Visitor Center Report

It has been snow storm since early morning.
The lowest temperature was -11°c in the early morning, that’s so cold.
In a few days the amount of snowfall for one day is no.1 in Hokkaido, and more the highest temperature is no.2 in Hokkaido.
That is so Sounkyo winter.

It is too cold to go out.
But we found “Frost flower”
Crystal of frost was made on the surface of ice, the colder it becomes, the more frost flower blooms.
It is so amazing, but it needs a lot of meteorological conditions.
That’s so mystical.

Deep and heavy snow fall in Sounkyo.
When it comes to Decenber, we often have 10cm snow every day.

But in November we had very less snow than usual year, 61% less than last year.

Now temperature stays high, in a few days the highest temperature is over 0 c.

We met “ Sciurus vulgaris orientis” that is finding wall nuts.
He dive his face into snow. So his face is covered with snow.

“Aegithalos caudatus” is always a cute wild birds.
In the last few year it is very popular for Wild bird’s lovers.
“Aegithalos caudatus” is little bit smaller than sparrow.
We can watch it all year round.
It lives in the plains and in the forest.
It squeals “Jyuri Jyuri, very unique.
Even if we can’t see it, we can find where it is.

Would you like to go out and to find it with binoculars?

“Center News Vol.100” has published.
“Center News Vol.100” has finally come.
Thank you for reading.

This cover is “Chipmunk before hibernation”.
And more “We came across brown bear!” , “It is very difficult to distinguish Scolopacidae” , “Hierococcyx hyperythrus like a Ninjya” and “Vulpes vulpes schrencki brothers” we posted.
Please check and read them.
We try to help others become interested in nature in Sounkyo.
Thanks for reading until vol.100.
Thank you for your continued cooperation.

It has been raining hardly with strong wind since this early morning　in　Sounkyo.
Now it is calm, this rain melted all snow around here.
Today’s temperature stays high.
In the morning the lowest temperature was 8°c.
Now is 13°c.
This is too warm for this time of year.

This warm temperature made Mt.Kurodake ski area closed.
But thanks for heavy rain, we can see “Hakujya fall” and “Tukumo fall” in Sounkyo gorge clearly.

But after that it will snow again.
Next snow will remain without melting until spring.