Families observed: Af13-9, Bf1-6, Cf3-6
Wildlife Documentary / Urban River Ducks in Japan
This post is part of my long-term observational record of spot-billed duck families living along urban rivers in Japan. All footage was captured with Nikon super-zoom cameras (P950 / P1000 / P900) and is presented almost exactly as recorded. These entries serve as my personal field notes—raw evidence of what happened that day—and also as reference material for future video editing.
Because I publish footage in chronological order, these posts help preserve the context of each day’s events. Editing is kept to a minimum, so you may notice shaky or visually unclear sections, but the goal is documentation rather than entertainment. Many people also use these long videos as natural-sound background BGM while working.
Some nesting scenes of rare birds may be partially omitted for conservation reasons. Members receive early updates, but general release is delayed when necessary to avoid drawing crowds to sensitive wildlife.
Main Playlist (Edited Stories)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=...
Playlist of Raw Footage (No BGM)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=...
Camera Gear
Primary: Nikon COOLPIX P950 (Full HD, 60fps)
Also used in rain: P1000, P900
Zoom demonstration: https://youtu.be/T2bOQuTCUzs?t=707
Field Notes & Timestamp Log
Below is the full log of events as recorded in real time.
(All timestamps are localized and described for English readers.)
00:00 – Highlights
Yesterday’s heavy rain swept several duck families downstream. I came early to check whether they had returned.
03:01 – Bf1-6 spotted below the weir; a turtle is nearby
05:03 – The Bf1 duckling climbs the weir!
It even manages to scale one of the steepest blocks.
07:28 – Bf mother suddenly flies away; the duckling keeps calling
This often happens during nap time, but not usually while actively foraging. The duckling is not in “waiting mode,” so it keeps crying intermittently.
08:52 – The lone duckling continues calling repeatedly
10:05 – A sudden dash, for unknown reasons; the mother does not return
The duckling continues moving around alone for quite a while.
I walk upstream to search.
13:30 – Af13-9 found safe
(They were swept below the weir yesterday. I hoped to film them climbing back up, but they were already above it today.)
20:21 – Af13 family crosses the river
This is the same area where a catfish appeared on Day 1. They seem less wary today—until they suddenly take a detour.
21:49 – Cf3-6 confirmed safe
I didn’t see them yesterday.
But the Bf duckling is still calling, so I resume searching.
22:41 – The Bf1 duckling is still alone… for a long time
29:53 – Af13 approaches the area where the lone duckling is waiting
This situation is dangerous: in past years, well-meaning people fed lost ducklings near other families, which led to fatal attacks. I watch carefully to prevent that.
38:27 – Af13 settles for a nap
The Af mother can clearly hear the Bf duckling’s cries, but she seems to know it’s not her chick.
I once thought any duckling’s distress call would trigger every mother, but apparently not.
41:05 – A duck flies overhead—possibly the Bf mother?
41:40 – The moment the lonely duckling finally lies down to rest
52:41 – Cf3 passes on the opposite bank
Af13 is also napping on that side, but I didn’t notice while filming. Later I confirmed they didn’t meet.
55:37 – The lonely Bf1 duckling begins following another duck (not its mother)
56:30 – Rare encounter: the lost Bf1 duckling meets Cf3
Thankfully no aggression. Both sides seem to recognize the difference.
58:19 – The lost duckling settles to sleep near another duck
A strange but peaceful scene.
The mother still hasn’t returned… and the footage already exceeds one hour.
1:06:21 – The Bf mother finally returns!
They approach each other and reunite. Relief.
1:07:48 – Bf1 and Cf3 briefly approach, then separate
1:12:16 – Unexpected calm: Bf1 and Cf3 remain peaceful
Earlier in the season these families sometimes fought, so this felt surprising.
1:17:20 – Af13: Mother vs. the sleepy duckling (a long negotiation!)
1:20:56 – The sleepy Af duckling finally wakes up
1:21:57 – Bf1 flees from Af13; the difference in flock size is noticeable
1:26:25 – Bf naps on the far bank… but Af13 arrives too
1:29:02 – A double surprise from carp!
1:29:34 – Af13 disrupts another family’s resting spot
This year, more ducks seem unusually bold.
