Bird News from Robin Newlin
I made an afternoon visit to the stream at Eungbong, just above the confluence with the Han River. Weather was cool and cloudy. For once, it was good to be at some distance from the birds — the old walkway has been fenced off, and pedestrians and cyclists are farther away from the water. Even though some sort of construction is going on in parts of this new buffer zone, the number of birds on the water was impressive — a conservative 600 Common Pochards, about 100 Tufted Ducks (many more suspected far off on the Han), c. 50 Eastern Spot-billed Ducks, c. 25Northern Pintails, scattered Gadwalls and Mallards, 8 Ruddy Shelducks, and a very encouraging 70+ Mandarin Ducks. White Wagtails, Vinous-throated Parrotbills and a Daurian Redstart called in the background.
Common Pochard Aythya ferina, © Robin Newlin
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, © Robin Newlin
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, © Robin Newlin
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata, © Robin Newlin
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea left, Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata center, Northern Pintail Anas acuta right, © Robin Newlin