Status of Grus japonensis during autumn of 2020 in Central-western Hokkaido

Abstract

In the autumn of 2020, a simultaneous count and one additional survey for Red-crowned Cranes Grus japonensis were conducted in Central-western Hokkaido. Each investigator used a car and drove specified routes in the research area at a designated time on the same day, October 9, 2020. In that simultaneous count, a total of 9 birds (6 adults and 3 juveniles) were recorded. In an additional survey conducted after the simultaneous count, in mid-October, 4 adults and 2 juveniles were recorded. The birds recorded during the additional survey were confirmed to be different birds than those observed during the simultaneous count based on morphological features. As a result, a total of 15 birds (10 adults and 5 juveniles) were confirmed. This survey clarified the population status of Red-crowned Cranes in Central-western Hokkaido, and confirmed that the species is expanding their distribution. This data may be important for the conservation of the cranes, and it is recommended that a simultaneous count in this area be continued at some frequency.