Busan to welcome winter migratory birds at Nakdong River estuary

Busan's Nakdong River Management Headquarters will hold the 17th Winter Migratory Bird Welcome Festival over two days, Nov. 21-22, at Eulsukdo Ecological Park and the Nakdong Estuary Eco Center, the city announced Monday.

November is the season when winter migratory birds — including whooper swans and bean geese — arrive at the Nakdong River estuary to spend the winter, feeding and resting on tidal flats and wetlands before heading north to their breeding grounds the following spring.

The festival was organized to give residents a chance to observe and experience the estuary's rich ecological resources as the migratory birds return to Eulsukdo. Programs include a robot-narrated migratory bird story, an environmental education session taught through magic tricks, and a migratory bird runway, among other activities.

The robot-narrated bird story is part of an AI spatial computing project, letting visitors hear about migratory birds from a robot while experiencing AI-assisted ecological interpretation. The magic-themed environmental education session offers a fun and accessible introduction to the estuary's ecology, and the event will also feature hands-on booths, special events and additional ecological experience programs.

The festival is open to all. Online advance registration opens Tuesday on a first-come, first-served basis through the Nakdong Estuary Eco Center website at busan.go.kr/wetland. Some programs have age restrictions, which can be confirmed on the website. Phone inquiries can be directed to the eco center at 051-209-2052.

"This winter migratory bird festival is a great opportunity for residents to directly experience the ecological value of the Nakdong River estuary," Nakdong River Management Headquarters Director Jo Gyeong-si said. "We hope the diverse ecological programs will help people connect more closely with nature and appreciate the importance of conservation."