B2A Taiwan birding tour report, our trip list.
Endemics and Fairy Pitta, 6-14 May 2024

Participants; Judy Davis, Lyann Comrack, Janet Holzworth,
Connie Wolcott, Nasrin Mazuji (all USA), Stijn De Win (Belgium)

Anmashan-Dasyueshan, Huisun Forest Reserve, Guantian Jacana Reserve,
Kenting, Jiji Endemic Research Gardens, Pingtung county,
Yushan National Park, Huben, Wushe area.

Confident this was a hugely successful tour with a nice group and good weather which certainly helped us finding all 30 endemic species -seen- in just 9 days. Taiwan is such a rewarding destination with pleasant birding and fantastic scenery. Perhaps not a huge trip list for the May tour (no wintering waders/ducks etc) but well made up for by Fairy Pitta and some good bonus species on this tour; Petchora Pipit, Greater Painted-snipe, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Collared Owlet, Ashy Woodpigeon, Ruddy Kingfisher, Little Forktail and Vinous-throated Parrotbill.

Litte Grebe Tachybaptus ruficolis
Couple nest building at Guantian Jacana reserve.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Single at Longluan Lake Kenting.

Great Egret Ardea alba
Few Jacana reserve and Kenting.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Few throughout.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Common.

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Common.

Malayan Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus
Single Anmashan, 3 at Huisun, Huben, Wushe.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Jiji endemic garden.

Eastern Spot-billed Duck Amas zonorhyncha
Two at Anmashan and several on Longluan Lake Kenting.

Tufted Duck Aythya filigula
Couple on Longluan Lake.

Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhychus
Twice seen, enroute Huisun and Yushan .

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
Seen enroute on Kenting and Huben days.

Black-eared Kite Milvus lineatus
Few Pingtung.

Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela hoya
Rather common with regular sightings on our trip.

Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus formosae
Common.

Besra Accipiter virgatus fuscipectus
Single sighting at Dasyueshan.

Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis
Seen daily Dasyueshan and 1 on Bedongyueshan.

Taiwan Partridge Arborophila crudigularis -Endemic-
Three seen on Bedongyueshan after only hearing it at the more regular Dasyueshan sites.

Taiwan Bamboo-Partridge Bambusicola sonorivox -Endemic-
Seen Anmashan and Huben, lots more heard throughout.

Swinhoe's Pheasant Lophura swinhoii -Endemic-
As usual no shortage of sightings of this impressive Pheasant.
4 males and a female Anmashan first day, 3 males Dasyueshan, 1 male Yushan NP.

Mikado Pheasant Syrmaticus mikado -Endemic-
A brilliant record for this tour with sightings at no less than 3 locations.
A pair on Dasyueshan, a male on Yushan and another pair enroute to Huhuan Pass.

Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus formosanus
One seen near the Guantian Jacana reserve with more heard in the area.

Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Numerous birds all in summer plumage in and around the Guantian Jacana reserve.

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Jiji, Jacana reserve, Pingtung, Kenting.

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
Couple on Longluan Lake Kenting.

Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis
Two males and a female were a nice bonus find in Guantian fields.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Guantian Jacana and Kenting.

Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum
Regular sightings in Guantian and on the trip to Pingtung-Kenting.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Single in the Jacana reserve.

Ashy Wood-Pigeon Columba pulchricollis
Two sigtings at Anmashan incl. 1 sitting on the road and 2 birds for great views on the Blue Gate track.

Oriental Turtle-Dove Streptopelia orientalis orii
Few seen on 4 dates during the tour.

Red Collared-Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica
Common.

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis formosona
Common.

Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica
Seen Pingtung and Huben, more heard.

White-bellied Pigeon Treron sieboldii soronius
Several good sightings at Anmashan, more heard and also seen Pingtung.

Large Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus sparverioides
Regularly heard, but always in the distance.

Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus
Seen twice Dasyueshan, more heard.

Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei pardalotum
Nice one seen on our first day at Anmashan, few more heard.

Savanna Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis stictomus
Commonly heard in towns.

Pacific Swift Apus pacificus
Only seen once, at Yushan together with House Swifts and Asian Martins.

House Swift Apus nipalensis kuntzi
Common.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Seen on 4 tour dates.

Ruddy Kingfisher Halcyon coromanda
A very nice surprise and bonus with good views at Huben.
One that got the local photographers excited when we found it.

Taiwan Barbet Megalaima nuchalis -Endemic-
Common.

