Visit your favourite destinations

South Korea 3 - 19 January 2004,

Participants

Collaerts Erwin, Belgium
Collaerts Peter, Belgium : Upupa.epops@village.uunet.be

Introduction

In winter South-Korea is one of the best birding places in the eastern paleartic to see rare ducks, gulls, cranes and raptors. Global threatened species like Swan Goose, Baikal Teal, Falcated Duck, Scaly-sided Merganser, Steller's Sea-eagle, Oriental Stork, Red-crowned, White-naped and Hooded Crane and Relict and Saunders's Gull are all possible within a two week trip.

It is just very recent that South Korea is visited by foreign birdwatchers. Travelling is very easy in the country so within the further it will be more and more popular as a birdwatching destination.

One of the pioneers and leading birdwatchers/conservationists in the country is Nial Moores. Nial is living in South Korea since 1998. He guided us from January 13^th to 17^th. Nial speaks Korean language very well and that makes travelling around less complicated. Also his explanations of Korean habits gave an extra dimension to our tour. So thanks to Nial for his great guiding and enjoying time. You can contact Nial at this address spoonbill@hotmail.com. Together with his brother he also manages a great site about Korean birding http://www.wbkenglish.com/.

Flight

The flight was with Air France from Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris) to Incheon International Airport (+/- 45 km west of Seoul). We paid 701 euro. Transport between Brussels and Paris CDG by train, the high speed Thalys. Flying-time Paris - Seoul 10 hours, Seoul - Paris 11.45 hours.

Money

The currency unit in South Korea is the Won. Exchange rate in the airport was for cash US Dollar 1$ = 1156.76 won and for traveller cheques 1$ = 1158.75 won. Automatic bank terminals were not found, even in the cities.

Time and weather

Time difference UTC/GMT +9 hours

It was a rather mild winter in South Korea. During our two weeks visit, night temperatures were always around -10 °C. During the day it was most of the time cloudless with temperatures near freezing point. We had 2 days with snowfall and this on our second visit to Daejeon and before noon at Ganghwa Island. Heavy fog made birdwatching in Seosan nearly impossible on our second day in this area. In Haenam-Gocheonam Lake and Busan, stormy wind made birdwatching unpleasant and very difficult.

Transport

Most of the birdwatching areas are extensive and a long distance from the villages and towns. Public transport (buses, trains and aeroplanes) is not expensive and very intensive between the big cities. Taxis are rather expensive with prices near 100.000 won for half a day.

So hiring a car is the best way to travel around in Korea. We booked a car by Avis. We asked for the smallest car but this was not available. They gave us a Hyundai Avance for the price of the smallest car. Price 550000 won.

At the Incheon International Airport you will find the rental car desks (Hertz and Avis) in the rightmost corner at the arrival floor. An international driving license is absolutely necessary.

South Korea has an intensive road system and it is really unbelievable how many new roads they are building. Near every existing road or highway, a new one is being built.

Traffic control is very intensive with speed control cameras everywhere on the highways and smaller roads.

Toll has to be paid on the main highways. We drove nearly 4000 km and spend 65600 won for toll.

The price for gasoline is near 1350 won/litre.

Accommodation

The cheapest way to overnight is staying in a love-motel. These hotels are big buildings and easy to recognise by their pink neon-sights. You will find a lot of them in every city and close near the birdwatching areas. It are cheap and clean hotels. You have the choice of rooms with a bed or rooms in Korean style (Ondol). Prices are between 25.000 and 35.000 won.

Guides

A Field Guide to the Birds of Korea Lee Woo-Shin, Koo Tae-Hoe, Park Jin-Young
A Field Guide to the Birds of China - J. MacKinnon & Karen Phillipps
ANWB Vogelgids van Europa - K. Mullamey, L. Svensson, D. Zetterström, P.J. Grant

For good identification information for large gulls see http://www.wbkenglish.com/
Gulls of Europe, Asia and N.America - Klaus Malling Olsen, Hans Larsson

Internet Sites

This is the best internet site about birdwatching in Korea. Charly Moores and his brother Nial manage it. http://www.wbkenglish.com/. Pay attention to the large gulls and Japanese Skylark identification pages. These information will be very useful during your trip.

