tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87336424180614278512011-12-31T21:36:25.982+08:00fchennoreply@blogger.comBlogger2651100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-18129529787177958342011-06-07T15:32:00.001+08:002011-06-07T15:53:59.658+08:00

The internationally listed Dacheng wetlands which Kuokuang wanted to turn into a petrochemical complex.On June 5th an article titled "Activism Gets Rolling in Taiwan" by Taiwan-based journalist Ralph Jennings featured in the New York Times. The article focuses on how a recent wave of opposition has halted the planned Kuokuang Petrochemical Project and how issues such as the plight of the Taiwan

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-38371878348485309982011-05-27T13:12:00.004+08:002011-05-27T13:59:53.083+08:00

February 2009:- protestor in the in the last of nearly 700 old camphor trees, which are native to Taiwan, that were removed for a development project of which the legality was still before the courts and of which the environmental impact and zoning procedures were not yet complete. In 2009 Stop Hushan Dam blog carried several posts on the clearing of the old Songshan Tobacco factory site in Xinyi

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-56251055976774636812011-05-23T11:24:00.004+08:002011-05-23T11:52:17.765+08:00

A Huben Fairy Pitta:- photo courtesy of Richard Yu.An unseasonable dry spell from March to mid May seems to be one of the prime suspects for the cause of a very poor general spring migration. The Fairy Pitta followed this trend and the first arrivals were recorded in late April rather than mid April. The bulk of the pitta arriving in the Huben-Hushan area appeared to arrive during the period 5th

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-19688805376213448402011-05-22T13:46:00.000+08:002011-05-22T13:47:02.944+08:00

Hushan's Yucing valley before it was dug out to make way for the highly controversial Hushan Dam."Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink" said Coleridge in 'The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere.' With the recent day spell we've been having in Taiwan; and is always the case when we experience one; talk of the need for new reservoirs comes to the fore in the media. "Water, water, everywhere

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-84230978356647174502011-01-20T12:17:00.002+08:002011-01-20T12:22:56.297+08:00

Much of the water from the Hushan Reservoir will be for the use of Taiwan's petrochemical industry and their planned developments on the west coast which threatens the critically endangered Taiwan pink dolphins and the Dacheng Important Bird Area. The Matsu's Fish Conservation Union will be hosting an afternoon tea to help raise funds for pink dolphin conservation.Dear friends of Taiwan

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-41596323515588563582010-12-31T16:15:00.004+08:002011-01-10T15:27:59.805+08:00

A Huben Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha): photo courtesy of Richard Yu.Happy New Year and all the best for 2011 !"Because every green measure, every conservation effort and all the little economies we could make in our daily lives, may look insignificant if we choose to look at the big picture. On the other hand, if we view that big picture as millions of little choices made by people just like us,

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-79534550107161957152010-12-20T13:17:00.002+08:002010-12-20T13:45:46.617+08:00

The past few weeks have seen the addition of two new birds to the Huban-Hushan IBA list. On Saturday 6 December bird banders captured an endemic Taiwan Bush Warbler Bradypterus alishanensis in the IBA. The Taiwan Bush Warbler is generally regarded as a bird of the the higher mid altitudes (1700-2600m) but can be found from 1200-3600m. It is unusual to find them in areas such as Huben with an

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-16102036918833383772010-12-09T14:41:00.002+08:002010-12-09T14:52:39.393+08:00

On Saturday 27th November bird banders captured an Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps while doing banding work in the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA). This is the first confirmed record of the species in the Huben-Hushan IBA. Earlier in the week a researcher who is familiar with the species believed he had heard a Stubtail calling. However, the bird could not be located.See the OBC

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-64326955201484901432010-11-29T12:22:00.003+08:002010-11-29T12:52:18.269+08:00

On 21st September 2009 the first record of a Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis) over the Huben-Hushan IBA was made. On 12 March 2010 researchers from the Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute observed an Indian Black Eagle over the forests adjacent to Huben village. This was the second record of a Black Eagle in the Huben-Hushan IBA. Since that time a Black Eagle has been observed fairly

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-48624904075316903182010-11-11T11:18:00.002+08:002010-11-11T11:25:09.200+08:00

------------------------- Click picture to enlarge -------------------------On Saturday 13 November 2010, an environmental protection march primarily focused on Kuokuang Plant and other petrochemical issues will take place in Taipei. Petrochemical projects are the Kuokuang Plant planned for Changhua, the FPG 6th Naptha cracker expansion in Yunlin and the 3rd cracker in Kaohsiung. All these

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-32813274205581378672010-10-31T19:00:00.004+08:002010-10-31T19:33:10.386+08:00

By ImpiyaniBefore dawn I was in Huben. It was still very dark and there was a chill in the air as I turned into the yard of Mr. Chang's traditional Taiwanese house. Multitudes of dogs snarled and yapped. They didn't seem very happy to see me. A large roster came over. He seemed friendlier. It was almost as if he was coming over for a predawn chat before doing his morning duty and waking the

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-8185026841329095452010-08-04T13:29:00.002+08:002010-08-04T13:40:41.499+08:00

We've just been sent a press release from the Taiwan Green Party. We'll be interested to hear what their candidates have to say amidst the mudslinging contest between the two major parties; the DPP and KMT. Here's the press release and we'll let you know shortly what the Green Party candidates have to say.“Give Blue and Green Back to the Skies and Earth; Take Back Politics for the People” Time:

