As autumn sets in, a group of long-anticipated guests has arrived at the Zengwen Estuary Black-Faced Spoonbill Reserve. A vanguard of 15 black-faced spoonbills, wintering in Taiwan, was spotted at the Shifen Black-Faced Spoonbill Reserve today (Sep 25th) at 2:06 PM by Huang Ming-da, a conservation patrol officer from the Taijiang National Park Headquarters (hereinafter “TNPH”). Their arrival officially marks the start of this year's black-faced spoonbill season.

Every year around late September, the black-faced spoonbills journey south with the northeast monsoon to winter in Taiwan, returning reliably to their familiar habitat at the Zengwun Estuary Black-Faced Spoonbill Reserve. This year, the global population of black-faced spoonbills has reached 6,988. Their wintering period in Taiwan spans from October to April, with daily volunteer-led birdwatching sessions held at the Black-Faced Spoonbill Birdwatching Pavilion from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Visitors are warmly invited to marvel at these graceful “dancers in the wind.” Additionally, TNPH will host a seasonal opening event on October 19, 2024, at the visitor center plaza to welcome these elegant visitors from the north.

In recent years, TNPH has actively worked to establish eco-friendly habitats. Starting with applications from three fishermen covering 10.8 hectares in 2020, the program has expanded to include 42 fishermen managing over 258 hectares as of this year. This significant increase reflects the recognition and support TNPH has earned from the local fishing community. Fisherman Liang Jui-fen has even encouraged more than ten fellow fishermen to join the initiative, forming a collaborative network of eco-friendly habitat partners. These efforts ensure that the black-faced spoonbills have safe and ample feeding grounds during their winter stay. TNPH remains committed to further expanding these habitats, preserving this shared success for years to come.

What’s also worth noting is that this year, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the NPH has taken significant steps to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of the Black-Faced Spoonbill Reserve and its surrounding eco-friendly habitats. By integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR), TNPH partnered with Mingtai Insurance Co., Ltd. and Jebsee Electronics Co., Ltd. to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the “Taijiang National Park Black-Faced Spoonbill Habitat Management and Corporate ESG Collaboration Program.” This partnership represents a collaborative effort to improve the biodiversity of black-faced spoonbill habitats and promote environmental sustainability, showcasing a collective commitment to preserving the natural world and supporting sustainable development for future generations.