Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin

With the prospects of another day out with a local 'birder' tomorrow, all I had to do was find my way to Xin Dian about 15 miles away on the outskirts of Taipei. Luckily the whole journey was 'underground', even including the walk from the hotel to the MRT Station, as if it could get any worse that is what the rain had done overnight. The 'tube' system is not only efficient and easy to follow, but spotlessly clean (not even a coffee cup) with penalties being severe for eating, drinking or any other damn thing on the train.

Arriving at about 09:30, priority was to find a hotel, from where the picture above was taken, then try to make contact with my companion for tomorrow. No joy thus far either with my contact or the weather, but the 'twitch' had already started especially as the whole town was surrounded by what looked like lush, green forest.

From the map it looked easy to access this hill which is some 700 feet high, so despite the rain I gave it a go.

It was 'lush' alright and accessible via the Stairway to Heaven, but thus far not a peep from a bird. The first signs of avian life were 3 tiny birds scuffling about in the undergrowth, but what chance of identifying them - None! However, glancing up there was another larger one sat in the open which was distinctive and easily recognised as a

Taiwan Sibia

one of the 26 'endemics' this was a find indeed, but wish I could lay claim to the photograph. With the rain continuing harder if anything it would have been foolhardy to get the camera out of the bag let alone point it, but this was a great start to the day.

The dense vegetation was no help, but the beauty alone would have been enough. It would seem that just about every square inch of the flat lowland plains of Taiwan have been developed, but luckily so far most of these steep mountain slopes remain untouched.

A carpet of wild Begonias almost everywhere added a lovely floral touch, but we needed another bird.

Getting close to the top of the hill, there it was high in a tree

and preening a Besra, a Sparrowhawk type of bird as reported yesterday.

At the summit there stand what looks every bit like a Buddhist Temple, but with stone tables and chairs and a flashy stainless steel barbecue range, I fancy it to be more of a picnic area.

The view from here is fantastic albeit overlooking the town

but even then through the gathering mist on the south side it can be seen that some of the slopes have also been developed.

What looked like a telegraph pole had been used, along with a naturally growing tree, to form a set of sheer-legs

and no doubt with the use of this snatch-block (pulley) was used to cart the building material up the hill in days gone by.

On the way down this Moth was found, while close by there was a commotion coming from a nearby bush.

A coup indeed as a pair of Taiwan Scimitar Babblers

scrambled through the folliage, gave me decent views then disappeared forever. Another 'endemic', and when considered that only 4 species were seen well enough to identify today (the other being a pair of Barn Swallows close to the hotel) then 50% 'endemic' is not a bad average?

More vegetation, but enough for one day. Akin to a drowned rat, the effort had been very much worth it so hope that tomorrow will be as fruitful. I'll leave you with this image

of an even more dreary view from the hotel room window as commuters wend their way home at 17:00.

The Witch's Promise - Jethro Tull

A great start to the day as we add the Indian Ocean Island of Guam to the readership.
As ever a Warm Welcome is extended and hope that you may pass the Link on to all other Islanders!

Today was given over to a birding expedition some 30 minutes outside of Taipei City Centre via the very efficient MRT underground rail system and in the company of German ex-pat, Doctor Bruno Walther. Bruno, now married and living in Taiwan, has carried out extensive ornithological research throughout much of South America, has qualifications from a number of world universities (including Cambridge) and currently lectures at both Taiwanese Universities. This link, an interview with Bruno, will give a far better insight than I can.

Introduction to my new 'birding' friend Dr Bruno Walther

The bustling little town of Guandu,

the small tributary that runs through the town and empties into the main river before reaching the sea and

the imposing and ornate Buddhist Temple built into the side of the hill.

We were here to take a look around the wetlands, but once again the weather was poor with heavy rain early on giving way to some dry periods later in the day and again everything seen was at great distance.

Among the more common residents here are Black-crowned Night Heron (adults)

along with many juveniles.

Black-winged Stilt is also abundant here with my estimate of about 50/60 individuals seen. During this early period we also recorded Little Grebe, lots of Grey Heron, Great White Egret and a Snipe species as yet unidentified.

