Sicao Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife refuge in Tainan City, Taiwan.
Sicao Wildlife Refuge is a wetland and mangrove reserve on the southwestern coast of Taiwan, near the city of Tainan. It covers three separate zones with different habitats, including estuarine waters, reed beds, and dense mangrove stands.
The refuge was officially designated in 1994, making it one of Taiwan's earlier protected coastal areas. The name Sicao is thought to come from either a local grass plant or an ancient body of water that once shaped the landscape here.
The refuge is a popular spot among local birdwatchers, who walk the wooden boardwalks through the mangroves in the early hours of the day. These paths give visitors a close look at how wetland life unfolds at ground level.
The reserve is accessible via Provincial Highway 17 and is best explored on foot or by bicycle along its marked paths. Early morning and late afternoon are the most rewarding times to visit, as birds tend to be most active then.
Around 100 pairs of Black-winged Stilts nest here each year, returning to the same wetland areas season after season. This makes the refuge one of the most consistent nesting sites for this species anywhere in Taiwan.
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