Taipei, TW

[Joerg Rockenberger]

I'll be spending the next weekend in Taipei, TW. Is there a good opportunity for bird photography nearby justifying to bring a 40D/400F5.6 combo along? Ideally it would be easy to reach with public transportation, e.g. a city park.

Thanks in advance. JR

[Joerg Rockenberger]

Just returned and posting some impressions in case someone else here might have the same question.

- The botanical garden in Taipei is a safe bet
- Useful links:
http://www.orientalbirdclub.org/publications/basiafeats/taiwan.html
http://tpbg.tfri.gov.tw/english/history_1.asp
http://centraltaiwanbirder.blogspot.com/2008/07/birding-locations-taipei-botanical.html
- the park opens very early but also gets very busy early
- Malaysian Night Herons run around like chicken among the garden installations and folks
- Had best luck with Light-vented Bulbul in the Succulent Garden
- Others seen: Little & Great Egret, Common Moorhen, Black-Crowned Night Heron, Japanese White-Eye and various unidentified
- A dual camera/lens setup (e.g. 400/70-200) can be handy at times, especially with the Malaysian Night Herons as they come quite close on occasion.

In short, it's good for a weekend. JR