Bird News by Jason Loghry and Mike Friel
Our morning started with 16 White-cheeked Starlings and 4 Common Starlings perched on some wires not far from the park. It was clear and although cold, pleasantly sunny. On the park grounds a Eurasian Sparrowhawk was spotted at a very close distance on small tree. A large group of feeding Hooded Cranes could be heard. Hoping to find reed buntings, we headed for the reeds. On the way, we saw 3 Rustic Buntings. Flying in the distance was an unknown buzzard. It turned out to be a very nice looking Rough-legged Buzzard.
The weather started to change and the wind picked up, so we decided to get a closer look at the cranes. We counted more than 162 Hooded Cranes, 1 Common Crane, and 1 crane that seemed to be a possible hybrid. There was a large number of Mallards, some Pintails, some Teal, +150 White-fronted Geese, and 3 Cattle Egret. A Long-billed Plover was spotted on some rocks in the distance. There were 2 Eurasian Curlews feeding near the flock of Mallard. It was interesting to see how their plumage provided for perfect camouflage on the rice field. Seeing only a few buntings- including only 1 Meadow Bunting and some possible Reed Buntings in flight, we opted for a boat ride to check out the flat. There we saw Whooper Swan, Grey Plover, Dunlin, more Eurasian Curlew, 1 Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-headed Gulls, and 1 Saunders’s Gull.
As the afternoon progressed, the temperature dropped a bit and the wind grew stronger. Still, once again, we had a lovely time at Suncheon Bay. Special thanks to Mr. Kim In Cheol.
Rustic Buntings Emberiza rustica. Video © Jason Loghry.
Hooded Cranes Grus monacha. Photo © Jason Loghry.
Common x Hooded Crane Grus grus x Grus monacha with Hooded Cranes. Photo © Jason Loghry.
Common Crane Grus grus with Hooded Cranes Grus monacha. Photo © Jason Loghry.