Subject: Shek Kong Catchwater 2015 [Print This Page] Author: JohnC Time: 16/05/2015 23:23 Subject: Shek Kong Catchwater 2015
Also known as Pat Heung Catchwater.
Catchwater marked in red on the map below.
At some point I want to share some records here. For now just a few pictures.
Barn Swallow
Blue Whistling Thrush (I see this individual often)
Hainan Blue Flycatcher 5th and 8th May
Snake (less than 0.5m long and very aggressive) 11th May
[ Last edited by JohnC at 29/09/2015 12:13 ] Author: subbuteo Time: 17/05/2015 10:05
Sek Kong catchment is a lovely walk and I didn't visit it enough when I lived in Lam Tsuen. The snake is a cracking picture- a large spotted cat snake. I thought it was a viper at first, a much chunkier head than I realised. I have only ever seen small ones ~30cm. They are normally nocturnal which may explain why it was so aggressive?
Dylan Author: JohnC Time: 17/05/2015 11:59
Thanks Dylan, no need for me to research reptiles now.
I am really enjoying my morning walks up at the catchwater.
Today before the rain forced me home.
Hainan Blue Flycatcher x3 (2m, 1f)
Mountain Tailorbird (1 seen, plenty heard)
Plaintive Cuckoo (immature)
Crested Goshawk (over Kam Sheung Road)
Emerald Dove x2
[ Last edited by JohnC at 17/05/2015 21:06 ] Author: irsychan Time: 17/05/2015 20:17
Excellent photos, particularly those of the Blue Whistling Thrush and the snake. Author: JohnC Time: 17/05/2015 21:24
Thanks SY.
23rd April 2015
My first time birding at the catchwater. It had to be good or there was a chance I wouldn't be coming back.
Bonelli's Eagle
Crested Goshawk
Besra
Hwamei
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Author: edyip1999 Time: 18/05/2015 22:24
I followed your footsteps this afternoon and also saw the whistling thrush
Edyip, If you saw whistling thrush near Tsing Tam Reservoir then maybe it's the same one.
24th April 2015
Olive-backed Pipit x5
Grey-streaked Flycatcher (near Ho Pui)
Asian Brown Flycatcher (near Ho Pui)
Black-throated Laughingthrush
Red Turtle Dove (Near Tsing Tam)
Chinese Sparrowhawk (Near Tsing Tam)
[ Last edited by JohnC at 22/05/2015 22:03 ] Author: edyip1999 Time: 20/05/2015 14:31
Yes, John, exactly I saw the whistling thrush in Tsing Tam Reservoir
Edward Author: JohnC Time: 21/05/2015 00:01
26th April 2015
Alexandrine Parakeet x3
Emerald Dove x2
Author: JohnC Time: 21/05/2015 00:16
27th April 2015
Chinese Sparrowhawk x9 (seven near Tsing Tam, two near Kap Lung)
Japanese Sparrowhawk x2 ( one near Tsing Tam , one near Kap Lung)
Crested Goshawk x1 (Near Tsing Tam)
Peregrine Falcon x1 (Near Kap Lung)
Grey-streaked Flycatcher x6 (near Tsing Tam)
Olive-backed Pipit x6 (near Tsing Tam, last time seeing them this spring)
[ Last edited by JohnC at 1/06/2015 20:33 ] Author: JohnC Time: 21/05/2015 22:40
[ Last edited by JohnC at 16/10/2015 11:51 ] Author: subbuteo Time: 15/10/2015 19:51
That's a great set of records. Do you ever go out at dawn or dusk? I've wondered about Brown Wood Owl calling there. I thought I heard one call at Ho Pui Reservoir (but not well enough to be sure) which is in the same area and the Lam Tsuen birds were just over the hill.
Dylan Author: JohnC Time: 15/10/2015 20:06
Thanks Dylan, Yung Shue O is not too bad either I see.
Done dawn a few times by myself, no calling owls (that I know of). I would have to get up very early to get to Ho Pui and it still be dawn.
Done a night walk with my girlfriend and she claims a scops owl. I did not accept it.
I am up for more night walks in the future, and will listen out for a wood owl. Author: JohnC Time: 15/10/2015 21:12
Grey Bush Chat
[ Last edited by JohnC at 16/10/2015 11:46 ] Author: kmatthew Time: 16/10/2015 09:57
Wonderful Grey Bush Chat photos! A great set of records too~ Author: JohnC Time: 16/10/2015 12:23
Thanks Matthew!
