Red-flanked Bluetail, ルリビタキ

I went up the mountain in the south to look for this bird. As every year it was there. A pretty blue male!

And again, it felt like I was seeing it for the first time. 😊

 

It regularly came down from the dark trees, to define his territory, loudly whistling and cackling when other birds were around.

As usual, a Daurian Redstart, ジョウビタキ was the biggest competitor

 

A female popped in briefly as well

The woods were full with winter berries, フユイチゴ

A different looking mushroom

At a small corner the sun broke through

Down below was a flock of about 40 birds flying overhead, Japanese Grosbeak, イカル