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-5867087711304349862010-07-30T14:55:00.001+08:002010-07-30T14:55:54.993+08:00

Sunday night's fire at the Formosa Plastics Naphtha Cracker plant in Mailiao in Yunlin County. Formosa Plastics were the winners of the infamous Black Planet Award in 2009 for their horrendous environmental track record. Photo courtesy of MFCU. In response to Sunday night's fire at the Formosa Plastics Group plant in Mailiao in Yunlin County the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-41624437171002565152010-07-28T11:10:00.001+08:002010-07-28T11:10:36.545+08:00

Farm seizures by the government to clear the land for planned industrial expansion are once again in the news. This time it's not the farmers of Dapu in Miaoli County in northwest Taiwan but the farmers of Siangsiliao village in Erlin Township in west-central Taiwan that are being driven off the land to make way for the highly controversial Central Taiwan Science Park expansion at Erlin. See

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-18523459631386800502010-07-26T12:03:00.002+08:002010-07-28T11:11:52.387+08:00

The Dapu farmland seizures that have featured prominently in the news for the past fortnight once again highlight the government's apparent crusade to ensure their corporate pals get whatever they desire and to hell with anyone or thing that stands in the way.The seizure of farmland and private land is nothing new in Taiwan. It was done for the Hushan Dam project and they're doing it for the

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-57993626549505178382010-07-23T09:50:00.003+08:002010-07-23T14:10:58.443+08:00

Security check point at the entrance to the Hushan Reservoir project site. Deforested hills are visible in the back ground.Today's Taipei Times tells us that Hushan Reservoir will be completed in 2014. According to the brief article that appears in today's Taipei Times "the construction of the Hushan Reservoir in Yunlin County is scheduled to be completed in 2014 after environmental issues have

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-35016021156250789812010-07-19T15:29:00.000+08:002010-07-19T15:30:26.647+08:00

Three High Court judges and a prosecutor held on graft charges ! Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator and Miaoli County commissioner Ho Chi-hui on the run. This scandal has dominated the news for the past week. (see Three judges, prosecutor held on graft charges; Ma accepts Lai In-jaw's resignation)This most recent scandal followed close on the heels of the assassination of gang boss

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-2997210425598987682010-06-09T11:53:00.001+08:002010-06-09T11:53:47.334+08:00

A press release sent to us this morning by the Matsu's Fish Conservation Union (MFCU).MFCU Press Release:For Immediate Release Ma’s Gang Ramps Up Taiwan’s Emissions, Turns a Blind Eye to Biodiversity and Health Concerns be Damned: “There Ain’t No Stoppin Us!” Press conference sponsored by the Matsu’s Fish Conservation Union (MFCU) in front of the Taiwan Environmental Protection [sic]

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-27340405379798635882010-06-01T14:00:00.004+08:002010-06-01T15:36:59.493+08:00

Savanna Nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis): photo courtesy of Richard Yu.In an article in today's Taipei Times I noticed a few lines that got me thinking. Strangely, they had been tacked onto the end of an article where they really didn't seem to fit with the theme of the article. The article is titled Chen Chu calls for increased campus security. Chen Chu (³¯µâ) is the mayor of Kaohsiung and the

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-91766391807022845542010-05-26T12:07:00.007+08:002010-05-26T13:34:18.634+08:00

A Huben stream hemmed in with walls of concrete after the valley walls had been bull-dosed.The concrete onslaught in the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA) continues. More streams in the Huben-Hushan IBA have been hemmed in with walls of concrete. The concreting of streams in the name of so-called anti-erosion work has a long history in modern-era Taiwan. Considerable sums of money are made

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-34293729404115164412010-04-30T11:10:00.002+08:002010-04-30T11:43:41.644+08:00

The Asia Pacific Green Network Congress 2010 (APGN 2010) kicks off in Taipei this morning. The theme of this year's congress is a Fair Share For A Green Future. The congress is being held from April 30 - May 2at the Tien-Mou Convention Convention Center, located in the northern district of Shi-lin, Taipei. Our colleagues at Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association will be attending the congress.

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-44555029338901610372010-04-30T11:00:00.002+08:002010-04-30T11:06:40.550+08:00

The construction of the Hushan Reservoir will have a direct impact on Taiwan's critically endangered Pink Dolphins. The reduced flow of fresh water into the Jhoushui River estuary will further degrade habitat critical to the survival of these dolphins that are on the very brink of extinction. Water from the reservoir will largely be used to develop heavy industry within the little remaining

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-71198121475087864072010-04-27T15:14:00.003+08:002010-04-28T00:23:19.044+08:00

I'm sure the 'powers that be' in Taiwan do know where Taiwan is situated. The Pacific Rim, that big ring of fire. It's a well know fact that Taiwan is geologically unstable. Just yesterday morning we all felt the shaking of a 6.6 quake off southeast Taiwan. Shakes and quakes are common here. Today there was a 4.1 in Taitung. Yesterday we had that big 6.6 and the day before we had a 4.7 and a 4.4

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-77065841585940993652010-04-26T13:41:00.003+08:002010-04-26T14:05:28.422+08:00