This rather pleasing winged insect was followed by the

first of several Black Drongo

and what may well be another 'lifer' an EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL treated as a separate species in the Field Guide. Plain Prinia, Eurasian Teal in good numbers and a juvenile Marsh harrier were next up, with this rather smart looking

Cattle Egret catching us slightly unawares.

Of the 3 possible Mynas at this site we were lucky to see them all

with these Common Myna being the only one close enough to attempt a photo. The other 2 are Crested and JAVAN MYNA which I had not seen before.

This successful Osprey was again a distant but welcome addition,

but as it flew off an even more welcome Besra (an eastern type Sparrowhawk) flew into the same binocular view. This was immediately set upon by the half dozen or so Barn Swallows feeding along the edges of the paddy fields

where 2 Wood Sandpipers were spotted. During this active period we also picked up on Red Turtle Dove, Shoveler, Shelduck, Spot-billed Duck, a lone White-fronted Goose, Common Kestrel and a Grey Wagtail.

Also enjoying the food in the paddies were a couple of Sacred Ibis

which qualified as most obliging birds of the day as they did fly directly towards us. Before the walk was over, 2 Common Sandpiper appeared from nowhere, disappearing in half the time and to continue the wader theme 5 Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper also hit the list. JAPANESE WAGTAIL was a new bird to me but not Plumbeous Redstart, Siberian Stonechat or Yellow-bellied Prinia but there was to be a rewarding finale. At the very last knockings a 'skulking' BROWN-FLANKED BUSH WARBLER put in a few short but adequate views before we left the reserve.

The lunch bell must have sounded, but it was worth lingering for 15 minutes or so to view the temple from within before we headed of for some authentic Taiwanese food.

Bruno suggested the location, and to be fair the food was good especially the eggs, hard boiled in tea,

along with the Squid, Meat and whatever else it was Soup. However, that wasn't all that was good about lunch, a chance remark got us on to the subject of 'Rock 'n' Roll' and what a remarkable knowledge this man has of the subject. Needless to say this was right on my wavelength as we discussed many facets from Howlin' Wolf to Deep Purple and Jethro Tull to IQ. There is a chance that I may catch up with Bruno again next week-end, if so won't know whether to go birding or talk Rock a lot of both I suspect, but until then Thank You so much for your help and guidance Bruno!

Trip List = 126 Taiwan List = 52 World Lifers = 24

Bad Motor Scooter - Montrose (feat. Sammy Hagar)

A pre-breakfast wander around the Botanical Gardens in hope of clearing up on the last 2 (what might be described as) common species here that have not yet been seen. Several dozen TREE SPARROWS were in evidence right away,

closely followed by one of the remaining 2 outstanding species SPOTTED DOVE.

Again, lots and lots of Japanese White-Eye

but like most of these small canopy dwellers not easy to get the lens on!

A Himalayan Black Bulbul was seen much better than previously, pity the same couldn't be said of the photograph.

Then came the final prize (in this case for the most pathetic photo of the trip) never mind it was still a BLACK-NAPED MONARCH not only an endemic Sub-species but also a World Lifer.

Being such a classic bird it was worth borrowing a proper image from Wiki Images to illustrate it to its best. There were 3 in total, a male plus 2 females, all in the gloom of the trees and prevailing weather but, as I've said before SEEN for all that.

Yes, it was coffee I could smell, so after that and a bun it was thought worth a wander around the heart of the city, and well worth it I have to say.

This is a city of Motor Scooters which only have 2 speeds, 'break' & 'neck'! My rule of thumb is to watch the locals, and when they cross I cross.

The 'hub', probably of the whole country let alone the Capital, is the

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial

Wikipedia Link to Chiang_Kai-shek (worth a read)

Along with his predecessor Sun Yat-sen, still revered here in Taiwan his image still on many banknotes, these names were very familiar to us when we were children.

With this building being the National Theatre.

Other buildings and monuments around the City Square where today there was much activity preparing for some big event.

Detail of Theatre wall.

Theatre roof detail.

City Financial District.

Just a little too late to hear the band.

Taiwan Parliament Building.

and just to labour the point about Motor Scooters.