Introduction

In winter South-Korea is one of the best birding places in the eastern paleartic to see rare ducks, gulls, cranes and raptors. Global threatened species like Swan Goose, Baikal Teal, Falcated Duck, Scaly-sided Merganser, Steller's Sea-eagle, Oriental Stork, Red-crowned, White-naped and Hooded Cranes and Relict and Saunders's Gulls are all possible within a two week trip.

It is only recently that South Korea has been visited by foreign birdwatchers. Travelling is very easy in the country so in the future it will be more and more popular as a birdwatching destination.

One of the pioneers and leading birdwatchers/conservationists in the country is Nial Moores. Nial has lived in South Korea since 1998. He guided us from January 13th to 17th. Nial speaks Korean very well and that makes travelling around less complicated. Also his explanations of Korean culture gave an extra dimension to our tour. So thanks to Nial for his great guiding and enjoyable time. You can contact Nial at spoonbill@hotmail.com Together with his brother he also manages a great site about Korean birding, http://www.birdskorea.org.

Flight

The flight was with Air France from Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris) to Incheon International Airport (± 45 km west of Seoul). We paid 701 euro. Transport between Brussels and Paris CDG by train, the high speed Thalys. Flying-time Paris - Seoul 10 hours, Seoul - Paris 11.45 hours.

Money

The currency unit in South Korea is the Won. Exchange rate in the airport was for cash US Dollar 1$ = 1156.76 won and for traveller cheques 1$ = 1158.75 won. Automatic bank terminals were not found, even in the cities.

Time and weather

Time difference UTC/GMT +9 hours

It was a rather mild winter in South Korea. During our two week visit, night temperatures were always around -10°C. During the day it was most of the time cloudless with temperatures near freezing point. We had 2 days with snowfall and this on our second visit to Daejeon and before noon at Ganghwa Island. Heavy fog made birdwatching in Seosan nearly impossible on our second day in this area. At Haenam-Gocheonam and Busan, stormy winds made birdwatching unpleasant and very difficult.

Transport

Most of the birdwatching areas are extensive and a long distance from the villages and towns. Public transport (buses, trains and aeroplanes) is not expensive and very frequent between the big cities. Taxis are rather expensive with prices near 100.000 won for half a day.

Hiring a car is the best way to travel around in Korea. We booked a car by Avis. We asked for the smallest car but this was not available. They gave us a Hyundai Avance for the price of the smallest car. Price 550000 won.

At the Incheon International Airport you will find the rental car desks (Hertz and Avis) in the rightmost corner on the arrival floor. An international driving license is absolutely essential.

South Korea has an intensive road system and it is really unbelievable how many new roads they are building. Near every existing road or highway, a new one is being built.

Traffic control is very intensive with speed control cameras everywhere on the highways and smaller roads.

Tolls have to be paid on the main highways. We drove nearly 4000 km and spent 65600 won on tolls.

The price for gasoline is near 1350 won/litre.

Accommodation

The cheapest accomodation is staying in a love-motel. These hotels are big buildings and easy to recognise by pink neon-signs. You will find a lot of them in every city and close to the birdwatching areas. They are cheap and clean. You have a choice of rooms with a bed or rooms in Korean style (Ondol). Prices are between 25.000 and 35.000 won.

Guides

• A Field Guide to the Birds of China - J. MacKinnon & Karen Phillipps

• ANWB Vogelgids van Europa - K. Mullamey, L. Svensson, D. Zetterström, P.J. Grant

• For good identification information for large gulls see http://www.Birds Korea.org

• Gulls of Europe, Asia and N.America - Klaus Malling Olsen, Hans Larsson

Internet Sites

Birds Korea is the best internet site about birdwatching in Korea. Charlie Moores and his brother Nial manage it. Pay attention to the large gulls and Japanese Skylark identification pages. This information will be very useful during your trip.

The following three sites are managed by Korean birdwatchers and are also worth a visit:

http://my.dreamwiz.com/saesori00/jk2.htm
http://aves.birdinkorea.net

Trip reports

Because South Korea is still a rather new birdwatching destination, not many trip reports were found. These were the most useful.