The following three sites are managed by Korean birdwatchers and are also worth a visit.

http://my.dreamwiz.com/saesori00/jk2.htm
http://home.megapass.co.kr/~skua/
http://aves.birdinkorea.net/

Trip reports

Because South Korea is a rather new birdwatching destination, not so many trip reports were found. These were the most useful.

Birding in South-Korea - N. Lethaby, N. Moores, Jin-Young Park, Dutch Birding 22: 204-219, 2002
South Korea - Pekka Komi, Alula 3/2002: 82-88
South Korea Winter Tour, December 6-17 2001 - Nial Moores
South Korea, Spring 2002 - Wilton Farrelly
Birdwatching in South Korea - Frederik Willemyns (Dutch language, private published)

Maps

Map of Korea-2, S=1:1.100.000 - Sung Ji Mun Hwa Co. Ltd
Korea South, S=1:800.000 - Hildebrand's Travel Map
Tourist Map of Korea and Seoul - get from the Avis Rental Car Company
Korea Tourist Map - central area (Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Daejeon)

The first map is deficient in not having the numbers of the main highways. The second map has old highway numbers and is also not useful in that way. Benefit of these maps is that also smaller villages are mentioned.

The map that we get from Avis was the best. All the correct highway numbers are on it but only the bigger cities are mentioned on this map. Also the detailed central area map is very good with highway numbers clearly marked.

Because they are building new roads everywhere in the country, the maps we used will soon be out of date.

Itinerary

4 January          am - arriving Incheon International Airport
                        pm - Incheon - Song-Do
5 January          am - Seoul city
                        pm - Gwangneung Arboretum               
6 January          am - Cheonsu Bay / Seosan Lake A
                        pm - Cheonsu Bay / Seosan Lake A and B
7 January          am - Cheonsu Bay / Seosan Lake A
                        pm - Gunsan / Geumgang River
8 January          am - Gunsan / Geumgang River
                        pm - Saemangeum Reclamation Area and Daejeon-Sintanjin
9 January          am - Daejeon-Sintanjin
                        pm - Mokpo-Haenam area
10 January        am - Mokpo-Haenam area
                        pm - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake
11 January        am - Suncheon Bay
                        pm - Joonam Reservoir
12 January        Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs
13 January        am - Busan Nakdong delta and southern most corner of Busan and South Korea
                       pm - eastern most area of Busan : Taejongdae
14 January        Guryongpo Peninsula
15 January        am - coast between Yeondeok and Hupo
                        pm - Andong
16 January        am - Cheorwon DMZ
                        pm - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area
17 January        Daejeon-Sintanjin
18 January        Ganghwa Island
19 January        am - return home

Visited sites

•  Incheon - Song-Do
  Songdo is near Incheon, south of the international airport and west of Seoul. These tidelflats  are under pressure of reclamation activities. In winter this site is especially good for gulls.
  
•  Gwangneung Arboretum
  The arboretum is located north east of Seoul, near Uijõngbu. It is nearly 2 hours driving from the airport. Check the river near the parking of the arboretum, this is probably the best area for the Solitary Snipe.
  
•  Cheonsu Bay/Seosan Lakes
  The main bay situated south of Seosan is Cheonsu Bay. The two arms of the bay located closed to the city are barraged. Now these 2 parts form artificial lakes and are named Seosan Lakes. The eastern lake is named Lake A, the western lake is Lake B. Lake A is the best birdwatching area. There are many tracks in the intensive rice-fields near the border and around the lakes. There is a military airport in this area and when the jets are flying they produce an enormous noise.
  
• Gunsan
•  Geumgang River and estuary
  Gunsan is on the south-west coast. Here the Geumgang River reaches the sea. The part of the river upstream highway 25 is a part of the barraged river. Here the large flock of Baikal Teals is staying. Downstream the barrage there are mudflats during low tide. Check these for shorebirds, Saunders's Gulls and Swan Goose. Two or three kilometres downstream the dam there are large sandbanks. This is the best place to see the rare "osculans" Oystercatchers.

• Saemangeum Reclamation Area
  These large mudflats are situated just south of Gunsan. This is the most important area for shorebirds in South Korea but the whole area is threatened by a reclamation project that covers 40.000 hectares. You find more on this item at http://www.wbkenglish.com/saemref.asp.
  Also the fields near the mudflats are good and this is one of the best places to see Daurian Jackdaw. 
  
