| Where to Watch Birds in Korea: a few good hotspots.. |
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Northwest of Seoul
• Gwangneung National
Arboretum
There are original areas of forest here, with patches of
mature trees and dense undergrowth. Although often highly disturbed, quieter
areas are not only both visually very attractive, but also support many of the
most "wanted" forest and hill birds to be found in this part of the world. Note:
It is important to reserve entrance to the arboretum 5 working days before your
visit; in addition, it is not open at weekends or on national holidays (tel;
details to add).
-Star birds
The river forming the border of
the arboretum supports Mandarin Duck in summer and often Solitary
Snipe and Brown Dipper in winter. The forest itself has woodpeckers
all year round (with White-backed, Great Spotted, Grey-headed and
Japanese Pygmy all very regular, and Black much scarcer), nesting
Ruddy Kingfisher and Yellow-rumped Flycatcher in summer, and Hazel
Hen and occasional flocks of Pallas's Rosefinch in winter.
• Cheorwon, DMZ
Much of the area has very restricted
access, as it is adjacent to the DMZ, and reservations to bird here should be
made in advance with the Cheorwon office of the Korean Association for Bird
Protection (Tel. 033-455-8181). While not advising visitors to follow the
approach described below by Brian Foster, one of a team of four birders from the
UK visiting Korea in February 2002, his story is clearly worth retelling:
"To get into the DMZ we went to a cafe near Cheorwon and after
having a cup of tea we pointed to the Red-crowned crane picture in our field
guide and made a few gestures to indicate that we would like to see them and got
out our road Atlas to ask for directions. The cafe owner got in his car and told
us to follow him. He took us to the gatehouse of the Cheorwon County Office,
pointed to the Red crowned Crane picture in our field guide and told the guys
inside that we would like to see them. A telephone call was made by them and we
were invited into an office in the main building. After half an hour's wait and
another couple of phone calls Mr. Yang Kye-Hwan, a gentlemen who speaks
excellent English, arrived. He got into our car and directed us to the DMZ. At
the army checkpoint he produced a pass and we showed the guards our passports.
Inside the DMZ we soon sighted 3 family parties of Red-crowned cranes within 50
metres of the road and then a wintering flock of around 130 Red-crowned cranes
and 22 White-naped Cranes. We went for lunch at the cafe in the Iron Triangle
Observatory and bought some souvenirs and the cafe owner then suggested that we
go and see some "eagles". We all got into his car and he took us to a feeding
station where carcasses are put out. Here at less than 50 meters range were 36
Cinereous Vultures and 1Stellers-sea Eagle. Mr. Yang then gave us a sightseeing
tour of the DMZ. This whole day was an example of the excellent hospitality and
generosity shown to us by the Korean people throughout our stay in South Korea."
-Star birds
Red-crowned Crane : immortalised
in art and culture, this
species is
as rare as it is beautiful.
(copyright of Chris Artuso) |
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From especially October through to March, huge numbers of geese
and other waterbirds and raptors move into the DMZ, and can be seen in the
Cheorwon basin. Amongst several species of global conservation concern present
are the Red-crowned and White-naped Cranes described above and
raptors including Cinereous Vultures and the occasional Steller's Sea
Eagle. The area also seems to be especially attractive to Chinese Grey
Shrike, an irregular bird further south. |
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