Bird News from Nial Moores, with Marco della Seta on 9th and 10th
Some time spent looking at favoured sites (Igidae, Taejongdae, Dadaepo and off Geoje) for early spring Japan-bound migrants in largely sunny conditions and very mild or even warm conditions, with the exception of rain overnight on the 6th through much of the 7th. Heavy rain over southern China during much of this period seems to have held migration up to some extent.
In addition to very small numbers of Eurasian Siskin, Brambling and Barn Swallow and Pacific Swift at two or more sites, species of most note included Pacific Reef Egret (one on 9th at Igidae); Pacific Loon (at least 35 off Geoje on 10th); Black Woodpigeon (one heard and one seen off Geoje on 10th); Japanese Waxwing (28 on 4th, 80 on 7th and 35-40 on 9th at Igidae); Yellow-bellied Tit (one seen and perhaps another heard off Geoje on the 9th); Light-vented Bulbul (two on 9th at Igidae); Asian Stubtail (first one on 4th in Igidae; several heard on subsequent days); Eastern Crowned Warbler (first on 7th, when at least six in Igidae); Grey-backed Thrush (first on 7th); Grey Thrush (one male on 7th and single probables heard on 9th and 10th); Brown-headed Thrush (one on 7th and probably two on 9th); Narcissus Flycatcher (singles heard only in 9th and 10th); and Grey Bunting (probably four or five off Geoje on 10th – with two glimpsed extremely poorly).
Japanese Waxwing Bombycilla japonica © Nial Moores
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus © Nial Moores