Birding Taiwan

15-28 April 1999

By Barry Wright

Other Participants:

Keith Turner
Neil Bostock

Introduction

As part of a one-year trip birding abroad, Neil Bostock, Keith Turner and myself fitted in a two-week trip to Taiwan. The general lack of information on the country and a number of areas that simply seemed to be inaccessible initially hampered the trip. We were very fortunate in having an old trip report from Mick Turton, but this was over ten years out of date, but at least provided us with a basic itinerary. On our brief return to the UK in February, I managed to locate some information from Wayne Hsu, a Taiwanese birdwatcher off the Internet. We still required more site details though and fortunately during our few days in Manila we met a German birdwatcher Matthias, who had recently visited Taiwan and knew Wayne’s home telephone number in Taipei. As things seemed to be gradually coming together we met a VENT tour in Vietnam in April, and one of the participants happened to live in Taiwan kindly gave us a few contacts. On arrival in Taipei we contacted some birders, visited the Taipei Wild Bird Society shop and at last we had some good up to date gen. Please note that outside of Taipei very few people speak English therefore you may well have a few communication problems. The people are incredibly friendly, and despite a language barrier at times tried they’re best to help us out. Birding is incredibly popular in Taiwan and the various county clubs organize free, guided birding excursions throughout the year, which may visit a wader spot, look for migrants or seek out the pheasants. Information from these is obtainable through the wild bird society shops.

GETTING THERE

We flew from Saigon to Taipei at a cost of  £165, flight time approx. 3 hours and returned to Bangkok at the same price. Taipei airport was very relaxed and we organised a bus to the city centre for 120 Taiwanese dollars per person. As far as I am aware there is no VISA requirement for a stay of 14 days or less but this may change.

COSTS

It is possible to change money at the airport and this was very efficient, there are also plenty of banks in the big cities some with credit card cash machines. We mostly used credit cards in order to obtain cash but I don’t know the situation with travelers cheques or changing cash in other currencies at banks. Whilst we were in Taiwan the exchange rate was 52 Taiwanese dollars to the sterling, or 32 to the $US. The general costs of living were reasonably high but not outrageous, the trip costing a lot less than we anticipated.

TRANSPORT

For our first few days we were reliant on the hospitality of Wayne and his teacher, we then picked up a hire car which we used for the remainder of the trip. The rental company was Central Auto Rental Service, which we found to be excellent value in terms of the quality of the car and the price; they are located at 164, Sec.4, Cheng-The Road, Taipei. Tel No. (02) 882-1000 or Fax: (02) 881-6534,staff in the office speak good English. The only other transport that we used was the flight to Lanyu Island, with the option of plane or helicopter. These flights operate out of Taichung airport, the airline being Formosan Airlines but I don’t know the name of the chopper operator. The flight across to Lanyu takes only about 25 minutes, but be sure to try and book in advance as the flights are not very regular certain days and places limited. The helicopter costs a little more than the plane, which was about 30 pounds each way. There is apparently a boat service to the island but our complete lack of knowledge of the Chinese language provided a few problems when booking over the phone.

ACCOMMODATION

Most accommodation in Taipei is very expensive in Asian terms, but we managed to find a place called Amigos mentioned in the lonely planet and possibly the same place in Turton’s report, which cost 220 dollars each in dormitories Tel. No. (02) 2571-0612 or 2542-0292. The owner Mr. Lee was very helpful and friendly, can help out with travel arrangements in and out of the city and recommend places to eat. Elsewhere in the country we stayed in the cheapest lodgings we could find called tatame, basically a mattress on a floor in a room with attached bathroom. On Lanyu we stayed in one of the few tatames only a few minutes from the airport. Costs varied from 220 dollars each to 500 each. Whilst at Chitou recreational area the best deal was 1400 for a room with 3 beds in the Han Kuang hostal. In all cases these were very clean, quiet and comfortable.

FOOD

Everything from Buddhist vegetarian restaurants to McDonalds and chicken take-aways are available, the price varying greatly but normally fairly reasonably priced slightly less than UK prices. The vegetarian restaurants are good value, with the food priced by its weight.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

There appeared to be no problems, although some parts of Taipei and other major cities may be more dangerous at night. In terms of health we had no problems at all, the food normally of a very high quality and no malaria or tropical diseases.

