Preliminary notes
This tour was organized by Liberty Bird (
http://www.liberty-bird.com), with all logistics arranged by Nial Moores /WBKenglish (
http://www.wbkenglish.com).
Traveling around in South Korea is difficult, since very few Korean people speak English, which, in addition to a sometimes not very open attitude towards foreigners, makes cooperation difficult. Getting food or accommodation can be a real challenge under these circumstances. Moreover, finding the best sites to look for birds is very hard without local knowledge. Islands are rather easier to visit on your own, at least large island like Daeheuksan Do, but it may be impossible to get accommodation on small islands like Socheong Do. For these reasons, for everyone planning to visit South Korea I strongly suggest to contact Nial Moores (
spoonbill@hotmail.com), who can sort out all logistics and is able to take you to the right places. Also, he is able to provide much background information on birds and conservation in South Korea.
Please visit also Dave Parmenters article "Spoon-billed Sandpiper - Fulfilling a lifetime's ambition":
/mb/trips/korea-sae-1003.html
Participants
Diana Briel (29/9 - 19/10) Mario Camici (4/10 - 19/10) Claudio Koller (22/9 - 19/10) Werner Müller (11/10 - 19/10) Dave Parmenter (27/9 - 5/10) Mathias Ritschard (22/9 - 19/10) Manuel Schweizer (22/9 - 5/10) Andreas Täschler (22/9 - 19/10) Paul Walser (29/9 - 19/10) Guided on most days by Nial Moores, WBKenglish (
http://www.wbkenglish.com)
Short Notes on Sites
Mainland:
Ganghwa: 22/9; 14/10 Actually an island, but connected to the mainland by a highway. Situated north of Incheon. Habitats include tidal flats, marshes and forest
Gwangneung Arborethum & River: 17/10 Mostly wooded area north-east of Seoul. Unfortunately, large parts of the forest are not accessible. However, the arborethum is very nice and great for birds, but often very crowded.
Surroundings of Gimhwa: 18/10 Large area near the DMZ north-east of Seoul, including farmland, rivers & a large reservoir (which harbors huge numbers of waterfowl but is actually not allowed to visit and is not even on the map). The numerous wooded hills are all military area and impossible to visit. Moving around can be tiring due to road blocks and a strong military presence.
Han Imjin River / DMZ (near Munsan & Ilsan): 15/10 The Han Imjin River runs along the border to North Korea and looking at birds is only possible through barbed wires. However, birds are excellent and close views on North Korea are certainly impressive. Smaller rivers a few kilometers away from the border can also provide good birds.
Incheon: 12,19/10. The large open areas with numerous ponds and small forest patches close to the airport can be very productive and are easily accessible.
Song Do: 27/9; 4,13/10 The last patches of tidal flats remaining at Song Do, situated south of Incheon, can provide a good variety of Shorebirds, Gulls and Herons and may be worth visiting when staying at Song Do and having a few hours of daylight left.
Saemangeum: 27/9 - 30/9 A bay with huge areas of tidal flats situated near Gunsan on the west coast, about 200 kilometers south of Seoul. Harbors enormous numbers of shorebirds in spring and autumn, including good numbers of Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmann's Greenshank. Saemangeum includes
Okku,
Dong Jin River,
Geum River, and
Mangeum River. However, without knowing the dates of high tide and the best areas to visit within this huge area, many species will not be found.
Seosan: 30/9; 11,16/10. Two artificial lakes surrounded by large areas of rice fields, ca. 100 kilometers south of Seoul. Excellent site for waterbirds (especially Baikal Teals and geese, also shorebirds) as well as passerines - and maybe the only place in Korea with chances for Amur Leopard Cat.
Yeong Jong: 14/10 Ricefields, ponds and forest patches near Incheon, which all can provide excellent birds.
Islands:
Daeheuksan Do: 5/10 - 6/10; 8/10 - 11/10 A large island off the south-west coast of the country, which can be reached from Mokpo by boat. Provides a large variety of habitats including forests, grassland and freshwater ponds. It's easily possible to move around by taxi or bus to find the best areas. Many corners of the islands have probably never been visited by birdwatchers.
Gageo Do: 6/10 - 8/10 A remote and very steep island off the south-west corner of the country, can be reached from Mokpo via Daeheuksan by boat. It seems to be an excellent place to look for migrants, but unfortunately we were not lucky, as the island was rather empty when we visited. The tracks can hardly be left, since the vegetation on the whole island is very dense.
Socheong Do: 23/9 - 26/9; 1/10 - 3/10; 12/10 - 13/10 A remote, rather small, island ca. 150 kilometers off the north-west corner of the South Korean mainland, situated much closer to the North Korean than to the South Korean coast. Can be reached from Incheon by boat. Can be great for migrants, but birding may be rather slow and exhausting due to a dense vegetation and steep slopes excellent place for seabirds.
Species List
Please note that the following list is largely based on my (MR) own notes; other members of our group may have observed additional birds. In some taxa, the taxonomic rank is not clear and the species names are therefore given in quotation marks.
