The Marine National Park Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the Headquarters) recently discovered a new bird record for Dongsha— the Brambling (pronounced “shi” in Chinese)—on the northern beach of Dongsha Island. In the past, it was generally believed that Bramblings migrating south for winter only reached southern mainland China. This discovery on Dongsha Island not only adds a new record to the list of migratory birds passing through Dongsha, but also represents unique ecological significance worthy of further observation and research.
Dongsha Atoll National Park is located at the northern end of the South China Sea, approximately 450 kilometers from Kaohsiung. It is Taiwan’s first marine-type national park. Although Dongsha Island covers only 174 hectares, it encloses a central lagoon of about 64 hectares, creating a highly distinctive environment. With minimal human disturbance and a well-preserved natural landscape, the island serves as an important migratory stopover habitat for birds traveling north and south. To effectively protect the ecological habitats within the park, the Headquarters conducts monthly bird surveys and has established several conservation patrol routes to monitor long-term ecological and environmental changes. On November 28, during a conservation patrol along Dongsha Island’s northern shore, staff discovered an unfamiliar bird species—the Brambling. For confirmation, the Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society was consulted, and the identification was verified, marking a valuable new ecological record for Dongsha Atoll National Park.
The Brambling (genus Fringilla) is considered a rare winter migrant in Taiwan. It has a stout yellow bill, with males and females displaying similar plumage. The front half of its head is black, the back is gray, and the wings and tail feathers exhibit a bluish sheen with white patches on the wings. Its breeding range includes eastern Siberia, northeastern China, Korea, and Japan, and it winters in southern China. Bramblings are often active on the ground, feeding mainly on plant fruits, seeds, and buds, and occasionally insects. Due to their shy and cautious nature, they quickly fly away when approached or disturbed, making observation and photography difficult. Staff at the Dongsha Management Station invested considerable effort to capture photographic evidence for confirmation. With this record, the total number of bird species documented on Dongsha Island has increased to 258.
The Headquarters noted that Dongsha’s unique geographic location and rich marine and terrestrial resources make it an ecologically significant site, with birdlife representing one of the park’s most important natural assets. In addition to ongoing bird monitoring, a comprehensive bird census and banding program is planned for next year to establish a more complete avian ecological database for Dongsha.
Rare winter bird species Brambling discovered on the northern shore of Dongsha Island