March
March often contains a mixture of dry, cold days (with night temperatures down to 3-4 C, and highs between 10 and 15 C) and occasional milder showery, windy weather.
Most wintering species are still present, but in progressively reduced numbers. Falcated Duck regularly display on reservoirs and ponds, while small numbers of Baikal Teal remain at key sites. Migrant cranes peak in the northwest, as can the Ancient Murrelet migration along the east coast. Small numbers of shorebirds, including early Little Ringed Plover and flocks of Far Eastern Curlew arrive, plus Siberian Buff-bellied Pipits and the first leucopsis White Wagtails. Hundreds of Rustic Buntings, Dusky and Naumann's Thrushes move north-east out of China and Japan, along with smaller numbers of raptors and occasional influxes of Japanese Waxwing. Bramblings and Siskins often form large flocks at key migration points. Sunny days tempt Rustic, Meadow, and Yellow-throated Buntings into song, and numbers of Oriental Stork, while still very small, peak at Seosan.
Rare finds in March in recent years have included Red-crested Pochard, Yellow-bellied Tit, and Red-throated Thrush. Careful searching through gull flocks may reveal taxa like Pallas's Gull, barabensis, cachinanns, or smithsonianus. National firsts in March include Bar-headed Goose in 2003, European Robin on Hong Island in 2006, and Bonelli's Eagle on Ui Island in 2007.

(The following records are a compilation of our own sightings and records sent in by other observers. As well as being posted on the Birds Korea website(s), selected records are also forwarded to other Korean-language birding websites; records of threatened species are arranged and forwarded to Birdlife International and national authorities when appropriate; flag images and records are passed to bodies responsible for their coordination throughout the flyway; and all records sent to us are used to compile annual reports and to support the evolving understanding of the status of many of Korea’s birds.)

 

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Please Note: From the end of this month (March 2011) we will no longer be posting Latest Bird Sightings on this page. Instead all current sightings will be published on the Birds Korea Blog (at http://www.birdskoreablog.org) where it is possible to add comments, thoughts, or additional information in the comments field below each post. We feel that this interactivity can only help foster a better sense amongst Birds Korea members and non-members alike of 'working together' and inclusion - which is of course absolutely critical if we are all to help stem the tide of loss and habitat change that is so impacting East Asia's birds.
Records will continue to be archived every month as before, and will be available through this website.
Birds Korea, March 2011

 

Largely bereft of interesting birds at Junam as the spring progresses and the water level rises, in a similar pattern to last year when the reservoir suddenly became very quiet birdwise in early March. However, the visit was made worthwhile by the continued presence of a fine adult Lesser White-fronted Goose, which showed very well at close range and permitted some digiscoped record shots to be taken. Otherwise the only bird of interest was a Eurasian Hoopoe, which felt very appropriate for the warm and sunny conditions today.

Lesser Whitefront Anser erythropus. Photos © Dominic Le Croissette

 

An unseasonably warm (17C), sunny and breezy day at Suncheon. After meeting Kim In-Cheol at the very crowded visitor center (which apparently enjoys up to 6,000 visitors per day from all over South Korea on fine spring days like today), we set off along the thankfully uncrowded raised embankment out towards the mudflats of the bay.

Various small birds showed briefly in flight before dropping back into the extensive reedbeds, however it was clear there were good numbers of Pallas's Reed Buntings around and we saw at least one Chinese Penduline Tit. At a small reedy pond on the landward side of the embankment, we were suddenly able to enjoy prolonged views of many Pallas's Reed Buntings in small groups as well as surprisingly higher numbers of Common Reed Buntings. There was a constant stream of avian traffic to and from this small reedbed, which presumably offered excellent feeding conditions or fresh water to drink. Another Chinese Penduline Tit was in this area, as well as a Black-faced Bunting in the grounds of the education center.

A little further along, we flushed a total of at least 6 Japanese Quail from the embankment, which flew a short distance before pitching down into the reeds. The tide was out so there was little to see on the mudflats, although a party of 6 Eurasian Spoonbill and a perched Western Osprey provided some interest.

Meanwhile, Mr Kim located a female Merlin sitting in a plowed field, and before long we had good views of the Hooded Crane flock, comprising about 200 birds. Among them was a single Common Crane, and two hybrid birds.

Later in the afternoon, we went by car to a cliff face in the area, where we enjoyed spectacular views of the day's best birds: a pair of Eurasian Eagle Owls, with two Little Buntings nearby.

Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo. Photos © Jason P Loghry

 

On a brush-covered hill I encountered about six grisventris Eurasian Bullfinch, and twice as many Pallas's Rosefinch.  Also found along the paths were handfuls of Yellow-throated Bunting, Marsh Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Varied Tit, >magnus Long-tailed Tit, and Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker.  Later in the day I found a dead Hawfinch that had collided with a massive greenhouse.  A half-dozen Rustic Buntings moved through the brush nearby.  Behind this same greenhouse, I heard the strangest loud sounds coming from the woods.  From a distance I thought it was crows mobbing another bird, but as I got closer it sounded like a pack of 30 agitated monkeys, turkeys, and/or Kookaburras!  I tried to locate the source of the racket, but it moved quickly through the woods before suddenly stopping.  My best guess is a pack of mobbing Eurasian Jays.  Just before leaving I finally got some great views of a stationary Solitary Snipe on a quiet spot in a stream.

Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria. Photo © Matt Poll

Pallas's Rosefinch Carpodacus roseus. Photo © Matt Poll

Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans. Photo © Matt Poll