Baengnyeong Island, November Twenty fourth-Thirtieth | Birds Korea Weblog

A late autumn go to to Baengnyeong Island forward of a significant shift in climate produced a complete of 105 hen species and three mammals: Noticed Seal, Siberian Weasel and a number of Finless Porpoise in waters between Daecheong and Baengnyeong islands. Two of those species are additions to the Baengnyeong Island listing: Historical Murrelet, from the ferry in Baengnyeong waters, and Relict Gull. This brings the overall to ~398 hen species knowingly reported on or across the island since we began common surveys there in 2013.

Like virtually all of autumn 2024, the go to began with well-above common temperatures (c. 16C on the island late on the November Twenty fourth) and light-weight easterlies. This distinctive gentle was then overwhelmed by a collection of robust (50km/hr, gusting 70-80km/hr) winds, changing into persistent north-westerlies, serving to to drop afternoon highs to zero on the twenty seventh , and dumping the heaviest November snow on report within the Seoul-Incheon space. Subsequently, temperatures moderated barely (rising to a excessive of about 8C) on Thirtieth, thawing the snow, earlier than I wanted to go away the island a day and a half sooner than deliberate.

Of best notice, was the presence of a flock of as much as 28 Oriental Stork, presumed to be left-overs from a nationally record-breaking inflow that peaked at 104 people (from November eleventh or twelfth to 18th) discovered and counted by Park Jeong-Un of Inexperienced Korea United. Extra on these storks under…

Numbers of geese (2,000-2,500) and of dabbling duck (3,000-4,000 seen on the reclamation lake on most dates) have been kind of as anticipated, however there have been a number of extra waterbirds of notice throughout this era. These included a private excessive island depend of Better White-fronted Goose (29-40); all three swan species; single Brant and Swan Goose; 2-4 Lesser White-fronted and a attainable Cackling Goose (temporary views of a duck-sized, very darkish brown-backed goose disappearing right into a mass of Bean Geese at nightfall – sadly inadequate view to say an island first!); two dates with statement of Scaly-sided Merganser; and the island’s first Relict Gull.

Raptors too have been well-represented all through, with a single globally Susceptible Better Noticed Eagle on twenty fifth; most likely two Black Kite all through; 4 (or 5?) White-tailed Eagles; 4+ Upland Buzzard in residence; and small numbers of what was known as “accipiters” (earlier than latest taxonomic adjustments). As many of those hunted alongside the sting of the reclamation lake, these too would pose a significant potential hen strike hazard to plane throughout touchdown and take-off.

Nonetheless, there was – in consideration of the acute climate – little proof of mass motion by landbirds in the course of the week. Species on the transfer included Rooks (peaking at 440 on Thirtieth), just a few Dusky and Naumann’s Thrushes (particularly on twenty ninth and Thirtieth) and a single Pale Thrush; fairly just a few Eurasian Wrens; and a few Lapland Longspur, Little and Pallas’s Reed Buntings. Nonetheless, as in late October (and in contrast to in 2023) there have been only a few Siberian Accentor, and exceptionally few finches (e.g., solely single Hawfinch and Chinese language Grosbeak in the course of the week, and nil Purple Crossbill, Lengthy-tailed or Pallas’s Rosefinches).

Extra particulars on a number of the extra notable species / information comply with:

• Brant Goose Branta bernicla 흑기러기. Assessed as Nationally Threatened, Class II, and Gray-listed by Birds Korea in 2020 following the extirpation of normal wintering flocks. Evidently fewer than 10 have been recorded yearly over the past 5 years, with most seen throughout migration and now with only a few in mid-winter.

A juvenile / First-winter was off the east off the island on twenty sixth. That is my fourth report on the island, because the first, an grownup, on the previous Jinchon tidal flat in April 2020.

People on Baengnyeong probably are a part of the so-called “Nigricans, China Non-Bre” inhabitants, relatively than from the a lot better-researched “Nigricans Japan Non-Bre” inhabitants of two,500 (https://wpp.wetlands.org), just a few of which could be seen yearly alongside the Korean east coast (and which probably winter frequently within the DPRK in Wonsan Bay, and maybe northward) and south coast, sometimes reaching Jeju. As defined again in 2012, there are relatively few information of Brant Goose in China; and the origin of those birds is prone to be from a lot additional west than birds wintering in Japan and the DPRK. Except latest proof has come to gentle, this extra western inhabitants is prone to be in free-fall.

A query for these with specialist data: may the extra westerly origin assist to elucidate why the final two juvenile Brant on Baengnyeong have regarded so dark-flanked in contrast with juveniles seen on the east coast at roughly the identical time of yr?).

• Swan Goose Anser cygnoides 개리. Globally Endangered, and Nationally Threatened Class II.

