About the environment
Kinmen is situated on the verge of the arc on the territorial sea of China, on the main route for migratory birds. In addition, its excellent natural environment, rich food resources and the advantage of being rarely visited by people, attract many birds species to breed, spend the winter or make a quick stopover.
Birds that stay in Kinmen
Resident Birds: refers to birds that stay in Kinmen throughout the year and do not migrate to other places. Such birds include Hoopoe, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Eurasian Magpie, Crested Myna, etc. There are about 33 types of resident birds in Kinmen, which makes up 13% of the total numbers of birds in Kinmen.
Summer Visitors: birds that fly from the south to breed in Kinmen in spring and fly back to the south in winter. Birds of such kinds include Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Barn Swallow, Oriental Cuckoo, Yellow Bittern, Koel, Short-winged Cuckoo and Black Drongo etc. They make up about 4% of the total number of birds in Kinmen.
Winter Visits: birds that fly to Kinmen to spend the winter from the north in fall and fly back to the north to breed in spring. They make up 25% of the total numbers of birds in Kinmen.
Passage Migrants: birds that migrate in spring and fall and make a quick stopover in Kinmen. After they’re well-rested, they will continue their journey. They make up about 45% of the total numbers of birds in Kinmen.
Stragglers: birds whose migratory route does not include Kinmen yet stop here because of weather conditions or they are too tired to fly. They are called stragglers, meaning birds that got lost and they make up about 13% of the total number of birds.
Big & Small Tai Lake
The vast waters of Tai Lake and the ditches nearby have made it a haven for many water-loving birds. Because of its rich food resources and many hidden spots, a variety of waterfowls are attracted here to rest or forage. The small island standing alone in the lake is one of the most important habitats for the Great Cormorant to spend winters.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Gray Heron, Chinese Pond Heron, Yellow Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Common Moorhen, Great Cormorant, Little Grebe, Spot-billed Duck
Bird-Watching Seasons: at dawn and dusk/ four seasons, but winter and spring are best seasons for watching them
Banyan Park
The vast grassland, large banyans and the green dense forest near Banyan Park have formed an important area for terrestrial resident birds to look for food. In addition, you can see lots of waterfowls by the pond full of lotus flowers in the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Forest; Little Egrets, Chinese Pond Herons ,Common Kingfishers and White-throated Kingfishers come to forage at the waters nearby.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Light-vented Bulbul, Tree Sparrow, Japanese White-eye, Hoopoe, Black-collared Starling, Eurasian Magpie, Crested Myna, Spotted-necked Dove, Chinese Pond Heron, Common Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Little Egret and Common Moorhen.
Bird Watch Seasons: at dawn and dusk / four seasons
The River Mouth of Wu-Jiang River
The river mouth of Wu-Jiang River and the intertidal zone nearby are mud flats with dense mangroves, various kinds of invertebrates, crustaceans, fish, shrimps and shells. In addition, there are lots of ponds in the area, forming vast waters. The area has thus become a favorite habitat for waterfowl, attracting lots of winter visitors and passage migrants to rest and forage. The Xiashu seashore is the favorite breeding site for summer visitors: Blue-tailed Bee-eaters. Every April-May is the best bird watching season at the river mouth of Wu-Jiang River. Lots of passage migrants fly here to make a quick stopover before heading back north in the spring. It’s the perfect time for bird watching in terms of feather colors, quantities and spices. It is also the best opportunity to observe the breeding and changes of feather color in birds.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Ruddy Turnstone, Whimbrel, Kentish Plover, Red-necked Stint, Dunlin, Common Redshank, Little Egret, Great Egret, Gray Heron, Black-headed Gull, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Oriental Magpie Robin, Collared Crow, Crested Myna, White-cheeked Starling, White Wagtail, Spotted-necked Dove
Bird Watching Season: Before high tides / fall, winter, spring
Ci Lake
Ci Lake is the perfect choice for bird watching in the Kinmen winter. Almost all waterfowl will gather here to forage or rest. Especially after high tides, many waterfowls previously staying at the intertidal zone will arrive at Ci Lake, waiting for low tides. Australian-pines by the lake are the major habitat at night for Great Cormorants, attracting thousands of Great Cormorants to spend the winter every year. The vast water of Ci Lake is also the favorite spot to rest for passage migrants. You get to see different kinds of waterfowl in considerable quantities during the migration season. Among them, birds of the Family Phalacrocoracidae , Family Laridae and Family Ardeidae are the largest in number.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Gray Heron, Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Black-capped Kingfisher, Great Crested Grebe , Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Osprey, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Wigeonl, Spot-billed Duck, Northern Shoveler, Caspian Tern, Black-headed Gull, and various Oystercatcher such as Eurasian Curlew, Black-bellied Plover, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Gray-tailed Tattler, Kentish Plover , Black-Winged Stilt .
