Taiwan Spring Birding 7th to 19th May 2019 (12 days) Trip Report

Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Dasyueshan Road by Paul Matson

Tour Leaders: Richard Foster & Erik Forsyth Compiled by Tour Leader, Erik Forsyth

Top 5 as voted by the participants:

1) Fairy Pitta 2) White-whiskered Laughingthrush 3) Swinhoe’s Pheasant 4) Mikado Pheasant 5) Cinnamon Bittern/Pheasant-tailed Jacana

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Tour Summary

We began our tour of the green island in the vibrant city of Taipei, where a few walks around the botanical garden produced more than a couple of great birds, including endemic and subspecies. Best of all were Taiwan Barbet and Taiwan , and Light-vented and Black Bulbuls, as well as the stunning White-rumped Shama with its beautiful song. The star of the non-endemics was the Malayan Night Heron, which was very approachable. In the afternoon, we visited the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park, where we added Black-collared and Asian Glossy Starlings, and Javan and Common Myna’s, and then adding a further three Malayan Night Heron.

The following day, we began our journey south and into the foothills around the Shihmen Reservoir. The weather held off just long enough for us to see most of our targets. First to fall was a small flock of beautifully plumaged Taiwan Blue , which we watched at length, and shortly afterwards, the Taiwan Whistling Thrush appeared. We also recorded Red-rumped and Barn Swallows, and several Taiwan Barbets.

For the second half of the day, we found ourselves birding the lower slopes of the Dasyueshan Road. We were enjoying great close looks along the side of the road at the shy Taiwan , when suddenly, a male Swinhoe's Pheasant walked out of the forest and across the road in front of a stunned group…Wow! Later, a pair of pheasants and a young male were also seen. Further along the road, after quite an effort scanning down a bank into heavy foliage, we found the shy and retiring Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler. A nearby flock produced Taiwan , Grey-cheeked , the scarce and mobile Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush, colorful Steere’s Liocichla, and White-eared Sibia, as well as gaudy plumaged Grey-chinned Minivets. A happy group of birders headed to the hotel for a welcome dinner.

The elusive Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler, Shihmen Reservoir, by Paul Matson

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The following morning saw us traveling up the Dasyueshan Road to higher elevations. As expected, at higher elevations, we encountered a mixture of mist, sun, and rain on both visits, though birding was seldom hampered. We came away with superb views of just about everything we looked for, including the much sought-after Mikado Pheasant near the summit carpark. Initially, three birds were seen, a male and two females, and Erik saw three chicks before they hid in the bush. Other highlights included Rusty, Rufous-crowned and confiding White-whiskered Laughingthrush, White-tailed Robin, and Steere’s Liocichla, Rufous-faced Warbler, and the splendid . We also enjoyed a picnic lunch and some wonderful scenery.

On our second full day in the area, we found ourselves around the small town of Guguan, where it didn't take long for us to pick up a Chestnut-bellied (Varied) Tit, as well as a White-bellied Erpornis and a Black-naped Monarch. When the sun came out after three days of rain, several raptors soared, including Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Honey Buzzard and excellent close looks at perched and displaying Crested Goshawks. In the afternoon we found Oriental Cuckoo, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Bronzed Drongo, , Brown Shrike, and a Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler gave excellent looks to all. A calling Taiwan Bamboo Partridge was only seen by two of us.

Taiwan Partridge, Dasyueshan Road by Paul Matson

On our final morning here, we headed back up to the summit of the Dasyueshan Road, where the sunshine appeared. Here we connected with the smart , a beautiful male Taiwan Rosefinch and further good views of Rusty Laughingthrush, and Taiwan Fulvetta. A pair of stunning Mikado Pheasant were in the same area as the day before, and after a bit of work, we found Spotted , Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler and Taiwan Wren-Babbler – Paul Matson’s 4000th world bird! After lunch, we loaded up and headed to Budai on the south-west coast. Budai is a very large area consisting of fishponds, canals, rivers and an estuary, ideal for migrant and resident waders, and ducks.

