Taipei gears up for international birdwatching fair

2014-10-09

Taipei International Birdwatching Fair will take place Oct. 25-26 at Guandu Nature Park, highlighting the country’s credentials as a top-notch destination for birders from around the world.

Organized by the Taipei City Government and Wild Bird Society of Taipei since 1999, this year’s event is themed Natural Balance in Wetlands. It features a concert, DIY painting session, games, guided tour and photo exhibition.

With the arrival of the migratory bird season in Taiwan, bird lovers are preparing for the most important time of their year, according to TCG’s Animal Protection Office.

“Beginning last month, cattle, great and little egrets have been sighted at the park,” an APO official said. “And a black-faced spoonbill was spotted a few days ago in the core reservation area, which is probably the only place in Taipei to find the protected species.”

The official said after years of conservation and restoration efforts, the park’s biodiversity has vastly improved and is attracting a greater number of bird species.

“Dozens of Eurasian teals arrived in late September and will be followed by mallards, as well as northern pintails and shovelers, in the coming months,” the official said.

The annual Guandu International Outdoor Sculpture Festival is also underway at the park, showcasing installation artworks promoting environmental awareness.

Created by artists from Taiwan, Canada, New Zealand, the Philippines and the U.S., the eco-friendly and biodegradable pieces were formed on-site from natural and recycled materials.

The artworks are on display at the park, Taipei National University of the Arts and Zhishan Cultural and Geological Garden until year-end.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=222648&CtNode=413)