FIELD GUIDES and TRIP REPORTS

Taiwan has an excellent field guide in Chinese with superb paintings of the birds and if you could read Chinese very informative text I expect. This can be purchased in the Wild Bird Society shops in Taiwan at about £20. There is also the book of Chinese birds with Taiwan included but the illustrations aren’t as good. We also used a trip report by Mick Turton on a visit to Taiwan in the 1980's, Birds to Watch 2 by Birdlife International, and the information gained from Wayne Hsu through the Internet.

[See Graham Talbot's reports on Surfbirds: October 2000 | March 2001 | July 2001]

BIRDING TIPS

The two endemic pheasants are both possible if you ensure that you are the first people on the roads at Anmashan early morning or there is no one else on the trails late afternoon. The birds didn’t seem particularly shy but any sudden movement would likely see them scurrying away. It is also necessary to walk incredibly slowly and quietly checking for the pheasants at every bend in the road, this way you are more likely to get prolonged views. Most of the other endemics are either common or can be taped or pished out. A good set of tapes of the birds of Taiwan is obtainable in Wild Bird Society shops situated around the country in the major cities.

USEFUL CONTACTS

Taiwan Wild Bird Society
Fushing South road
Lane 160
No.3 1^st floor
Tel No. 23255084

Dan Chamberlin
Taipei Tel No. 29371059

Wayne Hsu
Taipei Tel No. (02) 28763176
62, 6^th floor
Chung-Shan North road
Section 7, Taipei
F.B. Magpie home page

For other further information regarding birding in Taiwan, please contact me at my home address

Barry Wright
18 Chestnut Grove
Wilmington
Kent
DA27PG
Tel No. 01322 527345

ITINERARY

15^th April Saigon to Taipei

16^th April Taipei

17^th April Taipei Botanical gardens and Yangminshan National Park

18^th April Fushan

19^th April Anmashan

20^th April Anmashan

21^st April Wushe to Hung Yeh Hot springs

22^nd April Taichung to Lanyu

23^rd April Lanyu

24^th April Lanyu to Luka

25^th April Chitou recreational area

26^th April Chitou to Wushe

27^th April Wushe to Taipei

28^th April Taipei to Bangkok

BIRDING SITES

Taipei Botanical Gardens

These can be found on a good Taipei City map available at the airport or in shops and although only small the gardens are a haven for wildlife. There are no Taiwanese endemics but the specialty here are the breeding Malayan Night Herons that have nested in recent years. To reach the gardens catch a metered taxi and show an official looking person a picture of the Herons they should then be able to direct to the birds or the nest. Before you visit the park it may be worth checking the opening hours and whether the birds are there as I don’t think they are resident.

Yangminshan National Park

An excellent place situated above Taipei City can be reached either by bus or a taxi from the city centre. The speciality here is Taiwan Blue Magpie a species, which is possible to miss on a birding trip but in reasonable, numbers here. I cannot remember the exact location but if you contact Wayne or other local birders they can help, as they know this bird well. Other species seen included Chinese Bamboo partridge, Olive-backed pipit, Black-browed Barbet, Chinese Bulbul, Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler, Red-headed Tree-babbler, Gould's Fulvetta, and Grey-cheeked Fulvetta.

Fushan

Fushan is situated 17.6Km north of Wulai, and takes approximately one hour to get to from central Taipei. The area is an excellent site for Taiwan Whistling Thrush as well as other forest species that can be located further up the road near the trout farm. For further details of this site contact Wayne. Species recorded here other than the Whistling Thrush were Plumbeous Redstart, Blue Magpie, Varied Tit, Maroon Oriole, and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler. Access to the area may be problematical as there is a checkpoint along the road to the trout farm and I’m not entirely sure of the formalities as we were with Wayne's teacher Dr Waltner, but certainly involved showing our passports.

