wgeoff

Thursday 27 August was my first visit to the Island in autumn this year. Others have already been and Arctic Warbler, Asian Paradise Flycatcher and a very early Grey-streaked Flycaycher have already been recorded.

First new thing, the ferry price! Now set at HK$50 for the return journey, no single fares any more (no bad thing that). So a 25% increase in fares, still very cheap for a two-hour return journey but quite a shock!
Also, in case anyone is interested, a new ferry schedule from Aberdeen to Cheung Chau, see here. I think that will be very popular, no need to go to Central to get to Cheung Chau. Leaves from the Po Toi Ferry terminal.




Many terns still around Po Toi Rock (Castle Rock), certainly Bridled and Black-naped, possibly some Roseate also. Quite late to still be around the Rock, maybe a good breeding season there this year.

Not much to see on the Island - except for two Himalayan Swiftlets flying around the Sister's Cafe for about 30 minutes at mid-day. I'm not carrying my big camera these days, so only this distant shot




Apart from these, only Sea Eagle, White-throated Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, White-rumped Munia and Tree Sparrow. No warblers or flycatchers seen.

Visitors to Po Toi, please post any sightings here as usual.

wgeoff

Thanks Mr Tai, look forward to seeing your Shing Mun thread.

Not many birds around yesterday (Tuesday 1 September), still a little early for the start of the main passage.

50 Bridled Terns still around Po Toi Rock.

Two species of Kingfisher seen, White-throated and Common. Common is a regular early autumn migrant, White-throated is an occasional visitor and may stay longer.

Other species included Asian Koel, a juvenile male possibly bred on the island (say thank you to the Black Drongos), a White Wagtail, two Arctic Warblers, an Asia Brown Flycatcher, three Tree Sparrows left over from the summer breeding and a White-shouldered Starling plus a Brown Shrike seen by Lo Chun Fai from the Ferry as it was leaving.

But bird of the day was spotted near the Ferry by another Po Toi rarity, Beetle Cheng, on loan for the day from Wetland Park.




This is just the third Island record for this species, but it may be the same bird as the second, seen on 25 May this year by Alan Pong and stayed for the summer.

[ Last edited by wgeoff at 2/09/2015 09:47 ]

wgeoff

Thanks Tung, very interesting. I wonder if these coastal birds could be wild birds spreading north-east.

One day, when we can fit all trapped birds with tracking devices rather than inert metal rings, we will find the answers.
The technology will come, if it does not already exist within the secret services.

Geoff

wgeoff

Best bird this week was a Chinese Sparrowhawk on Thursday.



This bird was migrating coastally and I was lucky to see it as it passed quickly over headed towards Lamma.

Apart from this, a Pacific Swift, at least two Dollarbirds, a Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike photographed by Peter2014, Brown Shrike, Arctic and Pale-legged Leaf Warblers, Asia Brown Flycatcher, Black-naped Oriole (first winter), White-shouldered Starlings and Black Drongo. Still up to four Bridled Terns around Po Toi Rock.

Hope for more next week.

[ Last edited by wgeoff at 11/09/2015 18:47 ]

wgeoff

One visit only this week - on Tuesday.

I always say the best time to see a good bird on Po Toi is five minutes before the Ferry leaves (actually I used to say five minutes after the Ferry leaves when I stayed on the Island). And it was on Tuesday. A chattering Red-throated Flycatcher near the Ferry pier, just time to see it before running for the Ferry.

Also there, Dollarbird, Brown Shrike, a calling Yellow-browed Warbler, three Arctic Warblers, five Asia Brown Flycatchers and two Black-naped Orioles.

Not too exciting, hope for more next week again.

wgeoff

The Dollarbird is in the central area near the Ferry Pier and can often be seen sitting near the top of the tall tree just below The School.

There are several Brown Shrikes but they are more difficult to find. One last Tuesday near the Sister's Cafe but they have also been seen in The School area.

Black-naped Orioles favour the very tall dark green trees to the right of the Ferry Pier as you come down the pier from the ferry.

Hope this helps.