Fowl Information from Nial Moores with Lee Su-Younger (on 7th) and Baek Seung-Kwang (on 9th-11th). All photographs copyright of Nial Moores / Birds Korea.
In subzero temperatures, continuation of analysis funded by Yeoncheon County, with the mission this 12 months of supporting the county in joint efforts to establish key areas to incorporate in a Ramsar website.
Amongst 59 chook species logged highlights included single Frequent Crane and Water Pipit (latter our first document of the species right here) and a number of shut encounters with cranes and Cinereous Vultures, in addition to some gorgeous encounters with globally Weak Korean Water Deer. This go to was additionally outstanding for the chance to go to for the primary time ever (for me) or for the primary time in a few years (crane professional Baek Seung-Kwang) further areas of the CCZ – each alongside the Samicheon, and within the curiously named Baengnyeong-ri…
Just a few chook species of word observe:
- Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis middendorffii 큰부리큰기러기. A complete of 346 had been counted, with the biggest focus 278, or nearly 4% of the Korea Non-Breeding inhabitants, on the Imjin River within the CCZ.
Based mostly on older estimates, “Japanese Taiga Bean” is taken into account by Wetlands Worldwide to have a complete inhabitants of 41,200 people. Nevertheless, a paper final 12 months by Degtyarev in Wildfowl describes a really speedy decline within the Russian breeding grounds.
Though the Winter Census (and plenty of birders) don’t attempt to separate Taiga and Tundra, Taiga Bean which over-winter in Korea are typically fairly simple to separate from Tundra Beans on a mixture of construction, plumage, calls and behavior. Birds throughout the principle migration intervals, nonetheless, is usually a lot more difficult!
- Higher White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 쇠기러기. Roughly 9,500 had been counted in whole (about 6% of the Korea Non-Breeding Inhabitants in accordance with the Wetlands Worldwide Waterbird Inhabitants Estimates portal). The most important flock was 3,940 within the Buksam-Gunnam fields. This whole is just a few thousand decrease than the 13,335 counted in mid-December. One smaller flock probably contained a minimum of one Lesser White-fronted Goose: calls had been heard however no appropriate candidate was discovered regardless of repeat checks by means of the flock.
- Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus 호사비오리. 9 of this globally Endangered species had been nonetheless current in a key stretch of the Imjin River that maintains open flowing areas by means of the winter. Disturbance at this explicit location throughout our survey included a person strolling the entire shore line in quest of rocks to promote; a shaman ceremony; and development websites in two areas.
- Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris 낭비둘기. The very best rely of this Nationally Threatened species was greater than 30 seen within the “southern CCZ”, a brand new location throughout our survey work. One particular person had white wings – and presumably is a product of hybridization with a white feral pigeon that joined the principle flock greater than a 12 months in the past.
- White-naped Crane Antigone vipio 재두루미. A complete of 1,190 of this globally Weak (however growing within the ROK) species had been counted, with the biggest flock 416 within the Peace Rice-fields. Solely 77 of this whole had been seen exterior of the CCZ.
- Crimson-crowned Crane Grus japonensis 두루미. A complete of 279 of this globally Weak species had been counted, with 41 the biggest single focus, and solely 25 seen exterior of the CCZ.
- Frequent Crane Grus grus 검은목두루미. An grownup was within the Peace Rice-fields.
- Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus 독수리. Roughly 250 of this globally Close to Threatened species had been seen, with the biggest focus 140-180 in Namgyeri, feeding on waste compost containing animal elements subsequent to a busy street; and 60 within the Samicheon CCZ 13.5 km to the west of Namgyeri.
- Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 옅은밭종다리. A possible was heard and seen in flight at Baekhak on the 9th. In a lot much less windy climate on 11th, one (presumably the identical particular person?) was seen nicely, although at pretty lengthy vary.
As all over the place, many essential areas for biodiversity in Yeoncheon County are threatened with extreme disturbance and “growth”. Nevertheless, some excellent areas nonetheless stay – together with alongside the Imjin River at Baekhak and within the CCZ.
