Tengjhih National Forest reaches 1800 meters/5900ft and boasts a mature fir forest that it is not only beautiful and cool in the summer but also full of birds. It was my fourth hike with the Kuo family. It was also one of the only places in Taiwan that reminded me of West Virginia!
The striking birdlife included the White-eared Sibia, Rufous-crowned Laughing Thrush, Yellow-rumped Flycatcher and one that had eluded me before: the Taiwan Yuhina a well-known mountain bird that lives only in Taiwan and looks like the American titmouse that is common in West Virginia. After the hike we found a place to try roasted pumpkin with honey for lunch. Then we visited Mr. Kuo’s relatives in a Hakka village below the mountains. Thank you Kuos for another memorable Saturday!

Many thanks to contributors of the Oriental Bird Club Image Database for the picture references for the birds; the picture of the Yuhina was taken in Ali Shan, Taiwan