Okhotsk Chapter
of the Wild Bird Society of Japan
| Home | Events | Reports | Sightings | Checklist | Bird Guide |
| Birding Info | J Bird Names | References | Links | About Us | Contact Us |
| Schedules | Surveys | ||||
The Okhotsk Chapter of the WBSJ holds numerous birding walks during the year, mostly in spring and autumn, at some location within the Okhotsk Subprefecture of Hokkaido, which extends along the Sea of Okhotsk coast from north of Mombetsu to Shiretoko, where most of our membership lives.
The schedule this year contains roughly 35 events. We typically walk for around two hours.
Non-members are also welcome to join the walks and learn about birds of the Okhotsk region. Families are welcome, too. No special equipment is necessary, though binoculars would of course be useful if you can bring them. Some members bring scopes and are happy to show you birds when possible.
If you would like to join us on a walk, please send an email via the Contact Us page and let us know when you'd like to come. We will send you back details about when and where to meet. (Our language skills are limited, but we hope you enjoy our walks!)
The birding calendar begins in April and ends in March, the typical fiscal/academic year in Japan. The schedule for July to March 2026-27 is below. (Schedules are subject to change.)
| Date | Time | Place | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/5 (Sun) | 9:00 | Cape Notoro (Abashiri) | Picking up litter while birding |
| 8/30 (Sun) | 9:00 | Tofutsu Lake (Abashiri/Koshimizu) | |
| 9/6 (Sun) | 9:00 | Kimuaneppu Coral Grass (Saroma) | Shorebirds |
| 10/3 (Sat) | 9:00 | Okhotsk Park (Abashiri) | Cleaning birdhouses while birding |
| 10/4 (Sun) | 10:00 | Mouth of Shari River (Shari) | Picking up litter while birding |
| 11/15 (Sun) | 10:00 | Tofutsu Lake (Abashiri/Koshimizu) | |
| 12/6 (Sun) | 10:00 | Cape Notoro (Abashiri) | |
| 1/16 (Sat) | 13:00 | Indoor event (Kitami) | Details TBA |
| 1/17 (Sun) | 10:00 | Kotohira Sakura Park (Kitami) | |
| 2/7 (Sun) | 10:00 | Abashiri Port Popo 260 (Abashiri) | |
| 3/7 (Sun) | 13:00 | Tofutsu Lake (Abashiri/Koshimizu) | Stellar's & White-tailed eagles, etc. |
 |
| Whooper swans with assorted ducks and gulls on Tofutsu Lake one day after a snowstorm froze this spot that is normally not frozen due to sea water coming in and out with the tide. A Red Fox is nearby, and Mt. Shari is in the background. (Swan Park, Tofutsu Lake, February 22, 2009; photo: DB) |
