Yamanakako, the largest and highest of the five large lakes at the base of Mt. Fuji, is worth visiting both in summer and winter. But especially in winter, those who visit the lakeside will be all fascinated by the sight of the breathtakingly beautiful mountain covered with snow.
　Along with the commoner species of ducks, there are some Falcated Teal, Common Goldeneye, Smew, Common Merganser on the lake. Among the ducks are Great Crested, Horned, and Eared Grebe.
　The lake is surrounded by excellent mixed woodland with beautiful larch trees, where you will be able to find a wide variety of woodland birds.
　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 to see plenty of the residents and the winter visitors.
　The residents such as tits and woodpeckers are abundant. You will be able to see Willow, Coal, Great, Varied, and Long-tailed Tit around this area. Three species of woodpeckers occur here including Japanese Green Woodpecker, an endemic species to Japan. Another endemic bird, Japanese Green Pheasant often turns up on the roads.
　The assorted finches such as Siskin, Brambling, Oriental Greenfinch, Hawfinch, and Japanese Grosbeak are fairly common here. In the open areas, Long-tailed Rose Finch might fly around over the shrubs. Siberian Meadow and Rustic Bunting are common. Yellow-throated Bunting is said to be uncommon, except in western Japan, but it is possible to see one here.

　On your way to Yamanakako, you should drop by Tanzawako, a lake located at the base of the Tanzawa Mountains in Kanagawa Prefecture. The lake itself is rather poor for birds, but from November to December, there are some flocks of Mandarin Duck with some commoner ducks. Brown Dipper often flies along the stream by the lake. You will surely find Japanese Wagtail, an endemic species to Japan, by the stream as well.
　In spite of such good birds, the main attraction here is absolutely two species of kingfishers. In addition to Common Kingfisher, there is a good possibility of catching sight of Greater Pied Kingfisher. There are few sites where we can almost guarantee the sighting of this bird around the Kanto district, and this lake is one of such spots.
　Hodgson's Hawk-Eagle is never so easy to get sight of, but here at the lakeside of Tanzawako, it is possible. According to our experience, the chances are once or twice out of ten times of birdwatching around the lake. It would be quite a challenge for visiting birdwatchers to look for such a rare raptor.

　　　　　　 　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Siberian Bluechat　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Japanese Wagtail

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Greater Pied Kingfisher

　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　　 　 　 　 　　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　―Photos: Tatsunori Tada