1 March 2026

Japan winter feeder updates

I’m just back from a couple of weeks in Japan, and thought people may be interested to know that:

1. Japanese Marten no longer appear to be showing at Pension Bergcot (near Tateshina). They also say that Japanese Serow have declined in the area, owing to increased development and increasing Sika Deer populations (possibly owing to ever-warmer winters). Japanese Raccoon Dogs and Japanese Squirrels were still showing when I was there, and I cannot recommend the place itself more highly as a lovely place to stay, with very friendly owners and great food;

2. Sable no longer appears to be showing at Gasthof Papilio on Hokkaido. The feeders are good for woodpeckers, and also brought in Japanese Squirrels, Sika Deer and Red Fox;

3. Sable have been showing extremely well at Yuyado Daiichi, on the feeders. There was one individual every morning and evening in the two days we were there, but the staff report that there are three individuals around. No sign of Mink. Also Japanese Squirrels.

Otherwise no unexpected mammal news to report. We saw Humpback Whale well from the Miyakejima ferry, and what I believe to be Japanese Lesser Horseshoe Bats Rhinolophus cornutus at Tauro Pond on the island. No sign of Largha/Spotted Seals anywhere in eastern Hokkaido, but good views of Sea Otters from Cape Kirittappu.

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astrapia

Originally a birder, but always interested in mammals, and diversified my interests into all taxa during the pandemic – which makes prioritising trips difficult! Self-employed biodiversity consultant, largely now focused on reducing the impact of big development projects in Asia (wind power, solar, roads, etc.) Formerly worked for a number of conservation NGOs, including five years based in South-East Asia with BirdLife International and six years based in the US with Conservation International. 

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