Author: vc-dev

A bright and sunny day in Sounkyo!
Days like this are perfect for photographing the mountains.
And add to the scene beautiful rime-covered trees!
The result is a landscape one wishes would last forever.
The mountain in the photo is Mt. Niseikaushuppe. Its snow-covered peak and the rime-covered trees on its middle and lower slopes produce a special scene that can only be enjoyed this time of year.
Photo: Mt. Niseikaushuppe Nov. 24

Enjoying a rare clear and sunny day in Sounkyo, I took a walk on a side trail somewhat off the national route. And there I found them, just as I thought I might.
Ursus arctos yesonesis tracks.
The rather big tracks indicate that the Ursus arctos yesonesis have not started hibernating yet.
They usually begin hibernating between mid-November and early December, but it seems that the weather conditions are still not quite right…
The tracks were still relatively fresh, so I immediately turned back. Although the forest road will remain mostly unused in the coming months, sufficient care will still be required when going near it.
Photo: Ursus arctos yesonesis tracks Nov. 24

The Accipiter gentilis is a medium-sized species belonging to the family Accipitridae in the order Accipitriformes. It is representative of hawk species. It has a body length of some 50 cm and a wingspan of roughly 130 cm, and is recognizable by the white stripes that are situated above black patches around the eyes.
It has a shrill cry that sounds like “ki, ki,” “ke, ke,” or “kay, kay, kay.” The birds live in the area year round in places ranging from the flatlands up to the high mountains, although some fly south to winter.
They are expert fliers, capable of reaching speeds of up to 80 km per hour in level flight and 130 km when diving. They are birds of prey that primarily feed on medium and small birds (e.g., Columba livia, Sturnus cineraceus, Ixos amaurotis, and Parus minor) and small mammals (e.g., squirrels, mice, rabbits, and Mustela erminea) that they catch in the air or on the ground. Birds, in particular, account for more than 90% of their diet. (In addition to the above, they have been known to eat snakes on rare occasions.)
Accipiter gentilis are positioned at the top of the food chain, and therefore cannot survive unless the natural ecosystem is healthy. According to one theory, small birds classify members of the hawk family by the degree of fear they feel when they see them. For example, if they see Milvus migrans, they pretend not to notice. If Buteo japonicus comes by, they think, “Ah, there’s Buteo japonicus.” But if a Accipiter gentilis approaches, they think, “Run!” It is said that you can tell when a Accipiter gentilis is near by the reactions of small birds.
In the past, the population of Accipiter gentilis plummeted in Japan due to the development of their habitats, and as a result they were designated as a “rare wildlife species.” Owing to this, their numbers rapidly rebounded and they are currently on the “near threatened” (NT) list. However, although there is little danger of their extinction at the present time, they may be moved to the “threatened” list in the future if changes in their habitats occur.
It should be noted that many wild bird enthusiasts are attracted to them for their sharp look and position at the top of ecosystem.
Photo: Accipiter gentilis Nov. 18

“Chiri, chiri, chiri…”
TheBombycilla japonica has arrived again this year.
The birds were seen in the mountains last year, but this year they have quickly come down into the village.
Although several hundred birds are known to be flying around in the mountains, as of the present time it seems that only some 10 to 30 have come down to the village.
If you see a waxwing with a yellow tale, it is a Bombycilla garrulus; if it has a red tail, it is a Bombycilla japonica. In Hokkaido, Bombycilla garrulus are common while Bombycilla japonica are rare. However, this year Bombycilla japonica are forming groups in Sounkyo just as they did
last year.
They love to eat the berries of the Sorbus commixta and Viscum album subsp. coloratum, and serve to distribute the seeds through their highly adhesive droppings.
Known for their always beautifully colored wings and exquisite crest, their visits to the area vary greatly from year to year, which makes it hard to count on seeing them.
Photos: Bombycilla japonica Nov. 13

This tree starts the year by sprouting fresh green leaves. After flowering in June, its leaves turn bright red during the fall. It then ends the year covered with bright red berries.
In this way, the Sorbus commixta is a tree that provides viewing enjoyment throughout the year.
Even when the fall foliage season ends, the trees remain covered with many berries. However, this year the berries have grown so thickly that visitors come to us to ask about them.
There are various factors thought to be behind this year’s remarkable growth. One is the good weather the area enjoyed during the blossoming season in June and July. And another is that much of the pollen did not fall due to the low rainfall, which resulted in a higher pollination rate.
Good weather continued in the gorge through June and July of this year, and the amount of rainfall was abnormally small (based on statistical data of the Japan Meteorological Agency).
Additionally, Sorbus commixta berries do not go bad even after they have matured, which means that they stay on the branch even when the snow falls. This characteristic is thought to be caused by sorbic acid that is contained in the unripe berries.
Regardless of how they come to be there, the birds love to feast on them. Great numbers of Bombycilla garrulus, Turdus eunomus, and other birds gather on the trees and leave them completely clean of berries.
Photo: A Sorbus commixta laden with berries Nov. 9