Czech Society for Ornithology Director Visits Taiwan

By Scott Pursner

The Taiwan Wild Bird Federation and the Czech Society of Ornithology have been growing closer over the years. This includes the TWBF inviting Dr. Petr Voříšek to give an online talk in 2021 regarding the 2nd European Breeding Bird Atlas and the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme. A wonderfully insightful talk, it was followed up by another online session, this time between the TWBF, CSO, and the Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute in March of 2022. During that online meeting, presentations were made by Taiwanese and Czech researchers and conservationists in order to introduce each country's respective conservation situation and major citizen science projects on birds. During the discussion portion at the end of the meeting, all sides agreed that interactions and cooperation between Taiwan and Czechia should be enhanced. It was with that in mind that the TWBF was delighted to learn the CSO Director Zdeněk Vermouzek and his family would be visiting Taiwan in December 2022.

The TWBF's Director of International Affairs, Scott Pursner, helped Director Vermouzek as he created his itinerary for the visit since it would be their first visit to Taiwan. The first stop was Taipei and as luck would have it, the 2023 Taiwan New Year Bird Count was in full swing. This allowed for the CSO director to take part in one of Taiwan’s major citizen science projects for birds firsthand. The Taiwan NYBC looks to monitor the status and trends of Taiwan wintering avifauna. This survey was particularly special as it takes place by bicycle in New Taipei City’s Luzhou and Sanchong. The weather was great and over 40 species were recorded!

TWBF Secretary-General Allen Lyu explains the NYBC survey route to CSO Director Vermouzek

After that, the director joined Pursner for a trip to the TWBF's office to meet staff, discuss local conservation and TWBF efforts, and learn about ecotourism in Taiwan. The ecology and nature in Czechia are very different from Taiwan so there was much to discuss and learn. Thankfully, professional guide Wu Jian-long was available to join in the talks and present current information regarding the status of birdwatching tours in Taiwan and the effects of Taiwan's recent reopening after the ending of Covid restrictions.

Professional Bird Guide Wu Jian-long discusses birdwatching trips with Director Vermouzek

Finally, Director Vermouzek and his family had dinner with TWBF president Dr. Fang Woei-horng at a local restaurant. Dr. Fang was able to share stories about the TWBF and conservation history in Taiwan. As a token of appreciation, Director Vermouzek presented Dr. Fang with a Czech traditional-style calendar which features some of the beautiful birds which can be seen in Czechia. During the meal, both agreed to continue and expand the dialogue and cooperation between CSO and TWBF and expressed hope that in the future more Czech birders could visit Taiwan and more Taiwanese birders could visit Czechia.

CSO Director Vermouzek Presents TWBF President Dr. Fang with a calendar

The next day, Director Vermouzek and his family headed south to Tainan. While there, they were able to meet TWBF partner the Wild Bird Society of Tainan and join in their NYBC count. They also had the opportunity to visit the salt pan wetlands recently adopted by the TWBF and other members of the Chiku and Jiangjun Salt Pan Wetlands Alliance. Overall, the trip was a great success and Vermouzek expressed an interest to come back since he was not able to see all of Taiwan during this trip. We hope he and his family can definitely come back again!

Cover Photo
CSO Director Zdeněk Vermouzek and his wife Jindra Batkova join in the 2023 NYBC in Luzhou, New Taipei City