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Seosan, Yeong Jong, Gimhwa: up to 20 birds daily recorded on 4/28 days
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena Gimhwa: a single bird on a reservoir 18/10
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Seosan, Song Do, Gimhwa: up to 5 birds daily on 4/28 days
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Seosan: ca. 60 birds 16/10
Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas Ferry to Socheong Do, Socheong Do: common, with up to 40 from the ferry and up to 800 from the island (25/9) Ferry to Gageo Do: very few, only 3 between Daeheuksan and Gageo Do 6/10
Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris Ferry to Socheong Do: singles seen 23/9, 1/10, 3/10, 13/10 Socheong Do: 3 birds 1/10, 4 birds 2/10
Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes Socheong Do: a single 2/10
Swinhoe's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma monorhis Ferry to Socheong Do: a single 2/10
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Han Imjin: ca. 50 birds 15/10 Seosan: a single 16/10
Temminck's Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus Ganghwa, Socheong Do, Daeheuksan Do: recorded on 15/28 days with up to 40 present on Socheong Do
Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus Socheong Do: recorded daily with up to 50 birds present
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Widespread and common, up to 100 daily recorded on 23/28 days; a few also on islands
Great Egret Egretta alba Both
modesta and
alba are common and widespread; also a few present on Daeheuksan Do
Intermediate Egret Egretta intermediaQuite widespread, up to 10 recorded on 11/28 days; also singles on Daeheuksan Do and Gageo Do
Little Egret Egretta garzetta Common and widespread, up to 100 recorded on 17/28 days; many also present on Daeheuksan Do
Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes Ganghwa, Song Do, Okku, Yeong Jong, Incheon: recorded on 8/28 days; highest count was ca. 12 birds at Song Do 27/9
Pacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra Daeheuksan Do: a single bird (dark morph) 5/10
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis A few seen on 5/28 days
Striated Heron Butorides striatus Ganghwa, Seosan, Song Do, Gwangneung, Gimhwa: 1 or 2 recorded on 5/28 days
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus Surprisingly, not one single observation of this species!
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Common and widespread, with up to 25 noted on 17/28 days, including singles on Socheong Do and Daeheuksan Do
Chinese Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Saemangeum: 1 at the roadside 28/9 Seosan: a single 30/9 Socheong Do: 2 flushed 1/10
Shrenck's Bittern Ixobrychus eurhythmus Daeheuksan Do: a single immature or female seen 9,10/10. Yeong Jong: an adult male flushed 14/10
Black Stork Ciconia nigra Socheong Do: a single immature bird migrating 2/10
Oriental White Stork Ciconia boyciana Incheon: a single bird observed 5/10
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Mangeum River: 3 birds seen 28/9 Seosan: a single 30/9, 39 birds 16/10 Yeong Jong: ca. 10 present on 14/10
Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor Ganghwa: 23 birds 22/9, 55 birds 14/10 Mangeum: ca. 16 birds 28/9 Dong Jin River: a single observed 30/9
Swan Goose Anser cygnoides Han Imjin River: ca. 200 noted 15/10
Bean Goose Anser fabalis serrirostris: Socheong Do: 7 reported 26/9 Gageo Do: 4 birds 6/10 Seosan: up to 38,000 estimated (16/10) Also recorded at Dong Jin, Song Do, Han Imjin, Gimhwa
middendorffi: Seosan: up to 500 estimated (16/10) Singles also recorded at Mangeum River, Dong Jin River, Gimhwa
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifrons Seosan: 10: 30/9, 500: 11/10, 15,000: 16/10 Han Imjin River: ca. 3,000 birds 15/10 Gimhwa: ca. 70,000 birds estimated (!), ca. 30,000 in farmland and 40,000 on a reservoir 18/10 Singles also recorded at Yeong Jong 14/10
Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus Seosan: a single adult bird showing nicely 30/9
Snow Goose Anser erythropus Seosan: a single bird observed 16/10
Canada Goose Branta canadensis (minima?) Gimhwa: 7 birds (6 adult, 1 immature) picked out among huge numbers of Greater White-fronted Geese on a reservoir 18/10
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Seosan, Yeong Jong, Han Imjin River, Incheon: up to 90 birds (Seosan, 16/10) recorded on 6/9 days between 11/10 and 19/10.
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Seosan: a group of 14 seen 16/10
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata Seosan: 2 females 30/9 Daeheuksan Do: surprisingly present in small numbers; a single bird on 5/10, 2: 6/10, 6: 8/10, a single 9-10/10 Yeong Jong: a single seen 14/10 Han Imjin River: 33 birds counted 15/10 Gwangneung: ca. 35 present 17/10 Gimhwa: ca. 5 birds 18/10
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Seosan: up to several hundred birds present Daeheuksan Do: 2 birds 9/10, a single 11/10 Singles also at Gimhwa.
Falcated Duck Anas falcata Seosan: ca. 50 birds counted 30/9, ca. 5 birds 16/10 Daeheuksan Do: 2 recorded 5/10
Gadwall Anas strepera Surprisingly few seen Seosan: 5 birds counted 16/10
Baikal Teal Anas formosa Geum River: at least 25 birds 28/9 Daeheuksan Do: a single bird gave very close views 9/10 Seosan: fantastic spectacle at dawn, when huge numbers move from the Lake to the rice fields; 28,000 estimated 30/9, 180,000: 11/10, 60,000: 16/10 Yeong Jong: a single bird 14/10 Gimhwa: ca. 50 birds among huge numbers of waterfowl on a reservoir 1810
Common Teal Anas crecca Okku, Geum River, Dong Jin River, Seosan, Incheon, Yeong Jong: observed on 14/28 days, with up to several hundreds present at Seosan
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Geum River, Mangeum River, Seosan, Daeheuksan, Seosan, Incheon, Song Do, Yeong Jong, Han Imjin River, Gimhwa: observed on 11/28 days, with up to >1000 at Seosan 16/10
Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha Common and widespread on the mainland, with up to several 1000 present at Seosan; a few also at Daeheuksan Do and at sea from ferry to Socheong
Northern Pintail Anas acuta Dong Jin, Seosan, Yeong Jong, Gimhwa: recorded on 6/28 days, with up to 12,000 estimated at Seosan 16/10; also, 2 birds at Daeheuksan Do 9/10
Garganey Anas querquedula Geum River: a single picked out among Common and Baikal Teals 28/9 Seosan: a single 16/10
