Taiwan’s annual and popular birdathon takes place from 23-24 November in 2019 in many sites across the Chiayi-Tainan area. Registration is still open.
Taiwan is a popular site to spot birds.
The Taiwan Birdathon is a unique 24-hour international birdwatching event during which teams of contestants embark on a birdwatching marathon that takes them to numerous birdwatching sites throughout the Chiayi-Tainan area.
The event aims to highlight birds that thrive in the coastal areas and beyond by encouraging observation of species that live in the mountain forests as well as along the seashore. Organisers are South-West Coast National Scenic Area, Taiwan Tourism Bureau and Ecotourism Taiwan.
About the bird watching terrain
The coastal areas of Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan in southwestern Taiwan feature sandy seashore resulting from the accumulation of river sediment. This, together with lagoon landscapes, nurtures a diverse wetland ecosystem that is home to nearly a thousand plant and animal species.
The area boasts diverse habitats ranging from coastal regions to high-altitude environments of nearly 3,000 meters, allowing a diverse range of bird species to flourish. There are opportunities to observe migratory birds that stop by the coastal area as well as native birds that live in the mountains, 26 species of which are endemic to Taiwan.
The Black-faced Spoonbill is a popular attraction along with other birds, including migratory and endemic species, in Taiwan. Courtesy: Taiwan Birdathon
This international birdwatching competition is a rare opportunity to spot more than a hundred species during a single event. The Southwest Coast Area’s rich luxuriance of avian wildlife attracts national and international attention alike and serves as a significant source of tourism for the region.
Registration for Taiwan Birdathon 2019
Calling birders to join Taiwan Birdathon 2019
According to Victor Yu, President of Ecotourism Taiwan and organiser of Taiwan Birdathon since 2012, birders from Singapore, Cambodia, Korea, South Africa, Canada and the US along with 20 local teams from Taiwan have registered for this year’s event. And there is room for more.
So if you like looking at birds and enjoy wandering through Taiwan’s scenic areas, join this fun event. Email the organisers for more information or registration at ecotourismtaiwan@gmail.com.
Pictures courtesy of Taiwan Birdathon.