LATEST SIGHTINGS - FEBRUARY 2021
February 1-7
February 1-7
Eastern Imperial Eagle at Mai Po (Birding Hong Kong archive)
Fine, dry weather for most of the week with easterly winds, clear skies, coolish mornings and hot afternoons (temperatures up to 28⁰C in the New Territories.)
A Chinese Bamboo Partridge (Cat III) was heard at Lin Ma Hang on 7th. This is the fifth report of this south China species in the territory since 2018.
The two long-staying Greater White-fronted Geese remained at Mai Po throughout the week. Ducks reported from Mai Po included a male Baikal Teal and five Gadwall on 6th, 12 Falcated Ducks on 3rd with 11 there on 6th, 19 Chinese Spot-billed Ducks on 2nd & 7th, two Mallards on 7th, and a Common Pochard on 6th. A Common Pochard was also at Nam Sang Wai on 5th. A Ferruginous Duck was at Lok Ma Chau on 2nd and three were at San Tin on 5th.
A Large Hawk Cuckoo was singing at Shek Wu Wai on 7th.
Two Ruddy-breasted Crakes were at Lok Ma Chau on 2nd. Eurasian Coots were reported as follows: one near Nam Sang Wai on 3rd; one at Mai Po on 4th; two at San Tin on 5th, with one there on 7th. Two Grey-headed Lapwings were at Nam Sang Wai on 5th. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Mai Po on 5th. A Long-billed Dowitcher was present at the southern end of the main reserve from 5th – 7th. Seven Pallas’s Gulls were out on the mudflats at Mai Po on 6th – a new high count. Other gull sightings from Mai Po included 54 Saunders’s Gulls on 6th, a Black-tailed Gull on 3rd, and 15 Vega (Mongolian) Gulls on 4th. A Whiskered Tern was at San Tin on 5th.
The two long-staying Oriental Storks remained at Mai Po throughout the week. The juvenile Lesser Frigatebird was seen again over the Deep Bay mudflats at Mai Po on 6th. The highest count of Eurasian Spoonbills was three at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd. A Eurasian Bittern was seen at Mai Po on 4th, and two were there on 7th.
Following on from the record of a juvenile Northern Goshawk photographed at Mai Po on 29 January, the same or a different juvenile was seen and photographed at Mai Po on 6th. Initial photos of the earlier bird showed some abrasion to the tail but this was considered to be within the normal range of wear-and-tear for this species in the wild; however, an image posted later on the HKBWS website shows unusual damage to the spread tail (see
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=29703&extra=page%3D1 ) which casts some doubt on the provenance of this bird. (There have been past records of Northern Goshawks in Hong Kong, including at Mai Po, of birds that were clearly ex-captive.) There was no obvious abrasion to the tail of the bird photographed on 6th, but this may be a result of different camera angles etc. It remains to be seen how the HKBWS Records Committee will assess these sightings.
Single Eurasian Hoopoes were at Cheung Chau and Mai Po on 6th, and two were at Pui O on 7th. Single Chinese Barbets were at KFBG on 2nd & 3rd, at Tai Po Kau on 5th, and at Tai Lam CP on 6th. A Eurasian Wryneck was at Mai Po on 6th. A Common Kestrel was at Lok Ma Chau on 2nd and two were at San Tin on 5th. A Bull-headed Shrike was at KFBG on 3rd & 5th. The wintering 1st-winter Grey-backed Shrike was seen again at Lam Tsuen on 4th. A Brown Shrike was at Nam Sang Wai on 3rd.
Single Black-naped Monarchs were at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 2nd, and at Palm Springs and Tai Po Kau on 3rd. An Indochinese Green Magpie (Cat III) was at Bride’s Pool on 1st. Also of note from Bride’s Pool was an Amur Paradise Flycatcher on 6th. The highest count of Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers involved four at Tai Po Kau on 1st. The two Eurasian Skylarks first seen at San Tin on 30 January were again present on 5th. Seven Black Bulbuls were at Tai Lam CP on 4th. Two Sand Martins were at San Tin on 5th. Two Pale-footed Bush Warblers were at Heung Yuen Wai on 5th. Six Black-throated Tits were at Shing Mun on 1st, with one there on 4th.
The long-staying Hume’s Leaf Warbler was noted again at Pak Sha O on 5th. An Eastern Crowned Warbler was at Shing Mun on 2nd & 5th. Two Alström's Warblers were reported from Shing Mun on 1st & 2nd, and one was there on 4th & 5th. A Greenish Warbler was at Fanling Golf Course on 4th - perhaps one of the two birds that were reported at the same site on 16 December 2020. A Kloss’s Leaf Warbler was at Shing Mun on 1st & 2nd.
Twenty Indochinese Yuhinas were at Tai Lam CP on 6th. Three Chestnut-flanked White-eyes were at KFBG on 2nd, with one there on 3rd & 4th. A Common Starling was at San Tin on 5th.
A thrush highlight was a male Siberian Thrush at Tai Lam CP on 6th. Counts of other thrushes included five Grey-backed Thrushes and 15 Japanese Thrushes at Tai Po Kau on 3rd, and three Eyebrowed Thrushes at Tai Lam CP on 4th.