On Wednesday 21 April 2010 a Hooded Pitta (Pitta sordida) was sighted in coastal vegetation in the Chigu area of Tainan County. Chigu is the famous wintering site for the threatened Black-faced Spoonbill. The Chigu area is a well known migrant trap in southwest Taiwan. Taiwan's first confirmed record of a Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta moluccensis) was made in the same area last spring. This Hooded

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-53950860538374907212010-04-26T13:27:00.004+08:002010-04-26T13:37:39.996+08:00

Huben Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha): photo courtesy of Richard Yu.On the morning of Thursday 22 April 2010 we made the first Huben Fairy Pitta sighting of the season. A pitta was calling from the forest behind the temple at about 7am. As we neared the location we could hear the pitta was moving away from us. A second pitta then started calling from the Pillow Hill side of the valley. We followed the

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-37382717616627668752010-04-20T14:01:00.004+08:002010-04-20T14:12:20.540+08:00

A Huben Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha): photo courtesy of Richard Yu.They're back ! We received word this morning that a Fairy Pitta was heard calling this morning near the Fairy Pitta Cafe in Huben. Other sightings of Fairy Pitta were made in Taichung County over the weekend. Monitoring of this breeding season will begin. The first international visiting birder of the season is arriving in Huben

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-14977951094443631242010-04-12T12:07:00.005+08:002010-04-12T13:01:41.121+08:00

If you follow the road (Route 149) that leads into the mountains from the Hushan Dam inlet pipe on the Chingshui River just above Tongtou village (Nantou County) for a few kilometres towards Tsaoling village (Yunlin County) you'll come to what was a pretty little stream with a suspension bridge. This was a lovely spot to stop on the way to Tsaoling and spend some time exploring a lovely mountain

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-43090820025379061142010-03-30T14:33:00.007+08:002010-04-20T14:11:50.909+08:00

A Huben Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha): photo courtesy of Richard Yu.The Lunar New Year has come and gone and the Grey-faced Buzzards and Chinese Sparrowhawks are flying through the Baguashan area to the northwest of Huben on their migration to their northern breeding grounds. Waves of Purple Crow butterflies have moved through Huben on their way to northern Taiwan and with the see-sawing of

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-56899927627612385182010-03-16T11:54:00.004+08:002010-11-29T12:53:53.343+08:00

Indian Black Eagle: Photo courtesy of Richard Yu.On Friday 12 March, researchers from the Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute observed an Indian Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis over the forests adjacent to Huben village. This is the second record of Black Eagle in the Huben-Hushan IBA. The first Huben-Hushan IBA record of a Black Eagle was recorded on 23 September 2009. In Taiwan the

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-76682815845458716862010-02-26T13:29:00.003+08:002010-02-26T13:49:32.620+08:00

With the Lunar New Year break we missed some of what has been happening on the green front this month. Below is a press release from the Taiwan Environmental Action Network and Green Party Taiwan earlier this month. As the press release explains, the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the decision to void the Central Science Park EIA but true to form, the EPA have just forged ahead and done what

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-4444155375571671752010-02-23T15:03:00.002+08:002010-02-23T22:54:45.328+08:00

Here in Taiwan it’s our first week back at work after the Lunar New Year break. Oh, I’ve forgotten my manners. Xin Nian Kuai Le! to you all and all the best for the Year of the Golden Tiger. Now, with the New Year wishes out the way let’s get back to going back to work and the Convenient Route. That word ‘route’ needs to be said in the British way, as in ‘root.’ Yeah, I know that’s rather weak

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-5456752138588416892010-01-12T15:53:00.003+08:002010-01-12T16:21:51.557+08:00

Typhoon Morakot: Houses buried under landslide and flood debris in central Taiwan. On the 13Th December 2009 the Miami Herald ran a piece by Joe Oglesby titled Canary in the mine shaft which really typified the type of rosy picture the Ma-led KMT regime likes to paint of Taiwan and its commitment to global warming, the tragedy of Typhoon Morakot and other environmental issues.Robin Winkler, a

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-83191911046829870042010-01-12T15:13:00.003+08:002010-01-12T15:35:14.642+08:00

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus): photo by Meneer Zjeroen through Wikimedia Commons. During December 2009 a record of a Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) seen by Mr. Wu Jien-long in the Huben-Hushan IBA on 6th March 2009 came to light. The claimed sighting was investigated by Dr. Scott Lin and was confirmed and the record has been added to the Huben-Hushan IBA bird list bringing the

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-91332403044212546882009-12-31T15:31:00.006+08:002010-01-12T15:12:10.484+08:00

A Huben Fairy Pitta (Pitta nympha): photo courtesy of Richard Yu.Happy New Year and all the best for 2010 !"Because every green measure, every conservation effort and all the little economies we could make in our daily lives, may look insignificant if we choose to look at the big picture. On the other hand, if we view that big picture as millions of little choices made by people just like us,

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-20643530965028620392009-12-29T15:19:00.004+08:002009-12-29T15:53:24.285+08:00

What follows is an English translation from part 2 of a series that Formosa TV (FTV) has done on the high cancer rate from the areas surrounding the Formosa Petrochemicals’ No.6 Naphtha Cracker plant at Mailiao on the Yunlin County coast in central Taiwan.As planned expansion of heavy industry in this area goes ahead it will no doubt cause an increase in these cancer rates as emission levels

