A delayed post, I'm trying to catch up with things here. I'd like to make posts regularly as spring migrants begin to come in, which has already started as of today (2022-02-22, Spotted Redshank!). I'll make a few quick posts with notable sightings to catch up with the present. To begin with, here's a brief writeup on a memorable birdwatching trip on Christmas day last year.
A Christmas birdwatching trip ended up being quite productive in various ways. Starting at Seongsan, plenty of interesting winter ducks were around but with strong cold winds it was difficult to stay long enough to search the whole area. Common Goldeneyes, Greater Scaup, and Black-necked Grebes were pleasant highlights.
We moved onto Hado-ri Wetland afterwards with hopes there would be a bit more shelter from the wind. While the wetland had plenty more ducks than a visit a couple weeks ago, the wind really forced the birds to take shelter or stay quiet. Regardless, both Eurasian and Black-faced Spoonbills were seen along with three Taiga Bean Geese. Northern Lapwings were cautiously feeding along the rocks, and a single Black-faced Bunting was seen and heard briefly. The star of the show though ended up being a very close Long-billed Dowitcher seen feeding among the ducks and lapwings.
A final stop at east-central Jeju before the weather turned was worthwhile. A large group of Rooks were found perched on wires and some trees taking a break from the strong winds. Mixed in were a few Large-billed Crows and one gorgeous Daurian Jackdaw. Weather conditions didn’t allow for nice photography but view was clear and enjoyed for a sustained period.
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| Mallard x Eastern Spot-billed Duck hybrid |
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Eared Grebes
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| Greater Scaup Aythya marila 검은머리흰죽지 |
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| Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 혹부리오리 |
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| Eurasian Coot |
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| Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 혹부리오리 |
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| Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 댕기물떼새 |
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| Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus 긴부리도요), a rather rare vagrant to the ROK |
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Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 해오라기, a last minute surprise before leaving the wetland
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| Rooks(Corvus frugilegus 떼까마귀) perched on wires and in the trees |
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| Rooks(Corvus frugilegus 떼까마귀) perched on wires and in the trees |
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| Daurian Jackdaw (Coloeus dauuricus 갈까마귀) mixed in with the Rooks |
