 |
Long-tailed Rosefinch Carpodacus sibiricus
|
 |
Pallas’s Rosefinch Carpodacus roseus (left:male, right:female)
|
 |
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthera webbiana
|
 |
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus
|
 |
| Reed Harvesting |
 |
| Area stripped of reeds |
 |
| Suncheon Bay |
The reeds at Suncheon
Bay at this time of year are constantly rustling with restless Vinous-throated Parrotbills,
Chinese Penduline Tits, and Pallas’s Reed Buntings (though almost no Common Reed
Buntings yet). There are now noticeably
less reeds for these birds, as truckloads of workers have been harvesting large
swaths of reeds from the area lately, leaving the inevitable piles of trash behind
them. Another issue is that one
has to be careful where one steps these days, as a disturbing and widespread new
trend at the bay seems to be ‘outdoor bathroom breaks’ – a truly repulsive
situation.
The bay was gloomy
and chilly on December 24th, with the obvious highlight being a brief
encounter with a female Bluethroat. Other noteworthy bird sightings included a Western Osprey, just one
Cinereous Vulture, and a dozen Lapland Longspurs. Two days later in the hills north of town, seven
Pallas’s Rosefinch were a treat to watch as they fed in a roadside ditch just after sunset.
On the final day of
2015, an Eastern Water Rail and the overwintering pair of Hen Harriers were
seen, but the real excitement for the day came in the form of three Pine
Buntings. This is a long-awaited species
for me, and this sighting was apparently the most southerly mainland record.
A Siberian
Accentor on January 2nd was a personal new species for the site,
as were two Long-tailed Rosefinch on January 9th. Later in the day, I was fairly surprised to
see a lethargic Long-billed Dowitcher. Six White-naped Cranes were also a welcome sight.
