Dr. Bernhard Seliger (Hanns Seidel Basis Korea, Birds Korea)
This put up is generally about cranes – although, sadly, not these cranes now flying off to Northern breedings grounds, although I managed yesterday to see 5 late White-naped cranes in addition to one single late Cinereous vulture on my journey to Paju and Yeoncheon. The cranes I discuss are these of development, and, sadly, it is occurring in all places. I visited 4 spots: the small wetland close to Paju Ebook Metropolis (Chulbandanji Yoosooji), Gongneungcheong estuary in Paju, Imjin river close to the Okay-water constructing and at last Horogoru fortress in Western Yeoncheon space. All 4 are present process main change, and all change sadly bodes not nicely for birds and, extra common, biodiversity.
The small wetland close to Paju e-book metropolis is a pleasant begin within the morning, offered one arrives early sufficient. This time, I suppose I used to be too late at round 6.20: some Ruddy shelducks, teals, and a single Tundra Bean Goose and Better White Fronted Goose have been nonetheless lingering. Eight Frequent snipes made for excellent views, moreover there have been Frequent sandpipers and Little Ringed Plovers and White Wagtails clearly on migration. A lone Japanese buzzard was harassed by three Brown-eared Bulbuls. In a former empty spot on the East facet of the Wetland large cranes tower now, making ready for a brand new manufacturing facility or outlet and including to the disturbance, which is already large from the close by “Freedom highway” (Jayuro).
The entire listing of the go to to the wetland close to Paju e-book metropolis could be discovered right here: https://ebird.org/guidelines/S166890051.
Frequent Snipes Gallinago gallinago feeding © Bernhard Seliger
Cranes over the wetland …© Bernhard Seliger
Gongneungcheong prior to now was a very attention-grabbing place to be, with giant reedbeds and rice fields on either side, amongst others a great place to watch the watercock, as soon as a standard inhabitant of Korea´s rice fields in the summertime. Alas, bridge after bridge, highway after highway was constructed and at last now alongside the Northern financial institution of the river a serious development of connecting highway is occurring. Satirically, simply now the motion to make Gongneungcheon the primary Gyeonggi Provincial Park, a difficulty introduced ahead by NGOs since a very long time concerned in monitoring the world (“residents´science), gained some momentum, after Gyeonggi governor Kim Dong-Yeon promised to look into the problem. Possibly it’s nonetheless price it, to guard the remaining reed areas, the place in the summertime bitterns fly and harriers hunt. However the reality is that on either side of the river main development is occurring and that the connection to the rice fields, the good asset of the world, is virtually gone. Additionally, previously there have been bushes and timber permitting for migration of passerines and raptors. These are additionally largely gone. So, not surprisingly, not a lot was to see, with a single Black-faced Spoonbill being the spotlight.
The entire listing of the go to to Gongneungcheon could be discovered right here: https://ebird.org/guidelines/S166890703.
The Northern financial institution of Gongneungcheon … as soon as a pretty habitat…© Bernhard Seliger
The stretch of Imjin river in Paju is way much less attention-grabbing than that in Yeoncheon, however simpler to entry, and nonetheless attention-grabbing. Provided that the Northern financial institution of Imjin is already within the CCZ largely, the perfect habitat could be discovered there, although even there the development of hothouses and different constructions goes on in locations till very lately utilized by cranes as wintering areas. A bunch of 5 White-naped cranes within the Imjin estuary at Munsan and an overflying Cinerous vulture slightly additional have been two surprises. In addition to, the river was virtually empty, with the winter birds largely gone: just a few Dusky thrushes, Goldcrests, and tits have been left. Additional East, a serious new park development is occurring, reworking simply one other stretch of the river, which already has various “eco-parks”, right into a largely paved system of walkways, with excessive commentary towers (of what?) and timber among the many concrete as a substitute of the previous pure bushes and timber alongside the river, the place many small birds lived.
The entire listing of the environment of Okay-Water constructing at Imjin river could be discovered right here: https://ebird.org/guidelines/S166891255.
Dusky thrush Turdus eunomus © Bernhard Seliger
The final a part of the outing introduced me to Horogoru fortress, a 6th-7th century fortress of Goguryeo, one of many former kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula. For a very long time this place had been considerably uncared for, nevertheless it affords a superb view over an attention-grabbing stretch of the Imjin river with some small islands, the place within the winter repeatedly cranes could be seen roosting, and through migration Scaly-sided merganers. Additionally, on the small islands within the river Lengthy-billed plovers are at residence. Whereas the river itself is fairly secure from development for now (although already, on the Northern facet, in all probability the navy constructed an enormous concrete ramp), the fortress´s setting modified over the past ten years: first, a administration and customer heart was constructed. I’m not positive, why it needed to be two-storey, however okay. Then, a tent village with native merchandise (together with “Korean vodka” – nonetheless marvel, what that’s) was constructed. This was mainly in all probability okay as a short lived set up, for instances with many guests, however actually it’s year-round there, round 10-12 tents, although I by no means noticed multiple or two really used. Once I was there, all have been closed. Now, one other giant constructing is being constructed, and a parking zone match for 50 buses and a whole lot of automobiles. Left and proper of the fortress, golf-course like grass fields are planted on bulldozed floor, with in depth watering prospects, and alongside the timber previously utilized by raptors to take a seat and prey on the geese within the river, one other stroll manner has been constructed. Extra bulldozing was happening in a reservoir which previously was overgrown and place for small birds, and now’s seen in its ugliness. Once I was there, I used to be the one customer. I have no idea, what number of guests they anticipate, as soon as that is completed, however the historic curiosity on this constructing is somewhat restricted (it’s basically a giant hill with some rebuild stone fortification), and the pure great thing about the panorama is gone was the world seems like a golf course with out holes. And this isn’t an inexpensive answer; definitely some huge cash is spent on this. Moreover, all all through the previous rice-field space different types of development is occurring: proto-industrialization with small-scale agro-industries, ginseng fields, sizzling homes, pensions. For biodiversity, that is actually not excellent news. Definitely, the burden of preserving biodiversity can’t be laid on landowners or farmers on this space alone. However new types of assist, like contractual setting safety paid by the federal government, may assist to protect biodiversity within the few locations, like alongside the inner-Korean border, the place it nonetheless could be saved.
The entire fowl listing of Horogoru fortress could be discovered right here: https://ebird.org/guidelines/S166891979.
Spring is right here! White-cheeked starling Spodiopsar cineraceus among the many first flowers. © Bernhard Seliger
Horogoru fortress affords an ideal view over Imjin river… © Bernhard Seliger
…however the “growth” surrounding it will get worse and worse © Bernhard Seliger
