LATEST SIGHTINGS - DECEMBER 2021
December 1-5
December 1-5
Chinese Spot-billed Ducks in flight at Mai Po (BHK archive)
The northeast monsoon persisted, bringing clear skies and fine and dry weather to southern China. Early morning temperatures in the northern New Territories dipped to below 10℃ on most days but reached over 20℃ later on in the afternoon.
Records of note are detailed below:
Taiga/Tundra Bean Goose: two flew over Mai Po on 4th
Greater White-fronted Goose: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 1st
Common Shelduck: one at Mai Po and later at Tai Sang Wai on 4th
Mandarin Duck: a male at Mai Po on 4th; a pair at Kam Tin River (Kam Tin) on 5th
Gadwall: three at Mai Po on 2nd
Falcated Duck: a drake at Kam Tin River (Pok Wai) on 4th; three females at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 5th
Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid: a male at Mai Po mud flats on 4th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: 31 were at Mai Po on 4th
Mallard: five at Mai Po on 1st; three at Mai Po on 2nd
Northern Pintail: two were seen off Po Toi on 4th
Tufted Duck: four were seen off Po Toi on 4th
Eurasian Coot: 27 at Fung Lok Wai on 1st
Northern Lapwing: ten at Mai Po on 1st; one at Long Valley on 4th; one at Mai Po on 5th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Fung Lok Wai on 1st; two at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 5th; one at Mai Po on 5th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Pak Sha O on 4th
Black-headed Gull: 191 off Po Toi on 2nd, all but one moving west; 371 (367 west, four northeast) off Po Toi on 3rd
Saunders’s’Gull: two at Mai Po on 3rd & 4th
Black-tailed Gull: two off Po Toi on 3rd & 4th
Heuglin’s Gull: six at Mai Po on 4th
Caspian Tern: one off Po Toi on 2nd; four off Po Toi on 4th
Common Tern: one off Po Toi on 2nd; the first December record for Hong Kong
Whiskered Tern: one at Mai Po on 3rd
Black Stork: one flew over Mai Po on 4th
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at Mai Po on 3rd with two there on 5th
Black-faced Spoonbill: 55 at HK Wetland Park on 2nd
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Mt Davis on 2nd
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: one at Mai Po on 4th
Northern Goshawk: a juvenile at Mai Po on 5th
Pied Harrier: one at Mai Po from 2nd - 4th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Kowloon Tsai Park on 5th; one at Sunny Bay on 5th
Black-capped Kingfisher: one at Mai Po on 3rd
Eurasian Wryneck: four trapped at Mai Po on 3rd
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 5th
Black-naped Oriole: one at Lam Tsuen on 5th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 1st; one at Pak Sha O from 2nd – 5th; two at Po Toi on 2nd with one there on 4th; one at Fanling Golf Course on 2nd
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one was at Chi Ma Wan on 4th
Sand Martin: one at San Tin on 4th
Siberian House Martin: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 1st
Asian House Martin: two at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 1st; seven at Shek Kong catchwater on 1st; six at Lam Tsuen on 5th
Rufous-faced Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 5th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: singles at Tai Lam CP on 3rd, the Peak and Pak Sha O on 4th, and Chi Ma Wan on 5th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Lam Tsuen on 1st; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 1st
Dusky Warbler: 30 trapped at Mai Po on 3rd
Common Chiffchaff: one at Fung Lok Wai on 3rd
Eastern Crowned Warbler: two at Tai Po Kau on 3rd
White-spectacled Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 3rd; one at Pak Sha O on 4th
Alström's Warbler: one at Pak Sha O from 2nd – 5th
Two-barred Warbler: seven at Fanling Golf Course on 2nd
Greenish Warbler: two at Po Toi on 2nd; two at Fanling Golf Course on 2nd
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 3rd; two at Pak Sha O on 4th & 5th; one at Tai Po Kau on 4th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: two at Pak Sha O on 4th
Booted Warbler: one at Fung Lok Wai on 1st
Lanceolated Warbler: one at Po Toi on 2nd
Baikal Bush Warbler: one singing at Mai Po on 3rd
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: two at Pak Sha O on 2nd with seven there on 4th and six on 5th
Common Starling: one at Mai Po on 1st; one at San Tin on 4th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 4th
White’s Thrush: one at Tai Po Kau on 3rd; one at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Grey-backed Thrush: five at Fanling Golf Course on 2nd
Japanese Thrush: highest count was ten at Pak Sha O on 2nd
Eyebrowed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 2nd with four there on 4th; three at KFBG on 5th
Pale Thrush: one at Po Toi on 2nd with three there on 4th
Brown-headed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 2nd
Hill Blue Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 5th
Fujian Niltava: one at Pak Sha O on 2nd & 4th; one at Po Toi on 2nd; one at KFBG on 2nd
Small Niltava: two at Tai Lam CP on 1st; three at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Bluethroat: one at Fung Lok Wai on 1st; three trapped at Mai Po on 3rd
Red-flanked Bluetail: four at Tai Po Kau on 3rd; four at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher: a male was at Chi Ma Wan on 4th; the first December record of this species in Hong Kong
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 1st; one at Pak Sha O on 4th
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher: one at KFBG until at least 5th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Lung Fu Shan on 3rd
Plumbeous Water Redstart: two males at Ngau Tam Mei from 2nd – 4th; a male at Tai Wai on 5th
White-throated Rock Thrush: a male at Shing Mun on 5th
Grey Bush Chat: one at Lam Tsuen on 2nd; one at Nam Chung on 4th
White Wagtail: one lugens at Fanling Golf Course on 2nd
Buff-bellied Pipit: two at Mai Po on 3rd; one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 5th
Chinese Grosbeak: highest count was five at Mai Po on 3rd
Rustic Bunting: one at Pak Sha O on 2nd
Common Reed Bunting: one at Mai Po on 2nd with another, different bird, there on 3rd.
