Nakdong, Dadaepo, and Junam Reservoir, December 23, 2012

Looking in different directions...

Gimhae, the day before

'Scenic' Gimhae

Dead cormorant

Skeletal cormorant

Squadron of cormorants at dawn

Swan Goose Anser cygnoides

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus

immature Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus

White-tailed Sea Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

  It was a great day of birding with friends new and old, and close to 75 species seen. A frigid, windy dawn and several great species awaited us at the Nakdong River. A distant, shimmering scope view of two Steller’s Sea Eagles was a great way to start the day - their stocky and imposing presence was evident even at a distance. Also along this stretch were several Eurasian Curlew, a Eurasian Oystercatcher, and a healthy assemblage of gulls.
  Closer to Dadaepo, a Light-vented Bulbul was spotted mixed in with a large flock of Brown-eared Bulbuls roiling through the treetops. This represents the first record of Light-vented Bulbul for the Busan area, more evidence of a species steadily colonizing the ROK. Dadaepo was fairly quiet, with several Eurasian Bullfinch and Pale Thrush in evidence.
  At Junam, we quickly spotted nine Swan Geese, a great sight to watch as they broke through ice in the fields to feed. Also of note at Junam were nine White-naped Crane, two White-tailed Sea Eagle, and several rotund Brambling.