Chuja-do, April 16-17, 2019

Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps

Eastern Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus coronatus

Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus

Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis

male Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus

female Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus

Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla

Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum

I had this whole place...

...all to myself - creepy.

The view of peaceful Shinyang 1-Ri from my hill
(Jeju's Halla Mountain is visible just behind 'Lion Islet') 

Coming into Chuja

Bring on the islands!

  On the 16th, a dawn surprise in the form of a Redwing! It was associating with a mixed group of other turdus thrushes, and they all flushed when I came down a trail. I got long bino looks at the Redwing as it perched up in a tree for less than a minute before flying off. It was most definitely a Redwing, and not one of several possible confusion species (such as Grey-backed Thrush, female Japanese Thrush, Naumann's x Dusky, et al). I almost got a record shot, but of course the camera went into ‘autofocus hell mode,’ and the opportunity was over just like that. I loitered in the area for over an hour and checked it two more times throughout the day, but the bird was not to be re-found. I was bummed-out and disoriented by the whole thing for a bit, but that’s birding, I suppose.
  Also: a Siberian Rubythroat, three Eurasian Wrynecks, a White's Thrush, several Brown-headed Thrush, more than 30 Grey-backed Thrush, and two Daurian Redstarts. More Asian Stubtails were out, with over 50 seen or heard on the day. Red-flanked Bluetail numbers were much reduced compared to yesterday, with perhaps less than 150 recorded. In addition to the multitude of singing Japanese Bush Warblers, I spotted a lone Korean Bush Warbler at the very southern tip of the…southern tip.

  The following day, just a few hours in the hills in the morning before the 11:00 a.m. ferry to Usuyeong, a small port south of Mokpo. New for the island today included a Yellow-rumped Flycatcher and a Grey Thrush. Only about 25 Red-flanked Bluetails today. Loads of Grey-backed Thrush around at dawn, with flights of Bramblings constantly overhead.

  I’m in Mokpo now, ready to strike west.