Anmashan

Situated in Taichung County this is definitely one of the key sites in Taiwan if you want to see the Pheasants, which are regularly seen here. The area may be accessed by driving south out of Taipei onto route 3 to the town of Tung Shih where you turn left onto route 8 past a Mac Donald's and a petrol station on the left, through four sets of traffic lights, and turn left onto a smaller road signposted to Anmashan (written in Chinese only), adjacent to a pillar with 'China trust' written on it, map 1. The key sites are road 210 situated at approx. km 35.5 on the road to Anmashan just beyond the entrance gate into the park (this may be locked at certain times of night) where there is a locked gate at the start of a track on the left. This is the start of road 210 which apparently is private and rarely used, therefore not wishing to attract attention we parked a little bit further up the road out of sight of the security gate and walked along the road by walking around the gate. Although we heard that the road is private, visiting birders are usually tolerated and left undisturbed. Road 220 is situated just before km 39 further up the road towards the restaurant at Anmashan, where opposite a house on the left of the road, there is a lay-by adjacent to a chain gate where one can park and walk down the road for a few kilometres. Both of these roads are illustrated on map 2, each one producing different birds. The list of species includes nearly all the endemics, and the chances of the two endemic pheasants are very high early morning or towards dusk. We recorded one male Mikado Pheasant and three male Swinhoe’s Pheasant, together with good numbers of the other endemics as noted in the systematic list. Accommodation at Anmashan is provided by tatames, which are situated above the 'Pheasant roads' nearly at the end of the main road. The cost for a room for the night was 220 dollars each and food could be obtained in the restaurant next door, though note this has very strict sitting times for eating. Therefore you may have to bend the rules a little in order to reach the roads to see the pheasants for the early morning and late afternoon. Basic pot noodle meals are also available at the information center next to the car park where there are superb photos of the birds of Anmashan.

Wushe

Wushe is marked on a good road map of Taiwan and is an excellent base to bird from, with different birds at different kilometer marks along route 14 from Wushe with goodies such as Collared Bush robin, Swinhoe's Pheasant, Alpine Accentor. As one heads up the hill on route 14 from Wushe the first place worth stopping at is km 12.5 where there is a small track on the right of the road through agricultural ground and into some forest. The most productive area for birds though was at km 15 where there is a blue gate on the left that marks the start of the 'blue gate track' mentioned by Turton in his report. There is a small lay-by on the left just beyond the km15 sign and this track goes for at least 1.5km where we recorded Swinhoe's Pheasant, several Taiwan Tit and large numbers of many of the more common Taiwanese endemics. The track appeared to be little used and relatively undisturbed. There is also the possibility of Taiwan Partridge although we didn’t record this species despite much effort. In the area from km22.5 to 26 we found Collared Bush Robin to be reasonably common and further up the road into the upper mountain areas with few trees, km 30 to 34 we recorded Wren, Alpine Accentor and in the pines, Flamecrest. For sites and birding stops along route 14, see map 3. We stayed in a tatame in Wushe, the Wushe mountain hostel, 400 dollars per person per night and commuted up and down the road from the hostel to go birding. Please note the weather here can be pretty grim at this time of year with the upper reaches of the road often enshrouded in mist and with heavy rain. This made driving extremely difficult and somewhat dangerous at times due to virtual zero visibility and the frequent passage of coaches on the road.

Lanyu

Basically bird anywhere on the island for migrants, whilst the key birds, the Lanyu Scops Owl, Red-capped Green Pigeon and Japanese Paradise Flycatcher are all possible in a day or two. The Scops Owl is easily found in Hungtou at the back of the hotel on the left where there are some steps leading up to a school. This area is easily found by looking or asking for the hotel where two sets of steps at angles to one another lead up to the hotel and behind this to the left of the hotel another set of steps that ends at the edge of the school playground. We spoke to one of the teachers there that allowed us to wander around the grounds where the Scops Owl was soon located calling. See map 4. The other two specialties are at Km. 26 along a dry riverbed to the left of the road coming from Hungtou. Standing on the bridge one can see a band of forest to the left that is accessed by going over the bridge and following a steep track down to the river bed on the left. We then followed the trail for about 0.5km and found one pair of Paradise Flycatchers and two Red-capped Green Pigeon. Our accommodation as usual was a tatame, which cost 250 dollars each, and within one kilometer of the Scops owl stake out.

Jengweh shi

We attempted to locate some good wader areas, and saw several species at a place marked on the map as Jengweh shi, north of Tainan.

Chitou

We birded several areas in the park and saw similar species to Anamashan with the exception of the Pheasants. Not an essential site but another possibility for the Partridge.

There are plenty of other sites to visit in Taiwan and I’m sure that the local birders would be able to help you with seeking out other species of bird on the Taiwan list that we didn’t see or try for.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank Wayne for all his help and guidance on the trip via phone calls and through his excellent guiding at Yangmingshan, Wayne’s teacher Dr. Waltner, Dan Chamberlin and his Taipei contacts, Philip Diller and Tammy. The help from the staff at the wild bird shop in Taipei was indispensable and lastly to Matthias Fehlow for his useful gen and Tony Morris for his Internet searches on Taiwan during my brief return to the UK in February.

