Taiwan - Rockjumper Birding Tours

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Jan 30, 2018 - Japanese Sakura trees in full blossom – particularly in the otherwise cold ... Black-throated Bushtit,
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Winter Birding

30 January to 10th February 2018 (12 days)

Trip Report

Swinhoe’s Pheasant by Rich Lindie

Trip report compiled by Tour Leader: Rich Lindie

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Taiwan Barbet by Rich Lindie

Rockjumper’s inaugural winter tour to Taiwan kicked off, as most do, in the Taipei Botanical Gardens, where a pretty relaxed stroll bagged us not only the park’s star bird – Malayan Night Heron, but also our first endemics, including the seriously flashy Taiwan Blue Magpie. Indeed, the magpie was one of the very first birds to put in an appearance, and for a great show at that. The barbet was, of course, one of the other endemics to put in an appearance, as was Taiwan Scimitar Babbler, and the endemic subspecies of Vinous-throated Parrotbill, though the latter took a little more time and effort to find! That evening, we enjoyed Teppanyaki dinner. The next morning (meeting up for the first time as a complete group!), we boarded our over-sized bus and headed down to the Tamsui River, where we were greeted first by another Malayan Night Heron (on a handrail), and then a group of mynas that included a couple of handsome Crested Myna, of the endemic subspecies, formosanus. Shortly after that, we saw our only Eastern Buzzard of the trip, along with a handful of waders, before it was time to hit the highway, south. Needless to say, the journey wasn’t long, and we soon found ourselves in some forested hills on the edge of Miaoli, where our first attempt at finding a cooperative Taiwan Hwamei came up emptyhanded, though we did enjoy seeing our first perched Besra and our first of many Plumbeous Water Redstarts – also represented in Taiwan by an endemic subspecies. After that, it was time to head inland for a few days, where our first stop would be for lunch in the town of Dongshi, followed by a trip out to the Baxianshan area, where it was lovely to see hundreds of Japanese Sakura trees in full blossom – particularly in the otherwise cold and gloomy weather. Birding Rockjumper Birding Tours

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wasn’t bad either, and I was particularly thrilled when a Chestnut-bellied Tit flew straight in to greet us, just as we’d stepped off the bus. Re-adjusting to another spot a little way up the hill, we then encountered our first of many flocks of Taiwan Yuhina, and, in quick succession thereafter, Yellow Tit, Black-throated Bushtit, Green-backed Tit, and even a small flock of White-bellied Erpornis, before the gathering group of photographers spurred us to move on down the hill. And, although, the subsequent stroll down the hill didn’t produce much of interest, we did see our first Asian House Martins of the trip, followed not long after by the only Brown Dippers and Striated Heron we would encounter for the next two weeks.

Black-throated Bushtit by Rich Lindie

The next morning, a pre-breakfast vigil on one of the hotel balconies – looking for the Taiwan Whistling Thrush that had been seen there the previous evening – didn’t work out quite as planned, though it was a novel way to see in the morning. After that, we headed back to Dongshi, and this time to the lower reaches of the Dasyueshan Road, where not only did a pair of Dusky Fulvettas put in an appearance, but we finally caught up with a more demonstrative pair of Taiwan Hwamei, as well as a gorgeous male Black-naped Monarch and a small flock of Rufous-capped Babblers, to boot. Further along the road, and following yet another interesting lunch, we then took things to another level with point-blank views of a male and female Swinhoe’s Pheasant, only moments after stopping to admire a couple of Vivid Niltavas in a roadside tree! After several minutes with the pheasants, we then made our way even further up the hill, where just a couple more hours of birding produced sightings of droves more Taiwan Yuhina, a female White-tailed Robin, a lone Red-flanked Bluetail, a couple of confiding Steere’s Liocichla, and much better views of Taiwan Whistling Thrush; whilst a brief walk

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near our accommodation led to the discovery of a very confiding White’s Thrush. Post-dinner, and despite the mist, some of us opted for a night walk that night, on which we had fantastic views of several Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrels and a Taiwan Serow.