Two Hainan Blue Flycatcher was at Tai Po Kau on 5th. A Fujian Niltava was heard at Tai Lam CP on 4th. Single Verditer Flycatchers were at KFBG on 4th and Shing Mun on 6th. Red-flanked Bluetails were reported as follows: two at Tai Lam CP on 4th, and singles at Ho Pui catchwater, Shing Mun and KFBG on 5th. A Slaty-backed Forktail was again seen at Shing Mun on 6th. The highest count of Mugimaki Flycatchers was two at Yan Yee Road on 7th. The two wintering Grey Bush Chats were still at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 2nd, and two were also at Yi O on 6th. There were two records of Plain Flowerpeckers: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 1st, and two at Tai Po Kau on 5th.
Three Buff-bellied Pipits were at Mai Po on 3rd, one was at San Tin on 5th, and three were at Pui O on 7th. Eight Chinese Grosbeaks were at Lam Tsuen on 6th. Single Eurasian Siskins were at KFBG on 4th & 5th, and two were at Tai Po Kau on 4th. Three Tristram’s Buntings were at Tai Lam CP on 5th. Two Chestnut-eared Buntings were at Long Valley on 4th.
A Chinese Bamboo Partridge (Cat III) was heard at Lin Ma Hang on 7th. This is the fifth report of this south China species in the territory since 2018.
The two long-staying Greater White-fronted Geese remained at Mai Po throughout the week. Ducks reported from Mai Po included a male Baikal Teal and five Gadwall on 6th, 12 Falcated Ducks on 3rd with 11 there on 6th, 19 Chinese Spot-billed Ducks on 2nd & 7th, two Mallards on 7th, and a Common Pochard on 6th. A Common Pochard was also at Nam Sang Wai on 5th. A Ferruginous Duck was at Lok Ma Chau on 2nd and three were at San Tin on 5th.
A Large Hawk Cuckoo was singing at Shek Wu Wai on 7th.
Two Ruddy-breasted Crakes were at Lok Ma Chau on 2nd. Eurasian Coots were reported as follows: one near Nam Sang Wai on 3rd; one at Mai Po on 4th; two at San Tin on 5th, with one there on 7th. Two Grey-headed Lapwings were at Nam Sang Wai on 5th. A Curlew Sandpiper was at Mai Po on 5th. A Long-billed Dowitcher was present at the southern end of the main reserve from 5th – 7th. Seven Pallas’s Gulls were out on the mudflats at Mai Po on 6th – a new high count. Other gull sightings from Mai Po included 54 Saunders’s Gulls on 6th, a Black-tailed Gull on 3rd, and 15 Vega (Mongolian) Gulls on 4th. A Whiskered Tern was at San Tin on 5th.
The two long-staying Oriental Storks remained at Mai Po throughout the week. The juvenile Lesser Frigatebird was seen again over the Deep Bay mudflats at Mai Po on 6th. The highest count of Eurasian Spoonbills was three at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd. A Eurasian Bittern was seen at Mai Po on 4th, and two were there on 7th.
Following on from the record of a juvenile Northern Goshawk photographed at Mai Po on 29 January, the same or a different juvenile was seen and photographed at Mai Po on 6th. Initial photos of the earlier bird showed some abrasion to the tail but this was considered to be within the normal range of wear-and-tear for this species in the wild; however, an image posted later on the HKBWS website shows unusual damage to the spread tail (see
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=29703&extra=page%3D1 ) which casts some doubt on the provenance of this bird. (There have been past records of Northern Goshawks in Hong Kong, including at Mai Po, of birds that were clearly ex-captive.) There was no obvious abrasion to the tail of the bird photographed on 6th, but this may be a result of different camera angles etc. It remains to be seen how the HKBWS Records Committee will assess these sightings.
Single Eurasian Hoopoes were at Cheung Chau and Mai Po on 6th, and two were at Pui O on 7th. Single Chinese Barbets were at KFBG on 2nd & 3rd, at Tai Po Kau on 5th, and at Tai Lam CP on 6th. A Eurasian Wryneck was at Mai Po on 6th. A Common Kestrel was at Lok Ma Chau on 2nd and two were at San Tin on 5th. A Bull-headed Shrike was at KFBG on 3rd & 5th. The wintering 1st-winter Grey-backed Shrike was seen again at Lam Tsuen on 4th. A Brown Shrike was at Nam Sang Wai on 3rd.
Single Black-naped Monarchs were at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 2nd, and at Palm Springs and Tai Po Kau on 3rd. An Indochinese Green Magpie (Cat III) was at Bride’s Pool on 1st. Also of note from Bride’s Pool was an Amur Paradise Flycatcher on 6th. The highest count of Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers involved four at Tai Po Kau on 1st. The two Eurasian Skylarks first seen at San Tin on 30 January were again present on 5th. Seven Black Bulbuls were at Tai Lam CP on 4th. Two Sand Martins were at San Tin on 5th. Two Pale-footed Bush Warblers were at Heung Yuen Wai on 5th. Six Black-throated Tits were at Shing Mun on 1st, with one there on 4th.
The long-staying Hume’s Leaf Warbler was noted again at Pak Sha O on 5th. An Eastern Crowned Warbler was at Shing Mun on 2nd & 5th. Two Alström's Warblers were reported from Shing Mun on 1st & 2nd, and one was there on 4th & 5th. A Greenish Warbler was at Fanling Golf Course on 4th - perhaps one of the two birds that were reported at the same site on 16 December 2020. A Kloss’s Leaf Warbler was at Shing Mun on 1st & 2nd.
Twenty Indochinese Yuhinas were at Tai Lam CP on 6th. Three Chestnut-flanked White-eyes were at KFBG on 2nd, with one there on 3rd & 4th. A Common Starling was at San Tin on 5th.
