Only Around 500 Broad-billed Sandpipers Left Globally, Observed at Gochang Mudflat for Fourth Year Running

Class 1 Endangered Wildlife in Korea
"Ecological Value of the West Coast Mudflats Highlighted"

The Gochang Mudflat has once again been confirmed as a haven for rare migratory birds that are globally endangered. The Broad-billed Sandpiper, whose global population numbers only around 500 individuals, has returned to the Gochang Mudflat again this year, drawing attention to the ecological value of the mudflats on Korea's west coast.

Gochang Mudflat, Broad-billed Sandpiper.

On September 4, Gochang County announced that the Broad-billed Sandpiper—classified as "Critically Endangered (CR)" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and designated as class 1 endangered wildlife in Korea—has been observed in the Gochang Mudflat for the fourth consecutive year.

The Broad-billed Sandpiper is a small wader, characterized by its distinctively wide, spoon-shaped beak. After breeding in the Russian Far East and the Kamchatka Peninsula, it migrates to Southeast Asia to spend the winter. During these long migrations, Korea's west coast mudflats serve as crucial stopover sites. In spring and autumn, these birds land on the mudflats to feed, regain strength, and prepare for the next stage of their journey.

The Gochang Mudflat, with its rich food sources and resting areas, is regarded as a vital stop along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) for migratory birds.

Since the first confirmed sighting of the Broad-billed Sandpiper in 2023, one or two individuals of the same species have been observed at the Gochang Mudflat each year. Given the extremely small population of this rare species, these repeated annual sightings indicate that the Gochang Mudflat provides a stable food source and sanctuary for these migratory birds.

As the Gochang Mudflat, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, functions as a habitat for migratory birds and a diverse array of species, its potential as an ecotourism resource is growing. Gochang County is running programs to promote the value of the migratory birds and the mudflat ecosystem, including the “Bird of the Month at Gochang Mudflat” campaign and birdwatching programs. Events that combine birdwatching and ecotourism, such as the “Big Bird Race” and “Birdwatchers’ Day,” are also being continued.

Nah Yoonok, Head of the World Heritage Division at Gochang County, said, “We will continue to preserve the healthy habitat of Gochang Mudflat without damage, and foster it as a World Natural Heritage site where humans and nature coexist through a variety of birdwatching programs.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.