•  Daejeon
  Daejeon is situated at the source of Geum River. A barrage at Geum River creates the lake. You can reach the barrage from the city just north of Daejeon, named Sintanjin. This is at the western side of the lake. The part of the river just down the barrage is the best for the Scaly-sided Merganser.
  
•  Mokpo-Haenam area
  Mokpo is in the south west of the country. The extensive dammed lakes and fields between Mokpo and Haenam are one of the best places for birdwatching in winter. Especially Gocheonam Lake (barraged bay southwest of Haenam) is a good area. Ducks, geese, Oriental Stork, raptors and Chinese Grey Shrike are all possible here.
  
•  Suncheon Bay
  This bay is situated south of Suncheon city, along the south coast. Especially the western site of the main bay is the best for birdwatching. You will find a restaurant on this side of the bay, which is the highest point in the area. Scan the rice-fields for Hooded Crane from here.
  
•  Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs
  These reservoirs are in the south east of the country north of Changwon and south of Miryang. You will find road signs to the reservoir to Joonam Reservoir when you take the road to Miryang. Dongpan Reservoir is just south of Joonam Reservoir. A road separates both reservoirs.
  
• Busan area
• Nakdong River Delta
  This river delta is just west of Busan. In the last years there were a lot of new roads build and they are planning new ones. Also some parts of the delta are reclaimed. But the delta is still worth to visit. Relict Gulls, Swan Goose and Stellers's Sea-eagle are possible here. The wooded hill near the sea at the end of eastern site of the delta is a military area but it is open for public. It is good for passerines as Japanese White-eye, thrushes and buntings.
•  Taejongdae
  This the wooded cliff that forms the south eastern point of South Korea. This place is good in winter for Pale Thrush and in some years for Grey Bunting.

• Guryongpo Peninsula and east coast further up north
  Along the east side of the country, the coast between Daebo (east of the main city Pohang) and Guryongpo is good for grebes, cormorants, divers, ducks, gulls and alcids. Follow the route along the shore and check out over sea at several points. Also the fields are good for Siberian Accentor, buntings and Japanese Lark.

  Further up north the coast between Yeondeok and Hupo holds the same species as the Guryongpo Peninsula

•  Andong
  Near this city there is another artificial lake created by a barrage on the Nakdong River. The river downstream the barrage is an known place for wintering Scaly-sided Mergansers.
  
•  Cheorwon DMZ
  Cheorwon is located north of Seoul near the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). The area near the lake and dam in Cheorwon is the best for birding. Cinereous Vultures are numerous here. Also Steller's Sea-eagle is wintering here annual and White-naped and Red-crowned Cranes are easy to see. There are plenty of military bases here and entering the roads can be difficult when there is a lot of military activity. When we visited the area soldiers blocked even the public road to the lake. Luckily Nial was with us and after a short discussion we were allowed to enter the area. It is sure that when we were one our own, they had never let us in.
  
•  Han-Imjin River - Munsan area
  Situated north west of Seoul. The Han-Imjin river forms the border with North Korea and this can make birdwatching difficult as many military checkpoints are in this region.  
  
•  Ganghwa Island
  The island is situated north west of Seoul and 1.5 hours driving from the international airport. The central, southern end of the island is one of the best birding areas. Check the extensive rice-fields for buntings, thrushes, raptors and geese. Also Red-crowned Cranes are regularly seen along the south and south-eastern side of the island.  

Species

1. Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 2 ex. at sea.

2. Arctic Diver Gavia arctica
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 1 ex. at sea
15/1 - Yeongdok : 1 contained with oil at the river

3. Pacific Diver Gavia pacifica
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 5 ex. at sea.

4. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis poggei
Common.

5.      Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: a few observed

6.      Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Common.

7.      Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritius
6/1 - Seosan Lake A: 3 observed.

8.      Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigircollis
6/1 - Seosan Lake A: a few observed
14/1 and 15/1: a few observed along the east coast.

9. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
6/1 - Seosan: +/- 15 ex.
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: a few
11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs: min. 15 ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River: +/- 20 ex.

10.   Japanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus
13/1 - Busan-Taejongdae: +/- 50 ex.
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 7 ex.

11.   Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Common

12.   Great Egret Casmerodius albus
Common

13.   Little Egret Egretta garzetta
6/1 - Seosan: a few
10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam: a few
11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs: a few
15/1 - Andong: a few

14.   Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax
12/1 - Joonam: 5 ex.