Records of note are detailed below:
Taiga/Tundra Bean Goose: two flew over Mai Po on 4th
Greater White-fronted Goose: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 1st
Common Shelduck: one at Mai Po and later at Tai Sang Wai on 4th
Mandarin Duck: a male at Mai Po on 4th; a pair at Kam Tin River (Kam Tin) on 5th
Gadwall: three at Mai Po on 2nd
Falcated Duck: a drake at Kam Tin River (Pok Wai) on 4th; three females at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 5th
Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid: a male at Mai Po mud flats on 4th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: 31 were at Mai Po on 4th
Mallard: five at Mai Po on 1st; three at Mai Po on 2nd
Northern Pintail: two were seen off Po Toi on 4th
Tufted Duck: four were seen off Po Toi on 4th
Eurasian Coot: 27 at Fung Lok Wai on 1st
Northern Lapwing: ten at Mai Po on 1st; one at Long Valley on 4th; one at Mai Po on 5th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Fung Lok Wai on 1st; two at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 5th; one at Mai Po on 5th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Pak Sha O on 4th
Black-headed Gull: 191 off Po Toi on 2nd, all but one moving west; 371 (367 west, four northeast) off Po Toi on 3rd
Saunders’s’Gull: two at Mai Po on 3rd & 4th
Black-tailed Gull: two off Po Toi on 3rd & 4th
Heuglin’s Gull: six at Mai Po on 4th
Caspian Tern: one off Po Toi on 2nd; four off Po Toi on 4th
Common Tern: one off Po Toi on 2nd; the first December record for Hong Kong
Whiskered Tern: one at Mai Po on 3rd
Black Stork: one flew over Mai Po on 4th
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at Mai Po on 3rd with two there on 5th
Black-faced Spoonbill: 55 at HK Wetland Park on 2nd
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Mt Davis on 2nd
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: one at Mai Po on 4th
Northern Goshawk: a juvenile at Mai Po on 5th
Pied Harrier: one at Mai Po from 2nd - 4th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Kowloon Tsai Park on 5th; one at Sunny Bay on 5th
Black-capped Kingfisher: one at Mai Po on 3rd
Eurasian Wryneck: four trapped at Mai Po on 3rd
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 5th
Black-naped Oriole: one at Lam Tsuen on 5th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 1st; one at Pak Sha O from 2nd – 5th; two at Po Toi on 2nd with one there on 4th; one at Fanling Golf Course on 2nd
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one was at Chi Ma Wan on 4th
Sand Martin: one at San Tin on 4th
Siberian House Martin: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 1st
Asian House Martin: two at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 1st; seven at Shek Kong catchwater on 1st; six at Lam Tsuen on 5th
Rufous-faced Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 5th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: singles at Tai Lam CP on 3rd, the Peak and Pak Sha O on 4th, and Chi Ma Wan on 5th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Lam Tsuen on 1st; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 1st
Dusky Warbler: 30 trapped at Mai Po on 3rd
Common Chiffchaff: one at Fung Lok Wai on 3rd
Eastern Crowned Warbler: two at Tai Po Kau on 3rd
White-spectacled Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 3rd; one at Pak Sha O on 4th
Alström's Warbler: one at Pak Sha O from 2nd – 5th
Two-barred Warbler: seven at Fanling Golf Course on 2nd
Greenish Warbler: two at Po Toi on 2nd; two at Fanling Golf Course on 2nd
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 3rd; two at Pak Sha O on 4th & 5th; one at Tai Po Kau on 4th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: two at Pak Sha O on 4th
Booted Warbler: one at Fung Lok Wai on 1st
Lanceolated Warbler: one at Po Toi on 2nd
Baikal Bush Warbler: one singing at Mai Po on 3rd
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: two at Pak Sha O on 2nd with seven there on 4th and six on 5th
Common Starling: one at Mai Po on 1st; one at San Tin on 4th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 4th
White’s Thrush: one at Tai Po Kau on 3rd; one at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Grey-backed Thrush: five at Fanling Golf Course on 2nd
Japanese Thrush: highest count was ten at Pak Sha O on 2nd
Eyebrowed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 2nd with four there on 4th; three at KFBG on 5th
Pale Thrush: one at Po Toi on 2nd with three there on 4th
Brown-headed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 2nd
Hill Blue Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 5th
Fujian Niltava: one at Pak Sha O on 2nd & 4th; one at Po Toi on 2nd; one at KFBG on 2nd
Small Niltava: two at Tai Lam CP on 1st; three at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Bluethroat: one at Fung Lok Wai on 1st; three trapped at Mai Po on 3rd
Red-flanked Bluetail: four at Tai Po Kau on 3rd; four at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher: a male was at Chi Ma Wan on 4th; the first December record of this species in Hong Kong
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 1st; one at Pak Sha O on 4th
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher: one at KFBG until at least 5th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Lung Fu Shan on 3rd
Plumbeous Water Redstart: two males at Ngau Tam Mei from 2nd – 4th; a male at Tai Wai on 5th
White-throated Rock Thrush: a male at Shing Mun on 5th
Grey Bush Chat: one at Lam Tsuen on 2nd; one at Nam Chung on 4th
White Wagtail: one lugens at Fanling Golf Course on 2nd
Buff-bellied Pipit: two at Mai Po on 3rd; one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 5th
Chinese Grosbeak: highest count was five at Mai Po on 3rd
Rustic Bunting: one at Pak Sha O on 2nd
Common Reed Bunting: one at Mai Po on 2nd with another, different bird, there on 3rd.
