Marine National Park Headquarters

Marine National Park Headquarters Dongsha Management Station conservation staff conducted a terrestrial ecological survey on May 24, 2010, and discovered a newly recorded bird species—the Rosy Starling—perched on the branches of a Casuarina tree in the central area of Dongsha Island. The photograph was sent to the Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society for verification and confirmed correct. With this finding, the bird species list of Dongsha Island has now surpassed 233 species.

The Rosy Starling (Sturnus roseus) is distributed across Eastern Europe, Siberia, Western Asia, India, Sri Lanka, and parts of mainland China including Xinjiang, Gansu, Tibet, and Shanghai. During winter, it migrates to India and Sri Lanka. It is extremely rare in Taiwan. Birdwatchers have previously recorded only four sightings in Hsinchu Xiangshan, Kenting in Pingtung, Penghu, and Kinmen, with the most recent observation occurring four years ago. This individual had already molted into its bright summer plumage and was preparing to return north to its breeding grounds. It is speculated that a strong southwest airflow on May 23 may have carried the bird to Dongsha Island, giving observers a fleeting yet fortunate glimpse.

Dongsha Atoll National Park is like an oasis in the desert, attracting a wide variety of migratory birds to rest and forage. Promoting conservation work in Dongsha Atoll National Park means actively protecting these beautiful birds and ensuring they have a safe journey home.