International "Bird" Superstar the Black-faced Spoonbill Takes the Stage: Tainan Bicycle Ride Invites the Public to "Ride" Along

▲ Winter is approaching, and large numbers of migratory birds have arrived in the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan areas. The photo shows migratory birds swirling and flying over the Nanshibu Wetlands in Tainan at the end of last year (2012). (Photo / Courtesy ofYunlin-Chiayi-Tainan, So Much Fun!!! Fan Page)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Even though the weather is gradually turning cooler, the winter migratory birds of the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan regions continue to arrive in groups as usual to spend the season here. This year, over 1,000 black-faced spoonbills have already flocked to the protected area in Qigu District, Tainan. To welcome these international "bird" superstars, the Tainan City Agriculture Bureau will host the "102 Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Season" sightseeing bicycle ride on the 17th, inviting the public to join in celebrating the black-faced spoonbill.

According to statistics, the number of black-faced spoonbills that migrate to Taiwan for the winter has increased dramatically from 206 in 2004 to a total of 1,562 across Taiwan last year — a sevenfold increase. The Tainan area is the primary habitat for these birds during the winter months. Kuo I-pin, deputy director of the Agriculture Bureau, said that in recent days, the number of black-faced spoonbills in the Xuejia Wetland Ecological Park and the Nanshibu Wetlands has surpassed 1,000, attracting many birdwatchers every day.

The "102 Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Season" series of events will kick off with the sightseeing bicycle ride, inviting the public to contribute to the conservation of this precious species. The bicycle ride route will start at the Qigu Black-faced Spoonbill Exhibition Hall, proceed along the Qigu Seawall near the mouth of the Tsengwen River, and tour the 300-hectare protected area around the Tainan University campus. It will then head north to the Qigu Mangrove Conservation Area before returning to the exhibition hall, covering a total distance of approximately 23.7 kilometers.

Chiu Jen-wu, chairman of the Tainan City Ecology Conservation Society, which is coordinating the event, expressed hope that those who care about ecological conservation will come with their families to join in the celebration.

% Following the launch of the "102 Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation Season" sightseeing bicycle ride in southern Taiwan, the photo shows the press conference venue. (Photo / Provided by Tainan City Government)