Bird News from Nial Moores
Two quick visits to local woodland on December 25th and to Igidae on 28th and one half-day at the Nakdong Estuary (on 27th) produced several species of note, though no real surprises. Highlights in an ecopark next to the Nakdong River and in the Estuary on the 27th included a single Ruddy Shelduck (locally common in the northwest, this is perhaps only my second observation of this species in Busan), eleven Northern Lapwing , seven Eurasian Hoopoe, 2+ Light-vented Bulbul, 5+ Common Starling and small numbers of Chinese Penduline Tit and Pallas’s Reed Buntings.
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea © Nial Moores
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops © Nial Moores
In the estuary proper, single Hen Harrier, White-tailed Eagle and Steller’s Sea Eagle (latter a stunning adult sitting on the tidal flat); 20 Far Eastern Oystercatcher, 200 Dunlin, 40+ Sanderling and 75+ Eurasian Curlew; two First-winter Relict Gull (in many ways, bird of the day as I failed to see this species at all in the Nakdong last winter) and 15+ Saunders’s Gull – and another Eurasian Hoopoe!
Steller’s Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus © Nial Moores
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata orientalis © Nial Moores
In and close to woodland near the Birds Korea office in eastern Busan, many of the typical winter species are present in expected numbers, including small numbers of Oriental Turtle Dove and Pale Thrush, larger foraging flocks of Eastern Great Tit and Vinous-throated Parrotbill (largest group of the latter a decent 130), and more locally Olive-backed Pipit, Goldcrest and Eurasian Wren.
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis orientalis © Nial Moores
Most enjoyable/ notable were excellent views of a male Grey-headed and a dozen or so Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers; single Light-vented Bulbul and Bohemian Waxwing (latter heard only) both on 25th and single Siberian Accentor on 27th; and probably a dozen Yellow-bellied Tit in total.
Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus jessoensis © Nial Moores