Well, now’s time to share our itinerary. Sao is in Thailand sorting out her VISA. It takes longer the first time, so fingers crossed all is well. We are hoping it is one of many trips we’ll take there.
So, after a few days taking in the Tokyo air, we head to Hokkaido…..
ITINERARY
Day 1.
(28 February) Kushiro
Arrive at Kushiro Airport, northwest of Kushiro City, We will set off immediately to begin photographing Red-crowned Cranes at one of their feeding sites.
Dinner and overnight at a local hotspring hotel, Hotel Taito, in Tsurui Village.
Day 2. (1 March) Crane Photography
Before breakfast we will set out to visit a Red-crowned Crane roost, and sites for crane flight shots. After breakfast we will visit crane feeding fields in the Tsurui and Akan areas, where White-tailed Sea Eagles are often in attendance, and where Red Fox sometimes appear. If time permits we will also look for Ural Owl at their day roosts.
Picnic Lunch
Dinner and overnight at a local hotspring hotel, Hotel Taito, in Tsurui Village.
Day 3. (2 March) Crane Photography
We have a second full day to concentrate on Red-crowned Crane photography, and can again look for White-tailed Sea Eagles and Ural Owls, and visit an area where Sika Deer are usually present.
As darkness falls we head north to the Kawayu area.
Picnic Lunch
Dinner and overnight at a local hotspring pension, Pension Papilio, in Kawayu.
Day 4. (3 March) Kussharo-ko and Mashu-ko: Swans and Scenery
Before breakfast we can visit the local roosting site of Whooper Swans to photograph them as they wake, or as they arrive at a local lake-side hot spring, or we can concentrate on the bird feeders outside our accommodation, where various common woodland birds gather these usually include Eurasian Nuthatch, Great Spotted and Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers. Some mornings Eurasian Red Squirrels also visit. We can devote the whole day to the swans or use part of the day to visit the nearby beautiful caldera of Lake Mashu, where the scenery is spectacular and where Steller’s Sea Eagle can sometimes be seen flying past below the crater rim.
Picnic or restaurant Lunch
Dinner and overnight at a local hotspring pension, Pension Papilio, in Kawayu.
Day 5. (4 March) Shiretoko Peninsula: Steller’s Sea Eagle and Blakiston’s Fish Owl
After a second pre-breakfast visit to swan sites, or further time spent at the bird feeders, we set off towards the Shiretoko Peninsula.
We can visit the various harbours along the peninsula looking for seabirds, and watch for Steller’s Sea Eagles roosting in coastal trees.
This evening will provide us with an opportunity to photograph the world’s largest and one of the world’s rarest owls: Blakiston’s Fish Owl.
Picnic Lunch
Dinner and overnight at a local B&B, Washi no Yado, in Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula.
Day 6. (5 March) Shiretoko Peninsula: Steller’s Sea Eagle and Blakiston’s Fish Owl
If sea-ice is present, and boats are departing from Rausu, we take the opportunity to photograph Steller’s Sea Eagles in the Nemuro Channel. Alternatively we spend the day along the Shiretoko Peninsula seeking out eagles to photograph. This is another area where we may encounter herds of Sika Deer.
Picnic Lunch
Dinner and overnight at a local B&B, Washi no Yado, in Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula.
Day 7. (6 March) Toufutsu-ko for Waterfowl, or Shiretoko for more eagle opportunities
This morning we have a second opportunity to try for a boat trip if sea-ice is present, or we can spend more time with eagles along the Shiretoko Peninsula, or we can head to the Sea of Okhotsk to visit the coastal lagoon at Toufutsu-ko, where an array of Whooper Swans, Goosander and gulls are usually present. Alternatively we can head down the east coast and try our luck on the Notsuke Peninsula where wintering raptors can include: Steller’s and White-tailed Sea Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard and Short-eared Owl.
This afternoon we return to Tsurui.
Picnic Lunch
Dinner and overnight at a local hotspring hotel, Hotel Taito, in Tsurui Village.
Day 8. (7 March) To Kushiro
This morning we may visit one of the Kushiro crane sites, or spend a further early morning with swans or small birds/squirrels, as required, prior to arriving at Kushiro Airport for your return flight to Tokyo (Haneda).
Drool . . . .
More soon . . ,
End of Part 2
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