The Incheon Metropolitan Government will hold a bird-watching contest at the Songdo tidal flat, a world-renowned stopover for migratory birds, and will begin accepting applications on Sept. 1. Anyone may apply regardless of whether they live in Korea or overseas, in an event where citizens observe migratory birds firsthand and experience the value of tidal flat conservation.
 [코리안투데이] Migratory birds visiting the Songdo Tidal Flat Marine Protected Area © 장형임 기자 |
The Incheon Metropolitan Government (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that it will host the 2026 Incheon Marine Protected Area Bird-Watching Contest (Songdo Tidal Flat Flyway Challenge) to promote the ecological value of Incheon’s marine protected areas and spread awareness of their conservation. Applications open on Sept. 1.
The contest will take place on Oct. 9 at Songdo G-Tower and across the Songdo tidal flat marine protected area. The Songdo tidal flat is a key stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, visited by the globally endangered black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) and countless other waterbirds, and is a site of great ecological importance internationally.
The event centers on the main competition, in which participants observe migratory birds directly on the Songdo tidal flat and compete on their birding records, and also features special lectures by ornithologists and commemorative programs. After the contest, a review will select three teams that showed outstanding records and participation for awards.
A total of 100 people will take part. Applicants will be recruited in two groups: 70 for the ‘expert team’, which competes on professional birding skills, and 30 for the ‘beginner team’ for those interested in bird watching. Any birder interested in Incheon’s tidal flats and ecology may apply, regardless of whether they reside in Korea or abroad.
Applications will be accepted from Sept. 1 to Sept. 15 and will close once the quota is filled on a first-come basis. Applicants may scan the QR code on the poster or visit the official Incheon Metropolitan Government website to submit the online application form.
The contest draws attention as an occasion for citizens to see for themselves the significance of a globally important ecological resource in a tidal flat that borders the city. In the vicinity of Songdo, where development has continued, the experience of watching endangered waterbirds still stopping to rest reminds citizens that tidal flat conservation is not merely an administrative task but a shared asset the whole community must protect together.
Park Kwang-geun, director general of the city’s Marine and Aviation Bureau, said, ‘I hope this becomes a meaningful occasion for birders from home and abroad to personally experience the internationally significant ecological resources held within Incheon’s waters and to help protect our city’s precious nature together,’ adding, ‘I look forward to the keen interest and active participation of many birders who will take the lead in conserving the tidal flat ecosystem.’
지역 홍보대사 신청 기자양성과정 신청 코리안투데이 지부장 신청 코리안투데이 인천강화코리안브랜드대상 신청 최고경영인대상 신청 소비자만족도대상 신청
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