1:31:18 – Af13 stands in a place too steep for ducklings to climb
1:32:32 – Cf3 toddles by
I didn’t get much footage of Cf3 earlier, so I filmed them a bit longer here.
1:33:29 – A sparrow takes a bath
1:33:38 – Af13 disturbs another nest area
1:34:11 – Pollen balls from yellow cosmos flowers
1:38:01 – Bf1 naps with mother; then they depart
1:39:12 – Af13 mother displays a threat posture near the water gate
I hadn’t realized they had crossed the rapid flow below; this might be their first time reaching the gate. I stay to see whether they climb it.
2:06:20 – A heart-melting scene I couldn’t stop filming
From behind, the mother’s wing shelter has lots of gaps—perfect for duckling escape attempts. I expected a wake-up moment, but the nap lasted much longer.
2:13:52 – The mother finally moves…
2:17:21 – The last duckling wakes up, then tries to go back to sleep
They eventually approach the water gate but then turn back.
The session has become long enough, so I end here.
2:23:52 – Correction
I forgot to include tripod footage of Af’s nap/wake-up sequence (around 40 minutes in). Inserting it earlier would shift all timestamps, so I added it at the end.
Summary of Today’s Observations
Today began with the excitement of witnessing Bf1 climb the weir—only for the duckling to be suddenly left alone. The long period of crying without the mother returning was extremely concerning, especially considering past accidents involving misplaced ducklings and human feeding near other families.
Af mothers often leave their chicks temporarily, but Bf mothers rarely do, and with only one duckling left in the Bf family, the risk felt even greater. I’m truly relieved the mother eventually returned.
Although much of the footage shows wandering ducklings and sleeping families, many moments became personal favorites. Reviewing them during editing is easy, but I know long YouTube videos are harder to navigate—thank you for your patience.
For reference, my duck-family identification system is listed here:
https://okasinaikimono.blogspot.com/2025/05/0518f.html
Duck Family 0518F🦆カモ親子🐤独り置き去り鳴くヒナ別の親子に合う、ヒナを抱く大家族の寝起きシーン | Wildlife Documentary 【Af13-9,Bf1-6,Cf3-6】
超望遠コンデジで撮影した、野鳥観察と撮影の映像記録です。
This video shows birds in nature, filmed with a special camera that can zoom really far.
カルガモ親子や、野鳥・生き物の観察映像を超望遠コンデジNikon P1100と950で撮影しました。この映像は、自分用の記録として、撮影データをほぼそのまま公開しています。後日振り返る際の参考資料として、また、撮影日に順番通りに投稿することで、その日の出来事の状況証拠としても活用しています。 そのため、編集が最小限に留められており見づらい箇所があるかもしれませんが、どうかご理解ください。また、映像が長めのため、作業用の自然音BGMとしてもご利用いただけるかもしれません。 ※基本的に、撮影データはすべて含まれますが、人気の鳥の営巣など、特定の内容は省略する場合があります。 ※メンバーシップ特典としてリアルタイム速報をお届けしていますが、生き物によっては多くのカメラマンが集まることがあるため、一般公開は一定の時間をおいてからにしています。
This blog is my personal notebook.
I filmed duck families, birds, and animals using a super zoom camera (Nikon P950).
The video shows what I saw, almost just as I recorded it.
Later, I might use it to make a full video or to remember what happened that day.
I didn’t edit much, so some parts may be a little hard to see. But you can also enjoy the nature sounds while you watch!
I share almost all the video, but sometimes skip parts to protect animals.
Members get early updates, but I wait to share some videos to keep animals safe from crowds.
