LATEST SIGHTINGS - FEBRUARY 2022
February 1-14
February 1-14
Pumbeous Water Redstart at Ngau Tam Mei, 2 February 2022
February began with a cold and windy Lunar New Year. Temperatures were down to 10℃ in the northern New Territories but increased slightly from 6th, although it remained mainly cloudy with rain patches. The weather improved from 11th onwards and the temperature reached 24℃ on 12th.
Birds of note as follows:
Common Shelduck: the juvenile remained at Mai Po until at least 14th
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake remained at Mai Po until at least 10th
Gadwall: the highest count was five at Mai Po on 3rd
Falcated Duck: the highest count was six at Mai Po on 12th
American Wigeon: the drake was seen again at Mai Po on 7th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: the highest count was six at Mai Po on 12th
Mallard: the highest count was five at Mai Po on 2nd
Greater Scaup: one was at Mai Po on 2nd & 6th; one was at Fung Lok Wai on from 3rd – 7th
Red-breasted Merganser: a female was seen at Tsim Bei Tsui from 3rd - 7th
Pacific Swift: one was at Po Toi on 7th
Large Hawk Cuckoo: one was heard singing at Ping Che on 10th
Barred Cuckoo Dove: up to three were at Wu Kau Tang from 1st – 14th
Eastern Water Rail: one was at Fung Lok Wai from 1st – 14th with two noted there on 7th
Eurasian Coot: highest number reported was 15 at Fung Lok Wai on 6th
Slaty-legged Crake: one was found in a Kornhill car park on 8th
Great Crested Grebe: 30 were at Pak Nai on 5th
Northern Lapwing: one was at Mai Po from 3rd - 14th; two were at Long Valley on 7th
Long-toed Stint: three were at Mai Po on 3rd
Eurasian Woodcock: singles were at Sha Lo Tung on 1st, Tuen Mun Golf Centre on 5th and Tai Tong on 6th; two were at lam Tsuen on 11th
Red-necked Phalarope: 17 were off Po Toi on 7th with four there on 8th
Pallas’s Gull: six were at Mai Po on 1st, with five there on 2nd and then singles until 12th
Black-tailed Gull: the highest count off Po Toi was 120 on 8th (67 northeast, 52 west, one north)
Vega Gull: up to two were at Mai Po during the period under review
Mongolian Gull: the highest count was three at Mai Po on 7th
Slaty-backed Gull: the highest count was three at Mai Po on 7th
Caspian Tern: one was at Mai Po on 7th with three there on 8th and two on 10th
Ancient Murrelet: ten in total moved northeast past Po Toi on 6th – a new high count; two flew northeast there on 8th
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Tai Mei Tuk to 7th; one at Fung Lok Wai on 4th
Black-winged Kite: one at Mai Po on 1st
Crested Honey Buzzard: two unseasonal birds at Yan Yee Road on 5th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at south Lantau on 4th; one at Nam Sang Wai on 5th
Collared Owlet: one was reported from Ho Chung on 3rd
Chinese Barbet: one was at Ho Chung until at least 12th; one was at Tai Po Kau on 13th
Ashy Minivet: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 13th
Bull-headed Shrike: one was near Tseng Lau Shu on 3rd
Grey-backed Shrike: the elusive wintering bird was again at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 4th & 12th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one was at Quarry Bay on 2nd
Carrion Crow: the wintering bird was at Mai Po on 2nd & 8th and at Lut Chau on 14th
Japanese Tit: a green-backed bird was at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 3rd, 4th & 10th
Rufous-faced Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 1st; one was at Sai Kung West CP on 12th
Black-throated Tit: one was at Shing Mun on 6th, 8th & 9th, with four there on 11th
Pale-footed Bush Warbler: one was at Liu Pok on 8th, 9th & 11th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: singles were at Tai Tong from 3rd - 9th, Wu Kau Tang on 5th, Tam Kon Chau Road on 4th and at Ho Chung on 5th
Radde’s Warbler: one was at Yung Shue O on 13th
Common Chiffchaff: one was at Fung Lok Wai from 3rd – 12th; two were there on 8th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: two were at Shing Mun on 9th
White-spectacled Warbler: two were at Tai Po Kau on 13th
Grey-crowned Warbler: one was at Mt Davis on 1st
Alström's Warbler: two wereat Pak Sha O on 6th; one was at Shing Mun on 11th
Two-barred Warbler: six were at Shing Mun on 11th
Greenish Warbler: one was at Ho Chung on 2nd; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 4th, 11th & 13th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 1st & 5th, and singles were reported from Mt Davis on 2nd & 7th, Mai Po on 2nd, Ho Chung from 4th - 10th, Yan Yee Road on 5th, Shing Mun on 11th and Sai Kung West CP on 12th