• Birding in South-Korea - N. Lethaby, N. Moores, Jin-Young Park, Dutch Birding 22: 204-219, 2002

• South Korea - Pekka Komi, Alula 3/2002: 82-88

• South Korea Winter Tour, December 6-17 2001 - Nial Moores - Birds Korea website

• South Korea, Spring 2002 - Wilton Farrelly - Birds Korea website

• Birdwatching in South Korea - Frederik Willemyns (Dutch language, private published)

Maps

• Map of Korea-2, S=1:1.100.000 - Sung Ji Mun Hwa Co. Ltd

• Korea South, S=1:800.000 - Hildebrand's Travel Map

• Tourist Map of Korea and Seoul - get from the Avis Rental Car Company

• Korea Tourist Map - central area (Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Daejeon)

  The first map is deficient in not having the numbers of the main highways. The second map has old highway numbers and is also not useful in that way. Benefit of these maps is that also smaller villages are mentioned.

  The map from Avis was the best. All the correct highway numbers are on it but only the bigger cities are mentioned. The detailed central area map is very good with highway numbers clearly marked.

  Because they are building new roads everywhere in the country, the maps we used will soon be out of date.

Itinerary

Visited sites

• Incheon - Song-Do
  Songdo is near Incheon, south of the international airport and west of Seoul. These tidalflats are under pressure of reclamation activities. In winter this site is especially good for gulls.

• Gwangneung Arboretum
  The arboretum is located north east of Seoul, near Uijõngbu. It is nearly 2 hours driving from the airport. Check the river near the parking of the arboretum, this is probably the best area for the Solitary Snipe.

• Cheonsu Bay/Seosan Lakes
  The main bay situated south of Seosan is Cheonsu Bay. The two arms of the bay located close to the city are barraged. These 2 parts form artificial lakes and are called the Seosan Lakes. The eastern lake is named Lake A, the western lake is Lake B. Lake A is the best birdwatching area. There are many tracks in the intensive rice-fields near the border and around the lakes. There is a military airport in this area and when the jets are flying they produce an enormous noise.

• Gunsan / Geum River and estuary
  Gunsan is on the south-west coast. Here the Geum River reaches the sea. The part of the river upstream of highway 25 is a part of the barraged river. Here the large flock of Baikal Teal is staying. Downstream the barrage there are mudflats during low tide. Check these for shorebirds, Saunders's Gull and Swan Goose. Two or three kilometres downstream there are large sandbanks. This is the best place to see the rare “osculans” Oystercatcher.

• Saemangeum Reclamation Area
  These large mudflats are situated just south of Gunsan. This is the most important area for shorebirds in South Korea but the whole area is threatened by a reclamation project that covers 40.000 hectares. You find more on this item at http://www.birdskorea.org//Habitats/Wetlands/Saemangeum/BK-HA-Saemangeum-Mainpage.shtml.

  Also the fields near the mudflats are good and are one of the best places to see Daurian Jackdaw.

• Daejeon
  Daejeon is situated at the source of Geum River. A barrage at Geum River creates the lake. You can reach the barrage from the city just north of Daejeon, named Sintanjin. This is at the western side of the lake. The part of the river just down the barrage is the best area for Scaly-sided Merganser.

• Mokpo-Haenam area
  Mokpo is in the south west of the country. The extensive dammed lakes and fields between Mokpo and Haenam are one of the best places for birdwatching in winter. Especially Gocheonam Lake (barraged bay southwest of Haenam) is a good area. Ducks, geese, Oriental Stork, raptors and Chinese Grey Shrike are all possible here.

• Suncheon Bay
  This bay is situated south of Suncheon city, along the south coast. Especially the western site of the main bay is the best for birdwatching. You will find a restaurant on this side of the bay, which is the highest point in the area. Scan the rice-fields for Hooded Crane from here.

• Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs
  These reservoirs are in the south east of the country north of Changwon and south of Miryang. You will find road signs to the reservoir to Joonam Reservoir when you take the road to Miryang. Dongpan Reservoir is just south of Joonam Reservoir. A road separates both reservoirs.

• Busan area

  Nakdong River Delta
  This river delta is just west of Busan. In the last years there were a lot of new roads build and they are planning new ones. Some parts of the delta are reclaimed, but it's still worth a visit to look for Relict Gull, Swan Goose and Stellers's Sea-eagle. The wooded hill near the sea at the end of eastern site of the delta is a military area but it is open for public. It is good for passerines as Japanese White-eye, thrushes and buntings.

