From spring through early summer, the
valley of Koajiro fills with the lively chorus of wild birds. Japanese White-eyes, Meadow Buntings, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits — and loudest of all, the Bush Warblers dwelling deep in the thickets. In the
Koajiro Forest, dozens of male Bush Warblers likely make their home, each proclaiming its territory with a brilliant, ringing song. And among them lives a rather troublesome neighbour — the Lesser Cuckoo, which slips its eggs into the Bush Warbler's nest and leaves the burden of parenthood to another. In June, a strange and enchanting sky opens over Koajiro Forest, alive with the warbling of Bush Warblers and the echoing calls of the Lesser Cuckoo.
Throughout the year, various birds of prey make their appearance across the forest, the
wetlands, and the
tidal flats of Koajiro. Most frequently spotted is the Black Kite, gliding effortlessly on the wind — a truly magnificent sight. Northern Goshawks, Eurasian Sparrowhawks, and Common Buzzards also appear, and they can often be seen locked in aerial skirmishes with the Jungle Crows. As night falls over the forest, the call of the Ural Owl resonates through the darkness, filling the hours with dread for the field mice and Pallas's squirrels below. And out above Koajiro Bay, the Peregrine Falcon may occasionally be glimpsed, along with the Osprey — that great white eagle of the sea.
Season: Spring through early summer are the most lively (raptors present year-round)
Songbirds: Japanese White-eye, Meadow Bunting, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Bush Warbler, Lesser Cuckoo
Raptors & others: Black Kite, Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Ural Owl / Osprey and Peregrine Falcon over Koajiro Bay
Locations: Forest,
wetlands,
tidal flats, and the skies above Koajiro Bay
Observation tips: Pause and listen carefully — focus on songs and calls
Address: Koajiro, Misaki-cho, Miura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Map:
Koajiro Forest Map
Official Site:
Koajiro Forest (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Supervising editor: Yuji Kishi (Professor Emeritus, Keio University)
Photography: Hiroichi Yanase (Professor, Institute of Science Tokyo)
Producer:
Eisuke Tachikawa (Representative of
NOSIGNER / Project Professor, Keio University)
Published by:
NOSIGNER / NPO Koajiro Outdoor Activity Coordination Council
