The arrival of migratory ducks in Taiwan for winter sees the largest-ever Taipei Greater Area Migratory Duck Season event

By MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network, Reported by Li Xinyi

 

Beginning every September, tens of thousands of migratory ducks fly south from Siberia to lower latitudes in search of wintering habitats. As frontal systems arrive, their numbers continue to grow. Among these feathered visitors, the most common are the little dabbling ducks, along with northern pintails, northern shovelers, and mallards. Since 2003, the Huajiang Community Development Association has annually invited enthusiastic local groups in the Huajiang area to organize birdwatching and environmental education activities. This year’s Migratory Duck Season marks the first joint event between Taipei and New Taipei City, newly named the “2012 Greater Taipei Migratory Duck Season.” Event venues include the Huajiang Migratory Duck Nature Park under the Huajiang Bridge in Taipei, and the Erchong Flood Diversion Channel Entrance Weir Wetland under the Xinzhong Bridge and New Taipei Bridge in New Taipei City, spanning the Tamsui River basin — the largest scale ever. From 10:00 AM on December 8th to 9th, up to 25 parade teams held lively opening events locally.

As one of the event organizers, the Taipei Wild Bird Society has planned a series of activities. It kicked off with the “Water God Blesses the Ducks – A Blessing Parade” which started with a lively opening at Longshan Temple. There were also guided migratory duck ecology tours, displays of long-term Huajiang monitoring results, as well as various fun challenge games, experience activities, and quizzes where participants could win prizes. Among the highlights was the “Birdwatching Expo,” where visitors could observe the adorable ducks up close through telescopes, with expert guides on hand. Many bird enthusiasts took the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the rare winter visitor to the Huajiang Wetlands — the bluethroat (Bluethroat). Children could also take part in “Bird Pattern Paper Cutting” to preserve the beautiful images of the ducks forever.

To accommodate the first-ever joint Taipei and New Taipei City “2012 Greater Taipei Migratory Duck Season,” special shuttle bus services were added from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the event days. Stops included Longshan Temple MRT Station, Huajiang Migratory Duck Nature Park, under the Xinzhong Bridge at the Erchong Flood Diversion Channel, and Sanchong MRT Station.

 

 

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