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Seosan: a few 30/9, ca 100: 16/10 Song Do: 3 birds from ferry 3/10
Common Pochard Aythya ferina Seosan: ca. 50 birds seen 16/10 Gimhwa: singles among huge numbers of waterfowl on a reservoir
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Han Imjin River: 2 birds 15/10 Seosan: a single seen 16/10 Gimhwa: ca. a dozen picked out among huge numbers of waterfowl on a reservoir 18/10
Greater Scaup Aythya marila Yeong Jong: 4 birds 14/10 Sosan: 3 noted 16/10 Gimhwa: at least a single bird picked out among huge numbers of waterfowl on a reservoir 18/10
White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca Socheong Do: 2 birds observed 13/10
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Seosan: 3 birds 16/10
Common Merganser Mergus merganser Han Imjin River: a single bird seen 15/10
Smew Mergus albellus Gimhwa: 2 females on a small river 18/10
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Socheong Do, Geum River, Seosan, Daeheuksan Do, Gageo Do, Incheon, Yeong Jong, Ganghwa, Han Imjin River, Gimhwa: observed on 15/28 days, with a maximum of ca. 10 birds migrating at Socheong Do 1/10
Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Ganghwa: 3 birds 22/9 Socheonh Do: common migrant, with >300 counted 23/9 - 25/9 and still ca. 45 birds 1/10 - 3/10; a few still migrating /10 Okku: 3 seen 28/9 Gageo Do: ca. 30 birds counted 7/10, ca 8: 8/10 Daeheuksan Do: a few seen 9/10 and 10/10 Ganghwa: 2: 14/10
Black Kite Milvus migrans Socheong Do: good numbers, with at least 25 present 23/9; still a single 12/10 and ca. 3: 13/10 Gageo Do: ca. 5: 6/10, ca. 2: 7/10
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Daeheuksan Do: singles 5/10, 10/10 and 11/10, 3 birds 8/10 Gimhwa: a single bird observed 18/10
Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus Socheong Do: a single 2/10, ca. 10 migrating 3/10, a few 12/10 and 13/10 Daeheuksan Do: ca. 10 birds on 5/10, ca. 20: 10/10 Gageo Do: ca. 170 birds 6/10, a single group of ca. 600 birds 7/10, ca. 5: 8/10
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Seosan: a single female 16/10
Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos Less rare than expected; Ganghwa: a juvenile seen 23/9 Socheong Do: single birds 2/10 and 3/10, 3 juveniles 12/10, one 15/10
"Eastern Marsh Harrier" Circus (aeruginosus) spilonotus Ganghwa: 2: 22/9, a single 14/10 Socheong Do: 2: 25/9, a single at sea from ferry to mainland 26/9, a single 2/10 Seosan: a single male 30/9
Marsh Harrier sp. Circus sp. Seosan: a single female-type bird 30/9 looked similar to "Western Marsh Harrier" but most probably was a hybrid between "Western" and "Eastern" Marsh Harrier
Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis Socheong Do: a single immature 24/9, 4 adults 25/9, singles 2/10 and 3/10
Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis Recorded at most locations and on 19/28 days, maximum daily count ca. 20 birds on Socheong Do (2/10, 12/10)
Northern Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Common, with numbers slightly lower than in Japanese Sparrowhawk; recorded on 15/28 days, maximum daily count ca. 15 birds (Gageo Do, 7/10)
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Rather common, noted on 16/28 days, but in smaller numbers than Japanese and Northern Sparrowhawks; largest daily count was ca. 10 at Socheong 25/9
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Recorded on 12/18 days between 1/10 and 18/10; largest counts were ca. 10 birds at Daeheuksan 6/10 and at Han Imjin River 15/10
Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Daeheuksan: a juvenile bird observed 9/10 Yeong Jong: 1-2 juvenile birds 14/10 Seosan: a single bird seen 16/10
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca Socheong Do: a single adult bird migrating 13/10
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Han Imjin River: a single bird noted 15/10
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Common and widespread; between 1 and 5 birds noted on 26/28 days
Amur Falcon Falco amurensis Okku: 2 birds (1 female, 1 juvenile) observed 29/9 Socheong Do: a single juvenile present 1/10 - 3/10 Gageo Do: a single, very distant bird 8/10 probably belonged to this species Han Imjin River: an adult male and a female-type bird noted 15/10
Merlin Falco columbarius Gimhwa: a single female seen 18/10
Northern Hobby Falco subbuteo Common and widespread; between 1 and 6 noted on 24/25 days between 22/9 and 16/10
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Noted on 17/28 days, especially on islands; up to 7 were counted on Gageo (7/10)
Hazel Hen Bonasia bonasia Gwangneung Arborethum: a single bird flushed 17/10
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Widespread; 1-3 birds recorded almost daily at most locations on the mainland
Yellow-legged Buttonquail Turnix tanki Gageo Do: a single bird flushed 7/10 Daeheuksan Do: a single flushed 8/10
White-naped Crane Grus vipio Han Imjin River: ca. 125 birds counted 15/10 Gimhwa: ca. 400 birds present on farmland 18/10
Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla Daeheuksan Do: excellent views of 1-2 birds (1 male) 9/10 - 11/10
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Ganghwa, Dong Jin River, Seosan: 1-2 birds recorded on 6/28 days
Common Coot Fulica atra Yeong Jong: a single noted 14/10 Seosan: ca. 400 birds counted 16/10 Gimhwa: ca 10 picked out among huge numbers of waterfowl on a reservoir 18/10
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus osculans Song Do: 3 birds observed 27/9
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Seosan: a single bird present 29,30/9
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Saemangeum: up to ca. 30 birds daily counted 27/9 - 30/9 (Okku, Geum River, Mangeum River, Dong Jin River) Daeheuksan Do: a single bird seen 9/10
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Ganghwa: 4 birds 22/9 Saemangeum: up to several 1000 birds present 27/9 - 30/9 Yeong Jong: ca. 300 birds counted 14/10
Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus River near Seosan: a single juvenile present 30/9 and 11/10 Han Imjin River: 3 birds observed 15/10 Gwangneung River: at least 3 birds noted 17/10
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Okku: 3 birds present 28,29/9 Han Imjin River: a single bird along the river 15/10
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Song Do: ca. 15 birds present on 27/9, a few 4/10 Saemangeum: up to ca. 600 birds daily estimated 27/9 - 29/9 Yeong Jong: ca. 25 birds seen 14/10
Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus Song Do: 8 birds noted 27/9 Saemangeum: up to 500 birds daily estimated 27/9 - 29/9 Seosan: a single bird found 30/9 Han Imjin River: a single bird noted 1510
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Ganghwa: ca. 50 birds counted 22/9 Saemangeum: highest count was ca. 1500 at Dong Jin River 30/9 Seosan: ca. 15 birds present 16/10
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Song Do: ca. 5 birds noted 27/9, a few 13/10 Saemangeum: highest count was ca. 200: 28/9 Yeong Jong: ca. 15 birds seen 14/10
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Song Do: 3 birds 27/9 Saemangeum: up to 50 birds estimated 28/9 - 30/9 Ganghwa: a few birds seen 14/10
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Song Do: a few seen both 27/9 and 4/10 Saemangeum: up to ca. 100 birds among Far Eastern Curlews 27/9 - 30/9 Yeong Jong: ca. 15 birds 14/10 Seosan: a few seen 16/10
Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis Ganghwa: ca. 150 birds observed 22/9 Song Do: ca. 10 birds 27/9, a few 4/10 and 13/10 Saemangeum: highest count was ca. 600: 28/9 Seosan: 5 birds 11/10, a few 16/10 Yeong Jong: ca. 350 birds counted 14/10
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Saemangeum: 1-6 birds 28/9 - 30/9 Daeheuksan Do: a single bird present 5,6/10 Seosan: ca. 5 birds 16/10
Common Redshank Tringa totanus Ganghwa: a single bird heard 22/9 Saemangeum: 3-5 recorded 28/9 - 30/9 Yeong Jong: at least one bird present 14/10 Seosan: a single reported 16/10
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Saemangeum: a single seen 28/9, ca. 5 at Dong Jin River 30/9 Yeong Jong: 2 reported 14/10 Ganghwa: a single observed 14/10 Seosan: at least a single bird present 16/10
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Reported from Ganghwa, Song Do, Seosan, Yeong Jong, Han Imjin River, Gimhwa, Incheon and Saemangeum, where up to ca. 800 birds were counted (30/9); also a single on Socheong 24/9 and singles at Daeheuksan Do 5,6/10
Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer Okku: 2 seen 27,28/9, a single 29/9 Geum River: a single observed 28/9 Mangeum River: 2 birds 28/9 Dong Jin River: a single seen 30/9 Yeong Jong: 8 birds counted 14/10
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Saemangeum, Seosan, Yeong Jong, Gwangneung River, Gimhwa and Incheon: a few seen on 9/28 days, with a maximum of ca. 8 birds at Gwangneung 17/10
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Saemangeum: 2 seen 28/9 Seosan: 2 birds present 16/10
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Gwangneung, Saemangeum, Song Do, Yeong Jong: observed on 7/28 days, with up to 500 birds at Saemangeum 28/9
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Ganghwa, Socheong Do, Saemangeum, Daeheuksan Do, Seosan, Han Imjin River, Gwangneung River, Gimhwa: present in small numbers (max: ca. 10 birds at Saemangeum 28/9)
Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes Song Do: a single reported 27/9 and at least 2 birds 4/10 Okku: a single present 28/9 Daeheuksan Do: a single seen 9/10
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Okku: a single 28/9 Mangeum River: a single observed 28/9
Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Socheong Do: 2 birds at dawn 2,3/10, a single bird 13/10 Daeheuksan Do: 2 birds at dusk 11/10 Ganghwa: a single bird reported 14/10 Gimhwa: a single seen 18/10
Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura Ganghwa: at least a single bird observed 22/9 Socheong Do: a single flushed 24/9 Okku: 2 birds seen 29/9 Seosan: at least 2 birds present 16/10
Swinhoe's Snipe Gallinago megala Ganghwa: a single bird reported 22/9
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Ganghwa, Socheong Do, Saemangeum, Seosan, Daeheuksan Do, Gageo Do, Yeong Jong, Han Imjin River, Gimhwa: between 1 and 25 birds reported on 15/28 days
Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis Okku: nice views on a 1cy bird 29/9
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus Dong Jin River: a single bird reported 28/9
Red Knot Calidris canutus Saemangeum: 5-30 birds daily counted among Great Knots 28/9 - 30/9 Yeong Jong: ca. 20 birds present 14/10
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Ganghwa: ca. 30 birds present 22/9 Saemangeum: up to 400 birds daily estimated 27/9 - 30/9 Song Do: a group of ca. 12 from ferry 3/10 Yeong Jong: ca. 300 birds counted 14/10
Sanderling Calidris alba Okku: a single bird among large numbers of waders 29/9
Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Song Do: a few present 27/9 and 4/10 Saemangeum: up to ca. 1000 birds daily estimated 27/9 - 30/9 Seosan: a group of ca 15 birds present on 11.10.and a single 16/10 Han Imjin River: a single bird along the River 15/10
Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Okku: 2 juveniles showing nicely 28,29/9
Temmincks Stint Calidris temminckii Seosan: ca 7 birds reported 30/9
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Okku: a single adult bird seen 28/9
Dunlin Calidris alpina Ganghwa: a dozen present 22/9 Saemangeum: up to ca. 10,000 birds estimated 27/9 - 30/9 Song Do: a few present 27/9, 4/10, 13/10 Yeong Jong: ca. 2000 birds present 14/10 Han Imjin River: 5 observed along the River 15/10 Seosan: a group of ca. 20: 16/10 Gimhwa: a single bird seen along a river 18/10
Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus Okku: ca 7 birds (3 juveniles) picked out among large numbers of waders 27/9, 3 birds (2 juveniles) 28/9 and ca. 8 counted 29/9; presumably a dozen or more present
Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus Okku: up to ca. 80 birds estimated among large groups of waders 27/9 - 29/9
Ruff Philomachus pugnax Seosan: a single bird reported 16/10
Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Daeheuksan Do: a large group of ca. 2,000 birds observed at sea from the ferry 6/10
South Polar Skua Stercorarius maccormicki Ferry to Socheong Do: singles observed 26/9, 1/10, 12/10; very few previous records in South Korea
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus Ferry to Socheong Do, Socheong Do: rather common, observed on 8/28 days with a maximum of ca. 30 birds 13/10
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Ferry to Socheong Do, Socheong Do: rather common, but less numerous than Pomarine Skua: observed on 6 days, with a maximum of ca. 6 birds 23/9; until very recently there were no records of this species from Korea!
