subbuteo

4.20-6.00pm She Shan, 14 Oct

Richard's Pipit 22 (maximum flock size 14, rest flushed from the long grass)
Zitting Cisticola 8
Dusky Warbler 9
White-browed Laughing Thrush 2

Koel have been more visible and noisy the last couple of days.

Dylan

subbuteo

Pak Tin Kong, HK-

Oct 15, 2013 6:30 AM - 7:15 AM


Comments:     25C humid and overcast.
28 species

Grey-faced Buzzard / Oriental Honey Buzzard 3     Not a firm ID, but can't think what else the three birds together would have been.  First I thought, swift, then falcon then something else.  Long, broad wings, flapping flight with occasional glide.  I thought they looked relatively short-tailed.  Birds flying together.

Black-winged Cuckooshrike  1     called twice- never heard BWCS call before.  Drongo-like three note call (as here.
Ashy Drongo  1
Hair-crested Drongo  5
Pygmy Wren-babbler 1     heard
Mountain Tailorbird  1
Dusky Warbler   1
Lesser Shortwing (  1
Siberian Stonechat   1

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 15/10/2013 07:51 ]

kmike

Dylan - Why not Amur Falcons?

It's the right time and your first impressions suggest a more slender bird than either of the buzzards.

also - we know Lam Tsuen is good for them!

Cheers
Mike

subbuteo

Certainly could have been- I have been diligently scanning the pylons!  These three are firmly in the unknown category unfortunately, I just happened to pick them up through the binos, they were high and moving so I didn't get much other than shape and flight.  I may spend a couple of hours on the roof today!

Dylan

ajohn

For a change I didn't go into work early and had a relaxed breakfast on the rooftop at Ng Tung Chai. I couldn't see Dylan's raptors (he did let me know so that I could look) but it was still worthwhile:
Two-barred (Greenish) Warbler - 1
Blue and White Flycatcher - 1 female
Yellow-browed Warbler - 2
Lesser Shortwing - 1
Hair-crested Drongo - 4

Not a bad start to the day!

subbuteo

5.15pm 19.10.13

Amur Falcon 1
Stonechat 1
Dusky Warbler 1
Yellow-browed Warbler 2

The falcon was another bird from out of the blue, passed overhead and flew on to the Lin Au ridge and power lines.

Dylan

ajohn

A walk today along the Ngau Kwu Leng Hiking Trail, and then up and over Tai To Yan.

Ngau Kwu Leng was fairly birdy, especially in the forested area near the top. Highlights were:
White's Thrush - 1
Two-barred (Greenish) Warbler - 4
Eastern Crowned Warbler - 1
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler - 1
Yellow-browed Warbler - 10
Mountain Tailorbird - 10
White-bellied Erpornis - 1
Yellow-cheeked Tit - 2
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch - 4
Lesser Shortwing - 1

Tai To Yan was quieter:
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - 1
Eurasian Skylark - 1
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler - 4
Bright-capped Cisticola - 1

Also another Two-barred Warbler today at Ng Tung Chai

subbuteo

Something amiss in that list John, there are no good birds on that side of the road- fact.

This morning (21.10.13)

Verditer 1
Ashy Drongo 1
Pygmy Wren Babbler 3 - either calling more, descending from higher ground or have moved in for the winter.  

Also a skulking warbler for past few mornings, not a Dusky Warbler, possibly Pallas' Grasshopper Warbler.

Dylan

subbuteo

22/23 October 2013

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 1

Has been heard the last two mornings.  