SYSTEMATIC SPECIES LIST

Endemic species to Taiwan are highlighted in bold

BROWN BOOBY Sula leucogaster

One recorded off Lanyu.

CHINESE LITTLE BITTERN Ixobrychus sinensis

One flushed several times on Lanyu was evidently a migrant.

MALAYAN NIGHT HERON Gorsachius melanolophus

A pair nesting in the botanical gardens in Taipei and one other in a residential part of Taipei. This species is a popular local attraction in Taipei and well known to those visiting the park. The birds appeared completely oblivious to our presence and allowed us to observe them on the nest and feeding at very close range on the grass around the lakes, often seen to eat what looked like small worms.

LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta

A very common roadside bird.

GREAT EGRET Egretta alba

Alike the previous species this is a very common roadside bird.

INTERMEDIATE EGRET Egretta intermedia

Recorded for certain at Jengweh shi but probably overlooked elsewhere.

BLACK KITE Milvus migrans

One seen flying overhead on route north to Taipei.

CRESTED SERPENT-EAGLE Spilornis cheela

Recorded at Fushan, Chitou and a few others whilst driving between sites.

CRESTED GOSHAWK Accipter trivirgatus

One in the botanical gardens and another on the route south from Taipei was watched at very close range on some overhead wires.

GREY-FACED BUZZARD Butastur indicus

One on Lanyu was presumably a migrant.

JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK Accipter gularis

One on Lanyu was seen early in the morning and alike other raptors at this site probably a migrant.

CHINESE SPARROWHAWK Accipter soloensis

A few probables migrating away from Lanyu early morning.

CHINESE BAMBOO-PARTRIDGE Bambusicola thoracica

A few groups encountered at Yangminshan, Fushan, Wushe and Chitou. This species was often very approachable and easy to observe for prolonged periods of time. Endemic ssp. B.t.sonirovox

TAIWAN (WHITE-THROATED) HILL PARTRIDGE Arborophila crudigulais

This endemic Partridge was possibly heard at Km13.5 Wushe. Listed as near threatened by Birdlife International.

SWINHOE'S PHEASANT Lophura swinhoii

3 males at Anmashan on road 220 early morning and at dusk, 3 males at Km 15.5 Wushe, one male at Km 13.0. This fantastic looking Pheasant was surprisingly tame at Anmashan probably due to a lack of hunting and the regular encounters that this species has with humans. The birds at Wushe were much shyer and once they realised that they were being watched tended to scurry off into the undergrowth or down the steep slopes. This species was often initially noticed as a result of its dazzling white tail feathers. Listed as near threatened by Birdlife International.

MIKADO PHEASANT Syrmaticus mikado

Only one male seen despite extensive searching early morning on road 210 at Anmashan. This species was evidently much more scarce at Anmashan compared to Swinhoe's Pheasant and our chance encounter with one male was very fortunate indeed. The bird was watched at reasonably close range just beyond a bend in the track and only visible by pursuing it along the track. It was watched for nearly ten minutes until it eventually looked round and noticed us, which made it slowly walk off the track and up the adjacent slope out of view. Listed as near threatened by Birdlife International.

MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus

One in Taipei botanical gardens.

WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN Amaurornis phoenicurus

A few on Lanyu were mostly seen early in the morning feeding around the taro fields.

BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus

Very common at Jengweh Shi.

LITTLE-RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius

One only at Jengweh Shi.

KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus

Common at Jengweh Shi.

LESSER SANDPLOVER Charadrius mongolus

A few at Jengweh Shi.

ASIATIC GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis fulva

One at Jengweh Shi.  

RED-(RUFOUS) NECKED STINT Calidris ruficollis

Common at Jengweh Shi.

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea

Common at Jengweh Shi.

SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER Calidris acuminata

Three at Jengweh Shi.

COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos

A few on Lanyu.

MARSH SANDPIPER
Common at Jengweh shi.

REDSHANK Tringa totanus

A few at Jengweh shi.

GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia

A few at Jengweh shi.

WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola

A few at Jengweh shi, but possibly more.

TEREK SANDPIPER Xenus cinereus

Two at Jengweh shi.

TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres

A few at Jengweh shi.

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Phalaropus lobatus

10 at Jengweh shi.

LITTLE WHIMBREL Numenius minutus

Two on the airstrip at Lanyu were only noticed as we were taxiing away from the airstrip to return to the mainland.

