TAIWAN
The beautiful island of Taiwan is one of the easiest and friendliest places in which to watch birds in East Asia. Dazzling species are common in the open woodlands of the upland areas. Taiwan Blue Magpies, Grey-chinned Minivets, Flamecrests, Black-throated Tits and the wonderfully named Steere’s Liocichlas (pronounced Leo-SIC-la) simply glow in the trees. And all against a backdrop of magnificent mountain scenery, as depicted in the familiar Chinese scroll paintings.
We have chosen this time of year primarily because of the weather. Taiwan gets a lot of rain, especially in the spring and summer when the “Plum Rains” fall. November is drier, when sunshine and clear mountain views are far more likely. In addition, at this time the resident endemics are joined by extra treats for western birdwatchers in the shape of some fabulous wintering birds. These include Red-flanked Bluetails, Eyebrowed and Dusky Thrushes and species that are difficult to see elsewhere, such as the endangered Saunders’ Gull and Black-faced Spoonbill. Another benefit is fewer leaves on the trees, so little gems like Taiwan Yuhinas and Taiwan Yellow Tits are easier to watch clearly.
Roughly seventy of the resident birds are endemic species or races and many of the latter are likely to be split in the near future. So we believe everything is worth a good look, as almost all birds are rare, local or special in some other way, providing high quality birding every day.
Taiwan is a safe, tourist-friendly country, with wonderful national parks, excellent infrastructure, a fascinating ancient culture and delicious food.
From the airport on the coast we will drive south for two hours to Lukang, our base for the first two nights. We will soon be watching our first Chinese Bulbuls, Red Collared-doves, Crested Mynas, Amur Wagtails and Black-headed Shrikes. Local paddies and field edges are home to Oriental Skylarks, Eastern Yellow Wagtails, Grey-faced and perhaps Yellow Buntings.
We then head off further south to Aogu, the largest zone of estuaries, lakes, rice fields and fishponds in Taiwan. It is criss-crossed by roads and is the easiest place to search for Eastern Marsh Harrier, White-winged Black and Gull-billed Terns, Intermediate and Chinese Pond-herons and Greater and Lesser Sandplovers. The sweet potato fields attract Pacific Golden Plovers, Red-throated Pipits, stints and wagtails.
Nearer Tainan is Chiku, the traditional wintering grounds of the very rare Black-faced Spoonbill; we can expect up to 300 of these magnificent birds. It is a good time of year to find Saunders’ Gull alongside a wide range of wetland birds in this area including Great Knot and possibly Asian Dowitcher. Around Sihcao we will be alert for any unusual wintering passerines from the Asian mainland.
Tainan is the old capital, and we will no doubt notice the old Dutch fortifications, Confucius Temple and other famous local sights as we travel around.
On day six we will head to Alishan National Forest (adjacent to Yushan National Park), our base for the next two nights. En route we will visit Kwantien Reserve to look for Greater Painted Snipe, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, White-breasted Waterhen, and Yellow and Cinnamon Bitterns. During the ascent of Alishan we will make birding stops, and take a tea break at Shihjhuo where they grow the finest tea in Taiwan.
The upland areas are where the endemic birds are concentrated. We will explore bamboo clumps, ancient forest with huge trees and stands of pine. At this time many of the small birds are in mixed species flocks, alive with colour and calls as they feed. We will look for Flamecrest, White-whiskered Laughing Thrush, Taiwan Sibia, Taiwan Barwing, Varied Tit, and Brown and Grey-headed Bullfinches.
The riversides and parklands are where we will look for Plumbeous Redstarts, Little Forktails, Red-flanked Bluetails, a crested form of Coal Tit, and wintering thrushes.
At higher levels we can expect the beautiful Collared Bush Robin, White’s Thrush and Vinaceous Rosefinch, plus have our best chance for Mikado Pheasants. This is where we will find the endemic Formosan Macaque. Weather permitting, we may see the distant peak of Jade Mountain (Yushan), at 12966 feet, the roof of Taiwan and the highest peak in East Asia. Depending upon our progress, we may also take the narrow-gauge mountain railway up to a scenic viewpoint.
