ajohn

I had a good day of birding yesterday in the north-east New Territories, with some very pleasant sunny weather. Among the highlights:
Oriental Greenfinch x30 (Kuk Po) Kuk Po and Lai Chi Wo seem to have developed into a real hotspot for this species, at least in winter, and I've seen them on several visits over the past couple of years, sometimes in good numbers
Blue-winged Minla x2 (Kuk Po) A very unusual species in this part of Hong Kong
White-bellied Erpornis/Yuhina x2 (Kuk Po)
Olive-backed Pipit (Kuk Po) My first this winter
Richard's Pipit (Kuk Po)
Grey Treepie x2 (Kuk Po)
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch x1 (Mui Tsz Lam) Possibly the first record in this part of Hong Kong?
Pied Harrier x1 (Lai Chi Wo) Unusual away from Deep Bay
Red-throated Pipit x2 (1 flyover, 1 at Sam A Tsuen) Unusual away from Deep Bay
Scarlet Minivet x2 (Luk Keng)
Common Blackbird (Luk Keng)
Asian Brown Flycatcher (Luk Keng)
Eurasian Woodcock (hills between Luk Keng and Pat Sin Leng) My first this winter
Also 60+ Great Egret apparently migrating south at dusk.

Among other wildlife, there were lots of Hong Kong Newt in the streams near Wu Kau Tang, a big diversity of butterflies, and I disturbed 2 boar in the mangroves near Nam Chung at dusk

ajohn

If you're relying on public transport, it's unfortunately not as easy as I would like. The easiest way is to go to Luk Keng (minibus 56K from Fanling KCR) and walk around the coastal path.
The other option is to go into the area via Wu Kau Tang. There are infrequent minibuses from Tai Po, but I usually end up taking a taxi. There are also buses on Sunday to Bride's Pool, from where you can walk to Wu Kau Tang in about 15 minutes.

There is a good path from Wu Kau Tang to Luk Keng via Sam A Tsuen, Lai Chi Wo and Kuk Po. It takes a few hours to walk the full route, but is usually worth the effort!