Monday, June 2, 2014

Seogwipo, Jeju, June 1, 2014


Fairy Pitta Pitta nympha
Fairy Pitta Pitta nympha
Black Paradise Flycatcher (Japanese Paradise Flycatcher) Terpsiphone atrocaudata
Black Paradise Flycatcher (Japanese Paradise Flycatcher) Terpsiphone atrocaudata
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
Striated Heron Butorides striata
juvenile Varied Tit Sittiparus varius
juvenile Varied Tit Sittiparus varius

  At a relatively undisturbed (yet) spot near town, three individual Fairy Pittas (or maybe two pairs) called from the treetops, mostly unseen. One of them had a strange three-note call, instead of the more familiar two-note call. Listen here:
https://soundcloud.com/mat-poll/fairy-pitta-triple-call

  Two Northern Boobook called from nearby, but remained frustratingly out of sight. It was hard to hear other birds at times over the manic refrain of the Common and Lesser Cuckoos. A pair each of secretive Yellow-rumped Flycatcher and Yellow-throated Bunting fed busily and appeared to be bringing food back to nests. Great, Long-tailed, and Varied Tits (including some interesting grey-bellied juveniles) were also seen, as well as a White-backed Woodpecker. At least three pairs of Japanese Paradise Flycatchers were active and vocal along the trail, giving some good views. Elsewhere around Seogwipo, I’ve found a further four pairs on different stream beds.
  Back in town, a Striated Heron (perhaps the same individual that has been overwintering in this park) paced the bank of a stream in a park. Last week in the same park I saw a pair of Asian Brown Flycatchers that were acting like there was maybe a nest nearby.
  Last night I heard a Fairy Pitta calling from the stream behind my apartment at about 2 a.m. It was heading north towards Halla Mountain. I heard a similar late-night phenomenon on June 6th of last year – is this stream a nocturnal highway for fresh-in Fairy Pittas?

2 comments:

  1. Some really stunning pictures Matt. The pitta and paradise flycatcher are to die for. What an excellent collection of birds.

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    1. Hey thanks, I'm glad I was able to find another good Pitta/P-fly spot - most of my reliable spots from a few years ago have been disturbed by noisy development. Tourism-related develpoment on Jeju over the past few years is recklessly out of control. Still a few good birds around though!
      Hey great-looking Double-Bars!

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