Plan of Birding Routes

  Plan of Birding Routes

Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area International Bird Race

Shaolai and Siaosyueshan National Trail

This is the longest section of the trail system within the park, and begins at kilometer 35.2 on the Dasyueshan Forest Road at about 2000 meters in elevation. The trail heads toward the northeast as it ascends, and the farthest it reaches is Siaosyueshan Hostel (at around 1500 m). The total length is about 10 km. In addition to being an excellent mountain climbing trail, this is one of the best place to birdwatch, because along the way, the elevation climbs by about 700 m, and the corresponding climate and geographical environments also change, forming a very diverse ecological mixture of vegetative communities which provide many avian habitats. The majority of resident bird species recorded in the park can be seen or heard along this trail. From the beginning for about 4.5 kilometers, the vegetative communities are mostly forests of broadleaf species. The forests are dense and the number of species varies. The birding situation on this section of trail is especially active. In addition to commonly seen species, you can also see the relatively more uncommon species of Yellow Tit (Macholophus holsti), Rusty Laughingthrush (Garrulax poecilorhynchus), Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush (Garrulax ruficeps), and White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), with stable appearances in appropriate habitats. In addition, in the forest understory, the resplendent endemic Swinhoe's Pheasant (Lophura swinhoii) can often be observed. As the elevation increases, scattered conifers slowly begin to appear within the broadleaf forests. At about 6.5 kilometers and above, the forest changes into large conifers such as Tsuga formosana, Taiwan red cedar (Chamaecyparis formosensis), and Taiwan Hinoki cypress  (Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana) forming a beautiful canopy of mixed broadleaf-coniferous forests. The bird species also begin to transform, with some high-elevation species only being seen in breeding season in this area. The Firecrest (Regulus goodfellowi) and Coal Tit (Periparus ater) stay among the branches high in the canopy, while the White-whiskered Laughingthrush (Garrulax morrisonianus) and Gray-cheeked Fulvetta (Alcippe formosana) are active in the understory and bushes. The Collared Bush-Robin (Tarsiger johnstoniae) and White-browed Bush-Robin (Tarsiger indicus) are active in the understory and on the ground. Walking along the Siaolai to Siaosyueshan National Trail, you can observe the appearance and form of the forest obviously change as the vegetative communities and bird species gradually transform with an increase in elevation.

Forest Trail

This trail is about 3 kilometers long, beginning at the Anmashan Hostel and ending at kilometer 41 of the Dasyueshan Forest Road. Starting from the hostel, going along the sled trail and stairs through switchbacks, the trail drops down a short section to some small sacred trees, after which the trail mostly gradually rises high to large Taiwan red cedar (Chamaecyparis formosensis), Taiwan Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana), and broadleaf trees forming a natural forest. Because most of the trees were not cut and little afforestation was carried out along the Forest Trail, this is the largest area of virgin forest in the park, boasting grand forest scenery. Also because the forest structure is intact and complete, the bird diversity is correspondingly complex. Especially in the middle to latter sections after passing several small streams, you can observe the seldom seen stream birds such as the Little Forktail (Enicurus scouleri), Formosan Whistling Thrush (Myiophoneus insularis), and Plumbeous Redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginosa). The length of the Forest Trail is moderate, the slope is gradual, the forest sights and bird ecology are somewhat complex, so it is a relatively appropriate trail for a spring outing for tourists for exercise and observing natural ecology.

Skid Road Trail

In olden times, the Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area was under the jurisdiction of the Taiwan Provincial Government as the Dasyueshan Forestry Company. So it was once an important forestry station in Taiwan. Although the cutting of trees was discontinued many years ago, within the park, one can still see traces of forestry activities and work. At the foot of the mountain behind the Anmashan Work Station is the Skid Road Trail which was an important road for transporting timber. The Dongshih Forest Administration building was originally the origin of the Skid Road Trail which was about 3 kilometers long. This trail allows guests to experience first-hand the arduous process of cutting trees and gathering the timber. The Skid Road Trail is about 2~3 meters wide, and each 2 meters or so, there are crossties which are arranged horizontally on the ground to form the path. The entire trail is somewhat like a staircase or ladder style of railroad ties. The skid used to collect wood is shaped like a sled, and the timber was secured to the frame of the skid with hemp rope. Human power was used to move the skid along the railway track. When pulling the skid along the track, it must have taken great efforts to slide it forward. The entrance to the Skid Road Trail is behind the Anmashan Work Station and the lower end comes out at the Anmashan branch of the Siaolai to Siaosyueshan National Trail (about at Dasyueshan Forest Road kilometer 43.2). The trail runs along many selectively cut second-growth mixed broadleaf-coniferous forests, and a small amount of afforested land. The bird assemblage is somewhat complex, but after a rain, the wood on the trail can be quite slippery, making it difficult to walk, so you must pay close attention to where you put your feet.