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We arrived at Budai late in the afternoon, where a quick stop yielded several Black-winged Kite hovering over fields, Black-winged Stilt, a few Oriental Pratincole and, Wood and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, a lone Long-toed Stint and several large groups of Whiskered Terns heading to a roosting site.

Early the following morning, full of excitement, we birded the mudflats around Budai. Here, we added many new species to the list, including some highly sought-after species. Foremost among them was Black-faced Spoonbill; a very rare and endangered species which is slowly recovering due to good conservation of wetlands, especially in Taiwan. Visiting several ponds and the estuary, we found good numbers of Broad-billed, Curlew, Terek, Marsh and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Grey-tailed Tattler, Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, Great and Red Knots, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Red-necked Stint, and Ruddy Turnstone, all of which were in stunning breeding attire. Additionally, we saw Caspian, Whiskered, White-winged, Common and Little Terns. Best of all was a late migrant Saunders’s Gull and six smart breeding plumaged Spotted Redshanks and a Far Eastern Curlew near the estuary. We also visited the local Pheasant-tailed Jacana reserve, where we enjoyed great close-ups of this superb bird, followed shortly by equally good scope looks at some Oriental Pratincoles, Eastern Yellow Wagtails and Oriental Skylarks. A nearby canal gave us fabulous scope looks at two pairs of Greater Painted-snipe, much to Bob and Barbara’s delight.

The following morning, before breakfast, we headed out from the hotel on foot and walked along the river. Many House Swifts and Pacific and Striated Swallows hunted insets low overhead. Within minutes we had found our target bird: the range restricted Styan’s Bulbul, and it was rather commonly seen in this dry area. Careful scanning produced Little Ringed Plover along the nearby river. Later in the morning, a visit to the Long Luan Nature Reserve was productive. We added Western Osprey, Eurasian Coot, and Purple Heron before it was time to board our bus for Kenting, and the ferry to Lanyu Island.

Malayan Night Heron, Taipei Botanical Gardens by Paul Matson

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The ferry ride itself, provided us with good views of Black-naped Terns and a handful of Bulwer's Petrels; while landfall swiftly saw us getting all our targets with no trouble at all. First to fall was Brown-eared Bulbul, followed shortly by Lowland White-eye, Whistling , a Ryukyu Scops Owl that was located as it was calling during the day, Pacific Swift, Philippine Cuckoo-Dove, Blue Rock Thrush and a pair of the beautiful Japanese Paradise Flycatcher were much admired.

Breakfast at the hotel produced a fly by Pacific Reef Heron, and a confiding White-breasted Waterhen strolled in the garden nearby, while a short excursion to the forest edge turned up a few of the same birds as the previous day, as well as a fine Lesser Coucal, which sat up calling in a grassland. The return ferry ride, by contrast, turned up nothing new. In the afternoon, we visited a wetland reserve at Depeng Bay, where we enjoyed fine views of several Yellow Bitterns, Black-winged Stilt, and Oriental Reed Warbler. We arrived at our scenic hotel in the late afternoon and then, enjoyed a remarkable meal. An evening owling session revealed a Collared Scops Owl, perched low down on an overhanging branch, as well as a distant calling Mountain Scops Owl.

The next morning, we visited a nearby farming area with fruiting trees. The best birds were a stunning Maroon Oriole, several White-bellied Green Pigeons, and a close calling Taiwan Bamboo Partridge was much appreciated by all. After lunch, we met up with Mr. Pitta, who promptly led us into the forest, and it didn't take too long for us all to enjoy fantastic views of an adult Fairy Pitta flying to an open branch with a mouthful of bugs. We enjoyed great looks, and after a couple of minutes it flew to an undisclosed nest on a rocky slope. Afterwards, we visited the Fairy Pitta cafe, where we had a pleasant hour buying gifts and sipping on lemonade before a visit to a nearby temple, which gave us our second Collared Scops Owl of the trip, and to experience a little more of the cultural goings-on in Taiwan.

