Goeje, June 14

Bird News by Nial Moores

Following the discovery of Black Woodpigeon on a small island off Geoje in early April by Birds Korean Mr. Matt Poll (many thanks!), a quick trip to the same island found 12 in all, with one sitting motionless in almost full view for 10 minutes providing the obvious highlight of the day. On the same island, a further 15 species of landbird were logged before survey had to be suspended due to strong winds. In order of abundance these were:

Vinous-throated Parrotbill (46), Japanese White-eye (44), Pale Thrush (42), Brown-eared Bulbul (38), Japanese Bush Warbler (17 heard – only one of which was seen), Pacific Swift (9), Eurasian Magpie (9), Large-billed Crow (8), Rufous Turtle Dove (6), Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker (4), Coal Tit (2), Asian Stubtail (two in song), Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler (two: one in song, one calling) and single Black Kite and Common Cuckoo (1).

Comparison with other islands shows this to be a strikingly odd mix: personally, this was the first time to see either Vinous-throated Parrotbill or Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker on a proper island; the first time to see Black Woodpigeon sharing an island with numerous crows and magpies; and the first island with dense broad-leaved forest without either Eastern Great Tit or Varied Tit

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