Breeding Ground of Black-tailed Gulls on Hongdo Island, Tongyeong

The black-tailed gull is a resident bird found along the entire coastline and islands of Korea, and also breeds in Japan, the southern Maritime Province of Russia, southern Sakhalin, the southern Kuril Islands, and the coast of China. Males and females look identical, with a body length of about 43 cm. It nests in grassy areas or places sparsely dotted with small trees and shrubs, building its nest from dry grass, and feeds mainly on fish, amphibians, molluscs, and insects. Because it tends to gather where shoals of fish are found, it has long helped fishermen locate fishing grounds and has been favoured by them since ancient times. Hongdo Island lies 50.5 km from Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province, and is surrounded by rocky cliffs. Camellia trees grow here and there, and most of the island is covered with soft vegetation such as grasses. Black-tailed gulls build their nests on reefs or in places sparsely covered with trees or grass, but once breeding is over they leave the island and live in flocks at ports and coastal areas along the south coast. The black-tailed gull breeding ground on Hongdo Island is a representative breeding site on the south coast, possessing the natural living conditions the gulls need for breeding, and is of high scientific value; it is therefore designated and protected as a natural monument. Hongdo Island in Tongyeong is currently designated as an access-restricted area to protect the black-tailed gull breeding ground; anyone wishing to enter for management or academic purposes must obtain permission from the Administrator of the Korea Heritage Service.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Tongyeong, Gyeongnam

Designation

Natural Monument · 천연기념물