High mountains 1

It was the first day of April. In the lowlands, the weather was warm and green fields were dotted with yellow and purple flowers. Groves of Cherry blossom trees stood out on the slopes. It looked all so pretty. However, I headed for the mountains, where the fields were still brown and grey or vague green due to a layer of frost. I realized I wasn't finished with winter yet. 

Frost-layered Purple Dead-nettle

A Eurasian Skylark, ヒバリ, sticking its head out, sniffing the cold air.

Many Thrushes, mostly Dusky, had gathered. They were moving in small flocks, eating as much as possible, preparing to migrate to the north.

Mr. Dusky Thrush, ツグミ, is about to move on.

See you next year 💗

The sun rose and warmed the air. A Japanese Green Pheasant, キジ appeared at the same location as the year before, and before, and before...

In the woods, many woodpeckers were active, but stayed high up in the tall trees. I waited a long time for one to come down, White-backed Woodpecker, オオアカゲラ

The noisiest birds around the streams, Eurasian Wren, ミソサザイ

All that energy. I got tired just from watching it.

To be continued

GW 3

Another location again, near Mt Aso. While walking through the woods I heard woodpeckers calling throughout the day. Also Narcissus Flycatchers. Just before I left, Japanese Paradise Flycatchers were heard in the tallest cedar trees. It was a magical day

White-backed Woodpecker, オオアカゲラ

Japanese Green Woodpecker, アオゲラ

Narcissus Flycatcher, キビタキ

Singing out loud - ofcourse

Asian Brown Flycatcher, コサメビタキ

Ryukyu Minivet, リュウキュウサンショウクイ

Playing hide and seek with each other, in the big trees

At a dark corner at the end of the day:  Eurasian Jay, カケス

Flowers were amazing. Several orchids were in bloom. The most spectacular this one below:

Golden Orchid, キンラン

Silver Orchid, ギンラン - Not as big as its Golden brother, but very delicate

Tairin Aoi, タイリンアオイ

Kayalan Orchid, カヤラン

Soft Wind Flower, ニリンソウ　

 Nettle-leaf Mint, ラショウモンカズラ ·

Yukizasa, ユキザサ  (Snow Bamboo)

Calanthe Discolor Orchid, エビネラン

The only butterfly worth mentioning: male Yellow Tip, ツマキチョウ 

Snow birds 2: White-backed Woodpecker, オオアカゲラ and some stunning scenery

The following day the snow was mostly gone. This Woodpecker had fun in the early sunlight

Higher up the mountains the scenery was pristine. Only brave men with special gear get to see that.

Photography by Jaap Mulder

Daurian Redstart, ジョウビタキ didn't like to get his feet cold.

Japanese Shika Deer, ニホンシカ

Japanese Badger, アナグマ searching for food, found a cozy spot under the floor of a well-heated guest house

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