December 6-12
Japanese Thrush at Shek Kong (BHK archive)
The weather continued fine and very dry with cool early mornings and warm days. (17-24℃). Winds were from the northeast. Records of note for the week follow:
Greater White-fronted Goose: a juvenile at Mai Po on 7th & 12th (different from the recent bird at Lok Ma Chau EEA)
Common Shelduck: one at Mai Po throughout the week
Mandarin Duck: one at Kam Tin River on 12th
Gadwall: two at Mai Po on 7th & 11th
Falcated Duck: two at Nam Sang Wai on 10th; one at Mai Po on 12th
Mallard: four at Mai Po on 12th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 20 on 11th
Large Hawk Cuckoo: one at Mai Po on 8th; this is an unusual winter record as all other sightings have occurred between 22nd January and 29th September
Eastern Water Rail: one trapped at Mai Po on 6th,
Eurasian Coot: 22 at Fung Lok Wai on 8th
Great Crested Grebe: 35 at Pak Nai on 7th
Northern Lapwing: one at Mai Po on 6th, one at Mai Po on 8th
Grey-headed Lapwing: five at Kam Tin River on 6th; four at Nam Sang Wai on 10th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Mai Po on 7th & 10th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Lamma on 8th
Eurasian Bittern: two at Mai Po on 6th with four there on 10th
Great White Pelican (Cat.III): flock of 20 at Pak Nai on 7th. This is a free-flying flock from Namsha Waterbird Eco- Park near Guangzhou. The birds were introduced to the park from Africa in 2012 and seem to wander around southern Guangdong, mainly on the west side of the Pearl River
Black-winged Kite: three leaving roost at Mai Po on 6th
Greater Spotted Eagle: three at Mai Po on 7th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one trapped at Mai Po on 6th; one at Mai Po on 7th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: one at Mai Po on 10th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: highest count was five at Mai Po on 10th
Pied Harrier: highest count was three at Mai Po on 10th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Cheung Chau on 6th; one at Kowloon Tsai Park during the week
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 10th
Black-naped Monarch: two at Pak Sha O from 8th – 12th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one was at Chi Ma Wan on 4th
Oriental Skylark: one at San Tin on 7th
Rufous-faced Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O from 6th – 12th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one at Pak Sha O from 6th – 12th; one at Nam Chung Country Trail on 12th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 7th
Dusky Warbler: 29 trapped at Mai Po on 6th; 34 trapped at Mai Po on 10th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 9th
Bianchi’s Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O from 7th – 12th
Alström's Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O from 6th – 12th with three reported there on 12th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O from 6th – 11th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O from 6th – 12th
Paddyfield Warbler: one was trapped at Mai Po on 10th; the 13th or 14th Hong Kong record
Baikal Bush Warbler: one singing at Mai Po on 6th
Indochinese Yuhina: 30 at Tai Lam CP on 10th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: up to six at Pak Sha O from 6th -11th
Daurian Starling: one at Mai Po on 7th is an unusual winter record
Common Starling: one at Mai Po on 6th; five at Fung Lok Wai on 8th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Uk Tau on 7th; one at Tai Po Kau on 11th; one at KFBG on 12th
White’s Thrush: one at Ho Man Tin on 7th
Japanese Thrush: highest count was five at Pak Sha O on 9th
Eyebrowed Thrush: three at Po Toi on 7th
Pale Thrush: one at Po Toi on 7th
Brown-headed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 7th
Hainan Blue Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 12th
Hill Blue Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha from 6th – 11th with two reported there on 8th; one at Peng Chau on 11th & 12th
Fujian Niltava: one at Pak Sha O on 6th
Small Niltava: one at Pak Sha O on 12th
Verditer Flycatcher: three were at Pak Sha O on 12th
Bluethroat: one trapped at Mai Po on 6th; two trapped at Mai Po on 10th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: up to two at Pak Sha O from 6th – 12th; one at Uk Tau on 10th
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher: one at KFBG on 11th
Plumbeous Water Redstart: one at Lam Tsuen River on 11th; singles at Kei Ling Ha and Ho Chung on 12th
Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird: one at Pak Sha O on 12th
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Mai Po on 6th; two at Mai Po on 10th
Chinese Grosbeak: highest count was 12 at Mai Po on 10th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: one at Mai Po on 6th
Common Reed Bunting: one at Mai Po on 6th.
Greater White-fronted Goose: a juvenile at Mai Po on 7th & 12th (different from the recent bird at Lok Ma Chau EEA)
Common Shelduck: one at Mai Po throughout the week
Mandarin Duck: one at Kam Tin River on 12th
Gadwall: two at Mai Po on 7th & 11th
Falcated Duck: two at Nam Sang Wai on 10th; one at Mai Po on 12th
Mallard: four at Mai Po on 12th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 20 on 11th
Large Hawk Cuckoo: one at Mai Po on 8th; this is an unusual winter record as all other sightings have occurred between 22nd January and 29th September
Eastern Water Rail: one trapped at Mai Po on 6th,
Eurasian Coot: 22 at Fung Lok Wai on 8th
Great Crested Grebe: 35 at Pak Nai on 7th
Northern Lapwing: one at Mai Po on 6th, one at Mai Po on 8th
Grey-headed Lapwing: five at Kam Tin River on 6th; four at Nam Sang Wai on 10th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Mai Po on 7th & 10th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Lamma on 8th
Eurasian Bittern: two at Mai Po on 6th with four there on 10th
Great White Pelican (Cat.III): flock of 20 at Pak Nai on 7th. This is a free-flying flock from Namsha Waterbird Eco- Park near Guangzhou. The birds were introduced to the park from Africa in 2012 and seem to wander around southern Guangdong, mainly on the west side of the Pearl River
Black-winged Kite: three leaving roost at Mai Po on 6th
Greater Spotted Eagle: three at Mai Po on 7th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one trapped at Mai Po on 6th; one at Mai Po on 7th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: one at Mai Po on 10th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: highest count was five at Mai Po on 10th
Pied Harrier: highest count was three at Mai Po on 10th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Cheung Chau on 6th; one at Kowloon Tsai Park during the week
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 10th
Black-naped Monarch: two at Pak Sha O from 8th – 12th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one was at Chi Ma Wan on 4th
Oriental Skylark: one at San Tin on 7th
Rufous-faced Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O from 6th – 12th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one at Pak Sha O from 6th – 12th; one at Nam Chung Country Trail on 12th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 7th
Dusky Warbler: 29 trapped at Mai Po on 6th; 34 trapped at Mai Po on 10th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 9th
Bianchi’s Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O from 7th – 12th
Alström's Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O from 6th – 12th with three reported there on 12th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O from 6th – 11th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O from 6th – 12th
Paddyfield Warbler: one was trapped at Mai Po on 10th; the 13th or 14th Hong Kong record
Baikal Bush Warbler: one singing at Mai Po on 6th
Indochinese Yuhina: 30 at Tai Lam CP on 10th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: up to six at Pak Sha O from 6th -11th
Daurian Starling: one at Mai Po on 7th is an unusual winter record
Common Starling: one at Mai Po on 6th; five at Fung Lok Wai on 8th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Uk Tau on 7th; one at Tai Po Kau on 11th; one at KFBG on 12th
White’s Thrush: one at Ho Man Tin on 7th
Japanese Thrush: highest count was five at Pak Sha O on 9th
Eyebrowed Thrush: three at Po Toi on 7th
Pale Thrush: one at Po Toi on 7th
Brown-headed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 7th
Hainan Blue Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 12th
Hill Blue Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha from 6th – 11th with two reported there on 8th; one at Peng Chau on 11th & 12th
Fujian Niltava: one at Pak Sha O on 6th
Small Niltava: one at Pak Sha O on 12th
Verditer Flycatcher: three were at Pak Sha O on 12th
Bluethroat: one trapped at Mai Po on 6th; two trapped at Mai Po on 10th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: up to two at Pak Sha O from 6th – 12th; one at Uk Tau on 10th
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher: one at KFBG on 11th
Plumbeous Water Redstart: one at Lam Tsuen River on 11th; singles at Kei Ling Ha and Ho Chung on 12th
Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird: one at Pak Sha O on 12th
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Mai Po on 6th; two at Mai Po on 10th
Chinese Grosbeak: highest count was 12 at Mai Po on 10th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: one at Mai Po on 6th
Common Reed Bunting: one at Mai Po on 6th.
December 13-19
White's Thrush at Shek Kong Airfield Road (BHK archive)
The northeast monsoon continued to affect south China although an easterly element in the wind brought cloudier, more humid weather than earlier in the month. Temperatures ranged between 14-27℃ and there were a few rain patches.
Highlight of the week, and surely one of the birds of the year, was a juvenile Steppe Eagle at Mai Po on 19th. Details of this and other birds of interest follow:
Common Shelduck: one at Mai Po to 19th
Mandarin Duck: a drake at Kam Tin River on 13th & 14th
Gadwall: up to three at Mai Po during the week
Falcated Duck: six at Mai Po on 15th; three there on 18th & 19th
American Wigeon: a drake from the boardwalk on 19th will be the third HK record if accepted
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 31on 13th
Mallard: up to five at Mai Po during the week
Eurasian Coot: four at Mai Po on 17th
Ruddy-breasted Crake: one at Mai Po on 16th
Northern Lapwing: 29 at Mai Po on 15th
Pallas’s Gull: one at Mai Po on 18th with three there on 19th – all winter adults
Mongolian Gull: two 1st-winters at Mai Po on 19th
Slaty-backed Gull: a 1st-winter at Mai Po on 19th
Heuglin’s Gull: 25 at Mai Po on 19th
Eurasian Spoonbill: three at Mai Po on 15th;
Black-faced Spoonbill: 59 at Mai Po on 17th
Eurasian Bittern: up to two at Mai Po during the week
Crested Honey Buzzard: one at Tai Po Kau on 12th
Greater Spotted Eagle: three at Mai Po on 17th
