2022-05 Migration on Mara-do in May

May is a really exciting time to go birdwatching on islands in Korea. So of course I spent a fair amount of time visiting Mara Island, the furthest south you can get in Korea. It being an island gives it a roulette feel where you don't know what will show up each visit. And the southern location adds some extra spice to the potential species that can be found here.

Grey Streaked Flycatcher, a somewhat common migrant that looks similar to the Asian Brown Flycatcher and even more similar to the Dark-sided Flycatcher.

Dark-sided Flycatcher, not so common but not so rare either.

Blue-and-white Flycatcher, a brilliant male. This species breeds on Korea and can be commonly found in  forests and mountains in the summer.

Narcissus Flycatcher, a common migrant in the south of the country. I believe these are mostly headed for Japan and nearby.

Tiger Shrike, a breeder on the mainland of Korea, but not so common on Jeju Island outside of migration.

Chinese Sparrowhawk, a common summer breeder.

Thick-billed Warbler, this species was a lifer for me. They are not very common and generally show up in late May and moreso on northern islands off of Incheon.

Black-browed Reed Warbler, smaller than the Oriental Reed Warbler but just as noisy. They sort of remind me of Zitting Cisticolas in a superficial way.

Grey Nightjar, incredibly elusive but apparently common to hear calling at night in May and June. Mara Island is a good place to find individuals resting because the trees are so small and exposed. This one was a lifer for me and I got incredibly lucky to get such excellent views.

Pallas' Reed Bunting, common in reeds (who would have thought?) in the winter, mainly on the Korean mainland. This one felt a little late in migration.

Yellow-browed Bunting, another common migrant.

Eyebrowed Thrush, common spring migrant. Difficult to see at times, like most thrushes.

Grey-backed Thrush, regular summer breeder in Korea.

Styan's Grasshopper Warbler. This species is known to only breed on islands and iselets off of Korea and Japan, and spends its winters down in Hong Kong and Southern China. Mara Island is quite possibly one of the easiest places in the world to find them.