Seoul June 2007

Jeremy Barker
Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor

Species seen:

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus karpowi
Rather common, but extremely hard to see. The birds are present even in the city centre parks, but at least at this time of year are extreme skulkers. My first genuine Common Pheasants though...!
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Seen on two occasions in the city centre, once in company with Spot-bills
Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha zonorhyncha
Seen in the city centre, in the Manisan area and during the half-day DMZ tour
Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos kizuki
Bold and obvious in Bukansan; also seen in Seoul
White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos
Two seen in the hills just south of the Coex centre, somewhat surprisingly
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
Seen and heard in the city centre and Manisan area
Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus
Seen and heard in the hilly area just south of the Coex centre, as well as being heard in the Manisan area
Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
First ones seen on the half-day DMZ tour, near the viewpoint over North Korea. Subsequently seen in the Seoul Tower park and in the Manisan area
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
One watched fishing in the pond at the southern end of the Unification Bridge, DMZ tour. Second bird seen at the Ganghwa Tidal Flats Centre
Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata
One seen briefly and not particularly well from the bus between Manisan and the Ganghwa Tidal Flats centre. Disappointing, as this was one bird I'd been particularly keen to see.
Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Birds singing in Bukansan NP, on the hills just south of the Coex centre and at Manisan.
Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus
One singing on Manisan
Feral Pigeon Columba livia var. domestica
Unsurprisingly, widespread through Seoul.
Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris
Birds apparently of this species seen from the bus on the DMZ tour
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Common and widespread - in fact the first bird I saw from my hotel window!
Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis
Medium-large flock (about 500 birds) at the Ganghwa Tidal Flats centre; the only waders present.
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris
Common outside the city, yet only one or two small groups seen within the city on the Han river
Vega Gull Larus fuscus vegae
Small group of what appeared to be this (sub)species on the Han river at XXXX island
Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis
One seen briefly at Manisan
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
One in Seoul on the 11th
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo
One bird seen extremely well in Bukansan NP, perched just above in a dead tree. Subsequent birds seen in flight during the DMZ tour and at Manisan
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Seen regularly inside Seoul on the Han river
Japanese Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus
Several seen from Ganghwa-Do island
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Seen occasionally in rice-paddies during the DMZ tour and en-route to Ganghwa-Do
Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes
Around 30 birds at Ganghwa Tidal Flats centre
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Great Egret Ardea alba
Several birds seen around the Manisan area in rice paddies
Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia
Two birds, apparently this species seen from the bus around the Ganghwa Tidal Flats centre
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Several birds seen around the Manisan area
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Seen in paddyfields on the way to Ganghwa-Do, as well as during the DMZ tour
Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor
One group of five birds seen loafing near the Ganghwa Tidal Flats Centre, at least seven at a nest island nearby
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
Seen just once, in the wooded hills just south of the Coex centre
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica
Common and widespread
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos
Small group seen in Bukansan NP; the species was heard there on each visit. Also seen on one occasion in the city centre.
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis
Heard, and evetually seen well, in Bukansan NP. Also seen well on the DMZ tour at the tunnel entrance, and on Manisan.
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia
One superb male watched singing in Bukansan NP
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelaena
One seen in Bukansan NP
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus
Several seen each visit to Bukansan NP
White-cheeked Starling Sturnus cineraceus
A pair seen during the DMZ tour were the only ones seen
Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea
Seen in Seoul city centre and Bukansan NP
Marsh Tit Poecile palustris
Common and widespread
Great Tit Parus major
Common and widespread
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
Seen frequently in Seoul and Bukansan NP
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
A quartet seen in the Manisan area were the only birds seen
Brown-eared Bulbul Ixos amaurotis
Common and abundant everywhere
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus
Common everywhere, though takes some time to click with them. Spectacular views of one family group in the hilly park just south of the Coex centre, down to about 1m; typically too dark for photography though.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Common everywhere
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
One bird seen in Seoul
Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans
Seen each visit to Bukansan, as well as in the wooded hills just south of the Coex centre.

49 species

Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes

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Other species
Jungle Cat Felis chaus
One animal, apparently this species seen by pure fluke in Bukansan NP. A brief detour to investigate the alarm calls from the magpies and Marsh Tits led to a view of a medium-small cat wandering casually across the path in front of me. The only other thing it might have been would be Wild Cat Felis sylvestris. Not a feral cat, in any case!
Eurasian Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris
Seen frequently in Bukansan NP, as well as the wooded hills south of the Coex centre
Siberian Chipmunk Tamias sibericus
Quite common and widespread.

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