Southwest Coast National Scenic Area

The Taiwan Birdathon is a unique 30-hour international birdwatching event during which teams of contestants embark on a birdwatching marathon that takes them to numerous birdwatching sites throughout the Chiayi-Tainan area. This area boasts diverse habitats ranging from coastal regions to high-altitude environments of nearly 3,000 meters, allowing a diverse range of bird species to flourish. Here you will find opportunities to observe migratory birds that stop by the coastal area as well as native birds that live in the mountains, 26 species of which are endemic to Taiwan. Taiwan Birdathon participants challenge their wisdom and experience to locate and record observations of these birds in the hope of turning in an outstanding performance.

The coastal areas of Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan in southwestern Taiwan feature a sandy seashore resulting from the accumulation of river sediment. This, together with lagoon landscapes, nurtures a diverse wetland ecosystem that is home to nearly a thousand plant and animal species. The Taiwan Birdathon aims to highlight birds that thrive in the coastal areas and beyond by encouraging observation of species that live in the mountain forests as well as along the seashore. This international birdwatching competition is a rare opportunity spot upwards of a hundred species during a single event. The Southwest Coast Area’s rich luxuriance of avian wildlife attracts national and international attention alike and serves as a significant source of tourism for the region.

Location: Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan