Nial Moores, Birds Korea, October thirty first 2023.
All photos copyright of Nial Moores and Birds Korea.
A complete of 143 species had been logged throughout this survey go to, with the excellent spotlight a Blyth’s Reed Warbler current from twenty second to not less than twenty sixth. After this survey, the variety of chicken species recorded on this island since 2013 now stands at 387.
Chosen highlights by day observe.
On October 18th, following a really unproductive ferry journey, a stroll across the northeast discovered 58 species. Species of notice included ten Black (American) Scoter and 58 Stejneger’s Scoter, first rate numbers of finches, and not less than 110 Coal Tit, hinting at a doubtlessly massive motion of the species.
Full guidelines on eBird right here.
On nineteenth, the entire day was spent within the northeast, with extended lengthy “sits” counting raptors and visual migrants. Highlights included not less than 300 Coal Tit transferring west, two Better Noticed Eagle (one juvenile and one grownup) and shortly after a a lot trickier particular person, recognized (tentatively?) as a sub-adult Steppe Eagle, on the premise of the chicken’s slightly bulkier look, with bigger head and invoice, seven seen main fingers, and plumage particulars, which included an absence of white underwing comma, and presence of a paler tail, and white on the upperwing (alongside the upperwing coverts and on the first bases).
Full guidelines for the day on eBird right here.
On twentieth, one other Better Noticed Eagle was watched transferring quickly west from the bus-stop, however the southwest of the island was slightly bird-poor with solely 45 species logged, together with a tardy Asian Brown Flycatcher and a well timed Taiga Flycatcher and solely small numbers of buntings (together with the Black-faced Bunting beneath) and finches.
See the total guidelines on eBird right here.
Rain showers in a single day gave approach to more and more windy circumstances on the twenty first. Survey was restricted to the centre of the island, beginning with the ocean off from the primary sluice gate, after which protection of the reclamation lake, Hwadong wetlands and rice-fields simply north of the lake. In all, 65 species had been logged, with rarest within the Korean context an grownup Brant Goose (third or fourth document up to now 3 years) and rarest within the Baengnyeong context a single Crimson-necked Grebe – a primary island document – each on the ocean.
Extra data of particular notice included 16 Crimson Crossbill (following on shortly after a small flock was reported from Jeju) hinting at a possible irruption, and single Upland Buzzard and Merlin.
See the total guidelines on eBird right here.
On twenty second, calm circumstances at daybreak facilitated the invention of first a Crimson-breasted Flycatcher and shortly after Korea’s second Blyth’s Reed Warbler in Jinchon (see full account on the identification right here), adopted by a considerable motion of raptors. As winds began to extend from the southwest, creating headwinds for birds transferring off island, survey of the southwest nook appeared advisable. There, one other suspected Crimson-breasted Flycatcher was heard (however too briefly to substantiate); and extra highlights included not less than 300 Coal Tits, 30 Crimson Crossbill, not less than 110 Yellow-browed Warblers (a slightly excessive depend for late October) and first rate numbers of raptors, with a Quick-eared Owl additionally watched hovering (above 500masl).
See the total eBird Checklists right here and right here.
On twenty third, 106 species had been logged throughout survey within the northeast, southwest and within the central wetlands space. Along with the Blyth’s Reed Warbler and Brant Goose nonetheless being current, highlights included about 1600 Coal Tit logged through the day (together with 720 counted transferring again west at one depend level in 90 minutes); excessive numbers of raptors (together with a surprising male Amur Falcon within the northeast and 48 Northern Goshawk within the southwest in solely 3 hours); and good numbers of geese, together with one Swan Goose. Whereas separation of Taiga Bean Goose from Tundra Bean Goose is simple within the southeast of Korea, identification is far more of a problem on Baengnyeong and alongside elements of the west coast, presumably as these are geese which might be wintering primarily in China.
The day additionally included highest day counts of this analysis go to of each white-headed Lengthy-tailed Tit and of Chestnut-flanked White-eye.
On twenty fourth, I solely managed a few hours within the discipline as a result of desk work. Numbers and variety appeared slightly low, with solely 41 species logged from an everyday watch-point, together with the Blyth’s Reed Warbler nonetheless, first rate numbers of finches (together with 65 Hawfinch and the private first Japanese Grosbeak of the season) and of Dusky Thrush (90) with the primary two Naumann’s Thrush of the go to.
See the total guidelines on eBird right here.
In SSE winds on the twenty fifth, the one survey was of Dumujin within the northwest. Though apparently slightly quiet, notable species present in 45 minutes alongside a 500m stretch of forest edge included first a “Siberian” Chiffchaff, then a calling Hume’s Leaf Warbler after which two calling Crimson-breasted Flycatchers collectively!
See the total guidelines on eBird right here.
As a result of work commitments, I wanted to go away the island at lunchtime on the twenty sixth, forward of a doubtlessly fascinating climate system. A number of hours within the discipline within the northeast discovered a decent 57 species, together with the Blyth’s Reed Warbler nonetheless, an honest quantity and variety of buntings (lastly…) and not less than 1100 Brambling.