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-33655225378147336832009-12-11T11:37:00.005+08:002009-12-11T12:13:07.896+08:00

Male Snowy-browed Flycatcher (Ficedula hyperythra): Photos courtesy of Richard Yu.On Saturday 5TH December 2009 birders Mark Wilkie and Dr. Bruno Walther spotted a male Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra innexain the forest around Huben village. This is the first record of a Snowy-browed Flycatcher in the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA). Snowy-browed Flycatcher is a resident

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-60532705325936682532009-11-30T23:17:00.003+08:002009-12-01T15:45:31.492+08:00

A shot from elections past: Getting an campaign van ready to hit the streets. Note the size of the speakers.A shot from elections past: A drum on the back of a campaign van. It's almost midnight in Taiwan and tomorrow's on-line edition of the Taipei Times is up. An article titled Vote for 'green' candidates, activists say caught my attention. On Saturday 5Th December, county elections will take

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-14488447509437359092009-11-10T12:26:00.003+08:002009-11-10T12:33:47.607+08:00

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus (male).Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus (female).The Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus is a common wintering bird in the coastal regions of Taiwan. Kentish Plover have been recorded in the Huben-Hushan area during winter but their presence is accidental.Huben-Hushan Bird List

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-82219727831883393212009-10-31T10:28:00.004+08:002009-10-31T10:37:32.524+08:00

An Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum).The Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum is a rare summer visitor to the Huben-Hushan area. Oriental Pratincole is fairly common along Taiwan's western coastal plain during the summer. While it is rare in the Huben-Hushan area it is a common sight along the nearby Jhoushuei River during the summer.Huben-Hushan Bird List

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-86997137523456072802009-10-16T14:47:00.005+08:002009-10-31T10:36:37.359+08:00

A male Daurian Redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus).An uncommon wintering species found in the fields and scrub in the Huben-Hushan area is the Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus. Huben-Hushan Bird List

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-49725114249716018032009-10-09T12:55:00.002+08:002009-10-09T13:05:53.303+08:00

Two photos showing a Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) in a flooded rice field close to Huben. Though not listed on the official Huben-Hushan Bird List, Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus, are often seen in flooded rice fields during spring, autumn and winter in the surrounding farm areas close to the village of Huben. Perhaps this bird should be added to the list. It is something

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-14324555918527636622009-10-05T12:51:00.002+08:002009-10-05T12:59:34.292+08:00

Two photos of a Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis). The Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis [aka Chinese Bittern] is a rather secretive rare resident waterbird in the Huben-Hushan area that can be seen in the reed beds and undergrowth along streams.Huben Bird List

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-4251432301682966222009-10-03T11:19:00.003+08:002009-10-09T15:06:49.019+08:00

Typhoon Morakot: Houses buried under landslide and flood debris in central Taiwan. "An additional alliance that aborigines of all tribes must forge is that with the environmentalists in Taiwan, both in politics and life. This is a natural alliance since all want to preserve and protect the ancestral lands of Taiwan." Some interesting comment and insight in the wake of Typhoon Morakot concerning

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-7273365124523326642009-09-29T12:15:00.002+08:002009-09-29T12:25:03.643+08:00

The White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus). The White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus is a fairly common waterbird frequenting the reed beds and undergrowth along streams in the area. At dawn and dusk one can often observe them feeding along the edges of the stream and on sand bars in the stream which runs through Huben village.Huben Bird List

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-6878185734919548032009-09-14T10:30:00.014+08:002009-10-09T15:03:37.693+08:00

One of the major criticisms and concerns over the Hushan Dam project is that the dam will just silt up and become unusable within a very short period. After the devastating earthquake in September 1999 the general area remains highly unstable. Obviously there is a major safety concern with a large dam being constructed in an unstable area that is within an area with an alarming history of

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-16802708052458182042009-09-08T15:25:00.005+08:002009-09-08T15:49:28.633+08:00

Pheasant-tailed Jacanas (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) in a water chestnut pond, Kwantien, Tainan.One of the reserves devastated by Typhoon Morakot was the Guantian Jacana Reserve in Tainan County. The reserve is a protected area for the threatened Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus, a dazzling water bird that moves about elegantly on floating vegitation. Jacanas are often called

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-91444035639524452242009-09-07T15:38:00.003+08:002009-09-07T15:59:13.749+08:00

Wuchi Power Plant through the haze. Wuchi Power Plant at Taichung Harbour named the world's dirtiest coal-fired power plant by the prestigious science journal, Nature.Dried sediment like this on the Jhoushuei River results in large quantities of fine dust.The dusty floodplain at the confluence of the Jhoushuei and Chingshuei Rivers on the border of Nantou, Changhua and Yunlin Counties. The hills

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-14189287941855599312009-09-04T13:08:00.001+08:002009-09-04T13:12:01.903+08:00

Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association's founding director standing in the haze in front of the world's dirtiest coal-fired powerplant in Wuchi, Taichung.A recent article on the Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association website titled Ideologically Based Development: What’s the Point of Environmental Impact Assessment? gives some valuable insight into the failings of environmental impact

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-62601033256206771452009-08-27T11:47:00.002+08:002009-08-27T12:10:44.462+08:00

