Chiba Prefecture Gyotoku Bird Observatory

The Gyotoku Bird Observatory is located in a corner of the Gyotoku Green Zone Special Preservation Area.  This area, previously known as Shinhama, is known worldwide as a natural habitat for aquatic birds, and certain stretches of the Gyotoku / Urayasu Region, including the Shinhama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve, have been rebuilt and preserved in order to protect the aquatic birds and natural waterfront environment.

 

The total area of the land designated by Chiba Prefecture as Gyotoku Wildlife Preserve and the Shinhama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve is 83 hectares.  Within these areas, preservation of birds and nature is top priority, and human use and entry is kept at a minimum.  Redevelopment work began in 1995 to regenerate the swamp environment, and the project leads the country in habitat reconstruction attempts.

 

The Gyotoku Bird Observatory is a Chiba Prefectural facility, and was established in January 1976 as a social education facility focusing on the observation of aquatic birds.  The current three-story building was opened in December 1979.  A collecting station for injured and sick birds and a rehabilitation wing were added in March 1991, and now the facility serves not only a bird-watching space, but also as an educational facility on the preservation of wild birds and natural environments.  Although the facility is prefectural, it is managed by the Ichikawa city government.