The Japanese pygmy woodpecker (JPW) Dendrocopos kizuki and lesser spotted woodpecker (LSW) D. minor were surveyed along 1,009 2-km transects situated in 900 quadrats (4.5km×5km), in central and southeastern Hokkaido from late April to early July, 1976-2014. JPW occurred in 239 quadrats (30%) and 285 transects (28%) and the corresponding values for LSW were 26 quadrats (3%) and 27 transects (3%). The occurrence frequencies for JPW, were 0% in Siberian dwarf pine forests, 33% in ever-green coniferous forests, 54% in mixed forests, 56% in deciduous broad-leaved forests, 20% in larch plantations, 22% in agricultural lands with woods, 5% in agricultural lands and 2% in residential areas. The corresponding values for LSW were 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 7, 2 and 0%, respectively. For JPW the occurrence frequencies at less than 200m above sea level (asl), 201-400m asl, 601-800m asl, 601-800m asl and 801m asl or above were 23, 37, 50, 50 and 1%, respectively. The corresponding values for LSW were 4, 2, 0, 0 and 0%, respectively. Average numbers of birds per 2km in different habitats ranged from 0.02 to 0.6 for JPW and from 0.01 to 0.1 for LSP.

The accuracy and usability of a micro GPS data logger (GT-120), which recently became commercially available, were examined. A GT-120 and a specified low power radio transmitter were fixed on four hedgehogs ; three of the four hedgehogs were recaptured based on the radio tracking data. Location points were determined at one-minute intervals over roughly two days. Times and locations of nesting were also identified. The GT-120 facilitates retrieval of a significant amount of data with less effort compared to the conventional method of radio tracking. It should be noted however, that the average distance error was 33.2±41.9m (SE).

Deer management must collaborate with forest management. The coral and box traps are effective method of deer capturing ; however, quantitative evaluation are not studied for selecting suitable location of traps. This study assessed quantitative evaluation of trap setting location in forest based on geographic information system (GIS) analyses particularly using forest management records with geographical information (ShinrinGIS) and digital elevation model (DEM). The location selected as suitable trapping sites were compared with the field observation data with experienced engineers. As a result of comparison, the elevation by GIS analysis effectively determined the suitable location of trap setting. Factor influencing the selection of location mostly was stand age (i.e. over 11 age class) for coral trap. For box trap, thinning was the most significant factor for setting traps in the suitable location but stand age did not relate to the suitable sites. The forest stand slopes estimated by 10mDEM had low accuracy to evaluate the suitable sites. Higher resolution DEM should be implemented to improve the effectiveness of the selection on suitable location with using ShinrinGIS for coral and box traps in the forested area.

Faunal survey of bats at foothills of Mt. Ontakesan in central Honshu was carried out between Jun and October of 2014. Sixteen bats belonging to seven species were recorded. Japanese little horseshoe bat Rhinolophus cornutus, Endo’s pipistrelle, Pipistrellus endoi, Japanese long-eared bat Plecotus sacrimontis, Asian parti-colored bat Vespertilio sinensis, Ikonnikov’s Myotis Myotis ikonnikovi, Natterer’s bat Myotis nattereri and Ussurian tube-nosed bat Murina ussuriensis were captured and marked with metal bat ring before releasing. Another one species, Greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, was recognized by bat detectors. The altitude for this research area was 1710m.

Survey on the Japanese long-eared bat, Plecotus sacrimontis, roosting in the artificial structure was conducted at Mt. Kushigata-yama, Yamanashi Prefecture from late May to early July of 2009 and 2010. Japanese long-eared bats formed a nursing colony to give birth and nurse infants. The daytime activities of Japanese long-eared bats were recorded by IR video camera. The maximum size of colonies (number of bats except infants) was 16. The average time required for parturition was 38 minutes and 49 seconds (n＝9, range : 15m20s-72m53s). Bats gave birth hanging with a head as the top away from the colony. Pregnancy and lactation period that individuals are mixed is active state and inactive state had been mixed. Parturition synchronously occurred in late from mid-June.