One was with the Bean Goose flock on the reclamation lake and in adjoining fields all through. This appears prone to be the identical person that was first seen on October twenty sixth. One or two have been discovered every October-November since 2013; however none have but been seen in mid-winter, suggesting that these birds most likely winter in PR China.

• Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis 큰부리큰기러기 . Nationally Threatened Class II. Most survey effort within the ROK doesn’t differentiate between Tundra Bean (which may be very quickly growing on the mainland) and Taiga Bean (which additionally seems to be growing, however rather more slowly).

Most likely solely 75-100 Taiga Bean have been current throughout this era, a considerable lower from the counts of 300 on October twenty first and October Twenty fourth 2024 (and decrease than the 1,200 recorded again in November 2013 and even the 150 discovered overwintering right here in January 2020). This local-level lower, which contrasts with regional tendencies, is probably going attributable to diminished protected foraging and roosting situations following the development of the highway by means of Hwadong Wetland in 2015. Losses might more than likely be reversed by sustaining decrease water ranges within the reclamation lake.

The seasonal sample of information recommend that October-November Taiga Beans on Baengnyeong probably include birds from each the “middendorffii China Non-bre” inhabitants (estimated at 24,100, with a 1% threshold of 240) and the “middendorffi Korea Non-bre” inhabitants of seven,700 (with a 1% threshold of 75) .

At wetlands with probably multiple inhabitants of a waterbird species, Ramsar steerage advises utilizing the upper of the 2 populations in assessing worldwide significance. Based mostly on this steerage, the Baengnyeong Reclamation Lake and adjoining habitats are internationally essential for waterbirds, as they frequently assist greater than 1% of the related inhabitants of Taiga Bean Goose.

• Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris 큰기러기 . Nationally Threatened Class II.

Not less than 2,100 (and as much as 2,500) Tundra Beans have been current kind of all through, although numbers have been troublesome to depend as birds moved between three principal areas of rice-field and the reclamation lake. This quantity is larger than most or maybe all earlier counts on the island, and may recommend some enhance in native numbers – maybe to be anticipated because the species is certainly growing quickly within the ROK. Nonetheless, our knowledge from surveys within the Hwaseong Wetlands and elsewhere recommend that this species probably peaks in quantity in mid-late November and even in early December. This survey was relatively later in autumn than in every other yr, and I counted a similarish 1,905 Tundra Bean right here barely earlier within the yr 5 years in the past, again on November 15 2019.

In contrast to Taiga Bean Goose, Tundra Bean Goose additionally over-winter on the island in giant numbers, and we counted 1,550 right here in January 2020. The 1% threshold for the “serrirostris Korea Non-bre” inhabitants is 810. The Baengnyeong Reclamation Lake and adjoining habitats are internationally essential for waterbirds, as they frequently assist greater than 2% of the related inhabitants of Tundra Bean Goose.

• Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus 흰이마기러기. Globally Susceptible (however must be re-assessed as globally Endangered or Critically Endangered following huge latest declines in PR China) and nationally Threatened, class II.

On November twenty fifth, two adults and a possible juvenile have been seen roosting in rice-fields in the principle goose flock; and a single grownup was quickly after seen on the reclamation lake. One was once more seen with the principle goose flock on twenty eighth. There are a minimum of two earlier information in late October.

• Mute Swan Cygnus olor 혹고니. Nationally Threatened Class I. One grownup seen flying east in between heavy snow showers from the Munhwa Motel on November twenty seventh. There are a number of earlier information, with the origin of birds prone to be Mongolia based mostly on tracked birds wintering on the east coast of the DPRK.

• Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus 고니 . Nationally Threatened Class I. Tundra Swan has declined massively within the ROK, though first rate numbers can nonetheless be seen at Rason within the NE of the DPRK (with e.g., 90 counted there in mid-March 2019).
  Mid-winter counts of Tundra Swan 고니 within the ROK MOE Winter Census. Graph generated by database created by Andreas Kim (see: https://www.andreas-kim.de/MoE/MoE.html ).

5 (two adults and three younger) have been photographed on the reclamation lake on November twenty seventh by Park Jeong-Un.

A lot of the East Asian inhabitants (105,000-115,000) is now concentrated in mid-winter in two areas – the Yangtze floodplain and northern Japan. Based mostly on the wind course, these birds on Baengnyeong have been probably drifted eastward throughout migration in the direction of the Yangtze floodplain.

• Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 큰고니. Nationally Threatened Class II. 5 adults have been seen in rice-fields after which on the reclamation lake on November twenty eighth.

• Baikal Teal Sibirionetta formosa 가창오리. Not less than 300, and maybe as much as 500, have been on the reclamation lake on twenty eighth. That is my highest depend of this species on the reclamation lake itself, though 1,195 have been counted migrating SE over the ocean from the east of the island in early November 2022.