Dylan

ajohn

A quick walk into the forest at Ng Tung Chai this morning:
Dark-sided Flycatcher - 1
Two-barred Warbler - 1
Lesser Shortwing - 3
Red-billed Leiothrix - 4 (these seem to be moving down the hill for the winter)

And at the village a Blue Rock Thrush

subbuteo

24 Oct 2013

Olive-backed Pipit 1
Ashy Drongo 1
Lanceolated Warbler 1 flushed from beside the path- same location a last year. Dark olive, streaked plumage, flew low just over vegetation a few metres and then dropped out of sight, no call.
Yellow-browed Warbler 1

Dylan

subbuteo

25 October 2013

Yellow-browed Warbler 2
Siberian Rubythroat 1
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 1
Ashy Drongo 1
Olive-backed Pipit 1

I am fairly sure I have heard Russet Bush Warbler the past two mornings but only single calls.  Also a flyover bunting which I think was Little Bunting and other buntings calling from the grass; either Masked or CHestnut.  It's feeling wintery!

Dylan

subbuteo

26 October 2013

Ashy Drongo 1
Hair-crested Drongo 4
Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike 1
Pygmy Wren Babbler 4
Verditer 1
Daurian Redstart 1
Lesser Shortwing 3
Dusky Warbler 2
Yellow-browed Warbler 4
Olive-backed Pipit 2
Little Bunting 1

Spent an hour in my usual patch- 15C this morning which seemed to make a difference to behaviour.  The Red-whiskered Bulbuls emerged rapidly in flocks.  I didn't get a chance to count this morning

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 26/10/2013 08:40 ]

ajohn

At Ng Tung Chai today (27th Oct):

Ashy Drongo leucogenys 1
Black-winged Cuckooshrike 1
Black-naped Monarch 2
Chestnut-collared Yuhina 9+
Lesser Shortwing 8
Two-barred Warbler 1
Red-billed Leiotrhix 2
Asian Stubtail 2

subbuteo

27 October 2013

I had another extended session in my village area 7-15 - 9.00am.

Ashy Drongo 1
Hair-crested Drongo 4
Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike 1
Pygmy Wren Babbler 4
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 1
Pygmy Wren Babbler 3
Daurian Redstart 1
Lesser Shortwing 1
Mountain Tailorbird 1
Dusky Warbler 2
Yellow-browed Warbler 4
Zitting Cisticola 2
White-browed Laughing Thrush 5
Daurian Redstart 1
Stejneger's Stonechat 4
Siberian Rubythroat 2
Grey Wagtail 2
Olive-backed Pipit 9 two groups of three and singles.

The Ashy Drongo (leuco.) and the Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike were very much a partnership staying close to each other and hunting around the same treetop seemingly in coordination.

Dylan

subbuteo

28/29 October 6-15-7.00am

In the last two mornings.

Ashy Drongo
Hair-crested Drongo
Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike
Pygmy Wren Babbler
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
Pygmy Wren Babbler
Daurian Redstart
Lesser Shortwing
Mountain Tailorbird
Dusky Warbler
Yellow-browed Warbler
White-browed Laughing Thrush
Daurian Redstart
Stejneger's Stonechat
Siberian Rubythroat
Olive-backed Pipit

It is hard to leave and get to work just now.

Dylan

subbuteo

30th October 2013

6.30-6.55am

Black-winged Cuckoo-Shrike
Pygmy Wren Babbler
Daurian Redstart
Lesser Shortwing
Dusky Warbler
Yellow-browed Warbler
Daurian Redstart
Stejneger's Stonechat
Siberian Rubythroat
Olive-backed Pipit

I am fairly sure I also had a Swinhoe's Minivet- never seen one before!  A small pale minivet, buffy belly, white face, dark line through the eye.  The back also appeared brownish, paler towards the rump.  I took a few photos with the iphone/bino combination.  Can anyone confirm the ID?

There was seemingly a second bird but it was obscured by a thick branch and I could only see the tail and head.