Himalayan Owl by Rich Lindie

We spent all of the following day, once again, exploring the Dasyeusan road. Thankfully, the weather was relatively kind to us, and, although birding was slow at times, we did pick up several new species – all of which we saw very well. First, of major significance to fall, was Mikado Pheasant – a female which we watched, as she fed right beside the road for several minutes, followed by a steady flow of goodies that included low-flying Black Eagles, numerous Ashy Wood Pigeons, a confiding Eurasian Jay, a handful of Collared Bush Robins, a gorgeous Rufous-faced Warbler, and a couple of fearless Fire-breasted Flowerpeckers – all before lunch. On our way to lunch, we were then distracted by a great little flock of Taiwan Barwing, followed not long after by unbeatable views of an Eyebrowed Thrush. The afternoon, by contrast, was a lot slower, though we did bump into a few more flocks, some of which had Coal Tits, Yellow Tits, Flamecrests and even Eurasian Nuthatches in attendance – all of which were much appreciated.

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That evening, in the light of the success of the previous evening’s walk, an even larger group of us set out to see what we could find by flashlight. Starting with several Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrels, it seemed at first as if we were just about to repeat the previous night’s exploits, and so, one by one, several members of the group gave up and went to bed. Then, just as the rest of us had reached the turn-around point, a Himalayan Owl began to hoot back at us. Tried as we might, we weren’t able to lure the owl into view for what must have been a good half-hour or more – causing yet more people to give up on the search. And so it was that one South African and one die-hard Swede spent almost an hour crashing through the forest to finally lay eyes on this great bird. Needless to say, a real highlight!

Taiwan Partridge by Rich Lindie

Stopping first to have one last look at the female Mikado the next morning, we then made our way to the lower reaches of the Dasyueshan Road once again, this time to try to catch up with a couple of laughingthrushes that had thus far eluded us. And elude us once again, they did, though we did come away with two sightings of the sometimes very tricky Taiwan Wren-Babbler as a consolation. Almost at the base of the mountain, thick mist once again forced us to cancel our plans, and so we continued directly to Aogu Wetland Reserve to look for Black-faced Spoonbill. Fortunately, the spoonbill took no effort to find, whatsoever, even if standing in gale-force winds to see it was a little challenging. Among the many other waterfowl and wetland-associated species we saw, a couple of Ferruginous Duck were noteworthy, as was our first of many Pacific Golden Plovers, and the first of only two Green Sandpiper of the trip. Seeing out the afternoon in the equally windswept Budai area didn’t produce much, making our dinner of several interesting seafood dishes pretty much the highlight of the second half of the day.

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With a little time to spare, and recent news of Saunders’s Gull sightings from nearby, we boarded the bus the next morning for a bit of a ‘twitch’. Successful we were, in not only finding the gull, but also when some careful scanning by Nancy produced great views of a Red Phalarope, to boot.

White-tailed Robin by Rich Lindie

Further inland again, we then stopped at a Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve, where the park’s namesake put in some stellar appearances, along with the first Daurian Redstart for some, and the only Chinese Pond Heron of the trip. Yet further inland, and further south, our penultimate planned stop of the day (Yingda Farm) produced great views of several Crested Serpent Eagles and Crested Honey Buzzards, a handful of Olive-backed Pipits and even a few Pale Thrushes. Down near the southern peninsula, a stop at Longluan Lake produced great views of Eastern Spot-billed Duck, several Tufted Duck, and our main target for the area – Styan’s Bulbul. Following a quick trip down to the southern tip of the island, we retraced our steps a little, and settled into our small guesthouse near the town of Hengnan. The next morning, before breakfast, we gathered once again for a stroll around our accommodation. Highlights of that walk included large numbers of the sought-after White-shouldered Starling, a handful of Chestnut-tailed Starlings, a couple of Blue Rock Thrush, an Oriental Reed Warbler, and several Common Snipe. Then, on a trip that was somewhat of a repeat of the previous morning’s twitch, we travelled to the coast, for another attempt at finding some rarities in the mud. And, whilst we were successful in finding our quarry once again, what ensued was one of the most frustrating birding experiences I have ever had... Just as a Spoon-billed Sandpiper was spotted, it flew off to join a large flock of roosting waders, who were doing their level-best to fight the gale-force winds that were ravaging the coast – bills tucked under wings, and all. Tried as we might for the next two hours, only

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brief views of a huddled ‘probable’ were all we could muster, until it was time to move on. There were at least a few other desirables in the area, and some of us walked away with ‘life-views’ of things like Great Knot and Greater Sand Plover as consolation. To finish off the day, most of the rest of which was spent continuing our journey back north, we stopped off at a temple in the small town of Zhushan, where great looks at a Collared Scops Owl were much enjoyed, not to mention those of the impressively adorned temple itself.

