In the Sea of Japan
Hegura Island
(Hegurajima)

some notes by Armas Hill, 
and a list of birds
during 7 FONT tours on the island 

It's an intriguing place, Hegurajima, where during the spring and fall migrations, there's some of the most fascinating birding anywhere. Hegura is a small island, actually tiny. It's less than 1 kilometer wide and less than 2 kilometers long. One can walk the path around the entire coastline of the island in less than an hour.

Some people live on the island. But not many, about 50. There was a small store (no longer), but there is an inn (where fortunately, where one can overnight and have meals). Also on the island: some homes, a school (just recently closed; there was an enrollment of 5), and 1 doctor. The most prominent structure on the island is a lighthouse (the white tower in the photo above). 
In the morning, the women of Hegura dive for seaweed. Later in the day, if  sunny, they put it out to dry. Men go out on boats to fish.

There's a ferry once a day, in each direction, to and from the island. It's less than a two-hour ferry ride from mainland Honshu, during which there can be some good seabirding. In the spring, the endemic Japanese Murrelet, the "Kanmuri-umisuzume" (a wonderful bird with a wonderful name) can be seen from the boat, along with Rhinoceros Auklets that breed nearby. Streaked Shearwaters and Red-necked Phalaropes can be numerous.

But it's on the island itself where birding can really get interesting. At night, when many landbirds in the spring are migrating north, they come upon the small island in the sea. Given optimum conditions, in the morning, the island can be bursting with birds. They're in the open on fields, in bushes, small trees, under debris by the homes, and along the rocky coast. In short, they're everywhere. 

Birds that elsewhere can be notorious skulkers, are often more out in the open. In that category, for example, are the shy Japanese Robin, Siberian Blue Robin, and the White's Ground Thrush. 

Routine migrants are enroute from where they've wintered in the Asian tropics to where they'll breed as far north as Siberia. These include the Siberian Rubythroat, Siberian Stonechat, and Yellow-breasted Bunting.  

Birds migrating north, generally more common on the Asian mainland in China and Korea, are readily seen. There are a number of birds in that category that we've seen during our 7 previous FONT tours on Hegura Island. These birds have included: Chinese Egret, Chinese Pond Heron, Purple Heron, Hoopoe, Richard's Pipit, Tree Pipit, Pied Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, White-throated Rock Thrush, Swinhoe's (or Rufous-tailed) Robin, Dusky Warbler, Radde's Warbler, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Tricolored Flycatcher, Taiga (formerly part of Red-breasted) Flycatcher, Purple-backed (or Daurian) Starling, Black-naped Oriole, Black Drongo, Chinese Grosbeak, Chestnut Bunting, Little Bunting, Yellow-browed Bunting, and Tristram's Bunting.

A list of all the bird species (totaling 179) that have been seen during our 7 FONT Hegura Island tours during the spring (in late-April & in early and mid-May) follows, including those seen nearby from the ferry. 
In 2007, we added 22 species to the list. 
In 2010, we added yet another 8 species, including our first Eurasian Tree Sparrow (1 bird). The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is extremely common, and widespread, throughout Japan (other than on Hegura).    

If you'd really like to go a place in this world, that's totally removed from everything, from hustle, bustle, troubles, whatever, Hegura is it. And it's a place that's fun to bird - a bit like a fantasy, where a birder can be completely immersed in birds. 

There's another fascinating aspect of this "bird island" during migration. It's the mingling that can be done with Japanese birders. They're very helpful in sharing what's about. And the whole experience we would have with them is one never to be forgotten. 

During a good day in early or mid-May, with a fallout of landbirds, shorebirds, and waterbirds, nearly a hundred species could be seen on the tiny island of Hegura. That's more birds during a day than virtually anywhere else in Japan. And every day can be different, each with a surprise or two, something totally unexpected.

A COMPLETE LISTING OF THE BIRDS FOUND DURING OUR 7 TOURS ON HEGURA ISLAND FOLLOWS.


Links:             

Upcoming FONT Birding & Nature Tours in Japan

A List & Photo Gallery of Japan Birds, in 2 parts

Birds found during FONT Japanese Birding Tours in the Spring

A White-throated Rock Thrush, Monticola gularis,
during the FONT tour on Hegura Island, Japan, May 21, 2005.

This species is an ultra-rarity in Japan. 
It is normally on mainland Asia, breeding mostly in Manchuria and eastern Siberia, 
and wintering in southern China, and further south in Southeast Asia. 
Note in the top photo the white patch on the throat.

(top photograph by Iwasaki Shohgo, 
other 2 photographs by Katsuyuki Genma)

This Isabelline Wheatear was seen along the rocky coastline of Hegura Island
during the FONT tour in May 2007.
The species normally occurs in central and western Asia,
and winters in Africa.
(We've seen the bird during FONT tours in Turkey.)  
Somehow, this bird made its way to Hegura Island in the Sea of Japan.
When "A Field Guide to the Birds of Japan" was published in 1982,
there was only one record of this species for Japan. 

More bird photographs are included the following bird list.

BIRDS SEEN DURING FONT SPRING TOURS 
ON HEGURA ISLAND (and in nearby waters) 
(in mid-April & in early and mid-May) 

mid-apr:   April 11-20
early- may:   May 1-10
mid-may:   May 11-21 


The dates of the FONT tours on Hegura have been: 
01 - April 16-17, 2001
02 - May 6-7, 2002
04 - May 15-18, 2004
05 - May 19-21, 2005
06 - May 10-12, 2006
07 - May 9-12, 2007
10 - May 16-18, 2010

Bird names given in both English & Japanese.  

1. Pacific Loon (or Diver) ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 06, 10
   Gavia pacifica
   Shiroeri-ohamu  
   
   
2. Little Grebe ______ early-may, mid-may  07
   Tachybaptus ruficollis
   Kaitsuburi
   
   
3. Great Crested Grebe ______ mid-apr  01
   Podiceps cristatus
   Kanmuri-kaitsuburi
   
   
4. Streaked Shearwater ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
   Calonectris leucomelas
   O-mizunagidori
   
   
5. Short-tailed Shearwater ______ mid-apr  01
   Puffinus tenuirostris
   Hashiboso-mizunagidori
   
   
6. Temminck's (or Japanese) Cormorant ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
   Phalacrocorax capillatus 
   Umi-u
   
   
7. Pelagic Shag (or Cormorant) ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
   Phalacrocorax pelagicus
   Hime-u
   
   
8. Black-crowned Night-Heron ______ mid-apr, early may, mid-may  01, 04, 05, 07, 10
   Nycticorax nycticorax
   Goi-sagi
   
   
9. Striated Heron ______ early-may  07
   Butorides striata amurensis
   Sasa-goi
   
    
10. Eastern Cattle Egret ______ early-may, mid-may   02, 04, 05, 06, 07
    Bubulcus coromandus
    Ama-sagi
    
    
11. Little Egret ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 06, 07, 10
    Egretta garzetta
    Ko-sagi
    
    
12. Chinese (or Swinhoe's) Egret  (rare in Japan)  ______  early-may, mid-may  06
    Egretta eulophotes
    Kara-shira-sagi
    
    
13. Intermediate Egret ______ early-may, mid-may  04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Mesophoyx (formerly Egretta)  intermedia
    Chu-sagi
    
    
14. Great Egret ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Casmerodius albus  (has been placed in the genus Ardea) 
    Dai-sagi
    
