[Report] When the Gwaeng-i Galmagi Flies, Flights at Ullung Airport Are Suspended

Visiting Ulleungdo, the Home of Black-tailed Gulls
Ulleung Airport Expected to Begin Operations as Early as 2026
Concerns Raised Over High Risk of Bird-Airplane Collisions
Flight Adjustments Made Based on GPS Bird Migration Route Studies

On the 26th, a flock of black-tailed gulls was flying over Dodong Port in Ulleungdo. Photo by Song Seungseop

After piercing through the rolling waves throughout the night for about six hours, Sadong Port on Ulleungdo Island began to come into view. It was just past 6 a.m. As the ship approached the harbor, a "Gwaengi Galmaegi" (Black-tailed Gull), known as the island's resident bird, flew onto the deck. On the left side of the harbor, construction of Ulleung Airport was in full swing, but the Gwaengi Galmaegi, true to its name, made cat-like cries and flew back and forth between the island and the ship without paying any attention.

The Gwaengi Galmaegi is Natural Monument No. 334 of South Korea, a medium-sized gull measuring about 46 cm in body length with a wingspan of 34 to 39 cm. It is the most commonly observed gull in Korea, primarily breeding in grassy areas where there are no people. Along with Taean in Chungnam and Tongyeong in Gyeongnam, Ulleungdo and Dokdo are representative habitats, with Dokdo designated as a protected area. It is said that ancestors who fished in the area used the cries of the Gwaengi Galmaegi to gauge the direction of the mainland.

On the 26th, a Black-tailed Gull was spotted near Gwaneumdo Island, Ulleungdo. Gwaneumdo is considered one of the representative habitats of Black-tailed Gulls on Ulleungdo. Photo by Song Seung-seop

During a two-day visit starting on the 25th, along the coast of Ulleungdo, the Gwaengi Galmaegi was spotted flying precariously between construction sites, moving vehicles, and crowds. Mr. A, who has been working as a tour bus driver on Ulleungdo for three years, said, "If you drive along the coastal road, there are a lot of Gwaengi Galmaegi that get hit by cars because they can't avoid them," adding, "Just now, one barely passed by, but it's a smart bird, so it dodged well."

The situation was similar at the Gwaengi Galmaegi colonies near Gwaneumdo and Samseonam, located northeast of Ulleungdo. While some gulls were gliding over the sea, others were dangerously crossing roads where cars were moving. Some Gwaengi Galmaegi were so accustomed to the crowds and vehicles that they did not flee even when approached within about 1 meter. Since the roads and gull habitats are very close, Ulleung County explained that during the breeding season from April to August, roadkill incidents occur more frequently on the circular road between Gwaneumdo and Seommok in Buk-myeon.

Construction work for Ulleung Airport is in full swing near Sadong Port in Ulleungdo. Behind the construction site, the cut-down Gadubong peak can be seen. Photo by Song Seungseop

The problem lies with the Ulleung Airport currently under construction on Ulleungdo. According to Ulleung County's plan, when the new airport opens and begins operations in 2026, bird strikes?collisions between aircraft and birds?may occur. Especially since Ulleung Airport is being built by reclaiming land from the sea rather than in an inland basin, there is a high risk of collisions with birds that primarily inhabit coastal areas. Not only the abundant Gwaengi Galmaegi but also about 50 other bird species, including the Black Wood Pigeon, another natural monument, will face threats to their survival.

Bird strikes threaten not only birds but also the lives of aircraft passengers. No matter how small the bird, a collision with a fast-moving airplane can cause fatal damage to the aircraft. Birds tend to flee only when a predator enters within about 30 meters, so even when a large object like an airplane approaches, they may not quickly escape. If there are many birds near flight paths, the risk of bird strikes is always present.

Migration routes of four Black-tailed Gulls in 2021. Ulleung Airport plans to adjust operating hours and flight paths based on route data to avoid collisions with bird species inhabiting Ulleungdo. Photo by Korea Environmental Evaluation Technology

In response, the Busan Regional Aviation Administration, the project operator of Ulleung Airport, and the Daegu Regional Environmental Office, a coordinating agency, have formed an "Ecological Conservation Expert Committee" consisting of up to 10 members including environmental experts and representatives of research firms to devise countermeasures. At the first meeting on July 7, 2021, a plan was proposed to attach Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to birds inhabiting Ulleungdo to precisely identify their activity areas and habitats. Four Gwaengi Galmaegi and two Black Wood Pigeons were selected for monitoring, and if a GPS signal was lost during the survey, new individuals were captured and fitted with GPS devices again.

Experts are considering ways to adjust flight paths and times to avoid the birds' activity ranges and periods once the main routes and altitudes of the birds are confirmed. Kim Jaeyong, head of the Korea Environmental Assessment Technology team in charge of the project, explained, "After collecting data on bird populations by time of day over several years, we plan to adjust flight operations during times when collisions with birds are likely."