The Avifauna in Ulleungdo

Abstract

The avian fauna of Ulleungdo (Is.) was studied between June of 2006 and July of 2010, and the results gathered over 10 study session included a total of 18,046 individuals of 92 species. Dominant species included, in decreasing order, black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris) at 13,188 individuals (73.1%), russet sparrow (Passer rutilans) at 1,278 individuals (7.08%), and white-rumped swift (Apus pacificus) at 900 individuals (4.99%). In terms of the time of the year, the highest numbers of species were detected in May of 2007 at 50 species and the highest numbers of birds were detected in February of 2009 at 4,137 individuals. In relation to endangered species designated by the Ministry of Environment, the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Eurasian buzzard (Buteo buteo) were detected, and natural monument species designated by the Cultural Heritage Administration including the Japanese wood pigeon (Columba janthina), grey frog hawk (Accipiter soloensis), common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), peregrine falcon, oriental scops owl (Otus scops), mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) and the little cuckoo(Cuculus poliocephalus) were detected. Compared to previous studies, a total of 33 new species, including the red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) and the Swinhoe's fork-tailed petrel (Oceanodroma monorhis), were observed.