tmichael

Like Lamma to describe Ho Chung as a 'hot spot' is probably overstating things a little, but it has been pretty good during the last few days.

Last Sunday and Monday up to seven Dollarbirds were along the wires at the top of the valley, along with up to eight Grey Treepies, a local speciality, which I hear on nearly every visit but don't always see. Of course the cuckoos  (Large Hawk, Indian, Plaintive and Chestnut-winged) have all been calling: today I heard Chestnut-winged giving the high-pitched chattering call they give when actively interacting with each other, and thus giving a good chance of an actual sighting, and though I didn't see them, I did see them in my village, about 1.5km away, during the week - what magical birds they are.

Today there was a beautiful Chinese Goshawk giving great views near the end of the catchwater road - I photographed it 'well' through the windscreen of my car but you can imagine how that turned out!

There was also my first Velvet-fronted Nuthatch at Ho Ching and a pair of Scarlet Minivets, and during the week Hainan Blue Flycatcher has been singing, but not this morning.

Also of course the full 'supporting cast' - Chestnut Bulbuls, Rufous-capped Babbler, Greater Necklaced and Black-throated Laughers, Crested Goshawk, Serpent Eagle, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, and Pacific Swift.

I usually concentrate on the catchwater and woods, though the lower woods (where the Birdwings and other butterflies can be found) and lower valley, where it seems a presumably released group of Grey Laughers may have taken up residence, are also worth a visit.

Mike Turnbull

tmichael

Dear ckwokwing,
I assume by Pak Fa Lam you mean up the steps to Customs House Pass/ Fei Ngo Shan, but I'd be grateful for further directions to these birds, in a personal message if you prefer. I'd like to have a look for them this week some time.

Personally I've found Chestnut-winged Cuckoo quite easy to actually see on the catchwater recently, including two yesterday, when I also saw two Grey-streaked Flycatchers, and a pair of Grey Wagtails.

Mike Turnbull

tmichael

I'll have to dig out a map to interpret your directions (I rarely go up as far as Madam Sun's grave, though have been in the past), though I think your 'crossroads' may be Customs House Pass, which I must find out the Chinese name for (another reason to look at the map!).

As for the Cuckoos from the bottom of the steps into the woods at Tai Lam Wu head along the catchwater in the direction of Sai Kung ie towards Kai Ham village, and the best area to see the Cuckoos is about half way along (c500 m along?) where there is a large amount of bamboo on the down slope with a bit of a clearing. The key to seeing them is to catch them doing the chattering call - late afternoon/evening seems best - when they seem invariably to be interacting with each other. Try whistling the call and if you get the note just right they should be attracted to it, giving at least flight views and perched views in the bamboo if you are lucky.

Mike Turnbull