A photo of a Common Albatross Appias albina semperi has been added to the Huben-Hushan Butterfly Gallery.The Common Albatross is a lowland species found from sea level to about 800m. It occurs in forests and often flies rapidly through the canopy. The photo is of a male. Males are mainly white with pointed fore-wings. The underside can appear yellowish. The females have black margins and rounded

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-4313385754619429942009-08-17T11:06:00.004+08:002009-08-17T11:29:20.657+08:00

Three photos of the Crested Goshawk, a common resident of the Huben-Hushan area.The Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus is a common resident raptor in the Huben-Hushan area. The Crested Goshawk is widespread across south and Southeast Asia but race formosae is endemic to Taiwan only. The Crested Goshawk along with the Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela are the two most common resident

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-31858054711072007822009-08-14T10:59:00.008+08:002009-10-09T14:59:44.288+08:00

A huge landslide in the mountains of Kaohsiung County in southern Taiwan.A government rescue helicopter flying through the the clear early morning skies before the afternoon rain and mist roll in.As the fog of incapacitating shock clears, many people in central and southern Taiwan are becoming angry. Both of Taiwan's leading English newspapers carry criticisms of the government's top leadership

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-84421053781708640882009-08-11T13:55:00.005+08:002009-08-14T12:41:21.222+08:00

Typhoon Morakot has carved a path of destruction across the Philippines, Taiwan and China. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of this tragedy, human and non-human alike. We wish strength to those who have watched their homes, villages and environment swept away. We pray for the safety of those involved in the rescue efforts as they make their way to Hsiaolin and other devastated

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-8542309132932717962009-08-05T05:39:00.004+08:002009-08-06T15:59:26.825+08:00

A photo of a Double-branded Crow Euploea sylvester swinhoei has been added to the Huben-Hushan Butterfly Gallery.

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-65885144581225568292009-07-31T12:22:00.005+08:002009-08-06T15:27:37.608+08:00

Taiwan Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola thoracicus sonorivox) is a common Huben-Hushan resident.The Taiwan Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola thoracicus sonorivoxis a common resident of the Huben-Hushan area. The Taiwan Bamboo Partridge is the endemic Taiwan subspecies of the Chinese Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola thoracicus. Many researchers believe that race sonorivox is likely a full species.Huben Bird

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-73152580797707517872009-07-20T15:12:00.006+08:002009-07-20T15:22:58.772+08:00

The Himalayan Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus is a fairly common resident of the Huben-Hushan area. Race nigerrimus is endemic to Taiwan. This bird with bright red feet and bill can be seen along the trails and in village gardens.Huben Bird List

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-32957019704827777062009-07-19T18:08:00.002+08:002009-07-19T18:15:58.636+08:00

Himalayan Jester Symbrenthia hypselis scatinia Photos of several new butterflies have been added to the Huben-Hushan Butterfly Gallery.

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-60063937463914513242009-07-19T17:33:00.003+08:002009-07-19T18:07:42.922+08:00

Sunday July 12th saw the premiere of the film Tomb Raptor on National Geographic Channel Taiwan. Tomb Raptor is a documentary about the migratory Grey-faced Buzzard. It is the fourth program in National Geographic Channel's four program series Taiwan to the World 3. Taiwan to the World aims to bring the wonders and diversity of Taiwan to the world. It is in its 3rd season and will be shown on

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-8257467534956230012009-06-28T10:57:00.004+08:002009-07-19T17:31:23.503+08:00

Birdwatching tourism and other forms of ecotourism offer many people in rural communities such as Huben and Hushan a means of employment and an incentive to conserve the natural resources in and around their communities. The recent Conference for Birdwatching Tourism in Taiwan aimed to help develop birdwatching tourism in Taiwan. The first Conference for Birdwatching Tourism in Taiwan was held in

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-67761846362142049952009-05-26T14:05:00.004+08:002009-05-26T14:40:24.938+08:00

Former gravel extraction site just outside Huben Village on the road to Hushan.Once again, more destruction looms on the horizon for Huben and its Fairy Pitta. It has been learned that government, private, and elected officials are advocating development of riparian engineering projects and gravel extraction and working to lift the restrictions on these within the Huben area. The Chinese Wild

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-3091853439671649392009-05-15T22:29:00.004+08:002009-05-15T22:48:35.086+08:00

The male Fairy Pitta that has nested around the present reserve site for several years and was originally banded in 2002 is back on his old turf again this year and has been observed by researchers and birders from the reserve viewing area. It's wonderful to see this well-known pitta back in Huben again this year.Also see:Local farmer sets up a Fairy Pitta reserve Fairy Pitta reserve update

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-67811473109046391502009-05-02T17:13:00.003+08:002009-05-15T22:47:16.187+08:00

Newly erected signage at the reserve viewing area entrance:- photo courtesy of Mark Wilkie The little Fairy Pitta reserve set up by a local farmer and concerned residents has its first pair of Fairy Pitta. A pair of pitta are frequenting the hillside just behind the viewing area. Also, common bird identification charts have been put up along with rules for the viewing area. We'll continue to

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-53945555824679262042009-04-22T13:56:00.002+08:002009-04-23T00:30:11.357+08:00

A very happy Earth Day. What did you do for the earth today?

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-30510547898150030032009-04-19T11:35:00.005+08:002009-05-15T22:45:49.809+08:00

Mr. Chang Sun-Chih, a local Huben farmer, along with a number of concerned Huben village residents under the guidance of Fairy Pitta researcher Dr. [Scott] Lin Reuy-shing, have set up a small 1ha Fairy Pitta reserve on Mr.Chang's farm. This is a very positive development. The land area of the reserve remains small but when one considers the high price of land on Taiwan this is a most generous

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-35442171228120971872009-04-18T19:36:00.005+08:002011-05-27T13:50:30.094+08:00

The charges brought by the Taipei City Government against the environmental activists arrested over the recent Songshan protests have been dismissed by the prosecutor. A decision not to indict was received on Friday. This is yet another example of Taipei City Government and police folly. Environmental groups also brought an action against the Environmental Protection Administration similar to the

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-408182043746923552009-04-17T10:48:00.004+08:002009-04-17T11:25:24.958+08:00

A rare male Maroon Oriole (Oriolus trailli ardens) photographed on Sunday 12 April 2009 in the Huben/Hushan forest. The beautiful red-listed Maroon Oriole is one of the endangered residents of the area that will be displaced by the Hushan Dam. The endemic subspecies of Maroon Oriole (Oriolus trailli ardens) is listed on the IUCN Red List as Endangered. The Taiwan endemic subspecies, race ardens,

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-3352035804565295132009-04-15T11:13:00.003+08:002009-04-17T10:31:49.012+08:00

A feeding Fairy Pitta photographed in Huben during the 2007 season.The first Fairy Pitta of the season was heard calling in the greater Linnei area (Linnei Township includes Huben village) at around 11am this morning. It called intermittently during the fifteen minutes researchers monitored the area. No response calls were heard. The majority of the Huben Fairy Pitta should arrive during the next

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-62834661363244225592009-03-25T11:42:00.005+08:002011-05-27T13:50:53.120+08:00

Songshan 2009-3-19Songshan 2006Photos courtesy of Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association.Two before and after photos showing the old Songshan Tobacco site that has been destroyed by developers under while the legality of the project still lies before the courts and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) has yet to by passed. Follow the links to read the story. See:Disregard for the legal

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-30000914125128808262009-03-06T23:02:00.004+08:002009-04-18T19:58:23.088+08:00

The David on Formosa blog has a firsthand account of the removal of the last old camphor tree from the site of the the old Songshan Tobacco Factory.See Green Party protests to save tree for more on the Songshan tree issue.Also see: Disregard for the legal process:- The last of the great Songshan camphor trees Update: Disregard for the legal process - The last of the great Songshan camphor trees

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-54774603823922393902009-03-01T18:08:00.005+08:002011-05-27T13:50:04.923+08:00

The Taiwan News online has just reported that the last of almost 700 native old camphor trees at the site of the old Songshan Tobacco Factory has gone. Police once again clashed with protesters and failed to protect the tree whose legal status still lies before the courts undecided. Police allowed the removal of the tree to go ahead and failed to arrest those who removed the tree. Once again the

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-36346324060352863402009-03-01T14:50:00.009+08:002009-04-18T19:59:28.974+08:00

Events at the site of the old Songshan Tobacco Factory continue. Yesterday afternoon the police forcibly removed Calvin Wen the Green Party Taiwan candidate for the Da-an District legislative by-election from the last of nearly 700 native old camphor trees at the site of the old Songshan Tobacco Factory after he stayed in the tree overnight to prevent it from being cut down. Despite the fact that

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-57265662353781241542009-02-28T21:19:00.016+08:002011-05-27T13:49:30.120+08:00

Green Party Taiwan's Calvin Wen in the in the last of nearly 700 old camphor trees, which are native to Taiwan, that have been removed for a development project of which the legal basis is currently being challenged in the courts and of which the environmental impact and zoning procedures are not complete. Click to enlarge. A collage of the destruction of Hushan. Despite the legality of the

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-20701854863570106892009-02-25T12:10:00.002+08:002009-02-25T12:38:59.484+08:00

A female Chinese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis). Photo taken at Hushan (October 2008) during last fall's migration. Each spring and fall thousands of raptors migrate along the East Asian Oceanic Flyway. This flyway is unique and quite unlike the world's other four major raptor flyways. Most raptors avoid migrating over water and that includes even large lakes. Raptors tend to migrate around

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-43864781742886811492009-02-05T12:37:00.003+08:002009-02-05T12:52:03.376+08:00

Plumbeous Water Redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginosa affinis): male above and female below. The Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosa is a rare local attitudinal winter migrant found in the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA). The Plumbeous Water Redstart is a fairly common resident species found along Taiwan's mountain streams and migrates to lower altitudes during the winter. Race

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-43820943048166033562009-02-03T14:43:00.003+08:002009-02-03T14:54:13.773+08:00

The Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela is the most common raptor in the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA) where it is resident. The endemic subspecies found on Taiwan, race hoya, is very large. The Crested Serpent Eagle is very easily seen soaring over Huben where several pairs are present throughout the year. The Crested Serpent Eagle is listed in lower risk categories of the IUCN's Red

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-28499362082270188562009-01-14T23:28:00.003+08:002009-01-14T23:37:14.118+08:00

