Red-throated Loon Wintering Waters

The Red-throated Loon is a waterbird skilled at diving, grayish-brown with a white throat in winter. It breeds near the Arctic in summer and migrates to Japan's coasts for winter. Off Toyohama-cho in Kure, Hiroshima, its gatherings in pursuit of small fish have long been known, and these waters are a national Natural Monument as the "Loon Wintering and Gathering Waters."

The Pacific Loon is a large diving bird with a dark gray back and white throat in winter plumage. It breeds in the far north and visits Japan's coasts in winter. Off Toyohama-cho in Kure, Hiroshima, loons are known to gather at the sea surface while following schools of fish, and these waters are a national Natural Monument as the "Loon Wintering and Gathering Waters."