Weapons of Mass Destruction

Q. What do 40,000 hectres look like? Personally, I wouldn't be able to describe what 1 hectre looks like but now I am able to answer this question. A. the Surface of the Moon! This adequately describes the 'Reclaimation Project' here at Seosan which is split into 2 parts one known as Reclaimation Lake A, the other not surprisingly Reclaimation Lake B. It is what has been reclaimed that presents the problem as it amounts to miles and miles of foreshore, valuable to migratory birds and a VAST area of sea, esturine habitat and reed beds. I can empethise to some extent as we all have to live and make a living, but the bulldozers, diggers and heavy trucks (the WoMD) continue their damaging work seemingly day and night. In the middle of each of these land grabs is a huge lake, the water supply to irregate the crops (mostly rice), which is what all of this is about. The question only relates to A as area B is somewhat larger, but on the up side many other birds, especially Wildfowl, thrive on this.

Along with yet another new found mate, eminant Korean ornithologist Lee (Harry) Haesoun, we started our day on a passerine theme and 2 new additions to the Trip List

White-cheeked Starling (here and above)

and a small flock of a more familiar (to us anyway) Common Starling, they are 'rare' here.

Further along at the first reedbed better still, a 'Lifer' (dependant on which authority you follow) in the shape of a

BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL.

A note before we continue about the Water Birds which all share 2 common denomiators, one they are all nervous as hell, and 2 they are usually only observed at great distance.

First up was a fine looking Mongolian Gull

which some still consider a 'sub species' within the Herring Gull complex,

while the Birds of East Asia (Mark Brazil) regard it as 'single species status'. Either way I'm prepared so won't have to go bombing off to Mongolia again!

There then followed a succession of what may be considered British Birds, including Common Goldeneye, this being a timely remainder as to just how far afield the world distribution is in many cases.

Next up somewhere in the region of 2 dozen Whooper Swans

including a couple of juveniles.

Great Cormorant, hopefully to be followed tomorrow by Temminck's Cormorant when we visit the sea-side.

Great Crested Grebe was followed by

Tufted Duck,

Common Pochard and

Common Coot that's when the mobile went off and Harry's mate informed us that he had just re-located a difficult bird indeed. High on any wants list to this part of the world the

ORIENTAL WHITE STORK - Listed as ENDANGERED

is not only 'scarce' but also 'wander' never seeming to be in the same place from one day to the next. We were lucky to connect with these 2 birds! If that were not enough (there can never be ENOUGH of this)

We found our own 3

Hooded Cranes

To access another part of the lake we had to drive part way along the sea-shore where we found a small party of what Harry considered to be

Eastern Oystercater, a sub-species (Haematopus ostralegus osculans), given the amount of white on the wing and bill structure - all a bit beyond me!

Great to see again was another Mongolian Gull,

familiar Shoveler,

not so familiar sleeping

Ruddy Shelduck

along with lots of their close cousins Common Shelduck. By now it was getting late and there was still a Motel to find, so we decided to call it a day

and as if to end it on an especially 'high note' the 2 Oriental Cranes flew almost directly over our heads. Thanks to Harry and the birds for a spectacular day, and it should be more of the same tomorrow - HERE'S HOPING!

Out For A Duck

I really seem to have developed a soft-spot for Dong Song, and as for the people everyone I have met has been extremely welcoming. All good things must come to an end, so armed with my little bag of Korean bread and savoury minced meat in steamed pastry packages I begin another day on the road. From here it's back to Seoul, then change bus for Seosan which is at the heart of the west coast. With no field work today I thought you might like to brows these shots taken yesterday of some pretty startling avian action. You'll have to excuse the flippancy that goes under the heading of humour - ENJOY!

This Osprey, at least that's what it seems to think it is, simply stooped from above with tallons

bared and ended up in the middle of the river, completely submerged for a while. Question is "what is it standing on"?

There has already been a clue in picture number one, but guess you'll be as amazed as we were when you find out. Already some of the locals were getting annoyed, like this Large-billed (Jungle) Crow, but this was only the begining of the struggle.

I think we have all realised by now that this is a Goshawk but nonetheless it still appears to be standing on or struggling with something below.

Just like an hour swimming in Weymouth Bay,

it suddenly started to do the 'crawl',

slowly but surely getting nearer to the bank.

Pheew, nearly there then I can get rid of whatever it is that's stuck between my toes.

Well, would you Adam & Eve it and under water Wood Pigeon,

and we knew we were looking at 2 of them as we watched from the bridge some distance away.

A Goshawk with a Mallard, well there's no reason why not but doubt you'll find many Ducks among the Pine Trees in the Forest of Dean!

OK, shall we go this way

or that way and shall we have it a la orange or Peking style?

Either way first we have to get its vest off

and keep it firmly pinned to the floor

before we start a little 'blood letting'!

Oh cripes he's still a bit perky,

and now he's trying to relieve me of my liberty bodice.

Well being as he's kicking those little legs,

might as well sing it a little song

and now look it's a 'duet'.

Right let's get down to the business in hand, a little more of the old tomato ketchup, and

ay up who's that sneaking up on us.

Aw my gawd it's the local thugs

don't they know there's no such animal as a 'free lunch'?

Girt You Cow Son,

n' don't come back else I'll get in a flap.

Go on push off and let me get on with me dinner.

This is starting to look like a Beggar's Banquet, so feast your eyes.

Right, that's got rid of that lot so it's time to settle down to a spot of pudding!

Lovely grub.

and after a good meal,

Mum, I think I've got a wishbone stuck in mi froat!

The whole scene viewed through the eyes of a 7 year old girl. Saeyeon spent ages observing the goings on, perched with us on the parapet of the road bridge, through her dad's telescope. She says she wants to be an artist one day, don't know about you but I'd say she already is?