HKBWS BBS 香港觀鳥會新聞組


    
      
        HKBWS BBS 香 港 觀 鳥 會 新 聞 組
        (http://www.hkbws.org.hk/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl)
      

        Discussion Area 討論區 >> Birding Reports & Tips 觀鳥報告及心得 >>  Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thrush
        
(Message started by: Mike Kilburn on Feb 17^th, 2006, 4:53pm)

Title: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thrush
Post by Mike Kilburn on Feb 17^th, 2006, 4:53pm

Chinese Song Thrush on Po Toi

The Chinese Song Thrush found yesterday by Geoff Welch was seen well again today in the fung shui wood  next to the pier between 1040 and about 1145.

It should be noted tht no obvious cage damage was noted and that it behaved like a wild bird.

Other birds noted included:

Reef Egret - 7 (6 in the bay at Po Toi)
Red-necked Phalarope - 3
Peregrine (rage peregrintor at Sai Wan Ho)
Hoopoe (seen and photographed by Geoff only)
Japanese Thrush - 1 male
White's Thrush - 1
Grey-backed Thrush - 1
Daurian Redstart - 4
Yellow-browed Warbler - 2

Cheers
Mike K

There is an HKBWS outing on Sunday to Po Toi - see instruction elsewhere on the website.

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Sze on Feb 21^st, 2006, 9:32pm

21Feb2006 Po Toi (0830-1630)

寶興歌鶇 Chinese Song Thrush
018 小白鷺 Little Egret
020 岩鷺 Pacific Reef Egret
067 黑鳶 (麻鷹) Black Kite
069 白腹海鵰 White-bellied Sea Eagle
080 普通鵟 Common Buzzard
085 紅隼 Common Kestrel
236 戴勝 Eurasian Hoopoe (1)
251 家燕 Barn Swallow (1)
271 白頭鵯 Chinese Bulbul
278 紅尾伯勞 Brown Shrike (1, JV) (lucionensis)
289 北紅尾鴝 Daurian Redstart (Male)
297 藍磯鶇 Blue Rock Thrush (Male) (philipensis)
298 紫嘯鶇 Blue Whistling Thrush
312 黑臉噪(眉鳥) Masked Laughingthrush
427 絲光椋鳥 Red-billed Starling
436 八哥 Crested Myna
447 大嘴烏鴉 Large-billed Crow

寶興歌鶇Chinese Song Thrush

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/hokszewong/PoToi21Feb06/PoToi21Feb06_40040s.jpg   

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/hokszewong/PoToi21Feb06/PoToi21Feb06_40038s.jpg

紅尾伯勞Brown Shrike

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/hokszewong/PoToi21Feb06/PoToi21Feb06_20057s.jpg

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/hokszewong/PoToi21Feb06/PoToi21Feb06_20045s.jpg

藍磯鶇Blue Rock Thrush on the island near Aberdeen

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/hokszewong/PoToi21Feb06/BlueRockThrush_PoToi21Feb06.jpg

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Etta on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 11:57am

on 02/21/06 at 21:32:30, Sze wrote:

Here especially grateful to the gentleman whose generously told us the position of the Brown Shrike and the Hoopoe in the afternoon. And we didn't have chance to tell him our seen of the Chinese Song Thrush later. It's near the area.

I think, the spots on the chest of the Chinese Song Thrush was unforgettable and it's lovely behaviour charmed us. The Blue Rock Thrush was really a good model and soooo lovely. All them shine on the photos... :D

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Sze on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 1:08pm

on 02/22/06 at 11:57:48, Etta wrote:

Here especially grateful to the gentleman whose generously told us the position of the Brown Shrike and the Hoopoe in the afternoon.  And we didn't have chance to tell him our seen of the Chinese Song Thrush later.  It's near the area.  

I think, the spots on the chest of the Chinese Song Thrush was unforgettable and it's lovely behaviour charmed us.  The  Blue Rock Thrush was really a good model and soooo lovely.  They shines on the photos... :D

Yes Yes! Forgot to say "Thank you" to the gentleman and also need to say "Thank you" to Ken to arrange the trip and Etta to spot out the Chinese Song Thrush too!
Thanks God! We are so lucky yesterday! Good Bird, Blue Sky, Warm Sunshine and Delicious Food! A Wonderful Hoilday! :)

http://images4.fotop.net/albums2/hokszewong/PoToi21Feb06/PoToi21Feb06_20018s.jpg

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 7:54pm

Thank you for calling me a gentleman.