A thrush highlight was a male Siberian Thrush at Tai Lam CP on 6th. Counts of other thrushes included five Grey-backed Thrushes and 15 Japanese Thrushes at Tai Po Kau on 3rd, and three Eyebrowed Thrushes at Tai Lam CP on 4th.
Two Hainan Blue Flycatcher was at Tai Po Kau on 5th. A Fujian Niltava was heard at Tai Lam CP on 4th. Single Verditer Flycatchers were at KFBG on 4th and Shing Mun on 6th. Red-flanked Bluetails were reported as follows: two at Tai Lam CP on 4th, and singles at Ho Pui catchwater, Shing Mun and KFBG on 5th. A Slaty-backed Forktail was again seen at Shing Mun on 6th. The highest count of Mugimaki Flycatchers was two at Yan Yee Road on 7th. The two wintering Grey Bush Chats were still at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 2nd, and two were also at Yi O on 6th. There were two records of Plain Flowerpeckers: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 1st, and two at Tai Po Kau on 5th.
Three Buff-bellied Pipits were at Mai Po on 3rd, one was at San Tin on 5th, and three were at Pui O on 7th. Eight Chinese Grosbeaks were at Lam Tsuen on 6th. Single Eurasian Siskins were at KFBG on 4th & 5th, and two were at Tai Po Kau on 4th. Three Tristram’s Buntings were at Tai Lam CP on 5th. Two Chestnut-eared Buntings were at Long Valley on 4th.
February 8-14
Greater Spotted Eagle at Mai Po (Birding Hong Kong archive)
There was heavy rain throughout the day on 10th, which was much welcome given that this has been a particularly dry winter. The mornings were cool in the days that followed, but by the 14th the temperature during the afternoon had risen to 24⁰C.
The two adult Greater White-fronted Geese continued to be seen at Mai Po throughout the week. Two male Baikal Teals were seen from the Mai Po boardwalk on 11th. The highest count of Gadwalls on the reserve was five on 9th. and the highest count of Falcated Ducks was nine on 11th. Twenty-three Chinese Spot-billed Ducks were also present on 9th, which is the highest count since January 2009. Up to two Common Pochards were present at Mai Po during the week. A single Ferruginous Duck was at Lok Ma Chau on 11th & 13th, and three were at San Tin on 11th. These are presumably the same Ferruginous Ducks that have been noted off-and-on in the area since November 2020.
A Pacific Swift was over Shap Long reservoir, Lantau on 14th with 80 House Swifts.
A Slaty-breasted Rail was at Long Valley on 12th, and an Eastern Water Rail was at the same site on 14th. A Eurasian Coot was at Yuen Long on 14th. A Grey-headed Lapwing was at Mai Po on 12th. Gulls seen out on the Mai Po mudflats on 11th included 34 Saunders’s Gulls five Pallas’s Gulls, two Black-tailed Gulls and a nominate adult Vega Gull.
The two long-staying Oriental Storks at Mai Po proved rather elusive during the week but were seen on 12th. Eurasian Spoonbills were regularly reported in ones and twos from Mai Po and Lok Ma Chau. At least one Eurasian Bittern was seen at Mai Po between 8th & 11th.
A Black-winged Kite was at Long Valley and a Crested Honey Buzzard was at Tai Po Kau, both on 12th. Single Greater Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles were regularly reported from scattered locations in the northwest New Territories. A Japanese Sparrowhawk was in the hills above Discovery Bay on 14th. The juvenile Northern Goshawk was seen again at Mai on 11th & 14th.
An early Grey Nightjar was heard calling briefly at Pak Sha O on 12th. (Extreme dates for this species are 1 February to 23 December.) A Eurasian Hoopoe was at Mai Po on 8th & 11th. Chinese Barbets were again heard at both Tai Lam CP and Tai Po Kau during the week. Single Eurasian Wrynecks were at Tseung Kwan O on 8th and Shek Wu Wai on 13th. The wintering Bull-headed Shrike was still at KFBG on 11th, and the long-staying 1st-winter Grey-backed Shrike was seen again at Lam Tsuen on 14th. Single Brown Shrikes were reported from Tai Po Kau on 9th, Cheung Chau on 11th, Pak Sha O on 12th, and Nam Sang Wai on 13th.
Two Black-naped Orioles were seen at Lam Tsuen on 11th, with one there on 12th. A Black-naped Monarch was at Tai Lam CP on 12th. The two Eurasian Skylarks were again present at San Tin on 11th.
A Pale-footed Bush Warbler was singing in the hills above Discovery Bay on 14th. This is the ninth bird to be recorded in the territory this season since the first on 10 October 2020. The total number of Hong Kong records before this was eleven. A Brown Bush Warbler was also identified above Discovery Bay on the same day.
Other warblers reported during the week were an Alström's Warblers at Shing Mun on 9th & 13th, and single Sulphur-breasted Warblers at Tai Po Kau on 9th and Tai Lam CP on 12th. Seven Golden-headed Cisticolas were in the hills above Discovery Bay on 14th.
Twenty-five Indochinese Yuhinas were at Tai Lam CP on 12th, and eight were at Shing Mun on 13th. Five hundred Red-billed Starlings were at Mai Po on 11th, which is a good count these days, and a Common Starling was at San Tin/Lok Ma Chau on 10th & 11th.
Counts of thrushes included three Grey-backed Thrushes at Pak Sha O on12th, six Japanese Thrushes at Tai Lam CP on 8th, and nine Eyebrowed Thrushes at Shing Mun on 12th.
