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International Taiwan Birding Association in Japan, February 2009

            Representatives of the International Taiwan Birding Association attended the 36^th Annual Pacific Seabird Group conference, held in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, February 22–25, 2009.  The Pacific Seabird Group is “Dedicated to the Study and Conservation of Pacific Seabirds and Their Environments.” 

            During the conference, there was a special session on terns, including the Chinese Crested Tern, which nests in extremely small numbers in the Matsu Tern Reserve.  ITBA Executive Secretary Jo Ann MacKenzie made a presentation on “The History of Chinese Crested Tern in Taiwan.”  The Chinese Crested Tern is very rare; there may be only 50 alive in the world.  BirdLife International considers the species to be Critically Endangered.

            Later, ITBA representatives traveled by train to Onuma National Park.  While there, staff at the Onuma International Seminar House extended a welcome and allowed us to watch birds at their feeder.  For their gracious hospitality, we thank Miyuki Hatakeyama, Yusa Tsutomu, and Sigaru Sasaki.