‘Safari of Birds’ Dream City … Ulsan City Establishes Plan for Migratory Bird Tourism ‘Bird Safari’

Ulsan City is establishing and promoting a ‘Bird Safari Promotion Plan’ to attract migratory bird tourism to Ulsan.

The city plans to operate the ‘Ulsan Bird Safari’ in a way that allows birdwatchers to observe and experience migratory birds without causing them harm, ensuring visitors can enjoy and engage with the experience.

In particular, the plan aims to protect migratory birds and provide them with habitats, attracting a variety of migratory birds and drawing tourists to view them, which is expected to create a virtuous cycle that revitalizes the local economy.

The main components include ▲establishing bird safari spots ▲operating experiential and extended birdwatching programs ▲and promoting migratory bird tourism products.

‘Establishing bird safari spots’ involves setting up 20 safari locations such as under Myeongchon Bridge, Taehwa River Observatory, and Samho Migratory Bird Ecological Park, so that families and small groups of tourists can enjoy bird safari tours anytime.

Each spot will have an information board and a migratory bird interpretation panel. The information boards will be selected in sizes that do not disrupt the surrounding scenery, and the information will be regularly checked (monitored) and updated.

The migratory bird interpretation panels will provide information accessible via QR codes, including details about birds that can be observed and apps that help distinguish migratory birds, enabling visitors to identify birds on-site by themselves.

Additionally, the panels will link to websites offering information about nearby bird-related institutions, culture, tourist attractions, restaurants, and accommodations.

For the ‘experiential birdwatching program,’ a winter migratory bird experience program will be piloted from February to March this year at the ‘Eagle Ecological Experience Center,’ which is a natural monument and a Class II endangered wild species.

At a rice paddy in Ipam-ri, Ulju-gun, feeding stations for eagles will be set up every Wednesday and Saturday. Visitors can observe eagles feeding, listen to ecological explanations, and try on life-sized eagle wing costumes at the experience center.

Based on information gathered during the pilot operation, a permanent ecological experience center will be opened in November this year. Additionally, an eagle festival is planned for December.

There will also be a ‘Crow Flock Dance Experience Center’ where visitors can enjoy the winter spectacle of large flocks of carrion crows at Taehwa River. From January to February each year, ecological interpretation services will be provided by reservation, and outdoor portable beds will be prepared so visitors can watch while lying down. Both evening and sunrise flock dances can be enjoyed with a guide’s commentary upon reservation.

From April to July, the ‘Taehwa River Egret Ecological Experience Center’ will operate, allowing visitors to observe the breeding process of egrets and listen to ecological explanations. Events will include spotting seven species of egrets visiting Taehwa River (Grey Heron, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, and White-winged Black Heron), and photo opportunities with egrets.

The ‘extended birdwatching program’ will be offered as half-day and full-day birdwatching tours.

The half-day birdwatching program will be operated via the Ulsan Migratory Bird Travel Bus. Visitors will take a bus tour to the Taehwa River estuary, Taehwa-ru, and Seonbawi areas for waterbird watching.

The bus will run twice daily, five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday. Reservations can be made through the Taehwa River Ecotourism Council website.

The full-day birdwatching program will be linked with the half-day program and experiential centers for eagles, carrion crows, and egrets.

‘Promoting migratory bird tourism products’ involves holding briefing sessions for travel agencies to introduce the bird safari, aiming to establish it as a representative tourism product of Ulsan and attract travelers. On January 12 and 19, Taiwanese tourists experienced the carrion crow flock dance.

Furthermore, promotional videos featuring carrion crows, eagles, and seasonal migratory birds will be produced to promote the Bird Safari Ulsan. The program will also be publicized through documentaries, YouTube, and other media.

A city official stated, “Taehwa River in Ulsan has been recognized globally for its rich biodiversity, being registered as an international migratory bird city and designated as a UNESCO ecological hydrology pilot basin. Migratory birds are part of this, and actively utilizing them is the essence of bird safari tourism. Living nature itself is an ecotourism resource, and we will prepare Ulsan to welcome many tourists who want to enjoy this ecotourism.”

Ulsan City Hall.

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