Korean birds and Korean conservation - from local birders and overseas eco-tourists to the curious armchair birder, from members of the media to members of the scientific community. Site includes information on Wetlands/Key Sites, Key Korean Species, Latest 
Bird News, Tours/Guiding, Birding in Korea, News, ID Notes and  Flagging/Banding.

....Birdwatching Sites in Korea - South Korea is one of the best 

winter-birding and shorebird-watching destinations anywhere - and wetlands will probably be at the core of any birders' plans to visit here. The following sites have therefore been selected from the many potential ones worth a visit - in order to help you have the the best chance to see some of those species which are easier or better to see in South Korea than anywhere else in the world: Baikal Teal, Normann's Greenshank, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Saunders's Gull, Chinese Egret etc etc. In addition to the obviously world-class sites (Sawmangeum, Geum Estuary, Haenam, Suncheon Bay etc) several small sites have been especially included for those business-trip or casual birdwatchers (marked with a +) who are unable to make time to get out of the city.

statement of "Working for the conservation of wetlands and birds in South Korea and the broader Yellow Sea eco-region, through research, education, planning and cooperation." Lots of interesting stuff for the birding traveller.

of the best birding sites in Korea, with brief information on the likely birds to be found at each site. The slow-loading home page is worth the wait!

to March is the peak season for winter bird watching in Korea. Hardy birders braving the cold weather tramp through desolate fields under a winter sky are rewarded with splendid group dances and superb flying by thousands of migratory birds. More than 100 species of birds migrate from Siberia and Northern Manchuria to winter in Korea, and over 100 more species pass through Korea on their way further south. Includes a list of recommended birding sites.

a checklist of Korean birds, with photos.

from OBC Bulletin 36, December 2002.  South Korea lacks endemic bird species, and is rather poor in terms of avian dry land diversity compared with other East Asian countries, but its wetlands and waterways are extremely important for the future conservation of migratory waterbird species, around 13 of which are globally threatened, and for the future well-being of the human population.

the influx of migrant birds is making the waterside of Youido Han Riverside Park the ideal place for bird-watching. The City of Seoul's Han River Management Office has put in place an ideal observation site where nature-lovers can appreciate the beauty of nature.

all key welands locations. Where there are wetlands, there are birds. But, if you check out the Gallery on this site, you will find a depressing picture of the history and future of the wetlands!

This was the first ‘organised’ birding trip to South Korea in spring. The purpose was to see shorebirds and to experience spring migration. The trip was a huge success with two firsts for Korea (Crag Martin and Ferruginous Flycatcher), excellent wader counts including sightings of Little Whimbrel and Asiatic Dowitcher. We also had Baikal Teal and Swan Geese on exceptionally late spring dates as well as excellent numbers of migrants and a supporting cast of many globally rare species e.g. Nordmanns Greenshank, Black Faced Spoonbill and Chinese Egret. The areas visited were primarily tidal flats at Saemangeum and around Gunsan and one day at Seosan. The rest of the time was spent on an island called Eocheong Do, 3 hrs by ferry from Gunsan on the west side of Korea. This island had only ever been birded once before (by Nial Moores) for two days about a week prior to our arrival! Indeed we were the first Westerners that most people on the island had ever seen.

Tour - by Nial Moores. Although many winters can be really severe by December (with night temperatures down to –20C), December 2001 was extraordinarily mild, and our tour started with sunshine and temperatures soaring to a relatively balmy 8C most days (even reaching 14C on ‘sub-tropical’ Jeju on the 11th). The trip (food especially apart…river snail soup anyone?), was largely a great success, and we recorded about 160 species in just 12 days, including the much-wanted Black-faced Spoonbill, Swan and Lesser White-fronted Goose, Baikal Teal (with one flock of 265 000 plus an outstanding highlight!), Scaly-sided Merganser, Steller’s Sea Eagle, three species of Crane, Relict and Saunders’s Gulls, Japanese Waxwing, Siberian Accentor and Daurian Jackdaw. 

by Eric Toorman. The expectations were not high for several reasons: the time of the year generally is very quiet (in the middle of the breeding season), most bird species in Korea are found there in winter. Fortunately, it turned out much better than anticipated. This web-page also contains some photos of typical Korean birds.

Geiser's Trip Report Archive. South Korea, July 24-30, 1994 - by Urs Geiser. I arrived in Korea in the middle of a heat wave with highs of 95-103°F every day. Even though the summer rains had stopped early this year and there was a drought in East Asia, the air was still quite humid, making outdoor activities somewhat unpleasant. Still, I managed to find a few green spots in Seoul that had some birds, although not in large numbers nor variety. 

Geiser's Trip Report Archive. December 29, 1993 - January 6, 1994 - by Steven Feldstein. The purpose of our trip was to spend time visiting with her relatives, but I managed to squeeze in a few hours of birding on most days. This was my second trip to Korea, but that trip was during the summer. I was particularly excited about seeing winter birds, since many birds that winter in Korea are seen in places in North America such as Attu and St. Lawrence Island. 

Geiser's Trip Report Archive. September 1996 - by Jim Turner and 

Kate Trainer. Includes information on Kyong-Ju, Hupo, and Sorak-San.

Factoids taken from Where to watch birds in Asia  - by Nigel Wheatley

Korea offer fully guided personal tours based around your dates and the birds you want to see - subject to staff availability. We will of course arrange accomodation and car-hire, and generally do whatever we can to make your trip to Korea a memorable and successful one.