As wind farms have been developed in Japan, concern has been growing for their impacts on birds. There are three types of impacts: wind turbine collisions, habitat abandonment and barrier effects. During the period from April 2001 to March 2014, 341 bird carcasses were recovered at wind turbines in Japan. Many of them were Black Kites, White-tailed Eagles, gulls and crows. Habitat abandonment was reported from Kyoto and Mie Prefectures, where bird population density decreased around the wind turbines. Barrier effects were reported from Ehime Prefecture for Honey Buzzards and for Hooded and White-naped Cranes from Nagasaki Prefecture. These species changed their flight paths to avoid wind turbines. The continuous monitoring of birds in wind farms is needed to study the effects of wind turbines on birds.

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In 2012, the construction of a wind farm with 15 wind turbines was planned in theFureshima region, Nemuro City, eastern Hokkaido. As White-tailed Eagles, Steller’s Sea Eagles,Blakiston’s Fish Owls and Japanese Cranes were thought to be affected by the wind turbines, theWild Bird Society of Japan (WBSJ) conducted a field survey and investigated the impacts of thewind farm on these threatened species. Using data on the flight routes of sea eagles and GIS, theWBSJ established the potential flight map of sea eagles in the planned area. Furthermore, the WBSJestimated the annual number of collisions of sea eagles using the sphere shaped model. It wasestimated that 0.39 birds would collide on an average and 1.01 birds in the worst case. On the basisof these findings, the WBSJ and other nature conservation organizations requested the governorof Hokkaido and the mayor of Nemuro City to give an administrative guidance to the operator tochange the construction plan. Through the nature observation events and lectures about threatenedbirds in the Fureshima region, the motions to reconsider the plan were placed by the public, andit became a major movement. In July 2014, because of the non-profitability of the wind farm, theoperator announced the cancellation of the construction project. Based on our experience, we madesome proposals for the local conservationists who would cope with problematic plans for windfarm construction.

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This article introduces land-use zoning for wind energy in European countries and the United State, especially in Germany. After showing a variety of zoning at the local, regional and national level have been widely introduced in those countries, this article describes approaches to prevent overdevelopment of wind energy and electing turbines in unsuitable area for bird species, through a case study of the regional-level zoning in Brandenburg and Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. The results are: (1) the zoning shall provide “substantial” suitable area for wind energy, which is quantitatively calculated on the renewable energy target in each state while restricting the siting of turbines in the outside of the suitable area; (2) there are specific distance criteria of wind turbines to breeding and resting sites of selected sensitive species to wind energy so as to show unsuitable area systematically.

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In Japan, collisions with wind turbines are a major cause of death of White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla . In order to develop measures to avoid or reduce collisions of sea eagles with wind turbines, the tracking of White-tailed and Steller’s Sea Eagles H. pelagicus was conducted using a theodolite and a laser range finder in Tomamae, northern Japan from December 2011 to January 2012. The tracking result showed that White-tailed and Steller’s Sea Eagles flew along the coast to detour around wind turbines. Although eagles normally detour around wind turbines, however, they sometimes collide with wind turbines, which suggests that they collide with wind turbines when some conditions make it difficult for them to avoid turbines. Therefore, these conditions need to be determined to avoid or reduce wind turbine collisions of the species.

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The relationships between the number of surveys and the estimation accuracy of bird flight frequency based on vantage point observation were examined using the nonparametric bootstrap method. In the case of 50 2-hour surveys, the mean flight frequencies of Slaty-backed Gulls and crows which were consistently detected in the study site were estimated to a precision of ± 25%. In White-tailed Eagles and Black-tailed Gulls which were infrequently observed, on the other hand, their flight frequencies were estimated with a reduced precision. In addition, there was a possibility that a small number of surveys would not show their occurrence in these infrequent species. On the other hand, the changes of relative ratios of 95% confidence interval widths of mean flight frequencies with survey number of times showed approximately similar results for all birds in this study. Therefore, the result of this analysis would contribute to the examination of the number of surveys required for the reliable estimation of bird flight frequency.

