How to Observe Endangered Black-Faced Spoonbills in Korea

South Korea is home to a population of endangered black-faced spoonbills. One popular spot to find them is Dongmak Beach (동막해수욕장) on Ganghwa Island. Their numbers are on the rise, but it definitely feels like a blessing whenever I come across these uncommon birds. If you make your way there, please observe responsibly!

-Written by Zack Han

Two white spoonbills wading in shallow water with one dipping its beak into the water and the other looking down, in a natural setting.
Two white spoonbills wading in shallow water.
Three white spoonbills wading in shallow water looking for prey and one spoonbill flying right above their heads.
A white spoonbill standing in shallow water with a fish between its bills.
A white spoonbill flying in the sky with hills or mountains in the background.
A white spoonbill flying over a body of water with mountains in the background.

Collared Scops Owl Sighting in Seoul

Recently, the birding community in Seoul has been buzzing with news of a collared scops owl that has returned to Seoul. According to local birders, this collared scops owl, or 큰소쩍새, had stayed in this small mountain area for the winter for some years before disappearing. Now that it’s back, photographers and birdwatchers are gathering to observe and photograph this beautiful little guy.

Unfortunately, people have been severely disturbing the owl to get better photos or see it better. There is evidence of small trees being cut down to open up line of sight. Frustrated local residents have made efforts to protect the owl by putting up fencing up an appropriate perimeter around it with rope and fallen branches. In fact, the first time I went searching for it, some of the locals refused to show me where it was. One kind lady did lead me to the owl, and she seemed pleased when she saw me almost tearing up at the sight. Please observe nature and wildlife ethically!

-Written by Zack Han

Close-up of a camouflaged owl with red eyes in a hollow of a tree trunk.
A small owl peering out from a hollow in a tree trunk.
An owl with closed eyes nestled inside a hollowed tree trunk.
A small owl peeking out from a hollow in a tree trunk.

Birding at Bulgwangcheon

Bulgwangcheon (불광천), or Bulgwang Stream, is one of my favorite places in Seoul. It typically isn’t too crowded, there is a surprising amount of wildlife, and it is lined with cherry blossom and ginko trees. The walking paths are quite close to the stream, so I am often surprised by how much biodiversity there is. The wildlife here is also more accustomed to humans, though many of them like the herons and kingfishers are still very skittish.

Some of the wildlife you might see are grey herons, black-crowned night herons, great egrets, medium egrets, little egrets, common kingfishers, mallards, eastern spot-billed ducks, Eurasian teals, little grebes, Eurasian tree sparrows, brown-eared bulbuls, common kestrels, Asian tits, oriental magpies, oriental turtle doves, azure-winged magpies, and so on.

-Written by Zack Han

A heron among tall green reeds, partly hidden, with a yellow eye, a long beak, and grey and white feathers.
A duck in the water grooming its feathers.
A colorful kingfisher bird with blue, orange, and white feathers perched among green foliage.
A colorful kingfisher bird with blue, orange, and white feathers perched on a branch against clear, blue water.
A white heron standing in shallow water with a blurred background of land and trees.
A white heron standing in shallow water with a dark background.
A small bird perched on a branch with pink buds, surrounded by a blooming tree with a blurred background.
A small bird with a black face, white cap, and orange-yellow body perched on a branch with yellow blossoms, with a blurred background.
A small bird with black and white plumage perched on a thin, brown branch with yellow flowers and buds, against a blurred, neutral background.
A bird perched on a branch with yellow flowers in the background.