    
15. Grey Heron ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Ardea cinerea
    Ao-sagi
    
    
16. Purple Heron  (rare in Japan)  ______ early-may, mid-may   06, 07
    Ardea purpurea
    Murasaki-sagi
    
    
17. Pacific (or Eastern) Reef-Heron ______ mid-may  04
    Egretta sacra
    Kuro-sagi
    
    
18. Chinese Pond Heron  (rare in Japan) ______ early-may, mid-may   06, 07
    Ardeola bacchus
    Akagashira-sagi
    
       
19. Eurasian Wigeon ______ early-may, mid-may   02, 04, 06
    Anas penelope
    Hidori-gamo
    
    
20. Mallard ______ early may, mid-may  04, 05, 07
    Anas platyrhynchos
    Ma-gamo
    
    
21. Eastern Spot-billed Duck ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Anas zonorhyncha
    Karu-gamo
    
    
22. Red-breasted Merganser ______ mid-may  04
    Mergus serrator 
    Umi-aisa
    
    
23. Black-eared Kite ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Milvus lineatus 
    Tobi
    
    
24. Osprey ______ mid-may  04, 10
    Pandion haliaetus
    Misago
    
    
25. Oriental Honey Buzzard ______ mid-may  05, 10
    Pernis orientalis 
    Hachikuma
    
    
26. Eastern Marsh Harrier (was considered conspecific with Western Marsh Harrier of Europe, and was then called Northern Marsh Harrier)  ______ mid-may  04
    Circus spilonotus
    Chuhi
    
    
27. Hen Harrier  (has been considered conspecific with American Northern Harrier) ______ mid-may  04
    Circus cyaneus
    Haiiro-chuhi
    
    
28. Eurasian Sparrowhawk ______  mid-may  07
    Accipiter nisus
    Hai-taka
    
    
29. Japanese (or Lesser) Sparrowhawk ______ early may, mid-may  04, 06, 07, 10
    Accipiter gularis
    Tsumi
    
    
30. Eastern Buzzard ______ mid-may  10
    Buteo japonicus
    Nosuri
    
    
31. Grey-faced Buzzard ______ mid-may  06
    Butastur indicus
    Sashiba
    
    
32. Eurasian Kestrel ______ mid-may  10
    Falco tinnunculus 
    Chogenbo 
    
    
33. Eurasian Hobby ______ early may, mid-may  04, 06, 07
    Falco subbuteo
    Chigo-hayabusa
    
    
34. Amur Falcon  (has been called Eastern Red-footed Falcon) ______  10
    Falco amurensis   
    Akaashi-chogenbo
    
    
35. Peregrine Falcon ______ mid-may  04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Falco peregrinus
    Hayabusa
    
