Hsu Tso Harbor Wetland Introduction
Following the Western Coastal Highway, traveling south past Zhuwei Fishing Port, we arrive at the coastal paradise where the Laojiexik Creek and Shuangxikou Creek converge. The sea is beautiful, the sky is blue, and the Chinese Hong Kong Shrike gracefully flies while mudskippers blink adorably. Time flows gently like the windmills along the shore. Xuzuo Port, once an abandoned military camp, has evolved into an ideal stopover for migratory birds due to its well-developed river systems and favorable estuarine terrain. Covering 961 hectares and extending 10.5 kilometers, it has been designated by the Ministry of the Interior as an "Important Wetland (National Level)." Aside from bike paths and a boardwalk through the mangroves, there are few artificial facilities here, making it seem unremarkable at first glance. However, it actually hides many "national treasures" with its rich native ecology, bringing new surprises every visit. The Xuzuo Port Wetland, recognized as an important bird habitat by BirdLife International, attracts a large number of birdwatchers each year from October to May, all eagerly looking to encounter migratory birds such as the Black-faced Spoonbill, Great Egret, Black-headed Gull, and Little Tern. This wetland, featuring intertidal zones, windbreak forests, fish ponds, and rice paddies, serves as a major resting stop for migrating birds, supporting over 200 bird species, which account for about 41% of Taiwan's 560 species. The birds forage and rest here, creating a serene ecological landscape. Essential tools for birdwatching include binoculars, single-lens cameras, a respectful attitude, and an unhurried schedule. Xuzuo Port Wetland is not only one of the best habitats for birds in Taoyuan but also a natural classroom for appreciating the beauty of intertidal ecology. Here, you can discover over a hundred plant species, including Taiwan's bulrush, sweet gum, moth vine, and horse hoof, as well as amphibians like the Taiwan brown frog and the Black-spotted Pond Frog, along with various endemic species.
