The Most Beautiful Winter Scenery in Kinmen: Tens of Thousands of Cormorants Return to Their Nests at Dusk

Reported by Chen Tzu-yin / Taipei

Every winter, a group of special visitors comes to “stay” in Taiwan’s outlying island of Kinmen — the all-black “cormorants.” Yesterday (2nd), their figures were spotted again as they flew to Kinmen in small groups, heightening anticipation for the most stunning winter sight in Kinmen: “tens of thousands of cormorants returning to their nests.”


▲The annual arrival of cormorant migratory birds in Kinmen, and the sight of tens of thousands returning to their nests at dusk, is the most beautiful winter scenery. (Photo / Liao Dong-kun, provided by Kinmen National Scenic Area Administration)

Lu Shu-fei, deputy director of the Kinmen National Scenic Area Administration, said that on the 2nd, the first cormorants of this winter were spotted in Kinmen. However, only a few have arrived so far. It is estimated that the peak arrival of these winter migratory birds will occur after December, when the spectacular sight of cormorants returning to their nests can be witnessed. But the migration of these birds is still closely related to the weather. If this winter is not cold enough, they will arrive later.

The Kinmen National Scenic Area Administration has also scheduled the “2014 Kinmen Heritage Villages & Cormorants” tour program to run from November 20th to December 6th, focusing on birdwatching — particularly the migratory cormorants — as the highlight of winter tourism. The tour includes accommodation in traditional Minnan-style heritage homestays within the national park, offering a taste of southern Fujian architecture, local Kinmen cuisine, and traditional banquets. The tour departs every Thursday, with three sessions available: November 20th–22nd, November 27th–29th, and December 4th–6th. Each session is limited to 20 participants, and registration begins October 1st. The cost per person is NT$8,990.