Today, at around 6:40 AM, tiny black specks, like powdered particles, rose from the Hengchun Peninsula’s eastern side, lit by dawn’s first light, and gracefully moved southeastward, eventually disappearing into the misty atmosphere above Eluanbi.
After a 10-day wait, the first wave of Chinese Sparrowhawks finally arrived at the Hengchun Peninsula in 2023, albeit a bit later this year!
The Kenting National Park Management Office (referred to as Kenting NP) continuously monitors the numbers of migratory raptors during the autumn migration. Two researchers are stationed at the Lingxiao Pavilion in Sheding Nature Park daily from 5:30 AM until noon to count all the observed raptor species and numbers, providing insight into the trends of migratory raptors over the years.
Sheding nature park- lingxiao pavilion
Among the migratory raptors passing through Taiwan, the Chinese Sparrowhawk and the Northern Goshawk are the most numerous, with their peak migration periods in mid-September and mid-October, respectively. The Chinese Sparrowhawk is a small bird of prey with a wingspan of about 62 centimeters, similar in size to a pigeon. Historical records show that most of the Chinese Sparrowhawk sightings in the autumn usually occur before September 5th, and they often accumulate to over a thousand individuals in the first week.
The median number of migratory falcons is about 147,000 individuals. This year, the first recorded passage of Chinese Sparrowhawk was on September 11th, possibly delayed due to the influence of weather from surrounding typhoons Saola and Haikui in early September, obstructing their migratory path from breeding grounds in the Korean Peninsula and China to Taiwan.
Around September 10th, there were reports of thousands of Chinese Sparrowhawks appearing in various locations in northern and central Taiwan. The vanguard group of approximately 200 birds arrived at Kenting’s monitoring point on September 11th, and today more than 22,000 of them have been counted in large-scale migration.
The main migratory period for Chinese Sparrowhawks lasts from mid to late September, with opportunities to see these birds still in October. Kenting NP reminds the public that to observe the raptors migration, it’s essential to choose clear days with gentle winds. Sheding Nature Park’s Lingxiao Pavilion and Hanbi Pavilion are excellent observation spots.
When observing raptors, be sure to protect yourself from the sun and bring binoculars to witness the fascinating aerial formations these birds create in the sky.
Furthermore, on the weekends of these two weeks (September 16, 17, 23, and 24), from 6 AM to 10 AM, Kenting NP will arrange volunteer guides at the Lingxiao Pavilion in Sheding Nature Park to provide explanations for those interested in raptors. Don’t miss it if you’re a raptor enthusiast!