A Fujian Niltava was at Sha Tin Pass from 8th – 11th. Three Verditer Flycatchers were at Shing Mun on 12th.Single Red-flanked Bluetails were at Nam Sang Wai on 11th and Tai Lam CP on 12th. A Slaty-backed Forktail was again seen at Shing Mun on 12th. Single Mugimaki Flycatchers were at Wu Kau Tang on 9th and Pak Sha O on 12th.
Chestnut Munias (Cat IIC) continued to be reported from Long Valley with five there on 12th and 13 on 14th. Sixteen ocularis White Wagtails were counted at San Tin on 11th. Six Buff-bellied Pipits were at Mai Po on 11th and three were near the Lok Ma Chau loop area on 11th. Eleven Chinese Grosbeaks were at Yuen Long Park on 11th, and 12 were at Lam Tsuen on 12th. Forty Common Rosefinches at Wu Kau Tang on 9th is a new high count, the previous highest count being 33 as long ago as January 1980. Seventeen Eurasian Siskins were at Tai Tong on 11th, and 30 were at the same site on 13th.
The two adult Greater White-fronted Geese continued to be seen at Mai Po throughout the week. Two male Baikal Teals were seen from the Mai Po boardwalk on 11th. The highest count of Gadwalls on the reserve was five on 9th. and the highest count of Falcated Ducks was nine on 11th. Twenty-three Chinese Spot-billed Ducks were also present on 9th, which is the highest count since January 2009. Up to two Common Pochards were present at Mai Po during the week. A single Ferruginous Duck was at Lok Ma Chau on 11th & 13th, and three were at San Tin on 11th. These are presumably the same Ferruginous Ducks that have been noted off-and-on in the area since November 2020.
A Pacific Swift was over Shap Long reservoir, Lantau on 14th with 80 House Swifts.
A Slaty-breasted Rail was at Long Valley on 12th, and an Eastern Water Rail was at the same site on 14th. A Eurasian Coot was at Yuen Long on 14th. A Grey-headed Lapwing was at Mai Po on 12th. Gulls seen out on the Mai Po mudflats on 11th included 34 Saunders’s Gulls five Pallas’s Gulls, two Black-tailed Gulls and a nominate adult Vega Gull.
The two long-staying Oriental Storks at Mai Po proved rather elusive during the week but were seen on 12th. Eurasian Spoonbills were regularly reported in ones and twos from Mai Po and Lok Ma Chau. At least one Eurasian Bittern was seen at Mai Po between 8th & 11th.
A Black-winged Kite was at Long Valley and a Crested Honey Buzzard was at Tai Po Kau, both on 12th. Single Greater Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles were regularly reported from scattered locations in the northwest New Territories. A Japanese Sparrowhawk was in the hills above Discovery Bay on 14th. The juvenile Northern Goshawk was seen again at Mai on 11th & 14th.
An early Grey Nightjar was heard calling briefly at Pak Sha O on 12th. (Extreme dates for this species are 1 February to 23 December.) A Eurasian Hoopoe was at Mai Po on 8th & 11th. Chinese Barbets were again heard at both Tai Lam CP and Tai Po Kau during the week. Single Eurasian Wrynecks were at Tseung Kwan O on 8th and Shek Wu Wai on 13th. The wintering Bull-headed Shrike was still at KFBG on 11th, and the long-staying 1st-winter Grey-backed Shrike was seen again at Lam Tsuen on 14th. Single Brown Shrikes were reported from Tai Po Kau on 9th, Cheung Chau on 11th, Pak Sha O on 12th, and Nam Sang Wai on 13th.
Two Black-naped Orioles were seen at Lam Tsuen on 11th, with one there on 12th. A Black-naped Monarch was at Tai Lam CP on 12th. The two Eurasian Skylarks were again present at San Tin on 11th.
A Pale-footed Bush Warbler was singing in the hills above Discovery Bay on 14th. This is the ninth bird to be recorded in the territory this season since the first on 10 October 2020. The total number of Hong Kong records before this was eleven. A Brown Bush Warbler was also identified above Discovery Bay on the same day.
Other warblers reported during the week were an Alström's Warblers at Shing Mun on 9th & 13th, and single Sulphur-breasted Warblers at Tai Po Kau on 9th and Tai Lam CP on 12th. Seven Golden-headed Cisticolas were in the hills above Discovery Bay on 14th.
Twenty-five Indochinese Yuhinas were at Tai Lam CP on 12th, and eight were at Shing Mun on 13th. Five hundred Red-billed Starlings were at Mai Po on 11th, which is a good count these days, and a Common Starling was at San Tin/Lok Ma Chau on 10th & 11th.
Counts of thrushes included three Grey-backed Thrushes at Pak Sha O on12th, six Japanese Thrushes at Tai Lam CP on 8th, and nine Eyebrowed Thrushes at Shing Mun on 12th.
A Fujian Niltava was at Sha Tin Pass from 8th – 11th. Three Verditer Flycatchers were at Shing Mun on 12th.Single Red-flanked Bluetails were at Nam Sang Wai on 11th and Tai Lam CP on 12th. A Slaty-backed Forktail was again seen at Shing Mun on 12th. Single Mugimaki Flycatchers were at Wu Kau Tang on 9th and Pak Sha O on 12th.
