Bird Watching At Kinmen - a comprehensive local bird watching guide edited and compiled by Kinmen County Government has finally been published for circulation. Featuring exquisite print quality and rich image/text contents, Bird Watching At Kinmen is without a doubt the best souvenir one could find for foreign guests and visitors.

由金門縣政府編印的「觀鳥金門」金門賞鳥指南，已出版面世。由於印刷精美，圖像、解說詳實，成為致贈來訪外賓最佳伴手禮。

In the preface of Bird Watching At Kinmen, Kinmen County Magistrate Lee Chu-Feng wrote, "When you come to Kinmen, slow down your pace; let your mind and soul settle down so that you will be able to appreciate the harmony between culture and nature here with a peaceful mind. When you come to Kinmen, relax your senses so that you may witness with awe the beauty of Kinmen ecology that has come to existence from time immemorial."

縣長李炷烽在為金門賞鳥指南寫序文指出，來金門，請您放慢腳步、沉澱心靈，靜心領略人文與自然的和諧；來金門，請您開放感官、誠心體驗，讚嘆這亙古以來的生態情境之美。

Magistrate Lee went on by explaining that due to Kinmen's geographical location (right in the middle section along the arc-shaped coastal line of Mainland China), the county happens to be positioned along the route of migration for many species of birds and thus boasts rich bird ecology resources along with battlefield landscape and innocent folk customs of the Southern Fujian people. Due to Kinmen's natural environment that offers diversified habitats for birds and its unique geographical location, Kinmen County is renowned as an important habitat for birds with the highest bird species density throughout Taiwan. At present, almost three hundred different species of birds have been sighted and reported at Kinmen, many of which are rare or have never been sighted in Taiwan proper. Examples include resident birds such as the Hoopoe, Greater Coucal, Magpie-robin, Collared Crow, Blue-tailed Bee-eater (summer visitor) and Great Crested Grebe (winter visitor).

他並指出，位於大陸弧形沿岸中間地帶的金門是候鳥南來北往的路徑，擁有豐富的鳥類生態資源、戰地風光及古樸的閩南僑鄉風情。因多樣的棲地環境和特殊地理位置，讓金門成為鳥類重要棲息地，鳥類密度為全台之冠，記錄到的鳥類近三百種，諸多常見的鳥種是台灣本島罕見或是從無紀錄的種類。如留鳥中的戴勝、褐翅鴉鵑、鵲鴝、玉頸鴉，夏候鳥的栗喉蜂虎，冬候鳥的冠鷿虒鳥等。

Magistrate Lee pointed out that it is a common sight at Kinmen to see different types of birds being around people and hear the songs of different species at all times. As you enjoy the caress of the gentle summer breeze on your face, you will be able to appreciate the bright colored plumes and nimble flying techniques of Blue-tailed Bee-eaters (dubbed as "the fairies of summer"). Alternatively, you can also brave the harsh seasonal winds to witness the magnificent view of the sky filled with countless Great Cormorant in flight.

李炷烽指出，在金門隨處可見與人朝夕相伴的鳥影，隨時可聆聽此起彼落的各類鳴聲，迎著夏季微風你可以造訪有著鮮艷的羽色和靈巧飛行技巧的「夏日精靈」─栗喉蜂虎。當然你也可頂著凜冽的東北季風，體會鸕鶿漫天飛舞、大軍壓境的懾人氣勢。

The content of Bird Watching At Kinmen covers the introduction to Kinmen County's geographical location, an overview of bird species sighted at Kinmen, recommended spots for bird watching, reminders on rules of bird watching, tips on how to use the bird guide and a comprehensive catalogue of birds that can be seen in Kinmen and so forth. The images and texts were singly contributed by renowned filmmaker Liang Chieh-Te.

