Spent a few hours away from the office in nearby Sicao, just to the north of Tainan. The many aquaculture ponds and the odd bit of ‘unused’ wetland can be quite productive. Pondering the conflict between the aims of the newly formed Taijiang National Park and the sprawling edges of urban Tainan. Moan, moan...
In addition to the obvious ponds visible from the main road (#17), I’ve found the most reliable spots to be on the western side of the road. Before getting to Qigu, turn left at the fire station, Half way to the refuse incinerator, wander out among the ponds and ditches.
Not much new to over-excite me: I don’t think I have previously recorded Ruddy Shelduck (5), and a single Yellow Bittern.
Also seen in Sicao:
Black-faced Spoonbill, Coot, Grebe, WB Waterhen, Moorhen
Oriental Magpie-Robins, various Gulls (have overlooked recording Caspian), B Shrike, Magpie, Myna,
Egrets: Large, Intermediate, Little, and Cattle.
Heron: Striated, Grey, Black--crowned Night,
Little Grebe, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Sacred Ibis
Various doves: Spotted, Red-collared, and the previously un-noted Eurasian Collared-Dove.
Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Pacific Golden Plover, Kentish P, other tedious creatures in winter plumage....
Various ducks including: Tufted, N Pintail, Green-winged T, Garganey, N Shoveller, E Wigeon, Spot-billed, Green-winged,
Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Common Kingfisher, Tree Sparrow,
Prinia Plain and Yellow Light-vented Bulbul, Japanese White-eyes, Scaly-breasted Munia,
Birds of most days in Sicao are the plentiful Pied Avocets - lovely birds, never tire of seeing them!
Over the weekend I will be working in northern Taiwan. Looking forward to finding some really good birds along the way - up high, and along the North coast.
New birds seen in Sicao:
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis
Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
