Author Archives: Nial Moores

Yeoncheon County, February 7-11

Bird News from Nial Moores with Lee Su-Young (on 7th) and Baek Seung-Kwang (on 9th-11th). All images copyright of Nial Moores / Birds Korea.

In subzero temperatures, continuation of research funded by Yeoncheon County, with the mission this year of supporting the county in joint efforts to identify key areas to include in a Ramsar site.

Among 59 bird species logged highlights included single Common Crane and Water Pipit (latter our first record of the species here) and multiple close encounters with cranes and Cinereous Vultures, as well as some stunning encounters with globally Vulnerable Korean Water Deer. This visit was also remarkable for the opportunity to visit for the first time ever (for me) or for the first time in many years (crane expert Baek Seung-Kwang) additional areas of the CCZ – both along the Samicheon, and in the interestingly named Baengnyeong-ri…

A few bird species of note follow:

  • Taiga Bean Goose Anser fabalis middendorffii 큰부리큰기러기. A total of 346 were counted, with the largest concentration 278, or almost 4% of the Korea Non-Breeding population, on the Imjin River in the CCZ.

Based on older estimates, “Eastern Taiga Bean” is considered by Wetlands International to have a total population of 41,200 individuals. However, a paper last year by Degtyarev in Wildfowl describes a very rapid decline in the Russian breeding grounds.

Flock of Taiga Bean Goose to rear (containing a single Tundra Bean), feeding together on grain provided by local people with Greater White-fronted Geese, Red-crowned Cranes and Mallard. More discussion and stricter enforcement is needed – as such feeding, while very well-meaning can unintentionally massively increase the risk of spreading disease between species.

Although the Winter Census (and many birders) do not try to separate Taiga and Tundra, Taiga Bean which over-winter in Korea are generally quite easy to separate from Tundra Beans on a combination of structure, plumage, calls and behaviour.   Birds during the main migration periods, however, can be a lot more challenging! 

Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris 큰기러기 on left; Taiga Bean Goose on right, Imjin River, February 11th. Because of differences in their ecological niches, “Eastern Taiga Bean” have evolved to become, large, long-necked and very big-headed, without an obvious forehead – instead there is an almost smooth line from the bill tip to the peak of the crown. Tundra Bean, which typically graze on rice-stubble, are more compact and shorter-billed, with a more obvious forehead, and without the smooth swan-like bill and head profile shown by Taiga. Taiga Bean also tend to be darkest on the crown and hind-nape (sometimes even recalling Swan Goose in difficult light), with quite pale breasts, and often quite strongly contrasting blackish flank bars. Tundra Bean are typically dark-headed, and dirtier-looking, with less contrasting barring on the flanks.

  • Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons 쇠기러기. Approximately 9,500 were counted in total (about 6% of the Korea Non-Breeding Population according to the Wetlands International Waterbird Population Estimates portal). The largest flock was 3,940 in the Buksam-Gunnam fields. This total is a few thousand lower than the 13,335 counted in mid-December. One smaller flock likely contained at least one Lesser White-fronted Goose: calls were heard but no suitable candidate was found in spite of repeat checks through the flock.
  • Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus 호사비오리. Nine of this globally Endangered species were still present in a key stretch of the Imjin River that maintains open flowing areas through the winter. Disturbance at this particular location during our survey included a man walking the whole shore line in search of rocks to sell; a shaman ceremony; and construction sites in two areas.
  • Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris 낭비둘기. The highest count of this Nationally Threatened species was more than 30 seen in the “southern CCZ”, a new location during our survey work. One individual had white wings – and presumably is a product of hybridization with a white feral pigeon that joined the main flock more than a year ago.
  • White-naped Crane Antigone vipio 재두루미. A total of 1,190 of this globally Vulnerable (but increasing in the ROK) species were counted, with the largest flock 416 in the Peace Rice-fields.  Only 77 of this total were seen outside of the CCZ.
  • Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis 두루미. A total of 279 of this globally Vulnerable species were counted, with 41 the largest single concentration, and only 25 seen outside of the CCZ.
  • Common Crane Grus grus 검은목두루미. An adult was in the Peace Rice-fields.
  • Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus 독수리. Approximately 250 of this globally Near Threatened species were seen, with the largest concentration 140-180 in Namgyeri, feeding on waste compost containing animal parts next to a busy road; and 60 in the Samicheon CCZ 13.5 km to the west of Namgyeri.
  • Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 옅은밭종다리. A probable was heard and seen in flight at Baekhak on the 9th.  In much less windy weather on 11th, one (presumably the same individual?) was seen well, though at fairly long range.

As everywhere, many important areas for biodiversity in Yeoncheon County are threatened with excessive disturbance and “development”. However, some outstanding areas still remain – including along the Imjin River at Baekhak and in the CCZ.

A really beautiful stretch of the Imjin River in Baekhak…
And nearby, the confluence of the Imjin River, Samicheon and Seokjangcheon – a potentially superb area if it were e.g., restored or managed in accordance with some of the actions presented in the cabinet-approved 5th National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (and as recommended in our 2024 biodiversity report).
And a little to the north of there, the CCZ contains the Samicheon, which like the Imjin has its source in the DPRK.
The CCZ in Baengnyeong-ri is quite narrow, but contains some of the least disturbed-looking habitat in the ROK – rather like parts of Baengnyeong Island 250km to the west, until a decade ago

Identification of Silver-throated Bushtit 검은턱오목눈이 and hybrids with Long-tailed Tit 오목눈이

Nial Moores, Birds Korea, November 2024 Following very strong northwesterly winds in late October 2024 no fewer than 5-10 presumed hybrid Silver-throated Bushtit Aegithalos glaucogularis 검은턱오목눈이 x Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 오목눈이were observed on Baengnyeong Island, Incheon (Republic of Korea). … read more