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Black Kite (Olympus C-755) Black Kite (Olympus C-755) Black Kite (Olympus C-755) Black Kite (Olympus C-755)

One memory of my first visit to Fujino is looking up from the station area and seeing black kites flying in several places over the nearby river and lake. Known in Japanese as tonbi or tobi, the black kite (Milvus migrans) is a bird of prey frequently found in those parts of rural Japan that still have relatively good water quality. I'm sure that one reason I was impressed with Fujino that first day was due to seeing those great birds soaring and exchanging their high-pitched kii, kii calls. I lived in the urban prefecture of Tokyo for fourteen years before moving to Fujino, and I don't believe I ever saw a tonbi on that side of the mountains. In Fujino, though, kites are a common sight, at some times of the year gathering in great clouds of up to twenty or more birds (particularly in certain spots where they have become accustomed to receiving regular food tributes from local residents). Besides the black kite, Fujino is home or rest stop to many other wild birds that rarely grace the east side of Mount Takao. One of the most unusual is the gabichô or laughing thrush (genus Garrulax). Until recently, at least, birding books stated that it was non-existent in Japan, but I saw a pair in my yard the first year I moved to Fujino, and later discovered that they had become regular residents in several parts of the town. Chestnut brown with a delicate white circle that extends from around their eyes in a streak back over their ears, they have a series of varying calls that makes them resemble an American mocking bird. Another rare bird forming the target of weekend birdwatchers and nature photographers is the emerald-green "broad-billed roller" or Buppôsô (Eurystomus orientalis). Groups of photographers and other hopefuls can be found gathered on the Akiyama Bridge most any summer Sunday, waiting for a glimpse. To return to your previous location, use your browser's "BACK" button, or click your heels together three times while saying, "there's no place like home" . . .

Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township
by Norman Havens nhavens@gol.com
Updated: March 9, 2004

URL: http://www2.gol.com/users/nhavens/