• Stejneger’s Scoter Melanitta stejnegeri 검둥오리사촌. Not nationally assessed by the Ministry of Setting. Our knowledge and MOE Winter Census knowledge, nonetheless, point out that this species is present process a really speedy decline within the ROK a minimum of (the species was regionally quite a few throughout survey work within the DPRK final decade).

Though numbers have remained excessive on Baengnyeong Island throughout latest years (with counts of 309 in late October 2017 and of 202 on November seventh 2022) the best depend throughout this survey interval was solely 44 (on November Thirtieth). Even this low quantity ought to now be thought of “nationally essential” being larger than nationwide mid-winter counts in each 2022 and 2023.

Of extra curiosity, an adult-type male scoter seen on November twenty ninth confirmed a remarkably pale-looking invoice (yellow-based with bubble gum pink distal half) when put next with all the opposite Stejneger’s, and maybe additionally had a unique brow profile, with probably a brow indent and a much less distinguished invoice “knob” – each options probably indicative of the still-unrecorded-in-Korea White-winged Scoter. The hen was distant, nonetheless, and though initially pretty straightforward to choose up, sea-swell prevented extended views, and it was not attainable to evaluate whether or not or not the flanks have been brown. After 10 minutes of on-and-off observations, the hen appeared to maneuver additional away from shore earlier than a protracted hail bathe with robust winds moved again in.

The seek for this obvious-looking particular person on Thirtieth was unsuccessful, however confirmed that a minimum of two of the adult-type male Stejneger’s confirmed brownish tones to the flanks (though darker than proven by White-winged, contradicting some statements within the ID literature that “grownup male Stejneger’s by no means reveals brown flanks“).

• Black Scoter Melanitta americana 검둥오리. Globally Close to Threatened. Not assessed by the nationwide Ministry of Setting although our knowledge and knowledge from the Winter Census point out that this species is declining quickly within the ROK, with distribution in mid-winter now kind of concentrated near the internal border. Survey work recommend that the species is now considerably extra quite a few alongside the east coast of the DPRK than alongside the east coast of the ROK.

The very best depend throughout this survey go to was 24 on November twenty ninth – barely larger than in most or any earlier go to; and a “nationally essential” depend (exceeding each the 1% and 10% thresholds).

• Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus 호사비오리. Globally Endangered and Nationally Threatened Class I. One female-type (maybe a second calendar yr male?) was on the reclamation lake on November twenty seventh; and 4 have been seen in sustained flight (heading SE) over the ocean on Thirtieth.

• Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica 메추라기 . Globally Close to Threatened and clearly quickly declining within the ROK. Remarkably, zero have been recorded throughout this survey or throughout every other survey on the island in 2024. By no means frequent, day counts of 4-6 on the island used to not be distinctive.

• Frequent Crane Grus grus 검은목두루미 . This species is exhibiting an growing pattern each within the ROK (the place now ~10-30 seem to over-winter frequently) and likewise on the island, with a excessive depend of six counted final winter by Park Jeong Un.

Two adults have been current all through, usually within the firm of the 2 Hooded Cranes.

• Hooded Crane Grus monacha 흑두루미 . Two have been current all through. Apparently, one among these is the overweight hen that over-summered right here, surviving on a eating regimen of corn fed by locals.

• Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus 귀뿔논병아리. Globally Susceptible. Not assessed nationally by the Ministry of Setting although fewer than 100 are counted most winters in the course of the MOE Winter Census (with many of those prone to be misidentified Black-necked Grebes). One on the reclamation lake on November twenty seventh was the one report.

• Kentish Plover Anarhynchus alexandrinus 흰물떼새 . The one shorebird recorded in the course of the current survey, with eight seen on the seaside.

• Relict Gull Ichthyaetus relictus 고대갈매기. Globally Susceptible and Nationally Threatened Class II. Following reclamation tasks within the Nakdong Estuary and subsequently in Incheon, this species has declined considerably within the ROK and may have to be Gray Listed as there don’t seem to have been a minimum of ten information throughout every of the previous 5 winters.

A First-winter was on the seaside close to the principle sluice on November twenty seventh, with views for 5 minutes in a snowstorm. Sadly, the gull flock (together with the Relict) was then flushed by a low-flying White-tailed Eagle and the hen was not seen once more.

• Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana 황새 . Nationally Endangered and Nationally Threatened Class I. Following nationwide extirpation, elevated conservation efforts in ROK and all through Far East Asia have resulted in a considerable enchancment in numbers. Though BirdLife Worldwide (2024) declare that there are solely “1000-2499 mature people”, Wetlands Worldwide lately revised their inhabitants estimate as much as 10,300 people, with a 1% threshold of 100.

