 |
| 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.
