subbuteo

It seems an appropriate day to start the winter thread as there was widespread frost in the valley.

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 10/02/2011 23:37 ]

subbuteo

The birds were keeping quiet this morning; again at first light I had a Buzzard and it was joined by a Besra and a Crested Goshawk.  I walked up to Tai Om Shan seeing very little initially, the higher ground had significantly less frost, the cold air pooling in the valley floor.  It was a very clear night last night and the stars were very clear (for HK).  I didn't see many birds in the first forty-five minutes but things improved when the sun came up.  I heard a Red-throated Flycatcher call on the way up.

At the top of the path I managed to get a Rufous-tailed Robin to come out and it was joined by a Lesser Shortwing.  A thrush also came in but flew off before I could see it.  More thrushes were about but impossible to see.  On the way back down a mixed flock contained Pallas' Warbler, Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike, Grey-throated Minivet, Silver-eared Mesia, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Blue-winged Minla.  

Near home were a female Daurian Redstart and Masked Buntings

45 species in a couple of hours was pretty good and seeing frost in Hong Kong spectacular!

Dylan

subbuteo

A rather quiet walk this afternoon- the birds were going to roost as I left home at 4pm and were mostly bedded down by 5.30pm.  The wintery feel continues, pleasantly cool getting towards cold as soon as the sun went down (it leaves the valley bottom at around 5.30pm at the moment).

Highlights were:

Red-flanked Bluetail
Hair-crested Drongo
Ashy Drongo
Woodcock
White's (Scaly) Thrush
Russet Bush Warbler (heard)
White-cheeked Laughing Thrush
Siberian Rubythroat (heard)

Buntings are about but hard to pick up, I've only seen Masked Bunting recently.  Unfortunately, I found my first fire ant nest in the valley.    I've only been stung by them once (at Long Valley) and it wasn't pleasant.  Has anyone else seen them in Lam Tsuen?

I listened for the Brown Wood Owl at dusk through to darkness but still no sign of it.  

Dylan

subbuteo

28/12/10

A walk up to Tai Om Shan and loop over through to Tai Om Shan Tsuen via the pylons produced 54 species (plus the red-headed bunting later in the afternoon so 55 for the day)

Highlights:

Daurian Redstart (x3)
Siberian Stonechat (x2)
Rufous-tailed Robin
Red-flanked Bluetail (2f, 1m, 1 imm)
Rubythroat (x4)
Chinese Blackbird
Russet Bush Warbler  (x2)
Asian Stubtail (h)
Pallas' Leaf Warbler (x4)
Yellow-browed Warbler
Mountain Tailorbird  (x2 heard)
Tristram's Bunting (x5+)
Ashy Drongo
Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Goshawk (x3 including one perched above the path up to Tai Om)
Besra
Bright-capped Cisticola


No Lesser Shortwing today; and I couldn't get onto any of the thrushes that were about.  The Rufous-capped Babblers were within touching distance at my feet- quite amazing change in behaviour brought on by the cold.

No Brown Wood Owl this evening.

Dylan

PS Lam Tsuen is doing well for buntings just now- Mike's Red-headed, Chestnut-eared, Masked, Little, Tristram's, and presumably Chestnut (although I haven't seen one yet but they were quite common last winter)

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 28/12/2010 19:10 ]

subbuteo

A dusky thrush was on the marshy cultivated fields beside the bridge below Pak Tin Kong yesterday at dusk.

Dylan

subbuteo

I heard the brown wood owl call- only once- at dusk this evening (19.1.11) from a new location near Pak Tin Kong (again from the woods on the valley flank).  This is the first call I have heard in a long time- must be approaching eight weeks.   

Dylan

subbuteo

Pak Tin Kong to Tai Om Shan

Japanese Grosbeak (2)
Chinese Grosbeak (4m 2f)

They are feeding on the bare trees by the graves on the path up to Tai Om Shan.  They are not moving about much so you need to look carefully- you can hear their beaks clicking as they eat.

Also seen:

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler and a Blyth's (Goodsons?) Leaf Warbler and two Pallas' Warbler in a mixed flock with Blue-winged Mesia, Great Tit and japanese White-eye.

Missed out on Mountain Tailorbird, Lesser Shortwing and Pygmy Wren Babbler this morning and the long staying Red-tailed Robin was not in its usual place.  

Had a Taiga Flycatcher on the way home on the other side of the valley.

Dylan

subbuteo

In the same area this afternoon, a Wryneck, a male Red-flanked Bluetail and a single Ashy Drongo.

Dylan

subbuteo

An unexpected species on the path this morning (6.15am- it was dark!) - Red Mountain Racer.  16 degrees and it was active.

Dylan

subbuteo

It was across the footpath between Pak Tin Kong and Lung A Pai- lowland marsh.  It was stretched out across the path and then moved into the hole where the photo was taken.  Stunning snake, one of the most beautiful I have ever seen- but red-necked keelback are a close second.

Dylan

subbuteo

Spring has sprung (for now at least).  Koels have been calling the last few days and tonight (10/2/11) around 11pm, a Savanna Nightjar was calling between Ping Long and Pak Tin Kong.

Dylan

subbuteo

The Brown Wood Owl called at dawn today- I have been out consistently for the past few weeks listening and this was the first dawn call I have heard in a while.  Called at 6.28, and only once.

Also Russet Bush Warbler calling.  The earlier sunrise is improving my morning dog walk birding!

Dylan

subbuteo

Did you see the hawfinch?  I went up yesterday- only real bird of note was a Siberian Rubythroat which was out in full view.  I only found a single Chinese Grosbeak.
Dylan