Japanese Great Tit (Parus major)
Our studies involve color-coded leg ringing of individuals to examine
individual breeding success, pairing behavior, and history of home
range. These studies have shown that unexpected shortage of nest sites
caused competition for nests between the great tit and the varied
tit (Parus varius). This competitive behavior has been
proposed as one of the reasons for failures in offspring production
of the great tit.
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Owls (Strix uralensis ) & Buzzards (Buteo buteo)
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| Strix uralensis |
The nocturnal owl and the diurnal buzzard share different niches in
the environment. However, they do share a common ground, namely their
diet of mice and insects. Our group is involved in monitoring these
dietary organisms, are thereby enabling evaluation of owl and buzzard
habitat quality.
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Other Birds
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| Turdus chrysolaus |
Another study that we have enthusiastically carrying out since 1994
is a line transect investigation of Yachou-no-mori (a bird sunctuary)
area. The Brown-Headed Thrush (Turdus chrysolaus), Eastern-Crowned
Warbler (Phylloscopus coronatus), and Long-Tailed Rosefinch
(Uragus sibiricus) are some species that have been found
to be declining rapidly and, although the cause is still unknown,
are now at the brink of extinction.
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Japanese Giant Flying Squirrels (Petaurista leucogenys)
Karuizawa is located in the cold district, and expected to produces
unique characteristics among these squirrels; including marked differences
in breeding seasons and intensity, as well as changes in seasonal
resource use. Our fundamental studies have revealed that these squirrels
are able to exist in environments strongly influenced by human interferences.
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Japanese Dormice (Glirulus japonicus)
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| Injecting medicine for euthansia |
The Japanese dormouse is a natural treasure and is at the brink of
extinction. But the densities of the mice in some Karuizawa forests
is expected to be higher than those reported in other Japanese regions.
An interesting discovery by our team is the intricate relationship
between the dormouse and the small Japanese field mouse (Apodemus
argenteus) that stocks seeds of Parabenzoin praecox
in nest holes. This relationship has not been identified in other
regions of Japan. Other ongoing studies include investigations of
the social behavior exhibited during breeding, and its effects on
the ecosystem.
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