Spotting Raptors - Steller’s Sea Eagles on Hokkaido Photo Tours

Every winter during the annual JDS Hokkaido birding tour, one sighting is practically guaranteed: the powerful and majestic Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus).  The Steller's Sea Eagle is one of the largest and fiercest diurnal raptors in our wildlife kingdom. These eagles are huge; on average, they are the heaviest raptor on our planet, weighing up to 10 kg (22 pounds). They are also tall, measuring up to 94 cm (3 ft), with a giant wingspan of up to 250 cm (8.2 ft), so wherever they are in Hokkaido, their presence leaves an impact.

From Rausu to Nemuro—even down into Kushiro when the pack-ice is thin and fishing slows—these raptors put on a show like nowhere else. Along this 160 km (100 mile) stretch of coastline, there are more than a dozen prime spots where fishing is especially rich. If you know the rhythm of the region and the flow of the locals, you know where to look.

These eagles are perfectly in sync with the fishing community. Nothing goes to waste here. Local fishermen often toss leftovers to the birds, drawing in massive flocks of sea eagles—sometimes over a hundred in one place—a dream for photographers. But the next day? Gone. The eagles move with the fish, the tides, and the generosity of the fishermen. That’s part of the magic that attracts photographers to Hokkaido and part of what keeps our Hokkaido photo workshops coming back year after year.

The photo included was taken right between Rausu and Nemuro on a rough sea day. The boats stayed docked, the pack-ice was submerged, and the eagles moved to the shoreline—offering some amazing in flight shots.