Baeksasil Valley, bordering Buam-dong and Pyeongchang-dong in Seoul, is not only famous as a summer retreat in the 19th century, with some remaining ruins, but also as a protected area, in particular due to Korean salamanders living around the clear stream in the valley. It is also quite a pleasant place for forest bird watching in the city. The combination of water, some rather old and large trees, and open garden areas more toward the top make it a great habitat for many different species.
My walk on a Saturday, which was surprisingly calm, with only a few hikers along the more popular inner part and the tail to Bugak Skyway, was in a time, when winter birds already get more nervous, preparing to leave, and in stunning breeding plumage. Among the most frequent residents are woodpeckers (12 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 8 Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers and 3 Grey-headed Woodpeckers in this rather small valley means they are everywhere). Hawfinches, Bramblings and Siberian Long-tailed Rosefinches were typical winter visitors, as were Rustic Buntings and Siberian Accentors, while Yellow-throated Buntings, Tits, Jays, Azure-winged Magpies and the Winter Wren were residents. All in all a surprisingly calm morning, with some great views of smaller winter birds.
You can see the full list at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S128629235