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris Very common along the coast and on islands (except on Gageo Do, where not a single Gull was observed), up to several thousands observed on 25/28 days; remarkably, ca. 5 individuals of this marine species were observed far inland on Han Imjin River 15/10
"Vega Gull" Larus vegae Probably the most numerous type of large gulls, present in small numbers along the coast and at sea
"Heuglin's Gull" Larus heuglini Present in small numbers along the coast and at sea
"Mongolian Gull" Larus mongolicus Large gulls of this type were present in small numbers along the coast and at sea
Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus Geum River: a single 2cy bird present 28/9 Song Do: a single adult bird present 4/10
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Geum River, Seosan, Song Do, Yeong Jong, Han Imjin River: noted on 6/28 days, largest numbers at Seosan, where up to a few hundreds were present
Saunders Gull Larus saundersi Ganghwa: 4 seen 22/9, ca. 130 birds counted 14/10 Song Do: a few noted 4/10 Yeong Jong: 30 birds present 14/10
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Socheong Do: a single adult from island 25/9, a single 1/10, 2 birds from island and another 2 from ferry 3/10, an amazing group of 334 mostly adult birds counted from island 12/10, with still ca. 120 present 13/10 Ferry to Gageo: a single adult observed 6/10
Common Tern Sterna hirundo Ferry to Socheong, at sea: ca. 40 birds counted 23/9, ca. 400 estimated 25/9, ca 10: 1/10; not recorded on later dates
Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus Ferry to Socheong: a small alcid distantly seen 1/10 most probably belonged to this species
Feral Pigeon Columba livia Present in urban area on mainland in rather small numbers
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis Common at all locations; up to ca. 100 birds reported daily
Black Woodpigeon Columba janthina Gageo Do: a single bird observed 6/10
Cuckoo sp. Cuculus sp. Socheong Do: a single Cuckoo 23/9 was most probably a Common Cuckoo
"Northern Hawk Owl" Ninox (scutulata) japonica Socheong Do: singles observed 23/9 and 13/10
Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia Socheong Do: a single bird 1/10, 2-3 flushed 2/10, a single 13/10
Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus Okku: a single bird at dawn 29/9 Socheong Do: 2 birds observed at dawn 2/10, single birds flushed 12,13/10 Gageo Do: a single bird seen 7/10
White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus Ganghwa: 4 birds reported 22/9 Socheong Do: ca. 4 birds noted on 24/9, 3: 25/9
Little Swift Apus affinis Socheong Do: 2 birds reported 2/10
Pacific Swift Apus pacificus Surprisingly, several very late observations of this species, which is known as an early migrant Socheong Do: 2 birds observed 25/9, another 2:1/10, a few birds 2/10 Gageo Do: 4 birds reported 7/10 Daeheuksan Do: at least 8 counted 11/10
Swift sp. Apus sp. Gageo Do: 3 swifts 7/10 were probably Common Swifts, a species not yet reliably recorded in Korea
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Seosan, Gwangneung River, Gimhwa: observed on 5/28 days, with up to 3 at Seosan (30/9)
Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata Ganghwa: ca. 2 seen 22/9 Okku: a single bird noted 28/9
Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos kizuki Okku: a single bird at forest edge 29/9 Ganghwa: 2 birds noted 14/10 Gwangneung Arborethum: ca. 5 birds seen 17/10 Gimhwa: a single bird reported 18/10
Grey-capped Pygmy WoodpeckerDendrocopos canicapillus Gwangneung Arborethum: a single bird showing well 17/10; appearently, this species is very scarce in South Korea
White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos Gwangneung Arborethum: excellent views on a single male bird 17/10
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Song Do: a single bird reported 26/9 Okku: a single bird noted 28/9 Gwangneung Arborethum: a single birds seen 17/10
Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Okku: ca. 4 birds 28/9, a single 29/9 Gwangneung: ca. 4 birds reported 17/10 Incheon: a single bird seen 19/10
Wryneck Jynx torquilla Daeheuksan Do: a single bird present 5/10 and presumably the same still there 8/10
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis Socheong Do, Song Do, Yeong Jong, Han Imjin River, Seosan, Gimhwa, Incheon: noted 26/9, 4/10 and on 5/6 days between 13/10 and 19/10, with up to a few dozen birds daily
"Japanese Lark" Alauda (arvensis) japonica Seosan: a few noted 16/10 Gimhwa: a few birds seen 18/10 Incheon: a single bird observed in typical song flight 19/10
Sand Martin Riparia riparia Socheong Do: a single bird reported 24/9 Seosan: a few seen 30/9, 2 birds 16/10 Gageo Do: a single bird seen 7/10
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Common, with birds noted at most locations and on 25/28 days; highest count was ca. 500 birds at Seosan 30/9
Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Socheong Do, Seosan, Gageo Do, Yeong Jong, Han Imjin River: noted on 13/28 days, with up to ca. 100 birds at Socheong Do 12/10
Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus Socheong Do: ca. 20 birds counted 24/9, with a few also 2/10 and 12/10
Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus Socheong Do: a single bird observed 23/9
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Ganghwa, Socheong Do, Saemangeum, Seosan, Daeheuksan Do, Gageo Do, Han Imjin River, Gwangneung: reported (most only heard) on 20/28 days, with up to a few dozen birds daily
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Common and widespread, noted on 27/28 days, with up to 20+ birds daily
White Wagtail Motacilla alba Common and widespread, reported on 25/28 days, with up to ca. 100 birds (Socheong Do 24/9) daily;
leucopsis was commonest and earliest,
ocularis was first seen 1/10,
lugens 8/10
Japanese Wagtail Motacilla grandis Socheong Do: a single bird with a group of White Wagtails 12/10; apparently, the species is very rare east of Seoul Han Imjin River: at least a single bird was present 15/10 Gwangneung River: ca. 5 birds observed 17/10 Gimhwa: a single bird seen along a river 18/10
Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi Socheong Do, Okku, Dong Jin River, Gageo Do, Daeheuksan Do, Han Imjin River, Incheon: up to ca. 10 birds (Socheong Do 26/9) were noted on 13/28 days, many of them only heard and no views of grounded birds were attained!