Grey-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus kaleensis
Regular sightings at low elevations.

White-backed Woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos insularis
Heard Dasyueshan and Bedongyueshan, not very active in May as compared with our March tour.

Grey-faced Woodpecker Picus canus tancolo
Heard Dasyueshan and Bedongyueshan.

Fairy Pitta Pitta nympha
Brilliant views of 1 bird at a nest site in Huben. At another site 1 bird had been calling as recorded
on a pre-tour recce but it had already gone silent when we got there by 12 May.

Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula wattersi
Few Guantian and Pingtung.

Grey-throated Martin Riparia chinensis chinensis
Common Guantian Jacana area.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Common.

Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica namiyei
Common in lowlands.

Asian Martin Delichon dasypus nigrimentalis
Dasyueshan, Yushan and Wushe.

Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata striolata
Common in the lowlands.

Petchora Pipit Anthus gustavi
A very nice surprise and bonus with 1 bird observed (incl. spotting scope views) working the
leafy sides of the path in the Guantian Jacana reserve.

White Wagtail Motacilla alba leucopsis
Few seen Jiji endemic garden, Huben and Wushe.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis taivana
Seen near the Jacana reserve.

Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris
Regular encounters.

Collared Finchbill Spizixos semitorques cinereicapillus
Common at low-middle elevation.

Styan's Bulbul (Taiwan) Pycnonotus taivanus -Endemic-
Common around Longluan Lake in Kenting.

Light-vented Bulbul (Chinese) Pycnonotus sinensis formosae
Common.

Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus nigerrimus
Common.

Flamecrest Regulus goodfellowi -Endemic-
Good long views of a male at Dasyueshan, also Yushan and heard Hehuan Pass.

Northern Wren Troglodytes troglodytes taivanus
Heard Dasyueshan and Hehuan Pass.

Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris fennelli
Nice views twice of single birds despite thick fog and rain on the Hehuan Pass.

Formosan Whistling-Thrush (Taiwan) Myophonus insularis -Endemic-
A few birds seen almost daily.

Island Thrush [Taiwan] Turdus poliocephalus niveiceps
Brief views of a single singing bird near km 30 at Dasyueshan, with a second bird singing nearby.

Taiwan Shortwing Brachypteryx goodfellowi -Endemic-
A nice performance of 1 bird at Yushan, many more heard, also Dasyueshan and Wushe.

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Few near the Jacana reserve.

Striated Prinia Prinia crinigera striata
Couple with young birds seen Anmashan, also heard Wushe.

Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris
Seen Anmashan and Huben.

Plain Prinia Prinia inornata flavirostris
Seen Jiji and Huben, more heard.

Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler Horornis fortipes robustipes
Good brief views at Anmashan on our 3rd day (after our 1st day heard only struggle).

Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler Horornis acanthizoides concolor
Common at high elevations, seen well twice, more heard.

Taiwan Bush-Warbler Locustella alishanensis -Endemic-
The usual perfect performance at Dasyueshan, also heard on Yushan.

Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis
Single bird Anmashan km 10.

Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis
Common at mid elevations, few at lower elevation and few up to almost 2500masl.

Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea
Always a nice bonus, 2 sightings, at Dasyueshan and Yushan.

Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra innexa
Seen singing along the Blue Gate Track Wushe.

Vivid Niltava [Taiwan] Niltava vivida vivida
Fairly common at mid to high elevations.

White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus -introduced-
Increasingly common.

Taiwan Bush-robin Tarsiger formosana -Endemic-
A pair seen well on our walk at Dasyueshan.

Collared Bush-robin Tarsiger johnstoniae -Endemic-
Several seen Dasyueshan and Yushan.

Plumbeous Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosa affinis
In rivers at Anmashan and Wushe area.

White-tailed Robin Cinclidium leucurum montium
Rather common.

Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri fortis
A happy return of 1 bird and the water on the waterfall at Dasyueshan after we had
found the location completely dry last March .

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea oberholseri
Common.

Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush Garrulax ruficeps -Endemic-
Several encounters on 2 days at Dasyueshan.

Rusty Laughingthrush Garrulax poecilorhynchus -Endemic-
Reasonable views on our first day at Anmashan and much improved views on the 3rd day.

Taiwan Hwamei Garrulax taewanus -Endemic-
Brilliant views at the Dipper spot near Wushe, heard Anmashan.