Park Jeong-Un counted 104 on the island on November eleventh or twelfth, with the vast majority of these departing on 18th. This can be a new nationwide excessive depend of this species (a minimum of away from the realm utilized by captive-bred storks). Though she thought of that solely about 10 remained after the 18th, she discovered 28 within the dense reed fringing the reclamation lake on Twenty fourth; and her counts recommend that 28 remained by means of till Thirtieth.

All of the people I noticed (maybe 27 in whole) have been un-ringed. It subsequently appears extremely possible that these have been completely wild birds that had been drifted by robust winds throughout common migration between Russian breeding grounds and their principal wintering space within the Yangtze floodplain of PR China. Though the principle route was and may nonetheless be by means of Hebei (with 1000’s passing by means of Beidahe some years), in some years in mid-November storks additionally appear emigrate by means of Korea and / or Liaoning, maybe after being pushed south of the Baekdu Massif. In 2016, for instance, I noticed eight flying west over Baengnyeong on November eleventh; and in mid-late November 2020 or 2021 there was a reasonably large inflow (75 or so?) into the ROK, with birds in Gangwon, and alongside the west coast.

This yr, the mass arrival of and departure from Baengnyeong kind of coincided with huge counts of Oriental Storks in Liaodong Bay, Liaoning Province, about 450km to the northwest, with 5,000 counted there on November sixteenth and a pair of,000 counted there on November seventeenth by Dong Qui.

• Carrion Crow Corvus corone 까마귀. One seen properly and photographed in fields between Pukbori and Yeonhwari on twenty ninth. Though generally claimed by different birders, that is my first report of the species on this island.

Full checklists are on eBird:

November Twenty fourth: Ferry journey (south of Socheong); Ferry between Daecheong and Baengnyeong; quick stroll round Jinchon.

November twenty fifth: Central rice-fields and Hwadong Wetlands.

November twenty sixth: Jinchon SE.

November twenty seventh: Motel Viz Mig; Junghwadong, Hwadong Wetlands and adjoining habitats.

November twenty eighth: Dumujin, central rice-fields and Hwadong Wetlands.

November twenty ninth: Jinchon, seaside, Hwadong Wetlands, automotive to Yeonhwari.

November Thirtieth: Seashore scoter flock.

And at last, if you happen to surprise why we or anybody else conduct these sorts of surveys…

1. Efficient conservation requires good base-line knowledge. Birds Korea’s analysis all the time goals to shut data gaps and to assist construct an inexpensive baseline understanding of distribution, abundance and inhabitants pattern / conservation standing, each on the website and nationwide stage. This understanding is then integrated into the annotated Birds Korea Checklists and specialist stories, is usually shared with specialists abroad, and can be expressed by means of all of our statements (on-line and in stories), and in coaching packages, and skilled testimony to courts;
2. On this approach, Birds Korea analysis in Ongjin County helped first to establish the significance of Socheong Island for understanding hen migration (leading to central authorities’s choice to construct a analysis centre there); and our ongoing analysis on Baengnyeong has already contributed massively to growing the island’s recognition nationally and internationally as a migration hotspot and internationally essential wetland, with monumental potential for environmental schooling, ecotourism and sustainability tasks. Baengnyeong Island is at the moment probably the most species-rich of all of the ROK birding websites listed on eBird.
3. As proposed, in 2026 development work will begin on an airport on Baengnyeong, instantly adjoining to the reclamation lake and rice-fields (as proven above, an internationally essential wetland as outlined by Ramsar Conference standards, supporting a various assemblage of uncommon and globally threatened species and a minimum of two waterbird species in internationally essential concentrations of 1%). As proposed, development of this airport will comply with on from the continuing development of an enormous car-ferry port in Jinchon, which has already resulted within the impoundment of the final main space of muddy tidal flat; and can then be adopted by improvement of a resort, with a golf course and “typical” infrastructure.
4. The info generated on birds by our analysis, and extra lately by an growing variety of extra individuals (particularly Inexperienced Korea United’s Park Jeong-Un, birders posting on eBird, and Incheon KFEM, with whom Birds Korea has an MOU), is subsequently very important IF decision-makers are to know the probably impacts of proposed developments on biodiversity and sustainability; and if they’re to know the excessive hen strike danger posed by this proposed airport.
5. Subsequently, as soon as extra we thank all those that are conscious of lowering disturbance to birds; all who share their knowledge and pictures of birds with us; all who share concepts and designs related to enhancing sustainability; and all who proceed to assist our analysis actions, both by means of becoming a member of as members or by contributing indirectly. Related to our work on Baengnyeong in 2024, this has included the ferry firm (for myself, free ferry journey…); two members kindly donating cameras (most lately in October 2024); and one member of the general public who made an nameless and very beneficiant donation of 1 million received (in November 2024) due to our work on Baengnyeong. Our warmest thanks!