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 31/10/2013 07:05 ]

subbuteo

More images of the minivet here

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 30/10/2013 09:30 ]

subbuteo

31th October 2013

6.30-6.55am

Swinhoe's Minivet 2 in the same location; I may have better photos this time.
Russet Bush Warbler calling properly so I'll call this my first of the year!
Ashy Drongo
Black-winged Cuckoo-Shrike
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
Pygmy Wren Babbler
Daurian Redstart
Lesser Shortwing
Dusky Warbler
Yellow-browed Warbler
Daurian Redstart
Siberian Rubythroat
Olive-backed Pipit

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 31/10/2013 08:17 ]

subbuteo

Taken this morning; Lung A Pai, Lam Tsuen

kmike

The minivets are the  first in Lam Tsuen since 1988! (unless anyone knows otherwise)

Cheers
Mike

subbuteo

Amazed that they were still there this morning, I hope they hang around for a while.  More [photos, not great but better than yesterday's.

]











Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 31/10/2013 08:31 ]

wgeoff

They are also a latest autumn record by nine days (so far)

subbuteo

1 November 2013

I didn't see the Swinhoe's minivets this morning but the tree is under scrutiny by another birder right now.

Common buzzard
Ashy Drongo
Verditer 1
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 1
Daurian Redstart 2
Siberian Rubythroat 3

Also a thrush sp in flight, bunting sp and bush warbler sp.  

Dylan

subbuteo

Apparently, the Swinhoe's Minivets turned up again shortly after I left at 6.45am.  They are in the tall bare tree on the back of the small peach orchard at Lung A Pai.

Dylan

tgraham

Dylan

Yes two birds came in hung around for about 10 mins before flying off up the valley. Looks like its a bit of a routine.

There was also Scarlet and Grey-Chin Minivets in the same tree and two Velvet Fronted Nuthatches.
Some poor photos only light was very bad

Great find.

Thanks for sharing the information

Graham

subbuteo

Really glad you got them! I'll go again tomorrow morning and post immediately if they are there.

Dylan

subbuteo

The pair of Swinhoe's Minivets were in the tree again this morning 6.35 - 7.15, and again mixing with other minivets, Scarlet and Grey-chinned.

They flew down the valley towards She Shan.

Dylan

subbuteo

2 November 2013 7.30pm

Brown Wood Owl calling.

This is the first call I have heard since 6 September 2013; I have only heard it eight times this year.  I have not been out as much at the right time but was surprised to find so few records when I looked back.

Dylan

subbuteo

7 November 2013

I have been away the past three mornings so was very surprised to find at least one of the Swinhoe's Minivet was still present today!  Again with a mixed flock of Scarlet and Grey-chinned Minivets in the bare tree.  They flew off down towards She Shan  again.  I will check again tomorrow.

Also:

Chinese Blackbird 1
Daurian Redstart 2
Siberian Rubythroat 2
Russet Bush-warbler 1
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 1
Lesser Shortwing 1
Pygmy Wren Babbler 1

Regards,

Dylan

subbuteo

8 November

A mixed flock of 26 minivets this morning (8 Scarlet, 18 Grey-chinned) but no Swinhoe's. I left earlier than normal so still some chance they could turn up again.

Daurian Redstart 1
Siberian Rubythroat 2
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 1

Dylan

ajohn

Around Ng Tung Chai village this morning

Daurian Redstart
Japanese Thrush + at least two more (heard only) thrushes
Eurasian Blackbird
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler
Barn Swallow (seemed very unseasonal on the wires in the village)
Plus the usual Lesser Shortwing, Mountain Tailorbird, Yellow-browed Warblers, etc.

I also saw the back end of a Wild Boar disappear into vegetation next to the village access road on the way home last night.

subbuteo

10 November 2013

Daurian Redstart 1
Siberian Rubythroat 2
Russet Bush-warbler 2
Taiga Flycatcher 1
Red-whiskered Bulbul 426 (a long wait for them to emerge on a very dull morning!)

Dylan

subbuteo

14 November 2013

Light levels are making life difficult at the minute; it is fairly dark so my birding time before work is limited.  Birds in recent mornings:

Chinese Bulbul is now around in low numbers (maximum count seven) compared to Red-whiskered
Taiga Flycatcher- one hanging around in a veggie patch near home
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 1
Ashy Drongo one seen regularly
Chinese Blackbird (other thrushes heard, I think Japanese)
Daurian Redstart up to three in the morning
Stejneger's Stonechat one male seen occaaionally
Siberian Rubythroat maximum count 3
Russet Bush-warbler not very vocal just now but heard briefly
Asian Stubtail up to two
Asian Barred Owlet calling in the morning
Collared Scops Owl three calling around 7pm last night

Long-taled Shrike seems to have disappeared!

