Alishan, Yangmingshan, Shoushan, Taiwan
A country that seems to really care about its wildlife
Plenty of forest to explore across the island
Incredible close views of most species (wildlife is not afraid)
Lots of endemics
Accommodation is relatively expensive considering quality
Requires booking some things very far in advance (treks, accommodation for certain areas)
Freedom:
Very high. You are free to explore most parks independently, day or night.
Costs:
Relatively expensive for accommodation, cheap for everything else. Excellent public transport is available to get around the island.
Target Species:
Mikado Pheasant
Taiwan Blue Magpie
Swinhoe’s Pheasant
Collared Bush-Robin
Taiwan Red-and-White Giant Flying Squirrel
My Species Stats (two week visit, photos only):
Birds - 50
Mammals - 3
Herps - 10
Insects/Arachnids/Mollusks - 28
Habitats:
Varied
Species
I’ve lumped a few national parks together for Taiwan. I’ve visited twice, for two weeks on each trip.
Excellent Sightings:
Birds - Taiwan Blue Magpie, Taiwan Scimitar-Babbler, Taiwan Barwing, Steere’s Liocichla, White-Whiskered Laughingthrush, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Lightvented Bulbul, Black Bulbul, Morrison’s Fulvetta, Asian Glossy Starling, Black-Crowned Nightheron, Malayan Nightheron, Green-backed Tit, Oriental Turtle Dove, Taiwan Whistling Thrush, Taiwan Barbet, Gray Treepie, Collared Bush-Robin, White-Rumped Shama.
Mammals - Formosan Rock Macaque, Taiwan Red-and-White Giant Squirrel, Pallas’ Squirrel.
Herps - Pond Slider, LaTouche’s Frog, Taiwan Common Toad, Paddyfield Frog, Temple Tree Frog, Common Thread Turtle, Asian Common Toad, Taiwan Japalure, Common Sunskink.
Good Sightings:
Birds - Black Eagle, Black-Naped Monarch, Eurasian Jay, Black-Throated Tit, Brown Bullfinch, Rufous-Capped Babbler, Chestnut-Bellied Tit, Large-Billed Crow, Eurasian Nuthatch, Gray Wagtail, Bronzed Drongo, Flamecrest, Coal Tit, Rufous-Faced Warbler, Chestnut-Tailed Starling, Common Moorhen, White-Tailed Robin, Spotted Dove, Taiwan Shortwing.
Sightings:
Birds - Common Kingfisher, White-Breasted Waterhen, Crested Goshawk, White-Bellied Epornis, Gray-Capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Taiwan Yuhinia, Fire-Breasted Flowerpecker, Plain Flowerpecker, Swinhoe’s Whiteeye.
Technically Seen:
NA
Not Observed But “Common”:
NA
Dream Wildlife On Park Lists:
Formosan Black Bear, Chinese Pangolin, Taiwan Serow, Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Mikado Pheasant.