Trail at Tengjhih, December 21st.

Birds seen (36 species total):

• Taiwan Hill Partridge 3
• Oriental Honey Buzzard 1
• Crested Serpent Eagle 2 (heard only)
• Black Eagle 1
• Crested Goshawk 1
• Emerald Dove 1
• White-bellied Green Pigeon 1
• House Swift 8
• Taiwan Barbet 5
• Grey-chinned Minivet 4
• Large-billed Crow 1 (heard only)
• Pacific Swallow 2
• Striated Swallow 1
• Black-throated Tit 10
• Black Bulbul 4
• Rufous-faced Warbler 25
• Korean Bush-Warbler 1
• Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler 3
• Yellow-browed Warbler 1 (heard only)
• Striated Prinia 1
• Taiwan Yuhina 60
• Rufous-capped Babbler 20
• Taiwan Scimitar-Babbler 2
• Black-necklaced Scimitar-Babbler 2
• Morrison’s Fulvetta 5
• Taiwan Sibia 45
• Steere’s Liocichla 40
• Vivid Niltava 2
• White-tailed Robin 2
• Daurian Redstart 2
• Pale Thrush 1
• Fire-breasted Flowerpecker 4
• Grey Wagtail 2
• White Wagtail 1
• Olive-backed Pipit 10
• White-rumped Munia 7

A wonderful 4-hour visit to Tengjhih, where I focused on the trails starting at the Km 15 village. For only the second time ever, I took the long loop trail that descends quite a way into the valley before climbing back up the mountain through some more open farmland. I also walked most of the usual Blue Trail circuit, taking in the high point of the trail system here before descending back to the village.

Highlights today were many, on a morning where bird activity was high, and the weather crisp and cool. Best of all, three Taiwan Hill Partridges that flew across the trail in front of me before pitching down in dense undergrowth. Another elusive endemic resident of the area, Black-necklaced Scimitar-Babbler, also gave quite good views shortly afterwards. Oddities today included a Korean Bush-Warbler (probably a regular winterer here), a Striated Prinia, a White-bellied Green Pigeon in flight, and an Emerald Dove (my personal first Tengjhih record of this species).

Finally, Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warblers and Fire-breasted Flowerpeckers were seen and heard in small numbers; these birds are absent in summer, but descend from higher altitudes to spend the winter here.