  Taejongdae
  This wooded cliff forms the south eastern point of South Korea. This place is good in winter for Pale Thrush and in some years for Grey Bunting.

• Guryongpo Peninsula and east coast further up north
  Along the east side of the country the coast between Daebo (east of the main city Pohang) and Guryongpo is good for grebes, cormorants, divers, ducks, gulls and alcids. Follow the road along the shore and check out over sea at several points. Also the fields are good for Siberian Accentor, buntings and Japanese Lark.

  Further north the coast between Yeondeok and Hupo holds the same species as the Guryongpo Peninsula.

• Andong
  Near the city there is another artificial lake created by a barrage on the Nakdong River. The river downstream the barrage is a known place for wintering Scaly-sided Merganser.

• Cheorwon DMZ
  Cheorwon is north of Seoul near the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). The area near the lake and dam in Cheorwon is the best for birding. Cinereous Vultures are numerous here. Also Steller's Sea-eagle winters here annually and White-naped and Red-crowned Crane are easy to see. There are plenty of military bases here and entering the roads can be difficult when there is a lot of military activity. When we visited the area soldiers blocked even the public road to the lake. Luckily Nial was with us and after a short discussion we were allowed to enter the area: it's certain that if we'd been on our own, they would never have let us in.

• Han-Imjin River - Munsan area
  Situated north west of Seoul. The Han-Imjin river forms the border with North Korea and this can make birdwatching difficult as many military checkpoints are in this region.

• Ganghwa Island
  The island is situated north west of Seoul, 1.5 hour drive from the international airport. The central, southern end of the island is one of the best birding areas. Check the extensive rice-fields for buntings, thrushes, raptors and geese. Also Red-crowned Crane are regularly seen along the south and south-eastern side of the island.

Species

1. Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata
   14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 2 ex. at sea.

2. Arctic Diver Gavia arctica
   14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 1 ex. at sea
   15/1 - Yeongdok : 1 contaminated with oil at the river.

3. Pacific Diver Gavia pacifica
   14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 5 ex. at sea.

4. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis poggei
   Common.

5. Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena
   14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: a few observed

6. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
   Common.

7. Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritius
   6/1 - Seosan Lake A: 3 observed.

8. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigircollis
   6/1 - Seosan Lake A: a few observed
   14/1 and 15/1: a few observed along the east coast.

9. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
   6/1 - Seosan: ± 15 ex.
   10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: a few
   11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs: min. 15 ex.
   16/1 - Han-Imjin River: ± 20 ex.

10. Japanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus
    13/1 - Busan-Taejongdae: ± 50 ex.
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 7 ex.

11. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
    Common

12. Great Egret Casmerodius albus
    Common

13. Little Egret Egretta garzetta
    6/1 - Seosan: a few
    10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam: a few
    11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs: a few
    15/1 - Andong: a few

14. Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax
    12/1 - Joonam: 5 ex.

15. Oriental White Stork Ciconia boyciana
    10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: a group of 12 individuals foraging at new created rice-fields.

16. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorhodia
    6/1 - Seosan: ± 30 ex.
    10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: ± 130 ex.. One of the largest groups ever observed in South Korea.
    11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam: 3 ex.
    13/1 - Busan: 12 ex.

17. Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
    6/1 - Seosan Lake A: >100
    7/1 and 8/1 - Gunsan: > 50
    11/1 - Suncheon Bay: > 30
    13/1 - Busan-Nakdong Delta: common

18. Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus
    11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 10 ex.

19. Swan Goose Anser cygnoides
    7/1 and 8/1 - Gunsan: 41 ex.. One had a blue neckband with white inscription R90.
    11/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 1 ex.
    13/1 - Busan-Nakdong Delta: 5 ex.
    16/1 - Han-Imjin River: 2 ex.

20. Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis middendorffi
    11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam Reservoir : max. 50 observed.
    16/1 - Han-Imjin : 1 observed by Nial.

21. Tundra Bean Goose Anser fabalis serrirostris
    Common winter visitor.
    6/1 - Seosan Lakes: >5000 ex.
    7/1 and 8/1 - Gunsan: a few hundreds
    10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: a few thousands
    11/1 - Gocheonam Lake: a few thousands

22. Pacific Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons frontalis
    Common winter visitor. Observed at Seosan, Gunsan, Gocheonam, Joonam,
    Cheorwon and Ganghwa Island (>20000 ex.).

