Red-crowned Crane Birdwatching Event at Ganghwa Island, Ro Korea with GCF and Irang

On 27 February, the EAAFP Secretariat and 5 staff of Green Climate Fund (GCF) participated in the Red-crowned Crane Birdwatching event organized by Eco Edu hub Irang which is one of the grantees of the EAAFP Foundation’s 2020 Small Grant Fund Programme, sponsored by Yeongheung Power Division of Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.

The objective of this event was to promote to the general public about the Red-crowned Cranes – the Bird of Incheon City and the Natural Monument no. 202 in the Republic of Korea – stayed in Ganghwa for wintering. Also, it aimed to raise public awareness of the Red-crowned Cranes and to encourage public participation in the conservation activities by learning the ecological values of conserving the migratory birds and their habitats through monitoring activities.

Vivian Fu, Communication Officer at EAAFP Secretariat gives the introduction about the Red-crowned Cranes to the participants © Yoo Jung Kwon/EAAFP Secretariat

Prior to the birdwatching activity, Chief Executive of the EAAFP Secretariat, Mr. Doug Watkins welcomed the group and briefly introduced the EAAFP’s work for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats. Then representative from Eco Edu hub Irang introduced the programme and their work. Followed by Ms. Vivian Fu, communication officer of the EAAFP Secretariat briefly introduced the Flyway, the migration route, and features of the Red-crowned Cranes.

Participants enjoyed watching the Red-Crowned Cranes © Heasoo Kim/EAAFP Secretariat

Participants enjoyed watching the Red-crowned Cranes © Yoo Jung Kwon/EAAFP Secretariat

Following the COVID-19 prevention guidelines from the Government of the Republic of Korea, all the participants were divided into three small groups guided by the professional guides. Each team visited 4 different spots in Ganghwa Island and Donggeom Island for bird watching. These spots were Choji Mudflat, Hue Dondae, Seondu 5-ri Fish Market, and Donggeom Island.

Red-crowned Cranes in Donggeom Island 1 © Heasoo Kim/EAAFP Secretariat

Red-crowned Cranes in Donggeom Island 2© Heasoo Kim/EAAFP Secretariat

Overall, 37 Red-crowned Cranes were found in total including 2 cranes at Hue Dondae and 22 cranes at Donggeom Island. However, no cranes were found at Seon du 5ri Fish Market. Moreover, there were other species of migratory waterbirds such as Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Merganser, Spot-billed Duck, and Mallard.

At the end of the activity, all the participants gathered at the first spot, Choji Mudflat, and shared their impressions on this birdwatching event as well as birds they saw. In closing, Chief Executive of the EAAFP Secretariat, Mr. Doug Watkins said “The EAAFP Secretariat appreciates what Eco Edu Hub Irang has been doing for the conservation of migratory birds by providing the environmental education programmes, and I hope that the public awareness and their interest in the conservation of the migratory waterbirds and their habitats can be gradually raised and reinforced by the diverse birdwatching events and regular ecological education programmes like today’s event”.

Chief Executive of the EAAFP Secretariat, Mr. Doug Watkins shares his appreciation remarks with Eco Edu hub Irang. © Heasoo Kim/EAAFP Secretariat

  • This event was proceeded under the observation of the COVID-19 prevention guideline from the Government of the Republic of Korea.

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