乗鞍岳でも出会える「ライチョウ」について知っておきたいこと。

The rock ptarmigan, a national special natural monument, has long lived in the mountains where gods reside and has been worshipped as a divine bird. The reason why rock ptarmigans are not afraid of humans seems to be due to a cultural background unique to Japan. Anyone who meets a rock ptarmigan once becomes a fan of its adorable appearance. However, this bird is now in danger of extinction due to changes in vegetation caused by climate change and the introduction of predators. In this article, we have compiled everything you need to know about rock ptarmigans.

What you need to know about grouse, which you can also encounter on Norikura-dake.

❶ What kind of bird is a ptarmigan?

Ptarmigans migrated from the continent during the Paleolithic period. At the time, sea levels were low and the area was almost connected to the continent. At the time, the Northern Alps were covered in glaciers, but when the glaciers began to melt, they were unable to return to the continent and were left behind, where they evolved.

The Japanese rock ptarmigan is the southernmost of all the rock ptarmigans in the world, and its current habitat is limited to the Northern and Southern Alps, the surrounding high mountains, Mt. Norikura, and Mt. Ontake. The rock ptarmigan is currently listed on the Ministry of the Environment's Red List as a species at high risk of extinction in the wild.Endangered species (IB)" It says:

❷ Ptarmigan feathers shed three times a year

In winter, both males and females are pure white, but in spring the males are black and the females are brown with a mottled pattern. In autumn, both males and females turn gray. (The color of their bellies and wings remains white all year round.)

This is why they shed their feathers three times a year.Blending into the surrounding scenery according to the seasonIt is said that this is to make it harder for natural enemies (birds of prey, foxes, martens, ermine, crows, etc.) to find them. Because they have no defensive power, they use camouflage coloring to protect themselves.

❸ The life of a ptarmigan

spring

Ptarmigans, who spent the winter at lower altitudes, return to the alpine zone. As the snow melts, males begin fighting over territory. They mate around mid-April, and females lay eggs from the end of May to early June, while males guard their territories.

summer

Before summer, they molt and change their feathers, making it easier to distinguish between males and females. Once the eggs hatch, the males stop guarding their territory and begin living alone. Meanwhile, the mother is busy raising her chicks. For about a month after birth, the chicks are unable to regulate their own body temperature, so they have to be kept warm under their mother's belly. This is also the time when they are vulnerable to predators, and it is said that only one in ten chicks survives to full maturity.

autumn

When the ptarmigan become young birds that look almost identical to their parents, they become independent from their parents and begin to form flocks, and both males and females change into their dull autumn plumage.

winter

Their feathers change to pure white. As food becomes scarce in the alpine zone, they descend to the tree line and live there. They feed on winter buds of Erman's birch trees and sometimes burrow into the snow to survive the harsh winter, patiently waiting for spring in groups.

❹ Grouse observation rules

Japanese rock ptarmigans are not afraid of people, but they are susceptible to stress, so there are some rules you should always follow when observing them.
The basic rules are as follows:

1. Watch over them quietly and gently

Approaching or chasing ptarmigans without due care causes great stress to them.
During the raising season, the mother signals to her chicks by voice, so shouting is strictly prohibited.

2. Keep your distance

As a general rule, keep a distance of at least 5m.
Please be careful not to surround the ptarmigan with too many people and allow it to move in the direction it wishes.

3. Pay attention to your facial expressions

Normal state: They are pecking at alpine plants enthusiastically.
A little stress: Looking around carefully.
A lot of stress: They may hunch their heads and make a warning noise, or the female may spread one wing and approach people while appearing injured (feigned injury behavior).

❺ Things to note when climbing

What can we climbers do to protect the natural environment where ptarmigans can live forever?
In addition to following the observation rules, we would like everyone to keep in mind and practice the following points to be careful of when climbing.

1. Walk the designated path

Even if there are no prohibition signs or ropes, you should not enter anywhere other than the sidewalk.

2. If you see a ptarmigan, don't chase it.

They keep their distance from the ptarmigans and do not get in their way, which can mean that they are unable to return to their nests and their eggs get cold.

3. Don't pick alpine plants

Alpine plants are also living witnesses to the Ice Age. They grow only here, so let's take good care of them.

4. Use the toilet in designated areas

E. coli and other bacteria contained in human waste can affect the flora and fauna of alpine areas.

5. Clean the soles of your hiking boots thoroughly before entering the mountains

To protect the ecosystem, be sure to remove seeds and germs from other mountain ranges before entering the mountains.

6. Tips for Spotting Ptarmigan

You won't always be able to see a ptarmigan when you go to Mt. Norikura, but everyone would love to see one if possible. Here are some tips to increase your chances of seeing a ptarmigan.

1. Cry

Male rock ptarmigans often make the "geh, gaga" sound when claiming territory.
Females with chicks also frequently make cooing sounds to communicate with their chicks.
Keep your ears open while hiking, and if you hear any calls, look around.

2. Traces of life

Look for signs of ptarmigan life, especially droppings.
They look like long, thin strips of rabbit droppings, and the brown, dry ones are old.
If it is slightly greenish, it is fresh. Ptarmigans also often take dust baths.
If you find fresh droppings or dust bathing marks, there may be a ptarmigan nearby.

3. Best time to spot ptarmigan

Ptarmigan are most active in the early morning and evening.
The best time to observe is two to three hours after sunrise in the morning, and two to three hours before sunset in the evening.

The rock ptarmigan is at risk of extinction due to changes in vegetation caused by climate change and the expansion of satoyama (satoyama) animals into alpine zones, but the root cause of these problems is human activity. There is no time to waste in taking measures to protect the species.
For more details, please see the Japan Alps Guide Center and the Ministry of the Environment's "Ptarmigan Guide" published in order to deepen knowledge about ptarmigan and ensure proper behavior."Ptarmigan Observation Rules Handbook"I recommend you take a look and learn.
Let's work together to protect the rock ptarmigan with a sense of awe for nature.

"Ptarmigan Observation Rules Handbook"