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The distributions and abundances of Grey Wagtails Motacilla cinerea and White Wagtails M. alba were surveyed using a line transect census in central and south-eastern Hokkaido from late April to early July between 1976 and 2014. The transect was 2 km in length and 50 m in width. One thousand and nine transects were situated in 900 4.5 km-by-5 km quadrats. Grey Wagtails occurred in 321 transects (32%) and 300 quadrats (33%) mainly in mountainous areas, while White Wagtails were detected in 468 transects (46%) and 440 quadrats (49%) mainly in plains. The occurrence frequencies of Grey Wagtails were 9% in Siberian dwarf pine forests, 27% in ever-green coniferous forests (Aa), 58% in mixed forests (Ac), 53% in deciduous broad-leaved forests (Ad), 28% in larch plantations (Ag), 30% in agricultural land with woods (Cw), 10% in agricultural land (C) and 9% in residential areas (D). Those of White Wagtails were 0%, 13%, 4%, 7%, 4%, 63%, 87% and 89%, respectively. The occurrence frequencies of Grey Wagtails 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 were 25%, 45%, 52%, 46% and 31%, respectively. Those of White Wagtails were 60%, 30%, 11%, 4% and 6%, respectively. The average numbers of Grey Wagtails per 2 km were 0.2 ± 0.6 in Aa, 0.7 ± 0.9 in Ac, 0.6 ± 0.9 in Ad, 0.2 ± 0.7 in Ag, 0.4 ± 0.8 in Cw, 0.1 ± 0.4 in C, 0.2 ± 0.6 in D. Those of White Wagtails were 0.1 ± 0.3, 0.1 ± 0.3, 0.1 ± 0.4, 0.04 ± 0.2, 0.8 ± 1.0, 1.5 ± 1.2 and 1.8 ± 1.2, respectively.

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Foraging marks of Okinawa Woodpeckers Sapheopipo noguchii were recorded from March to November 2002 to monitor their distribution. The foraging marks found up to a height of two meters above the ground were counted four times during the eight-month study period in four quadrats of 15 to 55-year-old stands and twelve mounth in ten circle plots of two mature (> 40 yo) stands of ever-green forests. The marks primarily remained on dead trees. The number of foraging marks was highest in a 40-year-old stand and the number decreased by half in a 20- and a 55-yearold stands. On the other hand, we discovered few foraging marks in a 15-year-old stand. More new foraging marks were recorded during March-May and September-November than during May- September. Seasonal change in the number of foraging marks was much smaller in a 55-year-old stand than the others. There were few foraging marks at a lower part of living trees and on smaller branches. We found foraging marks even in dense vegetation. It is assumed that the foraging marks of Okinawa Woodpeckers were mostly distinguished from those of sympatric Pygmy Woodpeckers, Dendrocopos kizuki . The foraging marks of Okinawa Woodpeckers would be a good indicator of their seasonal range.

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The Spotted Nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes , usually hoards seeds of the Japanese stone pine, Pinus pumila (as the staple food in winter). However, the Japanese stone pine is not distributed in Mt. Fuji. We conducted an investigation to find the type of seeds hoarded by the Spotted Nutcracker on the northwest slope of Mt. Fuji. We found that Spotted Nutcrackers in the upper part of the subalpine zone hoarded seeds of the Japanese white pine, P. parviflura , from the end of August to the end of November. On the northwest slope of Mt. Fuji, the Japanese white pine is scattered from the montane zone (alt.1080m) to the subalpine zone (alt.2356m). We estimated that the longest distance that Spotted Nutcrackers flew for hoarding was 10.5 km in a straight line. These results indicate that the Spotted Nutcracker of Mt. Fuji carries the seeds from low altitudes to high altitudes. This hoarding behavior is different from that of the Spotted Nutcracker of the Japanese stone pine zone.

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A young White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla was observed for a total of 25 times between May and November 1999 at Nakanokamishima and Iriomotejima of the southern Ryukyu Islands. Since the eagle had a few primary feathers of both wings missing at the same spots, it was identified as the same individual. This is the first over-summering record of the species in the Ryukyu Islands. The bird frequently visited Nakanokamishima which provides breeding sites for six seabird species including Brown Boobies Sula leucogaster and Sooty Terns Sterna fuscata , and some breeding grounds of Black-naped Terns S. sumatrana and Roseate Terns S. dougallii around Iriomotejima. The eagle was repeatedly observed to circle above, approach quickly and land on the seabird colonies or swoop down on feeding flocks of terns. Some carcasses of Brown Boobies and Sooty Terns whose breasts and bellies were eaten were discovered on Nakanokamishima. In addition, terns abandoned their eggs in the breeding colonies around Iriomotejima, suggesting that the White-tailed Eagle over-summering in this area had a both direct and indirect impact on the breeding seabirds.

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I observed a breeding pair of Grey-faced Buzzards in 2013 and 2014 in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. In 2013 the pair fledged two young successfully in the normal way. In 2014, however, the male rarely fed the female during the incubating period. Instead they took turns to incubate their eggs. Moreover, another adult male helped the pair to raise their nestlings and they fledged three young in the year. The diet of the pair consisted primarily of small mammals such as Rodentia until the young hatched after the pair arrived at their breeding site, during which period temperatures are relatively low. After hatching, when it became warm, they preyed on small mammals, frogs, reptiles and insects. A cool climate in Aomori City would be responsible for a large proportion of rodents in the diet during the early breeding season.

