Joint Shorebird Survey of the Onchon County Coast of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) by Nature Conservation Union of Korea, DPRK and Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust, New Zealand, 5 – 7 May 2015
Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust
Introduction
Each year hundreds of thousands of migratory shorebirds stage in the Yellow Sea region during their annual migration between non-breeding sites in Australasia and breeding sites in the Arctic. Since the 1990s important shorebird sites on the coasts of China and the west and south coasts of the Republic of Korea have become relatively well known, but the situation on the coast of the DPRK remains largely unknown. In April 2009 the Korean Natural Environment Conservation Fund (NCUK) and Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust (PMNT) completed a joint survey of shorebirds at Mundok, 80 km northwest of Pyongyang. This was the first known survey of birds using tidal areas of the Yellow Sea of DPRK. In 2014 a joint agreement was signed in Pyongyang between NCUK and PMNT to expand this work with a series of shorebird surveys along the Yellow Sea coast, starting in 2015.
Survey team, DPRK, May 2015 ADRIAN RIEGEN
From 5-7 May 2015 three members from PMNT joined NCUK staff to complete a three-day survey, timed to take advantage of high spring tides. NCUK selected a coastal area just north of the port city of Nampo in Onchon County. Late April and early May are the period when maximum numbers of migratory shorebirds are likely to be present and so each survey will be conducted during this period. The weather was clear and dry, making for good observational conditions. The purpose was to find key high-tide roost sites along the Onchon County coast and identify and count all shorebirds in the area. When time and local conditions permitted, the team also looked for flags and colour bands on shorebirds from other countries of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. This visit by PMNT was supported by funding from East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP).
A total of 20,635 shorebirds was recorded at three sites, two of which were identified as being internationally important. Major species were Great Knot (7600 individuals), Dunlin (7419), and Bar-tailed Godwit (2794).
Survey Sites
The surveyed coastal area is currently not part of any nature reserve and is backed predominantly by salt extracting ponds and rice paddies. Three locations had been identified by NCUK as suitable for the surveys: Ansok-Li – 38° 58.9’N – 125° 11.8’E, Wonub-Li – 38° 50.8’N – 125° 8.8’E and Zhongak-Ku, Ponds – 38° 43.6’N – 125° 11.4’E
Results
Table 1 summarises the species and totals for the three count sites. The counts at sub-roosts and main roosts at each site are combined, as on each occasion the birds on the sub-roosts moved to different areas to roost and were not counted again. Incidental counts are also included, as these birds were generally in ponds and creeks away from the main count areas. A total of 20,635 shorebirds of 31 species were counted.
Other outcomes from the visit
- NCUK staff told us they had reconnoitred key shorebird sites within the designated survey area. They impressed us with their keenness to engage and to do everything possible to ensure the success of the survey.
- Following the survey we discussed with NCUK staff the possibility to schedule visits in 2016 and 2017. We identified an area south of Mundok as the survey location for 2016, and Sindo (Sin Island) for 2017.
- We expressed interest in commencing some benthic sampling work next year. We explained the importance of monitoring shorebird’s food sources, and methods with which it could be done.
- NCUK expressed interest in developing a bird-banding scheme. We discussed the complexities of setting up a national bird banding scheme – such as acquiring bands (and a suitable address on them), and other specialist equipment, training banders, and the importance of subsequent monitoring.
- School visits and talking to students is a regular activity for us in China, but it was not something we had considered in DPRK. However NCUK staff raised the possibility of talking to school classes during our next visits.
- NCUK could be encouraged to become involved with the EAAFP Yellow Sea Task Force.
©P?korokoro Miranda Naturalists’ Trust
Acknowledgements
The PMNT and the NCUK wish to thank Carol West and Bruce McKinlay for assisting in setting up this multi-year project in 2014 and to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for funding the 2014 visit to the DPRK. We are also very grateful to the EAAFP for helping considerably with funding the DPRK 2015 survey.
A full report is being prepared for Stilt to be published in October 2015
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