Participants at the Korea-Japan Symposium for conserving the Black-faced Spoonbill, May 2011 © Ganghwa Tidal Flat Center

On 16-17 May 2011, the Korea-Japan Symposium for conserving the Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) and developing networks was held in Ganghwa in South Korea, as follow-up to the Korea-Taiwan Symposium last year. The event was hosted by Ganghwa Tidal Flat Center and Ganghwa County Office. To encourage conservation activities for the threatened Black-faced Spoonbill, presentations containing biological and ecological features of the endangered spoonbill in breeding and wintering areas, its migration and international cooperation, CEPA activities and successful management of artificial habitat, were delivered to more than 60 participants. Korea is the main place where Black-faced Spoonbills breed and participants were captivated by watching the breeding spoonbills during a field trip to Namdong Reservoir in Songdo, where unusually close viewing was possible.