Visitor Center Report

Summer birds are arriving in Sounkyo one after another.
Among them are Alauda arvensis and Ardea cinerea, which are shown in the photos, as well as Emberiza cioides, Emberiza spodocephala personata, Uragus sibiricus, and Motacilla alba lugens.
The birds I saw today differed considerably from those I’ve been seeing from last year until very recently.
Of course Bombycilla garrulus visited Sounkyo, but I also saw groups of Bombycilla japonica and large flocks of Carduelis flammea that numbered over 100 birds. I also saw Corvus dauuricus and Falco columbarius; sighting these birds can prove very challenging to bird-watchers.
One of the most difficult birds to catch sight of is the Loxia leucoptera. (The Loxia leucoptera will be featured on the cover of the next Visitor Center Report.)
I got goose bumps when I saw one.
It is no exaggeration to say that the area from Kamikawa Town to Sounkyo is a paradise for birds.
Visitors can see a truly wide variety of birds here, including rare ones if they’re lucky.
The area doubtlessly provides a comfortable home for birds.
Photos: Alauda arvensis (left) and Ardea cinerea (right) Apr. 9

April 9, 2014 Drizzle 10°C (1:25 p.m.)
Amid fine weather from early this morning, a lenticular cloud formed above Mt. Niseikaushuppe.
A lenticular cloud also formed above Mt. Kurodake of the Daisetsuzan peaks.
The appearance of this cloud means a change in the weather is on its way.
I took these photos in the morning. And then, as I watched, clouds quickly appeared.
It has just started raining.
And the weather forecast predicts snow again…
Photos: Lenticular clouds Apr. 9

The photo shows a view of the Daisetsuzan peaks as seen from Kamikawa Park in Kamikawa Town.
The rocky surfaces of the mountains had been showing themselves little by little; however, the recent snowfall has restored their white appearance to some extent.
The view of the peaks from Daisetsu Kogen Asahigaoka is of course stunning. However, it must be said that the view from Kamikawa Park is just as beautiful.
Kamikawa Park is also popular as a place to view the cherry blossoms. Cherry blossoms and the Daisetsuzan peaks… Now that’s a beautiful sight.
It will be worth your while to see it.
Photo: View of the Daisetsuzan peaks from Kamikawa Park Apr. 8

Today I encountered some Tetrastes bonasia, the first I’d seen in quite a while.
Now (March to May) is the time of year when they form pairs, and I saw two that appeared to be trying to avoid the blizzard.
Perhaps they were resting after becoming fatigued while flying in the abysmal weather.
Tetrastes bonasia live in mountain forests throughout the year. However, their numbers appear to be declining. It is said that they are falling victim to Vulpes vulpes schrencki.
Photo: Afemale Tetrastes bonasia Apr. 4

The snow that began falling yesterday has finally reached 15 cm (announcement by the Japan Meteorological Agency).
The entire area is pure white. It feels like we’ve slipped back into winter.
The forecasted chance of snow is high until the 7th; however, from the 8th the temperature is expected to climb as conditions become much more spring-like.
Photos: Snowy Sounkyo Apr. 5