Author Archives: Matt Poll

Developers buying up Korean islands?

 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-17/philippine-billionaire-razon-to-buy-korean-island-in-casino-push?cmpid=yhoo In a country where developers  seem to have a cringe-worthy disregard for the environmental consequences of their relentless large-scale projects, is this another troubling sign of things to come?  When there is no viable peninsular land left to develop … read more

Seogwipo, Jeju, June 1

Bird News from Matt Poll At a relatively undisturbed (yet) spot near town, three individual Fairy Pittas (or maybe two pairs) called from the treetops, mostly unseen. One of them had a strange three-note call, instead of the more familiar … read more

Hado-ri, Jeju, May 7

Bird News from Matt Poll At Hado, a gorgeous Pied Avocet fed in the company of three Black-winged Stilts, and 33 Black-tailed Godwits.  I got long, if distant looks as it fed by swimming and upending repeatedly.  Also at Hado, and nearby Ojo-ri, were … read more

Mara-do and southwest coast, Jeju, April 6

Bird news from Matt Poll Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas; one seen from the ferry Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica; two groups of roughly 10 seen heading towards Jeju Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius; 11 from the ferry between Mara and Gapa Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris Pacific Swift Apus Pacificus … read more