En route to Aowanda National Forest, we will break our journey with an overnight stop at Huisun. It is a beautiful place with middle altitude forest, more birds to see and a chance of Swinhoe’s Pheasant. We will keep our eyes peeled for Claret Oriole, Taiwan Barbet, Oriental Turtle Dove, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Goshawk and Japanese Sparrowhawk. Black Eagle, Pacific and Striated Swallows, White-throated and Silver-backed Needletails, and Fork-tailed Swifts are all possible.
On day nine we will continue our journey to Aowanda, our base for the next two nights. We can stay inside this reserve, in somewhat Scandinavian style chalets. Many birds here are accustomed to visitors and the lawns around the centre are a good place to watch for Olive-backed Pipit, Daurian Redstart, Pale and Red-throated Thrushes.
Vivid Niltavas and Fire-breasted Flowerpeckers certainly live up to their names; and this is a good site for White-tailed Blue Robin, Chinese Bamboo-partridge and the endemic Taiwan Blue Magpie too. Along Naoliao stream we may find the Formosan Whistling-thrush and maybe even Little Forktail at the uppermost of three waterfalls.
The well laid-out paths make it easier to see the rufous bellied race of Nutcracker. Mixed flocks, often heralded by Himalayan Treepies, include Taiwan Yuhinas, Japanese White-eyes, Green-backed Tits, Rufous-faced Warblers, Grey-cheeked Fulvettas, and Grey-chinned Minivets. From the walkways we can scan for Ashy Wood-pigeons and White-bellied Green-pigeons, as well as Spot-breasted Scimitar-babblers.
This is a very peaceful place to stay, and some of the famous autumn colour from the maples may be lingering along with butterflies, as it is sheltered here.
On day 11 we will drag ourselves away from the beautiful mountains and head down to Taipei. Our last two nights will be at the Grand Hotel from where we will visit Yangmingshan National Park, to catch up on any birds we have missed, especially the glorious Taiwan Blue Magpie.
We will also visit the interesting Botanical Gardens as this is the easiest place in the world to watch the sought-after Malayan Night-heron, with other good birds as well.
Throughout the trip we will see many wonderful landscapes, and experience the best of Illa Formosa, with its classic Chinese gardens, brash night markets, and fabulous temples.
Breakfast will normally be taken at about 7.30am, with some optional earlier morning forays. Basic fitness is all that is required. Full days will be spent in the field with short/medium length walks. There are some uphill sections and some steps up to waterfalls, but these will be taken at a sensible pace and are optional.
Full-board accommodation is provided with two nights at the Lukang Leader Hotel; two nights at the Evergreen Plaza, Tainan; two nights at the Alishan House Hotel; one night at the Atayal Resort Huisun; two nights at the Aowanda and two nights at the Grand Hotel, Taipei. The accommodation is of a high standard except at Huisun and Aowanda, which are simple but very pleasant with private bathrooms. Food throughout is good quality Chinese, with some western alternatives at most places. Packed lunches will be taken some days, on others we will have restaurant lunches.
PRICE INCLUDES …..
All birdwatching excursions with expert leader and local naturalist, full-board accommodation, soft drinks at meal times, all entrance fees, local transport by mini-bus, return flight to Taipei, and flight and airport taxes.
Cost of travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips.
Return flights from most UK airports (via Amsterdam) to Taipei, using the scheduled services of KLM. Outbound flight departs early evening, return flight arrives back mid-morning.
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13 nights including two overnight flights:
Principal leader:
Local guide:
Maximum group size:
Cost with discount (if you book before 6th August 2008):
Full Cost:
Single supplement:
Deposit:
Insurance premium:
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19th Nov. to 2nd Dec. 2008
Roger Barnes
Simon Liao
10 clients with one leader and a local guide
£3080 per person sharing
£3230 per person sharing
£240
£300
£59 due at time of booking (£89 for age 65 to 69) (£118 for age 70 and over)
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Taiwan Laughingthrush, Claret Oriole, White-tailed Blue Robin, Taiwan Blue Magpie, Black-headed Shrike, Taiwan Yuhina, Scaley (White's) Thrush and Taiwan Yellow Tit, all photograph's by Wu Han who accompanied Roger on the recce trip