The most common weather, the most common flower and the most common bird of the trip - Taiwan Yuhina by Rich Lindie

The eighth day of our adventure, despite being shrouded in mist and cold once again, actually turned out to be a pretty productive one. Making our way up to the lower Alishan area, we waded out the earlier part of the morning with the likes of Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Bronzed Drongo and Daurian Redstart; whilst our mid-morning stroll, higher up the mountain, found us our first Yellow-bellied Bush Warblers, a wonderful pair of White-backed Woodpeckers, and several Red-flanked Bluetails. Then, near the top of the road, in Yushan NP, we enjoyed superlative views of a Spotted Nutcracker, before sitting down to another hot meal at a round table. Strolling down the road from lunch, the only real highlight we enjoyed was great views of Taiwan Fulvetta; while the weather so miserable that we decided to change our tactics and drop down the hill again, where a little time in a hide would produce a significant change in scenery, even if not temperature! Not before, however, fantastic views of a pair of Mikado Pheasant, spotted shortly after

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we started winding our way down the hill, were had. Sitting in the hide very patiently until almost dusk, we were thankfully rewarded with fantastic views of Taiwan Partridge – the main reason for our visit, as well as several Swinhoe’s Pheasant and a somewhat confiding male White-tailed Robin. And that wasn’t it for the day…pre- and post-dinner walks produced great looks at a couple of Northern Boobooks and a hunting Savannah Nightjar! The following day pretty much started and ended with Taiwan Bamboo Partridge. Fortunately, since not much happened in the middle – what with a very long journey from lower Alishan to the popular holiday town of Wushe – all of which was spent driving through mist or rain. Thank goodness for Seven-Elevens. The morning’s encounter with the bamboo partridge wasn’t too satisfying either, but it did give us the impetus to keep trying, as we now had confirmation that they were still very much responsive at that time of year. As it turned out, we didn’t even need to play the enticement card; a stroll around our accommodation in Wushe that afternoon came to a halt when two of these beauties were spotted right out in the open, for excellent views! Prior to that, a small group of Brown Bullfinch added much excitement, and following which, an uncharacteristically showy Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler put in an appearance. The day’s final performances went to a Taiwan Bush Warbler nearby, and a trio of Collared Finchbills, spotted on the way back to our rooms. The penultimate day of our tour saw little change in the weather from the previous ones. Indeed, to add to it all, our destination for the morning had seen so much bad weather, that the road there was closed, forcing us to come up with another plan. We began with a stop at the Blue Gate Trail, where nothing wanted to show, let alone the sun. This was followed by an equally fruitless walk in some forest down below Wushe, where the rain and cold finally forced us to retreat to the lowlands, for good. It wasn’t all a bust, though. Once down in the lowlands, a last-minute decision to turn into the foothills near Puli turned up not only sunshine but great views of at least one Maroon Oriole for good measure! A nice send-off for our afternoon journey to Taipei, indeed. For our final day in Taiwan, we made our way north, to the wetlands around the small coastal town of Jinshan, where we were able to add a surprising number of firsts to our respective lists. The first of these, Pacific Reef Heron, was spotted (by David) just as we were beginning to travel along the coastal roads in the area. Jumping out to see the heron, our attention was immediately drawn to a pair of Peregrine Falcons that had obviously taken up residence in the cliffs above the road. A little further along the road, in some freshwater wetlands, we then spotted a group of Black-faced Buntings which ultimately led to us finding an Arctic Warbler, several Yellow-bellied Prinias, our second group of Vinous-throated Parrotbills, and one more Green Sandpiper. A walk in nearby fields thereafter produced our only Black-tailed Gull of the trip, and, for some, a fly-by Dusky Thrush, before a final lunch together ushered in the end of the tour. ___________________________________________________________________________________

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 (182 in total: 182 seen) Nomenclature and taxonomy 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 Rockjumper Birding Tours