Chestnut Munias (Cat IIC) continued to be reported from Long Valley with five there on 12th and 13 on 14th. Sixteen ocularis White Wagtails were counted at San Tin on 11th. Six Buff-bellied Pipits were at Mai Po on 11th and three were near the Lok Ma Chau loop area on 11th. Eleven Chinese Grosbeaks were at Yuen Long Park on 11th, and 12 were at Lam Tsuen on 12th. Forty Common Rosefinches at Wu Kau Tang on 9th is a new high count, the previous highest count being 33 as long ago as January 1980. Seventeen Eurasian Siskins were at Tai Tong on 11th, and 30 were at the same site on 13th.
February 15-21
Lesser Black-backed (Heuglin's) Gull at Mai Po (Birding Hong Kong archive)
First of all, late news of the second potential addition to the Hong Kong list this year after the Black-chinned Yuhina at KFBG in January: a Ryukyu Minivet was seen and photographed at Mt Davis on 14 February. This Japanese endemic breeds on the Tokara and Ryukyu islands, and has recently expanded its range north to Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu. It is largely resident but some southbound migration has been noted through south Kyushu in October, and there have been occasional records as far afield as South Korea, east China and Taiwan. It has also been reported from Fujian and Guangdong in the 2020/21 winter. Unfortunately, news of the sighting only became available on the evening of 17th, and birders who visited Mt Davis on 18th & 19th failed to turn up the species.
There were no sightings of the two adult Greater White-fronted Geese at Mai Po during the week; they were last reported on 13 February. One of the two male Baikal Teals was again seen from the boardwalk at high tide from 16th – 21st. Four Gadwalls were at Mai Po on 21st. Also on the reserve, 24 Falcated Ducks (six males and 18 females) were counted on 20th. This is second highest count this century after 28 in February 2012. (This species has greatly declined in the territory since the highest ever count of 413 on 4 January 1984.) Twenty-two Chinese Spot-billed Ducks were present on 19th & 20th, with 23 counted on 21st. Up to two Common Pochards were again noted at Mai Po until at least 20th. A single Ferruginous Duck was at Lok Ma Chau on 16th & 21st.
A Slaty-breasted Rail was at Long Valley on 18th, and an Eastern Water Rail was at the same site on 20th. A Eurasian Coot was at San Tin on 15th, and one was at Mai Po on 21st.. Fifty-one Great Crested Grebes were seen at Pak Nai on 15th. A Long-billed Dowitcher and an Oriental Pratincole were at Mai Po on 20th & 21st. A Eurasian Woodcock was at Pak Sha O on 21st. Gulls seen out on the Mai Po mudflats on 19th included 68 Saunders’s Gull, a single Pallas’s Gull, a Black-tailed Gull, 11 mongolicus and a nominate adult Vega Gull, and at least 80 Lesser Black-backed (Heuglin’s) Gulls. Another gull count on 21st turned up 73 Saunders's Gulls, five Pallas's Gulls, and a Slaty-backed Gull. Four Caspian Terns were also seen compared with just one on 19th.
The two long-staying Oriental Storks at Mai Po remained throughout the week. The juvenile Lesser Frigatebird that was first noted at Mai Po on 30 January was seen again on 21st. Single Eurasian Spoonbills were at San Tin on 15th & 16th, and at Mai Po on 20th & 21st; in addition, three were at Lok Ma Chau on 21st. A Eurasian Bittern was seen at Mai Po between 17th & 20th, and three were present on 21st.
Single Black-winged Kites were at Long Valley on 16th, Mai Po on 17th, and San Tin on 20th. Single Greater Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles were regularly reported from Mai Po. A Japanese Sparrowhawk was in the hills above Discovery Bay on 16th, and one was at Mai Po on 20th.
Single Eurasian Hoopoes were at Mai Po on 17th & 20th, and at Tseung Kwan O and Fung Lok Wai on 19th. Chinese Barbets were again heard at both Tai Po Kau and KFBG during the week. An Ashy Minivet was with the Ryukyu Minivet at Mt Davis on 14th. Single Brown Shrikes were reported from Pak Sha O on 15th & 21st, Long Valley on 15th & 16th, and Ma On Shan Park on 21st; two were at Long Valley on 18th.
Twenty-five Black Drongos were at San Tin on 16th, and 75 were seen coming to roost at dusk at Mai Po on 21st. A flock of 98 Hair-crested Drongos was seen at Mui Wo on 21st; this is a new high count, the previous highest being 71 at Shek Kong catchwater on 19 February 2018. At least 2500 Barn Swallows were counted coming to roost at Mai Po on 21st; this is the highest count of Barn Swallows in Hong Kong since the 1990s.
The Pale-footed Bush Warbler in the hills above Discovery Bay was present until at least 19th. Other reports of this species involved one at Ta Kwu Ling on 14th, one at Sai Kung on 16th, and two at Heung Yuen Wai on 16th, bringing the total number of birds this season to at least ten. A Brown Bush Warbler was also singing above Discovery Bay on 15th & 18th; this is a different bird to the one reported from there on 14th.
A Hume’s Leaf Warbler was at Tai Tong on 15th & 16th, and two birds were reported from the same location on 21st; this is the first time that more than one Hume’s Leaf Warbler has been reported from a single site. Other warblers reported during the week included single Alström's Warblers at Pak Sha O on 15th, and Tai Po Kau and Shing Mun on 17th, a Pale-legged Leaf Warbler at Mt Davis on 18th, single Sulphur-breasted Warblers at Pak Sha O on 15th and Tai Po Kau on 16th, and two Kloss’s Leaf Warblers at Pak Sha O on 15th, with one at Tai Po Kau on 20th.