Fair numbers of Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae are resident in the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA). The Grey Treepie is listed in lower risk categories of the IUCN's Red Data list of threatened species.See: Huben-Hushan IBA Bird List

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-25011144016870432072009-01-13T22:27:00.004+08:002009-01-14T23:49:47.324+08:00

The ongoing construction of the Hushan Reservoir has resulted in the destruction of hundreds of valuable hectares of forest in and around the Huben-Hushan important bird area. Recently the government declared a Fairy Pitta protected area within the greater Huben-Hushan area. The Fairy Pitta protected area largely came as a surprise to environmental and conservation groups and they were sidelined

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-61768062991083229142008-12-31T13:12:00.001+08:002008-12-31T13:13:24.938+08:00

Huben Fairy Pitta: photo courtesy of Richard YuHappy New Year,and all the best for 2009 !"Because every green measure, every conservation effort and all the little economies we could make in our daily lives, may look insignificant if we choose to look at the big picture. On the other hand, if we view that big picture as millions of little choices made by people just like us, that's how we can

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-1601781886396185892008-12-23T13:19:00.003+08:002008-12-23T13:27:06.687+08:00

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) - male, October 2008 Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) - female, September 2008 Fair numbers of Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus winter in the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA). The Brown Shrike is listed in lower risk categories of the IUCN's Red Data list of threatened species. See: Huben-Hushan IBA Bird List

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-48479287417761214632008-12-19T14:12:00.002+08:002008-12-19T14:17:24.420+08:00

The Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica is another common swallow resident in the Huben-Hushan IBA. They can almost always be seen perched on the telephone cables running next to the stream running through the village along with the Striated Swallows.See: Huben-Hushan IBA Bird List

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-7039598023393039302008-12-19T14:04:00.003+08:002008-12-19T14:17:40.527+08:00

The Striated Swallow Hirundo striolata is a common resident in the Huben-Hushan IBA. Several can almost always be seen perched on the telephone cables running next to the stream running through the village.See: Huben-Hushan IBA Bird List

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-66850294988351878712008-12-18T14:29:00.001+08:002008-12-18T14:29:37.665+08:00

Tuesday saw the first hearing, and possibly last, in the High Court appeal of the case involving the Yunlin Assembly Chief Su Chin-huang's battering of Robin Winkler, director of Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association and a former commissioner on the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Environmental Impact Assessment Commission at a meeting at the Taiwan EPA offices on 7

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-46688059375093680292008-12-11T11:08:00.002+08:002008-12-11T11:17:24.973+08:00

The Asiatic Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus* is a common amphibian resident of the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA). See: Huben-Hushan Frog List *Some authors place the Asiatic Toad in the Bufo genus so it appears on some lists as Bufo melanosticus. Other English common names for the Asiatic Toad include Spectacled Toad, Common Indian Toad, and Asian Black-spined Toad.

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-89906212149106095152008-12-11T11:05:00.003+08:002008-12-11T14:46:38.093+08:00

The world's dirtiest power plant. Wuchi Power Plant, Taichung, through the haze.Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), with its monopoly on power provision and about 60% of the nation's energy production has had some of its antics brought into the open. During Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association Director Robin Winkler's term as commissioner on the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-64242300565990067922008-12-05T14:55:00.003+08:002008-12-05T15:02:45.974+08:00

The Indian Rice Frog Rana limnocharis is a common amphibian resident of the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA). See: Huben-Hushan Frog List Photo is courtesy and copyright of Mark Wilkie.

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-18512232937384045742008-12-05T14:50:00.004+08:002008-12-11T09:51:28.930+08:00

The White-lipped Tree Frog Polypedates megacephalus is one of the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area's (IBA) resident frog species. The White-lipped Tree Frog is listed in lower risk categories of the IUCN's Red Data list of threatened species and is another reason why the Huben-Hushan IBA needs to be protected and preserved.White-lipped Tree Frog (Polypedates megacephalus) female, Hushan, May 2008

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-72675910849971267342008-12-03T10:58:00.003+08:002008-12-03T11:05:13.433+08:00

The Taiwan endemic Swinhoe’s Japalura Japalura swinhonis is a common reptile resident of the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA). Being endemic it is found nowhere else in the world but Taiwan. See: Huben-Hushan IBA Reptile ListPhoto is courtesy and copyright of Mark Wilkie.

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-40263635692376796042008-12-01T22:03:00.003+08:002008-12-01T22:12:40.467+08:00

Pallas’s Squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus is one of the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA) resident mammal species. Pallas’s Squirrel is listed in lower risk categories of the IUCN's Red Data list of threatened species. Pallas’s Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus) a common Huben-Hushan IBA resident mammal speciesSee: Huben-Hushan IBA Mammal ListPhoto is courtesy and copyright of Mark Wilkie.

