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Yellow Bunting/Karuizawa? (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Petri
- Start date
Hi Petri:
Japanese Yellow Bunting seems to be rare (Mark Brazil's 'Birds of East Asia' has it down as vulnerable.) I have only seen it once, in Tsushima Island, presumably on migration.
I really think only a local Japanese birder will know about breeding spots, and you are unlikely to find one on this (or any English) forum.
But my main point is: BirdForum is great, but it has too many subsections. Almost nobody reads the country subsections, as you can see from the dates. I am only replying because I came across a link to this section while doing some bookmark tidying.
You could try posting your question on the 'Bird Identification' or 'Birds and Birding' sections. Although 'Bird Identification' isn't exactly what you want, I think many BF members look at only this section.
I often wish BF would consolidate its subsections.
If you are really keen to find certain species, it might be worth spending the money on a specialist guide. For example, Japan Birdwatching is a company that will help you find guides. But it's not cheap. (I have no connection to this company).
Japanese Yellow Bunting seems to be rare (Mark Brazil's 'Birds of East Asia' has it down as vulnerable.) I have only seen it once, in Tsushima Island, presumably on migration.
I really think only a local Japanese birder will know about breeding spots, and you are unlikely to find one on this (or any English) forum.
But my main point is: BirdForum is great, but it has too many subsections. Almost nobody reads the country subsections, as you can see from the dates. I am only replying because I came across a link to this section while doing some bookmark tidying.
You could try posting your question on the 'Bird Identification' or 'Birds and Birding' sections. Although 'Bird Identification' isn't exactly what you want, I think many BF members look at only this section.
I often wish BF would consolidate its subsections.
If you are really keen to find certain species, it might be worth spending the money on a specialist guide. For example, Japan Birdwatching is a company that will help you find guides. But it's not cheap. (I have no connection to this company).
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Hi MacNara,
Thank you for your well-argued response. I am aware of the limitations but one has to try, even though there was no success. If not, I will visit Karuizawa anyway, with risk of focusing on a wrong area there.
It has not been a total blank, though. Private messages are not shown here. A BirdForum friend will soon visit Mt. Fuji area to have a look on the situation in the field.
Guides are not my thing, even though I occasionally guide myself, for free. I only need to know the general area where to go and will then search for the birds by myself. It is more rewarding that way.
Thank you for your well-argued response. I am aware of the limitations but one has to try, even though there was no success. If not, I will visit Karuizawa anyway, with risk of focusing on a wrong area there.
It has not been a total blank, though. Private messages are not shown here. A BirdForum friend will soon visit Mt. Fuji area to have a look on the situation in the field.
Guides are not my thing, even though I occasionally guide myself, for free. I only need to know the general area where to go and will then search for the birds by myself. It is more rewarding that way.
You might try to ask in the Japan English Yahoo Group called Kantori. Just google-kantori birds Japan you have to sign up but that's effort less. You might try to email Chris Cook as well. Dave...
Hi Petri. As I need this species as well I will ask on Kantori and see if I can get an answer for you. When will you be in Japan? Chris Cook has been reporting hearing but not seeing Japanese Nightherons as well. PS what are the best places for Parrot Crossbill and Gray headed Chickadee in scandinavia??
Kantori is essentially dead. There are (or were a couple of years ago) three or four people who posted lists of every single bird they saw anywhere. Otherwise there is nothing. There really isn't any point in joining. Even if you do (did) these few remaining people are wrapped up in posting their lists to each other, and have no interest in replying to information requests such as yours. Anyway that was my experience.
For those who may be interested: I saw two family groups (about 10 birds, both adults and juveniles) of Japanese Yellow Buntings inside the Karuizawa Forest, on the 12th of July. Additionally, great views of a displaying male Copper Pheasant there two, and many other nice birds, during a one long and sunny day, starting at 4.20 AM and ending late in the afternoon. A trip report will follow, sooner or later (visited 10 nations in June-August, and have plenty to write afterwards). Thank you for all the people who helped locating the buntings and finding out the best train connections between Narita and Karuizawa!
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