Eight Indochinese Yuhinas were at Tai Lam CP on 16th, A Chestnut-flanked White-eye was at Pak Sha O on 15th, and two were at Tai Lam CP on 16h. Two Common Starlings were at Lok Ma Chau on 16th.
The highest count of Verditer Flycatchers involved three at Mui Wo on 21st. Four Red-flanked Bluetails were at Hong Pak Trail on 17th, and singles were at Long Valley on 18th and Tai Lam CP on 20th. Single Mugimaki Flycatchers were at Pak Sha O and Bride’s Pool on 15th. Two Grey Bush Chats were at Yi O and one was at Shek Kong catchwater on 20th.
A Mrs Gould's Sunbird was reported from Tai Po Kau on 21st. Chestnut Munias (Cat IIC) continued to be reported from Long Valley with 15 there on 16th and seven on 20th. White-headed Munias (Cat III) were also reported from Long Valley with seven on 16th and six on 20th.
Single Buff-bellied Pipits were at Tai Sang Wai on 16th and Yi O on 20th. Up to six Chinese Grosbeaks were noted at Yuen Long Park throughout the week, and they were joined by a rare Japanese Grosbeak on 17th. Apparently, the Japanese Grosbeak has been present since at least 22 December 2020 but is highly elusive and has only been seen very occasionally. Two Common Rosefinches were at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 15th. Eight Eurasian Siskins were at Shek Kong catchwater on 20th, and one was at Tai Tong on 21st. The highest count of Tristram’s Buntings was five at Tai Tong on 21st. Two Chestnut-eared Buntings were at Long Valley on 20th.
There were no sightings of the two adult Greater White-fronted Geese at Mai Po during the week; they were last reported on 13 February. One of the two male Baikal Teals was again seen from the boardwalk at high tide from 16th – 21st. Four Gadwalls were at Mai Po on 21st. Also on the reserve, 24 Falcated Ducks (six males and 18 females) were counted on 20th. This is second highest count this century after 28 in February 2012. (This species has greatly declined in the territory since the highest ever count of 413 on 4 January 1984.) Twenty-two Chinese Spot-billed Ducks were present on 19th & 20th, with 23 counted on 21st. Up to two Common Pochards were again noted at Mai Po until at least 20th. A single Ferruginous Duck was at Lok Ma Chau on 16th & 21st.
A Slaty-breasted Rail was at Long Valley on 18th, and an Eastern Water Rail was at the same site on 20th. A Eurasian Coot was at San Tin on 15th, and one was at Mai Po on 21st.. Fifty-one Great Crested Grebes were seen at Pak Nai on 15th. A Long-billed Dowitcher and an Oriental Pratincole were at Mai Po on 20th & 21st. A Eurasian Woodcock was at Pak Sha O on 21st. Gulls seen out on the Mai Po mudflats on 19th included 68 Saunders’s Gull, a single Pallas’s Gull, a Black-tailed Gull, 11 mongolicus and a nominate adult Vega Gull, and at least 80 Lesser Black-backed (Heuglin’s) Gulls. Another gull count on 21st turned up 73 Saunders's Gulls, five Pallas's Gulls, and a Slaty-backed Gull. Four Caspian Terns were also seen compared with just one on 19th.
The two long-staying Oriental Storks at Mai Po remained throughout the week. The juvenile Lesser Frigatebird that was first noted at Mai Po on 30 January was seen again on 21st. Single Eurasian Spoonbills were at San Tin on 15th & 16th, and at Mai Po on 20th & 21st; in addition, three were at Lok Ma Chau on 21st. A Eurasian Bittern was seen at Mai Po between 17th & 20th, and three were present on 21st.
Single Black-winged Kites were at Long Valley on 16th, Mai Po on 17th, and San Tin on 20th. Single Greater Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles were regularly reported from Mai Po. A Japanese Sparrowhawk was in the hills above Discovery Bay on 16th, and one was at Mai Po on 20th.
Single Eurasian Hoopoes were at Mai Po on 17th & 20th, and at Tseung Kwan O and Fung Lok Wai on 19th. Chinese Barbets were again heard at both Tai Po Kau and KFBG during the week. An Ashy Minivet was with the Ryukyu Minivet at Mt Davis on 14th. Single Brown Shrikes were reported from Pak Sha O on 15th & 21st, Long Valley on 15th & 16th, and Ma On Shan Park on 21st; two were at Long Valley on 18th.
Twenty-five Black Drongos were at San Tin on 16th, and 75 were seen coming to roost at dusk at Mai Po on 21st. A flock of 98 Hair-crested Drongos was seen at Mui Wo on 21st; this is a new high count, the previous highest being 71 at Shek Kong catchwater on 19 February 2018. At least 2500 Barn Swallows were counted coming to roost at Mai Po on 21st; this is the highest count of Barn Swallows in Hong Kong since the 1990s.
The Pale-footed Bush Warbler in the hills above Discovery Bay was present until at least 19th. Other reports of this species involved one at Ta Kwu Ling on 14th, one at Sai Kung on 16th, and two at Heung Yuen Wai on 16th, bringing the total number of birds this season to at least ten. A Brown Bush Warbler was also singing above Discovery Bay on 15th & 18th; this is a different bird to the one reported from there on 14th.
