The birds of Kabu Island

Kabu Island (Hachinohe City)

Kabu Island is an important breeding ground for the black-tailed gulls which are classified as a National Protected Species. From March to August, the amazing sight of 30 thousand gulls flying around the island wildly can be seen.

This is how the local tourist office describes the little spot named Kabu Island (which is not really an island, more a peninsula) in the harbor of Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture. While I was already in this area to explore a few Haikyo and Jesus Christ’s tomb, and being a sucker for cheesy tourist attractions I decided to have a look at this place too.

The name “Kabu Island” made me think of a little trip with a boat or at least some impressive bridge, however I found it just behind some rusty fishing warehouses in the harbor.

The main attraction are of course the birds and its advised to use the free umbrellas or a rain coat, because its impossible to stay clean of bird droppings.

Kabu Island consists of a big rock, a parking lot, a shop where you can buy bird food, a public toilet and a rather new looking shrine.

I kinda rushed through the place, because 30,000 of these birds are incredibe loud and the permanent dribble from above …

… could not be good for me or my camera.

A sign explaining that the birds come every year in February to breed and leave around July. My visit was at the end of July, so I missed probably the peak of the season.

A sneaky crow tried to blend in, which was not as successful as desired.

Local fishermen respect the black-tailed gulls as “messengers of good luck” (mainly because they can detect large schools of fish from above) and so the Itsukushima shrine on Kabu Island is dedicated to Benzaiten, the indian goddess of good luck, which symbolizes the black-tailed gulls and the good fortune they bring. While I was reading the sign, all what hit me could only with very much fantasy described as “good luck”.

Not even ashtrays are safe of the birds.

The shrine looks quite nice, but I wonder how active it is actually used.

Birds…

…birds…

…birds…

…birds…

…birds…

…birds…

…birds…

…birds…

…birds…

…birds…

…without any fear, you could go extremely close. Still, I was weary of their beaks.

The public toilet didn’t look like it was a joy to use…

…because the birds obviously haven’t got any respect.

Before leaving I witnessed that the local (in)Security guard was able to line up the birds into a perfect formation and wondered if my brief visit was long enough, the birds seemed well trained and might even had more entertainment value than just making me ducking for cover, but I was done here, thank you very much.