It doesn't always happen.

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Sze on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 8:48pm

on 02/22/06 at 19:54:04, geoff_welch wrote:

Thank you for calling me a gentleman.

It doesn't always happen.

Oh! Gentleman geoff_welch!
Nice to meet you!
We met the "lucky star"! :D

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by miket on Feb 25^th, 2006, 6:26pm

The Chinese (Song) Thrush was again present today (Saturday 25/2) giving good views from time to time in the same area between the pier and the "football field"

Also present: Peregrine, Hoopoe, Japanese Thrush (sev.), Scaly Thrush, Grey-backed Thrush (sev.), Daurian Redstart (4), Yellow-browed Warbler (3/4), R-f. Bluetail (2), Japanese Bush Warbler (2), Black Bulbul (4), Chestnut Bulbul (sev.). In addition, a Brown-headed Thrush was mentioned as having been, but I'm not sure if that was confirmed.

Mike Turnbull

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Forrest FONG on Feb 28^th, 2006, 11:41pm

A member reported that the Orange-breasted Green Pigeon was seen again at Po Toi on last Sunday.

Forrest

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on Mar 2^nd, 2006, 7:05am

I have visited Po Toi on a regular mid-week basis since the beginning of this year (5 times in January, 11 in February) looking for both land and sea bird movements. The most interesting results to date are as follows.

Land Birds

Regular wintering species include Buzzard, Peregrine, Siberian Rubythroat (several), Red-flanked Bluetail (3), Daurian Redstart (up to 10), Grey-backed, Japanese and Scaly (1) Thrush, Japanese Bush Warbler (2), Yellow-browed, Pallas’s (2) and Dusky Warbler, Brown Shrike (1) and Black-faced Bunting (2).

Most Yellow-browed and Dusky Warblers left the island after the first cold spell on 6th Jan, the Pallas’s left between 2nd and 7th Feb.

A number of interesting birds arrived in the days immediately following a short spell of SW winds on 15th and 16th Feb. The Chinese Thrush (16th Feb) and Orange-breasted Green Pigeon (18th Feb) have been detailed elsewhere but other interesting arrivals include
A Barn Swallow flew in off the sea from the direction of Dangan Island on 15th Feb.
2+ Bright-capped Cisticola (? - see photos in Bird Id section) were found in a small patch of grassland on the SE peninsular on 16th Feb and are still there.
A tired looking Hoopoe found on the East coast rocks on 17th Feb must have just arrived. It subsequently relocated more centrally and was seen up to 24th Feb.
4 Black Bulbuls arrived on 18th Feb.
It seems likely all these birds came into the area on the SW winds, either directly to Po Toi or relocated to Po Toi later from the surrounding area, possibly the Dangan Islands to the south of Po Toi.

Other short stay birds were
A female Kestrel on 24th Jan
A first winter Brown Shrike was seen to move across the island from east to west on 2nd Feb
A Brown-headed Thrush from 2nd to 7th Feb
A Richard’s Pipit on the SE peninsular on 7th Feb and a Zitting Cisticola in the same place on 23rd Feb.

Sea Birds

I have spent at least 1 hour of each visit looking for sea birds from the SE tip of Po Toi, looking east and south.

A small movement of Heuglin’s Gulls occurred between 7th and 17th Feb. All birds were flying low over the water off the east coast, going in a NE direction into moderate-strong NE winds. Numbers varied between 3 per hour and 15 per hour. 90% were adults.
Associated with this movement, a gathering of Heuglin’s Gulls was seen at the south end of the East Lamma Channel from the Aberdeen to Po Toi Ferry, from 13th to 16th Feb. Max number was 92 on 14th. 90% were adults. These birds appeared to be feeding off ship waste.

After 11 days without any sightings, Heuglin’s Gulls appeared again on 28th Feb. Initially 70+ off south Po Toi and 33 in the East Lamma Channel, birds were seen to move off north when the rain cleared 80% were adults.

Finless Porpoise were present off Po Toi most days.