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Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl Anatidae Spatula clypeata Northern Shoveler (2) Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Mareca strepera strepera Gadwall (1) Budai Wetlands 4.2. Mareca penelope Eurasian Wigeon (1) Aogu Wetlands 3.2. Anas zonorhyncha Eastern Spot-billed Duck (3) Longluan Lake 4.2, Hengnan 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Mallard (1) Jinshan 10.2. Anas acuta Northern Pintail (1) Aogu Wetlands 3.2. Anas crecca crecca Eurasian Teal (4) Taipei City 31.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Longluan Lake 4.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Aythya ferina Common Pochard (1) Aogu Wetlands 3.2. Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck (NT) (1) Aogu Wetlands 3.2. Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck (2) Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and Longluan Lake 4.2. Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies Phasianidae Arborophila crudigularis Taiwan Partridge (NT) (2) Dasyueshan 2.2 and Alishan 6.2. Bambusicola sonorivox Taiwan Bamboo Partridge (4) Miaoli 31.1, Alishan 7.2, Wushe 8.2 and Wushe 9.2. Lophura swinhoii Swinhoe's Pheasant (NT) (3) Dasyueshan 1.2, Dasyueshan 3.2 and Alishan 6.2. Syrmaticus mikado Mikado Pheasant (NT) (3) Dasyueshan 2.2, Dasyueshan 3.2 and Yushan NP 7.2. Grebes Podicipedidae Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe (3) Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Hengnan 4.2 and en route 5.2. Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis Black-necked Grebe (1) Aogu Wetlands 3.2. Ibises and Spoonbills Threskiornithidae Threskiornis aethiopicus African Sacred Ibis (4) Taipei City 31.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and en route 5.2. Platalea minor Black-faced Spoonbill (EN) (1) Aogu Wetlands 3.2. Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns Ardeidae Ixobrychus sinensis Yellow Bittern (2) Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and en route 4.2. Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Cinnamon Bittern

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(1) Budai Wetlands 3.2. Gorsachius melanolophus Malayan Night Heron (3) Taipei City 30.1, Taipei City 31.1 and Puli Township 9.2. Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night Heron (4) Taipei City 30.1, Taipei City 31.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and en route 5.2. Butorides striata javanica Striated Heron (1) Baxianshan 31.1. Ardeola bacchus Chinese Pond Heron (1) Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve 4.2. Bubulcus coromandus Eastern Cattle Egret (2) Aogu Wetlands 3.2. Ardea cinerea jouyi Grey Heron (5) Taipei City 30.1, Taipei City 31.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and en route 5.2. Ardea alba modesta Great Egret (4) Taipei City 31.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and en route 5.2. Ardea intermedia intermedia Intermediate Egret (4) Taipei City 31.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and en route 5.2. Egretta garzetta garzetta Little Egret (8) Taipei City 30.1, Taipei City 31.1, Baxianshan 1.2, Aogu Wetlands 3.2, en route 5.2, en route 6.2 and en route 8.2. Egretta sacra sacra Pacific Reef Heron (1) Jinshan 10.2. Cormorants and Shags Phalacrocoracidae Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis Great Cormorant (2) Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Osprey Pandionidae Pandion haliaetus haliaetus Western Osprey (4) Taipei City 31.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Longluan Lake 4.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Hawks, Eagles, and Kites Accipitridae Elanus caeruleus vociferus Black-winged Kite (3) en route 3.2, en route 4.2 and Hengnan 5.2. Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis Crested Honey Buzzard (2) Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2 and Alishan 6.2. Spilornis cheela hoya Crested Serpent Eagle (4) en route 31.1, Dasyueshan 2.2, Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2 and Puli Township 9.2. Nisaetus nipalensis nipalensis Mountain Hawk-Eagle (1) Dasyueshan 2.2. Ictinaetus malaiensis malaiensis Black Eagle (1) Dasyueshan 2.2. Accipiter trivirgatus formosae Crested Goshawk (4) Taipei City 30.1, Hengnan 5.2, Alishan 6.2 and Alishan 7.2. Accipiter virgatus fuscipectus Besra (2) Miaoli 31.1 and Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2. Accipiter nisus Eurasian Sparrowhawk (1) Dasyueshan 2.2.

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Circus cyaneus Hen Harrier (1) Aogu Wetlands 3.2. Milvus migrans formosanus Black Kite (3) Taipei City 30.1, Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Buteo japonicus japonicus Eastern Buzzard (1) Taipei City 31.1. Rails, Gallinules, and Coots Rallidae Amaurornis phoenicurus phoenicurus White-breasted Waterhen (4) Taipei City 30.1, Taipei City 31.1, Hengnan 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Gallinula chloropus chloropus Common Moorhen (6) Taipei City 30.1, Taipei City 31.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Hengnan 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Fulica atra atra Eurasian Coot (4) Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Longluan Lake 4.2, en route 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Stilts and Avocets Recurvirostridae Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt (4) Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Hanbao 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Recurvirostra avosetta Pied Avocet (2) Aogu Wetlands 3.2. Plovers and Lapwings Charadriidae Pluvialis fulva Pacific Golden Plover (3) Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Jiangjun 4.2 and Hanbao 5.2. Pluvialis squatarola squatarola Grey Plover (2) Jiangjun 4.2 and Hanbao 5.2. Charadrius hiaticula Common Ringed Plover (1) Hengnan 5.2. Charadrius dubius curonicus Little Ringed Plover (3) Taipei City 31.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve 4.2. Charadrius alexandrinus Kentish Plover (3) Jiangjun 4.2, Hanbao 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Charadrius mongolus Lesser Sand Plover (1) Hanbao 5.2. Charadrius leschenaultii leschenaultii Greater Sand Plover (1) Hanbao 5.2. Pheasant-tailed Jacana (1) Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve 4.2.

