Capturing and sighting surveys were carried out from November 2005 to March 2010 at a total of 259 sites (natural caves, artificial caves, and artificial structures) in the Minami-Alps area. The Ikonnikov's Myotis, Myotis ikonnikovi, was found at 20 sites (5 tunnels and 15 capture sites in forests). Most records of M. ikonnikovi in this area have been limited to summer and to broadleaved deciduous forests over 1000 m above sea level. However, this study clarified that M. ikonnikovi inhabited from 500 to 2060 m above the sea level throughout the year. The lactating females and juveniles were captured at 700 m to 2040 m above the sea level in summer. Males formed a small cluster in the hole and crack in tunnels from early spring to autumn.

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The black-faced bunting Emberiza spodocephala and grey bunting E. variabilis populations were surveyed along 952 2-km transects situated in 844 quadrats (4.5 km×5 km), in central and southeastern Hokkaido from late April to late June, 1976-2010. Black-faced buntings occurred in 811 quadrats (96%) and 898 transects (94%) and grey buntings in 58 quadrats (7%) and 118 transects (12%). The occurrence frequencies for black-faced buntings was 46% in Pinus pumila forests, 100% in ever-green coniferous forests, 95% in mixed forests, 98% in deciduous broadleaved forests, 100% in Larix plantations, 99% in agricultural lands with woods, 96% in agricultural lands and 35% in residential areas. The corresponding values for grey buntings were 9, 20, 59, 12, 0, 0, 0 and 0% respectively. The occurrence frequency of black-faced buntings at less than 200 m above sea level (asl), 201-400 m asl, 601-800 m asl, 601-800 m asl and 801 m asl or above was 94, 97, 96 and 69%, respectively. The corresponding values were 8, 21, 17, 48 and 31%, respectively, for grey buntings. The number of black-faced buntings (mean±SD) counted per 2-km transect was 0.5±1.0 in Pinus pumila forests, 5.5±2.6 in ever-green coniferous forests, 5.3±3.3 in mixed forests, 6.3±4.9 in deciduous broad-leaved forests, 10.2±3.9 in Larix plantations, 6.9±5.2 in agricultural lands with woods, 4.8±4.5 in agricultural lands and 0.6±1.3 in residential areas. The number of grey buntings per 2-km transect was 0.1±.0 in Pinus pumila forests, 0.3±0.8 in evergreen coniferous forests, 0.3±0.7 in mixed forests and 0.3±0.7 in deciduous broad-leaved forests.

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We investigated the behavior and habitat utilization of a pair of the mountain hawk-eagle Spizaetus nipalensis by the radio-telemetry method in Yamagata Prefecture. The female tended to stay longer in the same area than the male. In the moving distance within one day, a significant difference was found between the male (1,968±1,548m, mean±SD) and the female (948±1,151m). We analyzed the relation between the using time in each mesh (250m×250m) and the environmental factors. The female showed positive relations with the Pinus parviflora var. pentaphylla forest and the deciduous broadleaved secondary forest (high tree). On the other hand, the male showed positive relations with the distance from the road, the Pinus parviflora var. pentaphylla forest, the deciduous broadleaved secondary forest (high tree), and the cryptomeria plantation (high tree), but negative with the distance from the nesting site. Furthermore, for the deciduous broadleaved secondary forest (high tree), between the forests used by the hawk-eagle and those not used, there were significant differences in the average height (higher in the forest used) and coverage ratio of top tree layer (lower in the forest used), and in the coverage ratio of lower tree layer (lower in the forest used).

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To establish an accurate method for estimating the population density of the Japanese giant flying squirrel Petaurista leucogenys, we estimated the population density of an isolated population in Machida, Tokyo by two methods : the line transect census and the use ratio of tree hollow nests. The density obtained from the line transect census was 0.41/ha at evergreen homestead woodlands and 0.03/ha at deciduous Satoyama, averaging 0.08/ha for the total area. The distribution of tree hollow nests was much more dense at homestead woodlands and the nest use ratio averaged 47%. The estimated density from the nest use ratio was 2.0/ha at homestead woodlands and 0.22/ha at deciduous Satoyama. Although the reason for the discrepancy between the two estimation methods is uncertain, both clarified that survey according to vegetation types was indispensable. At least three surveys were necessary to obtain reliable results by the line transect census. The line transect census seemed more suitable in terms of cost efficiency and applicability to diverse forest types.

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I observed the Japanese Green Woodpecker (Picus awokera) bred in a roadside cherry (Prunus yedoensis) tree. This is an example of the woodpecker adapting to an urban environment.

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