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

2025-04: Late-April Birding in Jeju City

Due to a variety of commitments this spring, I spent most of my weekday mornings birding in my local patch in Shinsan Park, the heart of downtown Jeju City. This patch is actually really incredible for birds, with all sorts of nice species found. However it is an urban park, so you can't expect gold every visit. 

Here's a few highlights from birding in that park during the last few days of April, 2025.

Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina

Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni

Tristram's Bunting Emberiza tristrami

Sakhalin Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus borealoides

Eastern Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus coronatus

Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus