JohnC

Also known as Pat Heung Catchwater.
Catchwater marked in red on the map below.


At some point I want to share some records here.  For now just a few pictures.

Barn Swallow


Blue Whistling Thrush (I see this individual often)


Hainan Blue Flycatcher 5th and 8th May



Snake (less than 0.5m long and very aggressive) 11th May


[ Last edited by JohnC at 29/09/2015 12:13 ]

subbuteo

Sek Kong catchment is a lovely walk and I didn't visit it enough when I lived in Lam Tsuen.  The snake is a cracking picture- a large spotted cat snake.  I thought it was a viper at first, a much chunkier head than I realised.  I have only ever seen small ones ~30cm.  They are normally nocturnal which may explain why it was so aggressive?

Dylan

JohnC

Thanks Dylan, no need for me to research reptiles now.

I am really enjoying my morning walks up at the catchwater.

Today before the rain forced me home.

Hainan Blue Flycatcher x3 (2m, 1f)
Mountain Tailorbird (1 seen, plenty heard)
Plaintive Cuckoo (immature)
Crested Goshawk (over Kam Sheung Road)
Emerald Dove x2





[ Last edited by JohnC at 17/05/2015 21:06 ]

irsychan

Excellent photos, particularly those of the Blue Whistling Thrush and the snake.

JohnC

Thanks SY.

23rd April 2015

My first time birding at the catchwater. It had to be good or there was a chance I wouldn't be coming back.

Bonelli's Eagle
Crested Goshawk
Besra
Hwamei
Asian Brown Flycatcher

edyip1999

I followed your footsteps this afternoon and also saw the whistling thrush

[ Last edited by edyip1999 at 18/05/2015 22:26 ]

JohnC

Edyip, If you saw whistling thrush near Tsing Tam Reservoir then maybe it's the same one.

24th April 2015

Olive-backed Pipit x5
Grey-streaked Flycatcher (near Ho Pui)
Asian Brown Flycatcher (near Ho Pui)
Black-throated Laughingthrush
Red Turtle Dove (Near Tsing Tam)
Chinese Sparrowhawk (Near Tsing Tam)





[ Last edited by JohnC at 22/05/2015 22:03 ]

edyip1999

Yes, John, exactly I saw the whistling thrush in Tsing Tam Reservoir

Edward

JohnC

26th April 2015

Alexandrine Parakeet x3
Emerald Dove x2

JohnC

27th April 2015

Chinese Sparrowhawk x9 (seven near Tsing Tam, two near Kap Lung)
Japanese Sparrowhawk x2 ( one near Tsing Tam , one near Kap Lung)
Crested Goshawk x1 (Near Tsing Tam)
Peregrine Falcon x1 (Near Kap Lung)
Grey-streaked Flycatcher x6 (near Tsing Tam)
Olive-backed Pipit x6 (near Tsing Tam, last time seeing them this spring)







[ Last edited by JohnC at 1/06/2015 20:33 ]

JohnC

28th April 2015

Grey-streaked Flycatcher x6 (still there)


29th April 2015 (Grey-streaked Flycatchers gone)

Large Hawk Cuckoo
Crested Goshawk x2
Besra



1st May 2015

Besra





2nd May 2015

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (heard)
Drongo Cuckoo (heard)


5th May 2015

Crested Serpent Eagle
Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo (heard)
White-bellied Erponis
Pygmy Wren Babbler
Hainan Blue Flycatcher x6
Chestnut Bulbul
Mountain Tailorbird









[ Last edited by JohnC at 21/05/2015 22:46 ]

JohnC

Back to the present.

Today 22nd May 2015

Scarlet Minivet x7 (2 in the village)
Alexandrine Parakeet
Hainan Blue Flycatcher x7 (One male and one female seen.  The rest heard only)  

The closest views so far of the flycatchers but they still insist on being between me and the sun.






PS - The tunnel that the Blue Whistling Thrush likes to hide in was flooded

I made a video mainly to record the song.