Taiwan Bamboo Partridge by Paul Matson

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Another 7-Eleven sit-down was much enjoyed for a break from the humidity thereafter, and then we made our way into the mountains to Wushe. The following morning, we had a full day up the mountains in Taroko National Park, and up at the Hehuan Pass area. Despite the heavy mist, we picked up a nice selection of trip-birds, including Alpine Accentor of a distinct subspecies and Brown and Grey-headed Bullfinches, Eurasian Wren, White-browed Bush Robin and repeat views of several great birds we had only recently become familiar with, not to mention several Taiwan Rosefinch.

Fairy Pitta, Huben by Paul Matson

The following morning, we headed down the mountain and out of the rain, to a hotel on the outskirts of Taipei, first stopping at a coastal wetland area. Despite the strong wind, we picked up a Barred Buttonquail on a flooded roadside rice field, along with two pairs of Greater Painted-snipe, Golden- headed Cisticola, and a few Sharp-tailed Sandpipers.

Our final birding outing, on the outskirts of Taipei the following morning, gave us fantastic looks at a Ruddy-breasted Crake crossing a ditch, and smart Taiwan Blue . Later in the day, participants Paul and Diane (flying out later that night) and Richard found a Chinese Pond Heron and Little Bunting near the airport. It was soon time to say our goodbyes and to leave the wonderful island.

I would like to thank Leeju Chin, our driver, for her early starts and assistance, and the tireless Richard Foster, who kept us going with a fantastic selection of foods and warm drinks, birding expertise, as well as a jovial mood every-day.

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Mikado Pheasant, Upper Dasyueshan Road by Erik Forsyth

Our team watching a Swinhoe’s Pheasant in the mist, Dasyueshan Road by Erik Forsyth

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Annotated List of species recorded Note: Number in brackets ( ) indicate number of days on the tour the species was recorded. List powered through the report generator of our partner iGoTerra.

Birds (192 in total: 190 seen, 2 heard) Nomenclature and follows Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2017. IOC World Bird List (v 7.3). Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl Anatidae Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha Many seen at the Budai Wetlands and scattered sites thereafter. Eurasian Wigeon Two birds in winter plumage were seen at the Budai Wetlands.

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies Taiwan Partridge (E) crudigularis Great looks on the Dasyueshan Road and at Wushe. Taiwan Bamboo Partridge (E) Bambusicola sonorivox Seen by Barbara and Erik at Guguan Hot Springs and excellent looks by everybody at Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm, Pingtung County. Swinhoe's Pheasant (E) Lophura swinhoii Fabulous close looks on the Dasyueshan Road and Alishan, Chiayi County. Mikado Pheasant (E) Syrmaticus mikado A pair and another female with chicks were seen at the summit of the Dasyueshan Road on two occasions. A spectacular and highly sought-after bird! Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Good scope views at Tainan--Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve.

Shearwaters and Petrels Procellariidae Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii Good views of at least ten birds en route to Lanyu Island.

Grebes Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Recorded in small numbers in wetlands in the Dongshi and Guguan, Budai and Kenting areas.

Ibises and Spoonbills Threskiornithidae African Sacred Ibis (I) Threskiornis aethiopicus Recorded at the Budai Wetlands and Depeng Bay Black-faced Spoonbill (EN) Platalea minor Great scope looks at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Most of the population winter in Taiwan.

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Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns Ardeidae Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Good numbers at the Budai Wetlands and a small reserve in Depeng Bay. Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Excellent looks at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris A bird was seen by Paul and Diane at the Budai Wetlands Malayan Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus Excellent looks in Taipei--City, Dongshi, Guguan, and Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm, Pingtung County. Taiwan is the site to see this species! Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax Commonly recorded throughout the tour. Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus Observed 9 days in total. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea jouyi Observed 6 days in total. Great Egret Ardea alba modesta Recorded at many waterbodies throughout. Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia intermedia Occasionally recorded in rice paddies. Little Egret Egretta garzetta garzetta Recorded on 9 days. Striated Heron Butorides striata Singletons were seen at Guguan and at the Budai Estuary. Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bachus Recorded by Paul, Dianne and Richard, late on our last day of the tour. Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra sacra Seen flying along the shore at Lanyu Island, Taitung County.