Dylan

subbuteo

18 November 2013

Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike 3 together- a high count for me.
Grey-backed Thrush 2
Japanese Thrush 3
Eurasian Blackbird 2

Also A B Owlet calling this morning.

Dylan

subbuteo

21 November 2013, Pak Tin Kong

Swinhoe's Minivet 1 in the same tree, loosely associated with Grey-chinned and Scarlet Minivets.  Hung around for at least ten minutes, 6.50- 7.00 am (when I left).  The latest previous record was 10th October- maybe this one will over winter?

Also the usual birds, Russet Bush Warbler is calling consistently now, up to three birds so far.  Ashy Drongo seen or heard almost every day. Also the following species regular:

Asian Stubtail
Pygmy Wren Babbler
Daurian Redstart
Lesser Shortwing
Dusky Warbler
Yellow-browed Warbler
Daurian Redstart
Stejneger's Stonechat
Siberian Rubythroat
Olive-backed Pipit

There are bush warblers in the grass/marsh area between Lung A Pai and Pak Tin Kong but I am not sure how to split Manchurian/Japanese!

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 25/10/2014 21:59 ]

subbuteo

23 November 2013

Lung A Pai

Swinhoe's Minivet 2
Black-naped Oriole 1

Dylan




COuldn't get both in the same photo!

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 23/11/2013 08:13 ]

subbuteo

23 November 2013

Swinhoe's Minivet 1 very briefly at 6.50am, flushed away within a minute of arriving.  I didn't get a chance to locate the other.

Also:

Grey heron 2- fairly unusual in the valley, circling in flight
Common Mynah 4 a valley high count!
Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike 2
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 1

Daurian Redstarts have disappeared this week and Fork-tailed Sunbirds are either more vocal or have moved in for winter.  Chinese Bulbuls are back in greater numbers, nine seen today.  One of the Chinese bulbuls was a dark-headed juvenile, lacking the white nape.

Also a flock of 22 starlings flew high over the Tai Om ridge heading toward Lin Au. Only seen in silhouette and  I would have said Common Starling based on shape, flight and general behaviour but that would be extraordinary.  I don't see starlings often so would white-cheeked be most likely?

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 24/11/2013 08:29 ]

ajohn

At Ng Tung Chai today:
Ashy Drongo - 2
Japanese Thrush - 3+
Rufous-tailed Robin - 2
Pallas's Leaf Warbler - 4

Dylan, I think you're probably right about White-cheeked Starlings. They can look very dark at times, and are fairly similar to Common Starling structurally.

subbuteo

25 November 2013

Swinhoe's Minivet 1  at 6.50am, hung around for at least ten minutes.  I couldn't locate the other.
Crested Goshawk
Besra 2
Ashy Drongop
Daurian Redstart 2 (back when it's cold!)
Stejneger's Stonechat 1
Russet Bush Warbler 3
Siberian Rubythroat 4

I forgot to mention hearing a ring-necked pheasant on Saturday morning calling from the direction of Tai Om Tsuen.  That would be a lovely addition to the local fauna but it's probably now in a soup.  Also, thanks John, I could see no markings on the starlings at all and thought common would be highly unlikely!

Dylan

subbuteo

27 November 2013

No sign of the Swinhoe's minivet this morning- yesterday was very cold and birds seemed late out of roost and this morning much dull with only nine minivets (2 Grey-chinned and 7 Scarlet).  Only forty Red-whiskered Bulbuls went through by the time I left.  They really don't like dull mornings.

