Longluan Lake Introduction
Longluan Lake is located at the southwestern corner of Hengchun Township. The lake is expansive, with a surface area of nearly 175 hectares and an average depth of about 3.5 meters, making it an important agricultural water resource and the largest inland lake on the Hengchun Peninsula. Surrounding the lake are numerous fish ponds, grasslands, farmlands, water pools, and shrubs, creating a diverse natural environment that supports various species, thus becoming an important habitat for birds. Situated on the migratory route of birds, Longluan Lake sees a significant influx of migratory birds seeking refuge during the autumn and winter months. During this time, in addition to the resident species such as the Purple Swamphen, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, and Herons, rare guests like the Black-faced Spoonbill, Northern Shoveler, Red-tailed Shrike, Anatidae, Mallard, and various gulls appear, transforming the normally tranquil Longluan Lake into a lively avian paradise resembling a joyful carnival. To preserve this precious sight, a nature center was established on the western shore of Longluan Lake, which is Taiwan's first exhibition hall focusing on bird ecology. It offers dynamic bird watching activities and static displays including images, specimens, videos, and presentations, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of migratory routes, bird reproduction, the relationship between birds and humans, and the impact of environmental changes on birds, providing a comprehensive education experience on bird ecology. Longluan Lake is also a habitat for unique plant species. Due to the high diversity of plant species in the area, including many rare ones, an ecological garden was specially created to prevent the decline of plant populations due to climate change or human activities. The garden categorizes plant species based on their habitat and uses, including rare plants, bird-attracting plants, butterfly-attracting plants, mountain plants, coral reef plants, hedgerow plants, grassland shrubs, ornamental flower and fruit plants, and coastal forests, showcasing the richness of biological resources at Longluan Lake.