Osprey Pandionidae Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus haliaetus Two scoped at Longluan lake.

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites Accipitridae Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus vociferus Several were seen daily hovering in fields in the Budai and Sandinen areas. Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis Good scope looks at Guguan and higher on the Dasyueshan Road. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela hoya Great scope looks and in flight at Guguan and Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm, Pingtung County. Accipiter trivirgatus formosae Three birds were seen well at Dongshi and further sightings at Guguan and at Yingda Farm. Black Eagle Judy saw a bird flying up the valley alongside our hotel at Sandinen. Black Kite Milvus migrans formosanus A singleton in Taipei and several at Yingda Farm.

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Rails, Gallinules, and Coots Rallidae Ruddy-breasted Crake Porzana fusca Great looks of a bird that was seen walking in a rice paddy and flew across a small stream near the Shihmen Reservoir. White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus phoenicurus Good looks on Lanyu Island and also seen in flight at the Shihmen Reservoir. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus chloropus Taipei--City and a further 9 sightings at scattered wetlands. Eurasian Coot Fulica atra atr Turnicidaea Recorded at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County and Longluan lake.

Buttonquails Turnicidae Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitstor Great scope looks at a bird running along a gravel road at Jincheng Lake.

Stilts and Avocets Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Recorded at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County and Longluan lake. Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Recorded at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County.

Plovers and Lapwings Charadriidae Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Up to fifty birds in breeding plumage were at the Budai Wetlands Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius curonicus A few birds were seen on a river alongside our hotel at Fongang with others seen near Huben. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Recorded at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus Good scope looks at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii Up to twenty birds were found feeding close to the estuary, Budai wetlands.

Painted-Snipes Rosratulidae Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis Fabulous scope looks at two pairs in a canal at the Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve. A further 4 were seen at wetlands at Jincheng Lake.

Jacanas Jacanidae Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Fabulous looks at this beauty at Tainan--Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve. We saw up to fifty birds!

Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae Whimbrel Numenius phaopus Three birds were seen at the Budai estuary. Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascarensis A single bird was scoped at the Budai estuary.

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Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres interpres Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Up to six birds were seen well at the Budai estuary Red Knot Calidris canutus A large group in breeding plumage, were scoped at the Budai estuary. Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus sibirica Good scope looks at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata Recorded at the Budai Wetlands and Jincheng Lake. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta A single bird was found at a fishpond at the Budai Wetlands. Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis Good numbers at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Scoped at the Budai estuary, Chiayi County. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (Recorded on five dates. Grey-tailed Tattler (NT) Tringa brevipes Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Common Redshank Tringa totanus Five birds were seen at the Budai Wetland. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Common at the Budai Wetlands. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Recorded daily around the Budai Wetlands. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Five birds in stunning breeding plumage were found at the Budai estuary. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Recorded daily at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County.

Pratincoles and Coursers Glareolidae Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum Great scope looks in fields alongside the Tainan Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve.

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers Laridae Saunder’s Gull Larus saundersi A single bird in non-breeding plumage was found at the Budai estuary. Brown-hooded Gull Larus brunnicephalus A singleton in non-breeding plumage was found at the Budai Wetlands. Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia This huge tern was seen at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Little Tern Sternula albifrons sinensis Good looks at the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Common Tern Sterna hirundo longipennis Up to 6 birds were found at the Budai estuary.

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Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana sumatrana This stunning tern was recorded to and from Lanyu Island. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida hybrida Hundreds were seen flying to their roost while driving to Budai and commonly seen at the wetlands the following day. White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Smaller numbers in breeding plumage were seen at the Budai wetlands.

