Bird count spotlights Taiwan’s biodiversity

2015-03-12

The Taiwan New Year Bird Count identified 319 species, including all 25 indigenous varieties, according to Taipei City-based Chinese Wild Bird Federation March 10.

This represents an increase of 27 from the inaugural count in 2014, with the total number of bird sightings reaching 203,617, up nearly 14,300 from a year ago.

Staged between Dec. 20, 2014, and Jan. 11 in 132 locations across Taiwan proper and the outlying islands, the count was organized by the CWBF, Endemic Species Research Institute under the Council of Agriculture and several other bird societies. It involved 960 volunteer birdwatchers and was inspired by the Christmas Bird Count taking place in North America since 1900.

Among the surveyed areas, southern Taiwan’s Long Luan Lake in Pingtung County remains the top spot in terms of species at 106, while Budai in nearby Chiayi County reported the greatest number of sightings at 14,531.

ESRI Assistant Researcher Lin Da-li said a rare sighting of a juvenile Siberian crane in Jinshan District of New Taipei City last December was particularly exciting. “Since Taiwan is not a habitat for the endangered species, which numbers around 3,700, the 12-month-old bird probably got lost while migrating to mainland China and landed in Taiwan.”

But this good news was dampened by the absence of russet sparrow sightings for the second year in a row, Lin said, adding that species is most likely in grave danger due to overdevelopment.

“Of equal concern is that the number of Anas creccas sighted fell from 8,452 to 6,609, while those of Calidris alpinas and Passer montanus dropped by 2,837 and 1,968, respectively.”

A CWBF official said these negative trends underscore the habitat challenges faced by these species. “It is hoped that the count will generate greater awareness of the pressing need to better protect the environment.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xitem=228135&CtNode=416)