Tag Archives: Yellow-bellied Tit

Hado-ri, Jeju-do, December 26th, 2020

Hado-ri Reservoir is a well known birdwatching hotspot on the northeast end of Jeju Island, known to host a wide array of bird species year round. I made the trip to Hado-ri on a nice sunny winter afternoon during a visit to Jeju Island in late December. Despite some closures due to Avian Influenza, many areas were still accessible allowing nice views of the reservoir.

Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius 큰말똥가리 © Leslie Hurteau
Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius 큰말똥가리 © Leslie Hurteau

An Upland Buzzard was spotted along the roads surrounding the reservoir, as well as an overhead flyby of a group of ~30 Red Crossbills.

Eurasian Coots, Gadwall, and Spot-billed Duck © Leslie Hurteau
Northern Pintails © Leslie Hurteau

The reservoir itself had the usual assortment of Korean wintering waterfowl: Common Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Spot-billed Duck, Mallards, Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teal, Common Pochard, and Tufted Duck. One individual appeared to be a possible Spot-billed x Mallard hybrid.

Possible Mallard x Spot-billed Duck Hybrid? © Leslie Hurteau
Note the yellow spot on the tip of the bill © Leslie Hurteau

Two Osprey were present, one resting on a log in the lake and another diving around occasionally. While walking down some of the trails, a group of Yellow-bellied Tits passed by and a single White’s Thrush was perched on a log. Along the southwestern part of the reservoir were spoonbills, egrets (great and little), herons, and plenty of cormorants lined up.

An out-of-focus photo of a busy Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus 노랑배진박새 © Leslie Hurteau
Grey-capped Greenfinch Chloris sinica 방울새 perched on shrubs © Leslie Hurteau

On the northeast end of the reservoir was a rather confiding Eastern Water Rail, digging around by some coots and ducks. The size difference was quite noticeable when the rail was next to coots and ducks.

Eastern Water Rail Rallus indicus 흰눈썹뜸부기, nearly half the size of the nearby coots and ducks © Leslie Hurteau
Eastern Water Rail Rallus indicus 흰눈썹뜸부기, moving along the mud © Leslie Hurteau

While watching the sunset from the beach, a single Kentish Plover was seen resting on the shore. An overall birdy afternoon trip, with a total of 43 species seen and / or heard.

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 흰물떼새 © Leslie Hurteau

Gageo Island, Shinan County (Part Three), November 2nd-November 7

Selected Bird Survey highlights from Nial Moores In total 111 species were recorded during this period (out of a grand total of 146 species recorded on Gageo between October 21st and November 7th). Counts were made daily along the 1-Gu … read more