• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2001 baseline)
Extent of this site: on the north is the center line of the Tanshui River; on the south is a public road north to Dakanjiao levee. This IBA faces Tatun Mt. on the north and Guanyin Mt. on the south. On the east is a wastewater treatment area, which connects with the shore of the Tanshui River. Watzuwei is situated on the south bank of the Tanshui estuary; the twisting of the land blocks the tides, so for years the river has incessantly carried valuable sediments which have collected to form sand flats. Furthermore, under the influence of oceanic tidal fluctuations, a unique landform of twisting advancing wetland lagoons has been created. Additionally, these sand flats at the intersection of Watzuwci and the sea and river have moved with the flow direction of the Tanshui R., extending seaward more than 100 m. This natural environment is suitable for the growth of mangroves, and this is the northernmost extent of mangrove distribution in Taiwan.

Key biodiversity
IBA Al criterion species: Chinese Egret. • Each April to September, 1-3 Chinese Egrets are recorded as they pass through on migration. In the past 10 years, they have been recorded in most years, but the numbers are not stable, with a maximum of 18 birds in 1985. Estimates are that each year more than 20 Chinese Egrets use this site. • There are abundant avian resources here with more than 160 species recorded. This is an important stopover site on the migration routes. • Rare species recorded include Oriental White Stork, Black Kite, Lesser Frigate Bird.

Non-bird biodiversity: • The mangrove, Kandelia Kandelia candel, is found here, forming the northernmost mangrove stand in the northern hemisphere.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Watzuwei Nature Reserve (Taiwan, China). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/watzuwei-nature-reserve-iba-taiwan-china on 23/12/2024.