Seen/ heard the last two days:

Ashy Drongo
Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike
Manchurian Bush Warbler
White-cheeked Laughing Thrush - two flocks calling this morning which I haven't heard since 3rd November
Black-throated Laughing Thrush- one doing a best of spring rendition with imitations of Large Hawk Cuckoo, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo and Koel
Asian Stubtail
Pallas' Warbler
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
Blackbird

There are buntings and thrushes about but I am having trouble seeing them!

Dylan

subbuteo

29 November 2013

Red-flanked Bluetail 3

The cold weather seems to have brought them in.

Dylan

ajohn

I also had two Bluetails yesterday at Ng Tung Chai, plus a couple of Rufous-tailed Robins foraging in the open on the path.

Also, two flocks of Chestnut-collared Yuhinas yesterday, totally about 20 birds.

subbuteo

No sign of the Swinhoe's minivet for a while now.  However, the later light means I am missing the majority of birds as I have to leave.  I only saw four or five Red-whskered Bulbuls this morning!

Seen/ heard the last few days:

Ashy Drongo
Oriental Turtle Dove
Manchurian Bush Warbler
Russet Bush Warbler
Asian Stubtail
Pallas' Warbler
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
Lesser Shortwing
Siberian Rubythroat
Stejneger's Stonechat
Red-flanked Bluetail
Daurian Redstart
Common Mynah
Blackbird

There are buntings and thrushes about but I am still having trouble seeing them!

Dylan

Ronaldo

8th December
Met Dylan and his lovely dog
Only birds seen in the below:

Lesser Shortwing x2 (very showy)
Chestnut Bunting x1f
Little Bunting x2
Scaly Thrush x1
White-browed Laughingthrush x1
Chinese Hwamei x1
Ashy Drongo x1
Black-winged Cuckooshrike x2
Pygmy Wren Babbler x1 (on a tree)
Hair-crested Drongo x1
Besra x2

A couple of photos of the birds

subbuteo

13 December 13

My last routine walk in the valley.  

Russet Bush Warbler 3
Asian Stubtail 1
Siberian Rubythroat 3
Daurian Redstart 1
Red-flanked Bluetail 1

I have used ebird to record every species I have seen this year and it has amounted to more than 5000 records (is this a good or bad thing Geoff W?).  Ebird has some limitations, mainly due to species names but I have found it useful to record routine species and have actually built up a fairly good picture of what occurs when and patterns are starting to emerge.  I have always kept note books but not submitted records for all species, only the more unusual birds.  I also like the fact that you are encouraged to submit numbers as I had only previously recorded a species occurrence not abundance.  This has made me pay more attention - for example, I would never have bothered to count the red-whiskered bulbul flock and would have left it at "lots".  All records are downloadable as a Excel file.

Species seen: 142

Birds of the year:

Fork-tailed Drongo Cuckoo (a tick!)
Malayan Night Heron (a tick!)
Swinhoe's Minivet(a tick!)
Red-whiskered bulbul (a high count!)

I have been disappointed by how little I have heard the Brown Wood Owl this year, there has been a lot of building activity which may well have moved them on.  I have been out routinely listening at dawn, dusk and in the evening with only eight records this year.

I am hopeful that Yung Shue O will be productive, my neighbour has already told me Brown Fish Owl sits on a branch behind her house!

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 13/12/2013 09:35 ]

wgeoff

Hi Dylan

Fortunately computers these days can cope with 5000 records as easily as 50 (although if everyone supplied 5000 records I might get a bit bogged down)

But I agree entirely - if you want to understand bird movements in a specific area, you have to count all species. You will be surprised and excited what this can reveal even for the common species. That's my experience from Po Toi and also yours at Lam Tsuen.

Yung Shue O is not a well-recorded area so I'm sure you are going to find exciting new things from there (starting with Brown Fish Owl!)

[ Last edited by wgeoff at 13/12/2013 14:45 ]

John Holmes

Dylan,

Thanks for all the Lam Tsuen stuff you've posted. It's been great reading !

Enjoy Sai Kung.

John