    
36. Ruddy (-breasted) Crake ______ mid-may  04
    Porzana fusca
    Hi-kuina
    
    
37. Common Moorhen ______ early may, mid-may  04, 07
    Galinula chloropus
    Ban  
    
    
38. Eurasian Coot ______ early-may, mid-may  06
    Fulica atra
    O-ban
    
    
39. Common Ringed Plover ______ early-may  07
    Charadrius hiaticula
    Hajiro-ko-chidori
    
    
40. Little Ringed Plover ______ mid-apr  01
    Charadrius dubius
    Ko-chidori
    
    
41. Lesser Sandplover  (or Mongolian Plover) ______ mid-may  04, 06
    Charadrius mongolus
    Medai-chidori
    
    
42. Pacific Golden Plover ______ early may, mid-may  04
    Pluvialis fulva
    Munaguro
    
    
43. Red Knot ______ mid-may  04
    Ko-oba-shigi
    
    
44. Sanderling ______ mid-may  04
    Miyubi-shigi
    
    
45. Red-necked Stint ______ mid-may  04, 06
    Tonen
    
    
46. Long-toed Stint ______  mid-may  07
    Hibari-shigi
    
    
47. Ruddy Turnstone ______ mid-may  04, 06
    Kyojo-shigi
    
    
48. Common Snipe ______ mid-apr, early may, mid-may  01, 04, 06, 07
    Gallinago gallinago
    Ta-shigi
    
    
49. Latham's Snipe ______ early may, mid-may  04, 06, 07
    Gallinago hardwickii
    Oji-shigi
    
    
50. Jacksnipe ______ mid-apr  01
    Lymnocryptes minimus
    Ko-shigi
    
    
51. Wood Sandpiper ______ early-may, mid-may  07
    Tringa glareola
    Takabu-shigi
    
    
52. Common Greenshank ______ early may, mid-may  04, 07
    Tringa nebularia 
    Aoashi-shigi
    
    
53. Green Sandpiper ______ mid-apr, early may, mid-may  01, 06, 07
    Tringa ochropus
    Kusa-shigi
    
    
54. Common Sandpiper ______ mid-apr, early may, mid-may  01, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Actitis hypoleucos
    Iso-shigi
    
    
55. Grey-tailed (or Polynesian) Tattler ______ early may, mid-may  04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Tringa brevipes
    Kiashi-shigi
    
    
56. Terek Sandpiper  ______ mid-may  07
    Xenus cinereus
    Sorihashi-shigi
    
    
57. Eastern Black-tailed Godwit ______ mid-may  06
    Limosa melanuroides
    Oguro-shigi
    
    
58. "Eurasian" Whimbrel ______ mid-may  07
    Numenius phaeopus variegatus
    Chushaku-shigi
    
    
59. Red-necked Phalarope ______ early-may, mid-may  02, 04, 06, 07, 10
    Phalaropus  lobatus
    Akaeri-hireashi-shigi
    
    
60. Black-headed Gull ______ early-may  02
    Chroicocephalus ridibundus
    Yuri-kamone
    
    
61. Black-tailed Gull ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Larus crassirostris
    Umineko
    
    
62. Vega (Herring) Gull ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Larus vegae
    Seguro-kamone
    
    
63. Slaty-backed Gull ______ mid-may  04, 06, 07, 10
    Larus schistisagus
    O-seguro-kamone
    
    
64. Glaucous-winged Gull ______ early may, mid-may  06, 07
    Larus glaucescens  
    Washi-kamome
    
    
65. Common Tern ______ early-may  06
    Sterna hirundo longipennis
    Ajisashi
    
    
66. Japanese Murrelet ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 04, 06, 07
    Synthliboramphus wumizusume
    Kanmuri-umisuzume
    
    
67. Ancient Murrelet ______ mid-may  10
    Synthliboramphus a, antiquus
    Umisuzume 
    
    
68. Rhinoceros Auklet ______ mid-apr, early-may  01, 06, 10
    Cerorhinca monocerata
    Utou
    
    
69. Common (or Feral) Pigeon ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07
    Columba livia 
    Dobato
    
    
70. Oriental (or Rufous) Turtle Dove ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Streptopelia orientalis
    Kiji-bato
    
    
71. Black Wood Pigeon ______ mid-may  04, 10
    Columba janthina
    Karasu-bato
    
    
72. Eurasian Cuckoo ______ early-may, mid-may  05, 06, 10
    Cuculus canorus
    Kakko
    
    
73. Oriental Cuckoo ______ early may, mid-may  04, 06, 07, 10
    Cuculus optatus
    Tsutsudori
    
    
74. Lesser Cuckoo ______ mid-may  04, 05, 06, 10
    Cuculus poliocephalus
    Hototo-gisu
    
    
75. Japanese Scops-Owl (has been considered part of Collared Scops-Owl) ______ early-may, mid-may  04, 05, 06, 10
    Otus semitorques
    O-konoha-zuku
    
    
76. Brown Hawk-Owl ______ mid-may  05
    Ninox scutulata
    Aoba-zuku
    
    
77. Grey Nightjar ______ early-may  06
    Caprimulgus jotaka
    Yotaka
    
    
    
    GreyNightjar photographed on Hegura island during the FONT tour in 2006
    
    
78. Pacific Swift  (another name is Asian White-rumped Swift) ______ early may, mid-may  04, 05, 07, 10
    Apus pacificus
    Amatsu-bame 
    
