Wild Bird Species and Population in Seosan Cheonsuman Continue to Rise

Steady Increase in Wild Bird Species and Populations Observed in Seosan Cheonsuman
Over 223 Species and 237,000 Birds Recorded Last Year

A flock of hooded cranes captured in March last year at Cheonsuman, Seosan, Chungnam. /Seosan City

On the 10th, Seosan City in Chungnam Province announced that the number of wild bird species and individuals migrating to Cheonsuman, a world-renowned migratory bird habitat, has been steadily increasing.

Since 2007, the city has been monitoring wild birds observed by local residents to manage Cheonsuman, a globally significant migratory bird site.

From 2015 to 2024, a total of 303 wild bird species were observed in Seosan Cheonsuman, which accounts for 55.6% of the 545 bird species recorded on the Korean Peninsula.

Last year, 223 wild bird species were identified in Seosan Cheonsuman, marking the highest number of species observed in the past decade.

In 2017, an unprecedented number of approximately 260,000 birds was recorded, and last year, about 237,000 birds were observed.

In particular, more than 10,000 Baikal Teals, which were thought to have disappeared from Cheonsuman, were observed last year, raising expectations that the spectacular flocking of Baikal Teals may once again be seen in Cheonsuman.

The city plans to commission the monitoring data collected since 2007 to a professional institution in 2027 to secure accurate baseline data for habitat management.

Shim Youngbok, Director of the Seosan Birdland Center, said, "These records are evidence that Seosan Cheonsuman, a world-class migratory bird habitat, serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds," adding, "We will do our best to manage the ecological environment of Seosan Cheonsuman so that a diverse range of migratory birds can continue to visit."