Winter forests in Yokohama are open place. Kanto Region 関東 is very dry during winter. Normally no snow in forests. Deciduous trees shed their leaves. Ground vegetation is minimum. Patches of green rosettes tell us these dandelions et al are patiently waiting for spring to come … So, when something “additional” happens in a forest, it stands out. In winter I feel mole hills become obvious in forests of our neighborhood.
One weekend morning, I found a row of mole hills in Ikebuchi Open Space of Niiharu Citizen Forest 新治市民の森. Those tiny peaks are made of dirt a mole discarded after digging tunnels for his/her nest. It was a fun to trace mole hills that indicated underground movement of Mr/Ms Mole. There were lots of mole hills. One senior of Lovers of Niiharu said, “Well, was there only one mole? I guess there were several last night.” Wow. Then, was the underground in Open Space last night something like Aquatic Center of Olympics? … I imagined moles were gathering at one point of below surface. “On Your Mark.” Then, they all at once started to dig and to run, no, to breath-stroke, belowground! Who’s the winner!?
 |
| On your mark … |
 |
| go here … |
 |
| then there … |
 |
| and … |
By Google search, I learned moles are strongly territorial creatures. They normally do not congregate. Sometimes in winter, a male and a female may live together for a short period to mate. It’s exceptional behaviour as moles if anything. My wild idea of mole Olympics is gone … Japanese moles are all endemic species. Majority of moles in Kanto Region is Lesser Japanese Moles (Mogera imaizumii) that is smaller than the species (Japanese mole, Mogera wogura) found in western Japan. One hypothesis says the ancestors of our neighbor moles came first to the place from the continent, then later forebears of western species followed to the future archipelago. Since then westerners are moving eastward to the territory of lesser Japanese moles. Moles cannot survive when they could not eat for more than 12 hours. They have to eat continuously earthworms, larvae of insects, etc. As Japanese moles are bigger, they are stronger in the survival competition to find meals. Mmmmmmmmm … In the end, the competition for Gold Medal?
 |
| This
place is really a “Mole hill.” Was there only one mole? By the way, it’s not Niiharu. I tell you my adventure here next week. 😉 |
Soon moles might start working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaning his little (?) home/tunnel. Chinese New Year has come. If winter comes, can spring be far behind?
 |
| This year, plum blossoms are late … |
If you find a problem in the greenery of north-half of Yokohama, please make a contact with
Office for the Park Greeneries in the North
北部公園緑地事務所
Yokohama Municipal Government Creative Environment Policy Bureau
横浜市環境創造局
Phone: 045-311-2016
FAX: 045-316-8420
Niiharu Administrative Office / Satoyama Exchange Center
新治管理事務所・里山交流センター
Phone: 045-931-4947
Fax: 045-937-0898
Email: info@niiharu.jp
No comments:
Post a Comment