The Order Accipitriformes is said to have a standard sequential molt from innermost primary P1 to outermost P10. Recently, a new primary molt pattern has been reported for the Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis, starting among the central primary feathers. However, this new sequence has not been fully clarified, and requires further elucidation. Furthermore, other aspects of the species’ molt are poorly known. Here we describe the form of immature Japanese Sparrowhawk molt, including molt sequence, molt timing, and sexual differences in molt. We collected data on the wing molt of immature Japanese Sparrowhawks by means of photographic analysis (146 samples), examination of museum specimens (56 samples), and observations of a captive bird. In order to describe the primary and secondary molt sequence, we used two different approaches: one based on the distribution of feather molt, and the other based on asymmetric molt position. In order to estimate sexual, temporal, and geographical variation in molt, we used statistical analysis. These analyses allowed us to discover several unique aspects of molt. Some individuals undergo divergent molt, in a sequence which begins with one of the middle primaries (P4–P6) and proceeds simultaneously in both directions towards the inner and outer primaries, and some molted while wintering. In addition, among divergent molting individuals, males molted earlier than females. Moreover, they molted secondary S2 before S1. Comparisons between ‘non-standard’ molt patterns (and related phenomena such as migration and molt timing) and ‘standard’ molt patterns, may further our understanding of the evolution of molt.

A distribution map of the Hazel Grouse Tetrastes bonasia in Hokkaido, Japan, is presented based on the data obtained by transect and spot censuses, records in the literature and unpublished personal records. Hazel Grouse were recorded mainly in mountainous areas, where they were present in 758 out of 1,291 censused quadrats (58.7%). This density was significantly greater than that in the quadrats in plains and basins, where Hazel Grouse were recorded in 109 out of 750 censused quadrats (14.5%). This difference is clearly evident in the distribution map provided in this study. Numerical data of occurrence rates were obtained from presence and absent data. Some vacant quadrats in distribution maps published previously were occupied, and this map might be the most detailed and accurate record of the distribution of Hazel Grouse in Hokkaido.

On August 2017, I observed a Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) wearing an anklet at Mizumoto Park, Tokyo. Thereafter, I observed such a goshawk eleven times until early April 2018. In all records, the observed individual was a juvenile. Characteristics of plumage and the presence of an anklet suggested that all eleven observation records were derived from one or a few individuals, which had escaped from captivity. If the last observed individual was the same as the first one, it had survived for at least 110 days. Currently, by law most goshawks held in captivity cannot be a subspecies breeding in Japan. If exotic subspecies escaping from captivity bred with Japanese subspecies, native subspecies will be at risk of genetic disturbance due to hybridization.

We monitored the breeding performance of Black-tailed Gulls Larus crassirostris on Kabushima Island, which has been connected to Honshu Island by a manmade isthmus since the 1940’s, from 2012 to 2020. The mean number of eggs per nest on 13–20 May between 2014 and 2020 (2.01‒2.16 egg/nest), except for 2019, was higher than that in 2012, 2013, and 2019 (1.57‒1.80 egg/nest). However, the number of chicks on 5–15 July per number of eggs on 13–20 May in 2014 and 2020 (0.01‒0.17 chick/egg) was lower than that in 2012 and 2013 (0.23‒0.29 chick/egg).

Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) is a method developed in North America to monitor local avian fauna by constant-effort mist netting and banding during breeding seasons across years. Following the protocol of MAPS, we have been studying avian fauna in Fukushima, Japan since 2012. Here, we report the results obtained from 2018 to 2020. Also, results including adult abundance index, productivity index, and apparent adult survival rate from the entire study period (2012–2020) were analyzed. Adult abundance of the Japanese Bush Warbler Cettia diphone at a study site in Minami-Soma City were relatively stable. At a study site in Iitate Village however, adult abundance of this species fluctuated greatly. Adult abundance of the Oriental Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis in Minami-Soma has been increasing steadily during the study years while that of the Oriental Greenfinch Chloris sinica has increased in the later years (2018–2020). Adult survival of the Oriental Reed Warbler from 2012–2013 to 2018–2019 in Minami-Soma was 0.15–0.40 (mean=0.26).