使ってるコンデジ！！めっちゃズームできます。鳥モードがあって初心者にオススメ★ 動画はこのカメラ（NikonP950）での動画撮影のサンプルとしてもどうぞ。 |
![[商品価格に関しましては、リンクが作成された時点と現時点で情報が変更されている場合がございます。]](https://hbb.afl.rakuten.co.jp/hgb/3119c07c.0583f015.3119c07d.53a529ae/?me_id=1253726&item_id=10002607&pc=https%3A%2F%2Fthumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp%2F%400_gold%2Fnikondirect%2Fproduct%2Fimg%2Fvqa100ja_01_m.jpg%3F_ex%3D240x240&s=240x240&t=picttext "[商品価格に関しましては、リンクが作成された時点と現時点で情報が変更されている場合がございます。]")
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
20:21 Af13、川横断
※初日にナマズ出た場所。久々に来て警戒とけた？と思ってみてたら突然迂回した。
21:49 Cf3-6 無事だった！（昨日見ず）
※撮りたいが、まだBf1の鳴き声が聞こえてきていて…気になり探すと
22:41 まだ独り放置のBf1ヒナ… 長い…
29:53 迷子1の近くにAf13が来ている
※この状況、ヒナ1迷子とAf13みて「はぐれた迷子を助けよう」と餌を投げてヒナが殺されるパターンが過去に頻発。怖すぎるので餌やり防止も兼ねてしばらく見守る。
38:27 Af13はお昼寝 Af母は鳴いてるBf迷子見えてるハズだが別の子と分かってる様子
※ヒナの迷子声は全母に効くと思ったがそうでもないらしい。
41:05 上空を飛ぶカモがいる Bf母だろうか？
41:40 迷子1、独りで寝始めた瞬間
52:41 迷子1の対岸をCf3が通過
※対岸にAf13も寝てるけど…撮影時忘れてた。 後にAfまだ寝てたので出会ってないぽい
55:37 迷子が他カモについていく！Bf母じゃない
56:30 貴重、迷子1とCf3が遭遇。
※襲われず、Bf迷子も近づかずで良かった…。お互い分かってるんだね！
58:19 迷子が他カモの近くで寝始めた 不思議なシーン
※撮影データだけでも1時間超え…母が全然戻ってこない…
1:06:21 Bf母が飛来！お互いに近づいて合流。ほんと良かった…
1:07:48 Bf1とCf3が接近、離れた
1:12:16 びっくり！Bf1とCf3 平和
※撮影時ビビった 以前BfCfは喧嘩もしてるので怖いが今日は平和
1:17:20 Af13 母VS寝坊助（長いよ）
※まだ寝てたのか！
1:20:56 やっとおきたAf寝坊助
1:21:57 Af13から逃げるBf1 ヒナ数の格差
1:26:25 Bf対岸で寝るがAf13も来た
1:29:02 鯉にダブル★驚き★
1:29:34 寝床荒らしAf13 紳士が多い気がする今年
1:31:18 Af13、そこはヒナ登れない
1:32:32 Cf3がトコトコ
※今日はCf3をあまりじっくり見られなかったので謝罪の長め撮影
1:33:29 スズメの水浴び
1:33:38 Af寝床荒らしヒナ
1:34:11 花粉団子♡ キバナコスモス
1:38:01 親子で寝るBf1 出発
1:39:12 Af13母が威嚇！お昼寝すっぽり
※知らぬ間に水門下まで来て寝てた。以前までその手前の急流が登れなかったので、始めてきたかな？水門登るかもしれないので粘ることにした
2:06:20 可愛すぎてずっと撮ってたシーン
※すっぽり翼は後ろから見ると隙間多い！ヒナが脱走したりで寝起き来ると思ってずっと撮ってたが…長かった
2:13:52 ようやく母が動いたが…
2:17:21 最後の1羽が起きてまた寝ようとしたｗ
※この後水門下まできたからもしかしたらと思ったが戻り始めた。長くなったのでここまで
2:23:52 ミス Afお昼寝寝起きと寝ぼけて定点
※3脚撮影のデータ入れ忘れてた。動画の40分頃の様子だけど今から挿入するとタイムスタンプが全部ずれるので…最後に入れました
というわけで、今日はいきなりBf1の堰上り見られたと思ったら突然の置き去りで…いつもと違うパターンでヒナもずっと鳴いているし帰ってこないしで…他のカモ親子接触もあり、過去にこの状況での餌付けでヒナが死んだ事があったのでかなり不安になった。今年のAf母は置き去り多発してるけどBf母では見たことなくて、ヒナが残り1ということもあり怖かったけど母カモ戻ってくれて良かった。映像としてはほとんどさまようヒナと寝てる親子ばかりになったけど…個人的に好きシーン多めで嬉しい（編集ソフトの画面だと色んなシーン確認しやすけど、ユーチューブ動画だと大変だと思うのでそのへんは申し訳ないです）
※カモ家族は多すぎるので記号で把握【一覧表↓】
https://okasinaikimono.blogspot.com/2025/05/0518f.html
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