From Aberdeen to Po Toi Ferry
2 Red-breasted Mergansers flew north low over the sea between Beaufort and Po Toi Islands on 14th Feb
A large Tern, presumably Greater Crested, flying west just SW of Po Toi on 23rd Feb
2 Barn Swallows migrating north over the sea between Beaufort and Po Toi Island on 28th Feb

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Sze on Mar 2^nd, 2006, 7:49pm

Oh! Gentleman Geoff!
Thanks for your detailed sharing! :D

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by kumanfai on Mar 2^nd, 2006, 10:56pm

Great and detailed report. Unfortunately I suffer from sea sickness othewise I would like to go to Po Toi. I checked that there is a ferry service of shorter distance departing from Stanley. Is that a better choice for someone like me? ??? ???

Geoff, did we sit next to each other in the last HKBWS seminar on migrating bird records, and talked about the bus to Yuen Long? ;)

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on Mar 3^rd, 2006, 5:16pm

Yes, we counted tail feathers together.

You won't save anything by going from Stanley, the roughest part of the journey is always the approach to Po Toi. Anyway, I think the earliest time from Stanley is mid afternoon.

The sea is not too rough at the moment, I suggest this Sunday may be OK, leaving Aberdeen at 08.15am. You can come back to Stanley at 15.00 or 16.30, or to Aberdeen at 18.00. The ferry leaves the Chuen Kee terminus next to the fish market.

Suggest you also try seasick tablets, I believe Watsons or Mannings have them. The Chinese Thrush was still on Po Toi today, although almost eaten by a cat.

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by kumanfai on Mar 4^th, 2006, 10:41pm

No way!

I will go and kill the cat tomorrow.

;D

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Etta on Mar 8^th, 2006, 11:41am

on 03/02/06 at 19:49:50, Sze wrote:

Oh! Gentleman Geoff!
Thanks for your detailed sharing! :D

Thanks for the great sharing too! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_13.gif

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Mike Kilburn on Mar 12^th, 2006, 12:10am

The Orange Breasted Green Pigeon andthe Chinese Song Thrush were both seen on Saturday.

Just one RN Phalarope from the ferry.

Cheers
Mike K

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Carrie Ma on Mar 12^th, 2006, 7:47am

Thanks for Richard and Mike for showing the green pigeon.

...plus 7 RN Phalarope on the ferry at about 4:00pm.

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by HK_Twitcher on Mar 14^th, 2006, 5:48pm

Tuesday 14 - 3- 2006

Brown Headed Thrush 1
Chinese Song Thrush 1
Red Tailed Robin 3
Grey Backed Thrush 2
Japanese Thrush 3
Red Flanked Blue Tail 1
Daurian Redstart 5

Graham

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on Mar 16^th, 2006, 4:31pm

http://www.geocities.com/geoffwelch46/AM.jpg

3 Ancient Murrulet flying NE off east coast of Po Toi today, appeared to be migrants.

Also Chinese Thrush, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon seen briefly, Pacific Swift, Brown Shrike back again after an absence of 3 weeks and Bright-capped Cisticola. No sign of the 3 Rufous-tailed Robins that were so easy to see on Tuesday.

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by LUN on Mar 16^th, 2006, 11:05pm

Brown Shrike didn't absence
i saw it last friday

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Ken on Mar 19^th, 2006, 5:03pm

Are there any ferries to Po Toi on Monday?
Does anyone know please?

Thank you,
Ken

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on Mar 19^th, 2006, 6:38pm

No, there are no regular ferries to Po Toi on a Monday or Wednesday.

Tuesday and Thursday, Chuen Kee Ferries from Aberdeen to Po Toi at 10am returns at 2pm.

Friday, Fortune Ferries from North Point to Po Toi at 9.15am also returns at 2pm.

Saturdays and Sundays, ferries from both places at various times.

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Ken on Mar 19^th, 2006, 9:24pm

Geoff,

Thanks, was hoping to go tomorrow :(

Ken

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Lynx on Mar 30^th, 2006, 7:07pm

30 Mar 2006 11am-2pm
Narcissus Flycatcher male *3
Blue and White Flycatcher male *2
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Eurasian Hoopoe
Ashy Minivet
Red-flanked bluetail female

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on Apr 3^rd, 2006, 9:12am

Further records from Po Toi for March (now a bit outdated). I visited 11 days from 2nd March to 17th March. Unfortunately, had to return to UK on 18th March until 1st April so no records for this period.