Steppe Eagle: a juvenile at Mai Po on 19th is only the second HK record after one in 2008/09
Eastern Imperial Eagle: up to two at Mai Po during the week
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at southwest Lantau on 13th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: one at Mai Po on 14th & 19th
Northern Goshawk: one at Mai Po from 12th – 18th was the same bird as seen there on 12 November; there are also anecdotal reports of it being seen in early December
Eastern Marsh Harrier: up to three at Mai Po during the week
Pied Harrier: one at San Tin on 15th; one at Mai Po on 17th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 18th
Oriental Scops Owl: one at Mai Po on 18th; this equals the latest autumn date
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Kowloon Tsai Park throughout the week; one at Pak Sha O on 15th; one at Mai Po on 17th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 17th
Eurasian Wryneck: three at Mai Po on 15th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at southwest Lantau on 13th
Black-naped Monarch: up to three at Pak Sha O during the week; three at Ho Chung on 18th
Sand Martin: one at Tai Sang Wai on 18th
Asian House Martin: three at Lin Fa Tei on 17th
Rufous-faced Warbler: up to three at Pak Sha O during the week
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one at Pak Sha O during the week; one at Lin Fa Tei on 16th
Dusky Warbler: 23 trapped at Mai Po on 15th
White-spectacled Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 19th
Bianchi’s Warbler: one at Pak Sha O throughout the week
Alström's Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O during the week
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Pak Sha O during the week; one at Tai Po Kau on 16th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 14th
Blunt-winged Warbler: one first trapped at Mai Po on 10 November was retrapped there on 15th
Baikal Bush Warbler: one singing at Lam Tsuen from 14th - 19th; one singing at Mai Po on 17th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: two at Cheung Chau on 13th; up to three at Pak Sha O during the week
Common Starling: one at San Tin on 15th; 11 at Tai Sang Wai on 17th
White’s Thrush: one at Lin Fa Tei on 17th
Japanese Thrush: highest count was ten at Pak Sha O on 19th
Eyebrowed Thrush: one at Pak Sha O on 19th
Pale Thrush: one at Po Toi on 19th
Brown-headed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 19th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: one at Ho Chung on 14th
Hainan Blue Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 15th
Hill Blue Flycatcher: two at Pak Sha O on 14th with one there on 18th
Fujian Niltava: one at Pak Sha O throughout the week; one at Tai Po Kau on 17th
Small Niltava: one at Pak Sha O throughout the week; one at Lung Fu Shan on 19th
Bluethroat: one at Mai Po on 16th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 17th & 18th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 18th & 19th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Shui Hau on 16th
Plumbeous Water Redstart: one at Ngau Tau Mei on 17th & 18th; one at Ho Chung on 19th; one at Wong Tai Sin on 19th
Grey Bush Chat: two at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 16th with one there on 18th; one at Sha Lo Tung on 17th
Mrs Gould’s Sunbird: one at Pak Sha O on 14th; one at Pak Sha O on 15th; one at Pak Sha O on 17th
Chestnut Munia (Cat IIC): four at Lin Fa Tei on 16th; 12 at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 17th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): one at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 16th; one at Pui O on 19th
Citrine Wagtail: one at Ngau Tau Mei on 17th
Buff-bellied Pipit: two at Mai Po on 17th
Chinese Grosbeak: 18 at Mai Po on 18th; 15 near Kam Sheung Road MTR on 19th
Little Bunting: 17 at Lin Fa Tei on 16th;
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Mai Po on 17th
Common Reed Bunting: one at Mai Po on 15th & 17th.
Highlight of the week, and surely one of the birds of the year, was a juvenile Steppe Eagle at Mai Po on 19th. Details of this and other birds of interest follow:
Common Shelduck: one at Mai Po to 19th
Mandarin Duck: a drake at Kam Tin River on 13th & 14th
Gadwall: up to three at Mai Po during the week
Falcated Duck: six at Mai Po on 15th; three there on 18th & 19th
American Wigeon: a drake from the boardwalk on 19th will be the third HK record if accepted
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 31on 13th
Mallard: up to five at Mai Po during the week
Eurasian Coot: four at Mai Po on 17th
Ruddy-breasted Crake: one at Mai Po on 16th
Northern Lapwing: 29 at Mai Po on 15th
Pallas’s Gull: one at Mai Po on 18th with three there on 19th – all winter adults
Mongolian Gull: two 1st-winters at Mai Po on 19th
Slaty-backed Gull: a 1st-winter at Mai Po on 19th
Heuglin’s Gull: 25 at Mai Po on 19th
Eurasian Spoonbill: three at Mai Po on 15th;
Black-faced Spoonbill: 59 at Mai Po on 17th
Eurasian Bittern: up to two at Mai Po during the week
Crested Honey Buzzard: one at Tai Po Kau on 12th
Greater Spotted Eagle: three at Mai Po on 17th
Steppe Eagle: a juvenile at Mai Po on 19th is only the second HK record after one in 2008/09
Eastern Imperial Eagle: up to two at Mai Po during the week
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at southwest Lantau on 13th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: one at Mai Po on 14th & 19th
Northern Goshawk: one at Mai Po from 12th – 18th was the same bird as seen there on 12 November; there are also anecdotal reports of it being seen in early December
Eastern Marsh Harrier: up to three at Mai Po during the week
Pied Harrier: one at San Tin on 15th; one at Mai Po on 17th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 18th
Oriental Scops Owl: one at Mai Po on 18th; this equals the latest autumn date
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Kowloon Tsai Park throughout the week; one at Pak Sha O on 15th; one at Mai Po on 17th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 17th
Eurasian Wryneck: three at Mai Po on 15th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at southwest Lantau on 13th
Black-naped Monarch: up to three at Pak Sha O during the week; three at Ho Chung on 18th
Sand Martin: one at Tai Sang Wai on 18th
Asian House Martin: three at Lin Fa Tei on 17th
Rufous-faced Warbler: up to three at Pak Sha O during the week
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one at Pak Sha O during the week; one at Lin Fa Tei on 16th
Dusky Warbler: 23 trapped at Mai Po on 15th
White-spectacled Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 19th
Bianchi’s Warbler: one at Pak Sha O throughout the week
Alström's Warbler: up to two at Pak Sha O during the week
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Pak Sha O during the week; one at Tai Po Kau on 16th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 14th
Blunt-winged Warbler: one first trapped at Mai Po on 10 November was retrapped there on 15th
Baikal Bush Warbler: one singing at Lam Tsuen from 14th - 19th; one singing at Mai Po on 17th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: two at Cheung Chau on 13th; up to three at Pak Sha O during the week
Common Starling: one at San Tin on 15th; 11 at Tai Sang Wai on 17th
White’s Thrush: one at Lin Fa Tei on 17th
Japanese Thrush: highest count was ten at Pak Sha O on 19th
Eyebrowed Thrush: one at Pak Sha O on 19th
Pale Thrush: one at Po Toi on 19th
Brown-headed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 19th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: one at Ho Chung on 14th
Hainan Blue Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 15th
Hill Blue Flycatcher: two at Pak Sha O on 14th with one there on 18th
Fujian Niltava: one at Pak Sha O throughout the week; one at Tai Po Kau on 17th
Small Niltava: one at Pak Sha O throughout the week; one at Lung Fu Shan on 19th
Bluethroat: one at Mai Po on 16th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 17th & 18th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 18th & 19th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Shui Hau on 16th
Plumbeous Water Redstart: one at Ngau Tau Mei on 17th & 18th; one at Ho Chung on 19th; one at Wong Tai Sin on 19th
Grey Bush Chat: two at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 16th with one there on 18th; one at Sha Lo Tung on 17th
Mrs Gould’s Sunbird: one at Pak Sha O on 14th; one at Pak Sha O on 15th; one at Pak Sha O on 17th
Chestnut Munia (Cat IIC): four at Lin Fa Tei on 16th; 12 at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 17th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): one at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 16th; one at Pui O on 19th
Citrine Wagtail: one at Ngau Tau Mei on 17th
Buff-bellied Pipit: two at Mai Po on 17th
Chinese Grosbeak: 18 at Mai Po on 18th; 15 near Kam Sheung Road MTR on 19th
Little Bunting: 17 at Lin Fa Tei on 16th;
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Mai Po on 17th
Common Reed Bunting: one at Mai Po on 15th & 17th.
December 20-26
The week began with the raising of T1 on 20th – the first time a typhoon signal had been raised in Hong Kong in December since 1974. Tropical Cyclone Rai had earlier swept west across the southern Philippines, killing at least 375 people in the process, and later turned north and northeast coming fairly close to Hong Kong although it had weakened appreciably by the time it passed by on 20th & 21st. It brought cooler temperatures and rain to the territory. It was mild for the rest of the week up until 26th when an intense northeast monsoon caused temperatures to fall during the day to 12℃ by the evening.
Bird highlights were the Steppe Eagle that remained at Mai Po throughout, and an Olive-backed Sunbird that was first seen at Hutchison Park on 19th & 20th and re-sighted on Christmas and Boxing Day. Details below:
Common Shelduck: the juvenile first seen on 4th was still present at Mai Po on 26th
Baikal Teal: one was at Mai Po on 26th
Gadwall: up to three at Mai Po during the week
Falcated Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 28 on 24th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 34 on 24th
Mallard: up to seven at Mai Po during the week
Common Pochard: one at Nam Sang Wai on 22nd
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Mai Po on 26th
Eurasian Coot: 37 at Fung Lok Wai on 23rd
Great Crested Grebe: a party of three off Po Toi on 22nd is the second record for the island
Grey-headed Swamphen: one at Mai Po on 20th
Northern Lapwing: highest count was 33 at Mai Po on 20th
Lesser Sand Plover: 40 were at Mai Po on 26th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Fung Lok Wai on 23rd
Black-headed Gull: 269 were off Po Toi on 23rd
Saunders's Gull: 20 at Mai Po on 26th
Pallas’s Gull: four at Mai Po on 20th & 23rd with three there on 26th
Black-tailed Gull: one on the Shing Mun River at Tai Wai that was first seen on 17th was still present on 24th; ten were off Po Toi on 21st with nine there on 22nd and two on 23rd
Mongolian Gull: two were off Po Toi on 21st with one there on 22nd
Heuglin’s Gull: 11 were off Po Toi on 22nd
Caspian Tern: one was off Po Toi on 22nd; one at Mai Po on 26th
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest number reported was 60 at Mai Po on 23rd
Eurasian Bittern: highest count at Mai Po was three on 24th
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Mai Po on 24th
Steppe Eagle: the juvenile first seen at Mai Po on 19th was still present on 26th, although now spending some of the time just outside the reserve at Lut Chau. See the following for photographs of the bird:
https://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redirect.php?tid=30331&goto=lastpost#lastpost
Eastern Imperial Eagle: highest count was three at Mai Po on 23rd
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at Pak Sha O on 25th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 26th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: one at Mai Po on 23rd
Northern Goshawk: the wintering juvenile at Mai Po was seen on 21st, 23rd & 25th
