Baisha Island Introduction
The geological landscape is diverse, with beautiful white sandy beaches in the south, typical of a sandbar formation. There are also tofu-shaped coastal rocks and potholes formed by sea erosion. The columnar basalt formations along the eastern coast, with their tower-like and curved shapes, are quite unique. Departing from Baisha Port and heading northeast, about 4 kilometers north of Niao Island, one can see an island with a large sandy beach, known as "Xiao Baisha Yu" (Little Baisha Islet). This beach is a typical sandbar formation; although its length is not significant, it has a thick sand layer and a large amount of sand, which was once a source of sand for construction in the Niao Island area, but has since been designated as a reserve and prohibited from further extraction. From the southwestern sea area of the island, Xiao Baisha Yu resembles a cat lying in the sea, which the people of Niao Island refer to as "Cat Islet." This Cat Islet is different from the Cat Islet typically referred to in the South China Sea. The southern part of the main island features a lava plateau approximately 15-20 meters high, extending about 250 meters from east to south, with well-developed columnar basalt jointing. The volcanic neck terrain on the eastern coastal cliffs is about 20 meters high, imposing in scale. On the eastern coastal erosion platform, there is a curving rock vein, and nearby is a low, flat volcanic crater terrain. On the western coastal erosion platform, there is a coastal rock that has been shaped like tofu due to sea erosion, interacting interestingly with the surrounding potholes. Since Xiao Baisha Yu is a reserve, landing on the island is prohibited without permission, making it a habitat for Black-naped Terns, Roseate Terns, and Crested Terns. During late spring and early summer, they breed in different locations on the island, with Black-naped Terns choosing rocky areas, while Roseate Terns and Crested Terns opt for grassy areas, each species coexisting peacefully as they court, mate, lay eggs, raise chicks, and forage. This breeding phenomenon can be considered one of the major annual events in this area. Whenever vessels navigate these waters, enjoying the views of the island and the flight of the terns is indeed a great pleasure in life.
