Taipei’s Shezidao Wetland sees record number of migratory birds
台北市社子島濕地迎來創紀錄數量的候鳥
| TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei’s Shezidao Wetland has recorded a surge in migratory bird activity, including rare sightings of the endangered black-faced spoonbill and a record number of common snipe, according to the Taipei City Hydraulic Engineering Office (HEO), per a press release.
The office said recent monitoring indicates that the Taipei City Government’s habitat conservation and environmental restoration efforts are yielding positive results. From January to March 2025, surveys documented 53 bird species at the wetland. Among them were six Class II “Rare and Valuable” protected species: hen harrier, crested goshawk, black-winged kite, short-eared owl, greater painted-snipe, and crested myna. Class III protected species, including the brown shrike and black-headed munia, were also recorded. The highlight of the season was the common snipe, whose numbers reached a seasonal high. The HEO said the elusive bird typically hides along the edges of wetland vegetation. This winter, however, its population increased significantly, marking a record for the site. Officials attributed the rise to habitat engineering measures that preserved belts of reeds as shelter during low tide. Large floating islands have also been installed to provide safe resting areas for birds during high tide. These features have encouraged the naturally shy common snipe to remain longer. The office said sandpipers, plovers, and other small wading birds have also rebounded despite global environmental challenges. Data show a 33% increase in small winter wader populations, reflecting the impact of ecological restoration projects. Although numbers of green-winged teal have declined in line with broader trends across the Tamsui River basin, they remain the most common winter visitors to the wetland. Overall biodiversity at the site remains high, officials said. The HEO said now is an ideal time to observe both winter residents and early spring migrants. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Shezidao Wetland Information Pavilion and surrounding trails while maintaining a respectful distance from the water’s edge to avoid disturbing wildlife. |
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| Sean Scanlan Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2026-03-01 |
