Hsiu Tso Port Wetland Introduction
Following the Western Coastal Highway and passing through Zhuwei Fishing Port, we head south to explore the coastal paradise where the Lao Jie Creek and Shuangxi Kou Creek converge. The sea is beautiful, the sky is blue, and the black-naped oriole gracefully soars while the mudskipper curiously opens its eyes. Time moves slowly like the windmills gently turning by the shore. Originally an abandoned military camp, Xu Cui Port has become an optimal spot for migratory birds due to its developed river system and well-formed estuarine geography. It covers an area of 961 hectares and stretches 10.5 kilometers long, designated as an "Important Wetland (National Level)" by the Ministry of the Interior. Aside from bike paths and mangrove boardwalks, there are hardly any artificial facilities, which might seem unremarkable at first glance, but this place actually harbors many "national treasures" and rich primitive ecology, offering different surprises with each visit. Xu Cui Port Wetland, recognized as an important bird habitat by BirdLife International, attracts numerous birdwatchers each year from October to May, eagerly hoping to encounter migratory birds like the black-faced spoonbill, great egret, black-headed gull, and little tern. The wetland, which includes intertidal zones, windbreaks, fish ponds, and rice fields, serves as a major rest stop for migratory birds during their southward journey. Over 200 bird species can currently be found here, accounting for approximately 41% of the 560 species in Taiwan. Flocks of birds forage and rest here, creating a serene ecological landscape. A telescope, single-lens reflex camera, a non-disruptive attitude, and an unhurried schedule are essential for birdwatching. Xu Cui Port Wetland is not only one of the best habitats for wild birds in Taoyuan but also a natural classroom to appreciate the beauty of intertidal ecosystems. Hundreds of plant species, including Taiwan bulrush, Chinese hackberry, saddle vine, and oxeye daisy, as well as amphibians like the Papilio frog and black-spotted toad, and many endemic Taiwanese species can all be discovered here.
