The 4 Seasons of Samicheon—Spring

‘The 4 Seasons of Samicheon’ is a 2026 challenge deliberate by ‘Birds Korea Yeoncheon’ (Department Director Kim Heesong). Because the title suggests, the challenge entails visiting Samicheon all through the 4 seasons—spring, summer season, autumn, and winter—to deepen our understanding of the stream, its resident birds and biodiversity. Extra broadly, it goals to boost our data of Yeoncheon’s biodiversity and, finally, to broaden this understanding to a wider regional stage past Yeoncheon itself.

To begin with, why did we select Samicheon? ‘Birds Korea’(Nationwide Director Dr. Nial Moores) report ‘Yeoncheon Imjin River Biosphere Reserve: Birds Korea Analysis Findings and Suggestions’(Nial Moores et al., 2025) states the next:

“(From Samicheon outdoors of the ccz by way of Baekhak) Habitat consists of two small rivers (Samicheon and Seokchangcheon), and a decrease stretch of the Imjin River; sand and shingle islands; willow forest; cultivated grass; and c. 150 ha of rice-fields. […]

As proven within the idea sketch (beneath) drawn by Choi Su-Yeon, development of small bunds from soils excavated from fields might create a sequence of water remedy ponds and a bigger space of floodplain wetland. Birdwatching hides overlooking this space might then be constructed to assist assist conservation tourism and environmental training outdoors of the CCZ, in an space with a lot chook migration, near areas utilized by overwintering Crimson-crowned and White-naped Cranes.”

This habitat is one in every of three most important clusters of web sites that Birds Korea has recognized as being of worldwide significance to waterbirds throughout the Biosphere Reserve, primarily based on biodiversity analysis performed in Yeoncheon-gun over the previous a number of years. In different phrases, it’s a habitat with nice potential for designation as a Ramsar Web site in Yeoncheon. If restored to its state as a pure wetland, it may very well be instantly utilized by quite a few migratory birds and numerous species, contributing to training, tourism, and the native economic system.

In direction of the sustainable improvement of Yeoncheon-gun and the peaceable coexistence of people and nature, ‘Birds Korea Yeoncheon’ has determined to go to Samicheon. Our 4 official visits—Spring, Summer season, Autumn, and Winter—are vast open to anybody who needs to hitch us, whereas our members proceed to conduct common month-to-month birdwatching.

“The 4 seasons of birds differ from these of people of their timing. Moreover, every chook species follows its personal seasonal timeline,” says Dr. Nial Moores. For birds, spring signifies migration to breeding grounds, securing territories, courtship, and nest constructing. Nonetheless, in Yeoncheon as of late April, spring could also be in full bloom for the Gray-capped Greenfinch, whose fledglings are already venturing out. In distinction, for the Fairy Pitta, which has but to reach, spring ought to be a season nonetheless to be waited for. There may be additionally a major time lag between the Lengthy-billed Plover, which has been paired up on shingles since late February, and the Little Ringed Plover, whose mating was solely noticed in April.

Consequently, ‘4 Seasons of Samicheon’ can’t be stated to completely align with the 4 seasons of all birds or any particular species. But, it’s sure that each these birds and all of us observing them in Yeoncheon flow into by way of these 4 seasons collectively. How do our twelve months and 4 seasons circulate and join? What sort of place is Samicheon throughout that point, and what might or not it’s? With these questions in thoughts, our spring go to has been launched.

The primary official birdwatching occasion ‘4 Seasons of Samicheon—Spring’, held on March 1, was attended by 18 individuals. Though it was a comparatively massive group to birdwatch collectively, we have been in a position to observe numerous birds in serenity for about two hours. One participant’s remark—that he had rediscovered the fantastic thing about Samicheon, the place he recurrently walks—made our efforts as organizers actually rewarding.

The star of the Samicheon spring birdwatching was undoubtedly the Lengthy-billed Plover. They have been noticed throughout all three visits from February to April, constantly showing on the identical location. A pair was first noticed in late February, and about ten days later, on March 1, one in every of them was additionally seen resting on the shingle.

Lengthy-billed Plover. Samicheon, March 1, 2026.

The Lengthy-billed Plover is designated as an endangered species by the Ministry of Setting. The large destruction of shingle bars and islands—their important habitats—resulting from river dredging is recognized as the first explanation for their decline. These birds are a key indicator species for the ecological well being of rivers and streams, and should not noticed outdoors of riverine environments.

We didn’t survey the whole stretch of Samicheon, nor can we declare to have seen each chook current. Nonetheless, if solely a single pair (and even two) of the nationally endangered Lengthy-billed Plover breeds alongside a stretch of Samicheon exceeding one kilometer, it feels considerably inadequate for the standing of Yeoncheon as a UNESCO multi-designated space.

Previous wetlands, as soon as reduce off from the river by excessive synthetic dikes, have became dry land. Pure landscapes—and thus pure habitats—together with floodplains, sandbars, shingle islands, and ponds of various depths, have steadily disappeared. Watching the birds of Samicheon, we think about a unique future: the breathtaking surroundings {that a} restored wetland would unfold, the various birds and biodiversity that will grace that panorama, and the colourful sounds of dwelling nature. We think about the glad faces of native residents as they take care of this UNESCO multi-designated space and information guests by way of it.