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni Common, reported from most localities, observed on 24/28 days; totals of 100+ birds were noted on several days; birds were only occasionally seen perched apart from Daeheuksan Do
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Socheong Do: a single bird seen 2/10; less than 10 records from South Korea so far
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Noted on 17/24 days between 26/9 and 19/10; largest count was ca. 50 birds at Dong Jin River and 30 at Seosan 30/9; grounded birds were seen mainly at Daeheuksan Do
Pechora Pipit Anthus gustavi Socheong Do, Saemangeum, Seosan, Daeheuksan Do, Han Imjin River: rather common, noted on 15/28 days; highest count was ca. 30 birds at Dong Jin River 30/9; many were only heard, grounded birds were seen only at Daeheuksan Do
Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens Dong Jin River, Seosan, Socheong Do, Yeong Jong, Incheon: a few birds were heard on 5/28 days
Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus Socheong Do, Dong Jin River, Gageo Do, Yeong Jong, Seosan: mostly single migrants noted on 10/28 days; only observation of a perched bird was at Socheong Do
Brown-eared Bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis Common and widespread, reported on 26/28 days; highest counts were ca. 200 birds at Gageo Do 7,8/10
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus Common and widespread, noted on 27/28 days, with a maximum of ca. 10 birds at Daeheuksan Do 9/10
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Gageo Do: a single, very noisy but extremely skulking (despite trying for more than one hour, not all of us managed to get views at all!) bird was reported 8/10; only few previous records from South Korea, but may be annually at Gageo Do
Chinese Grey Shrike Lanius sphenocercus Seosan: a single bird was observed 30/9
Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Gwangneung Arborethum: a single bird calling 17/10
Rufous-tailed Robin Luscinia sibilans Socheong Do, Daeheuksan Do, Yeong Jong, Han Imjin River: a few birds noted on 8/19 days between 1/10 and 19/10, with highest count being ca. 5 birds at Yeong Jong 14/10
Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope Socheong Do, Daeheuksan Do, Han Imjin, Seosan, Gwangneung, Incheon: up to ca. 5 birds (Socheong Do 3/10) noted on 11/28 days
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Ganghwa: a single bird reported 14/10 Seosan: a single seen 16/10
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger caynurus Socheong Do: a single bird seen 1/10, 3 birds present 2/10, ca. 2 birds 12,13/10 Yeong Jong: singles observed 14/10 Gwangneung Arborethum: a single bird noted 17/10 Incheon: ca. 8 birds, including a single adult male, present in a small patch of bushes 19/10
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus Okku: 4 birds (3 females, 1 male) reported 26/9 Socheong Do: singles present 1,2/10 Yeong Jong, Han Imjin River, Seosan, Gwangneung, Gimhwa, Incheon: up to ca. 15 birds (Gwangneung 17/10) observed daily between 14/10 and 19/10
"Siberian Stonechat" Saxicola (torquata) maura Socheong Do, Daeheuksan Do, Gageo Do, Seosan, Gimhwa.: noted on 13/28 days, with ca. 12 birds on Socheong Do 2/10
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Socheong Do, Daeheuksan Do, Gageo Do: noted on 12/16 days on islands, not reported from the mainland. Highest daily count was 3 birds on both Gageo Do and Daeheuksan Do 8/10
White's Thrush Zoothera dauma Socheong Do: 2 birds noted 26/9, at least 3: 2/10, a single bird 3/10, a few present 12,13/10 Daeheuksan Do: a single bird seen 5/10, ca. 5 present near Sari 10/10 Ganghwa: a single bird present 14/10 Gwangneung Arborethum: a single bird observed 17/10
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum Socheong Do: single birds seen 2,3/10, ca. 3 birds present 12/10 and ca. 12 estimated 13/10 Daeheuksan Do: a single bird observed near Sari 10/10 Yeong Jong, Ganghwa: single birds noted 14/10
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus Daeheuksan Do: ca. 30 birds counted 9/10, with ca. 25 there 11/10; apparently present in good numbers in forests, but rather difficult to find
Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis Daeheuksan Do: a single adult male
ruficollis bird was seen near Sari 10/10
Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni Socheong Do: a single, early, bird seen 2/10 Han Imjin River: a single bird heard 15/10 Gimhwa: 3 birds in flight 18/10
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus Ganghwa, Saemangeum, Seosan, Yeong Jong, Han Imjin River, Gwangneung, Gimhwa: seen on 9/13 days on the mainland, mostly in large groups, with up to a few hundred birds at Yeong Jong / Ganghwa 14/10 and at Seosan 16/10
Japanese Bush Warbler Cettia diphone Gageo Do: common, with 25-30 birds noted 6,7/10 Daeheuksan Do: ca. 4 birds observed near Sari 10/10 Incheon: ca. 8 birds seen 19/10
"Korean Bush Warbler" Cettia (diphone) borealis Socheong Do: single birds noted 1/10 - 3/10 and 12/10 Han Imjin River: a single singing bird reported 15/10 Japanese and "Korean" Bush Warblers proved to be strikingly different both in appearance and calls
Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps Socheong Do: a single bird showing nicely 24/9 Daeheuksan Do: 2 birds observed 9/10
Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata Socheong Do: single birds noted 24/9 as well as 3/10 and 12/10 Daeheuksan Do: a single bird seen 5/10, 2 birds 9/10 Gageo Do: single birds noted 7,8/10
Pallas' Grasshopper WarblerLocustella certhiola Okku: a single bird flushed 28/9 Gageo Do: a single bird present 8/10
Middendorff's Grasshopper WarblerLocustella ochotensis Socheong Do: a single bird observed 26/9 Gunsan: a single bird, probably attracted by the lights, was flying around and finally caught inside a restaurant in the middle of the city 28/9 - certainly one of the funniest stories of the trip!
