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Migrating buzzard eagles seen flying over south Taiwan

Gray-faced buzzard eagles have been observed flying over the Hengchun Peninsula on their way to their breeding ground in northern East Asia, after spending the winter in Southeast Asia, national park officials said.

The Kenting National Park Administration Office said on Tuesday that the spring migration season for the raptor had begun, after the first flock of gray-faced buzzards were observed flying across the peninsula on March 10.

Since then, more than 100 buzzards have been spotted each day flying over the peninsula, park officials said.

SHEDING

The officials said at least 400 of the birds were sighted earlier on Tuesday flying in the air over the Sheding deer reproduction area of the national park.

Officials speculated that the birds might spend the night in Kaoshu Township in Pingtung County.

Citing historical data, park management personnel said that the birds' typical migration period through southern Taiwan was between mid-March and May each year.

TERNS ON MATSU

In related news, Matsu will begin a yearly ban to protect terns, barring anyone from visiting uninhabited islets that are designated as sea bird preservation areas from April 1 to Sept. 30.

Violators of the ban will face a fine of between NT$50,000 and NT$250,000 and those who hunt or kill the protected birds will face up to five years in prison, said an official of the Lienchiang County Government, which has jurisdiction over Matsu.

The tern is one of Matsu's most important eco-resources, officials said. During the period of the ban, migrating terns stop over and breed in Matsu's islets.

Matsu has eight uninhabited islets occupying a total area of 70 hectares. The Council of Agriculture has declared the islets the country's 12th wild animal preservation area.
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