Jacanas Jacanidae Hydrophasianus chirurgus

Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae Arenaria interpres interpres Ruddy Turnstone (2) Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and Hanbao 5.2. Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot (VU) (1) Hanbao 5.2. Calidris pygmea Spoon-billed Sandpiper (1) Hanbao 5.2.

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Calidris ruficollis Red-necked Stint (1) Hanbao 5.2. Calidris alba alba Sanderling (1) Hanbao 5.2. Calidris alpina sakhalina Dunlin (3) Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Jiangjun 4.2 and Hanbao 5.2. Gallinago gallinago gallinago Common Snipe (2) Hengnan 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Phalaropus fulicarius Red Phalarope (1) Jiangjun 4.2. Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper (3) Taipei City 31.1, Hengnan 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper (2) Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Tringa totanus terrignotae Common Redshank (2) Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and Jiangjun 4.2. Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper (1) Hanbao 5.2. Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper (3) Taipei City 31.1, Jiangjun 4.2 and Hengnan 5.2. Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank (4) Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Jiangjun 4.2, Hanbao 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers Laridae Chroicocephalus ridibundus Black-headed Gull (3) Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Jiangjun 4.2 and Hanbao 5.2. Chroicocephalus saundersi Saunders's Gull (2) Jiangjun 4.2 and Hanbao 5.2. Larus crassirostris Black-tailed Gull (1) Jinshan 10.2. Larus vegae Vega Gull (2) Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and Jiangjun 4.2. Hydroprogne caspia Caspian Tern (2) Budai Wetlands 3.2 and Jiangjun 4.2. Sternula albifrons sinensis Little Tern (1) Hanbao 5.2. Chlidonias hybrida hybrida Whiskered Tern (3) Budai Wetlands 3.2, Jiangjun 4.2 and Hanbao 5.2. Pigeons and Doves Columbidae Columba livia var. domestica Rock Dove (5) Taipei City 30.1 and en route 9.2. Columba pulchricollis Ashy Wood Pigeon (2) Dasyueshan 2.2 and Dasyueshan 3.2. Streptopelia orientalis orientalis Oriental Turtle Dove (7) Taipei City 30.1, Wushe 8.2 and en route 9.2. Streptopelia tranquebarica humilis Red Turtle Dove Observed 2 days in total.

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Spilopelia chinensis chinensis Spotted Dove (7) Taipei City 30.1, en route 1.2, Alishan 7.2 and en route 9.2. Owls Strigidae Otus spilocephalus hambroecki

Mountain Scops Owl (1) Wushe 8.2. Collared Scops Owl (1) Zhushan Temple 5.2. Himalayan Owl (1) Dasyueshan 2.2. Northern Boobook (1) Alishan 6.2. Savanna Nightjar (1) Alishan 6.2.

Otus lettia glabripes Strix nivicolum yamadae Ninox japonica Nightjars and Allies Caprimulgidae Caprimulgus affinis stictomus

Swifts Apodidae Apus nipalensis kuntzi House Swift (8) en route 31.1, observed en route 3-6.2, Alishan 7.2, en route 8.2 and en route 9.2. Kingfishers Alcedinidae Alcedo atthis bengalensis Common Kingfisher (5) Taipei City 30.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Asian Barbets Megalaimidae Psilopogon nuchalis Taiwan Barbet (6) Taipei City 30.1, Dasyueshan 2.2, Dasyueshan 3.2, Hengnan 4.2 and Alishan 6.2. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (1) Baxianshan 31.1. White-backed Woodpecker (2) Dasyueshan 3.2 and Alishan 7.2.

