Birding in Taiwan

 

  
Birding Stories

 

David Stirling

 

Macdonald Burbidge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr.Rob Butler

 

Karen Shih

 

Madelon Schouten

BIRDING TAIWAN, MAY 2–11, 2005 — A PERSONAL VIEW

 

George Clulow

 

Bill Keay

 

Simon Liao

 

Yang Chung-Tse

 

Allan Ridley

 

Hue Mackenzie

 

Hugh Currie

 

Kijja Jearwattanakanok

 

Peter Candido -

Re-Tern to Taiwan

 

Dave & Carol Roelen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

BIRDING IN TAIWAN, 3rd-7th May 2006

Kijja Jearwattanakanok

 Chiangmai, Thailand

 

It was less than one month before the trip when we decided to have a birding trip to Taiwan. Our group, my son (Ayuwat), Dr. Rangsrit Kanjanavanit, Dr. Suparat Kanjanavanit, and I, did research on the internet and the Lonely Planet to plan for the trip. As our trip was to be a very short one, good planning was crucial. We found that this website (www.birdingintaiwan.com) is the most helpful source of information on birding in Taiwan. We are indebted to Jo Ann MacKenzie and Simon Liao for their suggestion and arrangement for this trip.

 

The first birding site of our trip was Huisun Forest Station. The magnificent Formosan Magpie and the brilliant Maroon Oriole (we later called it ‘Scarlet Oriole’!) made a warm welcome to us at the Huisun Gate. When we checked in at the hotel, we were amazed to see a Malayan Night-Heron walking in the hotel garden at close range.

 

Next day we moved to Chingjing, passing the beautiful landscape of the central mountain range of Taiwan.  Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Collared Finchbill, and Steere’s Liochchla were easily seen near the Chinjing Resort, where we stayed for two nights. Birding at the famous Blue Gate Trail #1, we saw more endemic species, White-eared Sibia, Yellow Tit, Taiwan Yuhina, Swinhoe’s Pheasant, and Taiwan Partridge. Bird of the trip, Collared Bush-Robin, was seen at the narrow road separating Blue Gate Trail #1 from Blue Gate Trail #2.

 

At higher elevation, without disturbance of rain and fog, we were lucky on the last day to see Vinaceous Rosefinch, White-whiskered Laughingthrush, Streak-throated Fulvetta, and our last endemic species, Flamecrest. After that, we drove back to the airport on time to return to Thailand.

 

 

Although our birding trip in Taiwan was only a short one, we were impressed by the beautiful landscape and forest, the hospitality of people we met (both at Taiwan and the Internet), the quality of accommodation (Thanks to Jo Ann and Simon, again), and the Birds.