Fall Migration in Jeju City Parks, October 2024

Bird news and photos by Leslie Hurteau

October on Jeju began with a lot of excitement, with a Chestnut-flanked White-eye found in a local city park in Jeju City. At least one individual was there, but two were seen and photographed by other observers. This species seems to be somewhat rare in southern areas of Korea during migration, but I wonder if that’s not just the result of the species being overlooked, given how numerous Warbling White-eyes are in Jeju and other southern areas of the peninsula.

Chestnut-flanked White-eye Zosterops erythopleurus 한국동박새, identified by the clean white underparts bordered by the yellow throat and “wine-coloured” flanks.

Thrushes began to show up in bigger numbers by early October, in particular Grey-backed Thrush. Eyebrowed and Grey Thrushes began to move through as well, and later on in the month Pale Thrushes. Flycatchers were still somewhat common to see, with Asian Brown and Grey Streaked Flycatchers around, and the occasional Blue-and-white Flycatcher.

Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 되지빠귀, a female or first year male.
Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus 흰눈썹붉은배지빠귀, they seem to be fairly regular in Jeju City parks during spring and fall migration.

Alongside the Chestnut-flanked White-eyes, early October brought two more surprises. The first being a White-backed Woodpecker. While not rare at all on Jeju, it was a personal first for Shinsan Park. The other was a bird much rarer to find in a city, a Black Wood Pigeon. It appeared to be a younger individual. First found drinking in a stream, and later refound resting in the canopy of a large decidious tree in the park. Black Wood Pigeons seem to move through Jeju during September and October, with sightings somewhat consistant during this time period over the past few years I’ve been birding here. It makes me wonder if they are dispersing from nearby islands north of Jeju, or if there is possibly a breeding population higher up on Hallasan (not unlikely given the habitat).

White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos quelpartensis 제주큰오색딱다구리, the expected woodpecker species expected on Jeju, actually quite numerous throughout, but not often seen in urban areas.
Black Wood Pigeon Columba janthina 흑비둘기 silently perched in a tree high up in the canopy. I wonder how often they move through and go unnoticed.

Down along the coast, the gulls started to increase in numbers and diversity, with Vega, Mongolian, Taimyr, and Slaty-backed making appearances alongside the usual Black-tailed Gulls in Jeju Harbour area. Ducks were also spotted along the coast occasionally, such as Eurasian Wigeon and Eurasian Teal.

Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus 큰재갈매기 prowling along the breakwater at Tapdong Plaza.
Temminck’s Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus 가마우지 drying itself in the sun.

A third surprise for the month was a probable Japanese Leaf Warbler found around mid-month in Shinsan Park. This leaf warbler had a very greenish back and the supercilium, face, and throat showed a strong yellow colouration. The absence of a median stripe on the head and lack of contrast on the wings helped eliminate Yellow-browed and Pallas Leaf Warblers, which I had initially considered due to how yellow the bird seemed. Unfortunately it did not call, but given the features it seems Japanese Leaf is the most likely.

Japanese Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus xanthodryas 일본솔새, with strong yellow on the cheeks and supercilum, and very greenish upperparts.
Japanese Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus xanthodryas 일본솔새, more yellow can be seen along the throat and cheeks, and a faint yellow bar running down the chest.
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 딱새, they seem to show up in city parks around October, after the Bull-headed Shrikes arrive as well.
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 큰유리새
Grey Thrush Turdus cardis 검은지빠귀, a female. A male was seen around the same time, but much harder to see and photograph.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 왜가리, resting on a tree in a valley along the coast.

As the month moved on, migration shifted, with flycatchers showing up less and less, and swallow numbers slowly decreasing (with the exception of a group of Red-rumped Swallows showing up at the end of the month). Bull-headed Shrikes made a return by mid-month, with Daurian Redstarts following shortly after. Chinese Grosbeak numbers increased, and Japanese Bush Warblers began to move back into the park, having been mysteriously absent (or quiet?) during August and September.

Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 귀제비, a small group passed through the park at the end of the month.
Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria 밀화부리, a male feeding in the canopy of a tree.
Japanese Bush Warbler Horornis diphone 섬휘파람새, a common species throughout Jeju, although they become difficult to find during late summer in certain areas when they stop singing.

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