Gochang-gun to Host 'Gochang Mudflat Big Bird Race' from the 25th to 27th Next Month

Gochang Tidal Flat and Seonunsan Youth Hostel Area
Applications Accepted from the 26th to the 28th

Gochang County in North Jeolla Province announced on the 20th that the 4th Gochang Tidal Flat Big Bird Race will be held from the 25th to the 27th of next month at the Gochang Tidal Flat, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, and the Seonunsan Youth Hostel area.

Poster for the 4th Gochang Mudflat Big Bird Race. Provided by Gochang County

Now in its fourth year, the Gochang Tidal Flat Big Bird Race is a birdwatching competition held in the Gochang Tidal Flat area, where participants compete to record as many bird species as possible within a set time.

The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of the ecological value of the Gochang Tidal Flat and the importance of biodiversity conservation through birdwatching activities.

Last year, 32 teams and 124 participants recorded a total of 146 species and 1,440 birdwatching entries. Notable achievements included the discovery of species not previously recorded in Gochang County, such as the Mudangsae, Jorongi, and White-tailed Little Stint. These records serve as important basic data for understanding the status and changes in bird habitats in the Gochang Tidal Flat.

Applications to participate in the 4th Gochang Tidal Flat Big Bird Race will be accepted from 10 a.m. on the 26th to the 28th through the official Gochang Tidal Flat Big Bird Race website, and registration may close early if the number of applicants exceeds the limit.

Choi Soonpil, head of the County World Heritage Division, said, "This year's event will become an even richer international event with the addition of teams from overseas, including the UK, Hong Kong, and Japan. We expect it to be a valuable opportunity to enjoy nature and reflect on the significance of environmental protection through birdwatching activities."