23. Black Brant Branta (bernicla) nigricans
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 4 ex.

24. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
    6/1 - Seosan Lake A: > 50 ex.
    7/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
    11/1 - Joonam: 3ex.
    16/1 - Han-Imjin River: > 130 ex.
    17/1 - Daejeon: min. 100 ex.
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: ± 30 ex.

25. Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
    6/1 - 7/1 - 8/1 - Seosan and Gunsan: common
    10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: a few
    11/1 - Suncheon : very common, > 1000
    12/1 - Joonam : a few

26. Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
    5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 1 male and 2 female
    8/1 - Daejeon: ± 20 ex.
    9/1 - Daejeon: 100 - 105 ex.
    11/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 10 ex.
    15/1 - Andong: ± 130 ex.
    17/1 - Daejeon: min. 75 ex.

27. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
    Fairly common.

28. Falcated Duck Anas falcata
    10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: 4 males + 2 females
    11/1 - Suncheon: 1 pair
    11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs: min. 450 ex.
    15/1 - Andong: 14 ex.

29. Gadwall Anas strepera
    Seosan, Gunsan, Mokpo-Haenam, Suncheon, Joonam-Dongpan and Busan: small numbers.

30. Baikal Teal Anas formosa
    6/1 - Seosan Lake A: ± 30 ex.
    7/1 - Gunsan: the famous and unbelievable large group. Numbers are estimated 350.000 ex.. One leucistic bird was in the group.
    10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: ± 1200 ex.
    11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: ± 3000 ex.
    12/1 - Dongpan: 1 male
    15/1 - Andong: 2 ex.

31. Common Teal Anas crecca
    Fairly common.

32. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
    Very common

33. Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha zonorhyncha
    Very Common

34. Northern Pintail Anas acuta
    Seosan, Gunsan, Mokpo-Haenam, Daejeon, Suncheon, Joonam-Dongpan, Busan and Andong: numbers from a few to fairly common.

35. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
    Seosan, Gunsan, Mokpo-Haenam, Suncheon, Joonam-Dongpan and Busan: small numbers.

36. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
    12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 1 male and Dongpan Reservoir: 1 female. These records represent the 8th and 9th record for South Korea.

37. Common Pochard Aythya ferina
    Common.

38. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
    Fairly common.

39. Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 10 - 15 individuals were observed. One male gave great views.

40. White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca stejnegri
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 7 ex.
    15/1 - Hupo harbour: ± 10 ex.

41. Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
    Common.

42. Smew Mergellus albellus
    Very common. Highest record in Andong, ± 75 ex. in one group.

43. Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
    13/1 - Busan : 3 males and 2 females.
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: fairly common at sea
    15/1 - between Yeondeok and Hupo: fairly common at sea
    16/1 - Munsan area: 1 male
    17/1 - Daejeon: 1 male, rare so far inland
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 female

44. Common Merganser Mergus merganser orientalis
    Common throughout the counrtry. Largest numbers at Daejeon and Andong with resp. >350 and >200 ex.

45. Black Kite Milvus migrans lineatus
    13/1 - Busan: ± 20 ex.

46. White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
    6/1 - Seosan: 1 ex.
    7/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
    10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam: 1 ex.
    16/1 - Cheorwon: 3 ex.
    17/1 - Daejeon-Sintanjin: 1 ex.

47. Stellers's Sea-eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus
    16/1 - Cheorwon: 1 2nd or 3rd calendar year bird

48. Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus
    5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 3 ex.
    6/1 - Seosan: 2 ex.
    16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: min. 275 ex.
    16/1 - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area: common
    17/1 - Daejeon: a few

49. Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
    6/1 - Seosan: min. 6 ex.
    7/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
    10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: min. 20 ex.

50. Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 1 female

51. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
    4/1 - Songdo: 1 ex.
    10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: 2 ex.

52. Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
    7/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
    15/1 - Andong: 1 female
    17/1 - Daejeon: 1 ex.
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ex.

53. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo japonicus
    Widespread. Nearly all days observed in small numbers.

54. Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 1 ex.
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ex.

55. Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ad female.

56. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 immature

57. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus interstinctus
    Widespread. Nearly all days observed in small numbers.

