Huisun and the Varied Tit Chase

A few of us got up early and birded the gardens in much clearer conditions than we’d experienced so far – and even had a bit of blue sky. The male Pale Thrush showed quite well feeding along a path, David and Ian had Taiwan Barwing, and there were plenty of other birds around this morning as well. I knew it was going to be one of those days when I saw a Scaly Thrush and Ashy Woodpigeon and no one else got onto them. Anyway, we left after breakfast and slowly made our way down the mountain, but it took too long as we waited for a while for Little Forktail to show without any joy, then a puncture delayed us further but we did get a Taiwan (Vivid) Niltava during the wheel changing process which was a result. We made a couple more stops on the way out and really only got Strong-footed Bush-warbler in the process that is of any note, and only heard Black-necklaced Scimitar-babbler and Taiwan Bamboo-partridge. 

Taiwan Yuhina is one of the commonest endemics

I did like getting to watch a huge flock of Asian House-martins feeding below us from the big bridge and when the mist came in quickly got a Grey-headed Woodpecker here as well. Oh and there was a fine pair of White-bellied Green-pigeons on some telegraph wires as well. It took maybe just over an hour to reach Huisun and we drove into this scenic spot where we enjoyed another great picnic lunch. It then took several hours of walking around before we finally managed to find a Taiwan Varied Tit high up in the canopy. Phew and well spotted Ian. There were also flocks of Japanese White-eyes, Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Grey-cheeked Fulvetta, Taiwan Barbets, Large-billed Crow, White-bellied Erpornis, Silver-backed Needletail, Bronzed Drongo and a few others but it was hard going. 

One glaring miss was Taiwan Blue Magpie which just wasn’t around and in all we spent over 6 hours here and staking out the entrance where you are supposed to get them without a sniff. A pair of Grey-capped Woodpeckers was a little compensation, but hardly and I must admit I left here feeling a bit despondent. But there’s always another chance or two in the next few days. From here it took an hour to get to Wushe and our excellent lodge.