Good Birding Season: late May - mid July

　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　 　　　　　 　 　 　 　 Nutcracker　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Japanese Accentor

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　―Photos: Shigeki　Sogame

　 Mt. Fuji is known throughout the world as a breathtakingly beautiful mountain. Also, many kinds of wildflowers and various species of birds are there for your enjoyment. Visiting birdwatchers can have a trip to the most famous landmark of Japan and an excellent birding expedition at the same time.

　The road up the mountain passes through the different vegetation zones with a wide variety of the habitats of woodland birds. You will be able to see the species common at the elevation of 900 to 2500 meters while driving along the road. Finally, it leads you up to the Fifth Station at the tree line.

　There is little of ornithological interest above the tree line. About one kilometer before the Fifth Station is the place called Okuniwa, which is one of the best sites to see the birds at the elevation of about 2000 meters. It is easy walking along a stone path around Okuniwa. You may occasionally come across Japanese Accentor, an endemic species to Japan, perching upon the top of a birch. There you will find a tiny pool. You can see Indian Tree Pipit, Wren, Siberian Bluechat, Arctic Warbler, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, and Nutcracker bathing in it.

　The grassland at the foot of the mountain is also exciting. You must be able to see Gray-headed and Black-faced Bunting, Great Reed and Black-browed Reed Warbler, and Stonechat singing among the shrubs. You can also expect to see Japanese Green Pheasant, Common Cuckoo, and Red-cheeked Myna. Moreover, there is a good possibility of catching sight of Latham's Snipe in its unique display flight.

　Yamanakako is the most popular lake for birdwatching among five large lakes at the base of Mt. Fuji. A residential area at south of the lake is the most interesting place for birdwatchers. By walking up and down the roads, you can expect the species common at the elevation of about 1000 meters. Many Japanese birdwatchers visit a spring nearby, which attracts a variety of birds including some species that are usually difficult to see. At sunset, after the local birdwatchers leave the spring, you might be able to see such elusive birds as Siberian Blue Robin, Siberian Thrush, and Short-tailed Bush Warbler.

　By the way, every birdwatcher who is to visit Mt. Fuji should take into consideration that good birding there is extremely reliant on the weather condition, because the rainy season overlaps the best birding season there.

　　　　　　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　　　 Narcissus Flycatcher　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Blue-and-White Flycatcher

―Photos: Tatsunori Tada