The Guandu Nature Park Art Season Kicks Off to Welcome the October Migratory Bird Season!

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel & Lifestyle Network Editorial Team, compiled and reported

The 9th Guandu International Natural Installation Art Season was grandly inaugurated on September 28, 103 (2014),with international artists undertaking 15 days of on-site creation. The artists collected natural materials such as branches, fallen leaves, soil, bamboo, and stones on-site, assembling them into large-scale installation artworks that blend with the natural environment. The artworks created by five artists are displayed at Guandu Nature Park, Taipei National University of the Arts, and Zhishan Cultural and Ecological Green Park, with the exhibition running until December 31, 103 (2014). Visitors are welcome to come and appreciate the beauty of nature-inspired art crafted from natural elements.

During the creation period of the installation art season, international artists not only had to adapt to working in Taiwan’s humid and hot climate but also deal with various unexpected challenges of outdoor work. Canadian artist Tom McKinnon once had to seek emergency medical treatment after cutting his ankle with a chainsaw during the early stages of creation, but he remained undeterred by the injury and continued to focus on his work. Filipino artist Roger Tibon, who was invited to Taiwan for the fourth time this year, shared emotionally at the farewell party, mentioning that besides creating artwork, what he cherishes most is the interaction with Taiwan’s enthusiastic volunteer art helpers. This is the most unique experience the Guandu Art Season brings to the artists.

As the north wind begins in August and September, the season transitions into autumn and winter, and the sweltering summer heat gradually cools down,marking the start of the birdwatchers' key season!The egrets that once gathered in the Guandu Nature Reserve have dispersed, while the Guandu Nature Park has seen an increase in yellow-crowned night herons, little egrets, and great egrets. Recently, migratory birds appearing in the park have brought a lively atmosphere. On October 5, an internationally protected migratory bird, the black-faced spoonbill, was spotted in the core wetland conservation area, further exciting birdwatchers. Gazing over the ponds, grasslands, and thickets, flocks of egrets resemble delightful cotton candy. The Egyptian vultures, sojourners far from home, and the September egrets will soon head south for the winter. However, they will soon be followed by the arrival of winter migratory birds such as the Eurasian wigeon. The migratory bird season at Guandu Nature Park has officially begun!

The Taipei City Animal Protection Office noted that to maintain waterfowl habitats, habitat restoration projects are carried out annually, including waterway dredging, mowing tall grasses, and slowing down the rate of wetland terrestrialization. By appropriately introducing brackish water from outside the embankment, biodiversity of benthic organisms is increased, and the benthic community improved, aiming to attract more waterbirds to stay. Recently, after the completion of the habitat restoration project in the core conservation area of Guandu Nature Park, the situation of migratory birds nesting there has significantly improved. Additionally, after dozens of Eurasian teals were spotted by Guandu Nature Park management staff on September 20, the quacking of the teals kicked off the prelude to the autumn and winter duck season, making them the most numerous wintering group in the park. They will soon be joined by northern pintails and mallards, while the northern shovelers will arrive a bit later. The arriving duck flocks call out in the dark of the Guandu wetlands, as if wishing each other safe journeys on their long southern migrations and rejoicing in their annual reunion at Guandu Nature Park.