    
79. Common (or Eurasian) Kingfisher ______ early-may, mid-may  02, 04, 07, 10
    Kawasemi
    
    
80. Ruddy Kingfisher ______  early-may, mid-may  07
    Halcyon coromanda
    Aka-shobin
    
    
81. Black-capped Kingfisher  (rare in Japan) ______ mid-may   05
    Halcyon pileata
    Yama-shobin
    
    
    
    Black-capped Kingfisher
    
    
82. Eurasian Hoopoe  (rare in Japan)  ______ mid-apr, mid-may   01, 05, 10
    Upupa epops
    Yatsugashira
    
    
83. Oriental Dollarbird  (closely related to Broad-billed Roller of Africa) ______ mid-may  05, 06, 10
    Eurystomus orientalis
    Bupposo
    
    
    
    Oriental Dollarbird
    
    
84. Greater Short-toed Lark  (rare in Japan)  ______ mid-apr, mid-may   01, 10
    Calandrella brachydactyla
    Hime-kotenshi
    
    
85. Eurasian Skylark  (on Hegura, not the "Japanese Skylark", but rather Alauda arvensis pekinensis of the Asian mainland)  ______ mid-apr, mid-may  01, 10
    Alauda arvensis
    Hibari
    
    
86. Barn Swallow ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Hirundo rustica gutturalis
    Tsubame
    
    
87. Sand Martin  (or Bank Swallow) ______ mid-apr, mid-may  01
    Riparia riparia 
    Shodo-tsubame
    
    
88. Red-rumped Swallow ______ early-may, mid-may  04
    Cecropis (formerly Hirundo) daurica
    Koshiaka-tsubame
    
    
89. Richard's Pipit  (very rare in Japan) ______ mid-may  05, 07
    Anthus richardi
    Mamijiro-tahibari
    
    
90. Olive-backed Pipit (was called Indian Tree Pipit) ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 07, 10
    Anthus hodgsoni
    Binzui
    
    
91. Tree Pipit  (very rare in Japan) ______ early-may  07
    Anthus trivialis
    Yoroppa-binzui
    
    
92. "Siberian" Buff-bellied Pipit (subspecies japonicus; has been considered the same species as the American Pipit, subspecies rubescens, but they may be specifically distinct) (was, at one time, part of the Water Pipit of the Holarctic, that species now in Eurasia, Anthus spinoletta) ______ mid-apr, mid-may  01, 06, 07
    Anthus rubescens japonicus
    Tahibari
    
    
93. Eastern Yellow Wagtail  (rare in Japan) ______ early may, mid-may   04, 05, 06, 07
    Motacilla tschutschensis  (a couple different subspecies, in migration, are possible on Hegura Island)  
    Tsumenaga-sekirei 
    
    
94. Grey Wagtail ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 07
    Motacilla cinerea
    Ki-sekirei
    
    
95. White (or Pied) Wagtail (mostly the subspecies Motacilla alba lugens, that has been known as the Black-backed Wagtail; also the subspecies M. a. ocularis) ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
    Motacilla alba   
    Hojiro (or Haku-sekirei) 
    
    
96. Brown-eared Bulbul ______ early-may, mid-may  02, 04, 07, 10
    Microscelis (formerly Hypsipetes) a. amaurotis
    Hiyodori
    
    
97. Ashy Minivet ______ mid-may  04, 06, 07
    Pericrocotus divaricatus
    Sanshokui
    
    
98. Japanese Waxwing ______ mid-may  10
    Bombycilla japonica
    Hi-renjaku
    
    
99. Pied Wheatear ______  mid-may  07
    Oenanthe pleschanka
    Seguro-sabaku-hitaki
    
    
100. Isabelline Wheatear ______  early-may, mid-may  07
     Oenanthe isabellina
     Inaba-hitaki
     
      
101. Japanese Robin ______ mid-apr  01
     Luscinia akahige
     Komadori
     
     
102. Swinhoe's (or Rufous-tailed) Robin  (rare in Japan) ______ early-may, mid-may  02, 04, 06, 07
     Luscinia sibilans
     Shima-goma
     