Land Birds

Various arrivals, departures and re-sightings as follows

Crested Goshawk – a juv from 28/2, two together on 3/3, juv on 8,9 and 16/3
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon – relocated on 7/3 in a fruiting tree above the cafe, seen on 10/3 and 16/3
Hoopoe – relocated to the west end and last seen on 3/3
Common Kingfisher – first seen on 10/3
Pacific Swift – 5 on 5/3, another single on 7/3, 2 on 16/3 and 5 on 17/3
House Swift – 1 on 16/3 with Pacific Swifts
Richard’s Pipit – seen again on 3/3
White Wagtail – several arriving from 3/3
Sooty-headed Bulbul – 2 on SE pen 16/3
Rufous-tailed Robin – 3+ in jetty area on 14/3
Brown-headed Thrush – seen again on 2/3,3/3 and 14/3
Blackbird – 9/3
Chinese Thrush – seen through to 16/3
Zitting Cisticola – seen again on 7/3
Bright-capped Cisticola – on 9/3, 10/3 and 16/3
Stubtail Warbler – 1 in jetty area on 14/3
Russet Bush Warbler – calling from tall grass next to cafe 8/3
Pallas’s Warbler – pair seen again on 2/3
Pygmy Wren Babbler – one heard and seen at Mo’s House on 2/3
Dusky Shrike – first seen on 7/3
Brown Shrike – seen on 21/2, again on 16/3
Black-faced Bunting – more arrived from 8/3

Sea Birds – from SE Po Toi

Movement of Heuglin’s Gull seen on 7/3 only with mod-fresh E wind. 29 passed in 1 hour including 8 juv.

Red-necked Phalarope. Small flocks seen flying SW(?) past E Po Toi moving towards HK on 14/3 (30+) and 16/3 (14)

16/3 – 3 Ancient Murrulet flying NE

Other seabirds seen from ferry

Heuglin’s Gulls seen in East Lamma Channel or S of Po Toi on 2/3 (20+, 40+), 3/3 (30+, 20+), 5/3 (0, 40+), 7/3 (20+,0), 9/3 (0,50+), 14/3 (1,0)

2/3 – 1 Black-legged Kittiwake, 2 Black-tailed Gull 1st winter
5/3 – Ancient Murrulet (off Aberdeen)
7/3 – Slaty-backed Gull, 2 Barn Swallow
9/3 – 3 Barn Swallow
10/3 – White Wagtail landed briefly on ferry

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on Apr 16^th, 2006, 5:39pm

A spectacular movement of Chinese Goshawks occurred over Po Toi today. From 10.15 (when I arrived) until 12.45, I counted 780 birds in flocks averaging 80 birds each with one stunning flock of over 250. Since I probably missed several flocks before I arrived, and my flock counts were always low when compared to counting the birds on photos taken, I guess the real number was many more. I attach one photo here and some others in the photo gallery.

The birds were all seen from the Pavillion on the highest point of Po Toi, coming in from the east and going off towards Hong Kong Island to the west. Since all the flocks flew over Po Toi without stopping, some at considerable height, I doubt whether much of this movement could be seen from ground level. So you must get up there to see them. My thanks to Richard Lewthwaite for identifying this as the place to see the birds when he saw over 300 yesterday and I only saw 5 at ground level. The Pavillion is best approached from the path beside the school, just keep going up until you find the sign for it.

Also seen was a flock of 6 White-throated Needletail, attached a rather blurred photo.

If you are going to Po Toi this week, please look at Owen’s note on the special schedule from Aberdeen this week only.  

http://www.geocities.com/geoffwelch46/CG3.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/geoffwelch46/WtN.jpg

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on Apr 25^th, 2006, 5:45pm

A very good day on Po Toi today, 25th April 2006. After the heavy rain yesterday morning and strong NE winds last night, there were lots of migrants including many Brown Shrikes. I counted 83 but there must have been hundreds over the whole island. Other birds were

Chinese Goshawk - at least 4
Common Sandpiper - a flock of over 50
Blue-tailed Bee-eater - 1
Brown Hawk Owl - same bird back again
Black-capped Kingfisher - on the east coast rocks
Pacific Swift - 5
Yellow Wagtail (tschutschensis) - many, some seen arriving on east coast
Grey-streaked Flycatcher - at least 2
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher - 1
Brown Shrike - 83 as above
Hair-crested Drongo - 1 (6+ Black Drongo)
Yellow-throated Bunting - see photo section

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on May 1^st, 2006, 9:00am

Update for period 27th to 30th April.

