Derict to middle content area
:::

close search panel
:::
  1. Home
  2. Exploration
  3. Themed Articles
  4. Cormorants and Conservation: Ensuring a Sustainable Future in Kinmen

Cormorants and Conservation: Ensuring a Sustainable Future in Kinmen

Kinmen National Park restores habitat to protect unique ecology

Every winter in Kinmen, thousands of cormorants can be seen at dawn and dusk, forming V-shaped or straight lines in the sky as they return to their roosts. This spectacular “black-clad army” descending upon Kinmen is one of the park’s most iconic ecological sights. These visitors from southern Siberia have become a top bird-watching attraction for birdwatchers. What is not widely known is that over the past two years, the Kinmen National Park Headquarters (KMNP) has been dedicated to a series of long-term habitat restoration efforts to prevent the disappearance of the ecological spectacle of the “black army” of cormorants in Kinmen.

Located on the edge of the Eurasian continent, Kinmen serves as a key stopover for migratory birds in East Asia. Each year, from autumn to late spring, large flocks of migratory birds fly south to Kinmen to feed and pass through, with an impressive variety and abundance of species. While Taiwan’s main island has recorded 674 bird species across 87 families, Kinmen, with an area half the size of Taipei City, is home to over 430 species, 74% of which are migratory.

Despite the rich bird diversity, over 20 years of monitoring by the KMNP has revealed a decline in cormorant numbers visiting Kinmen in the past five years. The population have dropped from 11,330 in 2020, to 9,583 in 2021, 8,553 in 2022, 7,721 in December 2023, and 7,517 by mid-January 2024, marking four consecutive years below 10,000.

alt-Cormorants and Conservation: Ensuring a Sustainable Future in Kinmen-1
The sight of cormorants returning to their roosting site at dusk is truly spectacular.
Photo credit: Kinmen National Park Headquarters, Photographer: Liao Dong-kun

KMNP commissioned Professor TING Tsung-Su from the Department of Forestry and Resource Conservation at National Taiwan University to conduct a three-year study (2020–2022) on cormorant migration and ecology in Kinmen. The report highlighted the severe impact of Typhoon Meranti in September 2016, which significantly damaged Kinmen’s casuarina trees, a crucial roosting species for cormorants. The storm reduced forested areas, and invasive species and habitat fragmentation further dispersed the cormorants’ roosting sites. Some even shifted to nearby Xiamen for nighttime roosting.

Cormorants prefer tall forests near water for roosting. Professor Ting recommended that degraded public lands in key roosting areas within Kinmen National Park be restored by removing invasive species like Leucaena and Morning Glory, and replanting hardy, fast-growing Casuarina seedlings.

For privately-owned lands, such as those near fishponds, he suggested developing ecosystem service payment plans and ecological compensation mechanisms to encourage landowner participation in habitat restoration. Monitoring methods should also be dynamically adjusted to provide timely ecological data and implement adaptive management strategies.

Kinmen National Park Headquarters has just completed supplementary planting at the cormorant habitat in Ci Lake. Photo credit: Kinmen National Park Headquarters
Kinmen National Park Headquarters has just completed supplementary planting at the cormorant habitat in Ci Lake. Photo credit: Kinmen National Park Headquarters

KMNP places great emphasis on the conservation of cormorants, continuously monitoring their numbers and behavior while prioritizing habitat restoration at Ci Lake since 2023. Efforts include removing invasive species like Morning Glory and Leucaena from degraded habitats, alongside planting over 2,600 trees, such as Casuarina and Melaleuca, to create a more suitable roosting environment. These actions aim to ensure cormorants return year after year.

Birds are vital indicators of environmental health, with their abundance reflecting the diversity of the ecosystem, and they are an essential resource for sustainable tourism in Kinmen. As habitats shrink, food webs become simpler, and the ecosystem’s natural regulatory functions diminish, highlighting the importance of habitat restoration, especially in the face of extreme weather events that pose significant challenges to maintaining island ecosystems.

 

Updated：


Kinmen

Kinmen

Accommodation in Kinmen

Published: 2009-08-12

Please read articles in our website for more information about accommodation in Kinmen National Park.
HotelTelAddress
Six brother hotel(082)324-311No.164, Jyuguang Rd., Jincheng Township, Kinmen County 893, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
HaiFu hotel(082)322538No.85, Mincyuan Rd., Jincheng Township, Kinmen County 893, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Golden Lily hotel(082)323-151No.82, Siapusia, Jinning Township, Kinmen County 892, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Last Updated: 2020-11-20


Travel Guide

Published: 2009-08-12

Sightseeing Route Recommendations

One day Tour
Bike Tour

Kinmen National Park Visitor Center→ Jhongshanlin Recreational Area（including Chiang Ching-Kuo Memorial Hall and Old Rushan Fort (Rushan Rampart)→ Cyonglin Traditional Settlement（including Arch to Chastity, Tsai Family Ancestral Hall, Spirit Lion Statue, and the Underground Tunnel→ Anchi→ Guningtou Battlefield（including Guningtou Battle Museum, Old Western-style House at Beishan, Jhenwei Residence）→Shuangli Lake（including Beishan Spirit Lion Statue and Shueiwei Pagoda）→Cih Lake（watch the sunset at the Cih Causeway）

Two day Tour
Day 1

Airport→ Kinmen National Park Visitor Center→ Jhongshanlin Recreation Area（including Chiang Ching-Kuo Memorial Hall and Old Rushan Fort / Rushan Rampart）→Cyonglin Traditional Settlement（including Arch to Chastity, Tsai Family Ancestral Hall, Spirit Lion Statue, and the Underground Tunnel）→Lunch →Guningtou Battlefield（Guningtou War Museum, Old Western-style House at Beishan, Jhenwei Residence）→Shuangli Lake（including Beishan Spirit Lion Statue and Shueiwei Pagoda）→Cih Lake（watching sunset at the Cih Causeway）

Day 2

Mt. Taiwun for hiking→ Shanhou Folk Culture Village→ Mashan Observation Post→ Lunch→ Jhaishan Tunnel→ Jhushan Traditional Settlement→ Oucuo Traditional Settlement

Three day Tour
Day 1

Airport→Tourist Center of Kinmen National Park→Jhongshanlin Recreational Area（including Chiang Ching-Kuo Memorial Hall and Old Rushan Fort / Rushan Rampart）→Cyonglin Traditional Settlement（including Arch to Chastity, Tsai Family Ancestral Hall, Spirit Lion Statue, and the Underground Tunnel）→Lunch →Guningtou Battlefield（including Guningtou Battle Museum, Old Western-style House at Beishan, Jhenwei Residence）→Shuangli Lake（including Beishan Spirit Lion Statue and Shueiwei Pagoda）→Cih Lake（watching sunset at the Cih Causeway)

Day 2

Lieyu Area (Little Kinmen / Lesser Quemoy)（including Hujingtou Battle Museum, Sihwei Tunnel, Around-the-island Tank Road, and Lingshuei Lake）→Shueitou Traditional Settlement（ Deyue Tower, Jinshuei Primary School, and Eighteen Roof Ridge）→ Lunch→ Wuntai Pagoda, and Syu-Jiang-Siao-Wo Inscriptions→ Gugang Lake→ Jhaishan Tunnel→ Jhushan Traditional Settlement→ Oucuo Traditional Settlement

Day 3

Mt. Taiwun for hiking à Shanhou Folk Culture Village→ Mashan Observation Post→ Lunch→ Banyan Park→August 23 Artillery Battle Museum

Theme Trip

Tour ofTraditional Settlements
Gugang Area—Shueitou, Chushan, and Oucuo
Guningtou Area—Nanshan and Beishan
Mt. Taiwun Area—Cyonglin
Mashan Area—Shanhou
Tour of Battlefields and Battle Museums
Greater Quemoy:
Jhaishan Tunnel, Jhaishan Battle Village, Mt. Taiwun Cemetery, Wuwangzaijyu Inscription, August 23 Artillery Battle Museum, Guningtou Battle Museum, Old Western-style House at Beishan, Liguangcian General Temple, Mashan Observation Post.
Lieyu Area (Lesser Quemoy):
Badalouzih, General Fortress, General Temple, Shuangkou Battle Village, Hujingtou Battle Museum, and Around-the-island Tank Road.
Tour of Historical Sites and Cultural Heritages
First-class historical site: Ciouliangong Cemetary (Ching Dynasty)Second-class historical sites: Wuntai Ancient Tower (Ming Dynasty), Syu-JianSiao-Wo Inscriptions (Ming Dynasty), Chenjhen Tomb (Ming Dynasty), Chenjian Tomb (Ming), Jhuzih Shrine (Ching Dynasty), Shueitou Huang Ancestral Hall (Ching Dynasty), Tsai Family Ancestral Hall (Ching)Third-class historical sites: Haiyin Temple (Sung Dynasty), Shihmen Gate (Ming Dynasty), Hanyingyungen Stele (Ming Dynasty), Luruoeng Mansion and Cemetery (Ming Dynasty), Kinmen General Military Office in Ching Dynasty (Ching Dynasty), Shueiwei Pagoda (Ching Dynasty), Jhenwei Residence (Ching Dynasty), Tsaipanlong Tomb (Ching Dynasty), Ciouliangong Cemetery (Ching Dynasty), Fonglianshanmumahou Hall (Ching Dynasty), Cyonglin Arch to Chastity (Ching Dynasty), Lee’s Mansion at Sishanchien (Ching Dynasty), Kueising Building (Ching Dynasty).