Eurasian Hoopoe: the wintering bird was at Kowloon Tsai Park on 22nd
Peregrine Falcon: a juvenile of the dark, heavily-marked race pealei was seen from 20th – 24th. This taxon breeds in the Commander Islands east through the Aleutians and along coastal Alaska, British Columbia, Washington State and Oregon. It has been recorded as a vagrant in Japan. Its occurrence in Hong Kong is totally unexpected
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Yan Yee Road, Sai Kung on 20th
Carrion Crow: the wintering bird was seen again on 22nd & 23rd
Black Bulbul: seven at Tai Lam CP on 23rd
Sand Martin: two at Fung Lok Wai on 22nd & 26th
Rufous-faced Warbler: two at Pak Sha O on 22nd & 25th; one at Ho Chung on 26th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one at Grassy Hill on 24th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: singles at Pak Sha O on 22nd & 25th, Ho Chung on 26th and Shek Kong catchwater on 26th
White-spectacled Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 22nd
Alström's Warbler: two at Pak Sha O on 22nd & 25th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: two at Pak Sha O on 22nd & 25th; one at Tai Lam CP on 23rd
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: four at Pak Sha O on 22nd
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 25th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one singing at Mai Po on 23rd
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Mai Po on 23rd & 24th
Baikal Bush Warbler: one singing at Lam Tsuen on 23rd
Indochinese Yuhina: 50 at Tai Lam CP on 25th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: three at Pak Sha O on 22nd; two at Tai Lam CP on 23rd
Siberian Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 23rd
White’s Thrush: one at Lin Fa Tei on 22nd; one at Tai Lam CP on 23rd
Japanese Thrush: ten at Pak Sha O on 22nd
Pale Thrush: one at North District Park on 22nd
Dusky Thrush: one at Mai Po on 20th
Fujian Niltava: one at Pak Sha O on 22nd & 25th
Small Niltava: one at Pak Sha O on 22nd
Japanese Robin: two at Tai Lam CP between 23rd & 25th
Slaty-backed Forktail: one at Chinese University on 23rd was presumably the same bird that was seen there on 10 & 11 October
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 25th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: singles at Mai Po on 23rd & 25th, Lung Fu Shan on 23rd and Ho Sheung Heung on 23rd & 25th
Grey Bush Chat: two at Sha Lo Tung on 22nd
Oliver-backed Sunbird: an immature male was seen at Hutchison Park on 19th & 20th, and again on 25th & 26th. This will be the second or third Hong Kong record if accepted
Chinese Grosbeak: highest counts were 13 at Pui O on 20th and 12 at Shek Kong catchwater on 26th
Common Rosefinch: one at Mai Po on 24th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: two at Long Valley23rd -26th
Common Reed Bunting: one at Mai Po on 24th.
Bird highlights were the Steppe Eagle that remained at Mai Po throughout, and an Olive-backed Sunbird that was first seen at Hutchison Park on 19th & 20th and re-sighted on Christmas and Boxing Day. Details below:
Common Shelduck: the juvenile first seen on 4th was still present at Mai Po on 26th
Baikal Teal: one was at Mai Po on 26th
Gadwall: up to three at Mai Po during the week
Falcated Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 28 on 24th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 34 on 24th
Mallard: up to seven at Mai Po during the week
Common Pochard: one at Nam Sang Wai on 22nd
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Mai Po on 26th
Eurasian Coot: 37 at Fung Lok Wai on 23rd
Great Crested Grebe: a party of three off Po Toi on 22nd is the second record for the island
Grey-headed Swamphen: one at Mai Po on 20th
Northern Lapwing: highest count was 33 at Mai Po on 20th
Lesser Sand Plover: 40 were at Mai Po on 26th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Fung Lok Wai on 23rd
Black-headed Gull: 269 were off Po Toi on 23rd
Saunders's Gull: 20 at Mai Po on 26th
Pallas’s Gull: four at Mai Po on 20th & 23rd with three there on 26th
Black-tailed Gull: one on the Shing Mun River at Tai Wai that was first seen on 17th was still present on 24th; ten were off Po Toi on 21st with nine there on 22nd and two on 23rd
Mongolian Gull: two were off Po Toi on 21st with one there on 22nd
Heuglin’s Gull: 11 were off Po Toi on 22nd
Caspian Tern: one was off Po Toi on 22nd; one at Mai Po on 26th
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest number reported was 60 at Mai Po on 23rd
Eurasian Bittern: highest count at Mai Po was three on 24th
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Mai Po on 24th
Steppe Eagle: the juvenile first seen at Mai Po on 19th was still present on 26th, although now spending some of the time just outside the reserve at Lut Chau. See the following for photographs of the bird:
https://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redirect.php?tid=30331&goto=lastpost#lastpost
Eastern Imperial Eagle: highest count was three at Mai Po on 23rd
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at Pak Sha O on 25th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 26th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: one at Mai Po on 23rd
Northern Goshawk: the wintering juvenile at Mai Po was seen on 21st, 23rd & 25th
Eurasian Hoopoe: the wintering bird was at Kowloon Tsai Park on 22nd
Peregrine Falcon: a juvenile of the dark, heavily-marked race pealei was seen from 20th – 24th. This taxon breeds in the Commander Islands east through the Aleutians and along coastal Alaska, British Columbia, Washington State and Oregon. It has been recorded as a vagrant in Japan. Its occurrence in Hong Kong is totally unexpected
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Yan Yee Road, Sai Kung on 20th
Carrion Crow: the wintering bird was seen again on 22nd & 23rd
Black Bulbul: seven at Tai Lam CP on 23rd
Sand Martin: two at Fung Lok Wai on 22nd & 26th
Rufous-faced Warbler: two at Pak Sha O on 22nd & 25th; one at Ho Chung on 26th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one at Grassy Hill on 24th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: singles at Pak Sha O on 22nd & 25th, Ho Chung on 26th and Shek Kong catchwater on 26th
