Aogu Wetlands Introduction
Aogu Wetland is located west of Aogu Village in Dongshi Township, Chiayi County. It is bordered by the Beigang River to the north, a drainage ditch in Liujiao Township to the south, the Taiwan Strait to the west, and National Highway 17 to the east, covering an area of approximately 1,500 hectares. This area belongs to the Taiwan Sugar Corporation and is a newly reclaimed coastal land. The Aogu Wetland Forest Park integrates wildlife habitats and flatland forests, positioning itself as a conservation and environmental education area. It includes terrestrial areas, community spaces, artificial forests, mangroves, grasslands, fish ponds, and varying depths of water, resulting in diverse topography and scenery. The park is home to at least 80 families, 347 species of plants, and 270 species of birds, making it possible to see nearly half of Taiwan's bird species here—common ones include the Black Kite, Grey-faced Buzzard, and Common Kestrel. In addition to raptors, numerous birds from families such as the Scolopacidae, Laridae, Anatidae, Ardeidae, and Sturnidae can be found, along with rare species like the Swinhoe's Pheasant, Eurasian Coot, Painted Snipe, and Black-winged Stilt, which also breed here. If you visit during the right season, migratory birds or other species such as the White-throated Kingfisher, Black Drongo, and Pale Blue Flycatcher are commonly seen, making it a paradise for bird watchers. Moreover, this area is home to many wildlife species, including valuable conservation reptiles like the Bamboo viper, Umbrella plant, and others. The nearby coastal area has highly productive fishery resources, primarily clams and oysters, making it an important production area in Taiwan. With all of these features, tourists visiting Aogu Wetland can enjoy birdwatching and flower viewing in their leisure time. The beautiful scenery, along with the vibrant birds that adorn the wetland, makes it an ideal outdoor retreat for families on weekends.
