Breeding Ground of Egrets and Grey Herons in Apgok-ri, Hoengseong

Egrets are widely distributed from tropical to temperate regions, and in Korea they breed throughout the country except in the area of Baekdusan Mountain. They can be seen along rivers, lakes and tidal flats, breeding in Korea from early spring to late autumn, mostly nesting in colonies in pine and ginkgo trees. The grey heron is the largest bird of the heron family in Korea, and is a summer visitor that breeds throughout the country; small numbers remain as year-round residents in the southern regions and on islands, wintering there. It lives in rice paddies, rivers, coasts and tidal flats, feeding on frogs, fish and snakes. The breeding ground of egrets and grey herons in Apgok-ri, Hoengseong, lies on Yeongsan Hill to the west of the village and Apsan Hill to the north. On the summit of Yeongsan, dense woodland has formed around pine trees 200 to 300 years old, while on the ridge of Apsan there is a single pine tree about 90 years old, along with Mongolian oak and sawtooth oak. Until about 20 years ago, the breeding colony consisted mostly of grey herons, but their numbers have gradually declined, and today the great egret makes up most of the breeding population. The breeding ground of egrets and grey herons in Apgok-ri, Hoengseong, is one of Korea's representative breeding sites for egrets and grey herons, and is therefore designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

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Where it is

Region

Hoengseong, Gangwon

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물