Breeding Ground of Egrets and Grey Herons in Sinjeop-ri, Yeoju

Egrets are widely distributed worldwide from the tropics to temperate zones, and in Korea they breed throughout the country except in the area around Baekdusan Mountain. They can be seen in streams, lakes and tidal flats, breeding in Korea from early spring to late autumn, mainly building nests in pine and ginkgo trees. The grey heron is the largest bird among Korea's heron family species, and is a summer bird that breeds throughout the country; a small number remain as year-round residents, wintering in the southern regions and on islands. It lives in rice paddies, streams, coasts and tidal flats, and feeds on frogs, fish, snakes and the like. At the Breeding Ground of Egrets and Grey Herons in Sinjeop-ri, Yeoju, the birds have been breeding since about 50 years ago, concentrated mainly in a roughly 400-year-old ginkgo tree in the village. After this tree withered and died, they moved to a roughly 40-year-old oak tree, which also withered and died from damage caused by the birds' droppings. Since about 8 years ago, acacia and pine trees have been planted in place of the dead trees to encourage breeding here. Our ancestors believed that "if egrets settle in a village, the village will prosper," and so they carefully protected the egrets of the village. The breeding ground in Sinjeop-ri, Yeoju is designated and protected as a Natural Monument because it is representative of egret and grey heron breeding grounds located in the central region of Korea.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeoju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물