Monitoring System for Wild Birds in Japan (Part 1: Introduction of Nationwide Monitoring)

To understand how the distribution and abundance of wild birds are monitored in Japan, we conducted interviews with organizations involved in nationwide surveys and citizen science databases used by birdwatchers. Based on these interviews, we found that nationwide bird monitoring programs have been carried out by the Ministry of the Environment and various other organizations. The frequency, season, number of survey sites, and target species varied across programs. In some cases, observations were mainly conducted by locally recruited participants, including members of the Wild Bird Society of Japan. In addition, structured observation records submitted by birdwatchers through citizen science platforms serve as supplementary sources of information and are increasingly utilized in bird monitoring and related research. When interpreted with careful attention to survey design and data characteristics, both nationwide surveys and citizen-contributed records can provide valuable insights into spatial and temporal trends in wild bird populations. These data are expected to support assessments of avian influenza risk and inform broader conservation planning for avifauna.