Sicao Wildlife Reserve Introduction
Sihcao's ecological environment is unique and is listed as one of Taiwan's four major wetlands. It includes salt pans, waterways, canals, and ditches, creating a rich environment for water birds to inhabit and forage. There are over 160 species of birds here, with 21 species being endangered or rare, such as the Black-faced Spoonbill, the Black-winged Stilt, and the Terek Sandpiper. The most important landscape of Sihcao - the wetland - nurtures a very special ecosystem of flora and fauna, where organisms are interdependent and interconnected. Key contributors to this rich wetland landscape include plants commonly referred to as mangroves, such as the Red Sea Olive, the Mangrove Apple, and the Avicennia germinans. Their underground stems capture a lot of organic matter in the water flow, allowing the wetland to foster a colorful ecological wonder. The best time for bird watching is from September to November, especially in September and October when the salt pan ponds are drained, providing more food during the shallow water period. The peak period for observing Black-faced Spoonbills begins around the Double Tenth Festival, while the peak for the breeding of Black-winged Stilts occurs in May to June. A reminder to bird watchers: in Taiwan, remember this saying: "The closer you approach birds, the further they will be from you." Observing from a distance is the closest distance; respecting nature ensures sustainable coexistence.