Pigeons and Doves Rock Dove Columba livia var. domestica Seen at many towns. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis orientalis Commonly encountered throughout. Red Turtle Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica humilis Taipei--City, Dasyueshan Road, and common in the SE around the Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis chinensis Recorded on ten dates. Philippine Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia tenuirostris Quick looks on Lanyu Island, Taitung County. Common Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica indica Seen at Dongshi, Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm, Linyu Island and at Huben. White-bellied Green Pigeon Treron sieboldii Good scope looks at the Dasyueshan Road and Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm, Pingtung County and Alishan, Chiayi County. Whistling Green Pigeon (NT) Treron formosae formosae Great looks while on Lanyu Island.

Cuckoos Cuculidae Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis lignator A calling bird was seen well on Lanyu Island. Large Hawk-Cuckoo (H) Hierococcyx sparverioides (3) heard Dasyueshan Road. Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus A bird seen in flight near Guguan and heard near the summit on Dasyueshan Road.

Owls Strigidae Mountain Scops Owl (H) Otus spilocephalus hambroecki Heard nightly at Alishan, Chiayi County. Collared Scops Owl Otus lettia glabripes A calling bird was seen well at our hotel at Sandinen by Bob, Erik and Richard. Also seen by all at Zhushan Temple. Ryukyu Scops Owl (NT) Otus elegans botelensis Good views on Lanyu Island of a calling bird during the day.

Nightjars and Allies Caprimulgidae Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis stictomus Great scope looks at a calling bird at Dongshi one night, and also seen at Fongang.

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Swifts Apodidae Pacific Swift Apus pacificus kanoi Recorded both days on Lanyu Island, Taitung County. House Swift Apus nipalensis kuntzi Observed on 6 days in total.

Kingfishers Alcedinidae Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis bengalensis Recorded on rivers at Gaguan, Dasyueshan Road and Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County.

Asian Barbets Megalaimidae Taiwan Barbet (E) Psilopogon nuchalis Commonly recorded throughout the island.

Woodpeckers Picidae Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Yungipicus canicapillus kaleensis Good looks on the Dasyueshan Road and at Yingda Farm. White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos insularis Good looks on the Dasyueshan Road.

Pittas Pittidae Fairy Pitta (BE) Pitta nympha Fantastic looks in the Huben Area, Yunlin County.

Cuckoo-shrikes Campephagidae Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris griseogularis Good looks at Dasyueshan Road, Guguan and Alishan.

Shrikes Laniidae Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Recorded on six dates. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach schach Scoped at the Budai Wetlands, and Lanyu Island.

Vireos Vireonidae White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca griseiloris Great views at Guguan

Old World Orioles Oriolidae Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii ardens Fantastic scope looks at Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm, Pingtung County.

Drongos Dicruridae Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus harterti Recorded on all dates. Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus braunianus Two singletons were seen on the Dasyueshan Road.

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Monarch Flycatchers Monarchidae Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea oberholseri Seen at several sites including Taipei Botanical Gardens, Guguan and Huben Area, Yunlin County. Japanese Paradise Flycatcher (NT) Terpsiphone atrocaudata A pair were seen on Lanyu Island, Taitung County.

Crows, Jays, and Magpies (E) caerulea Two small groups at the Shihmen Reservoir and a singleton at Guguan Hot Springs. Also recorded on our last day. Grey formosae formosae (Recorded on the Dasyueshan Road and Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm, Pingtung County. pica serica Taipei--City and Shihmen Reservoir. Spotted Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes owstoni Brief looks high up near the summit, Dasyueshan Road. Large-billed Crow macrorhynchos colonorum Observed Dasyueshan Road, Guguan and Yushan NP, Nantou County.

Chickadees and Tits Paridae Periparus ater ptilosus Higher elevations on the Dasyueshan Road and Yushan NP, Nantou County. Chestnut-bellied (Varied) Tit (E) Sittiparus castaneoventris Great looks at Guguan. Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus insperatus Observed Dasyueshan Road and Yushan NP, Nantou County. Yellow Tit (E) Machlolophus holsti This stunner was seen on the Dasyueshan Road.

Larks Alaudidae Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula wattersi Very good views in display flight and on the ground at Tainan Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve.

Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Collared Finchbill Spizixos semitorques cinereicapillus Recorded on the Dasyueshan Road and in Huben area, Yunlin County. Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis formosae Commonly seen throughout the tour. Styan's Bulbul (E) Pycnonotus taivanus A range-restricted endemic commonly seen in the Kentau Peninsula. Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus nigerrimus Recorded daily throughout. Brown-eared Bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis nagamichii Good views on Lanyu Island, Taitung County.

Swallows Hirundinidae Grey-throated Martin Riparia chinensis chinensis Small numbers seen around the Budai Wetlands, and Jincheng Lake.

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Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis Recorded daily throughout the country. Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica namiyei Mostly recorded at coastal areas. Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus nigrimentale Recorded daily high up on the Dasyueshan Road. Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Four of these passage migrants were seen at the Shihmen Reservoir. Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata striolata The resident species recorded on most days.

Cupwings Pnoepygidae Taiwan Wren-babbler (E) Pnoepyga formosana One seen by Paul and Erik on the Dasyueshan Road and seen by others the next day.

Bush-Warblers and Allies Cettiidae Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis fulvifacies Good views at this stunner on the Dasyueshan Road. Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes robustipes Great looks at a very responsive bird near Guguan. Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler Horornis acanthizoides concolor Commonly heard and occasionally seen on the Dasyueshan Road and Yushan NP, Nantou County.

Long-tailed Tits Aegithalidae Black-throated Bushtit Aegithalos concinnus concinnus Observed Dasyueshan Road and at Alishan.

Reed-Warblers and Allies Acrocephalidae Oriental Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis Recorded in a mangrove wetland at Depeng Bay.

Grassbirds and Allies (E) Locustella alishanensis Fabulous close looks at a singing bird on the upper Dasyueshan Road.

Cisticolas and Allies Cisticolidae Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis tinnabulans Recorded in fields near Fongang. Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis volitans A few birds were seen displaying over grassland alongside our bus at Tainan. Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris sonitans Recorded in wetland near the Dasyueshan Road, Guguan area and Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County. Plain Prinia Prinia inornata flavirostris Recorded on seven dates.

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Babblers Timaliidae Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler (E) erythrocnemis After a lot of work, one was seen fairly well by all at the Shihmen Reservoir. Taiwan Scimitar Babbler (E) Pomatorhinus musicus Taipei Botanical Gardens, Dasyueshan Road, Guguan, Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm, Pingtung County, Huben Area, Yunlin County. Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyridopsis ruficeps praecognita Recorded Dasyueshan Road and Guguan.

Fulvettas and Ground Babblers Pellorneidae Dusky Fulvetta brunnea brunnea Only recorded on the Dasyueshan Road. Grey-cheeked Fulvetta (E) Alcippe morrisonia Observed on the Dasyueshan Road and Guguan.

Laughingthrushes Leiothrichidae Taiwan Hwamei (E) taewanus One near Dongshi. Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush (E) Garrulax ruficeps Recorded Dasyueshan Road and Wushe. Black-throated Laughingthrush (I) Garrulax chinensis A single bird was seen on the Dasyueshan Road. An introduced species to Taiwan. Rusty Laughingthrush (E) Garrulax poecilorhynchus Seen well on the Dasyueshan Road and Wushe. White-whiskered Laughingthrush (E) Trochalopteron morrisonianum Good looks high up on the Dasyueshan Road and at Wushe. Steere's Liocichla (E) Liocichla steerii This stunner was seen on the Dasyueshan Road and at Wushe. Taiwan (E) Actinodura morrisoniana Small numbers on the Dasyueshan Road and at Wushe. White-eared Sibia (E) Heterophasia auricularis Great looks on the Dasyueshan Road and above Wushe.

Old World Warblers Taiwan Fulvetta (E) Fulvetta formosana (2) Dasyueshan Road and Yushan NP, Nantou County. Vinous-throated Sinosuthora webbiana bulomacha Two pairs were seen near Dongshi.

Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies Zosteropidae Taiwan Yuhina (E) Yuhina brunneiceps Commonly seen at higher elevations. Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus simplex Recorded most days. Lowland White-eye Zosterops meyeni batanis Great looks during our time on Lanyu Island.

