Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rapier]

(I'm not talking about checking out the skirt here. This is a continuance of the "silent spring" thread.)
For those of you who enjoy getting out in the fresh air and saving cash in your spare time and like birdwatching (seem to be a few in Korea), don't despair. There are birds here.
I've seen 45 different species in Seoul alone without much effort. The wading birds are all on passage at the moment- check out the riversides and estuaries for wading birds- theres plenty.
The Hangang river right now is bursting with different waterfowl right now- much of it very scarce in other parts of the world.
You can pick up a pair of binoculars in Technomart relatively cheaply and even a telescope costs only 200.000 won.
In the summer, get out of seoul and explore the countryside. Rivers, woods, and rice paddies are all good. A real refreshing day out. Any trip to the DMZ is good as that whole unspoilt area abounds in birdlife.
Any other ideas where to go?

[twoteach]

Rapier:

I see that no one has responded to your post on birds. Just a hunch here, but this job doesn't exactly attract a lot of biology majors.

I'm a passive birder and have kept a check list since arriving last May. I live up in Sokcho. There are some good species that pass this way, most noteably, Eurasian Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) in October, Garganey (A. querquedula) just this week and the Japanese Wagtail (Montacilla grandis)late fall.

There is good waterfowl at Yonglang Lake as well as the harbor. The passerines, however, are far and few between. The soil profile here, as well as limited diversity of major flauna ( mainly Pinus and Quircus Mongolia) combined with the inane Korean compunction to cut down every damn shrub and branch within reach makes birding shallow here.

Nearby Sorak however, is quite good I hear. I would recommend some of the less traveled parks in our area, like Oseak. In season, Sorak is so crowded and noisy you couldn't hear a Pica pica if it was on your shoulder. Don't waiste your time, unless it's off season or mid-week. There are, however a good population of Brown Dippers (Cinclus pallasii).

email me if you want more info. [email protected]

[rapier]

Thanks twoteach,
Good to know you've found some birds up there- there's a lot available for anyone who takes the time and is prepared to look. I've done some research and it seems that the korean peninsula is well geographically located to host some special birds on pasage- and now is one of the best months to see them. Last weekend I was amazed to see a gathering of up to c.25 black vultures circling over the mountains up here in Maseok. Such good views- and they're so hard to find in other countries.
I've found some great websites on korean birds which I'll forward to you and post up on here- birdwatching sites, how to get there, etc etc.
rapier

[rapier]

Anyone interested in seeing some great outdoor places and birdwatching sites in Korea-check out these websites:

http://english.tour2korea.com/sightseeing/theme/bird/main.asp

http://www.knto.or.kr/english/etheme/E_birdwatching/birdwatching_main.htm

http://www.knto.or.kr/english/birdwatching.htm

[bellum99]

When America was spraying the classrooms with DDT, so did Korea. They lost almost all their natural birdlife. It was not even spoken about and no one cared.

[rapier]

and I believe it still goes on here every mosquito season.

[kimchi_pizza]

Bump!

lol, just thought I'd bump a pointless, ages old thread since the HIV thread was too serious.

[n3ptne]

ahhh, is it just me or is bird watching the absolute uber-gayest hobby in all of creation?

Get laid.