Come Join the Birdwatching Tour on Suncheonman Black Crane Day

Special Program to Be Operated Until March 3

Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced that it will operate a special birdwatching program in celebration of the 2025 Suncheonman Black Crane Day from February 28 to March 3 at Suncheonman Wetland.

The city has designated February 28 as Suncheonman Black Crane Day each year, inspired by Natural Monument No. 228, which is also the city bird of Suncheon, to protect the black crane. Commemorative programs are held annually on this day.

Suncheon City, home to Natural Monument No. 228 and the city's official bird, the black crane, has designated February 28th as Suncheonman Black Crane Day each year, inspired by Natural Monument No. 228, to run commemorative programs. Provided by Suncheon City

To mark Black Crane Day, Suncheonman will host a variety of birdwatching programs where visitors can enjoy the beautiful flights of winter migratory birds.

Since 2009, Suncheonman has been restored based on the ecological philosophy that humans and nature are equal members of the ecosystem. As a result, it has become a world-renowned wintering site for over 7,600 black cranes, which is half of the global population.

Thanks to the strong trust built between birds and humans, the birdwatching distance for black cranes has been reduced to 20 meters, and the Ramsar-gil has become a world-famous birdwatching destination. With the activation of birdwatching tourism, the number of domestic and international tourists visiting to see migratory birds has increased even during the off-season, creating a virtuous cycle where the lodging, food, and souvenir industries have developed together.

This year, to promote birdwatching culture in Korea, the Suncheonman Ecotourism Council will host the "Bird+Wave Birdwatching" program for Suncheonman Black Crane Day. Participants will observe rare and endangered migratory birds in mudflats and farmlands with birdwatching experts and also experience black crane crafts.

All participants will be provided with healthy snacks prepared by Suncheonman Rest Area. The program is limited to 28 people per day on a first-come, first-served basis and can be reserved in advance through Google Forms. The participation fee is 30,000 KRW per adult and 15,000 KRW per youth or child.

Birdwatching programs utilizing the primitive environment preserved in Suncheonman will also be offered. The "Sound Birdwatching" and "Walking Birdwatching" programs combine the natural sound of rustling reeds with barefoot walking.

The "Sound Birdwatching" is a one-hour course offered three times daily, while the "Walking Birdwatching" is a two-hour course offered four times daily. Notably, the 7 AM Walking Birdwatching program allows participants to witness the breathtaking sight of black cranes flying overhead at sunrise in Suncheonman. Each session is limited to 15 participants aged 7 and above, available on a first-come, first-served basis through the Suncheonman Wetland website, and is a paid program.

A city official stated, "Suncheonman is the perfect place to experience beautiful natural scenery and observe rare winter migratory birds like black cranes up close," and added, "We hope that families will build bonds during a spring birdwatching trip in Suncheon, wishing for the health of the northbound black cranes and enjoying the plum blossoms of Namdo."

Meanwhile, Suncheonman, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, is currently home to about 4,100 cranes of four species including black cranes, white-naped cranes, hooded cranes, and Canada cranes, as well as about 20,000 other winter migratory birds such as whooper swans, eagles, hen harriers, and snow geese.