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Kinglets Regulidae Flamecrest (E) Regulus goodfellowi Two were seen high up on the Dasyueshan Road and several on the Hehuan Pass above Wushe.

Wrens Troglodytidae Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Two birds were seen on the Hehuan Pass above Wushe.

Nuthatches Sittidae Sitta europaea Seen briefly on the Dasyueshan Road.

Starlings Sturnidae Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis Good sightings around Taipei and Guguan. Crested Myna (I) Acridotheres cristatellus formosanus A pair were seen at the Shihmen Reservoir. Javan Myna (I) Acridotheres javanicus Recorded daily. Common Myna (I) Acridotheres tristis tristis Recorded most days. Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis Taipei--City, Dasyueshan Road and Tainan--Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve and Jingchen Lake. Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica nemoricola Budai Wetlands, Chiayi County and Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm, Pingtung County.

Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae -Robin (I) Copsychus saularis Taipei Botanical Gardens. White-rumped Shama (I) Copsychus malabaricus Seen well at Taipei Botanical Gardens. Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta Recorded at Dongshi and Lanyu Island. Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea A pair were found at the summit of the Dasyueshan Road. Vivid Niltava Niltava vivida vivida Observed on the Dasyueshan Road and at Wushe. White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucura montium Good views on the Dasyueshan Road and at Wushe. White-browed Bush Robin (E) indicus formosanus Recorded on the higher elevations of the Dasyueshan Road and the Hehuan Pass above Wushe. Collared Bush Robin (E) Tarsiger johnstoniae Several sightings in the higher reaches of the Dasyueshan Road and above Wushe. Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri Good views of a bird frequenting a stream on the Dasyueshan Road. Taiwan Whistling Thrush (E) Myophonus insularis Recorded at the Shihmen Reservoir and the Dasyueshan Road.

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Plumbeous Water Redstart Phoenicurus fuliginosus affinis Good views along streams at the Dasyueshan Road andat Guguan. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis Good scope looks on Lanyu Island.

Dippers Cinclidae Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii pallasii Recorded on the Dasyueshan Road and near Guguan.

Old World Sparrows Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus saturatus Observed all days of the tour.

Waxbills and Allies Estrildidae White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata swinhoei Small flocks were seen in grasslands near Guguan and Dongshi. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata topela Recorded on seven dates. Orange -cheeked Waxbills (I) Estrilda molpoda A small flock was found feeding in grassland near Dongshi. Indian Silverbill (I) Lonchura malabarica Three birds were seen at the Longluan Lake.

Accentors Prunellidae Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris Fabulous looks at the top of the Hehuan Pass, despite the mist.

Wagtails and Pipits Motacillidae White Wagtail Motacilla alba This migrant was recorded on five dates. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Singletons at the hot water springs Guguan and at the Budai Wetlands Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis A stunningly plumaged individual was seen at Tainan Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve and two more at rice paddies near Budai.

Finches, Euphonias Fringillidae Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes A bird found by Paul M in a park at Dongshi was clearly this species. A rare passage migrant in Taiwan! Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis uchidai A pair were seen well at the Hehuan Pass. Grey-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca owstoni A pair were seen well at the Hehuan Pass. Taiwan Rosefinch (E) Carpodacus formosanus Great looks at a male on the Dasyueshan Road and several birds were seen at the Hehuan Pass.

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Mammals (5 in total: 5 seen) Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Old World monkeys Cercopithecidae Formosan Rock Macaque Macaca cyclopis

Squirrels Sciuridae Pallas's Squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus thaiwanensis Perny's Long-nosed Squirrel Dremomys pernyi Maritime Striped Squirrel Tamiops maritimus formosanus

Deer Cervidae Reeves' Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi

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Rockjumper Birding Ltd The Hive, Lot 23 Tel: (USA & Canada) toll-free: 1-888-990-5552 Centre Commercial du Barachois Email: [email protected] La Place Cap, Tamarin Alternative email: [email protected] Mauritius Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com

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