One thing that has made outdoor activities in Korea more interesting for me is my growing love for birdwatching. Having recently moved to Seoul from Daegu, I wanted to see what this region of Korea had to offer. In searching the internet for birdwatching information, I ran across a Korea Tourism Organization article titled “Four great bird-watching spots near Hangang River” in which Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park is listed. Opened in 2007, Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park is one of eight ecological parks that Seoul has planned to be opened by 2014 as part of the Han River Renaissance project. With this information, my camera, and bird guidebook in hand, I made my way out there on a beautiful February afternoon to see what birds I could find.

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker (오색딱따구리)

I took the subway to Banghwa Station and walked about 15 minutes to the park, but could have easily used exit #2 and hopped on the Gangseo Bus 06 for a quick ride. I’m happy that I chose to walk because on the trail to the river, for the first time ever, I discovered a male Great Spotted Woodpecker (오색딱따구리) in the trees. I had a really good view of it and I must say it is one pretty bird. My luck only got better from there.

Marsh around Banghwa Bridge

The park fills most of the area between the Bangwha Bridge and Haengju Bridge. Not all of it is accessible since you have to stay on a few short trails or at a single observation point, but it is sufficient as is evidenced by my collection of photographs.

Male Durian Redstart (딱새)

As soon as I walked into the park, I noticed a small, colorful bird fly into the bushes nearby. It turns out that it was a male Durian Redstart (딱새), a kind of small thrush. I saw one once in a tree at Seonamsa Temple. This photo is a little better though.

Male Common Teal (쇠오리), at left

Crossing over one of the foot bridges that extends across a muddy ravine, I spotted a male Common Teal (쇠오리), a kind of marsh duck. This is the first time I’ve identified one in the field.

Grey Heron (왜가리)

Not much further down the trail I came across a Grey Heron (왜가리). These are pretty common in Korea and pretty easy to identify. They always look so elegant as they slowly wade through the water with their long legs and long, slender bodies.

White Wagtail (알락할미새)

View from observation point towards Haengju Bridge

After walking around all the trails, I made my way to the observation point. It’s basically a big wall with holes in it to look through so you don’t scare off the birds. This is where my luck got even better.

Flying away to save their lives

I was busy trying to get a good photo of a White Wagtail (알락할미새), when suddenly, all of the birds flew away at once. I tried to get a good photo as quickly as I could because it is a beautiful sight.

Goshawk (참매)

Goshawk (참매)

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I realized the reason why all the birds flew away. There was a Goshawk (참매) which had just landed on the river bank where the other birds were. A Goshawk is a bird of prey and had just made an attempt to catch lunch right in front of me!

Male Mallard (청둥오리), on left

Male Pochard (흰죽지)

Once the Goshawk left, the other birds came back to the river bank and I was able to get better photographs of them because now they were more active. I saw lots of Mallard Ducks (청둥오리), a few male Pochards (흰죽지) which are bay ducks, and a few male Tufted Ducks (댕기흰죽지) which are also bay ducks, but I don’t have a good photo of any Tufted Ducks because they spent all their time in deeper water.

Great Cormorant (민물가마우지)

A really interesting bird to watch was the Great Cormorant (민물가마우지). It’s a diving bird. It would go under the surface of the water for about 7 seconds or so, sometimes coming up with a small fish in its mouth. It was really active compared to the other birds.

Two White-Fronted Geese (쇠기러기)

Spot-Billed Duck (흰뺨검둥오리)

Staying put for about an hour was rewarding in that different birds began to show up. Just before I called it quits, I saw two White-Fronted Geese (쇠기러기) and a marsh duck called a Spot-Billed Duck (흰뺨검둥오리).

Tree Sparrows (참새)

On my way out of the park I got one last species of bird captured on camera. It’s a type of weaver finch called a Tree Sparrow (참새). They like to play in reed fields in groups and are super easy to scare off.

I was able to identify many birds for the first time on this trip, as well as see many birds I had never seen before. I used the book, A Field Guide To The Birds Of Korea, and information signs at the park to help me figure out which birds I was looking at. I highly recommend the book for anyone who is remotely interested in identifying birds in Korea.

Sitting at my desk and looking back, I’ll totally be going back to the Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park. I’m also looking forward to exploring the other ecological parks in Seoul. Having this kind of wildlife accessible inside one of the world’s most populated cities is such a treat.

Resources
Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park (Korea Tourism Organization)
Four great bird-watching spots near Hangang River (Korea Tourism Organization)
Seoul Plans 8 Ecological Parks by 2014 (Korea Times)

Names of birds I spotted
Male Great Spotted Woodpecker 오색딱따구리
Male Durian Redstart (Small Thrush) 딱새
Male Common Teal (Marsh Duck) 쇠오리
Grey Heron 왜가리
White Wagtail 알락할미새
Goshawk (Accipiter) 참매
Male Mallard (Marsh Duck) 청둥오리
Male Pochard (Bay Duck) 흰죽지
Male Tufted Duck (Bay Duck) 댕기흰죽지
Great Cormorant 민물가마우지
White-Fronted Goose 쇠기러기
Spot-Billed Duck (Marsh Duck) 흰뺨검둥오리
Tree Sparrow (Weaver Finch) 참새

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