School Children's Bird-Watching Competition in Pingtung Forest Park Records New High of 56 Species
The 2nd Elementary School Bird-Watching Competition held in Pingtung's Linhousilin Forest Park successfully recorded a new high of 56 bird species, showcasing rich biodiversity and fulfilling ecological education goals.
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- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 17:56
- 🔍 Collected: April 18, 2026 at 18:01 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 18:20 (18 min after Collected)
Central News
(CNA Reporter Huang Yu-ching, Pingtung County, 18th) The "2nd Elementary School Bird-Watching Competition," jointly organized by the Pingtung Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) and the Wild Bird Society of Pingtung, kicked off today at the Linhousilin Forest Park in Chaozhou. All teams collectively observed 56 species of birds, breaking the record of the inaugural event, leaving participating students with a rewarding experience.
To promote the biodiversity of flatland forests and ecological education, the FANCA Pingtung Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Wild Bird Society of Pingtung co-hosted the competition today at the Linhousilin Forest Park, attracting over 60 participants, including 13 groups of teachers, students, and parents from Pingtung County.
The first-prize-winning team recorded 32 bird species in just two hours. Teacher Chiu I-pin from Zhongxiao Elementary School, who led a participating team, told the CNA reporter that the four participating students are upper-grade students interested in natural sciences. Although they live in the city and rarely have the chance to watch birds, they demonstrated keen observation skills. For instance, a student surnamed Cheng spotted a nightjar camouflaged among dead leaves on the ground. Bird society volunteers praised him, suggesting he could participate in regional ecological surveys in the future.
Chiu I-pin expressed gratitude for such an event, which allows children to learn about the rich bird ecology in flatlands. Under the careful guidance of bird society volunteers, students saw brightly colored Black-naped Orioles on treetops, quietly learned to identify various bird calls, and when some students saw the Brown Shrike, the Pingtung County bird, they associated its orange head and black eye line with the mascot of the National High School Athletic Games designed inspired by the same bird species. During the observation, they also unexpectedly found traces of green iguanas, which immediately became teaching material on the threat invasive species pose to agriculture.
Li Cheng-hsien, Director of the FANCA Pingtung Branch, stated that the birth age of the participating students coincides with the establishment of the Linhousilin Forest Park. As it takes ten years to grow trees but a hundred to cultivate people, these fun competitions not only foster parent-child interaction but also allow the seeds of ecological conservation to sprout and grow strong in children's hearts.
The Pingtung Branch noted that since its opening, the park has become an important habitat paradise for flatland birds. The activity was designed for elementary school students, covering professional observation skills training, including telescope operation techniques, bird field guide retrieval, and ecological observation record writing. Guided by volunteer teachers from the Pingtung Bird Society, children advanced from mere "seeing" to scientific "observation."
The Pingtung Branch pointed out that all participating groups combined recorded up to 56 bird species, a step up from the 51 species in the 1st edition. The data not only reflects that the diversified planting and habitat environment in the park has stabilized, attracting various resident and migratory birds to inhabit it, but also proves the excellent potential of Linhousilin as a flatland ecological education base.
The Pingtung Branch mentioned that different bird species appear in the park throughout the four seasons. The public can bring binoculars when visiting, slow down, listen quietly, and the next feathered fairy might just make a surprise appearance. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150418
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(CNA Reporter Huang Yu-ching, Pingtung County, 18th) The "2nd Elementary School Bird-Watching Competition," jointly organized by the Pingtung Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) and the Wild Bird Society of Pingtung, kicked off today at the Linhousilin Forest Park in Chaozhou. All teams collectively observed 56 species of birds, breaking the record of the inaugural event, leaving participating students with a rewarding experience.
To promote the biodiversity of flatland forests and ecological education, the FANCA Pingtung Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Wild Bird Society of Pingtung co-hosted the competition today at the Linhousilin Forest Park, attracting over 60 participants, including 13 groups of teachers, students, and parents from Pingtung County.
The first-prize-winning team recorded 32 bird species in just two hours. Teacher Chiu I-pin from Zhongxiao Elementary School, who led a participating team, told the CNA reporter that the four participating students are upper-grade students interested in natural sciences. Although they live in the city and rarely have the chance to watch birds, they demonstrated keen observation skills. For instance, a student surnamed Cheng spotted a nightjar camouflaged among dead leaves on the ground. Bird society volunteers praised him, suggesting he could participate in regional ecological surveys in the future.
Chiu I-pin expressed gratitude for such an event, which allows children to learn about the rich bird ecology in flatlands. Under the careful guidance of bird society volunteers, students saw brightly colored Black-naped Orioles on treetops, quietly learned to identify various bird calls, and when some students saw the Brown Shrike, the Pingtung County bird, they associated its orange head and black eye line with the mascot of the National High School Athletic Games designed inspired by the same bird species. During the observation, they also unexpectedly found traces of green iguanas, which immediately became teaching material on the threat invasive species pose to agriculture.
Li Cheng-hsien, Director of the FANCA Pingtung Branch, stated that the birth age of the participating students coincides with the establishment of the Linhousilin Forest Park. As it takes ten years to grow trees but a hundred to cultivate people, these fun competitions not only foster parent-child interaction but also allow the seeds of ecological conservation to sprout and grow strong in children's hearts.
The Pingtung Branch noted that since its opening, the park has become an important habitat paradise for flatland birds. The activity was designed for elementary school students, covering professional observation skills training, including telescope operation techniques, bird field guide retrieval, and ecological observation record writing. Guided by volunteer teachers from the Pingtung Bird Society, children advanced from mere "seeing" to scientific "observation."
The Pingtung Branch pointed out that all participating groups combined recorded up to 56 bird species, a step up from the 51 species in the 1st edition. The data not only reflects that the diversified planting and habitat environment in the park has stabilized, attracting various resident and migratory birds to inhabit it, but also proves the excellent potential of Linhousilin as a flatland ecological education base.
The Pingtung Branch mentioned that different bird species appear in the park throughout the four seasons. The public can bring binoculars when visiting, slow down, listen quietly, and the next feathered fairy might just make a surprise appearance. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150418
Stand with the facts, every contribution you make is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP for instant breaking news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.