One more Author: JohnC Time: 28/10/2015 13:12 Subject: October 17th-28th
October 17th
White-rumped Shama (escape/release)
Ashy Drongo
Asian Brown Flycatcher
October 18th
Asian-brown Flycatcher
October 19th
Grey Bush chat x3
Asian-brown Flycatcher
Bay Woodpecker
Hair-crested Drongo x50
Asian-paradise Flycatcher
October 21st
Grey Bush chat x3
October 24th
Little Grebe
Verditer Flycatcher
Alexandrine Parakeet x3
Japanese Quail
Common Snipe Author: JohnC Time: 10/11/2015 11:41
Good to hear that more people are visiting this hotspot! So here is some info to show where some different birds can be found. The red area is where I found 3 Grey Bush Chats , also good for redstarts, flycatchers, pipits and parakeets. The blue area is where i found Japanese Quail and Common Snipe, also good for shrikes, stonechats, buntings etc.
Author: JohnC Time: 17/11/2015 11:27 Subject: 11th - 16th November
11th November
Asian Barred Owlet (in village)
Black-winged Cuckooshrike x2
Ashy Drongo
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Blue-and-white Flycatcher (1st winter)
Mugimaki Flycatcher (female)
Red-throated Flycatcher
Grey Bush Chat x3
B̶o̶n̶e̶l̶l̶i̶'̶s̶ ̶E̶a̶g̶l̶e̶ Oriental Honey Buzzard
Crested Goshawk
Besra x2
Chestnut Bulbul x8
Asian Stubtail x2
Verditer Flycatcher
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Rufous-tailed Robin x2
Grey Bush chat x2
Olive-backed Pipit x3
23rd November
Besra
Emerald Dove
Black-naped Monarch
Chestnut Bulbul x15
Asian Brown Flycatcher x2
Verditer Flycatcher x2
Rufous-tailed Robin x2
Mugimaki Flycatcher
Daurian Redstart x2
Grey Bush Chat x2
Olive-backed Pipit x3
25th November
Emerald Dove x4
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Sooty-headed Bulbul x2
Asian Stubtail
Radde's Warbler
Asian Brown Flycatcher x2
Verditer Flycatcher x2
Red-flanked Bluetail
Daurian Redstart
Common Myna x5
Olive-backed Pipit x2
[ Last edited by JohnC at 26/11/2015 13:31 ] Author: JohnC Time: 25/11/2015 15:10
Photos from the last week, including a Chinese Mountain Snake.
Author: ddavid Time: 25/11/2015 17:42
John
I think the raptor in the 4th photograph is a juv. Oriental Honey Buzzard. Note the broad wings, tail pattern and seemingly pale throat.
This particular morph of OHB is very similar to Bonelli's Eagle (see the Collins Bird Guide)!!
[ Last edited by ddavid at 25/11/2015 17:44 ] Author: JohnC Time: 25/11/2015 19:08
Thanks David!
I actually ran for this photo as my view was blocked by trees. Author: JohnC Time: 27/11/2015 16:41 Subject: 26th & 27th November
26th November
Black-faced Bunting x2
Daurian Redstart
Red-flanked Bluetail
Rufous-tailed Robin
27th November
Grey Heron x 4
Ashy Drongo x3
Asian Stubtail x3
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher
Rufous-tailed Robin x2
Red-flanked Bluetail
Mugimaki Flycatcher
Red-throated Flycatcher
Daurian Redstart
Grey Bushchat x2
White's Thrush
Olive-backed Pipit
Chestnut Bunting
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker
Chinese Blackbird
Pallas's Leaf Warbler
Photos from 27th Nov
[ Last edited by JohnC at 27/11/2015 16:54 ] Author: kmike Time: 28/11/2015 06:01
Really like the last White's Thrush pic John. Seems amazing the catchment has been unwatched for so long after the terrific autumn/winter you're having!
Cheers
Mike Author: JohnC Time: 28/11/2015 17:07
Thanks Mike.
If people don't have a car or live in the area it may seem like a mission to get to. However, I think the catchwater walk could easily be a combined trip with Airfield Road. Just walk through Shui Lau Tin at the end of Airfield road (could pick up a few sp here) then through Ngau Keng. You'll be at the bottom of the Grey Bush Chat area that I highlighted on the map (post #34). End the trip in Kap Lung - Bus 51 to Tsuen Wan or mini bus 72 to Kam Shung Road MTR/Yuen Long
Got off to a really good start today with a Brown-headed Thrush at the top of the Grey Bush Chat cemetery area.