Toucheng Farm at springtime

Toucheng Farm at springtime is never a dull place! While walking around the Farm, one can regularly catch a glimpse of the Formosa Blue Magpie (Urocissa Caerulea). It was voted as Taiwan national bird, but is not officially announced. They are now building their nests among the trees, preparing to lay eggs. Their nests are high, safe enough for human encounters. I can't reach a higher place to get a closer picture.

Formosa Blue Magpie is sometimes called "the long-tailed mountain lady". Another author described it as a "long-tailed fairy of the forest".They have a longer tail than their European counterpart.

This is a colorful bird, which makes them so attractive. Red - its bill, feet and legs; Black - its head, neck and breast; its plumage is dark blue to purple. While its iris is yellowish. It could be very noisy with its high pitch cackles of kyak, kyak,kyak!

To see this fascinating bird, come to Toucheng Farm and you will see a flock of five to ten at a time!

Another attraction in the Farm, is the Parasol leaf tree (Macaranga Tanarius). It is a common sight in the mountain and now in full bloom. they are cultivated in tropical regions all over the world. Look at these two trees, both are of the same species, but why is the one at the right has no flowers? Do you know why? Trees have males and females, too! The female tree blooms green-yellowish flowers in spring and has a heart-shaped

foliage. Interesting indeed! Next time you come to Toucheng Farm make sure to identify this special tree. In Chinese it is named "blood" tree, as it "cries" a red juice when a branch is cut.

Toucheng Farm is member of the Taiwan Hostelling Association and Hostelling International, the largest network of quality, budget, hostel accommodation since 1986.

The website is www.tcfarm.com.tw/en/news/news.asp or tel. no. 886 39 772222