ajohn

A very pleasant morning at Kam Tin today. During the quiet summer months, I sometimes forget just how good this site can be in October-November.

Undoubted highlight of the morning was a Japanese Yellow Bunting seen well at close range. A very rare species in autumn, I think this may be the first autumn record away from Po Toi (and only my second record at Kam Tin).

Other highlights:
Black-faced Spoonbill x3 (second KT record)
Marsh Sandpiper x1 (second KT record)
Grey-headed Lapwing x13
Temminck's Stint x4
Japanese Sparrowhawk x1
Eurasian Skylark x2
Chinese Penduline Tit x1

And supporting cast:
Common Teal x25
Black-winged Stilt x41+
Little Ringed Plover (numerous - not counted)
Common Greenshank x2
Red Turtle Dove x2
Wryneck
White Wagtail ocularis x13
Yellow Wagtail macronyx
Red-throated Pipit x25
Daurian Redstart x5+
Siberian Rubythroat x4 (2 seen)
Common Blackbird x2
Thrush sp. (probably Grey-backed) heard
Zitting Cisticola
Japanese Bush Warbler x3
Fork-tailed Sunbird
Yellow-billed Grosbeak x4
Little Bunting x3

ajohn

Birds of interest today included:
Black-faced Spoonbill
Grey-headed Lapwing x18 (my highest count so far this autumn)
Wryneck x3
Eurasian Skylark
Chinese Penduline Tit x4 heard (seems to be a good winter for these)
Yellow-breasted Bunting x2
Little Bunting x5
Yellow-billed Grosbeak x28
Hill Myna x2 (escapes!)

Also, a very flock of bulbuls emerging from their roost, estimated at 560 Chinese and 125 Red-whiskered.

ajohn

Another interesting week at Kam Tin this week, including two new species for the site. First a Great Bittern on Tuesday, then a female Falcated Duck this morning. This brings my personal Kam Tin list to 212 (I am also aware of a couple more species recorded by others).

Also this week:
Black-faced Spoonbill - currently fairly regular in Kam Tin MDC
Eurasian Wigeon - peak count 24
Avocet - up to 6
Black-winged Stilt - peak count 89 (new site record)
Common Snipe - peak count 13
Buff-bellied Pipit - 2
Bright-capped Cisticola - 2
Brown Shrike - 1