Thursday, January 16, 2014

Seoul, December 31, 2013 - January 1, 2014

Marsh Tit Poecile palustris
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (mega rarity for Korea)
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
Ferruginous Duck admirers
Hyeonjeolsa Temple
December 31, Namhansan
  On a hazy and relatively warm last day of 2013, I visited the peaceful hills around Hyeonjeolsa Temple on Namhansan, in Seoul’s southeast. It was a treat to see a variety of birds I don’t get to see on Jeju, such as confiding single-digits numbers of Marsh Tit, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch, as well as perhaps a dozen Naumann’s Thrush several Dusky Thrush (and an apparent Dusky x Naumann’s hybrid), and a Goldcrest. Several Great Tit, Varied Tit, Brambling, Large-billed Crow, and an Eastern Buzzard were also seen, but unfortunately I was unable to lay eyes on a Hazel Grouse, in spite of hearing one.

January 1, stream near Eungbong Station, (with Tim Edelsten)
  There was a nice assortment of ducks on a small stretch of river feeding into the Han, with most regular winter ducks represented. Notable were about 150 Mandarin Ducks, remarkable for this site. The star attraction was a cracking male Ferruginous Duck, looking spectacular as it swam lazily in the sun.

Mandarin Ducks removed from hotel lobby


  Good news! And a great article written by Charlie Moores. This makes me very happy - the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
http://www.birdskorea.org/Birds/Miscellaneous/BK-BM-Mandarin-Ducks-in-hotel-lobby.shtml