On October 30, 2025, we (Su-young Lee and Su-jin Lee, members of ‘Birds Korea (Yeoncheon)’ and Former Scaly-sided Merganser Surveyors) visited a 4th-grade classroom at Yeoncheon Elementary College. It is a class whose homeroom trainer was already conducting environmental training overlaying Yeoncheon County’s biodiversity, habitats, and birdlife. The kids already knew that the Scaly-sided Merganser inhabits Yeoncheon County and have been desirous to study extra.
“Might you elevate your hand in the event you’ve ever seen a Scaly-sided Merganser in individual?”
As anticipated, nobody did.
“Why do you assume you haven’t seen the Scaly-sided Merganser?”
“As a result of there aren’t many.”
“As a result of they’re an endangered species.”
This fall, the Scaly-sided Merganser returned to the Imjin River, as they persistently do. ‘Birds Korea (Yeoncheon)’ first started intensive single-species surveys specializing in the Scaly-sided Merganser alongside the Imjin River in 2021. The survey outcomes steered that the Imjin River is probably going crucial habitat (stopover website) on the earth for this globally endangered species throughout its migration interval.
Birds Korea Yeoncheon has since continued these intensive surveys, specializing in the Scaly-sided Merganser in the course of the spring and fall migration intervals. The gathered survey information have confirmed that the Yeoncheon Imjin River is presently the one most necessary habitat (stopover website) on the earth for the Scaly-sided Merganser throughout each migration seasons. As of this fall 2025, Mr. Baek Seung-gwang is conducting common surveys each three days, supported by the EAAFP (East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership).
The full international inhabitants of the Scaly-sided Merganser within the wild is estimated to be round 3,500 people. This chook is a uncommon species discovered solely in Russia, China, North Korea, and South Korea. Roughly 85% of the entire inhabitants breeds alongside rivers in Russia (primarily Primorsky Krai), and 95% winters alongside rivers in China (principally within the southeast).
The Korean Peninsula lies in the midst of the Scaly-sided Merganser’s migration route between Russia and China throughout spring and fall, and throughout the Peninsula, the Imjin River holds a central place. Whereas the Scaly-sided Merganser is dispersed throughout a lot wider areas in Russia and China, it’s estimated that numerous people converge on the Imjin River throughout each migration seasons. This phenomenon is similar to the focus of visitors on main highways as folks journey for and return from conventional holidays.
Subsequently, making certain that the Scaly-sided Merganser can relaxation, feed, and sleep properly alongside the Imjin River in the course of the migration interval is simply as essential as their breeding and wintering grounds, if no more so, for the safety of this globally endangered species.
The constant sharing of information and dialogue has lastly resulted within the first tangible measures being ready for the conservation of the Scaly-sided Merganser. Supported by Gyeonggi Province and the EAAFP, Yeoncheon County, ‘Birds Korea (Yeoncheon)’, and Yeoncheon Elementary College college students have begun designing and producing interpretive signboards for the species. Two signboards are scheduled to be put in in Hwengsan-ri and Samgot-ri, Jung-myeon.
The Scaly-sided Merganser could be mentioned to inhabit the whole stretch of the Imjin River from Pilseung Bridge within the Civilian Management Zone to Horogoru. Nevertheless, they have a tendency to pay attention inside particular stretches and most well-liked areas. If the ecological situations in these areas are destroyed or disturbance is intensified, it poses a big risk to the survival of the Scaly-sided Merganser.
Sadly, the most important stretches most most well-liked by the Scaly-sided Merganser have been present process intensive improvement lately and are scheduled for additional improvement. The consultant examples embody the areas round Dongi-ri Columnar Joints (Imjingang Columnar Joints Tourism Middle), Jinsang-ri (Park Golf course), and Samgeo-ri (Pet Theme Park).
To stop native residents and guests, who’re unaware of the species’ presence, from inadvertently turning into a risk to the Scaly-sided Merganser, minimal protecting measures and security protocols are urgently required. It is because most individuals immediately worth wildlife as extremely as human life and take pleasure of their efforts to guard it.
© Lee Su-young
© Lee Su-young
Of all conservation measures, interpretive signboards are maybe the quickest and best to implement. Now, the Yeoncheon Elementary College college students have taken the initiative to unfold the phrase: that the Scaly-sided Merganser is right here, and that we are able to defend it collectively. We hope the older generations and coverage makers will reply to this name.
© Lee Su-young
Lastly, we enchantment to Yeoncheon County Workplace. The situation that the majority urgently requires the set up of Scaly-sided Merganser signboards is the Dongi-ri Columnar Joints. The Imjingang Columnar Joints Tourism Middle is quickly to open on this space, which is far most well-liked by the Scaly-sided Merganser. It’s an space that completely requires seasonal path closures, the creation of buffer vegetation, screens, chook hides, and interpretive signboards.
No measures have been ready but, however couldn’t we a minimum of set up one signboard first? Might we not erect yet another signboard—designed by Yeoncheon Elementary College college students, which introduces the Scaly-sided Merganser and the Imjin River, and guides guests on the correct etiquette for safeguarding the species—additionally on this most crucial location? Moreover, wouldn’t such a gesture instill a way of pleasure and inspiration in many individuals?
