Bird news of Bernhard Seliger (Hanns-Seidel-Foundation, Birds Korea)
Early autumn migration and the fallout of the Typhoon Lingling both influenced the trip to Goseong in September, with a very first short day, which had to be canceled due to heavy rain and a better than expected second day.
Notable on the first day was a group of more than fifty Pacific Swifts circling around the new Unification Observatory at the inner-Korean border.
The second day brought in the early morning some waders at Daejin beach, including five Grey-tailed Tattlers, eleven Common Sandpipers and seven Terek Sandpipers.
In Daejin itself, a small harbor, three Red-billed Starlings and a single Chinese Grosbeak were seen.
Around Hwajinpo lake and at the entrance of the eco-path jointly established by Goseong county and Hanns-Seidel-Foundation Korea (which now, sadly, lacks a proper entrance and cannot easily be found any more), Brown Shrikes, Tiger Shrikes and Bull-headed Shrikes were heard and seen. The road to Geonbongsa temple, leading through the formerly closed Civilian Control Zone, remains pleasant and a good place to observe birds on the wires along the road.
Among the surprises of the visit were an early Common Pochard at Hwjainpo lake, as well as a obviously exhausted Red-necked Phalarope at Ganseong Namchon, where sadly the habitat degradation is rapidly progressing.
Nevertheless, the county remains a pleasant place to see birds of the sea, mountains and rice fields together.
