Breeding Ground of Egrets and Grey Herons in Pomae-ri, Yangyang

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.229

Category

동식물

Designated year

1970

Location

양양군, 강원특별자치도— 강원도 양양군 개매길 215-33 (현남면)

Coordinates

37.950062, 128.770826

An egret (white heron) lives widely in the tropical and temperate regions and in all areas in Korea except the highland in Baekdusan Mountain. It reproduces in Korea from early spring to late autumn, and it can be seen in streams, lakes, and tidelands. It reproduces mainly in a pine tree and a ginkgo tree. The waegari (heron) is the biggest bird in the white heron family, reproducing in all areas in Korea in summer. A small group of herons spend winter in the southern region and island region. It lives in a rice field, a stream, a coast, and a tideland and feeds on frogs, fish, and snakes. There are about 500 pine trees in the egret and Waegari habitat in Pomae-ri, Yangyang, and they are about 70-150 years old and 20-25 meters high. Egret and Waegari have reproduced on about 250 of those 500 pine trees. They have also built 3 nests each on the Big Cone Pine, black oak, and chestnut tree. The egret and Waegari habitat in Pomae-ri, Yangyang was the biggest breeding place in the east coast. Note, however, that their habitat is shrinking due to environmental pollution and their droppings. As a result, the number of white herons and Waegari is decreasing. Therefore, it is designated and protected as a Natural Monument.

Location