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        Discussion Area °Q½×°Ï >> Bird Identification ³¾Ãþ¿ëÃÑ >>  A trip to Ng Tung Chai ±ï®ä¹ë¹C°O Part 1
        
(Message started by: Griffin on Jan 27^th, 2004, 10:51pm)

Title: A trip to Ng Tung Chai ±ï®ä¹ë¹C°O Part 1
Post by Griffin on Jan 27^th, 2004, 10:51pm

Hello

I went to Ng Tung Chai, after reading so many reports on rare birds sightings (and hearings), alone on Sat, Jan 24 afternoon. The trip was not meant to be serious birding, but rather to see which parts are "target-rich". I have taken some pictures for records. Please pardon that there are no great bird photographs taken here. All are taken by 10D, EF20-35mm f/.8 L and EF100-400mm L IS USM.

I took the 64K bus from terminal at Tai Po Market KCRC station and get off at Ng Tung Chai stop at around 1430.
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515745.jpg

BTW, if you take 64K from Yuen Long, get off at Ngau Len Wo (¤ûÄæºÛ) which is a stop after Kadoorie Farm, and it is just across to road to the village entrance. Here is the entrance and the path leading into the village.
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515746.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515747.jpg

To go to the village, stick to paved path on the right:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515749.jpg

And to the left, you can find a field for flowers:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515748.jpg

Along the path, there are a couple of trees with orange flowers bloosmed. So far, they attracted a number of Japanese White-eyes.

Before entering the village, I find an entrace to the right-side with 3 white conceret blocks:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515757.jpg

which leads to a hilly path up the hill. The path is covered by grasses so it is not very appearent. Near the enterance, I found common birds which has nothing to write home about.

Along the path uphill, I found a junction:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515753.jpg
as you could see the yellow marking on the trunk. On the trip return to main road, I found a "pinkish" bird, with size simiar to a dove, landed near the junction and disappeared into undergrowth before I could tell exactly what it was.

To the right, the path is covered by dry leaves and is quite narrow with a quite a lot of undergrowth.
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515752.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515751.jpg

It seemed to lead to further into the wood but I did not explore too far.

On the left of the junction, you could find a water pipe but the road was blocked at the end.
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515754.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515755.jpg

After returning to the paved road, I move on:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515758.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515759.jpg

And then I come to the third junction of the main road:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515791.jpg

Here I saw four dogs coming to my way and between them, there was a big green (?) bird taking off to the direction as shown:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515760.jpg

Side note: one of the dogs came close and "examined" me. I showed him my "pass" (aka camera lens :) ) so they left me alone.

Again, I took the path on the right leading upwards. The path turns right and got through a number of houses. The path then leads to a place with quite a number of cemeteries. I saw a female red-flanked bluetail on the road side. I failed to take a picture of her due to operation error. :( Anyway, I think I saw two on the return trip plus a lot of activities on the trees at this section.

(to be continued...)

Title: A trip to Ng Tung Chai ±ï®ä¹ë¹C°O Part 2
Post by Griffin on Jan 27^th, 2004, 10:54pm

(...continued from above)

The path after the village is quite gentle to walk along:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515761.jpg

At the end, you would see a big stone post:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515764.jpg

Again, there are two paths beyond the post, the one on the left leads to a small village below with field and river:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515763.jpg

which I did not explore this time. The path on the right leads to a Toaist monastry:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515765.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515767.jpg

And after the monastry, the path would take you up to Ng Tung Chai waterfalls:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515768.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515770.jpg

To certain point, you can either go to the main waterfall or Tai Mo Shan:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515771.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515772.jpg

For this trip, I visited the main falls. At first the path was not too difficult, and the path is mostly covered with trees and shades.
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515773.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515774.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515775.jpg

But the path began to get steep and wet when I went up to the Middle Fall (again, I skipped the Bottom Fall):
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515777.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515779.jpg

I encountered a small group of 4 Chestnut Bulbuls here
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515778.jpg

After I reached the Middle Fall:
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515780.jpg

the path to the Main Fall is even more steeper.
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515786.jpg

On the way, I found a berry-bearing tree which attracted about 3 Chestnut Bulbuls (?)
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515787.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/image/25515785.jpg

Beyond this point to the Main Fall, however, I did not find any speical birds.

I returned to the 64K bus station for Tai Po Market at around 1800.

Any elaborations, corrections and tips are welcomed. Thank you for viewing.

Regards,
Griffin.

Title: Re: A trip to Ng Tung Chai ±ï®ä¹ë¹C°O Part 1
Post by KK Hui on Jan 28^th, 2004, 9:53am

A truly excellent trip briefing indeed, Griffin! ::)

I'd have thought you would go along with a friend or two of yours just to be on the safe side ...

KK Hui ARPS
www.geocities.com/kkhui_001

Title: Re: A trip to Ng Tung Chai ±ï®ä¹ë¹C°O Part 1
Post by Griffin on Jan 28^th, 2004, 1:45pm

I feel flattered, KK. :) I dunno if I have missed anything. I really wait for those who are experienced to comment on this.

I met a lot of families along the path up to the Main Fall, including those with little boys and girls. It seems that if I could handle TPK, NTC would not be that much of a problem. (without a 300mm f/2.8 on my back, i.e.) ::) I guess I could be both foolish and adventurous. :D

BTW, I learn I should appreciate those PnS digital camera some time -- the path has proven to be bad for changing lens so many of the images here are taken @100mm! :o

Griffin.

Title: Re: A trip to Ng Tung Chai ±ï®ä¹ë¹C°O Part 1
Post by Daniel CK Chan on Feb 1^st, 2004, 7:04pm

Griffin,

For your information only.

I had been there last year with my 500IS lens and Gitzo 1325 tripod for the Crested Serpent Eagle (CSE). I had found the old dead tree with which the CSE liked to perched. However, I dared not to get close to it as there were many dogs in the private area. I kept watching the tree in a long distance for 2 hours but could not see the raptor.

When I was on the way back, I finally saw it flying over me with 30-50m but failed to take a picture.

Regards
Daniel

PS I finally had taken a picture of CSE in TBT.

Title: Re: A trip to Ng Tung Chai ±ï®ä¹ë¹C°O Part 1
Post by Griffin on Feb 2^nd, 2004, 9:14am

Sorry, serious typo -- they should be chestnut bulbuls instead.. :-X

BTW, CK, where is that tree you are talking about?

Griffin.

Title: Re: A trip to Ng Tung Chai ±ï®ä1ë1C°O Part 1
Post by Mike_Kilburn on Feb 2^nd, 2004, 10:29am

The tree is visible from the village square, but no Crested Serpent Eagle has perched there for many months.

Cheers
Mike

Title: Re: A trip to Ng Tung Chai ±ï®ä1�1C°O Part
Post by Griffin on Feb 2^nd, 2004, 1:03pm

on 02/02/04 at 10:29:45, Mike_Kilburn wrote:

The tree is visible from the village square, but no Crested Serpent Eagle has perched there for many months.

Cheers
Mike

Mike, thanks but I am still unsure where the "village squre" is. May be I should take another trip again.

Griffin.