Hime-numa Pond (Swanp) was man-made by combining scattered small swamps and spring waters in 1917. It was named Hime-numa pond because "himemasu" (kokanee salmon) were released in it. An upside-down image of a mountain is reflected in the pond surrounded by a serene primeval forest, creating a fantastic landscape.

Along the nature trail with an approximate circumference of 1 km, many wild birds flit among trees and their beautiful songs are heard ceaselessly.

On Rishiri Island with its diverse natural environment, a variety of wild birds, such as those living aroud the sea, waterside, grasslands, forests and high mountains inhabit. In the migration seasons of spring and autumn, in particular, many wild birds migrating along the Sea of Japan coast stop at the island to rest and garner nutrition for their long journey.

Japanese robins and Siberian rubythroats are the dreams of bird watchers. There are so many of them around the island that they can be seen every day. The absence of snakes or other natural predators that eat their eggs and chicks may be a reason for such and abundance of birds, in addition to the rich natural environment.

姫沼は大正６年に、点在する小沼と湧き水を利用して造られた湖で、ヒメマスを放流したことから名付けられました。原生林に囲まれた湖面には「逆さ富士」が映り、静寂な森のなかに幻想的な風景を作り出しています。

一周約１ｋｍの探勝路では、梢を飛び交う野鳥の姿も多く、美しいさえずりが絶え間なく聞こえてきます。

利尻島の野鳥：　多様で自然豊かな環境が凝縮されている利尻島には、海の鳥、水辺の鳥、草原の鳥、森の鳥、高山の鳥などさまざまな種類の野鳥が生息しています。とくに春秋の渡りの時期には、日本海の海岸線を渡りのコースにしている多くの野鳥が、長旅の休息と栄養補給のために立ち寄ります。

バードウォッチャー憧れのコマドリ、ノゴマは、ここでは普通に見ることができるほど生息数が豊富です。自然の豊かさに加え、卵やヒナを食害するヘビなど、天敵がいないのも一つの要因かもしれません。