2026-03-24: Finches in Jeolmul Natural Recreational Forest

 My primary purpose for an early spring visit to Jeolmul on the east side of Hallasan was to look for wildflowers that bloom in this season. But of course birds were on the plate as well, and I had very pleasant views of Eurasian Siskins, Bramblings, and a Hawfinch. Most were getting into breeding plumage, which along with the flowers added a lot of nice contrast to the drab browns of early spring.

Eurasian Siskin

Eurasian Siskin

Brambling

Brambling

Hawfinch standing out among the Bramblings

Warbling White-eyes were enjoying the scene as well.

2026-03-21: Early Spring on Hallasan

 A hike up Hallasan in early spring via Eorimok and Yeongsil trails. Plenty of activity with the smaller tit species, some Japanese Waxwings feasting on berries, an orange stealing crow, and a Cinereous Vulture soaring overhead.

Varied Tit

White Wagtail

Japanese Waxwing

Japanese Waxwing

Coal Tit

Large-billed Crow with a treat

Large-billed Crow

Eastern Roe Deer

Brambling

Cinereous Vulture

White-backed Woodpecker

2026-03-08: Mara-do

 A very early spring visit to Mara-do to see if migration had started. Just the usual March regulars with a Kestrel, White-cheeked Starlings, Rusting Buntings, a Hoopoe, and various gulls. All expected species on Mara in March. Nice views of a Eurasian Skylark back on the mainland, too.

Fishing boat decoration

Blue Rock Thrush

Taimyr Gull

Japanese Cormorant

Eurasian Hoopoe

Eurasian Hoopoe

Rustic Bunting

Eurasian Kestrel

White-cheeked Starlings

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Mongolian Gull (or Vega?)

Eurasian Skylark at Alddreu Airfield

2026-02-19: Chuja Island

 A mid-February trip to Chuja Island to see what winter birds were around, as well as to soak in that amazing 4 hour round trip boat ride with seabirding opportunities. Black-legged Kitiwakes seen from the boat, as well as various gulls and loons. The island wasn't super birdy, but a large group of Eurasian Siskins, a nice Rustic Bunting, and a Red-throated Loon preening in the east harbour kept me busy.

Rustic Bunting

Rustic Bunting

Large group of Eurasian Siskins

Oriental Greenfinch

Eurasian Siskin feeding

Red-throated Loon - Look at that food! Wow

Red-throated Loon

2026-02-15+16: Jeju Winter Tour

 A two day birding tour showing a visitor around Jeju. Quite a bit of habitat was covered, which helped us manage just about all of the target species and then some. 

• The Siberian Cranes were still around and cuaght them at sunset on the first day. 
• Brambling, White-backed Woodpecker, and Grey-backed Thrush in Shinsan Park.
• Rooks, Daurian Jackdaws, and Smew in the midland region.
• Cinereous Vulture flying over Halla Eco Forest
• A pair of Harlequin Ducks that were still hanging around Gwangchigi Beach.
• Red-flanked Bluetail at the top of Eoseungsaengak.
• A small group of Baikal Teal with the usual group of Mandarin Ducks at Cheonjiyeon Waterfall.

Trip report here:

https://ebird.org/tripreport/477345

Brambling

Cinereous Vulture

Siberian Cranes

White-backed Woodpecker

Japanese Cormorant

Mandarin Ducks

Baikal Teal

2026-02-12: Seonheul Gotjawal

 A winter visit to Seonheul Gotjawal. Great spotting of a male Red-flanked Bluetail (but blurry photo unfortunately), a Goldcrest, and a nice male Pale Thrush.

Red-flanked Bluetail

Goldcrest

Pale Thrush

2026:02-06: Starlings in Jeju City

 Eurasian Starling can be difficult to find in Korea, but for whatever reason they seem to enjoy spending the winter in downtown Jeju City, sometimes just a few individuals, sometimes large groups. This isn't really a recent phenomena either, with records going back at least 15 years at this point. I have been pretty lucky to find them near the bus terminal for the past four winters, and sometimes other starling species are mixed in, such as the locally common White-cheeked and recently-common Red-billed.

Eurasian Starling

Eurasian Starling

White-cheeked Starling

White-cheeked Starling

White-cheeked Starling