Hsiu-Tso Port Wetland Introduction
Following the Western Coastal Highway and passing through Zhuwei Fishing Port, head south to explore the coastal paradise where the Laojiexi and Shuangxi River converge. The sea is beautiful, the sky is blue, and the Black-naped Oriole gracefully soars, while mudskippers blink curiously. Time moves slowly like the windmills turning by the shore. Originally an abandoned military camp, Xucuo Port, with its well-developed river system and excellent estuarine topography, has become an ideal stopover for migratory birds. Spanning 961 hectares and stretching 10.5 kilometers, it has been designated by the Ministry of the Interior as an "Important Wetland (National Level)". Apart from bicycle paths and mangrove boardwalks, there are hardly any human-made facilities, which may seem unremarkable at first glance, but this area actually holds many "national treasures," with its rich primitive ecology offering different surprises with each visit! Xucuo Port Wetland, recognized as an important habitat for wild birds by BirdLife International, attracts many birdwatchers from October to May each year, eagerly awaiting encounters with rare visitors such as the Black-faced Spoonbill, Great Egret, Black-headed Gull, and Little Tern. This wetland, which features intertidal zones, windbreak forests, fish ponds, and rice fields, serves as a major resting stop for migratory birds. Over 200 bird species have been documented here, accounting for about 41% of Taiwan's 560 species. Birds find food and rest here, creating a tranquil ecological landscape. Binoculars, single-lens reflex cameras, a non-intrusive attitude, and a relaxed schedule are essential for birdwatching. Xucuo 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 ecology. Here, you can discover hundreds of plant species such as Taiwan bulrush, Chinese parasol tree, Chinese arrowroot, and water buffalo grass, as well as amphibians like the Asian Marsh Frog and the Black-spotted Pond Frog, along with many endemic species found in Taiwan.
