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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 13th to 17th. 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
Further up north the coast between Yeondeok and Hupo holds the same species as the Guryongpo Peninsula
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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