15.   Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: a group of 12 individuals foraging at new created rice-fields.

16.   Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorhodia
6/1 - Seosan: +/- 30 ex.
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: +/- 130 ex.. One of the largest groups ever observed in South Korea.
11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam: 3 ex.
13/1 - Busan: 12 ex.

17.  Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
6/1 - Seosan Lake A: >100
7/1 and 8/1 - Gunsan: > 50
11/1 - Suncheon Bay: > 30
13/1 - Busan-Nakdong Delta: common

18.  Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus
11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 10 ex.

19.  Swan Goose Anser cygnoides
7/1 and 8/1 - Gunsan: 41 ex.. One had a blue neckband with white inscription R90.
11/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 1 ex.
13/1 - Busan-Nakdong Delta: 5 ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River: 2 ex.

20.  Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis middendorffi
11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam Reservoir : max. 50 observed.
16/1 - Han-Imjin : 1 observed by Nial.

Tundra Bean Goose Anser fabalis serrirostris
Common winter visitor.
6/1 - Seosan Lakes: >5000 ex.
7/1 and 8/1 - Gunsan: a few hundreds
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: a few thousands
11/1 - Gocheonam Lake: a few thousands

21.  Pacific Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons frontalis
Common winter visitor. Observed at Seosan, Gunsan, Gocheonam, Joonam, Cheorwon and Ganghwa Island (>20000 ex.).

22.   Black Brant Branta (bernicla) nigricans
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 4 ex.

23.   Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
6/1 - Seosan Lake A: > 50 ex.
7/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
11/1 - Joonam: 3ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River: > 130 ex.
17/1 - Daejeon: min. 100 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: +/- 30 ex.

24.   Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
6/1 - 7/1 - 8/1 - Seosan and Gunsan: common
10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: a few
11/1 - Suncheon : very common, > 1000
12/1 - Joonam : a few

25.   Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 1 male and 2 female
8/1 - Daejeon: +/- 20 ex.
9/1 - Daejeon: 100 - 105 ex.
11/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 10 ex.
15/1 - Andong: +/- 130 ex.
17/1 - Daejeon: min. 75 ex.

26.   Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
Fairly common.

27.   Falcated Duck Anas falcata
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: 4 males + 2 females
11/1 - Suncheon: 1 pair
11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs: min. 450 ex.
15/1 - Andong: 14 ex.

28.   Gadwall Anas strepera
Seosan, Gunsan, Mokpo-Haenam, Suncheon, Joonam-Dongpan and Busan: small numbers.

29.   Baikal Teal Anas formosa
6/1 - Seosan Lake A: +/- 30 ex.
7/1 - Gunsan: the famous and unbelievable large group. Numbers are estimated 350.000 ex.. One leucistic bird was in the group.
10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: +/- 1200 ex.
11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: +/- 3000 ex.
12/1 - Dongpan: 1 male
15/1 - Andong: 2 ex.

30.   Common Teal Anas crecca
Fairly common.

31.   Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Very common

32.   Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha zonorhyncha
Very Common

33.   Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Seosan, Gunsan, Mokpo-Haenam, Daejeon, Suncheon, Joonam-Dongpan, Busan and Andong: numbers from a few to fairly common.

34.   Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Seosan, Gunsan, Mokpo-Haenam, Suncheon, Joonam-Dongpan and Busan: small numbers.

35.   Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 1 male and Dongpan Reservoir: 1 female. These records represent the 8th and 9th record for South Korea.

36.   Common Pochard Aythya ferina
Common.

37.   Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Fairly common.

38.   Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 10 - 15 individuals were observed. One male gave great views.

39.   White-winged Scotter Melanitta fusca stejnegri
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 7 ex.
15/1 - Hupo harbour: +/- 10 ex.

40.   Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Common.

41.   Smew Mergellus albellus
Very common. Highest record in Andong, +/- 75 ex. in one group.

42.   Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
13/1 - Busan : 3 males and 2 females.
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: fairly common at sea
15/1 - between Yeondeok and Hupo: fairly common at sea
16/1 - Munsan area: 1 male
17/1 - Daejeon: 1 male, rare so far inland
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 female

43.   Common Merganser Mergus merganser orientalis
Common throughout the counrtry. Largest numbers at Daejeon and Andong with resp. >350 and >200 ex..

