From seaside to Seoul: Why seagulls are frequently spotted at Han River

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From seaside to Seoul: Why seagulls are frequently spotted at Han River

Published: 04 Mar. 2026, 07:00

CHO JUNG-WOO
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Seagulls fly near Yeouido Han River Park in western Seoul on Feb. 27. [CHO JUNG-WOO]

Seagulls have recently been spotted along stretches of the Han River in Seoul, raising questions for visitors more accustomed to seeing the birds along the coast.

Near the Hangang Bus Pier in Yeouido, western Seoul, flocks of more than a dozen gulls were seen circling low over the river, gathering around people resting along the waterfront on Friday. Some visitors fed the birds shrimp-flavored crackers — a snack commonly given to seagulls at Korea’s seaside — prompting the birds to swoop down so close that passersby instinctively ducked.

Their sharp cries echoed across the river as temperatures in Seoul that day climbed to nearly 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

The sight stood out along the heavily urban stretch of the Han River, where visitors sipped coffee at chain cafes like Starbucks, stopped by convenience stores at the Hangang Bus pier and gathered nearby for fried chicken and beer at the adjacent Seoul Cruise pier.

The sightings have prompted curiosity and confusion online. On Threads, a user recently posted photos of seagulls floating beneath the Jamsu Bridge, writing that it was their first time seeing so many gulls on the Han River. Others chimed in with similar questions: Why are seagulls at the river at all? Aren’t they supposed to be near the sea?

According to Prof. Choi Chang-yong, who specializes in wildlife ecology at Seoul National University’s Department of Forest Sciences, the assumption that seagulls are strictly coastal birds is a common misconception.

“Many gulls do live along the coast,” he said, “but some species also breed in inland lakes and freshwater wetlands. It’s not accurate to think of them as birds that exist only by the sea.”

However, Choi noted that a large proportion of gulls do concentrate around coastal areas and uninhabited islands, especially during the winter. As winter ends, their movement becomes more visible.

“From late February through late March, wintering gulls become much more active as they migrate back to their breeding grounds,” he said.

Seagulls rest at the Seoul Cruise pier in Yeouido, western Seoul, on March 3. [CHO JUNG-WOO]

The gulls commonly spotted along the Han River in early spring are black-tailed gulls, a resident seabird species in Korea. These gulls typically appear along the river in March as they move northward, stopping briefly before continuing to breeding sites along the west coast. They spend the winter months farther south.

Often described as heralds of spring along the Han River, black-tailed gulls are easily distinguished by their white heads and bodies, ash gray wings and backs, yellow legs and bills marked with red tips and black bands.

The species has been reportedly documented along the Han River since the early 2000s, typically stopping briefly on its journey from southern wintering grounds to west coast breeding areas.

Vega gull and black-tailed gull [YUN YOUNG]

Prof. Choi added that another species, the Vega gull, is more commonly seen wintering along the river.

“Many of the gulls that overwinter on the Han are Vega gulls,” he said. “Black-tailed gulls also appear around this time, but this is a seasonal transition period. Because they are shifting habitats now, their numbers temporarily increase.”

Vega gulls are large birds — about 55 to 67 centimeters (22 to 26 inches) long — and are a familiar sight in Korea during winter. They have white bodies, dark gray wings and backs and yellow bills marked with a red spot near the tip.

Data from the National Institute of Biological Resources’ migratory bird monitoring system show that gull populations along the Han River have fluctuated sharply over the past decade. Between Seongsan Bridge and Seongsu Bridge, sightings of black-tailed and Vega gulls peaked at 1,889 individuals in January 2014 before dropping to 32 in 2015. This January, 22 were recorded. Similar trends were observed along the Jungnang Stream.

Seoul Metropolitan Government data show that three black-tailed gulls were recorded in 2024, down from 389 in 2023, while Vega gull numbers declined from 257 to 198 over the same period.

A seagull wanders near Hangang Bus pier in Yeouido, western Seoul, on March 2. [CHO JUNG-WOO]

Even as overall numbers fluctuate, the birds remain highly responsive to food provided by humans.

“They do hunt fish on their own,” Prof. Choi said, “but they also have a strong tendency to steal food. That trait allows them to adapt well to urban environments. As long as there is food, they can survive almost anywhere. They are extremely adaptable birds.”

Feeding seagulls has also become a pastime on cruises traveling along the Han River, where passengers toss snacks from the upper decks.

According to the Seoul city government, a total of 132 bird species were recorded along the Han River in 2022 — down from a peak of 144 species in 2017, but still well above the 99 species documented in 2007.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [[email protected]]