The ongoing development of construction and small-scale industry, but also recent events like the sanitation of large stretches of Imjin River to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever are likely reasons for an ever-increasing concentration of cranes inside the remaining parts of the Civilian Control Zone (i.e. the zone where civilian movements are controlled by the military, very close to the DMZ). On this short trip, which did not lead into the DMZ, only two families of White-naped cranes were seen, one close to Imjingak, one across Imjin river nearby Jangpa-ri.
Also, there were at least eight White-tailed Sea Eagles and 21 Cinereous Vultures in the area.
The adjacent fields of Jajang-Ri, though not easy to navigate, were feeding areas of several thousand Greater White-Fronted Geese and Tundra Bean Geese, plus one Snow Goose. Also, the small patches of forest inside, due to time restrictions plus sometimes military obstacles not fully explored, seemed to be teaming with small birds, among them Rustic Buntings.
The unseasonable warm water also meant that a number of butterflies were already awake.
