Bird News from Matthew Poll
Some interesting birds on Mara-do, Korea’s southernmost point, on a hot day made hazy with yellow dust from China. A dozen Siberian Stonechats, several Eurasian Siskins, at least two dozen Brambling, seven Red-throated Pipit, a female Grey-backed Thrush, and handfuls of Japanese Thrush, Little Bunting, Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Narcissus Flycatcher, Zitting Cisticola, and Red-flanked Bluetail were the highlights.
At Yongsu, a Pacific Golden Plover, several Falcated Teal and Pochard, and good numbers still of Eurasian Teal, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Spot-billed Duck, and Coot, with about 50-100 of each seen.
It’s been pretty quiet still in Seogwipo parks this month, with birds such as Brown-headed Thrush, Ashy Minivet, Yellow-browed Bunting, Narcissus, Blue-and-White, and Asian Brown Flycatchers yet to arrive. For the past two years, these birds have been relatively easy to find in Several Seogwipo parks starting in mid-April.
In a Seogwipo farmer’s field, Eastern Yellow Wagtails, Red-throated Pipits, and Siberian Stonechats are good signs of spring.
Male Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana. Photo copyright Matthew Poll
Male Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina. Photo copyright Matthew Poll
Female Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum. Photo copyright Matthew Poll
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla. Photo copyright Matthew Poll