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Daxueshan

A Swinhoe's Pheasant

If anyone ever were to ask: "What's your favorite birding spot in Taiwan?" I think I would have a lot of trouble answering the question succinctly, but Daxueshan would definitely be near the top of the list. I have only been there a few times, but every time I go there, it never ceases to amaze me. It is unique in that it has very diverse flora and fauna and with a road stretching from sea level to nearly 2500 meters, you can see lowland birds all the way up to alpine forest birds. The forest road going up Daxueshan is 50 kilometers long and there are birding spots all up and down its length. 

A Collared Bush-Robin

Daxueshan is renown for being the most reliable place to see nearly all of Taiwan's endemic bird species, including the Mikado Pheasant, Taiwan's national bird. It is a deep, rich blue and has the typically long tail of a pheasant, but unfortunately, I have only ever seen the duller, brownish female. Since almost all other endemics are possible along this road, you can imagine how popular it is with birders.

A Taiwan Rosefinch

My fondest memories of Daxueshan come from back when I was twelve, just getting ready to graduate from elementary school. My dad and I went there as my birthday/graduation present. I was in charge of all the planning, including what food we were to bring, where we would stay, and all the research beforehand about where we would bird. I even booked the B&B we stayed at. Every day we would wake up before the crack of dawn and find a forest trail, walking along and birding until noon - or until my feet couldn't carry me any further. We saw a bunch of lifers on this trip and to this day, I remember the whole trip quite vividly. 

A Gray-capped Woodpecker, not a great picture, but an unforgettable moment

The most exciting part was seeing a Gray-capped Woodpecker, one of only three woodpecker species in Taiwan, and a lifer for me. Every time we have come to Daxueshan, we know it is around somewhere. We've heard its drumming and loud calls, but had just never seen it. The day we finally saw it, it was a misty morning and we decided to walk on a trail not far from the Visitors' Center. At about mid-trail, we started to hear him calling and soon after one call, we would hear another responding. This went on for about five to ten minutes, until we reached a small clearing. The scenery would have been great were it not for all the fog. About the only obvious thing we could see was a large fir tree that was over a century old. Suddenly, a big bird flew out of the fog and perched on the trunk of the tree, leaving me shocked. After a moment, I was jerked back to reality and told my dad that it was indeed the Gray-capped Woodpecker. I quickly started snapping away with my camera. After I had enough pictures, he moved on and we finished our eventful walk.

A Yellowish-bellied Bush-warbler

Every time we go to Daxueshan, we are always rewarded with lots of endemic birds and beautiful scenery. I can't wait until the next time we go back. 

~ Article and Pictures by Isaac Lang

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