Blakiston’s Fish Owls - Members of Hokkaido’s Ecosystem

Blakiston’s Fish Owls (Ketupa blakistoni) are a treasured sighting on my annual Hokkaido photography workshop tour.  Hokkaido abounds with nature, fish, and other wildlife, and Blakiston’s Fish Owls are vital members of the Shiretoko Peninsula ecosystem.  Recent conservation attempts have nearly stabilized their population, but they are still on the ICUN Red list as endangered, only being approximately 1,500 specimens remaining around the globe.  About 1/10th of the entire population inhabits Hokkaido, and in years past, they flourished all over Japan’s northern island, but due to human encroachment, they were pushed into a smaller inhabitable area.  Because the Shiretoko Peninsula is so rich with fish, riparian forests, and large trees for nesting, the Blakiston’s Fish Owl happily makes this place its home, having the highest density in Japan.  The Blakiston’s Fish Owl preys on Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) as they enter the rivers of the Shiretoko Peninsula for spawning around September until January just before the start of my annual Hokkaido photo tour.  During the spring while I am leading participants, I have seen them prey upon Japanese huchen (Hucho perryi) and White-spotted char (Salvenlinus leucomaenis leucomaenis).  I have spotted these shrewd and rugged hunters pulling fish that must have eclipsed their own body weights by 2-3 times, sometimes anchoring themselves on tree trunks to successfully retrieve their prey.  I can’t wait to spot and photograph them as part of my 2024 Hokkaido birding photo workshop tour.