When I left Po Toi last Tuesday 25th, there were birds everywhere, including many Brown Shrikes, after rain on 23rd followed by two days of northerly winds. When I returned on Thursday, there was almost nothing left after two days of southerly winds. Only the Scaly Thrush remained of interest - probably the bird that has been there all winter. So the rule is - birds arrive and accumulate with rain and northerly winds, birds leave with good weather on southerly winds.

It started raining again on the night of 27th and continued throughout the 28th and into early 29th, with the winds moving round from south to north. You could see birds arriving on the east coast - Brown Shrikes, Yellow Wagtails, an Arctic Warbler and a Grey-streaked Flycatcher together with egrets in flocks. From there on until 30th when I left, there were many birds on the island again. Highlights were

28 April. Up to 12 Dollarbirds in one flock and many hirundines (including Asian House Martin) and Swifts hawking the flying ants and small flies which rose in clouds from the hillsides during rain gaps.

29 April. Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, many Arctic Warblers, 4+ Grey-streaked Flycatchers, Asian Brown, Yellow-rumped (see photo), Narcissus and Asian Paradise Flycatcher and many Brown Shrikes again.

30 April. Some of the above plus Oriental Reed Warbler and 2 Chestnut Buntings

http://www.geocities.com/geoffwelch46/yrf.jpghttp://www.geocities.com/geoffwelch46/cb.jpg

Also on the sea off Po Toi over the same period, small all-dark shearwaters (presumably Short-tailed) seen on four different occasions, total of 7 birds, with 2 Arctic Skuas and 5 Long-tailed Skuas, some large migrant waders including at least one Whimbrel and many egret flocks, mostly mixed flocks of Cattle Egret and Pond Heron.

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by World Cup 2006 on May 1^st, 2006, 8:01pm

"So the rule is - birds arrive and accumulate with rain and northerly winds, birds leave with good weather on southerly winds. "

The observation of Geoff applies to Mai Po as well. From what other birders told me, similar migration behaviour occurred also in Mai Po. There are fewer birds today in Mai Po after having good weather on Sunday and today. :(

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Lynx on May 4^th, 2006, 5:56pm

4 May 2006, 11:00 - 14:00
Ashy Minivet
Grey-streaked Flycatcher x 2
Arctic Warbler x 2

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on May 6^th, 2006, 12:48pm

Here are my records for April 2006.

Visited 21 days, overnight on 9 days.

Cold fronts and rain on 5, 13 (major), 23 and 28.

