GW, day 1 in the mountains of central Kyushu

It was quiet for a while in the morning. Or maybe I was not very alert. I walked slowly and dreamed my way through the woods. Until this bird jumped in front of me. Did he think I was about to snatch that worm?

White's Thrush, トラツグミ

Flycatchers started singing later in the day. They are here already. Have they started to build their nests?

Narcissus Flycatcher, キビタキ　

Blue-and-white Flycatcher, オオルリ

A small mixed flock passed by - Willow Tit, コガラ　

Coal Tit, ヒガラ

Eurasian Nuthatch, ゴジュウカラ

At the end of the day, Green Pheasant or Japanese Pheasant, キジ

There were deer around - Sika Deer, ニホンジカ

And 2 Japanese badger, アナグマ

Small white flowers in the dark part of the woods, they shine like little stars

Uchigaiso, ワチガイソウ

Harurindo, ハルリンドウ

Kisumire, キスミレ (Viola orientalis)

Five-leaf Akebia, ゴヨウアケビ - Chocolate Vine

Snow birds: Japanese Green Woodpecker, アオゲラ

Snow was in the forcast, but just for 1 or 2 days. We took our chances and drove to the central mountains of Kyushu, knowing that we might get stuck. Which happened indeed, but lasted only 3 days

Japanese Green Woodpecker, アオゲラ and Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, コゲラ aiming at the same seeds

The bigger one won - rule of nature

Also in the area: female Redflanked Bluetail, ルリビタキ

Willow Tit, コガラ

The inevitable and unavoidable - Ice

Sounds of the forest.

After listening to the calls of a Pitta without getting a glimpse I gave up on it. The Wrens saved me from becoming grumpy. I was actually delighted to see these small blots of life darting through the woods. The rest of the day I just wandered around, not really searching. Just playing it by ear.

4 Different Cuckoos were calling.  A Common Cuckoo came to perch in a nearby tree.

The Bull-headed Shrikes, モズ parents and children were rather noisy.

White-becked Woodpeckers, オオアカゲラ adult and juvenile

Tits welcomed me at their usual hang-out

Willow Tit, コガラ

Eurasian Nuthatch, ゴジュウカラ

The flycatchers dropped by

Narcissus Flycatcher, キビタキ

Blue-and-white Flycatcher, オオルリ could be heard for miles, but would not come down.

And when one did - I nearly missed him

Last but not least: Chestnut-eared Bunting, ホオアカ

Mt Kuju area, 1 Tits

Just 1 day at my place in the mountains, but it was worth it! Only in May, before the rains come I can go here. Later it will be too wet and the bugs will eat me alive. I don't like to use insect repellent, because it keeps the birds away as well. So it was now or not. I sat there for about 2 hours, very unusual for a person who prefers to walk. The birds kept me entertained throughout and I completely forgot my urge to move on. Most birds were Tits. They were curious and came very close.

Coal Tit, ヒガラ

Willow Tit, コガラ

Varied Tit, ヤマガラ

Many of them were not shy at all and stopped to perch right in front of me.

More about other visiting birds later, 

Below a butterfly that I had not seen here before. Kojanome, コジャノメ

Looking for butterflies is fun. In the middle of the day, when birds are resting, butterflies are still active.

Japanese Labyrinth, ヤマキマダラヒカゲ

Looking for sap trees I found this one covered in bugs. What are they?

I will have to ask

Looks gross!