     
     
     Swinhoe's Robin
     
     
103. Siberian Blue Robin ______ early-may, mid-may  02, 04, 05, 06, 07,10
     Luscinia cyane
     Ko-ruri
     
     
104. Siberian Rubythroat ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 04, 05, 06, 07. 10
     Luscinia calliope camtschatkensis
     No-goma
     
     
     
     Siberian Rubythroat
     
     
     
105. Bluethroat  ______  07
     Luscinia s. svecica  (this subspecies the: "Red-spotted" or "Arctic" Bluethroat)
     Ogawa-komadori
     
     
106. Daurian Redstart ______ mid-apr, mid-may  01, 04
     Phoenicurus auroreus
     Jo-bitaki
     
     
107. Red-flanked Bluetail  (also known as Siberian Bluechat or Orange-flanked Bush-Robin)  ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 06, 07, 10
     Luscinia cyanura
     Ruri-bitaki
     
     
     
     Red-flanked Bluetail
     
     
     
108. Siberian Stonechat ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 06, 07, 10
     Saxicola maurus stejnegeri 
     No-bitaki
     
     
109. Black Redstart  (rare in Japan) ______ mid-apr  (rare in Japan)  01
     Phoenicurus ochruros
     Kuro-jo-bitaki
     
     
110. Blue Rock Thrush (red-bellied form) ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Monticola solitarius philippensis
     Iso-hiyodori
     
     
111. White-throated Rock Thrush  (very rare in Japan) ______ mid-may  05
     Monticola gularis
     Hime-isohiyo
     
     
112. White's (Ground) Thrush ______ late-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 06, 07
     Zoothera dauma
     Tora-tsugumi
     
     
113. Siberian (Ground) Thrush ______ early-may, mid-may  04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Zoothera sibirica
     Mamijiro 
     
     
114. Brown-headed Thrush ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 07, 10
     Turdus chrysolaus
     Akahara
     
     
115. Pale Thrush ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 07, 10
     Turdus pallidus
     Shirohara 
     
     
116. Eye-browed (or Grey-headed) Thrush ______ early-may, mid-may  02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Turdus obscurus
     Mamichajinai
     
     
117. Dusky Thrush ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Turdus eunomus
     Tsugumi
     
     
     
     Dusky Thrush
     
     
     
118. Naumann's Thrush  (was part of Dusky Thrush) ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 07, 10
     Turdus naumanni
     Tsugumi
     
     
     
     Naumann's Thrush 
     
     
119. Japanese (Grey) Thrush ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 06, 10
     Turdus cardis
     Kuro-tsugumi
     
     
120. Asian Stubtail  (was called Short-tailed Bush-Warbler) ______ mid-apr  01
     Urosphena squameiceps 
     Yabusame
     
     
121. Japanese Bush Warbler ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Cettia diphone
     Uguisu
     
     
122. Zitting Cisticola ______  mid-may  10
     Cisticola juncidis
     Sekka
     
     
123. Oriental Reed Warbler ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 10
     Acrocephalus orientalis
     O-yoshikiri
     
     
124. Black-browed (or Schenk's) Reed Warbler ______ early-may, mid-may  04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Acrocephalus bistrigiceps
     Ko-yoshikiri 
     
     
125. Gray's Warbler  (was called Gray's Grasshopper Warbler) ______ mid-may  05, 07
     Locustella fasciolata
     Ezo-sennyu
     
     
126. Eastern Crowned Warbler ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Phylloscopus coronatus 
     Sendai-mushikui
     
     
127. Sakhalin Leaf Warbler  (was part of the Pale-legged Leaf Warbler) ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Phylloscopus borealoides 
     Ezo-mushikui
     
     
128. Siberian Chiffchaff  (very rare in Japan) ______  mid-may  10
     Phylloscopus tristis
     (Japanese name unknown)
     
