Tour Leader: Local Leader
Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD4,100 * GBP3,272 * EUR3,942 * AUD6,570
With 31 currently recognised endemics and a further 15 distinctive endemic subspecies, not to mention the incredible East-Asian Flyway, Taiwan has much to offer both birders and bird photographers. Located 100 km east of China, just south of Japan and Korea, and slightly north of the Philippines, this small island is less than 400 km long and 150 km wide with rugged central mountains interspersed with deep valleys and boasts a high biodiversity in a very manageable package.
Taiwan is well regarded as one of Asia’s premier photographic destinations with plenty of photogenic species like the magnificent Swinhoe’s and Mikado Pheasants, Taiwan Partridge, spectacular Taiwan Blue Magpie, incredible Flamecrest, Chestnut-bellied and Yellow Tits, Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler, Collared Bush Robin, Taiwan Whistling Thrush, Taiwan Barwing, White-eared Sibia, Steere’s Liocichla, Rufous-crowned, Rusty and White-whiskered Laughingthrushes, Malayan Night Heron, exquisite Fairy Pitta, and Japanese Paradise Flycatcher to mention just a few!
Highlights
Swinhoe’s & Mikado Pheasants; Taiwan Partridge; Taiwan Blue Magpie; Chestnut-bellied & Yellow Tits; Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler; Collared Bush Robin; Taiwan Whistling Thrush; Taiwan Barwing; White-eared Sibia; Steere’s Liocichla; Rufous-crowned, Rusty & White-whiskered Laughingthrushes; Malayan Night Heron; Fairy Pitta; Japanese Paradise Flycatcher.
Taiwanese Macaque; Giant & White-faced Flying Squirrels; Pallas’s & Perny’s Long-nosed Squirrels; Taiwan Serow; Reeve’s Muntjac.
subtropical lowland forest, coniferous temperate forest, mountains, rivers, marshes, lakes, coastline, islands
Can be hot & humid in lowlands, some rain in mountains.
10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
Undemanding. Rewarding tour with good food, accommodation, vehicles, spectacular scenery, etc. • Our Bird Photo Tours are a hybrid between our Classic birding tours and dedicated photographic tours. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or have the biggest lens; this is for everyone with an interest in photography and birding. Whether you’re using a bridge camera or the latest body and prime lens, our aims are the same. • These tours are not aimed at seeing the most species possible on the route, rather taking time to photograph key targets and any other interesting species we may find. Naturally, the overall species list will be lower than a comparable birding focused tour. • Whilst we may use blinds, feeders and hide setups on some of these tours, we will not be spending an entire day nor even several hours fixed in one spot. • These tours are suitable for photographers who prefer opportunistic photography over entire days in a hide. • Our leaders will assist in helping everyone secure good photographic opportunities and advise as much as they can on camera setup. However, they are not professional photographic tour leaders.
Variable, from good in large cities to simple/basic in remoter areas. The overall standard of lodging is inferior to most neighbouring countries.
Mostly easy but forest birding & certain species can be a bit challenging at times
Fantastic scenery, great people and cultural attractions, varied habitats, wide array of flora and butterflies, good infrastructure
Generally good to excellent. No dedicated hides. Can be more challenging in forest environments
Both David and our local leader did a splendid job taking care of us and finding as many birds as possible. Perhaps one day less on Kinmen Island would have been better as we ran out of new birds to look for over there quite quickly. The bus driver was also spectacular
The tour was a bit more strenuous than advertised, with many early mornings and breakfasts on the fly. I am not complaining, as that is how to get the birds, but just pointing it out. Also, the bus was anything but comfortable. Fortunately for me, Glen and the group allowed me to sit in the only seat that allowed me to sit with my knees in front of me (I am 196 cm tall). Overall, though, this was an excellent trip. We saw all the endemics, mostly because of the perseverance of the guides, who were excellent. Richard know where the birds occurred, and Glen was fantastic at finding them. We had a very good group, which makes a big difference, and several of the tougher species were initially spotted by the participants. I was especially impressed with Glen (again), as he is dogged at getting the very special birds. He concentrates on these "special" birds - endemics, near-endemics, and specialty birds that are difficult to find elsewhere. Case in point: Mountain Scope-Owl, an extremely difficult bird that is almost impossible to see elsewhere, not that it is easy to see in Taiwan. We tried for this bird three times, the last time an early morning foray with just a few of us going out on foot with the indefatigable Glen. We had almost given up and were heading back when the owl called nearby. A few minutes of looking and the owl popped up in front of us for great, unobstructed views. It doesnt get any better than that. Glen was as excited with the sighting as the three of us out that morning. An unforgettable experience.
Taiwan - Spring Birding (Oriental Bird Club Sponsor Tour) 2024 - April 2024
Taiwan - Winter Birding 2024 - January 2024
Taiwan - Spring Birding 2023 - May 2023
Taiwan - Winter Birding 2020 - February 2020
Taiwan - Spring Birding 2019 - May 2019
Taiwan - Spring Birding 2018 - May 2018
Taiwan - Winter Birding 2018 - January 2018
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