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Description
This small rest area is perhaps the most celebrated single birding site along the famous Daxueshan Forest Road in central Taiwan. At an elevation of approximately 1500m, the site provides good mid-elevation forest habitat for many Taiwanese endemic species, and provides good opportunities for many non-endemic species as well.
The area is perhaps most famous as a former feeding site for game birds, particularly Taiwan Partridge and Swinhoe's Pheasant. Recent law changes have prohibited feeding of wild birds along this road, but both species can still be seen here regularly, often foraging just downslope of the parking spaces or short boardwalk.
Mixed songbird flocks are common at this elevation, and the steep slope provides excellent opportunities to observed these flocks moving through the canopy. Such flocks are typically dominated by endemic species. Taiwan Yuhina, White-eared Sibia and Morrison's Fulvetta are particularly common, often joined by non-endemics such as Rufous-faced Warbler, Green-backed Tit and Grey-chinned Minivet. Solitary species including Taiwan Barbet, Vivid Niltava and Taiwan Whistling-Thrush can also be found relatively easily, while tougher endemics such as Rusty Laughingthrush, Steere's Liocichla and Rufous-crowned Laughingthrush can usually be found with patience.
Details
Access
The 23.5K pullout is only accessible via the Daxueshan (also often spelled Dasyueshan) Mountain Road, which covers over 50 km from the Dongshi District of Taichung City to the higher reaches towards the summit of Xueshan mountain. While the site is served by the Taichung Tour Bus 889-889 Dasyueshan Route, the flexibility of a car is certainly preferable when birding this and other sites along the Forest Road.
As mid-elevation montane forest, the weather can be unpredictable, and is often foggy or damp. The road itself is well-paved and safe, but caution should always be taken when driving the winding road, or walking on the boardwalk.