Sunday, August 31, 2014

2014 Checklist, Calender, & Birdfair

Too, too long since the last post here. A quick catch-up.


1. 2014 Checklist.
2. Events coming soon.
3. Other notes from the British Birdfair.


1. Checklist.
The latest official Taiwan checklist from the local bird federation has been published. 17 new species accepted. Grey-cheeked Fulvetta split. I suspect a couple more, such as the Bamboo Partridge, are on the cusp of also being recognized as full endemics.


2. Upcoming events.
If you know of other details that should be here, please email me.


Kenting Raptor Migration Festival
October 10-12.


Taiwan Field Guide
October. Completely new Chinese-language version published. May be sooner - or later.


Taiwan Birdathon
November 1-2.
Foreign teams warmly welcomed.


Asian Bird Fair
November 29-30. Langkawi, Malaysia.


Taipei Birdfair
October 25-26. Guandu, Taipei City.


Dasyueshan Bird Race
April 24-26, 2015


Raptor Festival
April 2015. Baguashan and Guanyinshan.


3. British Birdfair.
I attended the Birdfair at Rutland last month. Here is a review of some of the messages I was trying to get across.


Other than just birds, birds, birds - Taiwan has:


High biodiversity - over 80 endemic and endemic subspecies. On the East Asian - Australasian flyway.


A diversity of butterflies and dragonflies. Alpine to tropical flora...and all in a compact area.


Good infrastructure - roads, accommodation etc. No visas needed.


Safe - low crime, no* leeches, malaria, dengue or rabies. Clean,good hygiene and healthcare.
*...well effectively none!


Great habitats - extensive well-protected mountain forest and wetlands.


Year-round birding, on good trails or roadside. Excellent scenery and other natural distractions.


People - friendly, conservation-minded, and interested in nature. A twitching scene.


Free, democratic, progressive society with an interesting traditional culture.


Birding/Nature companies visiting Taiwan.
Zoothera Birding
Greentours
Naturetrek
Rockjumper
BirdingBreaks.nl
Limosa
Wings/Sunbird
BirdingEcotours
Bird Tour Asia
Birding2Asia
Birdfinders
Wings
Legacy Tours
BirdHolidays
Birdquest
Eagle-eye Tours
Tropical Birding


Other Taiwan Guides.


Mr. Hsu, Yen-Hui  yenhui14@gmail.com
Mr Hung Kuan-Chieh helapiz@gmail.com
Mr. Jian, Kuen Dar kuendar@hotmail.com
Mr. Tsai, Mu-Chi  sibia.tsai@gmail.com
Mr. Kao, Lin Chu kaolin818@yahoo.com.tw
Mr. Philip Kuo avocet@url.com.tw
Mr. Wu, Shumit hwct5120@ms9.hinet.net
Miss Lai, Mei Sho mechile@ms72.hinet.net
Birding@Taiwan info@birdingattaiwan.com
Natural Kingdom Ms. Chen Chia-en natural.express@msa.hinet.net
Wayne Hsu  fbmagpie@gmail.com