Woodpeckers Picidae Yungipicus canicapillus kaleensis Dendrocopos leucotos insularis

Falcons and Caracaras Falconidae Falco tinnunculus interstinctus Common Kestrel (2) Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve 4.2 and Hengnan 5.2. Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon (2) Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Cuckoo-shrikes Campephagidae Pericrocotus solaris griseogularis Grey-chinned Minivet (6) Baxianshan 31.1, observed Dasyueshan 1-3.2, Alishan 6.2 and Wushe 9.2. Shrikes Laniidae Lanius cristatus Brown Shrike (4) Taipei City 31.1, en route 3.2, Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2 and Hengnan 5.2.

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Lanius schach schach

Long-tailed Shrike (2) Hengnan 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. White-bellied Erpornis (2) Baxianshan 31.1 and Alishan 6.2. Maroon Oriole (1) Puli Township 9.2. Black Drongo (6) Puli Township 9.2. Bronzed Drongo (2) Alishan 6.2 and Wushe 9.2.

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Vireos Vireonidae Erpornis zantholeuca griseiloris

Old World Orioles Oriolidae Oriolus traillii ardens Drongos Dicruridae Dicrurus macrocercus harterti Dicrurus aeneus braunianus

Monarch Flycatchers Monarchidae Hypothymis azurea oberholseri Black-naped Monarch (2) Dasyueshan 1.2 and Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2. Crows, Jays, and Magpies Corvidae Garrulus glandarius taivanus Eurasian Jay (1) Dasyueshan 2.2. Urocissa caerulea Taiwan Blue Magpie (2) Taipei City 30.1 and en route 4.2. Dendrocitta formosae formosae Grey Treepie (4) Miaoli 31.1, Hengnan 4.2 and en route 9.2. Pica pica serica Eurasian Magpie (5) Taipei City 30.1, Taipei City 31.1, Budai Wetlands 3.2 and Jiangjun 4.2. Nucifraga caryocatactes owstoni Spotted Nutcracker (2) Dasyueshan 2.2 and Yushan NP 7.2. Corvus macrorhynchos colonorum Large-billed Crow (2) Dasyueshan 1.2 and Yushan NP 7.2. Chickadees and Tits Paridae Periparus ater ptilosus Coal Tit (2) Dasyueshan 2.2 and Yushan NP 7.2. Sittiparus castaneoventris Chestnut-bellied Tit (1) Baxianshan 31.1. Parus monticolus insperatus Green-backed Tit (6) Baxianshan 31.1, observed Dasyueshan 1-3.2, Alishan 6.2 and Yushan NP 7.2. Machlolophus holsti Yellow Tit (3) Baxianshan 31.1, Dasyueshan 2.2 and Wushe 9.2. Collared Finchbill (1) Wushe 8.2.

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Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Spizixos semitorques cinereicapillus

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Trip Report – RBL Taiwan - Winter Birding 2018

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Pycnonotus sinensis formosae Light-vented Bulbul (7) Taipei City 30.1, Alishan 6.2 and Wushe 8.2. Pycnonotus taivanus Styan's Bulbul (VU) (2) Hengnan 4.2 and Hengnan 5.2. Hypsipetes leucocephalus nigerrimus Black Bulbul (6) Taipei City 30.1, Dasyueshan 1.2, Hengnan 4.2 and Alishan 7.2. Swallows Hirundinidae Riparia chinensis chinensis Grey-throated Martin (2) Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2 and Hengnan 5.2. Hirundo rustica gutturalis Barn Swallow Observed 2 days in total. Hirundo tahitica namiyei Pacific Swallow (7) Baxianshan 31.1, Baxianshan 1.2, Wushe 8.2 and Puli Township 9.2. Delichon dasypus nigrimentale Asian House Martin (3) Baxianshan 31.1, Dasyueshan 2.2 and Alishan 6.2. Cecropis striolata striolata Striated Swallow (3) Budai Wetlands 3.2 and en route 4.2. Taiwan Wren-Babbler (1) Dasyueshan 3.2.

Cupwings Pnoepygidae Pnoepyga formosana

Bush-Warblers and Allies Cettiidae Abroscopus albogularis fulvifacies Rufous-faced Warbler (5) Observed Dasyueshan 1-3.2, Alishan 6.2 and Wushe 9.2. Horornis diphone canturians Japanese Bush Warbler (1) Hengnan 5.2. Horornis acanthizoides concolor Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler (1) Yushan NP 7.2. Long-tailed Tits Aegithalidae Aegithalos concinnus concinnus Black-throated Bushtit (6) Baxianshan 31.1, observed Dasyueshan 1-3.2, Alishan 6.2 and Yushan NP 7.2. Arctic Warbler (1) Jinshan 10.2. Oriental Reed Warbler (1) Hengnan 5.2. Taiwan Bush Warbler (1) Wushe 8.2.

