Gangseo Seupji (Ecological Park) is one of the downstream wintering areas of birds at Han River in Seoul. Due to Avian Influenza the main walking area has been closed for the public since end of November, but still a glimpse from the side and a walk along the highly frequented bicycle path is possible.
At the riverside around 250+ Mallards and a single Eurasian Teal roosted, and further on the river Pochards and Tufted Ducks could be seen. A single Common Sandpiper ran along the riverside. Also, Grey Herons and a Great Egret were there, White Wagtails, an Eastern Buzzard and a Common Kestrel. Along the bicycle path, a mixed flock of 40-45 Dusky Thrushes and Naumann’s Thrushes, Vinous-throated Parrotbills, tits and buntings could be seen and heard, plus a very confiding female Bull-headed Shrike, with flocks of geese overflying.
As everywhere in the country, just were the wetland ended (at Haengju bridge), a large area has been bulldozed, for construction or river improvement of some kind.
The main area of Gangseo Seupji is closed off due to AI © Bernhard Seliger
Flocks of geese flying over the wetland © Bernhard Seliger
Naumann’s thrush (Turdus naumanni) © Bernhard Seliger
Dusky thrush (Turdus eunomus) © Bernhard Seliger
A very confiding female bull-headed shrike (Lanius bucephalus) © Bernhard Seliger
Map of Gangseo Seupji with AI advisory © Bernhard Seliger
From the town-wards side, a glimpse into the river area is still possible © Bernhard Seliger
Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), a Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) and a Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) © Bernhard Seliger
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos: a regular migrant and local summer visitor, but very uncommon away from the far south © Bernhard Seliger