An offshore winter seabird survey on the south coast of Korean Peninsula (Mogpo-Wando-Yeosu area)

Abstract

1. This paper is the result of 11 observations made on the sea birds migrating for wintering to the south-west coast between Mogpo and Yeosu in Jeonranamdo during the winter periods of the early 1974 and 1975.2. Two observers aboard the regular passenger-cargo ship navigating along the south-west coastline observed from the deck and recorded species and individuals of sea birds identifiable within sight.3. During the 11 observations in the winter period, a total of 25 species, 8, 532 individuals of sea birds were sighted. Among these dominant species were the Velvet Scoter, 42.82%; the Wigeon, 15.17%; the Mallard, 9.40%; the Herring Gull, 5.81%; the Brant, 4.08%; and so on.4. On one of the two survey areas, between Mogpo and Wando in eonranamdo, a total of 21 species, 1, 330 individuals were sighted. Among these, the rare species, Brant, 21.05%, was the most dominant; and it was followed by the Herring Gull, 17.44%; the Tufted Duck and the Pochard, 14.66%, respectively; and so on. On the other survey area between Wando and Yeosu, a total of 22 species, 7, 202 individuals were sighted. Among these, the Velvet Scoter, 50.57%, occupied the major portion, and it was followed by the Wigeon, 17.84%; the Mallard, 10.37%; the Herring Gull, 3.67%; the Ancient Murrelet, 3.01%; and so on.5. It was known by this survey, as had been reported by the other surveys conducted on other south coasts that the dominant flocks of ducks, grebes, divers, gulls, cormorants and so forth were migrating to the vicinity of sea laver-farms.6. In particular, the Brant, the rare species, though in small flock, was regulary migrating for wintering to the sea laver-farms on the coasts of Soando, Bogildo, Nowhado, and so on in Wandogun, Jeonranamdo. It was also known for the first time that roughly 100 Brants migrate for wintering to the south-west coast of the Korean peninsula. On the other hand, a flock of 80 and another flock of 7 individuals of the Japanese Wood Pigeon were sighted on the stands of Machilus thunbergii on the Maengsanri coast in Soando, Nowhamyeon, Wandogun and another coast of Shingeumri in Naeranodo, Bongraemyeon, Goheunggun, Jeonranamdo, respectively. Thus, a new suitable breeding site was added to the previously discovered breeding places for the Japanese Wood Pigeon. The preservation and maintenance of this coast is urgently called for.