Land Birds

Chinese Pond Heron. Common migrant in flocks, often with Cattle Egret. Largest 18 on 24. 3 resident, 2 adults and imm.
Striated Heron. Imm 13. Adult seen arriving on E coast 30.
Night Heron. At least 1 adult and 1 imm resident.
Little Egret. Migrant in small numbers, some staying a few days on the island. Often with Cattle Egret flocks.
Cattle Egret. Common migrant in flocks, largest 18 on 24.
Buzzard. Winter resident not seen after 12.
Grey-faced Buzzard. 1 on 15.
Chinese Goshawk. Regular in small numbers after 14. Largest 300 on 15, 780 on 16.
Sparrowhawk sp. 1 on 7, 14 and 2 on 15.
Peregrine. Imm on 5. Resident adult seen on various dates.
Kentish Plover. 1 on E coast 24.
Common Snipe. 1 on 16 and 24.
Common Sandpiper. Flock of 50+ around harbour on 24. Resident pairs at various times during month.
Grey-tailed Tattler. 1 on 30.
Rock Dove. 1 on 15 and 27.
Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo. 1 on 29.
Cuckoo sp. 1 on 18 and 23.
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo. 1 on 29-30.
Blue-tailed Bee-eater. 1 on 25.
Dollarbird. Present on several dates after 18, 12 on 28.
Collared Scops Owl. 1 calling in school area on 29.
Brown Hawk Owl. 1 on 2, 1 from 18 to 25.
Black-capped Kingfisher. 1 on E coast rocks on 24.
White-throated Needletail. Migrant flock of 6 on 16.
Pacific Swift. Regular pair early morning on E coast. Otherwise in small numbers throughout month.
House Swift. In small numbers throughout month but 70+ on 13 after cold front passed.
Asian House Martin. 1 with Swallows hawking insects after rain on 28.
Tree Sparrow. Flocks seen at various times in month. Seem to fly in, stay a few days, then leave. Max 17 on 30.
Richard’s Pipit. Pair on E coast last seen on 18.
Olive-backed Pipit. A few throughout month, moving in and out.
Yellow Wagtail. First recorded on 24, then regular particularly E coast. Mostly tschutschensis (simillima?).
Ashy Minivet. Flock of 17 on 7.
Siberian Rubythroat. Heard on several days up to 16.
Daurian Redstart. Last seen on 11.
Blue Rock Thrush. Residents seen throughout month. Male philippensis on 7.
Eye-browed Thrush. 2 on 24.
Scaly Thrush. Winter resident seen up to 27.
Blackbird. 1 on 5.
Bright-capped Cisticola. Pair on E coast last seen on 13.
Oriental Reed Warbler. 1 on 30.
Japanese Bush Warbler. Present until 13.
Dusky Warbler. Migrants passing through on 25 and 29.
Yellow-browed Warbler. Present until 23.
Pallas’ Warbler. Pair present until 4.
Arctic Warbler. First seen on 28 when 1 on E coast.
Eastern Crowned Warbler. 1 on 4.
Grey-streaked Flycatcher. First on 25, 4+ on 29.
Asian Brown Flycatcher. Singles from 14.
Mugimaki Flycatcher. 1 on 4 and 7.
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher. Male on 29 and 30.
Narcissus Flycatcher. Singles on 14, 18 and 29 (imm male).
Blue-and-white Flycatcher. Imm male on 4.
Asian Paradise Flycatcher. Fem on 29.
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher. Male on 18, fem on 25.
Grey-headed Flycatcher. 1 on 20.
Brown Shrike. First migrants on 14, max numbers on 25 (83+) and 29 (50+). Cristatus on 15 and 29, supercilliosus on 29.
Black Drongo. First on 11, up to 6+ thereafter.
Hair-crested Drongo. 1 on 25.
Large-billed Crow. Resident pair. Dispersal flocks of 10 and 18 on 5, at least 6 stayed on island until 18 but only resident pair remained by 30.
Red-billed Starling. 2 from 5 to 11, 15, 3 on 24
White-shouldered Starling. 1 on 2, up to 5+ until 14.
White-cheeked Starling. 1 from 11 to end of month.
Brambling. Fem on 24.
Grey-capped Greenfinch. 2 on 15.
Eurasian Siskin. 4 in fir trees above the school late evening of 2.
Common Rosefinch. Fem/imm on 21.
Black-faced Bunting. Regular until 11.
Little Bunting. A few throughout month.
Tristram’s Bunting. 1 on 7.
Yellow-throated Bunting. Fem on 24-25.
Japanese Yellow Bunting. 1 on 21.
Chestnut Bunting. 2 on 30, male and imm male.
White-rumped Munia. 1 on 29.

Sea Birds from SE Po Toi

Movements seen on 5, 12, 23, 25, and 27. These dates are on or the day before the dates of cold fronts. Most were also in days of poor visibility, which may be necessary for seabirds to fly close to Po Toi.

5. 12 Teal, 2 Streaked Shearwater, 1 Pomarine, 2 Arctic and 2 Long-tailed Skuas, 2 Heuglin’s Gull and 13 Common Tern.

12. 1 Heuglin’s Gull, 26 Common Tern, 1 Bridled Tern and 1 Black-naped Tern.

23. 1 Short-tailed Shearwater, 2 Long-tailed Skua, 13 Common Tern and 2 Aleutian Tern.

25. 3 Short-tailed Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua, 10 Common Tern, 2 Aleutian Tern, 2 Great Crested Tern.