Best Bird Watching Season: whole day / fall, winter, spring.
Citi Offshore
Citi Offshore is an environment where mud and sand beaches meet. All its waterways become one with Ci Lake during high and low tides. The vast intertidal zone is where waterfowls of Family Phalacrocoracidae , Family Laridae and Family Ardeidae forage. Before and after high tides, lots of birds gather at the sand bar or the beach by the shore. It is indeed a great spot for bird watching.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Gray Heron, Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Osprey, Great Cormorant, Collared Crow, Caspian Tern, Black-headed Gull, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Black-bellied Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Kentish Plover, Dunlin, Sanderling.
Best Bird Watching Season: before and after high tides / fall, winter, spring
Huxia Sea Wall
Huxia seashore is a sandy coast that includes a mud beach and oyster farm. A sea wall was built here and because there is not much human disturbance, lots of birds of the Family Phalacrocoracidae rest outside the sea wall during high tides. Anti-landing piles installed on the right side of the seawall is also where birds of the Family Phalacrocoracidae , Family Laridae and Family Ardeidae like to take a rest.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Kentish Plover, Greater Sandplover, Red-necked Stint, Dunlin, Common Redshank, Black-bellied Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Little Egret, Great Egret, Gray Heron, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, White Wagtail, Common Sandpiper
Best Bird Watching Season: before and after high tides / fall, winter, spring
The Twin Carps Lake and the wetland nearby
Twin Carps Lake and the wetlands nearby are composed of a series of fresh water and salty water ponds and culture ponds. Water grass, aquatic plants, and alga thrive there with abundant fish and shrimp in ponds and wetlands, forming a secluded environment perfect for foraging.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Gray Heron, Yellow Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Black-capped Kingfisher, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Great Cormorant, Little Grebe, Eurasian Wigeon, Spot-billed Duck, Falcated Teal , Northern Shoveler, Common Greenshank, Wagtail, Daurian Redstart, Greater Coucal, Spotted-necked Dove, Prinia, Black-hooded Bunting, Eurasian Magpie, Shrike
Best Bird Watching Season: whole day / four seasons (best before & after winter)
Nanshan Trail
Nanshan Trail used to be an agricultural access with trees on both sides. Open and vast farmlands of sorghum farms and wheat farms surround the trail. These open and vast fields that are rarely visited have become the favorite spot of many birds.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Eurasian Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, Eurasian Kestrel, Osprey, various Starlings, Crested Myna, Hoopoe, Spotted-necked Dove, Eastern Turtle Dove, Ring-necked Pheasant, Daurian Redstart, Collared Crow, Eurasian Magpie, Oriental Magpie Robin, Stonechat, White-breasted Waterhen, Prinia, Spot-billed Duck, Greater Coucal, White Wagtail
Best Bird Watching Season: dawn and dusk / four seasons
Gugang Lake
Gugang Lake is one of a few natural lakes in Kinmen. It is surrounded by vegetable gardens, forest and parks with hills on its perimeter. Such a verdant environment has attracted waterfowl and terrestrial birds. Gugang Tower is a perfect spot to climb high and look afar, a secluded area for bird watching indeed.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Osprey, Eurasian Buzzard, Great Cormorant, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Spot-billed Duck, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Blackbird, Light-vented Bulbul, Japanese White-eye, Spotted-necked Dove, Oriental Magpie Robin, Eurasian Magpie, Prinia, Spotted Munia
Best Bird Watching Season: whole day / four seasons
Tianpu Reservoir
The vast waters of Tianpu Reservoir and the ponds and ditches nearby are where lots of waterfowl like to forage. The verdant forest surrounding the area has accommodated various kinds of terrestrial birds. The sand slope near the ponds by the reservoir is one of the breeding sites for Blue-tailed Bee-eater.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Osprey, Little Egret, Gray Heron, Yellow Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Great Cormorant, Little Grebe, Spot-billed Duck, Common Sandpiper, Wagtail, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Oriental Greenfinch, Greater Coucal, Long-tailed Shrike, Spotted-necked Dove, Eurasian Magpie, Spotted Munia, Crested Myna
Best Bird Watching Seaso : dawn & dust / four seasons