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We observed a Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus on 7 July 2013 in Hachijo-jima Island, southern Izu Islands, central Japan. The individual was perched on an electric cable at the edge of a forest. It had greenish brown plumage, a black eye stripe, a pale blue moustachial stripe and a long black bill. Since the bird had elongated central tail feathers typical to bee-eaters, it was assumed to be adult. This is the first record of a Blue-tailed Bee-eater in Japan, which probably visited the island accidentally.

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A Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos was observed in Taie, Hidaka, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan on the 19th, 20th, 21st and 23rd of April in 2014. This is the first spring record of this species in Wakayama Prefecture. Additionally, few Pectoral Sandpipers have been observed during the spring migration season in Japan.

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A Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus with the first winter plumage was observed from December 17th 2013 to April 8th 2014 in Kiho-cho, Mie Prefecture, western Japan. This is the first wintering record and the 5th observation of the species in Japan.

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An apparently bigamous breeding of Meadow Buntings Emberiza cioides which usually breed monogamously was observed from March to June in 1997 in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, western Japan. In the song area of an identified male, two females were engaged in the transfer of nest materials, consorting behavior and the flight with "chirrrr...." calls which is characteristically observed during the egg-laying and incubating periods alone on the same day. They completed their own nests. There were four young in one nest and at least one of them fledged successfully.

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Although the Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus is currently classified as a winter visitor in Japan, we collected 13 nests of this species in Mt. Yatsugatake, central Japan. They were all bowl-shaped with a base extending to one side. The confirmed breeding nests had an outer diameter of an average of 129mm, an inside diameter of an average of 73mm and a depth of an average of 31mm. They were composed primarily of fine roots, bryophyta and grass stems with animal hair, feathers and grass leaves built into them. Many of the nests had a nest cup lined with animal hair on fine roots. The basal part of many nests was also built mainly of bryophyta, fine roots, grass stems, twigs and tree leaves.

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We analyzed the pellets of Long-eared Owls Asio otus in Nagano and Iiyama Cities, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan. A total of 370 pellets which were collected at two roosts in Nagano City in five wintering seasons from 1992 to 2002 included the remains of 548 animals. In 1999, on the other hand, we collected 30 pellets at a breeding site in Iiyama City. They were comprised of 36 animals. The collected pellets included five Rodentina, one Chiroptera, one Insectivora and small birds. Rodents represented more than 90 % of the pellet contents, with Microtus montebelli predominant in all sampling sites. Furthermore, a pellet collected in winter contained three or four Pipistrellus abramus which are assumed to be dormant in that period.

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We observed three subadult Siberian Cranes Grus leucogeranus (Gruiformes: Gruidae) in Tosa City, Kochi Prefecture, western Japan from December 2013 to January 2014. This is the first record of this species in Shikoku Island.

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We examined the stomach contents of three carcasses of the Crested Ibis Nipponia nippon (two reintroduced adult males and one wild-born juvenile male). They included loaches, nymphs of dragonflies and mayflies, mole crickets, aquatic beetles and bugs, carabid beetles, tenebrionid, pond snails and freshwater bivalves, some of which have not been reported as prey in Japan. Judging from the body size and abundance of the prey, the Crested Ibis is likely to prey on invertebrates of at least 7 mm in body size in the wild. Further research on its feeding habits and prey items may help contribute to the success of the reintroduction program for the Crested Ibis.

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We here report the observation of an adult Masked Booby Sula dactylatra , which was made off Sado Island in the Japan Sea (N38˚06'10'', E138˚33'56''–N38˚04'20'', E138˚40'10'') on September, 14, 2011. This bird flew above the ocean, making some dives into the water for foraging, and floating on the water surface during 0955–1010 h of that day. The Masked Booby is rarely recorded in and around the Japan Sea. The species' nearest breeding site, which has been known to be active recently, is Nishinoshima Island of the Ogasawara Islands, approximately 1,200 km to the south of the location of observation.

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On May 22, 2014, I observed a Fairly Pitta feeding at the edge of an evergreen forest in Miyake Island of the Izu Islands. This bird stayed in the island for at least seven days. This is the first record of this species observed in the Izu Islands.

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I observed a nest of the Japanese Night Heron Gorsachius goisagi in Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture on 20 July 2014. This is the first breeding record of this species from the island. There have been some observation records of the species in recent breeding seasons in the island. It suggests that some pairs of the herons breed in the island.

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An Osprey was observed to eat a Buttonquail beside a sugarcane field in Tarama-jima Island, Okinawa Prefecture on April 29, 2014. After a while the hawk suddenly flew away. It is likely that Ospreys sometimes capture Buttonquails in this island because this island is lacking in diversity of foraging habitats suitable for them. No food items other than fish have been reported for Ospreys in Japan apart from this report.

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