27. 4 Short-tailed Shearwater, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Arctic Skua, 3 Long-tailed Skua, 11 Common Tern

Other birds seen over the sea were Egrets, regular from 11 and mostly single or mixed flocks of Cattle Egret and Pond Heron. They would bypass Po Toi in good weather but often come into Po Toi in NE winds.

Other birds seen flying into Po Toi, mostly from the direction of the Dangan Islands, were Striated Heron, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail (later in the month), Richard’s Pipit, Olive-backed Pipit, Arctic Warbler, Brown Shrike and Tree Sparrow.

Seen from the Aberdeen Ferry, on 25, 2 Chinese Goshawks flying N on to Po Toi, 1 Short-tailed Shearwater and 4 Aleutian Tern.    

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on May 12^th, 2006, 7:01pm

Update for the week ending 12 May.

A very quiet week on Po Toi this week, with SW winds until Thursday, only an Oriental Turtle Dove seen early in the week. But the land birds have started to increase today with the change to N wind. Chinese Goshawk (2), Sparrowhawk sp (1), Grey-streaked Flycatcher (1), Arctic Warbler (5+) and Brown Shrike (10+) so the weekend should be better, and next week if the storm comes as scheduled.

A small tern movement early this morning, 140 in 3 hours mostly White-winged Black with some Black-naped (see photo) and Bridled and 2 Little. No other sea birds seen.

http://www.geocities.com/geoffwelch46/bnt.jpg

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by Lynx on May 13^th, 2006, 2:15pm

on 05/12/06 at 19:01:59, geoff_welch wrote:

A very quiet week on Po Toi this week, with SW winds until Thursday, only an Oriental Turtle Dove seen early in the week. But the land birds have started to increase today with the change to N wind. Chinese Goshawk (2), Sparrowhawk sp (1), Grey-streaked Flycatcher (1), Arctic Warbler (5+) and Brown Shrike (10+) so the weekend should be better, and next week if the storm comes as scheduled.

Hi Geoff,

It will not be a small storm next week.

As forecasted by various weather agencies, Typhoon Chanchu will land near Hong Kong on coming Wednesday and Thursday.  Chanchu will bring very strong gust wind and heavy rain.  Be careful and take care of yourself if you are staying in or travelling to the island.

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on May 19^th, 2006, 3:15pm

Thanks for the thought Lynx, I was careful and I managed to return safely.

Anyone interested in reading my account of the passing of Typhoon Chanchu at Po Toi can access it on www.geocities.com/geoffwelch46/Chanchu.doc

Title: Re: Po Toi 蒲台島 2006 Spring 春 Chinese Song Thru
Post by geoff_welch on May 27^th, 2006, 5:54pm

A very quiet week on Po Toi after the excitement of last week. No migrants at all seen today.
I attach my records for May, which for me brings to an end Spring 2006 on Po Toi.

Visited 17 days, of which 11 overnight.

Cold fronts on 2 and 13, typhoon on 17, heavy rain on 21 - 23.

