Taiwan

Day 1: Morning tour start at Taipei International Airport (TPE), from where we head to a nearby park in search of our first endemics. One of the first birds may prove to be the stunning Taiwan Blue Magpie, along with Taiwan Barbet and maybe our first Malayan Night Heron. This evening we will arrive at Dasyueshan National Forest, where we will stay for the next three nights. 

Days 2-3: Birding the road and trails in this wonderful protected area is sure to aquaint us with most Taiwanese specialties. The spectacular gamebird duo of Mikado Pheasant and Swinhoe's Pheasant are often approachable on the roadside early in the morning, while Taiwan Partridge usually takes more effort in quiet gullies. The beautiful broadleaf forest also contains some cracking passerines, like Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush, Rusty Laughingthrush, Taiwan Liocichla, Taiwan Barwing, and White-eared Sibia. 

A long list of other endemics includes Yellow Tit, Taiwan Cupwing, Taiwan Bush Warbler, Taiwan Yuhina, Taiwan Fulvetta, Grey-cheeked Fulvetta, Taiwan Scimitar Babbler, Taiwan Vivid Niltava, Taiwan Whistling Thrush, and Taiwan Shortwing. Additionally, several endemic subspecies are quite distinctive, including White-browed Bush Robin and Brown Bullfinch. A few other restricted-range birds like Collared Finchbill, Dusky Fulvetta, Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler will be seen, along with a large number of more widespread East Asian species.

Day 4: After some final birding at Dasyueshan, we'll drive towards the centre of the island. Several stops along the way will give us more chances for Taiwan Blue Magpie, along with the scarce Chestnut-bellied Tit, attractive red subspecies of Maroon Oriole, and surprisingly important Striped Prinia. Overnight in Wushe.

Day 5: Tea plantations and rural scrub around our lodging is a great area to look for the declining Taiwan Hwamei and the skulking Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler. After a morning session here, we'll head up to Hehuan Pass. White-whiskered Laughingthrush hop around the carpark, while the high elevation grassland with small pockets of coniferous forest hosts Taiwan Rosefinch, the adorable Flamecrest, and many Collared Bush Robin. This is also a good area for Taiwan Bullfinch. Afterwards, it's time to head south via the spectacular Taroko Gorge.

Day 6: Crossing by ferry to Lanyu Island, today is all about finding the scarce "Taiwan" Whistling Green Pigeon. Forested gullies here also hold endemic forms of Black Paradise Flycatcher and Ryukyu Scops Owl, while recently-arrived Northern Boobook can be found at night. Overnight on Lanyu Island.

Day 7: More time for birding this morning, keeping an eye out for any interesting migrants, before crossing back over to the mainland. Heading around the coast we should easily see Styan's Bulbul, before stops for Pheasant-tailed Jacana in sublime breeding plumage and making first attempts at Chinese Egret and Black-faced Spoonbill. 

Day 8: Full day on the slopes of Alishan National Forest where we have more opportunities for all the birds of Dasyueshan, including both Mikado Pheasant and Swinhoe's Pheasant. The endemic forms of Himalayan Owl, Southern Nutcracker, and Golden Parrotbill are all good chances here, and spotlighting usually turns up the skulking Mountain Scops Owl. 

Day 9: After a morning of birding in the mountains we'll head to Douliou and begin searching for Fairy Pitta. Local guides usually have several territories staked out, and the birds are just arriving back at this time so are extremely vocal and responsive. We have a full afternoon and morning here to make sure we are successful. Overnight in Douliou.

Day 10: This morning can be used to retry the pitta if needed, but otherwise we will partake in a little twitching. Douliou is perfectly positioned to follow up on any recent Taiwan Thrush sightings (certainly the hardest endemic, requiring both persistence and luck to see in spring). We'll try our best before heading to the north-east coast. Overnight in Yilin.

Day 11: A pelagic today will be an exciting opportunity to enjoy the stunning Aleutian Tern in breeding plumage as they make their way back north. There are chances for Sooty Tern and Bridled Tern too, while the common tubenoses which come to feed on chum are Black-footed Albatross, Bulwer's Petrel, Streaked Shearwater, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, and Flesh-footed Shearwater. Possible rarities include Red-tailed Tropicbird, Short-tailed Albatross, Swinhoe's Storm Petrel, Kermadec Petrel, and even Bonin Petrel (the latter a true vagrant but previously recorded during May on this pelagic). Overnight in Yilin.

Day 12: This is our backup day for the pelagic, or otherwise our backup day for any remaining endemics. We expect to have seen everything by this point, but there are good sites around Yilin and eastern Taipei to try for most species again (especially the tricky Taiwan Bamboo Partridge). Coastal migrant traps might produce lingering passerines like Black-faced Bunting, along with potentially Oriental Pratincole or White-shouldered Starling. In the late afternoon we'll return to Taipei International Airport (TPE) where the tour ends in time for evening flights.