【縣府訊】

由連江縣政府與馬管處聯合主辦、馬祖野鳥協會承辦的「馬祖燕鷗季」將於七月七日至八月卅一日舉行，即日起接受報名，屆時將有專人導覽，並有專船沿南竿、西莒海域重要島礁，來一場賞鷗生態之旅。報名請洽， 0912575734 陳其平，或 0928061525 簡小姐。

賞鷗路線由南竿出發，沿進嶼、瀏泉礁前進，抵西莒青帆港，再前往蛇山，由青帆返回南竿；每艘船配有解說員，由承辦單位訓練。

而賞鷗專船一共十三班，七月份有固定航班四班，週六開航；八月份固定航班八班、每週六、日開航，再加專案航班一班，共十三班，每艘船最多能載一百人，十人（含）以上開船。每次上午九時開航，中午十二時前返航，開航前廿分鐘有解說，讓遊客對燕鷗的種類有基本認識。

每年四到九月是燕鷗來馬繁殖的季節，成千上萬的燕鷗在地區無人島礁上翱翔，十分壯麗，這些島礁分別是，南竿進嶼、瀏泉礁、西莒蛇山、北竿鐵尖、中島、白廟、三連嶼、東引雙子礁。

馬祖列島燕鷗保護區為民國八十九年成立，共有八種主要鳥類：白眉燕鷗、紅燕鷗、蒼燕鷗、鳳頭燕鷗、黑尾鷗、岩鷺、叉尾雨燕及黑嘴端鳳頭燕鷗，種類、數量與多樣性都很高，歷年來吸引許多愛鳥人士搭船觀賞。

在決定參加燕鷗季之前，承辦單位提醒您，夏天颱風多，賞鷗船是否開航，以臺馬輪是否開航為依據；此外，每趟賞鷗船報名時間，到開船前一日為止，每星期一至五皆可報名，額滿接受候補，報名費四百元，含每人兩百萬元意外險，如開航前一天未繳費者視同放棄，由候補接替，已繳費者如需退出，應在開航前一日下午五時前電話告知，否則視同棄權，不予退費；已報名者，如天候因素無法開船，可保留下次優先權或退費，報名請洽， 0912575734 陳其平，或 0928061525 簡小姐。

【 Message from the County Government 】 The “Matsu Tern Festival” hosted by Leinchiang County Government, Matsu National Scenic Area Administration and supported by Matsu Wildbird Society is going to be held from July 7 th to August 31 st . Sign up from now. By the time there will be a guide and a bus travel through some significant islands for ecology of Terns, such as Nangan and Xiju. For sign up, please contact Mr . Chen Chi Ping, e-mail: koso92@yahoo.com.tw

The birding tour will begin from Nangan, travel along Jian Yu, Liu Qyan Jiao and arrive Ciyiengfan Harbor in Xiju. After that we will head to Sheshan and return to Nagan through Ciyiengfan Harbor . There will be a guide on each boat, trained by the supporting unit - Matsu Wildbird Society.

There are 13 birding boat in total. The boat will sail 4 times in July on each Saturday. In August it will sail 8 times on each Saturday and Sunday, with an extra run for special case, the total number of run would be 13. The maximum capacity for each boat is 100 people, and the tour would be run if the number of passenger is more than 10. Sail will be set at 9 am and return at 12pm each time. 20 minutes before the navigation there will be a guide to help visitors know more about the Terns.

The breeding season for Terns is from April to September every year. Thousands and thousands of Terns soar above islets, such as Jian Yu in Nangan, Liu Qyan Jiao, Sheshan in Xiju, Tiejian in Beigan, Zhong Dao, Bai Miao, San Lian Yu, and Shuang Zi Jiao in Dong Yin.

The Matsu Tern Reserve was established in 2000, the targets include: Bridled Tern, Roseate Tern, Black-napped Tern, Greater Crested Tern, Black-tailed Gull, Estern Reef Heron, Fork-tail Swift, and Chinese Crested Tern (Matsu Tern). Due to the high in diversity, number of species and the quantity, many birders are attracted to join the tour in the past few years.

A reminder for you before deciding to join the “Matsu Tern festival” is that, since summer is typhoon season, whether the birding boat is sailing or not depends on the decision made by Taiwan-Matsu Ferry. In addition, the sign up would end on the day before the sailing date. Sign up is accepted through Monday to Friday and would be taken as alternate if seats are full. The fee is 400 NT, including the 2 000 000 NT accident insurance. If the fee is not accepted before the day of sailing, it would be treated as abstention and the seat will be taken by alternate. If one already pays the fee and wishes to withdraw, it would be necessary to inform the unit no later than 5pm one day before sailing, or would be treated as abstention and will be no refund. For these who sign up but the navigation is not allowed causing by the weather, priority for seats in the next sail or refund will be given. For sign up, please contact Mr . Chen Chi Ping, e-mail: koso92@yahoo.com.tw