     
129. Yellow-browed Warbler ______ early-may, mid-may  04, 07, 10
     Phylloscopus inornatus
     Kimayu-mushikui
     
     
130. Dusky Warbler  (rare in Japan) ______ early-may, mid-may  02, 07
     Phylloscopus fuscatus
     Muji-sekka
     
     
131. Radde's Warbler  (rare in Japan)  ______  mid-may  07
     Phylloscopus schwarzi
     Karafuto-muji-sekka
     
     
132. Arctic Warbler (subspecies borealis) ______ early-may, mid-may  04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Phylloscopus borealis
     Meboso-mushikui
     
     
133. Blue-and-white Flycatcher ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07
     Cyanoptila cyanomelana
     O-ruri
     
     
134. Asian Brown Flycatcher ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Muscicapa dauurica
     Ko-same-bitaki
     
     
135. Dark-sided (or Siberian) Flycatcher ______ early-may, mid-may  04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Muscicapa sibirica
     Same-bitaki
     
     
136. Grey-streaked Flycatcher ______ mid-may  04, 05, 06, 07
     Muscicapa griseisticta 
     Ezo-bitaki
     
     
137. Mugimaki Flycatcher ______ early-may, mid-may  (rare in Japan)  02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Ficedula mugimaki
     Mugimaki
     
     
138. Narcissus Flycatcher ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Ficedula narcissina
     Ki-bitaki
     
     
     
     Narcissus Flycatcher
     
     
139. Yellow-rumped (or Tricolored) Flycatcher  (rare in Japan) ______ early-may, mid-may  04, 06, 07
     Ficedula zanthopygia
     Mamijiro-ki-bitaki 
     
     
     
     Yellow-rumped (or Tricolored) Flycatcher
     
     
140. Taiga Flycatcher  (was part of Red-breasted Flycatcher)  (rare in Japan) _____ mid-may  (rare in Japan)  05
     Ficedula albicilla
     Ojiro-bitaki 
     
     
141. Japanese Paradise Flycatcher ______ mid-may  05, 06
     Terpsiphone atrocaudata
     Sankocho 
     
     
142. Coal Tit ______ mid-apr  01
     Periparus (formerly Parus) ater
     Hi-gara
     
     
143. Varied Tit ______  early-may  07
     Poecile (formerly Parus) varius
     Yama-gara
     
     
144. Japanese White-eye ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 07, 10
     Zosterops japonicus
     Mejiro
     
     
145. Bull-headed Shrike ______ mid-apr, mid-may  01, 04, 05, 07, 10
     Lanius bucephalus
     Mozu
     
     
146. Brown Shrike ______ early-may, mid-may  04, 05, 06, 07
     Lanius cristatus
     Aka-mozu 
     
     
147. Tiger (or Thick-billed) Shrike ______ mid-may  04, 05
     Lanius tigrinus
     Chigo-mozu
     
     
148. Rook ______ mid-apr, early-may  01, 06
     Corvus frugilegus
     Miyama-garasu
     
     
149. Carrion Crow ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 04, 06, 07, 10
     Corvus corone orientalis 
     Hashiboso-garasu
     
     
150. Large-billed Crow ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Corvus macrorhynchos
     Hashibuto-garasu
     
     
151. Chestnut-cheeked Starling ______ early-may, mid-may  02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Sturnus philippensis
     Ko-mukudori
     
     
152. White-cheeked (or Grey) Starling ______ mid-apr, mid-may (seen only infrequently on Hegura)  01, 02, 05, 07
     Sturnus cineraceus
     Mukudori
     
     
153. Daurian Starling  (also called Purple-backed Starling)  (rare in Japan)  ______  mid-may   07
     Sturnus sturninus
     Shiberia-mukudori
     
     
154. Black-naped Oriole  (rare in Japan)  ______ early-may, mid-may   04, 05, 07
     Oriolus chinensis
     Korai-uguisu
     
