Taiwan's Largest Eagle-Watching Carnival Kicks Off in Changhua on March 24

By Wei Ruyu, Reporting

Already in its 20th consecutive year and the largest eagle-watching event in Taiwan: the 2012 "Perfect Eagles Soaring Over Bagua – Eagle-Watching Carnival" will take place on March 24 (Sat) and 25 (Sun) along Wuling Road in Changhua City; on March 24, there will also be a grand opening ceremony for the "Street Parade Carnival"; participants in the "Eagle-Watching Online Essay Competition" may also win prizes such as tablets.

Every year from March to April, Gray-faced Buzzards migrate over the Bagua Mountain Scenic Area in Changhua. To promote conservation awareness and allow the public to witness this natural spectacle, the "Eagles Soaring Over Bagua" eagle-watching event hosted by Changhua County Government has become an annual ecological highlight in Taiwan. Changhua County Magistrate Cho Po-yuan stated: "Over 7,000 Gray-faced Buzzards have migrated through in the past two days, and the number is expected to exceed tens of thousands in the coming days. We welcome all Taiwanese to seize the opportunity to come to Changhua and witness this rare sight!"

On the opening day of the event, March 24, renowned school marching bands and color guards from various counties and cities, major conservation organizations nationwide, and students from schools across the county—totaling over 1,000 people—will join the costume street parade. The parade will begin at 8:30 AM from Changhua Railway Station, proceeding along key routes such as Guangfu Road, Minsheng Road, Kongmen Road, Guashan Road, and Park Road in Changhua City, before concluding at the Changhua Living Arts Museum.

The parade will also feature 11 large mascot characters standing 4 meters tall, including Gray-faced Buzzards, Crested Serpent Eagles, and Purple Crow Butterflies, marching alongside participants. International eco-paper-cutting artist Master Wang Zhenwen has even designed special Gray-faced Buzzard-shaped hats for attendees of the carnival street parade.

As for the best times to watch eagles, different scenes unfold from dawn to dusk: at daybreak, eagles spiral upward with thermal updrafts, forming spectacular "eagle columns"; at noon, eagles near Bagua Mountain often fly in straight lines; by dusk, they circle the skies searching for suitable perches. Organizers will provide free shuttle buses every 10–15 minutes from Changhua Railway Station to the Wuling Land "Eagle-Watching Platform" on March 24, along with guided ecological tours. For details, visit the official event website at www.eagle.org.tw or call the Changhua County Birdwatchers Association at 04-7110306.

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