Guided Purple Crow Butterfly Watching and Tagging Experience in Guanziling

Text/Photo report compiled by MOOK Travel Life Network’s Chen Guanxin

One of the regions richest in purple crow butterfly ecology in Taiwan—Guanziling’s Red Leaf Park in Tainan—has now entered its peak butterfly season. Starting July 14, the Siraya National Scenic Area Administration will hold eight “Butterfly Wonderland” events over four consecutive weekends at Guanziling Red Leaf Park. The events will include guided butterfly ecology tours, butterfly tagging experiences, challenge games, interactive performances, as well as bird ecology interpretation and evening amphibian and reptile talks. A shuttle bus service will also be provided between Xinying Bus Terminal and Red Leaf Park. Participation is completely free.

Currently, over 114 species of butterflies can be observed in Red Leaf Park, which is also one of the areas richest in purple crow butterfly ecology in Taiwan. Purple crow butterflies are one of the world’s two major migratory butterfly species. They migrate to warmer southern butterfly valleys in winter and return north in spring to breed. During their northward migration, they pass through the Jiaokou section of National Freeway No. 3. Due to their large numbers, the National Freeway Bureau pays special attention—if more than 300 butterflies per minute are observed migrating through the area, some outer lanes are temporarily closed to protect the butterflies. This spectacular sight has become something of a marvel.

The Butterfly Wonderland event at Red Leaf Park will be held every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM between July 14 and August 5. With the purple crow butterfly as the main highlight and in collaboration with the Taiwan Purple Crow Butterfly Conservation Association, the program includes ecological guided tours, poster interpretation sessions, and purple crow butterfly tagging experiences. There will also be ten bird ecology interpretation sessions and evening amphibian and reptile talks. Additionally, on-site activities such as “Butterfly Match-Up,” “Butterfly Feast” challenge games, and an ecological scavenger hunt using compasses and treasure maps will be available. Those who successfully complete the scavenger hunt may have a chance to win limited-edition Siraya Leisure Cards.

On the day of the event, visitors who donate three unified invoices issued after May 2012 to the Huashan Foundation booth will receive a “Message Butterfly Card” and can participate in a butterfly silhouette DIY activity. Free shuttle buses will also be arranged during the event period to travel between Xinying Bus Terminal and Red Leaf Park. The first bus departs from Xinying Bus Terminal at 7:00 AM, and the last bus leaves Red Leaf Park at 4:30 PM. Traffic control will be enforced at the entrance to the Guanziling area from Linyueyuan Shiquan Hotel to Red Leaf Park—only authorized event vehicles will be allowed access. More information can be found on the Siraya National Scenic Area Administration website: www.siraya-nsa.gov.tw.

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