Jeju Birds

2026-04-11

2026-04-11: Spring Migration on Udo

A nice little daytrip to busy Udo on the east coast of Jeju. Usually we try to avoid this island because of how many tourists visit it, but we gave it a shot in nice spring weather and it ended up being very pleasant. Lots of birds around, flowers blooming, and some tasty peanut makgeolli.

Vega Gull

Eastern Cattle Egret

Chestnut-cheeked Starling

White-cheeked Starling

Red-rumped Swallow

Eurasian Goshawk - not easy to find on Jeju!

Peanut coloured Horse

Pelagic Cormorant seen from the return boat

2026-04-05

2026-04-05: Mara-do

An early April visit to Mara-do was very nice, with a wide variety of species seen and encountered. Great Knot was a surprising one, as well as a few other shorebirds present on the outer coastal edges of the island. Thrushes and Flycatchers, Manchurian Bush Warbler, and Red-flanked Bluetails were among other species fairly numerous this day.

Bar-tailed Godwit

Little Bunting

Dusky Thrush

Red-flanked Bluetail

Grey-backed Thrush

Manchurian Bush Warbler

Blue-and-white Flycatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Great Knot

Eurasian Hoopoe

Daurian Redstart

Island cat. There used to be a big problem with cats on the island, but in recent years it seems to be getting better.

Asian Stubtail

Red-throated Pipit

2026-03-24

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

Brambling

Hawfinch standing out among the Bramblings

Warbling White-eyes were enjoying the scene as well.

2026-03-21

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

Coal Tit

Large-billed Crow with a treat

Large-billed Crow

Eastern Roe Deer

Brambling

Cinereous Vulture

White-backed Woodpecker

2026-03-08

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.