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Study area in Japan

We recruit volunteers and survey distribution of birds over Japan. In order to carry out this census, we need a large number of volunteers. Please support us. When clicking on the map, you can see a slightly bigger map for each region



Research method for national bird distribution census

　For research method, there are survey for field sites, questionnaires, and literature.

　Census period: Between April and August, 2016-2020
Species studied: All bird species breeding in Japan

　

Field survey

　Between 2016 and 2020, there will be one field survey. Survey course of about 3km that was studied will be walked between one and two hours, species and number confirmed along the course and breeding possibility will be recorded. Bird sightings will be numbered in the range of 50m left and right sides along the course and those that are seen outside of this range. Within the survey course, 30-minute investigation will occur at two selected fix points　


　
The red line in the map above is fixed point survey for survey courses 001-002P1 and 001-002P2. For points P1 and P2, there are many starting and ending points but there are also cases that are different
　
　Actual survey process
　・Stopping at fixed point P1 for 30 minutes, record bird sightings (first fixed point survey)
　・Walking thoroughly from P1 towards P2 referring to the red line on the map, make record (route census)
　・Stopping at fixed point P2 for 30 minutes, survey exactly same as P1 (second fixed point survey)
　・Resume the route census. Finish survey at ending point
　・Outside survey period, record birds seen outside the course　

　

Optional point survey

If there are any other good areas that should be surveyed other than the fixed survey courses, please survey the site as an option. Survey method is same as the fixed point census of field survey


Questionnaire survey

In order to supplement field survey, record bird breeding state at each area while doing the survey, normally bird watching, and completing other tasks

　 　

Literature survey

Record literature information exactly same as questionnaires. Breeding data in records, literature, and other documents of the Wild Bird Society of Japan are summarized.

Breeding rank


Criteria for breeding potential:

Rank
Criteria for breeding potential
A
Breeding confirmed
B
Breeding not confirmed, but possible
C
Habitat confirmed, but cannot comment on breeding potential
D
Presence and song confirmed, but probably no breeding potential
E
Habitat not confirmed, but from studying the environment, habitat is possible during breeding season

Judgement criteria for items under observation:

Observation item
Item code　
Rank
Adult birds
Adult bird repeatedly enters and leaves nest or place that seems to have nests.
10
A
Adult bird incubates egg or warm up fledgling, or seems to be doing so.
11
When adult bird goes into place that seems to have nest, fledglings calling to have food is heard.
12
Adult bird carries fledgling’s feces.
13
Adult bird carries food to fledgling in the nest (including cases when there is no sign of moving while carrying food and be on the watch for observers).
14
Injury feigning observed.
15
During the period when the species is nest building, its songs (including woodpecker drumming) are heard. However, exclude when the bird is a winter bird or a bird that is passing by.
30
B
Courtship behavior is observed. However, exclude when the bird is a winter bird or a bird that is passing by.
31
Copulatory behavior is observed. However, exclude when the bird is a winter bird or a bird that is passing by.
32
Due to the threat behavior and watchful behavior, there may be nest or fledgling nearby.
33
Adult bird visits place that may have nest. However, exclude when the place is, in fact, a nest.
34
Nest-building behavior (including digging for nest holes) is observed.
35
Adult bird carries materials for building nests. However, exclude when it is obvious that the nest is being built in the surrounding.
36
Adult is carrying food to fledgling, but it is unknown if there is a nest in the surrounding.
37
Species that build nests during build-nesting period is observed but other signs for breeding is not observed. However, winter bird or traveling bird are observed at the same location in the past.
50
C
Bird song is observed during breeding period, but it is unknown whether the bird is singing.
51
そPresence of the species is observed but the surrounding may not be build-nesting environment. i.e. swifts and falcons are observed in the sky above, but the surrounding may not be build-nesting environment.
60
D
Presence of winter bird or traveling bird is observed during breeding period, but there is no record of them breeding in the area in the past.
61
Nest
A nest that shows sign of bird leaving the nest is observed. However, it is used after 2016.
16
A
Nest with egg(s) is observed.
17
Egg shell of the bird is observed in its nest-building environment near a nest with adult bird sitting with relax.
18
Nest is discovered but there is no egg and fledgling, with no sign of adult bird.
38
B
Fledgling
Nest with nestling is observed.
19
A
Nestling call is heard.
20
Fledgling that may not have left the nest much is observed.
21
Fledgling that may have moved a lot is observed.
39
B
Family of birds is observed.
40
Captured banded birds during bird banding survey
Banded female adult bird having egg(s) at mid-ventral line is captured.
22
A
Banded female (or male in some cases) adult bird that has remarkable brood patch (index 5) is captured during period that is not breeding period, or multiple individual species of index 5 are captured. Banded female (or male in some cases) adult bird that has remarkable brood patch (index 5) is captured during period that is not breeding period, or multiple individual species of index 5 are captured.
23
Bird with natal down feather, or young feathers on its whole body - first year winter plumage molting not yet occurred, is captured.
24
Only one banded female (or male in some cases) adult bird that has remarkable brood patch (index 5) is captured only once.
41
B
Bird carrying nest materials is captured or nest materials that are obviously near the captured individual is observed.
42
Molting juvenile bird with first year winter plumage is captured.
43
Male adult bird with significant protrusion of cloaca is captured.
52
C

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