As expected, endemics have been a bit slow to rouse this winter season, usually takes a bit more time and accepting a few will just not or pop into view.
Vivid Niltava ww543 |
The reported Baer’s Pochard at Shrgang Reservoir eluded me, but on the third try the (single male visiting this winter) Scaly-sided Merganser gave excellent views. Best to search from the road on the north side of the reservoir - a wide section of the downhill road overlooks the best
place.
Doesn’t sound likely, but managed to entertain the family (non-birding wife, kids, mother-in-law) AND see some excellent birds on a daytrip to the Pheasant-tailed Jacana Reserve, one of them being a pair of Baer’s Pochards.
Also present were plenty of Pintail, N. Shoveler, G.W Teal, E Wigeon, Jacana and Black-winged Stilts. A few Garganey, Coot, and Common Snipe were nice to have when try to get second looks at Baikal Teal and Falcated Teal (first time on Taiwan-proper for me I think). The furthest pond viewable from the last hide seems to hold the best birds.
I saw 2 Smew at Beimen late December but not recorded in last year’s list.
New Birds:
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus
Smew Mergellus albellus
Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri