In Taiwan’s Chiayi County, Meishan Township, Taixing Village, there is a unique world-class spectacle known as “Ten Thousand Egrets Facing the Phoenix”. Photographer Su Jiahong is a seasoned “egret chaser” who informed reporters that on September 5, he observed over 30,000 Yellow-headed egrets, making it a spectacular day. He estimates that the Mid-Autumn Festival will bring the best bird-watching period.
Ecologist and photographer Su Jiahong told Epoch Times that the Meishan Tree Creek in Taixing Village is known as the Phoenix Nest. The valley is beautiful, with flocks of Yellow-headed egrets circling the Phoenix Mountain. On peak days, there are over 10,000 egrets, an event known as the “Ten Thousand Egrets Facing the Phoenix”, attracting bird-watching enthusiasts.
Su Jiahong pointed out that the Yellow-headed egrets migrate in groups from north to south, passing through various countries including China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. From August 15 to October 15 every year, it’s the prime season for observing the migration of “Ten Thousand Egrets Facing the Phoenix”. On September 5, Su witnessed this phenomenon, marking the largest scale he has seen in nearly a decade.
The Yellow-headed egrets travel from Japan through various locations in Taiwan to their final destination in Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Su noted that he has been observing the “Ten Thousand Egrets Facing the Phoenix” for 14 years. Due to heavy rain at the end of August in Taixing Village this year, the chances of seeing the Yellow-headed egrets there were less.
On the afternoon of September 5, he observed a large number of Yellow-headed egrets migrating in Taixing Village. From around 3 pm until dusk, 32 large flocks flew past, totaling over 30,000 egrets, making it an explosive day. There were even more egret groups sighted by some individuals around 7 pm, but it was too dark to capture them on camera. In the latter half of September, there is a chance to see flocks of 30,000 to 50,000 Yellow-headed egrets.
Su mentioned that the period between 2 pm and 6 pm is ideal for waiting and observing the egrets flying over. They feed on earthworms, lizards, snails, and insects, not fish, as they are land birds that inhabit reservoirs, bamboo forests, and sometimes betel nut trees, flying along streams, valleys, riverbeds, and reservoirs.
Due to its unique terrain, Taixing Village presents the spectacular sight of “Ten Thousand Egrets Facing the Phoenix”. Su explained that when the Yellow-headed egrets fly across the valley and Phoenix Mountain, they spiral along the air currents in the valley, sometimes forming shapes resembling a “great white dragon” or a majestic “dragon flicking its tail”.
Furthermore, Su mentioned that the Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Great Egret, and Yellow-headed Egret collectively referred to as the “white herons” are common in Taiwan, with the Little Egret being the most frequently seen among them in flatlands and rice fields.
Su specified that the best time for observing the “Ten Thousand Egrets Facing the Phoenix” this year falls between Bailu (September 7) and Hanlu (October 8), with a chance to spot the Yellow-headed egrets. The five days before and after the Mid-Autumn Festival are considered the optimal viewing period.