Chestnut-crowned Warbler: one was at Ho Chung on 2nd & 6th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: two were at Ho Chung on 2nd with one there on 6th; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 3rd & 5th; one was at Tai Po Kau on 13th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: one was at Fung Lok Wai from 4th – 14th with two there on 8th
Booted Warbler: one was at Fung Lok Wai from 1st – 14th
White’s Thrush: highest count was five at Tai Tong on 5th
Eyebrowed Thrush: one was at Ho Chung on 12th
Pale Thrush: one was at Sai Kung West CP on 12th
Brown-headed Thrush: one was at Shing Mun on 9th; one was at Sai Kung West CP on 12th
Fujian Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang from 4th – 11th; three were at Ho Chung on 5th with one there on 10th; one was at Pak Sha O on 6th; one was at Tai Tong on 7th
Small Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang during the period under review with two there on 12th; one was at Shing Mun on 8th; one was at Tai Lam CP on 11th
Siberian Blue Robin: one was reported from near Tuen Mun Golf Centre on 5th; if accepted, this will be only the sixth winter record
Japanese Robin: one was singing at Wu Kau Tang on 11th
Slaty-backed Forktail: one was at CUHK on 4th; up to two were seen at Shing Mun from 7th - 9th – this is a regular site for this species in Hong Kong
Narcissus/Ryukyu Flycatcher: a 2nd calendar year male was at Tseung Kwan O on 10th; this is the first winter record of either of these species for Hong Kong
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher: one was at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 3rd
Red-breasted Flycatcher: singles were at Mai Po from 1st - 7th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 4th, Long Valley on 7th and Shui Hau on 12th
White-throated Rock Thrush: one was at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Grey Bush Chat: up to three were reported from Sha Lo Tung until 3rd
Mrs Gould’s Sunbird: one was at Shing Mun on 6thwith three there on 9th and four on 11th
Forest Wagtail: one was at Chai Wan from 2nd – 6th; one was at Shing Mun on 6th
Chinese Grosbeak: 25 were at Mui Wo on 6th; 40 were at Tai Lam Chung on 8th; 30 were at Sandy Ridge on 11th
Common Rosefinch: highest count was 20 at Wu Kau Tang on 1st
Grey-capped Greenfinch: nine were at Long Valley on 7th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: one was at Long Valley on 4th
Little Bunting: highest counts were 40 at Long Valley on 3rd and 45 at Ping Yeung on 11th
Yellow-browed Bunting: one was at Long Valley on 3rd
Rustic Bunting: one was at Sai Kung West CP on 13th; this is only the third winter record for Hong Kong
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one was at Long Valley on 3rd.
Birds of note as follows:
Common Shelduck: the juvenile remained at Mai Po until at least 14th
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake remained at Mai Po until at least 10th
Gadwall: the highest count was five at Mai Po on 3rd
Falcated Duck: the highest count was six at Mai Po on 12th
American Wigeon: the drake was seen again at Mai Po on 7th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: the highest count was six at Mai Po on 12th
Mallard: the highest count was five at Mai Po on 2nd
Greater Scaup: one was at Mai Po on 2nd & 6th; one was at Fung Lok Wai on from 3rd – 7th
Red-breasted Merganser: a female was seen at Tsim Bei Tsui from 3rd - 7th
Pacific Swift: one was at Po Toi on 7th
Large Hawk Cuckoo: one was heard singing at Ping Che on 10th
Barred Cuckoo Dove: up to three were at Wu Kau Tang from 1st – 14th
Eastern Water Rail: one was at Fung Lok Wai from 1st – 14th with two noted there on 7th
Eurasian Coot: highest number reported was 15 at Fung Lok Wai on 6th
Slaty-legged Crake: one was found in a Kornhill car park on 8th
Great Crested Grebe: 30 were at Pak Nai on 5th
Northern Lapwing: one was at Mai Po from 3rd - 14th; two were at Long Valley on 7th
Long-toed Stint: three were at Mai Po on 3rd
Eurasian Woodcock: singles were at Sha Lo Tung on 1st, Tuen Mun Golf Centre on 5th and Tai Tong on 6th; two were at lam Tsuen on 11th
Red-necked Phalarope: 17 were off Po Toi on 7th with four there on 8th
Pallas’s Gull: six were at Mai Po on 1st, with five there on 2nd and then singles until 12th
Black-tailed Gull: the highest count off Po Toi was 120 on 8th (67 northeast, 52 west, one north)
Vega Gull: up to two were at Mai Po during the period under review
Mongolian Gull: the highest count was three at Mai Po on 7th
Slaty-backed Gull: the highest count was three at Mai Po on 7th
Caspian Tern: one was at Mai Po on 7th with three there on 8th and two on 10th
Ancient Murrelet: ten in total moved northeast past Po Toi on 6th – a new high count; two flew northeast there on 8th
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Tai Mei Tuk to 7th; one at Fung Lok Wai on 4th
Black-winged Kite: one at Mai Po on 1st
