| Where to Watch Birds in Korea: a few good hotspots.. |
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South and Southeast
• Jeju
Island
This is one of the most beautiful parts of Korea, with a
striking volcanic landscape dominated by the massive and heavily forested Mt.
Halla, the highest point in South Korea. Being milder than most of the mainland,
the island is an attractive birding destination, especially in winter.
-Star birds
The National Park on Mt. Halla is great for forest
birds at any season, with globally scarce species such as Fairy Pitta
nesting in summer, and more southerly wintering species like Whites' Thrush,
Red-flanked Bluetail and Olive-backed Pipits regular through even the
coldest periods. In addition, the small tidal lagoon at Seongsan Po in the
southeast of this huge island is the only regular wintering site nationwide for
the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill, while small offshore islands in the
southwest can be excellent for migrants in the right weather conditions.
• Suncheon Bay
Despite an increasing
amount of development and road-building schemes, Suncheon Bay is still one of
the more beautiful and natural estuaries in the country, with extensive
reedbeds, tidal-flats and rice-fields. The main bay is easily reached from the
fast-growing city of Suncheon, but the flats stretching west towards Boelgyo are
also worth checking carefully.
-Star birds
Suncheon Bay is one of less
than 10 wetlands worldwide
to
hold wintering Hooded Crane. |
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Pride of place must go to the Hooded Cranes that arrive in
October and stay through until March. This is the most regular site for them in
Korea (with a peak of ca 160), and the only easy place to see them in the world
away from Izumi in Japan. In addition, the tidal-flats have supported more than
1 000 Saunders's Gulls (out of a population of only 7 000 worldwide), 15
000 Common Shelduck and significant numbers of other shorebirds,
including more than 20 Nordmann's Greenshanks in autumn (indeed, this is
probably the best place in the world to see them well when feeding). The
reedbeds too often support large numbers of buntings and the rice-fields good
numbers of larks and Buff-bellied Pipits.
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• Nakdong
Estuary
Between Busan International Airport and Korea's second largest
city, the Nakdong estuary is a surprisingly beautiful and rich wetland, best
viewed from atop of Ami Hill near Dadapo beach in the estuary's far southeast.
This spot is also excellent for watching raptor and crane migration at the right
season.
-Star birds
Views from atop of the hill in the
southeast corner of the
estuary
reveal how beautiful the Nakdong is... |
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The estuary supports many species of bird in internationally
important concentrations, most obvious in winter being the Taiga Bean
Goose and the Whooper Swan (which can reach 2-3000 here in cold
winters), but also including typical estuarine species such as the Saunders's
Gull (the Relict Gull is also regular here, and though numbers have
not reached their historic peak of 55 in recent years, at least 1 or 2 can
usually be found). In addition, large numbers of shorebirds occur here, most
especially Dunlin (most months), and Terek Sandpiper and
Grey-tailed Tattler (May and August-September).
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• Taejongdae
This
is a medium-sized park right in the southeast of the city of Busan (and
therefore of the Korean peninsula): attractive and heavily wooded, this park can
be excellent for birds even when disturbed. Best to visit during rainy or cloudy
conditions.
-Star birds
The Black Kite, which is
common throughout most of eastern Asia is almost absent in South Korea, but
roosts in the park in winter, with over 200 present in 2002. In addition, large
numbers of migrant birds can be found here, including White's and Pale
Thrushes and occasionally several hundred finches and raptors (especially in
September). Strong onshore winds allow for views (usually distant) of
Streaked Shearwaters. Rare species such as Brown Thrush and
Japanese Robin also apparently occur regularly in spring. In strong
onshore winds.
• The Junam reservoirs
The Junam
area is probably among the most well-known birdwatching places in the country,
with many thousands of birds (and people coming to see them) throughout the
winter. Close to Masan/Changwon, it can be reached best by car or bus.
-Star birds
Junam reservoir: one of Korea's
most popular
birdwatching
destinations. |
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In winter this is probably the best place in the world to get
close views of such East Asian specialties as the Baikal Teal and
White-naped Crane (5-10 present most winters). It's also probably the
best place in Korea to find Baer's Pochard. In addition, large numbers of geese
and other ducks (including Falcated Duck and Smew) are typically
numerous. Junam is also very unusual in that Changwon City provides free loan of
telescopes and some assistance to look at the birds on site.
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• Guryongpo
Peninsula
This attractive peninsula stretches northeastward from
Pohang round to the fishing town of Guryongpo and offers fine views over the
sea, as well as some of the most exciting winter and migration time birdwatching
to be had anywhere on the mainland of Korea.
-Star
birds
Looking across to the lighthouse at
Daepo on the Guryongpo
Peninsula. |
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The combination of sheltered deep seawater and a high headland
jutting out eastward from a largely flat coastline, provides great conditions
for seawatching, especially near Daepo. Although numbers are highly variable
(and dependent upon weather conditions and dates) this is probably the best
place to see very large numbers of Ancient Murrelets, with many thousands
present at peak. In addition, high numbers of gulls collect here, including
Slaty-backeds and Pacific Black-legged Kittiwakes, along with
small numbers of typical rocky marine specials, including Temminck's and
Pelagic Cormorant, and Harlequin Duck. Although numbers are not as
large as on some offshore islands, bushy gullies and long grasses near the
headland also often support good numbers of migrant passe rines, including
species considered rare for Korea. |
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