「觀鳥金門」金門賞鳥指南，內容包括：金門的地理位置、金門的鳥類概況介紹、觀鳥何處去？如何觀鳥？如何使用賞鳥指南？彩羽繽紛、金門鳥類名錄…等。並由梁皆得撰文、攝影。

The guide stated that though Kinmen County is relatively small in size, the region boasts an incredibly long history that spanned over 1600 years due to early civilization development. Because of its unique geographical location, Kinmen has been a strategic spot that has witnessed countless combat for its control. And as such, the local environment has undergone a dramatic alteration due to numerous military activities. Kinmen was originally an island proliferated with greenery and wild growth. However, due to excessive cultivation by the pioneers and extensive destruction caused by bandits, Kinmen in the present day is plagued by fierce gusts of wind and sand along with large areas of barren land. As a result, local residents had to rely on the neighboring China for livelihood supplies. However, Kinmen County became the ROC government frontline of conflict with the communist PRC government when the relationship between the two governments turned hostile in 1949. In the eyes of people living on Taiwan proper, the area has been shrouded in a veil of mystery ever since.

書中指出，金門面積雖小，但開發時間甚早，至今已有一千六百多年的歷史。也因地理位置十分特殊重要，自古以來便是兵家必爭之地，因此環境多因軍事的需要受到重大的改變。金門原為綠意盎然的海島，但經先民不斷墾伐及盜寇外力的破壞，造成金門日後的飛砂滾滾，土地貧瘠，所有民生物資幾乎都仰賴鄰近的大陸。到民國三十八年國共對立後，金門成為中華民國反共復國的前線，從此便蒙上一層神秘的面紗。

Due to the demands for military operations, Kinmen has undergone extensive reforestation and greening along with excavations for ponds and reservoirs for the purpose of water retention all these years. In addition, coastline control was also enforced at Kinmen. Consequently, such development has created diversified ecological systems at Kinmen that offer an ideal habitat for birds to breed. Coupled with the fact that Kinmen County is located right at the center of east Asian islands, the area serves as the perfect rest spot for migratory birds bound north/south in different seasons. These factors result in significant influence of Kinmen's current environment and contributed to the ecological diversity and profound species of birds to be spotted at Kinmen County today. This explains why enthusiastic bird watchers can't help but return to Kinmen again and again.

因為軍事的需要，島上長期進行植樹綠化人工造林的工作、為蓄水而開挖池塘、水庫，並實施海岸線管制，這無意間形成了金門多元的生態系，提供鳥類極佳的棲息、繁殖場所。加上金門位於東亞島弧的中間地位，也提供南來北往遷移的候鳥一個良好的停棲點。這種種的因素無不對金門的環境產生重大的影響，造就了金門地區今日生態環境的多樣性及鳥類生態的豐富度，這也是吸引觀鳥人一而再、再而三來金門的動機。

And what about the distribution of bird species at Kinmen? According to Bird Watching At Kinmen, there are currently over 9,000 species of birds around the world today that have been categorized under 27 orders and 155 families. Due to the separation of the earth's terrain, different bird species are found in different areas across the world with varying distributions. Ornithologists have divided the territories of bird distribution around the world into seven ecozones: Palearctic, Nearctic, Indomalaya, Oceania, Afrotropic, Neotrapic and Antarctic. Kinmen falls under the ecozone of Indomalaya and bird species that distribute across Mainland China and the Himalayan mountain range can be sighted locally.

而金門的鳥類概況如何呢？根據金門賞鳥指南書中指出，全世界鳥的種類約有九千多種，牠們分屬於二十七大目一百五十五科。因為地理環境的隔離，分隔了鳥種類別與分布。鳥類研究學者們將全世界的鳥類分布區分為：舊北區、新北區、東洋區、大洋區、衣索匹亞沙漠區、南美熱帶雨林區及極地區七個區塊。金門地區的鳥類分布延續了中國大陸及喜馬拉雅山系的鳥種，屬東洋區。

The guide proceeds by stating that in the world of birds, Kinmen is truly a unique place with extremely rich natural resources. Despite its small land area, the island features a comprehensive combination of ideal habitats for different species of birds. The surrounding waters of Kinmen County feature ecological environments such as the sea, coastline, muddy shores, lakes, marshes and fish ponds along with terrains including fields, hills, agricultural lands, forests and shrubs where wild birds can be sighted, even in places populated by people.

