OF BUTTERFLIES AND THINGS

I occasionally get requests for general natural history tours and recently a Canadian photographer asked if we could look for “butterflies/reptiles/amphibians” on March 21st.
 
The weather during the preceding days left me doubtful, especially after a day of rain on 19th. However, there was a dramatic change on 20th when the sun  came out and temperatures in the New Territories reached 29⁰ Celsius.
 
The next day was similar, with the sun emerging after a misty start. We focussed on two areas: the Outdoor Study Centre at Tai Po Kau in the morning and the butterfly reserve at Fung Yuen near Tai Po in the afternoon. Fortunately, the change in the weather had led to a burst of activity providing decent photographic opportunities. I took my camera along too and managed to take a few shots of the creatures we chanced upon.

Banded Tree Brown Lethe confusa, Tai Po Kau, March 21 2017

The Banded Tree Brown is a  woodland species that occurs from northern India east to Fujian and south to Java, It is common in Hong Kong, especially from February to May.

Changeable Lizard Calotes versicolor, Tai Po Kau, March 21 2017

This individual sat sunning itself near the top of a bush for over half an hour, seemingly oblivious to the people passing close by. This species is widely distributed from Iran east to southern China and south to Sumatra. It is common throughout Hong Kong.

Asian Common Toads Bufo melanostictus mating, Tai Po Kau, March 21 2017

This large, warty toad occurs from Sri Lanka to central and southern China, south to Indonesia. It is widespread and abundant in Hong Kong.

Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonias, Fung Yuen, March 21 2017

This butterfly occurs from India east to Taiwan and south to the Philippines. It is fairly common in Hong Kong and is on the wing throughout the year.

Great Egg-fly Hypolimnas bolina, Fung Yuen, March 21 2017

This species occurs from Madagascar east through southeast Asia, southern China, Australia and New Zealand to islands in the Pacific. It is common in Hong Kong.

White Dragontail Lamproptera curius, Fung Yuen, March 21 2017

The White Dragontail is the smallest swallowtail in the world. It has a distinctive energetic flight quite unlike most other butterfly species. It can be found from India east to southern China and south to the Philippines. In Hong Kong, it occurs at a  few locations in the northern New Territories, including Tai Po Kau and Fung Yuen.

Crimson Dropwing Trithemis aurora female, Fung Yuen, March 21, 2017

An attractive and abundant dragonfly in Hong Kong that is on the wing for most of the year.

Chinese Skinks Emeces chinensis, Fung Yuen, March 21 2017

There were at least three of these lizards in the same area at Fung Yuen, noisily chasing each other around in courtship rituals. This species occurs in south China and Vietnam and is, according to the reference I have, common  in many cultivated areas of the New Territories, Lantau and Cheung Chau. However, as far as I recall, this is the first time I have seen the species in the territory.

Oh, and there were birds as well but generally unphotographable. Most conspicuous were the Crested Serpent Eagles, made active by the sun. Two were flying and calling over the Outdoor Study Centre in Tai Po Kau, one was over Tai Po Kau Park and we also had one over Fung Yuen. The Oudoor Study Centre also held a Japanese Thrush and a Grey-backed Thrush, as well as a Speckled Piculet heard drumming for food.