai port and about 25 from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry. Only records on Kyushu were singles at Yatsushiro and Kadogawa Harbour.

Pacific Kittiwake. Almost all in the more northerly stretch, a minimum of 1190 were seen from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry. One also seen at Ochiishi-misaki on Hokkaido.

Black-headed Gull. The only record was at Yatsushiro, where at least 30 were present.

Saunder’s Gull. Far greater numbers than expected, 40+ were seen on the estuary at Yatsushiro, many in full summer plumage. Very much like marsh terns in behaviour, they were frequently hawking over the adjacent seawall.

Brunnich’s Guillemot. Three from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry, several other possibles. Six also seen at Ochiishi-misaki.

Common Guillemot. At least 90 were seen from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry. Despite the many other auks, none were seen on Hokkaido.

Pigeon Guillemot. One bird was seen just offshore at Nossapa-misaki.

Spectacled Guillemot. Easiest to see at Nossapa-misaki, where at least 25 were noted just offshore. Also three Ochiishi-misaki. All in full summer-plumage.

Long-billed Murrelet. 18 seen from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry.

Ancient Murrelet. A minimum of 160 seen from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry, most around a single headland mid-journey. On . Two singles seen at  Nossapa-misaki (on different days) and a movement of birds noted at Ochiishi-misaki one morning with about 60 east in a couple of hours.

Parakeet Auklet. Four seen rather distantly from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry.

Least Auklet. A total of 19 birds seen, most in pairs or small groups, in the more northerly sectors of the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry. Three were also seen at Ochiishi-misaki.

Crested Auklet. In three large flocks (40, 35 and 140 birds), a total of about 215 seen in the northern sectors of the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry. One also at Nosappa-misaki.

Rhinoceros Auklet. In the more southerly parts of the journey, 27 seen from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry.

Rock Dove. Common throughout Japan, seen at most sites visited including urban areas and at coastal districts such as Nossapa-misaki.

Oriental Turtle Dove. On Honshu, four birds were seen from the train to Oarai and one in woods just north of Oarai. On Kyushu, birds were seen at most localities visited, including 15 at Arasaki, six at Yatsushiro, 10 along the Hikawa River and ten in the Mi-ike area.

Blakiston’s Fish Owl. At Hattaushi bridge, one bird was calling but not. Bad weather resulted in no possibility at Rasau site.

Ural Owl. One calling at Hattaushi Bridge.

Common Kingfisher. All on Kyushu, singles were seen at Arasaki, along the Hikawa River and at Kadogawa Harbour.

Crested Kingfisher. A nice surprise, a single flew over Setsurigawa Bridge while watching the Red-crowned Cranes at dawn.

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker. On Hokkaido, one was seen in woodland north of Furen-ko, then on Kyushu a single was noted along the Hikawa River and at least ten at Mi-ike.

Japanese Green Woodpecker. One seen in the rain at Mi-ike, another heard calling.

White-backed Woodpecker. One seen at Hattaushi Bridge.

Great Spotted Woodpecker. Three seen at and around Setsurigawa Bridge.

Bull-headed Shrike. Four birds seen - two at Arasaki and two at Yatsushiro.

Ryukya Minivet. Two records on Kyushu – a flock of four birds along the Hikawa River and a pair at Mi-ike.

Eurasian Jay. Only birds seen were two in woodland north of Furen-ko.

Rook. Only recorded at Arasaki, but abundant there (at least 800 attracted to the crane feeding in the early morning).

Carrion Crow. Fairly common at all sites visited.

Large-billed Crow. Common in most places, abundant in urban areas.

Japanese Tit. Two in Oarai. Widespread, recorded in small numbers at most sites visited on both Hokkaido and Kyushu. Best numbers were about 15 at Setsurigawa Bridge, a similar number along the Hikawa River and at least 35 at Mi-ike.

Coal Tit. Recorded twice - one in woodland north of Furen-ko and four along the Hikawa River.

Japanese Varied Tit. A very nice species – three were seen along along the Hikawa River and at least 15 at Mi-ike.

Marsh Tit. Quite common on Hokkaido, with two at the Akin Crane Centre, two in woodland near Nossapa-misaki, two near Furen-ko and about 10 at Setsurigawa Bridge.

Willow Tit. A pair in woodland north of Furen-ko.

Long-tailed Tit. Two distinct races:
      (A.c.caudatus) : two seen in woodland near Nossapa-misaki and four north of Furen-ko.
      (A.c.kiusiuensis) : seven birds along the Hikawa River and many small flocks at Mi-ike.

Japanese Skylark (Alauda [arvensis] japonica). Common at Arasaki, where many birds in song flight throughout the day.

Barn Swallow. About 15 seen along the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Brown-eared Bulbul. Widespread and common, particularly in urban areas. In numbers up to ten, birds were seen in Oarai, Tomakomai, Furen-ko, Setsurigawa Bridge, Arasaki, along the Hikawa River and south of Kagoshima Airport.

Japanese Bush Warbler. In southern Kyushu, several were seen at Arasaki, one along the Hikawa River and two beside the lake at Mi-ike.

Red-billed Leiothrix. One at Mi-ike. This was part of a mixed feeding flock of tits, Japanese White-eyes and Pygmy Woodpeckers and, given its usual social habits, presumably more were present.

Japanese White-eye. One bird was seen along the Hikawa River and at least 15 at Mi-ike.

Japanese Goldcrest (Regulus [regulus] japonensis). About five were seen, and more heard, along the Hikawa River.

Eurasian Wren. One bird was seen at Mi-ike.

Eurasian Nuthatch (S.e.asiatica). On Hokkaido, three were seen in a small woodland near Nossapa-misaki and two just north of Furen-ko. Additionally one was seen on Kyushu at Mi-ike.

Eurasian Treecreeper. One bird seen at Hattaushi Bridge.

White-cheeked Starling. Recorded a few times, including five around Oarai, at least 10 at Arasaki and 15 at Yatsushiro.

Common Starling. Not a common bird in Japan, the only record was of a flock of seven birds at Arasaki.

Pale Thrush. On Kyushu, at least 15were noted at Arasaki, four along the Hikawa River and 20+ at Mi-ike.

Brown-headed Thrush. One on a small wooded hill just north of Oarai port.

Dusky Thrush. After an initial three in Oarai, occasional birds were seen on Hokkaido (one in Tomakomai, one at the Akin Crane Centre, four near Nossapa-misaki), but then the bird was very common on Kyushu, with at least 45 at Arasaki, 40 at Yatsushiro and eight at Kadogawa Harbour.

Fieldfare. Apparently an extremely rare vagrant to Japan, one found on the small spit north of Furn-ko.

Red-bellied Rock Thrush (Monticola [solitaries] philippensis. Four birds seen - a female at Arasaki and males at Yatsushiro, Kadogawa Harbour and on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Daurian Redstart. On Hokkaido, a single male was found in riverside bushes near Setsurigawa Bridge. On Kyushu, the species was fairly common – at least 12 were noted at Arasaki, three at Yatsushiro, four along the Hikawa River, two at Kadogawa Harbour and four at Mi-ike.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow. Common to abundant throughout, including in towns. Most numerous on Kyushu, but good numbers also seen in Oarai and at various localities on Hokkaido.

Russet Sparrow. An impressive flock of 80 birds was found in agricultural fields about 10 km south of Mi-ike.

Brown Dipper. At least ten birds were seen along the Hikawa River.

Grey Wagtail. Three birds were noted at Arasaki and one along the Hikawa River.

White Wagtail. Five in Oarai. Only one seen on Hokkaido (at Hattaushi Bridge), but common on Kyushu, with at least 25 at Arasaki, 20 at Yatsushiro, five along the Hikawa River, 10 at Mi-ike and several on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

Japanese Wagtail. One record - a male along the Hikawa River.

Olive-backed Pipit. Feeding on the lakeside lawns of the campsite, eight birds were present at Mi-ike.

Buff-bellied Pipit. Recorded at both Arasaki (at least ten birds) and Yatsushiro (four birds).

Brambling. On Hokkadio, after two small flocks in my first couple of days, there was then a massive influx with many thousands seen across the island over the next two days (attracted to the snow melt aside roads, large flocks would flush up every few hundred metres in places). On Kyushu, far fewer birds seen – just 15 at Arasaki and about 20 at Mi-ike.

Oriental Greenfinch. Rare on Hokkaido (one visiting feeders at Furen-ko, two near Ochiishi-misaki), but abundant on Kyushu (several hundred at Arasaki, a single flock of 180 at Yatsushiro, plus many smaller flocks of 20 to 30 birds).

Eurasian Siskin. Two records on Hokkaido – a flock of about 40 in woodland north of Furen-ko and a flock of 30 near Ochiishi-misaki.

Common Redpoll. Three flocks of 10-15 birds each recorded in the Nossapa-misaki/Furen-ko area on Hokkaido.

Asian Rosy Finch. One of the highlightsof Hokkaido - four birds feeding at the road edge in a village north of Furen-ko.

Eurasian Bullfinch (P.p.griseiventris). A very distinctive bird, potentially separate species. On Hokkaido, one seen in woodland north of Furen-ko and two near Ochiishi-misaki.
Hawfinch. One bird visiting feeders at Furen-ko.

Japanese Grosbeak. After failing to find them in a rain-drenched Mi-ike, a remarkable flock of about 45 were found in agricultural meadows about 10 km further south was very pleasing (sharing the meadows with Russet Sparrows and Oriental Greenfinches).

Meadow Bunting. Quite common on Kyushu – at least 20 seen at Arasaki, 15 at Yatsushiro, 35+ along the Hikawa River and at 15 Mi-ike.

Rustic Bunting. One found in open pine forest in the hills above along the Hikawa River.

Elegant Bunting. Including a smart male in full summer plumage, at least 15 were found in rough meadows along the Hikawa River and another 10 at Mi-ike.

Chestnut-eared Bunting. Feeding at the edge of paddies very close to the crane centre, a single bird was found at Arasaki.

Black-faced Bunting. Three in a scrubby area just north of Oarai port, then 10 at Arasaki, five at Yatsushiro and one south of Kagoshima Airport.

Pallas’s Reed Bunting. A single bird was found on the edge of dry reedbeds at Arasaki.
Common Reed Bunting. 15 birds seen at Arasaki and a single on the coast south of Kagoshima Airport.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF MAMMALS

Pacific White-sided Dolphin. Two pods seen from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry.

Dall’s Porpoise. One pod of four-six animals from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry.

Short-finned Pilot Whale. One seen from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry.

Steller’s Sea Lion. Two presumed to be of this species from the Oarai-Tomakomai ferry.

Ringed Seal. One very close off the rocks at Nossapa-misaki.

Sea Otter. One sunbathing on sea ice off Nossapa-misaki.

Sika Deer. Abundant on Hokkaido, with many hundreds north of Furen-ko and at Ochiishi-misaki, and smaller numbers in many other localities around the nemero peninsula.

Red Fox. Four individuals seen on Hokkaido, two at Ochiishi, one at Furen-ko and one at the Tancho-no-Sata crane feeding site.