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minima

One probable on Lanyu.

WHISKERED TERN Chilodonias hybrida

Common near to Jengweh shi.

BLACK-NAPED TERN Sterna sumatrana

A few off Lanyu were spotted from the helicopter.

SPOTTED DOVE  Streptopelia chinensis

Common roadside bird.

RUFOUS (EASTERN) TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia orientalis

A common roadside bird.

RED (COLLARED) TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia tranquebarica

A common roadside bird.

ASHY WOODPIGEON Columba pulchricollis

Six at Chitou were the only individuals seen during our stay in Taiwan.

PHILLIPINE (LARGE BROWN) CUCKOO DOVE Macropygia phasianella

Several recorded on Lanyu the only site in Taiwan for this species.

FERAL DOVE Columba livia

Common.

RED-CAPPED (FORMOSAN or WHISTLING) GREEN PIGEON Treron formosae

A few seen in flight and two birds seen very well perched on Lanyu in the dry riverbed as noted on the map. The birds are very shy and incredibly difficult to see in the dense foliage when perched. This species is restricted to small islands off Taiwan, the Philippines and Japan, and is listed as near threatened by Birdlife International.

Endemic spp. T.f.formosae.

EMERALD (GREEN WINGED) DOVE Calcophaps indica

Two to three on Lanyu, all seen in flight.

LARGE HAWK-CUCKOO Cuculus sparverioides

Commonly heard but never seen despite much effort.

LESSER COUCAL Centropus bengalensis

Common roadside bird.

BROWN HAWK OWL Ninox scutulata

Only heard at Chitou

LANYU (RYUKU) SCOPS OWL Otus elegans

One pair seen exceptionally well on Lanyu that were nesting in an old ventilation pipe, also up to four others heard in the area around Yu Yer Pu Luo. These birds are thought to be the same species as Ryukyu Scops Owl from Japan. Lanyu would appear to be an excellent site to see this species which globally is very rare though not listed by Birdlife International.

RIVER KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis

A few seen on Lanyu along the beaches, others seen on the mainland along the roadside.

BLACK-BROWED (MULLER'S) BARBET  Megalaima oorti                  

Common in forested areas.

WHITE-BACKED WOODPECKER Picoides leucotus

Two at Wushe Km 12.5, two at Anmashan on road 210. Endemic spp. P.l.insularis

GREY-CAPPED PYGMY WOODPECKER Picoides canicapillus

Only one seen at Chitou in a mixed species feeding flock.

WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL Hirandapus caudacuta

Recorded at Anmashan with others seen at various roadside stops.

PACIFIC (FORK-TAILED) SWIFT Apus pacificus

A roadside bird commonly seen flying overhead.

ASIAN HOUSE MARTIN Delichon dasypus

Commonly seen on route.

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica

Common.

PACIFIC SWALLOW Hirundo tachitica

Common.

STRIATED SWALLOW Hirundo striolata

Common.

BROWN-THROATED SAND MARTIN Riparia paludicola

Only a few seen at Jengweh shi.

WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba

One only by the roadside.

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea

One only.

OLIVE-BACKED (INDIAN TREE) PIPIT Anthus hodgsoni

One at Yangminshan and one at Lanyu.

ORIENTAL SKYLARK Alauda gulgula

One on Lanyu others seen distantly at Taitung airport.

GREY-CHINNED (YELLOW-THROATED) MINIVET Pericrocotus solaris

Recorded at Fushan, Anmashan, Wushe and Chitou.

CHINESE BULBUL Pycnonotus sinensis

A common bird.

STYANS (FORMOSAN) BULBUL Pycnonotus taivanus

A common bird along the coast south of Hualien, classified as near threatened by Birdlife.

BLACK BULBUL Hypsipetes madagascariensis

Common. Endemic spp. H.m.nigerimmus

CHESTNUT-EARED BULBUL Hypsipetes amaurotis 

Common on Lanyu. Endemic spp. H.a.nagamichii

COLLARED FINCHBILL  Spizixos semitorques

Up to six recorded on roadside from Wushe north to Taipei. Endemic spp. S.s.cinereicapillus

LONG-TAILED (BLACK-HEADED) SHRIKE Lanius schach

A few at the roadside seen whilst driving around the country.

BROWN SHRIKE Lanius cristatus

One at Taipei botanical gardens and two on Lanyu.

