Birds News from Jason Loghry
Throughout the course of last week, I spent a few of my afternoons on the east bank of the Nakdong River. As many of you may know, the landscape has been subjected to numerous changes, many of which are ongoing, most of which give public access to these once inaccessible reed beds, marshes, and shallow freshwater ponds.
On one hand, it is exciting to explore these new parks in hopes of finding out more about the native species that this rich habitat support. On the other hand, it’s easy for me to feel uncomfortable considering the added pressure contributed simply by my presence. Searching for Yellow and Von Schrenck’s Bittern, which I believe were once more easily seen near the estuary and just upstream, again I found myself unsuccessful.
Species of highlighted interest include:
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus, two observed together on June 19; one in breeding plumage, the other in “non-breeding type” plumage
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus, one observed in a marsh adjacent to a reclaimed area currently under construction
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach, one observed on the evening of June 20; first summer record on the mainland?
Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus, on different dates, two seen in flight near reed beds
Korean Water Deer H. i. argyropus, doe with fawn
Amur Leopard Cat P. b. euptilurus
non-breeding type Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus, © Jason Loghry
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach, © Jason LoghryOther Species observed include:
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus, several seen with chicks
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata, a few seen on the same shallow ponds, appearing to be in moult
Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, most common of the small herons
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Great Egret Ardea alba
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo, 4 observed on June 17, after a day of heavy rain; hundreds of dragonflies present
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Pacific Swift Apus pacificus, 50+ near dusk on June 17
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Japanese Bush Warbler Horornis diphone
Oriental Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis
Far Eastern Cisticola Cisticola juncidis, several heard singing throughout the park
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthera webbiana
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
White Wagtail Motacilla alba