     
     
     Black-naped Oriole
     
     
155. Black Drongo  (rare in Japan) ______  mid-may  07
     Dicrurus macrocercus
     Ochu
     
     
156. Eurasian Tree Sparrow ______  mid-may  10 (1 bird)
     Passer montanus
     Suzume
     
     
157. Russet (or Cinnamon) Sparrow ______ mid-apr  01
     Passer rutilans
     Nyunai-suzume
     
     
158. Brambling ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 06, 07, 10
     Fringilla montifringilla
     Atori
     
     
     
     Brambling
     
     
159. Oriental Greenfinch  (has also been called Grey-capped Greenfinch)  ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Fringilla coelebs
     Kawara-hiwa
     
     
160. Eurasian Siskin ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07
     Carduelis flammea
     Ma-hiwa
     
     
     
     Eurasian Siskin
     
     
161. Asian Rosy Finch ______ mid-apr  01
     Leucosticte arctoa
     Hagi-mashiko
     
     
162. Long-tailed Rosefinch ______ mid-apr  01
     Uragus sibiricus
     Beni-mashiko
     
     
163. Eurasian Bullfinch ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 04
     Pyrrhula pyrrhula
     Uso
     
     
164. Japanese Grosbeak ______ early-may, mid-may  04, 05, 07, 10
     Eophona personata
     Ikaru
     
     
165. Chinese Grosbeak  (has also been called Yellow-billed Grosbeak, but both the Chinese & Japanese Grosbeaks have yellow bills)  (rare in Japan)  ______  mid-may  07
     Eophona migratoria
     Ko-ikaru
     
     
     
     Chinese Grosbeaks
     
     
166. Hawfinch ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Coccothraustes coccothraustes
     Shime
     
     
167. (Japanese) Grey Bunting ______ early-may, mid-may  02, 04, 05, 07
     Emberiza variabilis
     Kuroji
     
     
168. Black-faced Bunting  (mostly the subspecies personata, which breeds on Hegura; but also, in 2010, Emberiza s. spodocephala, which breeds on the Asian mainland in eastern Siberia & northeast China and winters in eastern & southern China and in Taiwan; these 2 subspecies may be distinct species)  ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Emberiza spodocephala
     Aoji
     
     
169. Japanese Yellow (or Siebold's) Bunting ______ early-may, mid-may   04, 06, 07
     Emberiza sulphurata
     Nojiko
     
     
170. Yellow-breasted Bunting ______ mid-may  04, 05
     Emberiza aureola
     Shima-aoji
     
     
171. Chestnut Bunting  (rare in Japan)  ______ mid-may  04
     Emberiza rutila
     Shima-nojiko
     
     
172. Chestnut-eared (or Grey-headed) Bunting ______  mid-may  07, 10
     Emberiza fucata
     Hoaka
     
     
173. Meadow Bunting ______  mid-may  07, 10
     Emberiza ciodes
     Hojiro
     
     
174. Rustic Bunting ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10
     Emberiza rustica
     Kashiradaka
     
     
175. Elegant Bunting  (has been called Yellow-throated Bunting) ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 02, 05, 06, 07
     Emberiza elegans
     Miyama-hojiro
     
     
176. Yellow-browed Bunting  (rare in Japan) ______  mid-may  07, 10
     Emberiza chrysophrys
     Kimayu-hojiro
     
     
177. Little Bunting  (rare in Japan) ______  mid-may  07, 10
     Emberiza pusilla
     Ko-hoaka
     
     
178. Tristram's Bunting  (rare in Japan)  ______ early-may, mid-may  02, 04, 06, 07, 10
     Emberiza tristrami
     Shirohara-hojiro
     
     
     
     Tristram's Bunting
     
     
179. Common Reed Bunting ______ mid-apr, early-may, mid-may  01, 06, 07, 10
     Emberiza schoeniclus
     O-jurin