Hiko san on a Saturday

The Hiko team got together to look for a specific bird, the Fairy Pitta. We heard the call and that was all. The usual story. However, others got to see it a few days later (It was still calling). But that was not for the working class part 😉. When the target bird didn't show up we moved to the Eagles point. However, they also stayed hidden. Ah well, there are always frogs and bugs...

5:15 am

キササゲ、Catalpa ovata 

No eagles in sight

Yamatsutsuji, ヤマツツジ (Rhododendron Kaempferi)

In one of the many small ponds: Japanese fire belly newt (アカハライモリ)

アタマジャクシ, Tadpoles, polliwogs

Walking on the little used path I came across a recent small landslide. Among the rubble:

Skull of Badger, アナグマ or Raccoon, アライグマ and a monkey chair, a piece of fungus that grows on the trunk of trees

A san's find: Skull of a Shika deer, シカ

Some small stuff: Japanese Oakblue, ムラサキシジミ (Arhopala japonica)

Blue Admiral, ルリタテハ

テングチョウ, European Beak 

Weevil, ゾオムシ

No name yet

 Japanese Bush Warbler, ウグイス

アオゲラ, Japanese Green Woodpecker

Whiskered Terns, クロハラアジサシ in June, part 2

Continuation from part 1. The kids are getting better, but cannot beat mum and dad yet

Whiskered Terns, クロハラアジサシ in June, part 1

There were many chances to see them this month in Imazu. First just 2 birds, on the 9th. Then a family of 5 stayed several days in the area from the 22nd. The young birds still had a lot of practicing to do and the flat Futatsunoike lakes are safe for them on windy days.

Mt. Sensui, Kamisensui, Kuroiwa

On June 13th we drove to Oita and spent the night in Billie at Choojabaru. So we could start early the following day. It was a new course for me and since I had not been hiking for a while I wanted to take it easy. Jaap kindly adjusted his pace and together we walked about 7 hours. Jaap could have done it in 3 I think, and I sometimes felt sorry for him, when I stopped for the umpteenth time for yet another photo opportunity. No birds, carrying the small lens was all I could.

At the place where we usually stop on the way:

Japanese Oakblue, ムラサキシジミ

Japanese Labyrinth、ヤマキマダラヒカゲ　

Takekareha, タケカレハ  Bamboo lasiocampid

Looks like it might rain at our destination. 

And it did, but not too bad and not too long. During a little walk around the Tadewara marsh: アギスミレ.  Correctionアギスミレ→ニョイスミレ. Thank you Mr A.

Mamushigusa, マムシグサ

Ibuki Toranoo イブキトラノオ  (Bistort)

シライトソウ　Chionographis Japonica

Round-leaved Sundew (モウセンゴケ)

Climbing Hydrangea (ツルアジサイ)？

Yuumadara Edashaku? ユウマダラエダシャク？

 A low rainbow in the valley - not uncommon in the rainy season

At the end of the afternoon clouds were gathering in the distance.

The sky was changing fast. Spectacular clouds came and went. Dramatic

Left a caterpillar with no name, right a kind of weevil named zoomushi, maybe katsuozoomushi, カツオゾウムシ

At dusk I hoped to catch a glimpse of the Midori Shijimi, but all I got was this Ruri Shijimi

Usuki Kuroten Edashaku, ウスキクロテンヒメシャク

Usuao Edashaku, ウスアオエダシャク

Evening light at Mt Kuju range

The next day at the toilet building at 5am: Futasuji Gin-edashaku, フタスジギンダシャク

The rain clouds had disappeared and we were treated with sunny skies and a pleasant temperature of 17 - 20 degrees C. Perfect! The first part through the meadows was a bit steep. Good reason to stop for some photos:

More Shiraitosou, シライトソウ

Diana Treebrown、クロヒカゲ

Ibuki Toranoo, イブキトラノオ     and a question mark

Taking a break half way up Sensuisan

In the dark forest a kind of Orchid: クモキリソウ Liparis kumokiri

I wish I could tell the name of these trees. Maybe one day. Now I just call it the fairytale forest. A very special place

View from Kamisensuisan. The pink carpet of Myama Kirishima ミヤマキリシマ had faded, but some flowers remained, reminding me of what it must have been like the weeks before

No Rhododendron, but lots of pretty red and pink Asebi アセビ (Japanese andromeda) Correction: アセビ→ツクシドウダン, between Kamisensuisan and Kuroiwadake

ベニドウダン

シロドウダン

From Kuroiwa we descended to the Makinoto pass and continued down along the river to Choojabaru

Near the hot spring was this Bara Ichigo, バライチゴ oddly out of place.

During the 7 hour hike we saw or heard a total of 33 different birds but didn't see any mammals this time. 

 A few wings in the forest below: Blue-and-white Flycatcher, オオルリ

I found a place where birds came to drink and bath. I sat there just 10 min. and was surprised by the activities. I'd like to spend a bit more time. Maybe next month?

 Japanese Great Tit, シジュウカラ

Meadow Bunting, ホオジロ

At night, attracted by the light of the public toilet building:

Beniheri kokega ベニヘリコケガ

Ginboshiringa, ギンボシリンガ 

White Ermine, Kiharagomadara Hitori (キハラゴマダラヒトリ)

A bonus when hiking in Japan: Wild (rasp?) berries. Sweet and juicy!