Monday 2 December 2013

15th November, 2013 TAIWAN Day 1

After leaving LHR on the 13th on an overnight flight with a change at Hong Kong we finally arrived at Taipei airport during the early evening on the 14th. Taiwan is 8 hours ahead of British GMT. We had previously made a reservation at a new hotel in nearby Taoyuan City as they had a free shuttlebus service from the airport and the shuttle was at the airport to meet us. Taoyuan City was a real oriental city full of Chinese neon flashing lighting.

We had also arranged for a hire car with an English Sat.Nav. to be at the hotel from 8.30 am on the 15th and this arrived on time. By 9.00 am we were on the road heading to the lowland Huisun Forest Reserve a drive of some 3.5 hrs. and thanks to the Sat. Nav. we found it easily and quickly booked our accommodation for one night, within the reserve, and after dropping off our bags we were quickly out birding staying out until dusk.


Entrance road leading into the Huisun Forest Reserve


View in the Huisun Forest Reserve
Eastern Cattle Egret 1
Grey Heron 1
Great White Egret 3
Indian Black Eagle 1 seen well on the journey.
Spotted Dove 2
House Swift 15
Taiwan Barbet 2 showed very well low down in a fruiting hedge.
Bronzed Drongo 4
Jay 1
Taiwan Blue Magpie 4 Came flying in near the entrance gate at dusk to roost.
Grey Treepie 4
Varied Tit 1 of the distinctive Taiwan race castaneoventris and often considered a full specie.
Pacific Swallow 12
Himalayan Black Bulbul Flock of 30
Grey-cheeked Fulvetta 10
White-bellied Erpornis 2
Taiwan Whistling Thrush 2
Plumbeous Redstart 2
Brown Dipper 1
Tree Sparrow
Grey Wagtail 2
Amur Wagtail 2





 Pair of Taiwan Barbets in a fruiting hedge at at Huisun Forest Reserve


(DC)
(DC)
Varied Tit of the Taiwan race castaneoventris at Huisun Forest Reserve.
                                                                 
 

Adult male Amur Wagtail of the race leucopus.



Grey-cheeked Fulvetta the common flock specie at Huisun Forest Reserve