44.   Black Kite Milvus migrans lineatus
13/1 - Busan: +/- 20 ex.

45.   White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
6/1 - Seosan: 1 ex.
7/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam: 1 ex.
16/1 - Cheorwon: 3 ex.
17/1 - Daejeon-Sintanjin: 1 ex.

46.   Stellers's Sea-eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus
16/1 - Cheorwon: 1 2° or 3° calendar year bird

47.   Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 3 ex.
6/1 - Seosan: 2 ex.
16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: min. 275 ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area: common
17/1 - Daejeon: a few

48.   Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
6/1 - Seosan: min. 6 ex.
7/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: min. 20 ex.

49.   Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 1 female

50.   Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
4/1 - Songdo: 1 ex.
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: 2 ex.

51.   Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
7/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
15/1 - Andong: 1 female
17/1 - Daejeon: 1 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ex.

52.   Common Buzzard Buteo buteo japonicus
Widespread. Nearly all days observed in small numbers.

53.   Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 1 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ex.

54.   Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ad. female

55.   Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 immature

56.   Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus interstinctus
Widespread. Nearly all days observed in small numbers.

57.   Merlin Falco columbarius
6/1 - Seosan: 1 ex.
10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: 1 ex.
12/1 - Joonam: 1 ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River: 1 pair

58.   Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus japonicus
6/1 - Seosan: 1 ex.
10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: 3 ex.
13/1 - Busan: 2 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 3 ex.

59.   Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica
10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: 2 ex.
11/1 - Suncheon: 7 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 2 ex.

60.   Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
Widespread in the country. Small numbers observed daily.

61.   White-naped Crane Grus vipio
11/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 17 ad. + 5 1° winter
12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 28 ex.
16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: +/- 50 ex.

62.   Hooded Crane Grus monacha
11/1 - Suncheon: min. 22 ex.. Some of them were paler birds than typical Hooded Cranes and we presumed to be hybrids.

63.   Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis
16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: +/- 30 ex.

64.   Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
12/1 - Joonam and Dongpan Reservoir: 2 ex.

65.   Common Coot Fulica atra
Fairly common

66.   "Eastern" Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus osculans
8/1 - Gunsan: +/- 2000 ex.
13/1 - Busan: 3 ex.

67.   Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
6/1 - Seosan Lake A: 2 ex.
8/1 - Saemangeum: 22 ex.
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam: 4 ex.
11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 2 ex.
17/1 - Daejeon: 2 ex.

68.   Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
6/1 - Seosan: +/- 10 ex.
11/1 - Joonam: 2 ex.

69.   Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus
11/1 - between Hadong and Jinjin (northeast of Suncheon bay): 2 ex.
15/1 - Andong: 4 ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River: 2 ex.
17/1 - Daejeon-Sintanjin: 5 ex.

70.   Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 4 ex.

71.   Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam: 1 ex.. First January record for South Korea.

72.   Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata orientalis
6/1 - Seosan Lake A: +/- 15 ex.
6/1 and 7/1 - Gunsan: a few
11/1 - Suncheon: +/- 15 ex.
13/1 - Busan: a few

73.   Common Redshank Tringa totanus
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: 1 ex.

74.   Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
11/1 - Suncheon: 2 ex.

75.   Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 1 ex.

76.   Sanderling Calidris alba
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 9 ex.

77.   Dunlin Calidris alpina
6/1 - Seosan Lake A: 15 ex.
7/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
8/1 - Gunsan: +/- 10 ex.
11/1 - Joonam: 9 ex.

78.   Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris
4/1 - Songdo: +/- 40 ex.
8/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
13/1 - Busan: fairly common
14/1 and 15/1: east coast: common

79.   Kamchatka Gull Larus canus kamtschatschensis
7/1 and 8/1 - Gunsan: fairly common
13/1 - Busan: a few

80.   Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 2 ex.

81.   Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus pallidissimus
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: min. 11 ex.
15/1 - Hupo harbour: 3 ex.

82.   Vega (East-Siberian) Gull Larus vegae vegae
Most common large gull. Observed in Seosan, Gunsan, Daejeon, Andong, Suncheon, Mokpo-Haenam area, Busan, east coast, Han-Imjin River.

Mongolian Gull Larus vegae mongolicus
6/1 - Seosan: >10 ex.
14/1 - Andong: a few
16/1 - Han-Imjin River: 1 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ex.

