Dongyin Birdwatching Season Concludes as Black-tailed Gulls Depart

The annual birdwatching season for Black-tailed Gulls in Dongyin Island, Taiwan, has drawn to a close. The gulls, a significant summer migratory species in the Matsu archipelago, have completed their breeding cycle and departed. They typically arrive in late April or early May, nesting in areas like Chaoshang and Guanyin. This year, hundreds of breeding pairs arrived as scheduled.

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The Black-tailed Gulls have all flown away from Dongyin, marking the end of the nearly four-month-long birdwatching season.

Local birdwatchers noted a shift in the gulls' behavior this year, with the entire population migrating to the western island of Xiyin's Luohanping reef in late July. They remained there until their departure. At least two fledglings were observed accompanying their parents, indicating a successful breeding period. The gulls began their southward migration around the approach of Typhoon Bailai.

Unlike previous years, the breeding season was largely unaffected by severe weather. Heavy rains and typhoons in recent years have often led to the death of young birds or nest abandonment. However, this year's relatively stable weather provided a safe environment for the chicks to grow. This success is a welcome change for conservation efforts.

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We can expect to see the Black-tailed Gulls again in Dongyin around the Lunar New Year.

Residents and bird enthusiasts can anticipate the return of the Black-tailed Gulls to Dongyin around the Lunar New Year, typically after February. Their presence adds a unique ecological charm to the island during the winter months.

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Fortunately, this year's weather was relatively stable, allowing the young birds to grow successfully and avoiding the most vulnerable stages of the breeding period.