There were some unsolved avian riddles, as well as early signs of spring, on a rainy then sunny weekend. On the same hill where a Common Redpoll was seen two weeks ago, I encountered at least six Tristram’s Buntingsskulking in the scrub. I’ve never seen Tristram’s in the winter – could they be early migrants? Also of note wereJapanese Bush Warblers in full song, and almost a dozen Long-tailed Tits (I’m still unsure how to separatetrivirgatus and magnus Long-tailed Tits) in a nearby gully. Small groups of Olive-backed Pipits and Grey-capped Greenfinch move through the woods and forest edge in several spots.
In the city, I’ve noticed a group of about a dozen White Wagtails noisily moving from the rooftops to one particular large roadside tree, daily just before dusk over the past week. Do White Wagtails communally roost?
In a park in town it seems like Mandarin Duck and Spot-billed Duck (small numbers of Spot-billed do spend the summer on Jeju) numbers have thinned out considerably. Another sign of an early spring? Grey Wagtails and Red-flanked Bluetails can also be found in Seogwipo’s parks.