White-spectacled Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 22nd
Alström's Warbler: two at Pak Sha O on 22nd & 25th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: two at Pak Sha O on 22nd & 25th; one at Tai Lam CP on 23rd
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: four at Pak Sha O on 22nd
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: one at Pak Sha O on 25th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one singing at Mai Po on 23rd
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Mai Po on 23rd & 24th
Baikal Bush Warbler: one singing at Lam Tsuen on 23rd
Indochinese Yuhina: 50 at Tai Lam CP on 25th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: three at Pak Sha O on 22nd; two at Tai Lam CP on 23rd
Siberian Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 23rd
White’s Thrush: one at Lin Fa Tei on 22nd; one at Tai Lam CP on 23rd
Japanese Thrush: ten at Pak Sha O on 22nd
Pale Thrush: one at North District Park on 22nd
Dusky Thrush: one at Mai Po on 20th
Fujian Niltava: one at Pak Sha O on 22nd & 25th
Small Niltava: one at Pak Sha O on 22nd
Japanese Robin: two at Tai Lam CP between 23rd & 25th
Slaty-backed Forktail: one at Chinese University on 23rd was presumably the same bird that was seen there on 10 & 11 October
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 25th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: singles at Mai Po on 23rd & 25th, Lung Fu Shan on 23rd and Ho Sheung Heung on 23rd & 25th
Grey Bush Chat: two at Sha Lo Tung on 22nd
Oliver-backed Sunbird: an immature male was seen at Hutchison Park on 19th & 20th, and again on 25th & 26th. This will be the second or third Hong Kong record if accepted
Chinese Grosbeak: highest counts were 13 at Pui O on 20th and 12 at Shek Kong catchwater on 26th
Common Rosefinch: one at Mai Po on 24th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: two at Long Valley23rd -26th
Common Reed Bunting: one at Mai Po on 24th.
December 27-31
The 27th was the coldest day of the winter so far with temperatures down to 7℃ in the northern New Territories, although it gradually became milder as the year drew to a close.
A number of rarities lingered. The juvenile Greater White-fronted Goose that first appeared at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 15 November was noted again at the same site on 29th. Rare ducks at Mai Po included the drake American Wigeon until at least 28th and the juvenile Common Shelduck until 31st. The drake Mandarin Duck was back at the Kam Tin River on 29th & 30th. The Grey-headed Swamphen that was seen at Mai Po on 20th was seen again by the same observer on 28th.
The juvenile Northern Goshawk was noted at Mai Po until at least 30th although connecting with it was very much a matter of luck. The juvenile Steppe Eagle, on the other hand, entertained numerous photographers daily at Lut Chau until mid-morning on 29th when it took off towards Mai Po, soaring high with several Black Kites. As far as I know, it has not been seen since.
The other major rarity – the Olive-backed Sunbird at Hutchison Park in urban Kowloon – was seen daily until at least 29th.
And finally, a mention of Pak Sha O near Sai Kung. This attractive, wooded site continued to attract a variety of warblers and flycatchers, some of which are (or were until recently?) considered rare in Hong Kong. Sightings there in the last five days of 2021, as during most of December, included up to three Rufous-faced Warblers, a Hume’s Leaf Warbler, a White-spectacled Warbler, two Bianchi’s Warblers, two Alström's Warblers, a Kloss’s Leaf Warbler and a Fujian Niltava.
So a very good end to a very good year for birds and birders in Hong Kong - if for very little else.
The 27th was the coldest day of the winter so far with temperatures down to 7℃ in the northern New Territories, although it gradually became milder as the year drew to a close.
A number of rarities lingered. The juvenile Greater White-fronted Goose that first appeared at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 15 November was noted again at the same site on 29th. Rare ducks at Mai Po included the drake American Wigeon until at least 28th and the juvenile Common Shelduck until 31st. The drake Mandarin Duck was back at the Kam Tin River on 29th & 30th. The Grey-headed Swamphen that was seen at Mai Po on 20th was seen again by the same observer on 28th.
The juvenile Northern Goshawk was noted at Mai Po until at least 30th although connecting with it was very much a matter of luck. The juvenile Steppe Eagle, on the other hand, entertained numerous photographers daily at Lut Chau until mid-morning on 29th when it took off towards Mai Po, soaring high with several Black Kites. As far as I know, it has not been seen since.
The other major rarity – the Olive-backed Sunbird at Hutchison Park in urban Kowloon – was seen daily until at least 29th.
And finally, a mention of Pak Sha O near Sai Kung. This attractive, wooded site continued to attract a variety of warblers and flycatchers, some of which are (or were until recently?) considered rare in Hong Kong. Sightings there in the last five days of 2021, as during most of December, included up to three Rufous-faced Warblers, a Hume’s Leaf Warbler, a White-spectacled Warbler, two Bianchi’s Warblers, two Alström's Warblers, a Kloss’s Leaf Warbler and a Fujian Niltava.
So a very good end to a very good year for birds and birders in Hong Kong - if for very little else.
********************************
Please note that these are unchecked reports. Records of rarities and of unseasonal occurrences may be subject to assessment by the HKBWS Records Committee. A checklist showing species for which a description is required can be found at the HKBWS website - http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=28893&extra=page%3D1
All images & text © David Diskin unless otherwise stated
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