The Blakiston's Fish Owl (Bubo blakistoni) [Japanese:  (シマフクロウ)] that I always go spotting to photograph on my annual Hokkaido birding wildlife photo workshop, is an elusive and endangered species.   The (IUCN) International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and the Ornithological Society of Japan agrees that less than 2,500 mature owls exist in the wild.   So, during a Hokkaido photo tour, unless you know where to look for the fish owl, you will have extreme difficulty spotting them since they are predominantly nocturnal hunters. To successfully spot and photograph one on your visit to Japan’s north island, you will need either a local or someone who has spent many years in Hokkaido scouting and leading Hokkaido birding workshops and knows the wildlife and landscapes. You’re in luck; my team and I have these qualifications, and we are happy to help you spot and photograph Blakiston’s Fish Owls among other birding spotting ops while in Hokkaido. The Blakiston’s Fish Owl is the largest owl species on our planet. Males weigh from 2.95 to 3.6 kg (6.5 to 8 lb), while the female weighs up to 2.95 to 4.6 kg (6.5 to 10.1 lb), about 25% larger. The Blakiston's Fish Owl measures 60 to 72 cm (24 to 28 in) in total length. The Eurasian eagle-owl is sometimes thought to be the largest owl species and is a close match in size to the Blakiston’s fish owl, but to date, all recorded measurements of the two put the Blakiston's Fish Owl as the overall largest owl species.

Blakiston’s Fish Owls have more distinguishing features than just their size.  They are fish owls, so they have evolved specifically to hunt fish.  Their facial disk is less developed which suggests that their hearing is not as acute as some of their other owl brethren.  The owls don’t need to be able to hear the small movements of mice or other small rodents in the winters of Hokkaido, they are hunting the same thing as the Steller’s Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus pelagicus) and White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla), salmon and trout, the only difference is these owls hunt in clean mountain rivers, while raptors hunt in the Ocean, lakes and rivers.  Blakiston’s Fish Owls are such stupendous hunters that they can successfully catch fish that are 2 - 3 times larger than they are.   Among the Blakiston’s Fish Owls, there are four total subspecies, but only two of them are accepted as sufficiently differentiated to be scientifically accepted.  The first subspecies is the one endemic to Hokkaido, B. b. blakistoni, and the second is the subspecies which dwells on the continent, B. b. doerriesi.  Both subspecies have distinguishing characteristics tied to feather coloration and variations in size.

Joining one of my Japan photo tours, rest assured you are going to have the very best opportunities to photograph all wildlife such as the Blakiston’s Fish Owl, the Steller's Sea Eagle, Hokkaido Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes schrencki), the Ezo Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), which is a subspecies of red squirrels, and the largest herd of Ezo Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) on the planet, and perhaps even whales and sea otters will even make an appearance. While visiting the Akanko region, I recommend staying at the Akan Tsuruga Bessou Hinanoza. The hotel is breathtaking in every way and a must for those wishing to indulge in authentic Japanese accommodations. For any traveler or visitor to the region, it is my first choice, and I often use it during private Hokkaido Photo To