Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Extent of this site: to the east is Shih-chiao; to the west is Yieliu Fishing Harbor; to the south is Provincial Highway 2; and to the north is the East China Sea.
Keelung City is about 15 km to the northwest. Yieliu is a promontory about 1700 m long which rises abruptly out of the sea, belonging to the Tatunshan Mts. The processes of erosion by the sea, changes by the wind, and crustal movements have created sea-eroded caves, channels, and hoodoo rocks shaped like hives, candles, tofu, and mushrooms, as well as platform caves and erosion pans, spread out over a large area creating amazing scenery. It is a valuable resource for geological scenery, research, and education. Because of this sites unique geographical position, after typhoons have passed or during migration season, this is the best place in northern Taiwan to see vagrants.
IBA Al criterion species: Chinese Egret
• In the recent 10 years, about 10 birds were sighted simultaneously each year; with a max. of 36 birds in 1991. It is estimated that over 20 Chinese Egrets use this area annually.
• At this site, 303 species have been recorded; in the past 10 years or so, new record species have regularly been observed here, since it is an important stopover site on the East Asian migration route of birds.
• Rare species recorded at this site include Black-footed Albatross, max. 3 birds; Wedge-tailed Shearwater, 700 birds; Brown Booby, 500 birds; Oriental White Stork, 2 birds: and Black-faced Spoonbill, 1 bird.
• From March to May 1999, Wild Bird Society of Taipei dispatched volunteers to conduct daily bird counts. In total, 45 resident species, 27 winter visitors, 34 passing migrants, 13 vagrants, and 8 exotic species were recorded.
Non-bird biodiversity: • Over 220 species of plants in 90 families have been recorded here. Of particular value of those species found within the coastal forest are Odollam Cerberus-tree Cerbera manghas, Fragrant Premma Premna odorata. Whole-leaf Hawthorn Rhaphiolepis indica var. umbellata, Tobira Pittosporum Pittosporum tobira, Coast Persimmon Diospyros maritima, Scaevola Scaevola serica, Canavalia rosea, and Galactia lineata. These species are discontinuously distributed only in the north and south (including the Hengchun Peninsula and Orchid and Green Islands).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
• This area has been designated a Scenic Area by the Tourism Bureau. Becoming a park and planting of ornamentals to replace the natural vegetation may threaten the ecological balance of the native cover of the site.
• In the past 10 years, the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus has infested the forests of Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii, affecting bird habitats.
• There is pressure of excessive leisure activities.
• There is a large group of transient vendors.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Lobbying activities:
• In 1994, the Environmental Protection Administration commissioned the 1994 Planning examples of environmentally sensitive areas at the coast of Taiwan which considered Yieliu and Aodi to be environmentally sensitive areas.
Legislative activities:
• In 1964, Wanli Village was established as a scenic area.
• In 1978, the Tourism Bureau designated Yieliu as a special scenic area, and built a tourist service center. Currently the Yieliu Scenic Area is incorporated into and administered by the Northeast Coastal Scenic Area.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Yieliu (Taiwan, China). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/yieliu-iba-taiwan-china on 23/11/2024.