A Hume’s Leaf Warbler was at Tai Tong on 15th & 16th, and two birds were reported from the same location on 21st; this is the first time that more than one Hume’s Leaf Warbler has been reported from a single site. Other warblers reported during the week included single Alström's Warblers at Pak Sha O on 15th, and Tai Po Kau and Shing Mun on 17th, a Pale-legged Leaf Warbler at Mt Davis on 18th, single Sulphur-breasted Warblers at Pak Sha O on 15th and Tai Po Kau on 16th, and two Kloss’s Leaf Warblers at Pak Sha O on 15th, with one at Tai Po Kau on 20th.
Eight Indochinese Yuhinas were at Tai Lam CP on 16th, A Chestnut-flanked White-eye was at Pak Sha O on 15th, and two were at Tai Lam CP on 16h. Two Common Starlings were at Lok Ma Chau on 16th.
The highest count of Verditer Flycatchers involved three at Mui Wo on 21st. Four Red-flanked Bluetails were at Hong Pak Trail on 17th, and singles were at Long Valley on 18th and Tai Lam CP on 20th. Single Mugimaki Flycatchers were at Pak Sha O and Bride’s Pool on 15th. Two Grey Bush Chats were at Yi O and one was at Shek Kong catchwater on 20th.
A Mrs Gould's Sunbird was reported from Tai Po Kau on 21st. Chestnut Munias (Cat IIC) continued to be reported from Long Valley with 15 there on 16th and seven on 20th. White-headed Munias (Cat III) were also reported from Long Valley with seven on 16th and six on 20th.
Single Buff-bellied Pipits were at Tai Sang Wai on 16th and Yi O on 20th. Up to six Chinese Grosbeaks were noted at Yuen Long Park throughout the week, and they were joined by a rare Japanese Grosbeak on 17th. Apparently, the Japanese Grosbeak has been present since at least 22 December 2020 but is highly elusive and has only been seen very occasionally. Two Common Rosefinches were at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 15th. Eight Eurasian Siskins were at Shek Kong catchwater on 20th, and one was at Tai Tong on 21st. The highest count of Tristram’s Buntings was five at Tai Tong on 21st. Two Chestnut-eared Buntings were at Long Valley on 20th.
February 22-28
Oriental Pratincoles at Mai Po (Birding Hong Kong archive)
Warm and cloudy at the start of the week with temperatures ranging between 19 and 26⁰C. A cold front reached Hong Kong on 26th, and the associated northeast monsoon brought heavy rain and low cloud on 27th; temperatures fell to below 16⁰C.
The highlight of the week was the rediscovery of the Ryukyu Minivet at Mt Davis on 22nd. It was present throughout the week but often only seen very briefly and at widely-spaced intervals during the day. In addition, there was a record count of Brown Bush Warblers at Lantau on 28th. The Japanese Grosbeak at Yuen Long Park was also more visible than it had been for most of its stay. Details below:
Ducks at Mai Po included two Common Pochards on 22nd & 24th, 22 Chinese Spot-billed Ducks on 24th, and a male Baikal Teal, four Gadwall and nine Falcated Ducks on 28th.
One or two Large Hawk Cuckoos were calling in the Ho Pui area from 25th onwards.
An Eastern Water Rail was at Long Valley on 22nd. The wintering Long-billed Dowitcher was again at Mai Po on 28th. Passage Oriental Pratincoles were much in evidence on 28th with at least 20 at Mai Po, eight at San Tin and two at Long Valley. Gulls out on the Mai Po mudflats on 28th included four Pallas’s Gulls, three 1st-winter Black-tailed Gulls and a 1st-winter Slaty-backed Gull. A Gull-billed Tern was also present.
At least one of the two long-staying Oriental Storks was at Mai Po during the week. A Eurasian Spoonbill was at San Tin on 27th, and 149 Black-faced Spoonbills were at Lok Ma Chau on 24th. A Eurasian Bittern was seen at Mai Po on 24th & 28th.
Single Black-winged Kites were at San Tin on 25th and Long Valley on 28th. Two Greater Spotted and an Eastern Imperial Eagle were at Lok Ma Chau on 24th and at Mai Po on 28th. A Japanese Sparrowhawk was at Long Valley on 22nd.
Chinese Barbets were again heard at KFBG on 23rd and Tai Po Kau on 27th. An Ashy Minivet was at Mt Davis from 22nd until at least 25th, and the Ryukyu Minivet was at the same location throughout the week. Single Brown Shrikes were reported from south Lantau on 22nd and Yuen Long Park on 27th. A Black-naped Oriole was at Lam Tsuen on 27th. Up to four Black Bulbuls were reported from Tai Lam CP during the week. As on 21 February, c.2500 Barn Swallows were seen coming into roost at Mai Po at dusk on 28th.
The Pale-footed Bush Warbler was again seen in the hills above Discovery Bay on 23rd. A Black-throated Tit was at KFBG on 24th. A Hume’s Leaf Warbler was seen regularly at Mt Davis from 23rd – 28th. Single Sulphur-breasted Warblers were at KFBG on 23rd and Tai Po Kau on 27th. Three Brown Bush Warblers were in the Discovery Bay/Lo Fu Tau area on 23rd, and six were counted between Discovery Bay and Mui Wo on 28th; the latter is a record count for Hong Kong.
Fifteen Indochinese Yuhinas were at KFBG on 24th. A Chestnut-flanked White-eye was at Tai Lam CP on 25th.
Single White’s Thrushes were at south Lantau on 22nd and Tai Lam CP on 25th. Over 70 thrushes sp. were present in the low cloud at Tai Lam CP on 27th but only four could be positively identified as Eyebrowed Thrushes.