83.   Taimyr Gull Larus heuglini taimyrensis
13/1 - Busan: 1 ex.
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 2 ex.

84.   Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus
13/1 - Busan: a few
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: fairly common
15/1 - between Yeondeok and Hupo: fairly common

85.   Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus sibiricus
Common

86.   Saunders's Gull Larus saundersi
7/1 and 8/1 - Gunsan: on 7/1 +/- 250 birds present, on 8/1 nearly 50 birds present.
11/1 - Suncheon: +/- 20 ex.

87.   Relict Gull Larus relictus
13/1 - Busan: 1 ad. + 2 1°-winter

88.   Pacific Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla poliocephalus pollicaris
15/1 - Hupo harbour: 3 ex.

89.   Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 1 ex..

90.   Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Very common

91.   Short-eared Owl Otus flammeus
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: 1ex.

92.   Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 1 ex.

93.   Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos kizuki seebohmi
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 1 ex.
8/1 - Daejeon: 1 ex.
13/1 - Busan: 2 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ex.

94.   White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos
8/1 - Daejeon: 1 ex.

95.   Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 1 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ex.

96.   Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
9/1 - Daejeon: 1 ex.
12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 1 ex.

97.   Northern Skylark Alauda arvensis pekinensis/lonnbergi
Regular small flocks observed in Seosan, Gunsan, Mokpo-Haenam area, Suncheon and Joonam-Dongpan Reservoirs, Guryongpo Peninsula and Ganghwa Island.

98.   Japanese Skylark Alauda japonica
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: +/- 50 ex. observed in the dry ricefield close near the coast.

99.   Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: 4 ex.. One of the first January records for South Korea.

100.      Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus
13/1 - Busan- Taejongdae: min. 8 ex.. One of the first January records for South Korea.

101.      White Wagtail Motacilla alba
6/1- Seosan: a few

102.      Black-backed Wagtail Motacilla lugens
Fairly common and widespread.

103.      Japanese Wagtail Motacilla grandis
10/1 - river between Haenam and Suncheon: 2 ex.
11/1 - between Hadong and Jinjin (northeast of Suncheon bay): 2 ex.
15/1 - Andong: > 6 ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area: a few

104.      Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 1 ex.

105.      Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
Regular observed in the southern part of the country.

106.      Siberian Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens japonicus
Nearly all the days observed in small numbers.

107.      Brown-eared Bulbul Ixos amaurotis
Common. Observed every day in small numbers.

108.      Goldcrest Regulus regulus
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: a few
12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 2 ex.
13/1 - Busan: a few

109.      Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 1 ex.

110.      Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes dauricus
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: a few
13/1 - Busan: 3 ex.

111.      Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella
12/1 - Dongpan Reservoir: 7 ex.
13/1 - Busan: 2 ex.
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 5 ex. + a few heard
15/1 - Andong: 2 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 7 ex.

112.      Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis
15/1 - between Yeondeok and Hupo: 2 ex. Unusual in winter time.

113.      Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus
13/1 - Busan-Taejongdae: 1 female seen and a few birds heard.

114.      Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni eunomus
Regular observed with observations on 8 days with in total min. 30 birds.

Naumann's Thrush Turdus naumanni naumanni
Regular observed with observations on 7 days with in total min. 35 birds.

115.      Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus
13/1 - Busan-Taejongdae: 3 ex.

116.      Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus
Common. Observed daily with 2 to 8 birds.

117.      Vinous-throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus
Common. Observed nearly every day. Biggest flocks observed had more than 100 birds.

118.      Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus magnus
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: a few
8/1 and 9/1 - Daejeon: fairly common
12/1 - Joonam: +/- 5 ex.
13/1 - Busan: a few

119.      Marsh Tit Parus palustris
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: fairly common
8/1 and 9/1 - Daejeon: fairly common

120.      Coal Tit Parus ater
4/1 - Songdo: 2 ex.
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: a few

121.      Great Tit Parus major minor
Fairly common throughout the country.

122.      Varied Tit Parus varius
4/1 - Songdo: 2 ex.
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 4 ex.
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 4 ex.

123.      Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea asiatica
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 2 ex.
8/1- Daejeon: a few

124.      Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: > 10 ex.
11/1 - Suncheon Bay: > 35 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: > 15 ex.

125.      Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus japonicus
13/1 - Busan: min. 10 ex.

