Shiga, May 15, 2025 (News On Japan) - The number of cormorants living near Lake Biwa has surged in recent years, and their impact is increasingly spilling into nearby residential neighborhoods. Once limited to the shoreline and riverbanks, the birds are now flocking to urban areas, causing serious problems with their droppings, foul odor, and incessant cries. Residents say the situation is becoming intolerable.
In one neighborhood in the city of Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture, the number of cormorants nesting in local trees has exploded. According to locals, the birds began appearing in larger numbers around five years ago, but the situation has since worsened dramatically. The volume of droppings has increased more than sixfold compared to five years ago, and the birds now occupy dozens of trees throughout the residential zone.
Residents have voiced their frustration, with one saying, "It’s nothing but a nuisance. When it rains, the smell gets even worse." The acidic droppings not only create an overwhelming stench but are also damaging trees and soiling parked cars, laundry, and even walls of houses. The noise from the birds is another source of stress, particularly during early morning hours when their cries echo across the neighborhood.
Experts attribute the spread of the birds to several factors: the abundance of fish in Lake Biwa, which attracts cormorants, and the decrease in natural predators. In addition, warming temperatures and changes in regional ecosystems have made urban areas increasingly hospitable to the birds.
Efforts to drive them away—including loud noises and visual deterrents—have had limited effect. Local governments, including Shiga Prefecture, have continued culling measures, but the number of birds keeps rising. Officials estimate that there are now more than 70,000 cormorants in the Lake Biwa area, a dramatic increase compared to past decades.
The ongoing conflict has lasted for over 30 years, with cormorants being referred to locally as the "nuisance birds of Lake Biwa." Residents are calling for stronger and more effective countermeasures, worried that if left unchecked, the quality of life in their neighborhoods will continue to deteriorate.
Source: MBS