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-11984569095109700592008-11-30T21:05:00.003+08:002008-12-01T13:50:30.182+08:00

The Malayan Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus is a Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA) resident species. Taiwan has both resident and migrant populations of Malayan Night Heron. The Huben-Hushan IBA is one of the most reliable sites to see this species. They are very common in summer when migrants increase the resident population. In winter one can generally sight the species along quiet

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-36671232329402881522008-11-29T20:51:00.003+08:002008-11-30T21:04:16.440+08:00

The dazzling green endemic Moltrecht’s Tree Frog Rhacophorus moltrechti is one of the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area's (IBA) resident frog species. Being endemic it is found nowhere else in the world but Taiwan. The species has a fairly high density in the area and can be found around most ponds within the forest. The Moltrecht’s Tree Frog is listed in lower risk categories of the IUCN's Red

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-37014850366497297912008-11-29T20:29:00.002+08:002008-11-29T20:35:06.106+08:00

Common Rose Pachliopta aristolochiae interposita (70-90mm).Photos of three new species and several other butterfly photos have been added to the Huben-Hushan Butterfly Gallery.See: Huben-Hushan Butterfly Gallery.

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-42034352447190552672008-11-27T15:38:00.004+08:002008-11-28T00:12:38.660+08:00

The Formosan Macaque Macaca cyclopis or Taiwan Rock Monkey as it is sometimes called is one of the mammal residents of the Huben-Hushan area. The Formosa Macaque, like the Fairy Pitta, is listed on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable. The macaques are not liked by farmers who tend to view them as fruit thieves. The macaques are heavily persecuted despite their protected status and are thus very shy

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-6149928464607064842008-11-27T13:17:00.006+08:002008-11-29T23:40:45.870+08:00

Dangerous protesters? Wild Strawberries Movement protest in Taipei. These students have been staging a Gandhi-style civil disobedience sit-in since November 6th. Police removed the students from outside the Executive Yuan in Taipei on November 7th. The students reformed their protest outside the Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall. While we are somewhat getting away from the subject of the Hushan Dam

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-79485920426647132092008-11-26T13:32:00.004+08:002008-11-27T00:05:25.522+08:00

The Blue Percher Diplacodes trivialis is a beautiful dragonfly that can be seen year-round in the Huben-Hushan area. Click on photo to enlarge.Blue Percher Diplacodes trivialis - male, Huben, October 2008Blue Percher Diplacodes trivialis - female, Huben, October 2008Photos are courtesy and copyright of Mark Wilkie.

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-67207158985007834442008-11-25T16:06:00.004+08:002009-01-14T23:51:01.589+08:00

On October 27th supporters in the UK e-mailed an English letter voicing their concerns over a proposed Fairy Pitta Protected Area to Dr. Chen Wu-Hsiung, Minister of the Council of Agriculture. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Forestry Bureau and Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association, secretariat for the Taiwan National Coalition Against the Hushan Dam.To date the office of the minister

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-36482215098908784322008-11-24T10:26:00.026+08:002008-11-27T15:26:53.946+08:00

A Taiwan police officer with his suspect following a DPP rally in Yunlin County.Wild Strawberries Protest at the National Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall in Taipei.Recent events in Taiwan have shown that newly-elected President Ma Ying-jeou's Government has little respect for or understanding of freedom of speech, democracy, the right to protest, and human rights. Police have brutally attacked

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-24526377612220177842008-11-21T14:25:00.061+08:002009-08-27T12:15:09.603+08:00

An early name for Taiwan was the Butterfly Kingdom. Taiwan has a tremendously high density of butterfly species with around 400 butterfly species having been recorded on Taiwan (The continent of Europe and adjacent North African coast has around 440 species). The Huben-Hushan area, while famous for birds, is also home to many butterfly species. The butterflies and other insects of the area have

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-67714054090401711592008-11-20T09:50:00.004+08:002008-11-21T14:23:21.701+08:00

A visitor to a very wet 2008 Taipei Birdfair in Guandu Nature ParkThe 2008 Taipei Birdfair hosted by the Wild Bird Society of Taipei was held in Guandu Nature Park over the weekend of November 8-9. Unfortunately it rained through much of the weekend which resulted in a far lower number of visitors than usual. Both local and international birding societies, groups and NGOs were present. The Wild

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-24223406177159137032008-11-04T12:24:00.007+08:002008-11-04T14:40:21.580+08:00

Grey-faced Buzzard researcher Lee Jing-hong preparing to trap Grey-faced Buzzards for satellite tracking near Manjhou in southern Taiwan in October 2007, a full year before the claimed COA first. On the night of November 1st, the Taiwan governmental mouthpiece, the Central News Agency (CNA) put a story out on the wires titled "Taiwan succeeds in tracking rare bird's migration route." This story

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-59807192905730223892008-10-30T13:51:00.008+08:002008-11-26T22:06:35.795+08:00

Hushan forests being cleared for the Hushan Dam Project:- May 2008.For many years there have been calls for the Huben-Hushan Important Bird Area (IBA) to be proclaimed as a protected area to safeguard this globally important Fairy Pitta breeding area. Calls for this have fallen on deaf ears and efforts have been squashed by the authorities. First, gravel extraction destroyed areas of valuable

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8733642418061427851.post-7128206524136555052008-10-28T13:12:00.004+08:002008-12-18T14:31:54.142+08:00

The unique population of Taiwan Humpback Dolphins is threatened by the Hushan Dam Project. The Hushan Dam will reduce the flow of fresh water into the dolphins' estuarine habitat. This will result in further degradation of what little habitat remains for these IUCN-listed critically endangered dolphins. The Hushan Dam will also supply water to heavy industry development within the dolphins

TNCAHDnoreply@blogger.com0