Textual content and all photographs by (and copyright of) Nial Moores, Birds Korea
A bit beneath every week of late winter / early spring fowl survey, performed in typically chilly and sometimes very windy situations as a part of an supposed improve in conservation exercise on the island in 2024 and particularly 2025 (following our signing of an MOU on March 21st with Incheon KFEM).
In all, 101 species of fowl have been logged together with an island first file of Pacific Loon Gavia pacifica, bringing the island whole as much as about 392 species (primarily based on the Birds Korea Guidelines) in a bit over 12 years of analysis visits, beginning in March 2013. Will 2024 be the 12 months during which the 400 barrier is damaged?
Most survey effort was centered on coastal areas, particularly on and near the east and south coasts. Central and western fallow fields and rice-field areas have been slightly poorly coated – largely due to disturbance from a looking (“pest management”) workforce which drove across the island looking for birds to shoot.
Most stunning in the course of the survey was a complete absence of geese; whereas the nice range however slightly low variety of buntings – following on from a really bunting-poor autumn right here and apparently in lots of elements of East Asia – was additionally probably worrisome. Of potential ornithological curiosity, no Yellow-bellied Tits or Eurasian Siskins have been recorded both (although each are current in massive numbers in Busan at the moment and have been seen on the island in winter months beforehand) whereas many of the “different” anticipated very early spring migrants (e.g., geese, Rook, White-cheeked Starlings, Daurian Redstarts and leucopsis White Wagtails) confirmed adjustments in numbers between dates. Respectable numbers for Baengneyong of loons have been additionally seen – regardless of the unhealthy yellow mud haze and sometimes tough seas.
Unavoidable conservation points included persevering with habitat degradation and loss, together with additional infilling of tidal areas in the primary harbour; decrease numbers than anticipated of scoters, maybe resulting from an growth of areas with nets; and that visiting workforce of hunters capturing at birds thought to hurt crops (i.e., geese, pheasants and corvids). Though confined to looking between November and March, the disturbance they trigger each to wildlife and to individuals throughout their visits could be very substantial.
On the 14th, I arrived on the afternoon ferry, with the one spotlight two early Streaked Shearwater and two Historic Murrelet off from Socheong. A fast search within the NE discovered a number of Goldcrest, and 1-2 Eurasian Treecreeper and not less than two Eurasian Bullfinch (left over from an excellent winter for each species); a single Ochre-rumped and a promising 175 Rustic Bunting; and the anticipated small flock of scoters off the NE coast – comprising 10 American and a single Stejneger’s.
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On the 15th, an extended stroll by means of Jinchon, Sagot and across the reclamation lake in honest climate allowed for an honest rely of duck (>2000, with Jap Spot-billed most quite a few and a pair of Falcated Duck arguably probably the most engaging) each in freshwater and on the ocean. Highlights included good views of an Upland Buzzard low overhead being chased aggressively by Massive-billed Crows, a booming Eurasian Bittern (did one over-winter right here?), a single Purple-necked Grebe (slightly uncommon within the West Sea – although this was an exceptionally good winter for seeing them alongside the east coast), a slightly early Pacific Swift and an exceptionally early Wooden Sandpiper. Personally, I’m unaware of any earlier March data of this species in Korea – although this statement was adopted quickly after by two on Jeju Island. Additionally stunning to me was the variety of Asian Comma Butterfly on the wing – in all probability 30 have been seen in whole in the course of the day.
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Forward of a change of climate, survey was confined to the NW on 16th, the place the spotlight was two Alpine Accentor. Each birds have been seen flying singly east to the subsequent headland, and due to this fact have been both on energetic migration or have been sustaining winter “territories” that included a couple of headland. Additionally seen have been a number of doubtless two extra Pacific Swift, just a few extra loons and several other White Wagtails seen on energetic migration out over the ocean, and several other displaying Mongolian Gull, together with some nest prospecting.
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Winds blew in from the North or Northwest at 40-50 kph by means of the night time of 16th and all day 17th stopping any significant survey.
The 18th remained windy by means of to mid-afternoon. Within the morning within the Northeast there was an apparent improve within the numbers of early season “diurnal migrants” ( just a few White-cheeked Starlings, Rooks attempting to depart, and small flocks of Hawfinches and buntings) with probably the most interesting-looking fowl an Jap Buzzard, exhibiting a number of surprising options (together with e.g. a pale throat; a pale breast band above a solidly darkish stomach and apparent underpart barring). Within the afternoon, the southwest nook appeared slightly quiet compared, with species of most be aware a single Japanese Waxwing, 1-2 late Pallas’s Rosefinches and not less than 30 Purple Crossbill (frustratingly seen solely in flight).
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On 19th, survey effort was confined to the NE nook, and needed to be prematurely curtailed due to the hunters. The early hours felt slightly birdy, with not less than 45 Naumann’s Thrush seen in a single flock; the starling flock now containing 4 Frequent and 76 White-cheekeds; and passing finch flocks together with just a few Brambling and one group of eight (Frequent) Redpoll.
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The 20th was the final day of this survey. Along with one other go to to the Hwadong Wetland, the place highlights included 4 White-tailed Eagle nonetheless, good views of the Eurasian Bittern, 4 Black-faced Spoonbill and not less than two Garganey, this required an extended hike by means of elements of island that are likely to get little protection – the south coast from the now much-degraded rice-fields of Nampo-Ri to the valley of Jangchon with its concrete-sided stream. Highlights included Baengnyeong’s first Pacific Loon, a few roadside Eurasian Hoopoe which appeared to be recent in, a Frequent Snipe, and several other duck transferring over the ocean, together with Mandarin and a single Ferruginous Duck (both the twond or 3rd island file).
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