Bird News from Robin Newlin
An intriguing wind forecast sent me out to Socheong; the same and then shifting winds brought strengthening worries over fog, and sent me scurrying back to the mainland. Still, the visit was enjoyable, even if birds were somewhat thin on the ground and air. Highlights: several unseen singing Northern Hawk Cuckoos — beloved late-spring Socheong! Evidence of bittern migration: 4 Yellow Bitterns and 1 Von Schrenk’s Bittern seen in different spots. A few Lanceolated Warblers, a single singing Eastern Crowned Warbler, and a late but probable (heard briefly) Pallas’ Leaf Warbler. Several Korean Bush Warblers — one singing boldly from the top of a telephone pole. Low numbers of singing Indian, Little and Common Cuckoos. A White-shouldered Starling. 4 Black Drongos. 3 Thick-billed Warblers. Small numbers of Arctic, Dusky and Black-browed Reed Warblers and a single unseen Oriental Reed Warbler. Unseen Oriental Greenfinch. Black-naped Orioles — some seen and most heard. 4 Tiger Shrikes and 3 Brown Shrikes. A Light-vented Bulbul. A few Chinese Pond Herons, several Cattle and Intermediate Egrets. 1 Yellow-throated Bunting. A few Grey-streaked and Asian Brown Flycatchers. A single and brief thrush call—sounded like Chinese Blackbird. A single White Wagtail. Several Blue Rock Thrushes. Occasional Oriental Dollarbirds and Chinese Sparrowhawks. A pair of Peregrine Falcons. A Eurasian Hobby and several Barn Swallows. A single Little Grebe, actively diving.