58. Merlin Falco columbarius
    6/1 - Seosan: 1 ex
    10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: 1 ex
    12/1 - Joonam: 1 ex
    16/1 - Han-Imjin River: 1 pair

59. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus japonicus
    6/1 - Seosan: 1 ex.
    10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: 3 ex.
    13/1 - Busan: 2 ex.
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 3 ex.

60. Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica
    10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam Lake: 2 ex.
    11/1 - Suncheon: 7 ex.
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 2 ex.

61. Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
    Widespread in the country. Small numbers observed daily.

62. White-naped Crane Grus vipio
    11/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 17 ad. + 5 1st winter
    12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 28 ex.
    16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: ± 50 ex.

63. Hooded Crane Grus monacha
    11/1 - Suncheon: min. 22 ex.. Some of them were paler birds than typical Hooded Cranes and were presumed to be hybrids.

64. Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis
    16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: ± 30 ex.

65. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
    12/1 - Joonam and Dongpan Reservoir: 2 ex.

66. Common Coot Fulica atra
    Fairly common

67. “Eastern” Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus osculans
    8/1 - Gunsan: ± 2000 ex.
    13/1 - Busan: 3 ex.

68. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
    6/1 - Seosan Lake A: 2 ex.
    8/1 - Saemangeum: 22 ex.
    10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam: 4 ex.
    11/1 and 12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 2 ex.
    17/1 - Daejeon: 2 ex.

69. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
    6/1 - Seosan: ± 10 ex.
    11/1 - Joonam: 2 ex.

70. Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus
    11/1 - between Hadong and Jinjin (northeast of Suncheon bay): 2 ex.
    15/1 - Andong: 4 ex.
    16/1 - Han-Imjin River: 2 ex.
    17/1 - Daejeon-Sintanjin: 5 ex.

71. Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria
    5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 4 ex.

72. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
    10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam: 1 ex.. First January record for South Korea.

73. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata orientalis
    6/1 - Seosan Lake A: ± 15 ex.
    6/1 and 7/1 - Gunsan: a few
    11/1 - Suncheon: ± 15 ex.
    13/1 - Busan: a few

74. Common Redshank Tringa totanus
    10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: 1 ex.

75. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
    11/1 - Suncheon: 2 ex.

76. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 1 ex.

77. Sanderling Calidris alba
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 9 ex.

78. Dunlin Calidris alpina
    6/1 - Seosan Lake A: 15 ex.
    7/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
    8/1 - Gunsan: ± 10 ex.
    11/1 - Joonam: 9 ex.

79. Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris
    4/1 - Songdo: ± 40 ex.
    8/1 - Gunsan: 1 ex.
    13/1 - Busan: fairly common
    14/1 and 15/1: east coast: common

80. Kamchatka Gull Larus canus kamtschatschensis
    7/1 and 8/1 - Gunsan: fairly common
    13/1 - Busan: a few

81. Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 2 ex.

82. Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus pallidissimus
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: min. 11 ex.
    15/1 - Hupo harbour: 3 ex.

83. Vega (East-Siberian) Gull Larus vegae vegae
    Most common large gull. Observed in Seosan, Gunsan, Daejeon, Andong, Suncheon, Mokpo-Haenam area, Busan, east coast, Han-Imjin River.

84. Mongolian Gull Larus vegae mongolicus
    6/1 - Seosan: >10 ex.
    14/1 - Andong: a few
    16/1 - Han-Imjin River: 1 ex.
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ex.

85. Taimyr Gull Larus heuglini taimyrensis
    13/1 - Busan: 1 ex.
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 2 ex.

86. Slaty-backed Gull Larus schistisagus
    13/1 - Busan: a few
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: fairly common
    15/1 - between Yeondeok and Hupo: fairly common

87. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus sibiricus
    Common

88. Saunders's Gull Larus saundersi
    7/1 and 8/1 - Gunsan: on 7/1 ± 250 birds present, on 8/1 nearly 50 birds present. 11/1 - Suncheon: ± 20 ex.

89. Relict Gull Larus relictus
    13/1 - Busan: 1 ad. + 2 1st-winter

90. Pacific Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla pollicaris
    15/1 - Hupo harbour: 3 ex.

91. Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus
    14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 1 ex.

92. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
    Very common

93. Short-eared Owl Otus flammeus
    10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: 1ex.

94. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
    12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 1 ex.

95. Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos kizuki seebohmi
    5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 1 ex.
    8/1 - Daejeon: 1 ex.
    13/1 - Busan: 2 ex.
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ex.

96. White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos
    8/1 - Daejeon: 1 ex.

97. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
    5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 1 ex.
    18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 1 ex.

98. Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
    9/1 - Daejeon: 1 ex.
    12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 1 ex.

99. Northern Skylark Alauda arvensis pekinensis/lonnbergi
    Regular small flocks observed in Seosan, Gunsan, Mokpo-Haenam area, Suncheon and Joonam-Dongpan Reservoirs, Guryongpo Peninsula and Ganghwa Island.

100. Japanese Skylark Alauda japonica
     14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: ± 50 ex. observed in the dry ricefield close near the coast.

101. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
     10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: 4 ex.. One of the first January records for South Korea.

102. Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus
     13/1 - Busan- Taejongdae: min. 8 ex.. One of the first January records for South Korea.

103. White Wagtail Motacilla alba
     6/1- Seosan: a few

104. Black-backed Wagtail Motacilla lugens
     Fairly common and widespread.

105. Japanese Wagtail Motacilla grandis
     10/1 - river between Haenam and Suncheon: 2 ex.
     11/1 - between Hadong and Jinjin (northeast of Suncheon bay): 2 ex.
     15/1 - Andong: > 6 ex.
     16/1 - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area: a few

106. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 1 ex.

107. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
     Regular observed in the southern part of the country.

108. Siberian Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens japonicus
     Nearly all the days observed in small numbers.

109. Brown-eared Bulbul Ixos amaurotis
     Common. Observed every day in small numbers.

110. Goldcrest Regulus regulus
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: a few
     12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 2 ex.
     13/1 - Busan: a few

111. Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 1 ex.

112. Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes dauricus
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: a few
     13/1 - Busan: 3 ex.

113. Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella
     12/1 - Dongpan Reservoir: 7 ex.
     13/1 - Busan: 2 ex.
     14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 5 ex. + a few heard
     15/1 - Andong: 2 ex.
     18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 7 ex.

114. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis
     15/1 - between Yeondeok and Hupo: 2 ex. Unusual in winter time.

115. Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus
     13/1 - Busan-Taejongdae: 1 female seen and a few birds heard.

116. Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni eunomus
     Regular observed with observations on 8 days with in total min. 30 birds.

     Naumann's Thrush Turdus naumanni naumanni
     Regular observed with observations on 7 days with in total min. 35 birds.

117. Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus
     13/1 - Busan-Taejongdae: 3 ex.

118. Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus
     Common. Observed daily with 2 to 8 birds.

119. Vinous-throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus
     Common. Observed nearly every day: biggest flocks had more than 100 birds.

120. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus magnus
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: a few
     8/1 and 9/1 - Daejeon: fairly common
     12/1 - Joonam: ± 5 ex.
     13/1 - Busan: a few

121. Marsh Tit Parus palustris
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: fairly common
     8/1 and 9/1 - Daejeon: fairly common

122. Coal Tit Parus ater
     4/1 - Songdo: 2 ex
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: a few

123. Great Tit Parus major minor
     Fairly common throughout the country.

124. Varied Tit Parus varius
     4/1 - Songdo: 2 ex.
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 4 ex.
     14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 4 ex.

125. Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea asiatica
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 2 ex.
     8/1- Daejeon: a few

126. Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus
     10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: > 10 ex.
     11/1 - Suncheon Bay: > 35 ex.
     18/1 - Ganghwa Island: > 15 ex.

127. Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus japonicus
     13/1 - Busan: min. 10 ex.

128. Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus
     Widespread around the country. Observed daily in small numbers.

129. Chinese Grey Shrike Lanius sphenocercus
     10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam: 1 ex.
     11/1 - Suncheon: 1 ex.

130. Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius brandti
     8/1 and 9/1 - Daejeon: 5 ex.
     11/1 - Suncheon: 3 ex.
     13/1 - Busan: 1 ex.
     17/1 - Daejeon: heard only

131. Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus
     8/1 - Daejeon: 30 to 35 ex.
     10/1 - Haenam - Gocheonam: 2 ex.

