Breeding Ground of Sea Birds (Swinhoe’s Storm-Petrel, Streaked Shearwater, and Fork-tailed Swift) on Chilbaldo Island, Sinan

Chilbaldo Island is a lighthouse island about 10 km northwest of Bigeumdo Island, made up of steep rocky cliffs. Swinhoe's storm-petrel is about 19 cm long; both sexes are dark brown all over, with a black beak and legs. It nests in rock crevices or burrows on the island and feeds mainly on fish, shrimp, and squid. The streaked shearwater is about 48 cm long; both sexes have a blackish-grey head and back, with a white face, neck, and belly. Its face and head are marked with many white spots, and its beak is whitish grey. During the day it lives in flocks far out at sea, returning to the breeding ground only after sunset. Its diet is similar to that of the storm-petrel. The fork-tailed swift is about 18 cm long; both sexes have a black head, back, and wings, with a white rump. It breeds on high mountains or rocky island cliffs and usually moves in large flocks, feeding mainly on flies, beetles, bees, and cicadas. The seabird breeding ground on Chilbaldo Island lies along the migration route of summer birds such as Swinhoe's storm-petrel, streaked shearwater, and fork-tailed swift, serving as both a resting place and a breeding ground of significant scientific importance, and is therefore designated and protected as a natural monument. Chilbaldo Island is currently designated as an access-restricted area to protect the seabird breeding grounds; anyone wishing to enter for management or academic purposes must obtain permission from the Administrator of the Korea Heritage Service.

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Where it is

Region

Sinan, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물