JP062Lakes Oyama Kamiike and Shimoike

Site Description

Wetlands

The lakes are located in the northwest of Yamagata Prefecture. Lake Oyama Shimoike is at the foot of Mt. Takadateyama, while Lake Oyama Kamiike is at the foot of Mt. Hachimoriyama. Both lakes are farm　ponds used for irrigation surrounded by these mountains. Both lakes attract many swans and wild ducks in winter. The number of Mallards, in particular, counts as many as 60,000 in total, of which 20,000 concentrate in Oyama Kamiike, and 40,000 in Oyama Shimoike.

Area & Coordinates

970ha 38°46′N 139°46′E
region: Tohoku

Designation Type

Prefectural National Park, Wildlife Protection Area (Local)

Protection Status

Unprotected

Conservation issues

Recreation/tourism

Birds

Breeding resident

Anas poecilorhyncha, Tachybaptus ruficollis, Passer montanus, Ardea cinerea, Parus varius

Breeding visitor

Bubulcus ibis, Gallinula chloropus, Egretta intermedia, Nycticorax nycticorax, Halcyon coromanda

Winter visitor

Haliaeetus albicilla, Anser albifrons, Anser fabalis, Corvus frugilegus, Egretta alba

Passage visitor

Locustella fasciolata, Saxicola torquata, Luscinia calliope