Leaf-Warblers Phylloscopidae Phylloscopus borealis borealis Reed-Warblers and Allies Acrocephalidae Acrocephalus orientalis Grassbirds and Allies Locustellidae Locustella alishanensis Cisticolas and Allies Cisticolidae

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Trip Report – RBL Taiwan - Winter Birding 2018

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Prinia flaviventris sonitans Yellow-bellied Prinia (1) Jinshan 10.2. Prinia inornata flavirostris Plain Prinia (4) Taipei City 31.1, Aogu Wetlands 3.2, Hengnan 5.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Babblers Timaliidae Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler (3) Dasyueshan 3.2, Alishan 6.2 and Wushe 8.2. Pomatorhinus musicus Taiwan Scimitar Babbler (4) Taipei City 30.1, Baxianshan 31.1, Alishan 6.2 and Puli Township 9.2. Stachyridopsis ruficeps praecognita Rufous-capped Babbler (3) Dasyueshan 1.2, Wushe 8.2 and Wushe 9.2. Fulvettas and Ground Babblers Pellorneidae Alcippe brunnea brunnea Dusky Fulvetta (1) Dasyueshan 1.2. Alcippe morrisonia Grey-cheeked Fulvetta (3) Dasyueshan 1.2, Alishan 6.2 and Wushe 9.2. Laughingthrushes Leiothrichidae Garrulax taewanus Taiwan Hwamei (NT) (1) Dasyueshan 1.2. Trochalopteron morrisonianum White-whiskered Laughingthrush (3) Dasyueshan 1.2, Yushan NP 7.2 and Wushe 8.2. Liocichla steerii Steere's Liocichla (6) Dasyueshan 1.2, Dasyueshan 2.2, Alishan 6.2, Alishan 7.2, Wushe 8.2 and Wushe 9.2. Actinodura morrisoniana Taiwan Barwing (2) Dasyueshan 2.2 and Alishan 7.2. Heterophasia auricularis White-eared Sibia (6) Baxianshan 31.1, Dasyueshan 2.2, Dasyueshan 3.2, Alishan 6.2 and Wushe 8.2. Old World Warblers Sylviidae Fulvetta formosana

Taiwan Fulvetta (1) Yushan NP 7.2. Vinous-throated Parrotbill (2) Taipei City 30.1 and Jinshan 10.2.

Sinosuthora webbiana bulomacha

Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies Zosteropidae Yuhina brunneiceps Taiwan Yuhina (6) Baxianshan 31.1, observed Dasyueshan 1-3.2, Alishan 6.2 and Wushe 8.2. Zosterops japonicus simplex Japanese White-eye (8) Taipei City 30.1, Baxianshan 31.1, Dasyueshan 1.2, Hengnan 5.2, Alishan 6.2, Alishan 7.2 and Wushe 8.2. Kinglets Regulidae Regulus goodfellowi Flamecrest (3) Dasyueshan 2.2, Dasyueshan 3.2 and Yushan NP 7.2.

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Trip Report – RBL Taiwan - Winter Birding 2018

Eurasian Nuthatch (2) Dasyueshan 2.2 and Alishan 7.2.

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Nuthatches Sittidae Sitta europaea

Starlings Sturnidae Acridotheres cristatellus formosanus Crested Myna (1) Taipei City 31.1. Acridotheres javanicus Javan Myna (6) Taipei City 31.1, en route 6.2 and Jinshan 10.2. Acridotheres tristis tristis Common Myna (6) Taipei City 31.1, en route 1.2 and en route 6.2. Gracupica nigricollis Black-collared Starling (2) Taipei City 31.1 and Jinshan 10.2. Sturnia sinensis White-shouldered Starling (1) Hengnan 5.2. Sturnia malabarica nemoricola Chestnut-tailed Starling (1) Hengnan 5.2. Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling (1) en route 10.2. Thrushes and Allies Turdidae Zoothera aurea toratugumi White's Thrush (4) Dasyueshan 1.2, Dasyueshan 2.2, Alishan 7.2 and en route 8.2. Turdus obscurus Eyebrowed Thrush (1) Dasyueshan 2.2. Turdus pallidus Pale Thrush (3) Taipei City 30.1, Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2 and Alishan 8.2. Turdus chrysolaus chrysolaus Brown-headed Thrush (4) Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2, Hengnan 5.2, Alishan 7.2 and Alishan 8.2. Turdus eunomus Dusky Thrush (1) Jinshan 10.2. Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Copsychus malabaricus White-rumped Shama (1) Taipei City 30.1. Niltava vivida vivida Vivid Niltava (5) Dasyueshan 1.2, Dasyueshan 3.2, Alishan 6.2, Alishan 7.2 and Wushe 9.2. Myiomela leucura montium White-tailed Robin (3) Dasyueshan 1.2, Alishan 6.2 and Wushe 9.2. Tarsiger johnstoniae Collared Bush Robin (4) Dasyueshan 1.2, Dasyueshan 2.2, Alishan 7.2 and Yushan NP 8.2. Tarsiger cyanurus Red-flanked Bluetail (3) Dasyueshan 1.2, Dasyueshan 2.2 and Alishan 7.2. Myophonus insularis Taiwan Whistling Thrush (4) Baxianshan 1.2, Dasyueshan 2.2, Dasyueshan 3.2 and en route 8.2. Ficedula hyperythra innexa Snowy-browed Flycatcher (1) Alishan 6.2. Phoenicurus auroreus Daurian Redstart