書中指出，以鳥類世界而言，金門是個得天獨厚的地方，島嶼面積雖小，但適合鳥類棲息的各類棲地交疊錯落在一起，全島水域環境有海域、海岸、泥灘、湖泊、沼澤、魚塭，陸地有田野、山丘、農耕地、樹林、灌叢等，包括聚落在內，幾乎都有野鳥的蹤跡。

It is also revealed in the guide that according the data gathered nearly twenty years by Wild Bird Society of Kinmen, the accumulated number of bird species spotted in Kinmen has reached 305 (approximately 284 species in Xiamen and 550 species in Taiwan proper). Considering the size of Kinmen County and the number of bird species, bird distribution density in Kinmen is considerably high.

書中並指出，目前金門地區累計發現的鳥種數量，根據金門縣野鳥學會近二十年來累計的資料顯示，已多達三百零五種（廈門約二百八十四種、台灣約為五百五十種）；這樣的鳥種數量，如果以單位面積來說，是鳥類分布密度相當高的地區。

Resident bird species that remain in Kinmen throughout the year to breed have exceeded forty. Out of these species, the relatively special ones include the Black-winged Kite, Hoopoe, Pied Kingfisher, White-breast Kingfisher, Magpie-robin, Greater Coucal, Oystercatcher and so forth. These species are special because they are migratory birds that are rarely or simply not found in Taiwan proper but can be easily sighted in Kinmen. In addition, since Kinmen is located along the route of migratory birds in east Asia, many species of migratory birds that are found in colder regions in northern Asia often make their transit during falls/winters and springs in Kinmen while other species simply spend the winter in Kinmen.

而終年棲息於金門繁殖的留鳥約有四十種之多，這些留鳥中較特殊的鳥種有黑翅鳶、戴勝、斑翡翠、白胸翡翠、鵲鴝、褐翅鴉鵑、蠣鷸等，這些鳥種是台灣沒有分布或極為稀少的候鳥，但在金門卻普遍可見。另外，因地處東亞遷移候鳥必經的要道，許多生活在北方寒冷國度的遷移性候鳥，在秋冬或春天會過境，甚至留在金門地區度冬。

Bird Watching At Kinmen also noted that out of all winter visitors, the Great Cormorant is the most well known species among bird watchers for their size, conspicuous black plumage and flock size. According to statistical data, the number of Great Cormorants that stay in Kinmen during winters has grown steadily over the years. The current record is close to 10,000 and the sight of flocks of Great Cormorant returning to their roost site in the evening makes a spectacular view. Other noteworthy winter visitors that can be sighted in Kinmen include the Falcated Duck, Black-capped Kingfisher, Black-faced Spoonbill, Great Crested Grebe, Wryneck and so forth. The season of winter is truly the best period for bird watching as the birds at Kinmen reach the apex in terms of both species and number.

書中指出，在冬候鳥中最令人熟知的就是體型又大又黑、數量又多的鸕鶿了。根據統計，這幾年來，牠們在金門度冬的數量，正年年的增加中，目前已有將近上萬隻紀錄，每當黃昏時牠們飛回夜棲地休息，特殊飛行景觀令人讚嘆。其他來度冬的鳥類較引人注目的鳥種還有羅紋鴨、黑頭翡翠、黑面琵鷺、冠鷿虒鳥、地啄木等，冬天可說是金門鳥類不論是種類和數量上都最為豐盛的季節。

The guide also reminds the reader that birds are indicative organisms that are crucial to the environment. Their diversity indicates the richness in resources that an environment has to offer. As far as the birds are concerned, Kinmen provides a safe habitat and a paradise where they can live freely. In fact, the birds that are sighted in Kinmen make a unique resource that belong exclusively to the area and function as a sustained resource for tourism. Kinmen is an island of wonder where man and birds can coexist in harmony and bird watching is one of the most relaxing and natural recreation activities one may engage in while in Kinmen.

觀鳥指南提到，鳥類是環境重要的指標生物，牠們的多樣陳述了環境提供的豐富性。對鳥類來說，金門是牠們可依的棲所，是牠們生活的天堂，而鳥類對金門來說是一項不可多得特殊的自然資源，也是永續的觀光資源，金門呈現了鳥類與人和諧的生活在同一個空間的奇幻島。觀鳥在金門，可說是輕鬆自在的休閒活動。