Dasyeushan - the upper road

Today we met at 6 am for a pre-breakfast visit higher up the hill to try to see Mikado Pheasant. We failed on that count but did see Flamecrest well, a pair of Vinaceous Rosefinch, the male looking handsome in his deep red plumage and the female a more dull brown.   A Spotted Nutcracker was heard and then moments later appeared above us landing in a nearby tree, a lot browner than its European cousin.   A pair of Large-billed Crow similarly presented themselves.   The high pitched whistle of Yellow-bellied Bush-warbler could be heard and it took us ages to finally see the bird itself, even though all eyes were on the relevant bush!

White-whiskered Laughing-thrush

A small group of Green-backed Tit flitted around in a nearby tree, confusing us by settling themselves with the Flamecrest pair.   White-whiskered Laughing-thrush were everywhere once again, entertaining us with their bouncing run, coming close in hoping for food.   The Steer's Liocochla once again delighted us with their beautiful plumage.

As we drove back to breakfast the bus shuddered to a halt as a White-backed Woodpecker was spotted in a tree by the side of the road.   As we stopped it flew off to another nearby trunk.   We disembarked and watched as it worked its way around us, finally disappearing up the hillside and out of view.

Striped Squirrel

After our Chinese breakfast of rice soup, omelette, noodles, toast with tasteless fluorescent pink or orange spread - jam is too good a description for this weird jelly, steamed buns, salted peanuts and ground pork, we were ready for anything.

The birds for the rest of the day came in manageable groups always with the presence of White-whiskered Laughing-thrush: with Taiwan Bush-warbler, Yellow-bellied Bush-Warbler, and Johnstone's Robin around Heaven Lake ~ what a lovely name.

Lunch at the top of the hill was soon over and our afternoon started with a walk at the highest part of the park, we then moved down to various known birdwatching points along the way.   We found more Flamecrest, Nutcracker, Green-backed Tit, Johnstone's Robin, then lovely Black-throated Tit - so undersold in the field guide!  Taiwan Barwing was a great find - a beautiful bird which gave us great views, and Winter Wren was calling as we left for lower altitudes.

Mikado Pheasant

Next stop was for the Mikado Pheasant and we had to wait some time before a lovely male came in to the area where grain had been placed.   We were entertained by squirrels and the laughing thrushes, and also by a very heavily kitted out photographer who had two cameras set up on tripods.   When the pheasant started to approach he got a pop up mobile hide out of the car and proceeded to get a third camera out of his car, all most amusing.

The pheasant played his part well, jumping up on a stone and giving good views of his front and side, and then proceeded to turn so that his tail could be seen as well.   He decided that we could only have a certain quota of his time and scurried across the road like an over-sized roadrunner, with his tail held proudly high.   Striking as it is, I still think that the Swinhoe's Pheasant is a more stunning bird with its lovely white plumes and vermiculations on the back.

Not wishing to leave the birding day here, we were off in search of Little Fork-tail, and thanks to some eagle-eyed spotting by Denis we found that within minutes of arriving at the suggested waterfall site.

The final site of the day was at the Park Headquarters where we added Siberian Nuthatch to our list.

Watch Out - there's a Pheasant About!

Back for dinner, a hot bath and an early night.