[ Last edited by JohnC at 22/05/2015 13:09 ]

JohnC

30th May 2015

Hainan Blue Flycatcher x4
Crested Goshawk
Emerald Dove
Red-billed Starling
  

JohnC

1st June 2015

Hainan Blue Flycatcher x5
Emerald Dove x4
Pygmy Wren Babbler x2
Hwamei x1
White-rumped Munia x15

JohnC

August 16
Emerald Dove
Hainan Blue Flycatcher x2

August 17
Besra x 2
Chestnut Bulbul x2

August 22
Silver-eared Mesia x 25
Long-tailed Shrike x2

August 23
Grey Wagtail
Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Besra
Crested Goshawk
Yellow-cheeked Tit
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Hainan Blue Flycatcher x2

August 24
Grey Wagtail x4
White Wagtail
Emerald Dove

August 26
Emerald Dove
Hainan Blue Flycatcher

August 31
Grey Wagtail x 4
White Wagtail

JohnC

September 14
Asian Brown Flycatcher

September 21
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Alexandrine Parakeet

September 24
Yellow Wagtail
Black-naped Oriole
Dollarbird

September 27
White-throated Kingfisher
Black-naped Oriole  
Dollarbird
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Hair-crested Drongo
Arctic Warbler
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Little Egret x 35
Crested Serpent Eagle x2 (1 adult and 1 juvenile)
Yellow-cheeked Tit

September 28
Crested Serpent Eagle x2
Crested Goshawk
Alexandrine Parakeet
Hair-crested Drongo
Arctic Warbler
Pale-legged Warbler
Asian Brown Flycatcher

September 29
Brown Shrike
Arctic Warbler
Pale-legged Warbler
Dark-sided Flycatcher x2
Asian Brown Flycatcher

[ Last edited by JohnC at 1/10/2015 22:13 ]

JohnC

October 1st

Eurasian Hobby
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Stejneger's Stonechat

October 3rd

Asian Brown Flycatcher x2
Arctic Warbler
Crested Serpent-Eagle

October 5th (Day after T3)

Oriental Pratincole
Dollarbird
Kestrel
Eurasian Hobby
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Grey-streaked Flycatcher
Japanese Sparrowhawk

October 8th

Chinese Sparrowhawk (adult male)
Emerald Dove
Plaintive Cuckoo
Bay Woodpecker x2
Alexandrine Parakeet x3
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo
Black-naped Monarch (female)
Arctic Warbler
Grey-streaked Flycatcher

October 10th

Striated Heron
Bay Woodpecker
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Asian Brown Flycatcher x2
Blue-and-white Flycatcher (1st winter)

October 12th

Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo
Mountain Bulbul x6
Asian Brown Flycatcher x3

October 14th

Emerald Dove
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo (white faced)
Dusky Warbler
Oriental Reed-Warbler
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Asian Brown Flycatcher

October 15th

Grey Heron
Striated Heron
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo (white faced)
Hair-crested Drongo x20
Dusky Warbler x3
Yellow-browed Warbler x3
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Grey Bushchat x2 (males)

[ Last edited by JohnC at 16/10/2015 11:51 ]

subbuteo

That's a great set of records.  Do you ever go out at dawn or dusk?  I've wondered about Brown Wood Owl calling there.  I thought I heard one call at Ho Pui Reservoir (but not well enough to be sure) which is in the same area and the Lam Tsuen birds were just over the hill.

Dylan

JohnC

Thanks Dylan, Yung Shue O is not too bad either I see.

Done dawn a few times by myself, no calling owls (that I know of).   I would have to get up very early to get to Ho Pui and it still be dawn.

Done a night walk with my girlfriend and she claims a scops owl.  I did not accept it.

I am up for more night walks in the future, and will listen out for a wood owl.

JohnC

Grey Bush Chat





[ Last edited by JohnC at 16/10/2015 11:46 ]

kmatthew

Wonderful Grey Bush Chat photos! A great set of records too~

JohnC

Thanks Matthew!

One more

JohnC

October 17th

White-rumped Shama (escape/release)
Ashy Drongo
Asian Brown Flycatcher

October 18th

Asian-brown Flycatcher

October 19th

Grey Bush chat x3
Asian-brown Flycatcher
Bay Woodpecker
Hair-crested Drongo x50
Asian-paradise Flycatcher

October 21st

Grey Bush chat x3

October 24th

Little Grebe
Verditer Flycatcher
Alexandrine Parakeet x3

October 25th

Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Verditer Flycatcher
Asian-brown Flycatcher
Grey-streaked Flycatcher

October 26th

Little Grebe x2
Striated Heron
Ashy Drongo
Hair-crested Drongo x40
Blue-and-white Flycatcher (female)
Little Bunting x2

October 28th

Besra x2
Common Buzzard
Alexandrine Parakeet
Ashy Drongo
Grey Treepie x2
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Asian-brown Flycatcher x2
Daurian Redstart
Grey Bush chat x3

JohnC

Photos from today

















[ Last edited by JohnC at 28/10/2015 13:15 ]

JohnC

October 29th

Ashy Drongo
Olive-backed Pipit x 6

October 30th

Black-winged Cuckooshrike x3
Ashy Drongo x 2
Asian-paradise Flycatcher
Grey Treepie
Radde's Warbler
Grey Bushchat x2 males
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher
Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler x 5

October 31st

Black Bulbul
Verditer Flycatcher
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Ashy Drongo

JohnC

Photos from today (including flowerpecker, tit and munia)

kmike

You're building an impressive list for this new patch John - great to see!

How many species have you recorded here now?

Cheers
Mike

JohnC

Thanks Mike, the patch keeps throwing up surprises for me.

Up to 110 species recorded by me. I started birding this patch late April so it's looking good so far, although I don't really have a target in mind.

Am looking forward to thrush season, should be good.

JohnC

A forest crab

JohnC

[ Last edited by JohnC at 2/11/2015 14:49 ]

JohnC

November 1st

Olive-backed Pipit x5

November 2nd

Black-winged Cuckooshrike x4
Ashy Drongo x3 (2 leucogenis, 1 salangensis)
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Yellow-cheeked Tit
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch x7
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Red-throated Flycatcherx2
Grey Bushchat x3 (2m, 1f)
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker
Olive-backed Pipit x6
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler

November 3rd

Bonelli's Eagle
Crested Goshawk x2

JohnC

Photos from the last few days

JohnC

November 7th

Common Buzzard
Ashy Drongo
Verditer Flycatcher
Grey Bush chat

November 8th

Crested Serpent Eagle
Ashy Drongo x2
Olive-backed Pipit x6
Red-throated Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher

November 9th

Crested Serpent-Eagle
Besra
Ashy Drongo
Mugimaki Flycatcher
Red-throated Flycatcher
Black-naped Monarch
Black-winged Cuckooshrike x2
Japanese/Manchurian Bush-Warbler
Daurian Redstart
Olive-backed Pipit x6

Japanese Quail
Common Snipe

JohnC

Good to hear that more people are visiting this hotspot! So here is some info to show where some different birds can be found.  The red area is where I found 3 Grey Bush Chats , also good for redstarts, flycatchers, pipits and parakeets. The blue area is where i found Japanese Quail and Common Snipe, also good for shrikes, stonechats, buntings etc.

JohnC

11th November
       
Asian Barred Owlet (in village)
Black-winged Cuckooshrike x2
Ashy Drongo
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Blue-and-white Flycatcher (1st winter)
Mugimaki Flycatcher (female)
Red-throated Flycatcher
Grey Bush Chat x3

12th November

Crested Goshawk
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo
Hair-crested Drongo 30+
Seicercus sp.
Chestnut Collared Yuhina
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Mugimaki Flycatcher

15th November

Emerald Dove
Peregrine Falcon
Ashy Drongo
Yellow-cheeked Tit x3
Radde's Warbler
Verditer Flycatcher
Daurian Redstart
Grey Bush Chat x3
Turdus sp.

16th November

Black-winged Cuckooshrike x2
Ashy Drongo x2
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Mountain Bulbul x2
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher
Grey Bush Chat x3
Daurian Redstart

[ Last edited by JohnC at 17/11/2015 11:30 ]

JohnC

JohnC

Great Cormorant x19
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Crested Goshawk
Emerald Dove
Peregrine Falcon
Ashy Drongo
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher
Red-throated Flycatcher

JohnC

20th November

Emerald Dove
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo x2
Eastern Crowned Leaf Warbler
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Mugimaki Flycatcher x2
Red-throated Flycatcher x2
Daurian Redstart
Olive-backed Pipit x2

22nd November

B̶o̶n̶e̶l̶l̶i̶'̶s̶ ̶E̶a̶g̶l̶e̶  Oriental Honey Buzzard
Crested Goshawk
Besra x2
Chestnut Bulbul x8
Asian Stubtail x2
Verditer Flycatcher
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Rufous-tailed Robin x2
Grey Bush chat x2
Olive-backed Pipit x3

23rd November

Besra
Emerald Dove
Black-naped Monarch
Chestnut Bulbul x15
Asian Brown Flycatcher x2
Verditer Flycatcher x2
Rufous-tailed Robin x2
Mugimaki Flycatcher
Daurian Redstart x2
Grey Bush Chat x2
Olive-backed Pipit x3

25th November

Emerald Dove x4
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Sooty-headed Bulbul x2
Asian Stubtail
Radde's Warbler
Asian Brown Flycatcher x2
Verditer Flycatcher x2
Red-flanked Bluetail
Daurian Redstart
Common Myna x5
Olive-backed Pipit x2

[ Last edited by JohnC at 26/11/2015 13:31 ]

JohnC

Photos from the last week, including a Chinese Mountain Snake.

ddavid

John

I think the raptor in the 4th photograph is a juv. Oriental Honey Buzzard. Note the broad wings, tail pattern and seemingly pale throat.
This particular morph of OHB is very similar to Bonelli's Eagle (see the Collins Bird Guide)!!

See this image from the OBC Database: http://orientalbirdimages.org/bi ... D=96&pagesize=1

David

[ Last edited by ddavid at 25/11/2015 17:44 ]

JohnC

Thanks David!  

I actually ran for this photo as my view was blocked by trees.

JohnC

26th November

Black-faced Bunting x2
Daurian Redstart
Red-flanked Bluetail
Rufous-tailed Robin

27th November

Grey Heron x 4
Ashy Drongo x3
Asian Stubtail x3
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher
Rufous-tailed Robin x2
Red-flanked Bluetail
Mugimaki Flycatcher
Red-throated Flycatcher
Daurian Redstart
Grey Bushchat x2
White's Thrush
Olive-backed Pipit
Chestnut Bunting
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker
Chinese Blackbird
Pallas's Leaf Warbler

Photos from 27th Nov















[ Last edited by JohnC at 27/11/2015 16:54 ]

kmike

Really like the last White's Thrush pic John. Seems amazing the catchment has been unwatched for so long after the terrific autumn/winter you're having!

Cheers
Mike

JohnC

Thanks Mike.  

If people don't have a car or live in the area it may seem like a mission to get to.  However, I think the catchwater walk could easily be a combined trip with Airfield Road.  Just walk through Shui Lau Tin at the end of Airfield road (could pick up a few sp here) then through Ngau Keng. You'll be at the bottom of the Grey Bush Chat area that I highlighted on the map (post #34).  End the trip in Kap Lung -  Bus 51 to Tsuen Wan or mini bus 72 to Kam Shung Road MTR/Yuen Long

Got off to a really good start today with a Brown-headed Thrush at the top of the Grey Bush Chat cemetery area.  

28th November

Brown-headed Thrush
Peregrine Falcon
Ashy Drongo
Grey Treepie x3
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Daurian Redstart x2
Red-throated Flycatcher
Red-flanked Bluetail x2
Verditer Flycatcher
Pallas's Leaf Warbler

JohnC

29th November

Speckled Piculet
Ashy Drongo
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher x2
Asian Stubtail
Radde's Warbler
Pallas's Leaf Warbler
Verditer Flycatcher
Rufous-tailed Robin x3
Red-flanked Bluetail
Red-throated Flycatcher
Daurian Redstart
Grey Bushchat
Grey-backed Thrush

30th November

Emerald Dove
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo x2
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher x2
Mountain Bulbul x9
Asian Stubtail x2
Pallas's Leaf Warbler x3
Chinese Hwamei x7
Asian Brown Flycatcher x2
Verditer Flycatcher x2
Rufous-tailed Robin x3
Red-flanked Bluetail
Red-throated Flycatcher
Daurian Redstart
Grey-backed Thrush x2
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker
Olive-backed Pipit x15
Chestnut Bunting
Black-faced Bunting

2nd December

Emerald Dove x3
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Asian Stubtail
Pallas's Leaf Warbler x2
Grey Bushchat
Red-throated Flycatcher

JohnC

Radde's Warbler from the last few days.  

11th Dec





14th Dec

JohnC

Fri Dec 04

Crested Serpent-Eagle x2
Crested Goshawk
Besra x2
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo
Mountain Bulbul
Asian Stubtail x2
Two-barred Warbler
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush x10
Verditer Flycatcher
Rufous-tailed Robin
Red-rumped Swallow x4
Chestnut Bunting x8

Sun Dec 06

Grey Heron
Common Kingfisher
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Goodson's Leaf Warbler
Red-flanked Bluetail x2
Red-throated Flycatcher
Chestnut Bunting

Mon Dec 07

Striated Heron
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Russet Bush-Warbler
Grey Bushchat x2


Wed Dec 09

Ashy Drongo x2
Hair-crested Drongo x30
Two-barred Warbler
Grey Bushchat x2
Little Bunting x10
Chestnut Bunting x2
Red-flanked Bluetail x3

Fri Dec 11

Emerald Dove x2
Ashy Drongo x3
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher
Sooty-headed Bulbul
Asian Stubtail x2
Radde's Warbler
Goodson's Leaf Warbler x2
Zitting Cisticola
Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush x6
Japanese Thrush
Asian Brown Flycatcher x2
Rufous-tailed Robin x2
Siberian Rubythroat
Red-flanked Bluetail x4
Red-throated Flycatcher
Grey Bushchat x2
Little Bunting x3
Chestnut Bunting x6

Sun Dec 13

Cattle Egret
Ashy Drongo x2
Red-flanked Bluetail

Mon Dec 14

Asian Koel
Speckled Piculet x2
Ashy Drongo
Radde's Warbler x3
Zitting Cisticola
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Rufous-tailed Robin
Red-flanked Bluetail x3
Grey-backed Thrush

Wed Dec 16

Black-winged Cuckooshrike x2
Ashy Drongo
Yellow-cheeked Tit
Grey Bushchat x2

Sun Dec 20

Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Goodson's Leaf Warbler
Golden-headed Cisticola x4
Red-throated Flycatcher x3
Grey-backed Thrush
Red-billed Starling x30

Wed Dec 23

Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Verditer Flycatcher
Rufous-tailed Robin
Siberian Rubythroat
Red-flanked Bluetail

Fri Dec 25

Ashy Drongo
Goodson's Leaf Warbler
Chestnut-collared Yuhina x25
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher
Red-throated Flycatcher x2
Grey Bushchat x3
Tristram's Bunting x4

Sat Dec 26

Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo
Yellow-cheeked Tit
Two-barred Warbler
Golden-headed Cisticola x2
Verditer Flycatcher
Red-flanked Bluetail
Rufous-tailed Robin
Orange-bellied Leafbird

Mon Dec 28

Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Drongo
Yellow-cheeked Tit x2
Rufous-tailed Robin
Orange-bellied Leafbird x2

Ended 2015 on 146 Species, after reviewing my records and photos I've finished the year on 148 species.

[ Last edited by JohnC at 1/03/2016 15:08 ]

JohnC