Hen Information by Nial Moores and Charlie Moores
A full week of daybreak to nightfall birding sandwiched between two half-days on Baengnyeong yielded a complete of c. 174 species, with an apparent development by means of the week from tardy winterers to mid-spring arrivals – particularly within the west of the island, whereas within the northeast, respectable numbers of Brambling, massive numbers of Hawfinch and several other Japanese Waxwing appeared incongruous with the unseasonably heat temperatures.
Along with good views of fairly properly all of the anticipated late April migrants like Bluethroat, Eurasian Wryneck, Pink-throated and Richard’s Pipits, and buntings (although many in unexpectedly low numbers – together with Little Bunting and Yellow-browed Bunting, latter with a highest day rely of solely 130), highlights included the island’s first Japanese Evening Heron and Japanese Robin; an island excessive rely of 23 Little Whimbrel; and a presumed Inexperienced-backed Flycatcher. There have been additionally a number of nonetheless unresolved ID challenges…
Checklists containing virtually all of our observations have been posted on eBird.
On April 18th, the morning ferry crossing (kindly offered free to NM because of the generosity of Korea Categorical Ferry and the assistance of Incheon KFEM) was pretty uneventful, although included small teams of each Eurasian Curlew and Eurasian Whimbrel migrating low over the ocean.
On arrival, the primary shock was an exceptionally early Black Drongo on wires above the street little greater than 100m from the luxurious Munhwa Motel. Though water ranges within the Hwadong Wetland have been excessive, species of word there included a booming Eurasian Bittern and a bohaii Black-tailed Godwit – a nonetheless quite poorly-documented taxon, which remained all through (and was even joined for a few days by an early melanuroides). Within the afternoon and night, a complete of 99 species have been logged on the island.
See full guidelines right here
On 19th, gentle southwesterly winds produced within the northwest first a singing Japanese Robin (which remained for many of the week) and a really cautious Japanese Evening Heron (seen on solely two dates) – each island first data and bringing the island whole to 394 or 395 species – adopted quickly after by a Gray-headed Lapwing and Latham’s Snipe (with ID of the latter primarily based totally on flight calls) within the northeast. In all we discovered 106 species.
The total guidelines is right here.
On twentieth, overcast circumstances and lightweight rain showers resulted in a rise in shorebird species, with the choose of those a really confiding Oriental Pratincole in one of the best fields within the NE. By far essentially the most perplexing was an unseen and unknown singer, which repeated a really distinctive track 25-30 occasions over a 12+ minute interval, earlier than falling silent as rain began to fall.
Unknown singer. Please tell us should you recognise this track.
The total guidelines is right here.
On 21st, overcast circumstances within the morning and lightweight northeasterlies appeared to drop a couple of “smalls”, with e.g., respectable concentrations of Pallas’s Leaf Warblers and Swinhoe’s White-eyes, and generated a number of highlights on the Hwadong Wetlands, together with an island excessive rely of 5 Eurasian Bittern (two booming, certainly one of which remained invisible, and a further three birds in sluggish flight over the reebed), and two close-hawking Oriental Pratincole, at occasions overflying two brilliantly colored Citrine Wagtails. Initially more difficult was a dark-looking, very worn feminine redstart which on preliminary views apparently lacked any white within the wing. Extended views lastly allowed us to see one small white spot on the correct, and lacking tertials on the left – Daurian Redstart, once more!
The total guidelines is right here.
The 22nd was our most species-rich day, with not less than 112 species logged. Highlights (all within the NW) included an grownup Black Stork, which sadly was chased unrelentingly by a mob of Giant-billed Crows; temporary, however shut views of the Japanese Evening Heron (head and neck solely!); very early Indian Cuckoo and Brown Shrike; and what was presumably a Second Calendar-year male Inexperienced-backed Flycatcher Ficedula elisae (second or third sight report for the island), seen solely from immediately beneath, after which in flight away from us. Frustratingly there was inadequate time to get any pictures. From beneath, the chook regarded large-billed, and had clear, unmarked yellow underparts and white undertail coverts. Anticipating the chook to be a Yellow-rumped, a fast view of the pinnacle because the chook regarded down at us revealed a robust eye-ring and what regarded like some paleing on the lores however no supercilium. Because the chook flew into an adjoining tree after which away from us, the upperparts regarded pretty plain, greenish, with none yellow rump band or apparent white within the wing (although maybe the chook did have fainter wing bars). The dearth of vermiculations/ squamations on the breast and lack of yellow rump band rule out Yellow-rumped; and the shortage of orange within the throat/ breast and the brightness of the yellow on the underparts, along with the shortage of yellow on the rump also needs to rule out Narcissus or Ryukyu of any age.
The day’s full guidelines is right here: https://ebird.org/guidelines/S169771766
A quieter day on the 23rd (right here and right here ) forward of a a lot anticipated climate system to the island’s south included a puzzling gull or two.
This was adopted by one other usually quiet day on 24th, aside from a outstanding hour or two within the afternoon within the central rice-fields. First up have been three Amur Falcon feeding near the street (with a fourth close by); then a single Little Curlew (absolutely, Little Whimbrel is a significantly better identify!) heard then seen excessive in flight, maybe flushed by a passing Peregrine Falcon. Remarkably, 10 minutes later what was presumed to be the identical Little Curlew then dropped again in from excessive to forage alongside a bund in between rice-fields. Transferring nearer to re-find and watch that chook, we discovered our first Sharp-tailed Sandpipers of the spring, and noticed a bunch of 15 or so medium-sized shorebirds fly away from us (extra Little Curlews?). Driving away slowly, we then by chance flushed ten Little Curlew which had been feeding unseen near us, proper subsequent to the street. These flew up and dropped down once more solely 300m away. Transferring spherical for higher views, we discovered two flocks: certainly one of 10 (certainly one of which was too near the automotive to digiscope) and certainly one of 13, giving a minimal rely of 23. There may be little doubt that these birds had simply dropped in, presumably after being pushed up the Yellow Sea by sturdy southerlies 200km or so to the south of us.
A search of the harrier fields failed to search out any further Little Curlew, however as an alternative produced two high-flying Pacific Golden Plover and extra remarkably a Purple Heron foraging in grass subsequent to the street…
Full checklists right here and right here.
It was once more pretty quiet through the morning of the 25th (with highlights offered by views of singing Siberian Rubythroat and Siberian Blue Robin: full guidelines right here) however the look of a white-headed raptor heading east throughout a comfort retailer cease led to us trying out a brand new Viz-Mig watch level in Jinchon (https://ebird.org/guidelines/S170196197). Along with nice eye-level views of some species (together with Japanese Sparrowhawk and Ashy Minivet) this cease additionally added a white-headed Upland Buzzard (presumably the identical chook as earlier), Forest Wagtail and a White-throated Needletail to our journey checklist.
On 26th, our final morning on the island was spent within the northwest the place to the backdrop of a singing Chinese language Blackbird we discovered good numbers of a number of newly-arrived species, particularly Chestnut-flanked White-eyes, Radde’s Warblers and our private first Mugimaki and Gray-streaked Flycatchers of the spring.
For a full guidelines see right here.