126.      Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus
Widespread around the country. Observed daily in small numbers.

127.      Chinese Grey Shrike Lanius sphenocercus
10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam: 1 ex.
11/1 - Suncheon: 1 ex.

128.      Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius brandti
8/1 and 9/1 - Daejeon: 5 ex.
11/1 - Suncheon: 3 ex.
13/1 - Busan: 1 ex.
17/1 - Daejeon: heard only

129.      Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus
8/1 - Daejeon: 30 to 35 ex..
10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam: 2 ex.

130.      Eurasian Magpie Pica pica
Very common

131.      Daurian Jackdaw Corvus dauuricus
8/1 - Saemangeum Reclamation Area: 30 to 35 ex. in a large flock of Rooks.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area: during the evening a large flock of corvids was observed from out of the car. This flock had smaller birds that were likely Daurian Jackdaw.

132.      Rook Corvus frugilegus pastinator
8/1 - Saemangeum Reclamation Area: > 200 ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area: a large flock counting +/- 500 birds.

133.      Carrion Crow Corvus corone orientalis
6/1 - Seosan: fairly common
16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ : fairly common

134.      Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos japonensis and colonorum
The southeastern corner of South Korea holds the subspecies japonensis. In the rest of the country the subspecies colonorum occurs.
13/1 - Busan: min. 10 ex. 
16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ : common

135.      White-cheeked Starling Sturnus cineraceus
9/1 - Mokpo: 38 ex.
10/1 - Haenam: 15 ex.

136.      Tree Sparrow Passer montanus saturatus
Common

137.      Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: a few
8/1 - Daejeon: fairly common
13/1 - Busan: fairly common
15/1 - Andong: a few
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: fairly common

138.      Pallas's Rosefinch Carpodacus roseus
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: +/- 15 ex.
8/1 - Daejeon: 5 ex.

139.      Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus
11/1 - Suncheon: 1 ex.
12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 4 ex.
13/1 - Busan: +/- 10 ex.

140.      Oriental Greenfinch Carduelis sinica
8/1 - Gunsan: 2 ex.
11/1 - between Hadong and Jinjin (northeast of Suncheon bay): 20 - 25 ex.
14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 7 ex.
15/1 - Yeongdeok: +/- 25 ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area: +/- 30 ex.

141.      Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 3 ex.
15/1 - Andong: heard

142.      Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 3 ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin - Munsan area: 1 ex.

143.      Long-tailed Rosefinch Uragus sibiricus
8/1 - Daejeon: +/- 8 ex.
16/1 - Han-Imjin River: heard

144.      Siberian Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides cioides
15/1 - Andong: 5 ex.
16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: 1 male
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 2 males

145.      Japanese Reed Bunting Emberiza yessoensis
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 2 males and 1 female

146.      Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata fucata
6/1 - Seosan: 3 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: min. 4 ex.

147.      Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla
6/1 - Seosan: 5 ex.
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: +/- 10 ex.
11/1 - Suncheon: +/- 15 ex.
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 2 ex.

148.      Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica
5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: min. 5 ex.
7/1 - Seosan: min. 50 ex.
8/1 - Gunsan: fairly common
12/1 - Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs: 6 ex.
16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: common
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: very common (> 200 ex.)

149.      Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans
Common. Observed every day with often more than 30 birds.

150.      Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephalus
6/1 - Seosan: 5 ex.
7/1 - Seosan: 1 female
11/1 - Suncheon: 5 ex.

151.      Pallas's Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi
6/1 - Seosan: +/- 100 ex.
7/1 - Seosan: +/- 15 ex.
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: fairly common
11/1 - Suncheon: common
18/1 - Ganghwa Island: fairly common

152.      Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: +/- 10 ex.

153.    Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus
6/1 - Seosan: +/- 500 ex.
8/1 - Saemangeum Reclamation Area: +/- 20 ex.
11/1 - Suncheon: 2 ex.

Dipped species

Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus
The winter of 2003-2004 was one of the worst for this specie in South-Korea. In December, Nial observed just two female-type birds, one in Daejeon and one near Munsan - Han-Imjin River. We searched for the merganser on both sides but were unlucky. On our last day in Daejeon there was also disturbing by illegal hunting activities. We searched also in Andong, another known site for the species.

Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri
Normally one or two birds wintering on the Joonam-Dongpan Reservoirs. None was seen this winter before and during our visit.

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