▲This photo, provided by Iksan Sustainability Alliance of Korea , shows white-napped cranes. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲This photo, provided by Iksan Sustainability Alliance of Korea , shows a white-tailed sea eagle. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Yonhap) -- It has been confirmed that 96 types of birds including natural monuments and endangered species live near Mangyeong river and Geumma reservoir in Iksan, North Jeolla province.

Iksan Sustainability Alliance of Korea announced on Wednesday that according to "2022 Iksan Mangyeong river bird monitoring final report" that was conducted for a year since last December, 97 species including stork, White-naped crane, Hen Harrier, etc. were found near the near.

Among these birds, there are 12 species of natural monuments including stork and blackfaced spoonbill, 3 types of Endangered Wildlife Class I such as a white-tailed sea eagle, and 11 types of Endangered Wildlife Class II including a white-naped crane and falcon.

Observing the area by sections, first section (931-4 Yongyeon-ri, Chunpo-myeon, Iksancheon Junction, Chunpogyo Bridge, Masancheon Junction) had the most number of species, 70.

65 species were found in third section (Coal Drainage Station~Yucheon Drainage Gate~Mokcheongyo Bridge~Osan Drainage Station), 58 at second section (Masancheon Stream confluence point~Samil Church~ Coal Drainage Station), and 49 types including long-billed ringed plover and mandarin duck at fifth section, Geumma reservoir.

Spoonbills were found in all five sections, and more number of mandarin ducks, which live in forest reservoir, were found at Geumma reservoir than Mangyeong river.

The alliance explained that management plan has to be established for the first section, which has the most number of species and entities, since the sand bank formed at Iksan river's meeting-place is a suitable place for birds to live.

The alliance said, "The jointed parts of Iksan river can be difficult for birds to live as there are a large number of visitors trying to fish, take photos, have a jog, etc.," adding, "While establishing a bird watching facility near the area to observe the endangered species, we need to put efforts in building stable habitat such as designating the fishing prohibition area."


(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)

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