White-spectacled Sibia aka. Black-headed Sibia @ Da Lat, Southern Part of Central Highland, Vietnam

White-spectacled Sibia aka. Black-headed Sibia (Heterophasia robinsoni) is a colorful, fast and attractive resident bird among many hundred of bird species can be found in Da Lat, southern part of central highland, Vietnam.

The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1600, F 5.6, 1/200, EV -1.0.

Bird Photography Trip to Tan Phu and Da Lat in Southern Part of Cental Highland, Vietnam

It was the first bird photography trip to southern part of central highland, Vietnam during spring. The locations include Tan Phu and Da Lat. The two places are considered the most exciting bird photography and bird watching locations in Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces respectively, where each place offers completely different species of birds and wildlife with its endemic species.  

Tan Phu

Tan Phu can be reached in approximately two and a half hours drive from Ho Chi Minh international Airport for a distance of 150 km. Tan Phu is located in Dong Nai province where Cat Thien national park and many forest reserves are located. Together with lakes and rivers they attract many endemic and migratory birds to the areas. It is home to colorful Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas. Other interesting species include Germain's Peacock-pheasant and partridges.

Da Lat

Da Lat is 340 km from Tan Phu which can be reached in approximately 4 hours drive. Alternatively, it can be reached by international flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Lien Khuong international airport. Domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are also available. Da Lat the capital of Lam Dong province and the largest city in the central highland region in Vietnam. It is home to the famous Lang Biang mountain, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park and Datania waterfall. Da Lat is known as paradise for bird lovers and home to colorful Blue and Rusty-naped Pittas, Collared Laughingthrush, Annam Sunbird, Vietnamese Cutia and Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler to name a few. 

Best time to visit Central Highland Region in Vietnam

For purpose of bird photography and bird watching, the best time to visit the region is during spring; from October to April. During this period, temperature is between 15 - 22 degree centigrade during day time and it goes down to between 5 - 10 degree centigrade during night time and early morning. Hence, prepare for suitable clothing. No rain is expected during this period hence, outdoor activities can be carried out whole day long.

Bird Photography and Bird Watching in Vietnam

Bird photography and bird watching in Vietnam have been getting very good attention and have captured overwhelming response from both the local and foreigners alike. This can be witnessed by number of professional, enthusiast, serious hobbyist and beginners, men and women bird photographers and bird watchers at any birding location in the country.

Bird photography and bird watching business ecosystem have been mushroomed throughout the country. That includes, small hotels built in the districts, hides, birding tours and bird guides. It has become one of the upcoming lucrative businesses in the country which attracts both local and foreign bird photographers and bird watchers.

 

Best Way to Go

Both local but non-native to the central highland region and foreign bird photograpers and bird watchers, prior arrangement with local bird guide is highly recommended as transportation to go places and knowledge on locations of specific species of birds are needed to ensure satisfactory result.

White-spectacled Sibia aka. Black-headed Sibia [Pair] @ Da Lat, Southern Part of Central Highland, Vietnam

White-spectacled Sibia aka. Black-headed Sibia (Heterophasia robinsoni) [Pair] is a colorful, fast and attractive resident bird among many hundred of bird species can be found in Da Lat, southern part of central highland, Vietnam.

The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 1600, F 5.6, 1/200, EV -1.0.

Bird Photography Trip to Tan Phu and Da Lat in Southern Part of Cental Highland, Vietnam

It was the first bird photography trip to southern part of central highland, Vietnam during spring. The locations include Tan Phu and Da Lat. The two places are considered the most exciting bird photography and bird watching locations in Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces respectively, where each place offers completely different species of birds and wildlife with its endemic species.  

Tan Phu

Tan Phu can be reached in approximately two and a half hours drive from Ho Chi Minh international Airport for a distance of 150 km. Tan Phu is located in Dong Nai province where Cat Thien national park and many forest reserves are located. Together with lakes and rivers they attract many endemic and migratory birds to the areas. It is home to colorful Bar-bellied and Blue-rumped Pittas. Other interesting species include Germain's Peacock-pheasant and partridges.

