ⓒ Gochang County

From 17–18 July, the 2026 Gochang Tidal Flats Birdwatchers’ Day was held in Gochang County, Republic of Korea, where Gochang Tidal Flats [EAAF153], one of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership’s (EAAFP) Flyway Network Sites, are located.

Gochang Tidal Flats [EAAF153] ⓒ EAAFP

The event was jointly hosted by the Korea Heritage Service, Jeonbuk State and Gochang County, and organised by Hamkke Jigu (with the Earth), a CEPA organisation working primarily in Gochang. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an EAAFP Flyway Network Site, Gochang Tidal Flats are recognised for their outstanding ecological value and importance as a habitat for migratory birds. The festival provided an opportunity for members of the public to experience and learn about the tidal flats and migratory birds through a range of hands-on activities.

Learning, Exploring and Enjoying Birdwatching

A variety of programmes were offered throughout the two-day event, allowing participants to explore birdwatching in an accessible and engaging way. Participants could join birdwatching classes covering topics such as how to use binoculars, how to identify birds and the significance of bird rings, as well as take part in activities focusing on tidal flats and migratory birds.

ⓒ EAAFP

ⓒ EAAFP

ⓒ EAAFP

Other activities included a stamp tour, an upcycled Spoon-billed Sandpiper keyring-making workshop, a mud crab sandwich-making activity and the Bird Master Challenge, a quiz-style competition about the Gochang tidal flats. These programmes provided enjoyable opportunities for families and visitors of all ages to engage with birds and nature.

ⓒ EAAFP

ⓒ EAAFP

ⓒ EAAFP

Activities combining art, food and ecology were particularly popular. Participants created drawings in sand and canvas while listening to sounds recorded from the tidal flats, and explored the biodiversity of Gochang Tidal Flats through food-themed activities. They also made migratory bird eggs and nests using bread and chocolate, offering a fun and familiar way to learn about wildlife and ecosystems.

ⓒ EAAFP
ⓒ EAAFP

Discovering the Incredible Journeys of Migratory Birds with EAAFP

The East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) also operated an information booth, meeting visitors and introducing them to the remarkable journeys of migratory birds.

Visitors learned about the migration routes of birds travelling between Oceania, the Russian Far East and Alaska, the importance of Gochang Tidal Flats as a vital stopover site, and the threatened migratory bird species that travel along the Flyway. The booth also highlighted the importance of international conservation cooperation across borders to protect migratory birds and their habitats while supporting sustainable development in local communities.

ⓒ EAAFP

The event also demonstrated the value of community-led ecocultural programmes. Local residents who run cafés near the event venue took part as instructors, leading hands-on activities for visitors. Their involvement provided a positive example of how local communities can contribute to conservation education while creating opportunities for local engagement and sustainable community development.

“We Hope to Continue the Event Next Year”

Shim Jeong-hyeon, Head of the World Heritage Team at Gochang County, said:

“We wanted to bring together a range of birdwatching-related activities so that people could enjoy learning about birds even during the summer, which is considered the off-season for birdwatching. We prepared birdwatching education programmes, accessible hands-on activities and information booths. We were pleased to see people travelling from farther afield than we expected to attend the event, and participant satisfaction was also high. Although this was our first time organising the event, we hope to continue holding it next year.”

One participant also shared their experience of discovering nature through the event:

“It was an opportunity to take a moment to think about the living things around us that need our protection. I learned about species that we should pay more attention to and protect in our everyday lives. My children normally do not like going out onto the tidal flats because they do not like getting their clothes dirty. However, they had such a wonderful time throughout the event that we ended up participating on both days. It made me think that I would definitely like to take part if similar educational activities were held directly on the tidal flats.”

Gochang Tidal Flats provide an important resting and feeding site for countless migratory birds during their long journeys, while also serving as a place where local communities and nature coexist.

ⓒ EAAFP

The 2026 Gochang Tidal Flats Birdwatchers’ Day offered members of the public an opportunity to encounter migratory birds and tidal-flat ecosystems first-hand, experience their value and develop a greater appreciation of the importance of protecting nature in their own communities.

The event also demonstrated how local communities, citizens and international conservation networks can come together to promote the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. We look forward to seeing more opportunities for such collaboration at Gochang Tidal Flats in the years to come.

A colourful wall featuring people’s wishes for a better world and a safe future for migratory waterbirds and their habitats ⓒ EAAFP

-More information on Gochang Tidal Flats[EAAF153]: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eaafp/albums/72177720305126007