Mangrove Eagle Watching Introduction
The birdwatching event in Manjhou has become one of the annual highlights for birdwatching enthusiasts. Manjhou Township is characterized by a valley topography surrounded by low hills. Due to being sheltered by the mountains, it serves as the best windbreak in Hengchun, and with its rich vegetation, it becomes the ideal wintering habitat for the gray-faced buzzard. The gray-faced buzzard is a relatively common migratory bird in Taiwan, nesting in Siberia, northeast China, and Japan. During autumn and winter, they migrate south, with Taiwan positioned conveniently along their migratory route, particularly peaking around the Double Ten Festival, leading to their nickname as the “National Day Bird.” When migrating through Manjhou, they mostly stay around Lide Village, with the best eagle-watching spots being "Manjhou Bridge, Mountaintop Bridge, and Lide Bridge." Due to the open surroundings, the views are expansive, allowing for spectacular sightings of the gray-faced buzzards flying in groups. Eagle-watching times: The gray-faced buzzards typically migrate through Taiwan from early to mid-October. After 10 AM daily, buzzard groups gradually fly south from the north towards Longluantan or Sheting Park before reaching Manjhou around noon, making it the best time for eagle watching. The buzzard flocks will spiral upwards with the air currents, repeatedly rising and descending. At dusk, they will rest atop tree branches, a behavior known as "roosting." Eagle-watching equipment: When preparing for eagle watching, binoculars and field guides are essential gear! As you observe the gray-faced buzzards, take notes on your observations, including time, location, or species, and closely examine their flight patterns. This will help you accumulate valuable birdwatching experience for future research and analysis. Remember to avoid wearing bright clothing to prevent attracting the birds' attention. Gray-faced buzzard profile: The gray-faced buzzard, also known as the "National Day Bird," has a gray patch on its face, a reddish-brown crown, and white markings on its eyebrows and throat. It inhabits regions in Siberia, northeast China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan. Migration routes: Some gray-faced buzzards travel overland from Siberia, Korea, and northeast China, while others take the maritime route through Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. Ultimately, both pathways converge in northeastern Taiwan, where they follow the north-south axis of the Central Mountain Range, flying towards the Hengchun Peninsula to rest in Manjhou before continuing their journey across the Bashi Channel to warmer places for the winter.
