Bird Survey of Mt. Kisokoma, Central Honshu

Abstract

Mt. Kisokoma (2, 956m) is the highest peak of the Chuo Alps, Central Honshu. Bird censuses were made in the subalpine zone at 1, 650-2, 600m altitude, from June to November 1978. Line transect method along the main climbing route is employed for the census work. The total number of birds recorded was 316 individuals belonging to 25 species (Table 1). The number of species was maximum in June, whereas that of birds was largest in October. The dominant species in the summer were Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis and Siberian Bluechat Tarsiger cyanurus. It was postulated that the number of species, as well as the number of birds, is minimum in winter. Mixed flocks of tits were encountered except in June and July. Gold-crest Rrgulus regulus consists 41% of the individuals forming the mixed flocks.