Single Asian Brown Flycatchers were at Shek Kong catchwater on 25th and Long Valley on 27th. A Verditer Flycatcher was at south Lantau on 22nd. A Bluethroat was at Mai Po and a Red-flanked Bluetail was at Ngong Ping on 22nd. Single Mugimaki Flycatchers were at Wu Kau Tang on 23rd and Tai Lam CP on 25th & 27th, and three were in the Lo Fu Tau/Mui Wo area on 28th.
Twenty Chestnut Munias (Cat IIC) were at Long Valley on 28th. A Citrine Wagtail was at Wang Toi Shan, Shek Kong on 27th. Eighteen Red-throated Pipits were at Long Valley on 28th, and single Buff-bellied Pipits were seen at Mai Po on 22nd and San Tin on 27th. Up to eight Chinese Grosbeaks were noted at Yuen Long Park throughout the week, and the Japanese Grosbeak was seen fairly regularly from 23rd – 28th. A Common Rosefinch was at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 25th. Two Tristram’s Buntings were at Tai Lam CP on 27th & 28th.
The highlight of the week was the rediscovery of the Ryukyu Minivet at Mt Davis on 22nd. It was present throughout the week but often only seen very briefly and at widely-spaced intervals during the day. In addition, there was a record count of Brown Bush Warblers at Lantau on 28th. The Japanese Grosbeak at Yuen Long Park was also more visible than it had been for most of its stay. Details below:
Ducks at Mai Po included two Common Pochards on 22nd & 24th, 22 Chinese Spot-billed Ducks on 24th, and a male Baikal Teal, four Gadwall and nine Falcated Ducks on 28th.
One or two Large Hawk Cuckoos were calling in the Ho Pui area from 25th onwards.
An Eastern Water Rail was at Long Valley on 22nd. The wintering Long-billed Dowitcher was again at Mai Po on 28th. Passage Oriental Pratincoles were much in evidence on 28th with at least 20 at Mai Po, eight at San Tin and two at Long Valley. Gulls out on the Mai Po mudflats on 28th included four Pallas’s Gulls, three 1st-winter Black-tailed Gulls and a 1st-winter Slaty-backed Gull. A Gull-billed Tern was also present.
At least one of the two long-staying Oriental Storks was at Mai Po during the week. A Eurasian Spoonbill was at San Tin on 27th, and 149 Black-faced Spoonbills were at Lok Ma Chau on 24th. A Eurasian Bittern was seen at Mai Po on 24th & 28th.
Single Black-winged Kites were at San Tin on 25th and Long Valley on 28th. Two Greater Spotted and an Eastern Imperial Eagle were at Lok Ma Chau on 24th and at Mai Po on 28th. A Japanese Sparrowhawk was at Long Valley on 22nd.
Chinese Barbets were again heard at KFBG on 23rd and Tai Po Kau on 27th. An Ashy Minivet was at Mt Davis from 22nd until at least 25th, and the Ryukyu Minivet was at the same location throughout the week. Single Brown Shrikes were reported from south Lantau on 22nd and Yuen Long Park on 27th. A Black-naped Oriole was at Lam Tsuen on 27th. Up to four Black Bulbuls were reported from Tai Lam CP during the week. As on 21 February, c.2500 Barn Swallows were seen coming into roost at Mai Po at dusk on 28th.
The Pale-footed Bush Warbler was again seen in the hills above Discovery Bay on 23rd. A Black-throated Tit was at KFBG on 24th. A Hume’s Leaf Warbler was seen regularly at Mt Davis from 23rd – 28th. Single Sulphur-breasted Warblers were at KFBG on 23rd and Tai Po Kau on 27th. Three Brown Bush Warblers were in the Discovery Bay/Lo Fu Tau area on 23rd, and six were counted between Discovery Bay and Mui Wo on 28th; the latter is a record count for Hong Kong.
Fifteen Indochinese Yuhinas were at KFBG on 24th. A Chestnut-flanked White-eye was at Tai Lam CP on 25th.
Single White’s Thrushes were at south Lantau on 22nd and Tai Lam CP on 25th. Over 70 thrushes sp. were present in the low cloud at Tai Lam CP on 27th but only four could be positively identified as Eyebrowed Thrushes.
Single Asian Brown Flycatchers were at Shek Kong catchwater on 25th and Long Valley on 27th. A Verditer Flycatcher was at south Lantau on 22nd. A Bluethroat was at Mai Po and a Red-flanked Bluetail was at Ngong Ping on 22nd. Single Mugimaki Flycatchers were at Wu Kau Tang on 23rd and Tai Lam CP on 25th & 27th, and three were in the Lo Fu Tau/Mui Wo area on 28th.
Twenty Chestnut Munias (Cat IIC) were at Long Valley on 28th. A Citrine Wagtail was at Wang Toi Shan, Shek Kong on 27th. Eighteen Red-throated Pipits were at Long Valley on 28th, and single Buff-bellied Pipits were seen at Mai Po on 22nd and San Tin on 27th. Up to eight Chinese Grosbeaks were noted at Yuen Long Park throughout the week, and the Japanese Grosbeak was seen fairly regularly from 23rd – 28th. A Common Rosefinch was at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 25th. Two Tristram’s Buntings were at Tai Lam CP on 27th & 28th.
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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=28249&extra=page%3D1
All images & text © David Diskin unless otherwise stated
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