Taiwan’s ecosystems are key stopovers in East Asia for migratory birds, making the country a famous bird-watching paradise! The Taijiang National Park has unique and diverse wetlands, which are important wintering grounds for black-faced spoonbills and other migratory birds. The bird ecology in the Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park is also abundant and diverse, making it an unmissable destination.
This picture shows the black-faced spoonbill with breeding feathers in spring (provided by Taijiang National Park Management Office)
Seasonal Ecological Spectacles, Ideal for Bike Tours in Nature
During the spring and fall, migratory birds winter in the Taijiang National Park. The weather in these two seasons is also ideal for bike tours. Therefore, the Taijiang National Park Headquarters often organizes bird-watching bike tours, and invites the general public to visit wetlands, watch migratory birds, and learn about wetland ecology and the importance of conservation. The bike tour has a capacity for approximately 40 people, divided into teams led by 4 volunteers. The route is 10 kilometers long, starting from Guanhai Bridge, continuing along the Yanshui River, then riding west to the river estuary, heading onto the Mountain to Sea Greenway, to lastly ride east along the Jianan Irrigation Waterways.
(provided by Taijiang National Park Management Office)
(provided by Taijiang National Park Management Office)
The tour envelopes estuarine resources, migratory bird ecosystems and mangroves. Volunteers with different expertise will each lead a team on an ecological tour. The route is near the Sicao Wetlands, which are not far from downtown. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours, allowing plenty of time to discover the scenery along the way. Telescopes are set up at locations with diverse ecologies along the route to allow participants to watch black-faced spoonbills and other migratory birds while observing the fiddler crab’s environment.
(provided by the Taijiang National Park Management Office)
Research indicates that more than 372 bird species have been spotted at the Taijiang National Park, among which migratory birds are the majority in species and number, attracting numerous bird watchers. The Taijiang National Park Headquarters is dedicated to education on sustainability, and has published Taijiang Bird Experts, a children's book that involves matching beak characteristics to cards to solve puzzles, and in turn allows readers to learn about bird habitats and gain awareness on environmental protection. The Taijiang National Park Headquarters also organizes activities such as the “Wetland Adventurers,” in hopes of encouraging participants to take part in ecological conservation through a hands-on experience.
(provided by Taijiang National Park Management Office)
Bird-watching in Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park - Wilderness and Vitality in the City
(Photo courtesy of the National Natural Park Management Office)
The trees planted at the Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park have now fully grown into a habitat for various species, attracting the general public, who enjoy strolling around the park. The National Nature Park Headquarters has organized bird-watching activities to advocate environmental and ecological conservation while promoting the conservation of birds’ habitats through various themes. More than one hundred bird species, including eagles, falcons, and pheasants, have been spotted in the park. Therefore, it is widely-known as a bird-watching destination in northern Kaohsiung.
(Provided by Deng Ganmou)
Deng Gan-Mou, a bird ecology volunteer guide, is a member of the Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society and works as a volunteer guide at the Yushan National Park. He shared that Kaohsiung is geographically long and narrow, and black-faced spoonbills can be observed in the Jiading Wetland and at the estuary of the Gaoping River, whereas mountain birds and birds of prey can be observed in Liugui and the Southern Cross-Island Highway.
(provided by the National Natural Park Management Office)
As for bird watching gear, convenience is key; in addition, hats, vests with multiple pockets, and earth-colored garments are recommended. Different telescopes are used for watching mountain birds and water birds. Binoculars are light and easy to use, whereas monoculars have higher power. Binoculars are recommended for watching mountain birds and monoculars for water birds. He further reminded the public that humans and birds live on the same planet, and what happens to birds today may be what happens to humans tomorrow if habitats are damaged!
(provided by the National Natural Park Management Office)
