So, i'm a bit of a beginning birder, having really only started last year, but I have spent the last two years observing the birds of West Virginia and Oregon, and have recently taken to bird photography (although the best lens I could afford so far is a 70-300, not quite bird stength).
I was excited to come to Taiwan and check out some birds, since there are obviously so many that I have never seen before and won't see again for some time. I purchased the Brazil book and brought my camera, but regrettably forgot my bins in san francisco when i was down there last week with some friends.
On my first day here in Taipei (where I will be for the next 6 months) I went to Da'an park and was happy to snap pics of seven lifers. None that were that exciting to a Taiwanese birder, but to me they were great. There were Chinese Bulbuls, Oriental Turtle Doves, and Eurasian Tree Sparrows when I first walked in. Then I saw the sign for the pond and thought I would check out some water fowl. When I got there, I was captivated by the Black Crested Night Heron and started snapping pics until one of the men standing near me pointed out what his friend and him were taking pictures of, a Northern Goshawk. Later, in reading the Brazil book, he made it sound like it was not very commonly seen here, is that true? Anyways, got some soso pictures of him and added to it with pictures of the Common Moorhen, Little Egret, and Japanese Whiteeye, and went home feeling great!
If anyone has some suggestions on birding, I would love to hear them. Of course, as you may have guessed, seeing the Formosan Blue Magpie and getting some photos is at the top of the list, so any pointers on where to see them (Im blanking on the name of the large park just north of Taipei) is much appreciated.
Thanks, sorry about the novel!
I was excited to come to Taiwan and check out some birds, since there are obviously so many that I have never seen before and won't see again for some time. I purchased the Brazil book and brought my camera, but regrettably forgot my bins in san francisco when i was down there last week with some friends.
On my first day here in Taipei (where I will be for the next 6 months) I went to Da'an park and was happy to snap pics of seven lifers. None that were that exciting to a Taiwanese birder, but to me they were great. There were Chinese Bulbuls, Oriental Turtle Doves, and Eurasian Tree Sparrows when I first walked in. Then I saw the sign for the pond and thought I would check out some water fowl. When I got there, I was captivated by the Black Crested Night Heron and started snapping pics until one of the men standing near me pointed out what his friend and him were taking pictures of, a Northern Goshawk. Later, in reading the Brazil book, he made it sound like it was not very commonly seen here, is that true? Anyways, got some soso pictures of him and added to it with pictures of the Common Moorhen, Little Egret, and Japanese Whiteeye, and went home feeling great!
If anyone has some suggestions on birding, I would love to hear them. Of course, as you may have guessed, seeing the Formosan Blue Magpie and getting some photos is at the top of the list, so any pointers on where to see them (Im blanking on the name of the large park just north of Taipei) is much appreciated.
Thanks, sorry about the novel!
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