Bird communities were investigated using a line-transect census method at six 50m by 2km transects along the lower and middle reaches of the Satsunai River, eastern Hokkaido. Censuses were conducted in May and June, 1994-1999. A total of 55 bird species was recorded, including forest, shrubgrassland and water birds. The commoner species were
Gallinago hardwickii, Streptopelia orientalis, Cuculus canorus, Jynx torquilla, Dendrocopos major, Dendrocopos minor, Alauda arvensis, Anthus hodgsoni, Hypsipetes amaurotis, Luscinia cyane, Luscinia calliope, Saxicola torquata, Turdus chrysolaus, Locustella fasciolata, Phylloscopus coronatus, Ficedula narcissina, Parus palustris, Parus major, Emberiza spodocehala, Carduelis sinica, Uragus sibiricus and
Coccothraustes coccothraustes. Shannon-Weaver species diversity indices (
H') ranged from 3.95 to 4.31. In a transformed area such as farmland and urban areas, riverine areas containing both riparian forests and shrub-grasslands provide forest and shrubgrassland birds with important habitat.
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