JAPANESE WAXWING Bombycilla japonica

One migrant on Lanyu perched on wires on two dates was a surprise find. Listed near threatened.

BROWN DIPPER Cinclus pallasii

One at Kukuan.

WREN Troglodytes troglodytes

One only seen above Wushe at Km 33. Endemic spp. T.t.taivanus

WHITE-BROWED (BLUE) SHORTWING Brachypteryx montana

Commonly seen and heard in forest. Endemic spp. B.m.goodfellowi

ALPINE ACCENTOR Prunella collaris

Six birds at Km 30 to 34 above Wushe, extremely tame and confiding. Endemic spp. P.c.fennelli

COLLARED BUSH-ROBIN Erithacus johnstoniae

Several males and females recorded above Wushe on the higher parts of the road.

PLUMBEOUS (WATER) REDSTART  Phoenicurus fuliginosus

Seen at Fushan and Kukuan in the rivers. Endemic spp. P.f.affinis

LITTLE FORKTAIL Enicurus scouleri

One male and one female at Anmashan Km 42 in the small waterfall. Endemic spp. E.s.fortis

WHITE-TAILED (BLUE) ROBIN Cinclidium leucurum

A common forest bird often lured into view by playback of its call.

BLUE ROCK THRUSH Monticola solitarius

Recorded commonly at Fushan, Lanyu, and along roadside.

TAIWAN (FORMOSAN) WHISTLING THRUSH Myiophoneus insularis

Three birds at Fushan early morning calling and seen adjacent to river, one at Chitou and heard at Wushe. This large 'Thrush is apparently almost guaranteed at Fushan early in the morning.

BROWN-HEADED THRUSH Turdus chrysolaus

One in Taipei botanical gardens.

EYE-BROWED THRUSH Turdus obscurus

One only on route 14.

RUSTY-CHEEKED SCIMITAR BABBLER Pomatorhinus erythrogenys

Two at Chitou and one at Fushan. Endemic spp. P.e.erythrocnemis

STREAK-BREASTED SCIMITAR BABBLER Pomatorhinus ruficollis

Only one at Yangminshan. Endemic spp. P.r.musicus

TAIWAN (WHITE-EARED) SIBIA  Heterophasia auricularis

A common forest bird.

TAIWAN (FORMOSAN) BARWING Actinodura morrisoniana

Two at Anmashan road 210, others at Wushe

WHITE-THROATED LAUGHINGTHRUSH Garrulax albogularis

Several groups encountered at Anmashan and above Wushe. Endemic spp. G.a.ruficeps

RUFOUS LAUGHINGTHRUSH Garrulax poecilorhynchus

Only one at Anmashan on road 220

TAIWAN (WHITE-WHISKERED) LAUGHINGTHRUSH Garrulax morrisonianus

Several on the high pass above Wushe in roadside scrub and on road 210 Anmashan.

STEERES' LIOCICHLA Liocichla steerii

A very common endemic species recorded in all forest areas and in scrub.

GOULDS' FULVETTA Alcippe brunnea

Several at Yangminshan and Anmashan. Endemic spp. A.v.valentinae

STREAK-THROATED FULVETTA Alcippe cinereiceps

Reasonable numbers at Anmashan and above Wushe though often difficult to see.

Endemic spp.A.c.formosana

GREY-CHEEKED FULVETTA Alcippe morrisonia

Abundant at Yangminshan, Chitou and Above Wushe in large groups. Endemic spp.

A.m.morrisonia

TAIWAN (FORMOSAN) YUHINA Yuhina brunneiceps 

A very common endemic species often encountered in noisy mixed species flocks.

WHITE-BELLIED YUHINA Yuhina zantholeuca

Recorded at Yangminshan and Fushan.

PYGMY-WREN BABBLER Pnoepyga albiventer

Once the call is learnt, reasonably common and easy to lure in at Anmashan, Chitou and above Wushe. This species is incredibly easy to see at Anmashan and well worth the effort.

Endemic spp. P.p.formosana

RED-HEADED TREE-BABBLER Stachyris ruficeps

Common in forest often in large mixed species flocks. Endemic spp. S.r.praecognita

STRONG-FOOTED BUSH-WARBLER Cettia fortipes

Common more often heard than seen.

YELLOWISH-BELLIED (SWINHOE’S) BUSH-WARBLER Cettia robustipes

Common often heard, occasionally seen.

BROWN BUSH-WARBLER Bradypterus seebhomi 

Common. Only one at Yangminshan.

