The breeding status and habitat characteristics of the Daurian Redstart in Yatsugatake, Nagano, Japan

Abstract

Daurian Redstarts Phoenicurus auroreus have been known only as a winter visitor in Japan, but in June 2010 breeding was confirmed in the town of Fujimi, Nagano Prefecture. As a result of our continued survey for eight years thereafter, 64 breeding events were confirmed in the vicinity of Yatsugatake. Between 2010 and 2017 the number of breeding events increased, and this suggests that a breeding population has been established. We identified several environmental characteristics of nesting sites, including an apparent preference for villas/resorts instead of for woodlands, with a preference for structures regularly occupied by people. Artificial objects, such as hoods for ventilation fans, were often used as nest sites, with typical nest height of about 2 m above ground level. In those residential areas, the nest sites were close to the edge of the woodlands. These observations suggest that Daurian Redstarts are breeding in places that allow them both access to on forests and also a close relationship with human activity