Black-browed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps Socheong Do: 2 birds observed 26/9 and a single 2/10 Saemangeum: a few birds present 29/9 Seosan: a few birds reported 30/9 and 16/10
Oriental Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis Ganghwa, Socheong Do, Saemangeum, Seosan, Daeheuksan Do, Yeong Jong: a few birds noted on 12/28 days, with up to 8 present at Daeheuksan 9/10
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Okku: 3 birds observed 28/9 Gageo Do: a single bird seen 7/10, with 2 birds there 8/10 Daeheuksan Do: a single noted 8/10 Yeong Jong: a single bird observed 14/10
Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus Socheong Do: up to 5 birds daily noted 23/9 and 2,3,12,13/10 Daeheuksan Do: up to 3 birds daily reported 5,6,9,10/10 Seosan: a single bird present 16/10
Radde's Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi Socheong Do: single birds observed 1,3,13/10, ca. 5 birds reported 2/10 Gageo Do: a single bird seen 8/10
Pallas's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus Socheong Do: 2 birds heard 2/10, a single 12/10 and ca 5 birds reported 13/10
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Common and widespread, reported on 23/28 days, with 100+ birds estimated at Socheong (2,13/10) and at Gwangneung (17/10)
Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis Socheong Do, Gageo Do, Daeheuksan Do, Ganghwa, Seosan, Gwangneung: reported on 15/28 days, with 20-30 birds daily at Socheong Do 23/9 - 26/9 and still ca. 15 birds present 2/10; also, quite a few surprisingly late records: 1-2 birds at Socheong Do 12,13/10, a single bird at Ganghwa 14/10, a single bird at Seosan 16/10 and at least 2 birds at Gwangneung in the northern part of South Korea 17/10
Goldcrest Regulus regulus Socheong Do, Yeong Jong, Ganghwa, Han Imjin, Seosan, Gwangneung, Incheon: up to ca. 10 birds observed on 7/8 days between 12/10 and 19/10
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta Daeheuksan Do: 2 birds seen 5/10 as well as a single bird 6/10 Gageo Do: a single bird noted 7/10
Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica Socheong Do: 2 birds observed 23/9
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Socheong Do: up to 7 birds daily observed 23/9 - 26/9 as well as single birds 1,12/10 Okku: a single bird seen 28/9 Daeheuksan Do: single birds noted 5,6,9/10 Gageo Do: ca. 3 birds observed 6/10, 2 birds 7/10
"Elisae's / Beijing" FlycatcherFicedula (narcissina)elisae / beijingnica Daeheuksan Do: a single 1cy flycatcher of this type was seen near Sari 10/10; both forms have not yet reliably been reported from Korea
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki Socheong Do: 2 male birds observed 2/10, a single female 12/10 Daeheuksan Do: 3 birds (1 male, 2 females) were seen near Sari 10/10 Ganghwa: a single bird was noted 14/10 Gwangneung Arborethum: a single male bird present 17/10
"Red-throated Flycatcher" Ficedula (parva) albicilla Socheong Do: a single bird noted 23/9, up to 5 birds daily 1/10 - 3/10 Gageo Do: a single bird was seen 6/10 Incheon: a single bird reported 19/10
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana Socheong Do: 2 birds, including an adult male, observed 24/9, another 2 birds present 1/10
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Socheong Do: 5 birds seen 26/9 Daeheuksan Do: a group of ca. 30 birds noted 5/10, a few birds 6,9/10 Gwangneung Arborethum: ca. 30 birds, including at least a single
japonicus bird, 17/10 Gimhwa: a group of ca. 15 birds observed 18/10, including 2
japonicus birds Incheon: ca. 5 birds reported 19/10
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus Seosan: ca. 5 birds present 16/10
Marsh Tit Parus palustris Ganghwa, Han Imjin River, Seosan, Gwangneung, Gimhwa, Incheon: 2-5 birds noted daily 14/10 - 19/10; phenotypically extremely close to "european" Willow Tit
Coal Tit Parus ater Okku: a few birds heard 28/9 Gwangneung, Gimhwa, Incheon: a few birds noted daily 17/10 - 19/10
Great Tit Parus major Common and widespread, up to 50 birds daily noted on most locations and on 23/28 days
Varied Tit Parus varius Ganghwa: 2 birds seen 22/9, a few 4/10 Okku: ca. 3 birds noted 28/9 Gageo Do: a few birds observed 6,7/10 Gwangneung: at least 2 birds reported 17/10
Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea Gwangneung Arborethum: ca. 8 birds estimated 17/10 Gimhwa: a single bird seen 18/10
Chestnut-flanked White-eye Zosterops erythropleurus Socheong Do: a group of ca. 30 birds seen 24/9, 6 birds 2/10, ca. 25 birds 3/10 and ca. 20 birds 13/10
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus Daeheuksan Do: up to 50 birds daily noted 5,6/10 as well as 8/10 - 11/10 Gageo Do: up to 30 birds noted 6,7/10
Tristram's Bunting Emberiza tristrami Socheong Do: a few birds noted daily 1/10 - 3/10 as well as 12,13/10 Daeheuksan Do: a single male seen 5/10 Yeong Jong: at least a single bird noted 14/10 Han Imjin River: a few observed 15/10 Gwangneung Arborethum: 20 birds estimated 17/10 Incheon: at least 3 birds present 19/10
Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata Socheong Do: singles reported 1,2,13/10 Ganghwa: a single bird flushed 14/10
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla Socheong Do, Daeheuksan Do, Ganghwa, Han Imjin River, Seosan, Incheon: small numbers reported on 10/28 days
