Suncheon City Provides Eco-Friendly Rice Seeds as Food for Black Cranes

"Final Northward Migration of Winter Birds...
Cheering Them On for the Long Journey"

Suncheon City, South Jeolla Province (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced on the 27th that it recently provided 4 tons of eco-friendly rice seeds as feed in collaboration with the Heugdurumi Farming Group, cheering on the final northward migration of winter birds that spent the season in Suncheonman Bay.

This feeding initiative was organized to help the Heugdurumi (Black-faced Spoonbills) that spent the long winter in Suncheonman Bay accumulate enough energy to safely return to their breeding grounds.

Eco-friendly rice seeds are being provided as food for winter migratory birds that overwinter in Suncheon Bay.
Provided by Suncheon City

Employees from the Suncheonman Conservation Division and the Heugdurumi Farming Group began early in the morning, scattering rice seeds in the farmlands where Heugdurumi and various winter migratory birds reside.

In particular, this feeding marks a symbolic "final send-off" for the record-breaking 7,600 Heugdurumi that visited Suncheonman Bay this year, helping them return safely to their home grounds. Currently, about 1,700 Heugdurumi remain in Suncheonman Bay, and they are expected to migrate north in large numbers by the end of March.

A city official stated, "The Heugdurumi, the official bird of Suncheon City, is a symbol of breaking down barriers between people and nations, delivering a message of harmony," and added, "We ask for your support in cheering on the long journey of the Heugdurumi so we can meet them again in good health this autumn."

Meanwhile, Suncheon City plans to continue expanding bird habitats by removing 15 utility poles from key habitats in early April, creating 57 hectares of rice paddy wetlands, and gradually compensating for vinyl greenhouses to eliminate environmental obstacles and secure more habitats for migratory birds.