The River Mouth of Jinsha River
The area containing Jinsha River, Jinsha Reservoir and Tiandun Fish Culture Zone is a vast realm of fresh and salty water. Adjoining the seashore on the north, this area is where lots of waterfowl rest and look for food. Especially in the intertidal zones near Jinsha River, various kinds of waterfowls always gather to forage, including the rarely-seen Black-capped Kingfisher and Black Stork.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Spot-billed Duck, Common Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Osprey, Great Egret, Little Egret, Gray Heron, Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White-throated Kingfisher, Black-capped Kingfisher, Great Cormorant, Little Grebe, Oriental Magpie Robin
Best Bird Watching Season: before & after high tides / fall, winter, spring
Pubian
The intertidal zone stretches from Zhonglan to Pubian and is a wetland of mud beach that nurtures diverse intertidal zone lives. Because it is seldom visited, it has always been an important area for waterfowls to forage. The wetland around Pubian is the perfect resting site for waterfowls after high tides.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Osprey, Great Egret, Little Egret, Gray Heron, Black Stork, White-throated Kingfisher, Great Cormorant, Oriental Magpie Robin, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone, and Black-bellied Plover.
Best Bird Watching season: before and after high tides / fall, winter, spring
Kinmen County Agricultural Research Institute
The Agricultural Research Institute is the experimental field for agricultural improvement. The crops here are diverse; the institute has a vast hinterland with ponds, ditches and open grassland as well as stillage and dense trees. The diversity of the field allows for rich food resources, thus, it has attracted birds of diverse species to look for food. It is one of the areas that attract many birds looking for food. It is the nigh roost for Blue-tailed Bee-eaters and where they forage in summer.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Eurasian Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, Eurasian Kestrel, White-cheeked Starling, Red-billed Starling, Crested Myna, Hoopoe, Spotted-necked Dove, Long-tailed Shrike, Oriental Skylark, Spot-billed Duck, Common Moorhen, White-breasted Waterhen, Little Grebe, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White Wagtail, Greater Coucal, Prinia, Eurasian Magpie, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Black Drongo, Barn Swallow
Best Bird Watching Season: dawn & dust / four seasons
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Forest
What a verdant place – this is the first impression people have of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Forest. The vast artificial forest is its most distinctive feature. Beneath all these trees is the home of many indigenous plants and these seemingly well-arranged plants have attracted many birds that like to stay in trees, on the ground or are omnivorous.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Light-vented Bulbul, Japanese White-eye,canary, Eurasian Magpie, Oriental Magpie Robin, Spotted Munia, Spotted-necked Dove, Crested Myna, White Wagtail, Indian Tree Pipit, Greater Coucal, Pale Thrush
Best Bird Watching Season: dawn and dusk / four seasons
Taiwu Mountain
Hiking in the Taiwu Mountain on Yuzhang road: this is not simply a trail that allows hikers to look into the distance while hiking, they may also enjoy the indigenous plants grown on the granite. Such an environment that accommodates hills and forest as well as bushes is also where many birds gather. The highest spot of the mountain is the perfect spot for watching eagles.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Eurasian Buzzard, Oriental Honey Buzzard (during the migration season), Light-vented Bulbul, Japanese White-eye, Eurasian Magpie, Oriental Magpie Robin, Prinia, Blue Rock Thrush, Pale Thrush, Hwamei, Blue-tailed Bee-eater
Best Bird Watching Season: dawn and dusk / four seasons
Lingshui Lake
Lingshui Lake in Little Kinmen contains vast waters; it is surrounded by dense forest with abundant aquatic plants grown in the area; because it is rarely visited, it has become a secluded, full of life spot for bird watching.
Birds that are commonly seen here: Eurasian Wigeon, Spot-billed Duck, Falcated Duck, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Little Grebe, various egrets, Common Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Osprey, Pied Kingfisher, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Magpie, Crested Myna, Greater Coucal, Barn Swallow, Prinia
Best Bird Watching Season: dawn and dusk / four seasons (winter and spring are even better)