Yellow-browed Bunting Emberiza chrysophrys Socheong Do: ca. 2 birds noted 24,25/9, a single bird 2/10 Daeheuksan Do: a single bird seen 5/10, 2 birds 6/10
Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica Han Imjin River: ca. 10 birds reported 15/10 Seosan: a single bird noted 16/10 Gwangneung: a few birds seen 17/10 Gimhwa: 200 birds estimated 18/10 Incheon: ca. 10 birds present 19/10
Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans Daeheuksan Do, Han Imjin River, Gwangneung, Gimhwa, Incheon: up to ca. 50 birds (Gimhwa, 18/10) noted on 7/11 days between 9/10 and 19/10
Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola Daeheuksan Do: 2 birds seen 5,11/10 Gageo Do: a single bird observed 7/10 Socheong Do: singles seen 12,13/10 Seosan: ca. 150 birds estimated 16/10
Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila Socheong Do, Daeheuksan Do, Gageo Do, Yeong Jong, Ganghwa, Han Imjin River, Seosan, Gimhwa, Incheon: small numbers noted on 13/19 days between 1/10 and 19/10
Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala Common and widespread, noted on most locations and on 22/28 days; highest count was ca. 100 birds at Yeong Jong and Ganghwa 14/10
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Socheong Do: a single bird noted 2/10 Han Imjin River: a single bird heard 15/10 Seosan: a few birds reported 16/10 Gimhwa: a single bird heard 18/10
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Socheong Do, Daeheuksan Do, Incheon, Yeong Jong, Ganghwa, Han Imjin River, Seosan, Gwangneung, X: reported on 13/17 days between 3/10 and 19/10, with up to 1,000 birds at Han Imjin River 15/10
Oriental Greenfinch Carduelis sinica Socheong Do, Song Do, Daeheuksan Do, Gageo do, Han Imjin River, Seosan, Gwangneung, Incheon: noted on 12/28 days, the highest count being ca. 30 birds at Incheon 19/10
Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus Socheong Do, Yeong Jong, Gwangneung, Gimhwa: groups of 10-30 birds noted on 5/8 days between 12/10 and 19/10
Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Socheong Do: ca. 10 birds reported 26/9 and 1-4 birds daily 30/9 - 3/10 Daeheuksan Do: ca. 5 birds seen 5/10, ca. 3: 6/10 Gimhwa: a single bird observed together with Black-faced Buntings 18/10
Chinese Grosbeak Coccothraustes migratorius Daeheuksan Do: at least 80 birds counted 5/10, 5-10 birds seen 6/10 as well as 8/10 - 11/10 Gageo Do: 3 birds seen 6/10, with ca. 6 birds present 7/10 Gwangneung River: a single bird observed 17/10
Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Common and widespread, up to a few hundred birds noted on 15/28 days;
Chestnut-cheeked Staring Sturnus philippensis Okku: a single bird seen in a group of White-cheeked Starlings 29/9 Daeheuksan Do: a single 1cy bird observed 8/10, with 2 birds there 9/10
White-cheeked Starling Sturnus cinerascens Socheong Do, Okku, Daeheuksan Do, Gageo Do, Han Imjin river, Seosan: up to ca. 25 birds (Daeheuksan Do 5/10) reported on 14/28 days
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris Dong Jin River: a single bird in flight seen 30/9; rare but annually in Korea
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis Ganghwa: a single male bird seen 22/9
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius Okku, Ganghwa, Han Imjin River, Seosan, Gwangneung, Gimhwa: small numbers seen on 7/28 days, with ca. 30 birds reported from Gwangneung 17/10
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus Okku: ca. 3 birds observed 30/9 Seosan: 3 birds noted 16/10
Black-billed Magpie Pica pica Common and widespread on the mainland, where up to a few hundreds were recorded daily; no observations from the islands
Daurian Jackdaw Corvus dauuricus Han Imjin River: ca. 14 birds (2 adults) in a group of Rooks 15/10
Rook Corvus frugilegus Han Imjin River: a group of ca. 20 birds noted 15/10
Carrion Crow Corvus corone Han Imjin River: a single bird noted above the DMZ 15/10
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Ganghwa, Socheong Do, Han Imjin River, Gimhwa: small numbers noted on 12/28 days
Mammals:
Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis Seosan: a single individual observed on a track 30/9 undoubtedly belonged to this species; the form occurring in Korea is sometimes split as Amur Leopard Cat
Prionailurus euptilura
Raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides Seosan: Excellent views on single individuals 30/9 and 16/10
Siberian Weasel Mustela sibirica Seosan: a single running across the road 30/9 Gageo Do: excellent views on a single individual 6/10 and 3: 7/10 Gimhwa: a single reported 18/10
Siberian Chipmunk Tamias sibiricus Gwangneung Arborethum: ca. 5 noted 17/10
Eurasian Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris Okku: 2 individuals seen 29/9 Gwangneung Arborethum: ca. 3 observed 17/10 Despite being "Red Squirrels", all individuals observed were black
Water DeerHydropotes inermis Ganghwa: a single seen 14/10 Yeong Jong: at least a single individual noted 14/10
Sika Deer Cervus nippon Han Imjin River: a single large deer observed 15/10 most probably belonged to this species
Dolphin spec. Ferry to Socheong: a small group of unidentified dolphins was observed 13/10
Finnless Porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides Ferry to Socheong: at least a single individual was noted 13/10
© mr 15.12.1003.
