Seasonal Front Watch: first sightings of the Daurian Redstart are starting to come in
It feels like autumn is deepening these days. The Seasonal Front Watch page from Bird Research was updated on 9 October 2026, and the first sightings of the Daurian Redstart have come in from Yamanashi and Chiba prefectures. Hearing news of the winter visitors makes me feel that the season is really changing.
The survey asks volunteers to report the day they first saw or heard a particular bird. The reports are mapped to show how the seasons move across Japan. It is described as easy to join even without birdwatching experience. The spring targets are the first sightings of the Barn Swallow, Common Cuckoo, Lesser Cuckoo, Oriental Reed Warbler, Brown Hawk-Owl, Narcissus Flycatcher and Blue-and-white Flycatcher, plus the first songs of the Japanese Bush Warbler, Skylark and Warbling White-eye, and the first sightings of Mallard ducklings. The autumn targets are the first sightings of the Daurian Redstart, Dusky Thrush and Rook, the high calls of the Bull-headed Shrike, and the first sightings of Brown-eared Bulbul flocks on migration.
The criteria are clear. The Japanese Bush Warbler must give a clear 'ho-ho-kekyo' call, the Skylark is counted only when singing while flying, and the Barn Swallow is counted not when it just passes overhead but when it shows nest-site behavior.
This year's report notes that the high calls of the Bull-headed Shrike have started to arrive, and that there was heavy rain in various places. In spring, the Brown Hawk-Owl was recorded earlier than usual, and the Narcissus Flycatcher a little early too. The first Japanese Bush Warbler song came on 23 January in Osaka, and the Skylark's first song started in late January in Okayama.
To take part, members can log in and use the web service for the Seasonal Front Watch under the Nearby Bird Survey. Non-members can send their reports using a mail form with a map. Predictions for the first song of the Japanese Bush Warbler and the first sighting of the Barn Swallow are also published.
It is wonderful that the sounds you hear on an ordinary walk, with no special equipment, can help research. This autumn I want to look for the red tail of the Daurian Redstart.
Source: Bird Research
The survey asks volunteers to report the day they first saw or heard a particular bird. The reports are mapped to show how the seasons move across Japan. It is described as easy to join even without birdwatching experience. The spring targets are the first sightings of the Barn Swallow, Common Cuckoo, Lesser Cuckoo, Oriental Reed Warbler, Brown Hawk-Owl, Narcissus Flycatcher and Blue-and-white Flycatcher, plus the first songs of the Japanese Bush Warbler, Skylark and Warbling White-eye, and the first sightings of Mallard ducklings. The autumn targets are the first sightings of the Daurian Redstart, Dusky Thrush and Rook, the high calls of the Bull-headed Shrike, and the first sightings of Brown-eared Bulbul flocks on migration.
The criteria are clear. The Japanese Bush Warbler must give a clear 'ho-ho-kekyo' call, the Skylark is counted only when singing while flying, and the Barn Swallow is counted not when it just passes overhead but when it shows nest-site behavior.
This year's report notes that the high calls of the Bull-headed Shrike have started to arrive, and that there was heavy rain in various places. In spring, the Brown Hawk-Owl was recorded earlier than usual, and the Narcissus Flycatcher a little early too. The first Japanese Bush Warbler song came on 23 January in Osaka, and the Skylark's first song started in late January in Okayama.
To take part, members can log in and use the web service for the Seasonal Front Watch under the Nearby Bird Survey. Non-members can send their reports using a mail form with a map. Predictions for the first song of the Japanese Bush Warbler and the first sighting of the Barn Swallow are also published.
It is wonderful that the sounds you hear on an ordinary walk, with no special equipment, can help research. This autumn I want to look for the red tail of the Daurian Redstart.
Source: Bird Research
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