Excursion
On the Look-Out for Birds
Some Geese Looking for a Place to Eat
HSS
To understand exactly which birds are where and to clarify the immense value of the border area as a nature conservation area the HSF has gone out to the area near the small island Yu-do (Island), to observe the variety of birds living there.
The small island of Yu-do is not more than a little bump in Han River, in the middle of North-and South Korean territory in the DMZ. Trees are growing on its shores, but no humans set foot on its land. The only inhabitance are the birds living in the “forbidden areas” between both countries.
An Egret Posing for the Camera
HSS
The researching HSF Team visits and surveys the South Korean coast right in front of Yu-do since November 2018. On January 15th 2019 the team went out once more and encountered a large variety of birds, whose numbers are now documented. Later that day the team went on a mission of their own, leaving the research area and moving on to the island of Ganghwado, Incheon. First they visited the Ganghwa Peace Observatory, to use its high location to survey the island’s coast line for any birds living there.
A Buzzard with his Catch
HSS
A lot of HSF’s protects resolve about migratory birds and one of the most famous one in Korea is the crane. Of all 20-crane species worldwide, seven can be found on the Korean Peninsula, which makes this area a very unique spot. Still, most encounters with these beautiful creatures are lucky and usually it is not easy to estimate where some can be found. The rice fields and wetland areas at the lower part of Ganghwa are one of the few spots, where an encounter is more likely, and that is why the HSF team chose this area as its last stop. And luckily, somewhere far out in the wetlands, a few Red-Crowned Cranes were spotted.
Perfect Camouflage
HSS
Until the survey is completed, updates on each trip will be given on our facebook page (klick here).