The Marine National Park Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the Headquarters) published in December its first interpretive book introducing the birds of Dongsha Island—Dongsha, the Paradise of Birds. After more than two years of continuous field surveys and monitoring on the island, the collected data were transformed into accessible interpretive text accompanied by a wide range of bird photographs. Through this publication, the Headquarters hopes to provide the public with an opportunity to appreciate the diversity of bird resources on Dongsha Island.

Director Wu Chuan-an of the Headquarters stated that Dongsha Atoll National Park is centered on Dongsha Atoll and is geographically located along the East Asian migratory flyway. Combined with the island’s diverse habitats—including coastal shrublands, sandy beaches, and lagoons—Dongsha Island serves as an excellent stopover site for migratory birds.

Since 1990, sporadic avian ecological surveys have been conducted on Dongsha Island. In order to better understand year-round changes in bird populations, the Headquarters commissioned the Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society to conduct comprehensive surveys and monitoring in 2008 and 2009. Significant results were achieved. As of November 2009, a total of 231 bird species had been recorded. Nearly every survey documented new species records. However, only 16 species are present year-round, indicating that the avifauna of Dongsha Island consists predominantly of migratory species. The high diversity and relative ease of observation make this a uniquely remarkable phenomenon.

Although Dongsha Atoll National Park is not yet open to ecotourism due to ongoing resource restoration efforts, the Headquarters hopes that this book will allow the public to gain insight into the rich diversity of birdlife found on Dongsha Island.

Dongsha, the Paradise of Birds includes more than 50 commonly seen bird species on the island and introduces their habits and ecological characteristics in a clear and engaging manner. Interested readers may purchase the book at Wunan Cultural Plaza and the National Bookstore (Songjiang Branch). The book contains 120 full-color pages and is priced at NT$250 per copy. The public is warmly invited to obtain a copy.