Hsu Tsoh Harbor Wetland Introduction
Following the Western Coastal Highway and heading south past the Zhuwei Fishing Port, you will encounter the coastal paradise where the Lao Street River and the Shuangxi River converge. The sea is beautiful, the sky is blue, and the Pied Bush Chat elegantly soars overhead while the mudskippers curiously peek out; time flows like the gently turning windmills along the shore. Originally an abandoned military camp, Xucuo Port has transformed into an ideal stopover for migratory birds due to its developed river systems and well-formed estuarine topography. Covering an area of 961 hectares and stretching 10.5 kilometers long, it has been designated by the Ministry of the Interior as an "Important Wetland (National Level)". Aside from the bike paths and the wooden boardwalks through the mangroves, there are hardly any man-made structures. At first glance, it may seem unimpressive, but this area actually conceals many "national treasures" with its rich, primitive ecology, offering different surprises each time you visit! The Xucuo Port Wetlands, recognized by BirdLife International as an important bird habitat, attract many birdwatchers between October and May each year, who come with anticipation to see Black-faced Spoonbills, Great Egret, Black-headed Gull, Little Tern, and other migratory birds. With its intertidal zones, windbreak forests, fish ponds, and rice fields, the wetlands serve as a major resting stop for migratory birds during their large-scale southward migration. Over 200 bird species have been recorded here, accounting for approximately 41% of the 560 species found in Taiwan. The gathering of birds here, foraging and resting, creates a serene ecological landscape. A telescope, a single-lens reflex camera, a non-intrusive attitude, and an unhurried schedule are essential for birdwatching. The Xucuo Port Wetlands are not only one of the best bird habitats in Taoyuan but also a natural classroom for appreciating the beauty of intertidal ecosystems; over a hundred plant species, including Taiwan's bulrush, Chinese horse-chestnut, and anchor vine, as well as amphibians like the Marsh Frog and Black-spotted Frog, along with numerous endemic species of Taiwan, can all be discovered here.
