Tou-Liao Big Pond Bird Watching Introduction
If you love ecological tourism, then you must be familiar with the Tou-Liao Large Pond! Located on the Xinfuzhen road at Zhu Gao Cuo, it is commonly referred to as Tou-Liao Large Pond, an artificial pond covering an area of 19 hectares when combining the two ponds. In addition to irrigation, local farmers use it for fish farming. The well-maintained natural environment of Tou-Liao Large Pond attracts many birds, especially during the winter when migratory birds flock here, resembling a bird exhibition. Farmers drain the large pond every three years and the small pond every two years, making it an excellent time to observe the fish hawks hunting; the elongated fish hawks soar high in the sky, target their prey, accelerate in a dive, and swiftly extend their claws to catch it. The shock of witnessing this live show is far more impressive than watching it on the National Geographic Channel, and being fortunate enough to capture this performance brings great excitement! In addition to fish hawks, other raptors like black kites, peregrine falcons, Eurasian sparrowhawks, and large hawks are also must-sees! The "island in the pond" within the large pond is home to the famous "Land God Temple in the Water." After the Land God was moved to Fuchang Temple, the artificially made island surrounded by green trees became a habitat for egrets such as great egrets, little egrets, herons, and night herons. Occasionally, you may also see a little duck gliding on the calm waters, and quietly enjoying this serene landscape is a kind of pleasure in itself. During winter, the toucan, commonly known as the crow, is often seen here for the winter. The aggressive toucan competes fiercely with the raptors for food but surrenders when encountering much smaller birds like the reed warbler, which is quite amusing. Other bird species you might have the chance to observe include rock pigeons, kingfishers, white-browed tits, Formosan blue magpies, and green magpies, so bring your binoculars and camera to fully appreciate this birdwatching delight; you won't be disappointed!
