Birds Korea Spoon-billed Sandpiper Research: Five, September 30, Mangyeung “Estuary”

Highlight of a boat-based survey of the outer Mangyeung “Estuary” (part of the Saemangeum Estuarine System, closed off by a 33km long seawall in 2006) was the discovery by the team of five Spoon-billed Sandpipers (one adult and four juveniles). Although this is a much smaller number than supported by the Saemangeum Estuarine System before seawall close, it is still likely to be the largest day count of this Critically Endangered species in the ROK so far this year. Other species of note included 50 Black-faced Spoonbill (Endangered), 810 Far Eastern Oystercatcher and a lone Oriental Plover. Seeing the construction of inner dykes and the lines of dump trucks in the background behind feeding Spoonies, it remains impossible to understand how anybody could call the destruction of this 40,000ha wetland “environmentally friendly”.