Last Updated: 2018-09-19


Visitor Safety

Published: 2009-08-12

Attention for visitors

subway tunnel

 

  1. Advance reservation is needed to guarantee flight seat availability. Airline schedules tend to change easily due to weather conditions especially in spring.
  2. It is freezing in Kinmen in winter. Remember to bring warm clothing. There are large temperature differences between day and night in Taiwan. When doing night activities remember to keep warm.
  3. Due to many mine fields in Kinmen area, please do not enter restricted areas for your own safety. Most coastlines are still military restricted areas where tourists are not allowed to enter.
  4. Please respect local inhabitants when visiting the traditional houses and villages.
  5. Kinmen is a famous bird-watching spot. When observing them, please do not disturb
    activities and destroy their habitats.
  6. To maintain famous landscapes in Kinmen, please follow regulations and restrictions set by the Kinmen National Park.

Last Updated: 2018-09-20

Park Contacts

Published: 2009-08-12

Information of Visitor Center

Rhaphiolepis indica

 

LocationOpening HoursContact Information
Rushan Visitor center-Tel: (082)313197
Lie yu station Visitor center-Tel: (082)364401
Fax: (082)364406
shuangli Visitor center-Tel: (082)313271

Last Updated: 2020-11-20


Map Of The Park

Published: 2009-08-12

map of kinmen
Kinmen is located of the southeastern coast of Fujian Province in Xiamen Bay at the outlet to the Jiulong River. This area includes Kinmen Island, Liehyu (also known as Little Kinmen), DaDan, and ErDan, of a total of twelve islands and islets. These islands and islets cover an area of 150 square kilometers. To the west, at a distance of about 10 kilometers, is the Xiamen outport. To the east, at a distance of 277 kilometers, is Taiwan. This area is approximately at the same latitude as the Taichung area.

Last Updated: 2018-09-19


How To Get There

Published: 1999-11-30

kinmen11 

Transportation information

  1. Airline Schedules
  2. Bus Routes
  3. Car Renting
  4. Ship
NameAddressPhone
3. Car Renting：
Da-sin Minibus-Renting Co., Ltd.No.1, Lane 65, Mincyuan Rd., Jincheng Township, Kinmen County 893, Taiwan (R.O.C.)(082)324128
Fan-de Minibus-RentingCenterNo.4, Sinwudesinjhuang,Jinhu Township, Kinmen County 893, Taiwan (R.O.C.)(082)334082
Jin-ma Car-Renting AgencyNo.1-1, Minsheng Rd., Jincheng Township, Kinmen County 893, Taiwan (R.O.C.)(082)324518
Guan-cheng Car-Renting AgencyNo.7-7, Minzu Rd., Jincheng Township, Kinmen County 893, Taiwan (R.O.C.)(082)323390
Guan-jyun Minibus-Renting AgencyNo.20, Sec. 1, Huandao W. Rd., Jincheng Township, Kinmen County 893, Taiwan (R.O.C.)(082)372122
Fu-cheng Car-Renting Co., Ltd.No.200, Boyu Rd.,Jincheng Township, Kinmen County 893, Taiwan (R.O.C.)(082)322177
Jing-shengCar-RentingAgencyNo.11-1, Sintsaishihchang,Jinhu Township, Kinmen County 893, Taiwan (R.O.C.)(082)334322
Ruei-sinCar-RentingAgencyNo.1-1, Boyu Rd.,Jincheng Township, Kinmen County 893, Taiwan (R.O.C.)(082)324147
Departures PierTerminal PierDeparture Timetable
4. Ship Schedules / Ticket Price：
Jiougong (Lesser Quemoy on Liehyu)Shueitou(Greater Quemoy)07:0008:0009:0010:0011:0012:0013:00
14:0015:0016:0017:0018:0020:30-
※ Departing on the hour between 7 am to 6 pm, except for the last trip that departs at 8:30pm.
Shueitou(Greater Quemoy)Jiougong (Lesser Quemoy on Liehyu)06:3007:3008:3009:3010:3011:3012:30
13:3014:3015:3016:3017:3018:3021:00
※ Departing on the half-hour between 6:30am to 18:30pm, except for the last trip that departs at 9 pm.

Last Updated: 2018-09-20