Land Birds

Chinese Pond Heron. 28 migrants on 3, after this date only the resident pair and 1 imm.
Striated Heron. Adult on 23 and 24.
Little Egret. 1 on 24.
Cattle Egret. 7+ of migrants now resident, mostly imm birds.
Great Egret. 1 from 4 to 9.
Yellow Bittern. 1 in off sea on 17, 3 on 18, 2 on 25.
Chinese Goshawk. 1 on 4 and 5, 2 on 12 were the last seen.
Besra. Possible summer resident pair.
Peregrine. 1 on 3.
Ruddy Turnstone. 1 on 5.
Common Snipe. 1 on 5.
Common Sandpiper. At least 1 bird most of the month.
Oriental Turtle Dove. 1 from 9 to 11.
Red Collared Dove. Fem on 18.
Large Hawk Cuckoo. 1 on 16.
Indian Cuckoo. 3+ calling all month.
Dollarbird. 1 on 18.
Brown Hawk Owl. 1 over sea on 16.
Savannah Nightjar. 1 on 2.
Kingfisher sp. Profile of medium size Kingfisher seen on lower canopy branch on 9. Possible Ruddy, but very wary and could not be seen sufficiently well to be certain.
Ruddy Kingfisher. Probable seen on evening of 17 (seen later by others who had better views than me), a different bird to the one on 9 I think, but again very difficult to see well.
Pacific Swift. Regular pair often seen, max 20+ on 24.
House Swift. Max 4 on 24.
Tree Sparrow. Present in numbers before typhoon, max 43+ in 4 groups on 15, then very few after typhoon, e.g. only 5 on 25.
Pipit sp. 1 on 4, 2 on 17, probably all Pechora.
Pechora Pipit. 1 on 17.
Yellow Wagtail. Common migrant through month up to 25.
Ashy Minivet. 1 on 3 and 4, seemed to have lost itself from a group.
Grey Bushchat. Male on 16, along with several other late migrants on 15 and 16 just before typhoon. Moved through very quickly.
Siberian Rubythroat. Fem on 16.
Eye-browed Thrush. 1 on 3.
Oriental Reed Warbler. Single bird resident from 3 to 23, another on 14.
Dusky Warbler. Last seen on 4.
Arctic Warbler. First seen on 28/4, then through early May with max 20+ on 16, not seen from 23. 2 probable xanthodryas on 14. Arctic Warblers seem to move through very quickly, none in early morning then 10+ by afternoon, then none early next morning. Sometimes seen arriving at SE point.
Grey-streaked Flycatcher. First seen on 25/4, seen through May with max 3+ on 3, last were 3 on 25. Unlike previous species, individual birds can stay several days.
Asian Brown Flycatcher. 1 on 3 and 4, last seen on 14.
Mugimaki Flycatcher. Fem on 15.
Brown Shrike. Present throughout May to 25, largest 20+ on 16, none on 27.
Long-tailed Shrike. 1 again on SE peninsular, previous last sighting in early March.
Black Drongo. Summer resident, at least 6 pairs.
Large-billed Crow. Resident pair.
Purple-backed Starling. 1 on 4.
White-shouldered Starling. Pair on 23, 24.
Yellow-fronted Canary. 1 from 14, 2 together on 25.
Black-faced Bunting. Fem from 14 to 18.
Scaly-breasted Munia. Several pairs apparently resident.
White-rumped Munia. As for the above.

Sea Birds from SE point

Tern movements on most days between 4 and 18, lower numbers after 18. Mixed flocks, mostly White-winged Black and Common with some Whiskered, Bridled and Black-naped and a few Great Crested, Gull-billed, Little and Aleutian. Main movements were

5. 6.15am – 9.15am. 960 Terns, 5 Short-tailed Shearwaters, 3 Streaked Shearwaters, 1 Arctic Skua. Another Short-tailed Shearwater in afternoon.

17, Typhoon Chanchu. 10.15am to 17.00pm. Not a movement as such, large numbers of seabirds assembled around Po Toi feeding off tide lines created by typhoon winds. 1 dark-rumped Storm Petrel (Swinhoe’s?), 80+ Streaked Shearwaters, 300+ Terns, 2 Brown Noddy.

Smaller movements of Terns on 4, 12, 15, 16 and 18. 6 Whiskered on 24, 7 Tern sp including at least 1 Common on 25. Local Bridled and Black-naped from 11.

Other seabird species were

Lesser Frigatebird. 1st stage imm on 3, first seen from SE point but stayed on island for over 5 hours, mostly around main harbour.
Short-tailed Shearwater. 1 on 3, 1 on 17 and 1 on 25.
Ancient Murrelet. 1 on 4.
Pomarine Skua. 1 on 4 with large spoons.
Great Crested Tern. 4 on 3.
Red-necked Phalarope. Seen all month.
Other waders. 10 small, 40+ medium (Knot sp?), 1 Whimbrel on 2. 1 medium size on 4.

Other birds seen migrating over sea or coming in were

Egrets. 100+ on 3, 1 on 10, 12 (Cattle Egret) on 16, 4 (Little and Cattle) on 17 and 10 on 18.
Striated Heron. Adult on 4.
Yellow Bittern. 1 on 17.
Brown Hawk Owl. 1 on 16 low over sea from Dangan, then circled very high on approach to land.
Yellow Wagtail. 1 on 4, 17, 25.
Pipit sp/Pechora Pipit. 3 on 17.
Arctic Warbler. 1 on 11, 2 on 17.
Black Drongo. Pair flying SE towards Dangan on 25.
Large-billed Crow. Pair flying SE towards Dangan on 25, pursued by resident male.