Notes on the birds of Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture

Abstract

1. The result of ten-year research of birds at Kashiwazaki, Niigata, on Japan Sea coast of Honshu is reported.
2. Beside observations, the records of beach drifted sea birds and banding results at Akuta marsh area (since 1966) are important part of this report.
3. In all 42 Families, 238 sp. and subsp. (235 species) are listed with annotation, and the following birds, rare or accidental as species or subspecies to Japan, are included: Aethia psittaculus, Fratercula corniculata, Turdus hortulorum, Upupa epops, Dendronanthus indicus, Anthus gustavi, Erythrina erythrina, Emberiza spodocephala spodocephala, Emberiza schoeniclus pallidior, Plectrophenax nivalis vlasowi.
4. Kashiwazaki area is peculiary important as a concentration of migratory birds due to special local meteorological conditions. Sea bird drift on this beach includes such northern alcids as Ae. psittaculus, Fratercula corniculata, etc. not found along other Honshu coasts, and Uria lomvia is more numerous than U. aalge.
5. Among land birds, the heavy migrations of Locustella ochotensis, Emberiza schoeniclus, E. spodocephala, etc. or occasional large wintering flocks of Carduelis flammea, are noticable. Akuta marsh is an important resting place for migrants as well as being the communal roost for Sturnus cineraceus, S. sturnia, Hirundo rustica, H. daurica, Chloris sinica and Passer montanus. The migratory bird flocks are so numerous as many are struck at telephone wires.
6. Data on rare stragglers and the flock movements of Otus scops (recently considered as resident) or Lanius bucephalus, usually a solitary wonderer, etc. are reported.
7. Cyanopica cyana became established and is increasing as breeding species since 1965.