Syueshan Sacred Tree

The Syueshan Sacred Tree is about a 1400-year-old Taiwan red cedar (Chamaecyparis formosensis), located in the valley below Dasyueshan Forest Road at kilometer 50.5, with a height of about 46 meters and a circumference at breast height of 13 meters. To the present, it still has dense branches and leaves and exuberant growth. From the fence at the side of the parking lot, you descend about 2 kilometers to arrive there, passing through mixed afforested land of Pinus taiwanensis, Pinus armandi, and Taiwan red cedar. The pine trees are tall, old, and strong, and there are many habitats for birds among them. The White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) is often seen among the branches seeking food. In the winter, in the crowns of trees in this area, one can see over a hundred individuals of Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus), Coal Tit (Periparus ater), Black-throated Tit (Aegithalos concinnus), and Firecrest (Regulus goodfellowi) in mixed flocks. The best area for birding is in the vicinity of the sacred trees, and from the towering tops of the sacred trees to the surface of the ground, one can observe various bird species occupying appropriate ecological habitats. The Coal Tit and Firecrest prefer to feed among the small branches and leaves of the upper part of the canopy; the Formosan Yuhina (Yuhina brunneiceps) and White-eared Sibia (Heterophasia auricularis) mostly move in and out of the mid-level of the canopy; and the Taiwan Barwing (Actinodura morrisoniana) and Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) move up and down the trunk seeking food among the moss and lichens growing on the bark. The scrub of the forest understory is the territory of Steere's Liocichla (Liocichla steerii), Taiwan Wren-Babbler (Pnoepyga formosana), and Taiwan Fulvetta (Alcippe formosana). The Collared Bush-Robin (Tarsiger johnstoniae) and White-browed Bush-Robin (Tarsiger indicus) actively search for food on the forest floor.

Tienchih (Heavenly Lake)

Located on a southern spur of Siaosyueshan at an elevation of about 2500 m, this lake has an area of about 0.4 hectares, and the water never completely dries up year round. From here, one can see quite far to the mountain scenery of several of the ridges in the Syueshan Range. Surrounding the lake are mostly planted forests of Pinus taiwanensis and Pinus armandi, around the edges of which are various bushes; arrow bamboo (Yushania niitakayamensis) and the grass Miscanthus transmorrisonensis form a grassland area. The vegetative community and habitat structure here are relatively simple, so the bird diversity is not so high. However, there are several birds that prefer this type of scrub habitat, are active on the ground, and thus somewhat easy to observe. In breeding season, one can find the Taiwan Bush-Warbler (Bradypterus alishanensis) and Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler (Cettia acanthizoides) with its continuous rising and falling call among the bushes. In November and December, at the edge of the lake, the fruit of Photinia niitakayamensis ripens, which attracts large flocks of the overwintering Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) to feed until the following spring.

Vicinity of the Anmashan Hostel

The hostel is located at Dasyueshan Forest Road kilometer 43 at an elevation of about 2250 meters. This is a place to rest in the interior, and the Tourist Center offers interpretative services. Around the hostel are virgin forests and you can see quite far, so it is an excellent place for bird observations. Especially in spring and summer, in the dorm area you can often see birds of the Timaliidae, Paridae, and Sittidae feeding just before sunset on moths attracted to the lights, so it is an excellent place for close-range observations of this type of feeding behavior. At the perimeter of the dorm area is a small vegetable garden where overwintering Scaly Thrush (Zoothera dauma), Pale Thrush (Turdus pallidus), and Red-flanked Bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus) feed, and Vinaceous Rosefinch (Carpodacus vinaceus) and Collared Bush-Robin (Tarsiger johnstoniae) often move about here. In addition to birds, the Taiwan striped squirrel (Tamiops maritimus) and Owston's long-nosed tree squirrel (Dremomys pernyi owstoni) move among the branches of the trees. The sharp, thin bird-like call of the Taiwan striped squirrel has fooled many a birder. On a clear night, the White-faced flying squirrel (Petaurista alborufus lena) regularly feeds in trees of the Fagaceae and Lauraceae around the edge of the open area. If you are lucky, there is also chance to hear a nearby Brown Wood-Owl (Strix leptogrammica), with its deep, sonorous call. Also, at the high-story porch of the tourist center's lower edge is an area of the abandoned dorms, whish is an excellent place to see the rosy clouds at sunset.

Birding platform at Forest Road kilometer 23.5

Every winter on the Dasyueshan Forest Road as it snakes its way through the park, around kilometer 23.5, there are the resplendent red fruits of the mountain tung trees (Idesia polycarpa), a forest sight that you absolutely must not miss. Mountain tung trees, of the family Flacourtiaceae, are distributed throughout the island in mid-elevation mountain areas as a large sun-loving deciduous tree. Each fall and winter, when the leaves fall, the bare branches are full of tung fruit, which ripens in December to February. These resplendent highly desirous fruits attract all kinds of birds from near and far for feeding. The Vivid Niltava (Niltava vivida) which is normally strongly territorial during breeding, will form flocks at this time. And the rare and difficult to see Island Thrush (Turdus poliocephalus) does not miss out on this annual feast. The Dongshih Forestry Administration of the Forestry Bureau has set up a birding platform here, where you can patiently hang out all day and observe many beautiful birds. This is perhaps the best known birding and photography spot in the entire park.