132. Eurasian Magpie Pica pica
     Very common

133. Daurian Jackdaw Corvus dauuricus
     8/1 - Saemangeum Reclamation Area: 30 to 35 in a large flock of Rooks.
     16/1 - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area: during the evening a large flock of corvids was observed from out of the car. This flock had smaller birds that were likely Daurian Jackdaw.

134. Rook Corvus frugilegus pastinator
     8/1 - Saemangeum Reclamation Area: >200 ex. 16/1 - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area: a large flock of ± 500 birds.

135. Carrion Crow Corvus corone orientalis
     6/1 - Seosan: fairly common
     16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: fairly common

136. Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos japonensis and colonorum
     The southeastern corner of South Korea holds the subspecies japonensis. In the rest of the country the subspecies colonorum occurs.
     13/1 - Busan: min. 10 ex.
     16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ : common

137. White-cheeked Starling Sturnus cineraceus
     9/1 - Mokpo: 38 ex. 10/1 - Haenam: 15 ex.

138. Tree Sparrow Passer montanus saturatus
     Common

139. Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: a few
     8/1 - Daejeon: fairly common
     13/1 - Busan: fairly common
     15/1 - Andong: a few
     18/1 - Ganghwa Island: fairly common

140. Pallas's Rosefinch Carpodacus roseus
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: ± 15 ex.
     8/1 - Daejeon: 5 ex.

141. Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus
     11/1 - Suncheon: 1 ex.
     12/1 - Joonam Reservoir: 4 ex.
     13/1 - Busan: ± 10 ex.

142. Oriental Greenfinch Carduelis sinica
     8/1 - Gunsan: 2 ex.
     11/1 - between Hadong and Jinjin (northeast of Suncheon bay): 20 - 25 ex.
     14/1 - Guryongpo Peninsula: 7 ex.
     15/1 - Yeongdeok: ± 25 ex.
     16/1 - Han-Imjin River - Munsan area: ± 30 ex.

143. Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 3 ex.
     15/1 - Andong: heard

144. Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: 3 ex.
     16/1 - Han-Imjin - Munsan area: 1 ex.

145. Long-tailed Rosefinch Uragus sibiricus
     8/1 - Daejeon: ± 8 ex.
     16/1 - Han-Imjin River: heard

146. Siberian Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides cioides
     15/1 - Andong: 5 ex.
     16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: 1 male
     18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 2 males

147. Japanese Reed Bunting Emberiza yessoensis
     18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 2 males and 1 female

148. Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata fucata
     6/1 - Seosan: 3 ex.
     18/1 - Ganghwa Island: min. 4 ex.

149. Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla
     6/1 - Seosan: 5 ex.
     10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: ± 10 ex.
     11/1 - Suncheon: ± 15 ex.
     18/1 - Ganghwa Island: 2 ex.

150. Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica
     5/1 - Gwangneung Arboretum: min. 5 ex.
     7/1 - Seosan: min. 50 ex.
     8/1 - Gunsan: fairly common
     12/1 - Joonam and Dongpan Reservoirs: 6 ex.
     16/1 - Cheorwon DMZ: common
     18/1 - Ganghwa Island: very common (> 200 ex.)

151. Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans
     Common. Observed every day with often more than 30 birds.

152. Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephalus
     6/1 - Seosan: 5 ex.
     7/1 - Seosan: 1 female
     11/1 - Suncheon: 5 ex.

153. Pallas's Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi
     6/1 - Seosan: ± 100 ex.
     7/1 - Seosan: ± 15 ex.
     10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: fairly common
     11/1 - Suncheon: common
     18/1 - Ganghwa Island: fairly common

154. Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
     10/1 - Mokpo-Haenam area: ± 10 ex.

155. Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus
     6/1 - Seosan: ± 500 ex.
     8/1 - Saemangeum Reclamation Area: ± 20 ex.
     11/1 - Suncheon: 2 ex.

156. Dipped species

     Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus
     The winter of 2003-2004 was one of the worst for this specie in South-Korea. In December, Nial observed just two female-type birds, one in Daejeon and one near Munsan - Han-Imjin River. We searched for the merganser on both sides but were unlucky. On our last day in Daejeon there was also disturbing by illegal hunting activities. We searched also in Andong, another known site for the species.

     Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri
     Normally one or two birds wintering on the Joonam-Dongpan Reservoirs. None was seen this winter before and during our visit.