Subject: Himalayan Cuckoo & Red Phalarope at northeast of New Territories [Print This Page] Author: HKBWS Surveyor Time: 29/04/2008 09:59 Subject: Himalayan Cuckoo & Red Phalarope at northeast of New Territories
Two rare species were found at northeast of New Territories
Himalayan Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus
It was found and seen by Richard Lewthwaite near the dam at Tai Mei Tuk.
It could be the first record for Hong Kong.
大尾督水壩有一隻Himalayan Cuckoo，相信是香港首次紀錄。
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius
It was photographed at Nam Chung.
南涌亦有一隻罕見的灰瓣蹼鷸。
(picture by Francis)
April 29, Tai Mei Tuk Author: fsp Time: 29/04/2008 23:13
29 Apr 2008 Tai Mei Tuk
Thanks Richard! Author: lrichard Time: 30/04/2008 09:13 Subject: Himalayan Cuckoo at Tai Mei Tuk
The Himalayan Cuckoo was seen and heard again at Tai Mei Tuk this morning (30 April).
It is behaving as a bird on territory, so there is a good chance it will stay for longer.
My experience yesterday was that it was coming into tall trees on the slope facing Tai Mei Tuk Road. I was able to see it through a telescope from the end of the road where there's a small rounabout. This is where Kwan, Francis and Siu-ping all got photos. The cuckoo was in a tall Schima superba tree coming into flower to the left and later in a tall Liquidambar tree on the ridge to the right.
When I went up the Family Walk, I got brief views of the bird through binoculars, but as soon as it was aware of my attention, it flew off and went silent. I didn't see it again in an hour of searching. Paul Leader had the same experience this morning. The bird was calling frequently, but when Paul went up the hillside and was seen by the bird, it again flew off and went quiet.
So, my advice would be to wait beside the road and hope to see it in the tall trees.
A quick note on the range & taxonomy. The former "Oriental Cuckoo" complex has recently been split on the basis of vocalisations & biometrics. The two species occurring in China are Horsfield's Cuckoo Cuculus horsfieldi, which is larger & longer-winged & breeds in the far north, and Himalayan Cuckoo C. saturatus, which is smaller & has a more southerly distribution. Himalayan Cuckoo is the one that summers at Ba Bao Shan and Wuyi Shan. There is a large body of Hong Kong records of "Oriental Cuckoo", all April-May or September-October. Of these only two can be assigned to species, and these were both Horsfield's Cuckoos. The Tai Mei Tuk bird, if accepted by the Records Committee, will be the first record of Himalayan Cuckoo. The call of Himalayan Cuckoo (to my ears) is a mellow 3-note pop-poop-poop! typically introduced by a short sit! note. Author: lpaul Time: 30/04/2008 09:51
I agree with Richard, this seems to be a shy bird and it would be a shame if disturbance caused it to leave.
It also seems that better, if more distant, views can be obtained from the road.
I realise that this may suit everyone, but this bird appears to be on territory so should be treated as a breeding bird. Author: Beetle Time: 30/04/2008 19:12
The bird was seen today afternoon but remained silent.
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