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus

WHITE-THROATED FLYCATCHER-WARBLER Abroscopus albogularis

Commonly heard  and several seen in forest, though difficult to observe at times.

FLAMECREST (TAIWAN FIRECREST) Regulus goodfellowi

One near to Tayuling, and several at Km 33 Wushe. This fantastic endemic species was readily encountered at  Wushe where it could be seen at close range in the pines next to the road.

TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA Prinia subflava

A few seen adjacent to the roadside. Endemic spp. P.s.flavirostris

YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA Prinia flaviventris

A few seen at roadside stops in scrub.

SNOWY-BROWED (THICKET) FLYCATCHER Ficedula hyperythra

Several at Anmashan and Chitou including carrying food at the latter site.

VIVID NILTAVA Niltava vivida

Common at Anmashan. Endemic spp. N.v.vivida

FERRUGINOUS FLYCATCHER Muscicapa ferrugines

Recorded at Anmashan and Tayuling in small numbers.

GREY-STREAKED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa griseisticta

Three on Lanyu were presumably migrants.

BLACK-NAPED BLUE MONARCH Hypothymis azurea

Only one at Yangminshan. Endemic spp. H.a.oberholseri

JAPANESE (BLACK) PARADISE FLYCATCHER Terpsiphone atrocaudate

One pair in the dry riverbed on Lanyu. This species is listed as near threatened by Birdlife.

VINOUS-THROATED PARROTBILL Paradoxornis webbianus

A few in roadside scrub just above Wushe. Endemic spp. P.w.bulomachus

BLACK-THROATED (RED HEADED) TIT Aegithalos concinnus

A very common forest bird often accompanying mixed species flocks.

EUROPEAN NUTHATCH Sitta europaea

A few at Anmashan, Km 12.5 and 15.5 Wushe.

GREEN-BACKED TIT Parus monticolus

Common.

YELLOW TIT Parus holsti

A few seen at Anmashan but much more common at Wushe and Chitou. This species is listed as Near threatened by Birdlife International.

COAL TIT Parus ater

Only one pair seen at Anmashan around the accommodation and restaurant at Km 43.

Endemic spp. P.a.ptilosus

VARIED TIT Parus varius

One pair at Fushan. Endemic spp. P.v.castaneoventris

JAPANESE WHITE-EYE Zosterops japonica

Common on the mainland and on Lanyu. Endemic spp. Z.j.simplex

SCARLET (FIRE) BREASTED FLOWERPECKER Dicaeum ignipectus

Recorded at Anmashan, Wushe and Chitou.

VINACEOUS ROSEFINCH Carpodacus vinaceus

Common at Anmashan and Wushe.

BROWN BULLFINCH Pyrrhula nipalensis

Several seen at Anmashan road 210. Endemic spp. P.n.uchidai

BEAVAN'S BULLFINCH Pyrrhula erythaca

A few at Anmashan and Wushe Km 15.5. Endemic spp. P.e.owstoni

TREE SPARROW Passer montanus

Common.

WHITE-RUMPED MUNIA Lonchura striata

A few at Chitou.

CRESTED (JUNGLE) MYNA Acridotheres cristatellus

A common roadside bird

MAROON ORIOLE Oriolus traillii

Only one in forest at Fushan. Endemic spp. O.t.ardens

BLACK DRONGO Dicrurus macrocercus

A common roadside bird. Endemic spp. D.m.harteri

BRONZED DRONGO Dicrurus aeneus

Recorded at Yangminshan and Anmashan.Endemic spp. D.a. braunianus

TAIWAN (FORMOSAN) BLUE MAGPIE Urocissa caerulea

Two at Yangminshan and one at Fushan, this species could be missed on a short birding trip.

JAY Garrulus glandarius

Common at Anmashan and Chitou, some vocalizations completely different to birds in UK.

Endemic spp.G.g.taivanus

NUTCRACKER Nucifraga caryocatactes

Several groups seen at Anmashan. Endemic spp. N.c.owstoni

GREY (HIMALAYAN) TREEPIE Dendrocitta formosae

A roadside bird recorded in Taipei in large trees as well as in forest and on wires.

Endemic spp. D.f.formosae

LARGE BILLED (JUNGLE) CROW Corvus macrorhynchos

A very common species.

Total number of species seen =138 including 13 of the 14 endemic species. The Hill Partridge was only heard and despite much effort never seen.