Fowl information and images by Leslie Hurteau.
Spring migration often begins considerably early on Jeju Island, in contrast with the mainland. To catch up a bit, March had indicators of bunting motion (Rustic and migrating Yellow-throated), giant teams of Pale Thrush with some Gray-backed blended in, Crimson-flanked Blutails, and Olive-backed Pipits. All of those are common winter guests on Jeju, however regardless some motion was noticeable evaluating numbers to earlier months.
Whereas March had some motion taking place, April began with an enormous bang, particularly throughout the first few days (April 1st to fifth). On April 1st, a Japanese Robin was discovered singing in Sarabong Park, and a few transient views have been attainable. Just a few days in a while April fifth, a Purple Heron was seen in the identical park, an fascinating juxtaposition with the Crimson-necked Grebe and Arctic Loons within the harbour across the nook (the previous having stayed within the harbour for roughly a month, mid-March to mid-April). Intermediate Egrets started to make an look round this time, not solely in Sarabong Park, however any wetland space across the island. In the meantime, Gray Wagtails started to have bolder colors, and develop into extra lively within the dry rocky streams of the town.
Because the month started to maneuver alongside, flycatchers and fascinating thrushes started to indicate up in Shinsan and Sarabong Parks. Blue-and-white and Narcisus Flycatchers have been the primary to reach, with the occasional Asian Brown Flycatcher. Japanese Thrushes got here in as properly, with some very good appears at some people. Asian Stubtail might be heard singing from the undergrowth, becoming a member of the refrain of Warbling White-eyes, Japanese Bush Warblers, and Pale Thrush. Leaf warblers had begun to indicate up as properly, with Japanese Topped and Yellow-browed Warblers being the primary arrivals, after which Pale-legged and Sakhalin Leaf Warblers filling up the parks by mid-April.
Alongside coast within the metropolis is a breakwater by Tapdong, which is a incredible spot for gulls in winter. As April progressed, there was a really noticeable drop in gulls right here. Primarily a number of Taimyr and Black-tailed Gulls remained, and the occasional Mongolian Gull. Temminck’s Cormorants have been nonetheless round, however in a lot decrease numbers than winter months, and almost all the Pelagic Cormorants have been passed by mid-month. One specific noteworthy sighting on an off-the-cuff go to was three Gull-billed Terns drifting alongside the breakwater. This specific day had robust southerly winds and stormy climate, adopted by westerly winds. It appears doubtless the terns have been introduced in nearer to the coast by this climate.
Because the month progressed, so did hen exercise. Japanese Thrushes have been step by step shifting on, changed by Brown-headed and Eyebrowed Thrushes. Yellow-rumped Flycatchers and Mugimakis started making their first appearances, and even a Siberian Thrush was noticed on one notably moist morning in Shinsan Park in the long run of April.
Alongside these fascinating migrants and summer time guests, have been the native species, busy making ready for his or her nests. Japanese Tits might be seen accumulating nesting materials, freshly hatched Oriental Magpies might be heard squawking from their nests, and White-backed Woodpeckers have been busy foraging for bugs.
