2026-06-03: Mara-do

A daytrip to Mara-do in early June to see what late migrants were out and about. The harbour area was noticeably quieter than before, but with plenty of resident species as well as the summer breeding Barn Swallowsbeing quite active. The boat trip proved to be particularly quiet, both on the way there with basically only two Eastern Spot-billed Ducks seen flying northwards, and the return trip with nothing.

Pacific Reef Heron and Chinese Pond Herons were seen once arriving on the island, as well as a pair of late Richard’s Pipits in the northern end fields. Herons can seem like a theme in late spring on Mara Island, with other related species seen during the day including a group of three Black-crowned Night Herons, Little Heron, and Great Egret.

Regular summer visitors were moving through, including Dollarbird, Black Paradise Flycatcher, Black-naped Oriole, and Tiger Shrike. Ashy Minivet and Oriental Reed Warbler were also encountered, and several brief but good looks at a Common Cuckoo that we ran into a few times on the island.

Late spring generally has few Leaf Warblers and Flycatchers, with only Kamchatka and Dusky Warbler present for the former, and Asian Brown Flycatcher present for the latter. One lone Manchurian Bush Warbler was found singing in the shrubby area in the south of the island, seen very well with the distinct rufous tinged upperparts and pinker legs and bill compared with the more yellowish-brown colours of the locally common Japanese Bush Warbler.

Top spring surprises of the visit would have to be a pair of Red Collared Doves, a species I’ve seen here in late spring before, and a single Chestnut-cheeked Starling. Somewhat unusual in the context of the location was a single feral Rock Dove flying around the island, a species very common throughout the country in developed areas, but personally I have only seen them a few instances on Mara Island.

Pacific Reef Heron

Chinese Pond Heron

Richard's Pipit

Pacific Swift

Kamchatka Leaf Warbler

Asian Brown Flycatcher

Large-billed Crow

Oriental Reed Warbler

Red Collared Dove

Dusky Warbler

Common Cuckoo

Common Cuckoo

Feral Rock Dove

Light-vented Bulbul

Manchurian Bush Warbler

Oriental Honey Buzzard

Tiger Shrike

Chestnut-cheeked Starling

2026-05-05: Mara-do

A daytrip to Mara-do during the first week of May, right in the peak of fall migration in Korea. We took the boat from Moseulpo (Unjin Port), where a small group of Terek Sandpipers were resting in the harbour. Shortly after departure a Pacific Loon was seen on the sea, which is fairly late for this species. Black-tailed Gulls and a Japanese Cormorant were seen, as well, but otherwise the boat trip was fairly quiet.

Arriving on the island, it was clear that bird activity was going to be pretty good. A small group of Yellow-breasted Buntings, a pair of Peregrine Falcons flying at eye level along the east coast, and plenty of Black-faced Buntings. Further into the forest included highlights such as Yellow-bellied Tit, Swinhoe’s White-eye, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, and Red-flanked Bluetail.

Phylloscopus warblers were well represented, with Yellow-browed, Sakhalin, Pale-legged, Dusky, and Eastern Crowned Warblers. Flycatchers as well, with Grey-streaked, one Dark-sided, a female Blue-and-White, Narcissus, and many Asian Brown Flycatchers.

Oriental Reed Warbler, Black-naped Oriole, and Ashy Minivet were other expected species seen and heard fairly well. Herons fairly numerous, with Chinese Pond Heron present in good numbers, as well as Little Heron, Grey Heron, and Eastern Cattle Egret. A Red-necked Stint was seen in the small wetland on the western edge of the island.

A few pleasant spring surprises included a female Black Redstart, a single Blyth’s Pipit along with several Richard’s Pipits, and a Wryneck, all found in the fields of the northern side of the island. The return boat trip was quieter, with two Streaked Shearwaters and a few Black-tailed Gulls.

Oriental Greenfinch

Pacific Loon

Yellow-breasted Bunting

Yellow-browed Warbler

Black-faced Bunting

Narcissus Flycatcher

Grey-streaked Flycatcher

Ashy Minivet

Chinese Pond Heron

Chestnut-eared Bunting

Black Redstart

Rufous-tailed Robin

Black-faced Bunting

Blyth's Pipit

Eurasian Wryneck

Red-necked Stint

Streaked Shearwater

2026-04-12: Mara-do

 Mara-do always seems to start revving up by mid April, with plenty of spring migration variety moving through. It's probably the best time for thrushes and colourful flycatchers in spring, as well as buntings, late winter migrants, and some exciting ones. Some highlights for this trip included White-shouldered Starling, Japanese Quail, and two Wrynecks.

Narcissus Flycatcher

Swinhoe's White-eye

Yellow-bellied Tit

Blue-and-white Flycatcher

Chestnut Bunting

Eurasian Wryneck

Slaty-backed Gull

Black-winged Stilt

White-shouldered Starling

Dusky Thrush

Japanese Thrush - female

Japanese Quail !!

Red-throated Pipit

Oriental Pratincole

Olive-backed Pipit

Great Knot

Red-flanked Bluetail

Pacific Loon

Black-winged Stilt