White-whiskered Laughingthrush Garrulax morrisonianus -Endemic-
Easy to see at the high elevation sites, Dasyueshan, Yushan, Hehuan Pass.

Steere's Liocichla Liocichla steerii -Endemic-
Common at middle and high elevations but not always showing a lot.
Seen well twice at Dasyueshan and at Yushan, heard a lot more.

Black-necklaced Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis -Endemic-
3 birds seen well at the Fairy Pitta spot in Huben, heard in 2 locations Anmashan.

Taiwan Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus musicus -Endemic-
Fairly common at low to middle elevations, seen well on 4 tour days.

Taiwan Cupwing Pnoepyga formosana -Endemic-
Brilliant views of 1 hopping out in the open on the Blue Gate Track, also heard Dasyueshan and Yushan.

Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyris ruficeps praecognita
Common.

Taiwan Barwing Actinodura morrisoniana -Endemic-
Several seen Dasyueshan and a couple on the Blue Gate Track Wushe.

Taiwan Fulvetta Alcippe formosana -Endemic-
Good views at both Dasyueshan and Yushan.

Dusky Fulvetta Alcippe brunnea brunnea
Unbelievably showy in the open at Huben, the usual glimpse of this skulker at Anmashan.

Morrison's Fulvetta Alcippe morrisonia -Endemic-
Common.

White-eared Sibia Heterophasia auricularis -Endemic-
Common.

Taiwan Yuhina Yuhina brunneiceps -Endemic-
Common.

White-bellied Erpornis Erpornis zantholeuca
Seen on 5 tour dates, sites at low elevation.

Vinous-throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus bulomachus
A single bird seen well by the river in Huben.

Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus
Fairly common in forest at middle to high elevations.

Coal Tit Periparus ater ptisolus
Common high elevation Dasyueshan and Yushan.

Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus insperatus
Seen daily Dasyueshan and Yushan.

Yellow Tit (Taiwan) Macholophus holsti -Endemic-
2 sightings Dasyueshan and a couple on the Blue Gate track Wushe.

Chestnut-bellied Tit Sittiparus castaneoventris -Endemic-
Two birds at Huisun coming in for a bath, nice looks, and a relief as this beautiful
species is much more difficult to find in May than on our March tours.

Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea
A single seen Dasyueshan, more heard, also Bedongyueshan.

Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor uchidai
Heard Huisun only.

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectum formosum
Brief views Yushan.

Swinhoe's White-eye Zosterops simplex
Common.

Maroon Oriole [Red Oriole] Oriolus straillii ardens
3 beautiful red ones seen at Pingtung and 1 at the Huben Pitta site .

Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus harterti
C.

Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus brounianus
Few sightings Huisun, Huben, Wushe.

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius taivanus
Only 1 sighting, Wushe Blue Gate track.

Taiwan Blue Magpie Urocissa caerulea -Endemic-
All 3 groups of this favourite present at Huisun seen well, nice views Wushe area as well.

Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae formosae
Common.

Eurasian (Oriental) Magpie Pica pica
Few seen enroute Anmashan and near the Jacana Reserve.

Eurasian Nutcracker Nucifraga caryocatactes owstoni
Very nice encounters at both Bedonyueshan and yushan.

Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos
Regular sightings.

Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus formosanus
Only seen near the airport hotel.

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis -introduced-
Common.

Javan Myna Acridotheres javanicus -introduced-
Very common.

Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica -introduced-
Several seen Guantian Jacana area and Kenting.

Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis panayensis -introduced-
A few on the Pingtung university grounds.

Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis -introduced-
Few at Guantian Jacana reserve.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Common.

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata
Regular sightings.

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
Seen Guantian Jacana reserve.

Taiwan Rosefinch Carpodacus formosanus -Endemic-
A nice pair at Dasyueshan, 3 females Yushan, also seen a couple at the Hehuan Pass.

Taiwan Bullfinch Pyrrhula owstoni -Endemic-
A very nice pair feeding on the ground at Dasyueshan top station, and heard Hehuan Pass.

Mammals;
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Formosan Rock Macaque Macaca cyclopis
Regular sightings.

Pallas's Squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus
Regular sightings.

Maritime Striped Squirrel Tamiops maritimus
Seen on 4 tour dates.

Reeve's Muntjac Muntiacus reevesi
One seen Dasyueshan, also regularly heard Yushan, Wushe.

Taiwan Serow Nemorhaedus swinhoei
Nice one showing well on Dasyueshan.