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Trip Report – RBL Taiwan - Winter Birding 2018

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(3) Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve 4.2, Alishan 6.2 and Puli Township 9.2. Phoenicurus fuliginosus affinis Plumbeous Water Redstart (5) Baxianshan 31.1, Baxianshan 1.2, Alishan 6.2, Alishan 7.2 and en route 8.2. Monticola solitarius philippensis Blue Rock Thrush (1) Hengnan 5.2. Brown Dipper (1) Baxianshan 31.1.

Dippers Cinclidae Cinclus pallasii pallasii

Flowerpeckers Dicaeidae Dicaeum ignipectus formosum Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (3) Dasyueshan 2.2, Dasyueshan 3.2 and Alishan 7.2. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (9) Taipei City 30.1.

Old World Sparrows Passeridae Passer montanus saturatus Waxbills and Allies Estrildidae Lonchura striata swinhoei

White-rumped Munia (1) Dasyueshan 1.2. Lonchura punctulata topela Scaly-breasted Munia (2) Taipei City 31.1 and Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2. Wagtails and Pipits Motacillidae Motacilla tschutschensis Eastern Yellow Wagtail (2) Taipei City 31.1 and Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve 4.2. Motacilla cinerea cinerea Grey Wagtail (3) Baxianshan 31.1, Hengnan 5.2 and Alishan 7.2. Motacilla alba White Wagtail (5) Baxianshan 1.2, Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve 4.2, Hengnan 5.2, Alishan 6.2 and Puli Township 9.2. Anthus richardi Richard's Pipit (1) Jinshan 10.2. Anthus hodgsoni yunnanensis Olive-backed Pipit (1) Yingda Ecological Leisure Farm 4.2. Brown Bullfinch (1) Wushe 8.2. Grey-headed Bullfinch (1) Yushan NP 7.2.

Finches, Euphonias Fringillidae Pyrrhula nipalensis uchidai Pyrrhula erythaca owstoni

Buntings, Sparrows and Allies Emberizidae Emberiza spodocephala spodocephala Black-faced Bunting (2) Taipei City 31.1 and Jinshan 10.2.

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Trip Report – RBL Taiwan - Winter Birding 2018

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Mammals (7 in total: 7 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 Macaca cyclopis Formosan Rock Macaque (3) Baxianshan 31.1, Dasyueshan 2.2 and Dasyueshan 3.2. Squirrels Sciuridae Callosciurus erythraeus thaiwanensis Pallas's Squirrel (7) Taipei City 30.1, observed Dasyueshan 2-4.2, Alishan 6.2, Wushe 8.2 and Wushe 9.2. Petaurista alborufus Red And White Giant Flying Squirrel (2) Dasyueshan 1.2 and Dasyueshan 2.2. Tamiops maritimus formosanus Maritime Striped Squirrel (1) Dasyueshan 2.2. Wild Boar (1) Dasyueshan 2.2. Reeves' Muntjac (2) Dasyueshan 1.2 and Dasyueshan 2.2.

Pigs Suidae Sus scrofa Deer Cervidae Muntiacus reevesi

Cattle, Antelopes, Sheep, Goats Bovidae Capricornis swinhoei Formosan Serow (2) Dasyueshan 1.2 and Dasyueshan 2.2. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Rockjumper Birding Ltd The Hive, Lot 23 Centre Commercial du Barachois La Place Cap, Tamarin Mauritius

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