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

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

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 ]

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

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

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 ]