Crested Kingfisher: year-round. Mountain Hawk-Eagle: early November to early May. Ruddy Kingfisher: late May to early August.
At Aizu Secret Base we guide three different bird species depending on the season. Even the same Crested Kingfisher shows a different face among blooming wisteria, in fresh green, among autumn leaves or in snowy scenery.
Use the month-by-month shooting seasons below to plan your trip around the birds and scenery you want.
| Target | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crested Kingfisher | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ |
| Mountain Hawk-Eagle | ◎ | ○ | ○ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | |||||
| Ruddy Kingfisher | ○ | ◎ | ◎ | ○ |
◎ Guided tours available. ○ Start or end of the season; timing varies by year.
April
Crested Kingfisher
- Peak of the breeding season
- Common Kingfisher and Mandarin Duck may also be spotted
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
- Early to late April — aiming for shots against mountain cherry blossoms
- Aiming for flight shots against fresh greenery
- Copper Pheasant may also make an appearance
May
Crested Kingfisher
- Aiming for shots with wisteria blossoms in the background
- Fresh greenery begins to fill the valley
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
- Aiming for perched and flight shots against fresh green
- Aiming for shots with flowers
June
Ruddy Kingfisher
- Season expected to begin
- Shooting will take place at the hunting ground
Crested Kingfisher
- Chick-rearing peaks and food deliveries become more frequent
July
Ruddy Kingfisher
- Peak season for feeding scenes during chick-rearing
- The peak is expected from early July to around the 13th
Crested Kingfisher
- Aiming for summer diving and bathing scenes
- Juveniles begin to visit the hunting ground
- Reaching the peak season
August
Ruddy Kingfisher
- Shooting chances until early August
- We may change locations for a final push
Crested Kingfisher
- Peak season! Juveniles visit the hunting ground, offering plenty of shutter chances
- Chances to capture prey with beautiful nuptial coloring such as Pale Chub and Japanese Bitterling
September
Crested Kingfisher
- Juveniles begin to leave the territory — occasional territorial disputes
- Active hunting period continues
October
Crested Kingfisher
- Chick-rearing is over — pairs move at a more relaxed pace
- Opportunities to capture seasonal prey unique to autumn
November
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
- Season expected to begin
- Aiming for shots combining autumn foliage with the eagle
Crested Kingfisher
- Autumn foliage reaches its peak
- Pairs become active again — good chances for double shots
December
Crested Kingfisher
- Winter season begins
- Aiming for shots combining snow scenery with the kingfisher
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
- Full winter season for snow-scene shots with the eagle begins
- Snow reflections reveal the eagle’s beautiful feather patterns
January
Crested Kingfisher
- Winter season in full swing
- Aiming for shots combining snow scenery with the kingfisher
- Please dress in full cold-weather gear
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
- Winter season in full swing — aiming for snow-reflector shots
- Aiming for high-resolution shots in the clear air
February
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
- Full-fledged winter season
- Aiming for snow-reflected scenes
- Also aiming for hunting scenes
Crested Kingfisher
- Aiming for the kingfisher in the snowy landscape
- Prey fish become scarce, increasing chances to shoot hovering
March
Crested Kingfisher
- Entering the breeding season, pairs act together more often
- Chances for side-by-side pair shots begin
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
- Aiming for flight and perched shots over mountainsides as the snow begins to melt
- Nest-building season begins
Have you decided which season you want to shoot?
Choose your target bird and check availability.
Fees, the schedule of the day and preparation are the same for every bird — see the Booking page.