Da Lat

Da Lat is 340 km from Tan Phu which can be reached in approximately 4 hours drive. Alternatively, it can be reached by international flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Lien Khuong international airport. Domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are also available. Da Lat the capital of Lam Dong province and the largest city in the central highland region in Vietnam. It is home to the famous Lang Biang mountain, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park and Datania waterfall. Da Lat is known as paradise for bird lovers and home to colorful Blue and Rusty-naped Pittas, Collared Laughingthrush, Annam Sunbird, Vietnamese Cutia and Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler to name a few. 

Best time to visit Central Highland Region in Vietnam

For purpose of bird photography and bird watching, the best time to visit the region is during spring; from October to April. During this period, temperature is between 15 - 22 degree centigrade during day time and it goes down to between 5 - 10 degree centigrade during night time and early morning. Hence, prepare for suitable clothing. No rain is expected during this period hence, outdoor activities can be carried out whole day long.

Bird Photography and Bird Watching in Vietnam

Bird photography and bird watching in Vietnam have been getting very good attention and have captured overwhelming response from both the local and foreigners alike. This can be witnessed by number of professional, enthusiast, serious hobbyist and beginners, men and women bird photographers and bird watchers at any birding location in the country.

Bird photography and bird watching business ecosystem have been mushroomed throughout the country. That includes, small hotels built in the districts, hides, birding tours and bird guides. It has become one of the upcoming lucrative businesses in the country which attracts both local and foreign bird photographers and bird watchers.

 

Best Way to Go

Both local but non-native to the central highland region and foreign bird photograpers and bird watchers, prior arrangement with local bird guide is highly recommended as transportation to go places and knowledge on locations of specific species of birds are needed to ensure satisfactory result.

White-eared Sibia @ Xitou Nature Education Area, Central Taiwan

White-eared Sibia (Heterophasia auricularis) is a fast, colorful and cute bird among many hundred of bird species can be found in Xitou Nature Education Area, Central Taiwan.

White-eared Sibia is one of many endemic bird of Taiwan. It is a medium size and fast bird can be found in the mountainous areas in Taiwan. 

The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 2000, F 5.6, EV -0.7

Bird Photography and Bird Watching in Taiwan

Bird photography and bird watching in Taiwan have been getting very good attention and have captured overwhelming response from the local and foreigners alike. This can be witnessed by number of professional, enthusiast, serious hobbyist and beginners, men and women bird photographers and bird watchers at any birding location in the country.

Special attention has been given by the Forestry and Tourism Departments to promote outdoor activities including bird photography and bird watching in the forest recreational areas in the country. One of the annual activity organized by the departments includes Dasyueshan National Forest Recreational Area Bird Race, which draws international attention and participations.

Kindly be reminded that feeding and calling of birds are strictly prohibited throughout the country.  Signs are placed along the road leading to the mountains, both at Dasyueshan and Xitou.

Best time to visit Taiwan

For purpose of bird photography and bird watching activities in the mountainous areas in the country, the best time to visit the country is during winter and spring; from December to May. 

During this period, temperature is between 5 - 18 degree centigrade during day time and it goes down to between 0 - 5 degree centigrade during night time and early morning. Hence, prepare for suitable clothing. No rain is expected during winter hence, outdoor activities can be carried out whole day long. However, intermittent rain is experienced during spring. 

Exciting Bird Photography and Bird Watching Locations

Exciting bird photography and bird watching locations include Dasyueshan National Forest Recreational Area and Xitou Nature Education Area. 

Both places are located in central part of the country and they can be reached in approximately two and half hours drive from the airport, Taoyuan international airport. Alternative mode of transportation is by bus from Taichung city, which takes approximately one and half hour.

Although Dasyueshan and Xitou are located in small town some 160 km away from Taichung city, to cater for both local and foreign visitors visiting the areas, there are adequate hotels, resorts and guesthouses of different standards and prices. Not forgetting restaurants, cafe, convenience shops of different kinds and standards. 

For bird lovers, both Dasyueshan and Xitou certainly are places to test your passion and perseverance in getting the best from the mountainous forest of Taiwan. More importantly they are home to more than 60 species of endemic birds of Taiwan. 

Since these two Recreational Forests are popular destinations for outdoor activities and family get away especially during weekend, be there early and wait for the desire lighting to come and search for the exotic birds.

Daily entrance fee of New Taiwan Dollar of NT$200 and NT$220 or approximately USD6 is payable at the entrance of Dasyueshan and Xitou respectively.