Crested Honey Buzzard: two unseasonal birds at Yan Yee Road on 5th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at south Lantau on 4th; one at Nam Sang Wai on 5th
Collared Owlet: one was reported from Ho Chung on 3rd
Chinese Barbet: one was at Ho Chung until at least 12th; one was at Tai Po Kau on 13th
Ashy Minivet: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 13th
Bull-headed Shrike: one was near Tseng Lau Shu on 3rd
Grey-backed Shrike: the elusive wintering bird was again at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 4th & 12th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one was at Quarry Bay on 2nd
Carrion Crow: the wintering bird was at Mai Po on 2nd & 8th and at Lut Chau on 14th
Japanese Tit: a green-backed bird was at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 3rd, 4th & 10th
Rufous-faced Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 1st; one was at Sai Kung West CP on 12th
Black-throated Tit: one was at Shing Mun on 6th, 8th & 9th, with four there on 11th
Pale-footed Bush Warbler: one was at Liu Pok on 8th, 9th & 11th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: singles were at Tai Tong from 3rd - 9th, Wu Kau Tang on 5th, Tam Kon Chau Road on 4th and at Ho Chung on 5th
Radde’s Warbler: one was at Yung Shue O on 13th
Common Chiffchaff: one was at Fung Lok Wai from 3rd – 12th; two were there on 8th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: two were at Shing Mun on 9th
White-spectacled Warbler: two were at Tai Po Kau on 13th
Grey-crowned Warbler: one was at Mt Davis on 1st
Alström's Warbler: two wereat Pak Sha O on 6th; one was at Shing Mun on 11th
Two-barred Warbler: six were at Shing Mun on 11th
Greenish Warbler: one was at Ho Chung on 2nd; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 4th, 11th & 13th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 1st & 5th, and singles were reported from Mt Davis on 2nd & 7th, Mai Po on 2nd, Ho Chung from 4th - 10th, Yan Yee Road on 5th, Shing Mun on 11th and Sai Kung West CP on 12th
Chestnut-crowned Warbler: one was at Ho Chung on 2nd & 6th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: two were at Ho Chung on 2nd with one there on 6th; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 3rd & 5th; one was at Tai Po Kau on 13th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: one was at Fung Lok Wai from 4th – 14th with two there on 8th
Booted Warbler: one was at Fung Lok Wai from 1st – 14th
White’s Thrush: highest count was five at Tai Tong on 5th
Eyebrowed Thrush: one was at Ho Chung on 12th
Pale Thrush: one was at Sai Kung West CP on 12th
Brown-headed Thrush: one was at Shing Mun on 9th; one was at Sai Kung West CP on 12th
Fujian Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang from 4th – 11th; three were at Ho Chung on 5th with one there on 10th; one was at Pak Sha O on 6th; one was at Tai Tong on 7th
Small Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang during the period under review with two there on 12th; one was at Shing Mun on 8th; one was at Tai Lam CP on 11th
Siberian Blue Robin: one was reported from near Tuen Mun Golf Centre on 5th; if accepted, this will be only the sixth winter record
Japanese Robin: one was singing at Wu Kau Tang on 11th
Slaty-backed Forktail: one was at CUHK on 4th; up to two were seen at Shing Mun from 7th - 9th – this is a regular site for this species in Hong Kong
Narcissus/Ryukyu Flycatcher: a 2nd calendar year male was at Tseung Kwan O on 10th; this is the first winter record of either of these species for Hong Kong
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher: one was at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 3rd
Red-breasted Flycatcher: singles were at Mai Po from 1st - 7th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 4th, Long Valley on 7th and Shui Hau on 12th
White-throated Rock Thrush: one was at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Grey Bush Chat: up to three were reported from Sha Lo Tung until 3rd
Mrs Gould’s Sunbird: one was at Shing Mun on 6thwith three there on 9th and four on 11th
Forest Wagtail: one was at Chai Wan from 2nd – 6th; one was at Shing Mun on 6th
Chinese Grosbeak: 25 were at Mui Wo on 6th; 40 were at Tai Lam Chung on 8th; 30 were at Sandy Ridge on 11th
Common Rosefinch: highest count was 20 at Wu Kau Tang on 1st
Grey-capped Greenfinch: nine were at Long Valley on 7th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: one was at Long Valley on 4th
Little Bunting: highest counts were 40 at Long Valley on 3rd and 45 at Ping Yeung on 11th
Yellow-browed Bunting: one was at Long Valley on 3rd
Rustic Bunting: one was at Sai Kung West CP on 13th; this is only the third winter record for Hong Kong
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one was at Long Valley on 3rd.
Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher at Ho Sheung Heung, 5 February 2022
February 15-28
Female Mrs Gould's Sunbird at Tai Po Kau in February (BHK archive)
Generally mild from 15th – 18th with easterly winds and temperatures between 15-19℃. An intense surge of the northeast monsoon on 19th brought four days of continuous rain. The temperature was down to 6℃ in the northern New Territories on 20th and didn’t really begin to rise until 23rd. This was the coldest period of the winter. Temperatures were up to 24℃ on the last day of the month.
During the wet, cold spell observers noted how much more observable some birds were, especially thrushes and robins. The highlight, however, was a strong movement of Streaked Shearwaters off Po Toi between 17th and 19th; these birds were presumably brought in by the strong easterly winds that were occurring at the time.
Birds of note as follows:
Common Shelduck: the bird at Mai Po remained until at least 24th
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake was at Mai Po on 16th & 24th, and a female-type bird was there on 23rd
Gadwall: highest count was three at Mai Po on 23rd & 25th
Falcated Duck: highest count was six at Mai Po on 21st
American Wigeon: the long-staying drake was at Mai Po on 23rd with three hybrid American x Eurasian Wigeons also present
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: highest count was 18 at Mai Po on 18th
Mallard: highest count at Mai Po was six on 24th
Japanese Quail: two were at San Tin on 27th
Pacific Swift: one was at Po Toi on 27th
Large Hawk Cuckoo: two were at Tai Tong on 15th
Rock Dove: 640 were at Kowloon Park on 24th; this is a new highest count
Red Collared Dove: 85 were at San Tin on 27th
Barred Cuckoo Dove: up to three were seen at Wu Kau Tang until the end of the month
Eastern Water Rail: one was at Fung Lok Wai to 18th
Eurasian Coot: 16 were at Fung Lok Wai on 18th
Grey-headed Swamphen: one at Mai Po on 24th & 25th
Eurasian Woodcock: one was at Lamma on 16th
Red-necked Phalarope: one was off Po Toi on 16th and four were there on 17th six were seen form the Po Toi ferry on 27th
Oriental Pratincole: two were at San Tin on 26th & 27th
Pallas’s Gull: up to two at Mai Po to 24th
Black-tailed Gull: 15 were in Tolo Harbour and 81 were off Cape D’Aguilar on 18th; 128 were off Po Toi on 19th withs even there on 27th; 15 were off Cheung Chau on 19th
Vega Gull: one was at Mai Po on 23rd
Mongolian Gull: 12 were off Po Toi on 27th
Slaty-backed Gull: two were at Mai Po on 18th
Heuglin’s Gull: 23 were off Po Toi on 15th, with 33 on 18th, seven on 19th and 41 on 27th
Caspian Tern: six were at Mai Po on 23rd with two on 24th; eight were off Po Toi on 27th
Pomarine Jaeger: two were off Po Toi on 16th, with one there on17th, 23 on 18th and one on 19th
Long-tailed Jaeger: singles were off Po Toi on 16th & 17th; these are the first February records for Hong Kong
Ancient Murrelet: counts at Po Toi involved one on 15th, eight on 16th, three on 18th, one on 19th and three on 27th
Streaked Shearwater: counts off Po Toi involved 33 on 17th, at least 204 on 18th, and 139 on 19th. These sightings are unprecedented. The previous earliest spring date in Hong Kong was 4 March, and the previous highest count was 149 past Po Toi on 22 July 2021. For Bart de Schutter’s account of this influx see: https://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redirect.php?tid=30286&goto=lastpost#lastpost . One was also off Po Toi on 27th.
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Luk Keng on 22nd; the long-staying bird was at Tai Mei Tuk on 23rd
Black-winged Kite: one was at Fung Lok Wai on 16th; one was at Mai Po on 27th
Crested Honey Buzzard: two were at Tai Tong on 17th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one was at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 27th
Collared Owlet: one was at Tai Po Kau on 24th; one was at Grassy Hill on 26th
Chinese Barbet: one was at Ho Chung on 15th; one was at Tai Po Kau on 28th
Ashy Minivet: one was at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 27th
Bull-headed Shrike: one was at Sha Lo Tung on 27th
Black-naped Oriole: one was at Lamma on 26th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: the wintering bird was at Quarry Bay on 15th
Carrion Crow: the long-staying bird was at Mai Po on 18th & 24th
Eurasian Skylark: one was at San Tin on 15th
Asian House Martin: one was at Pui O on 21st
Rufous-faced Warbler: one was at Tai Po Kau on 24th; two were at Pak Sha O on 27th
Pale-footed Bush Warbler: one was at Liu Pok on 16th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one was at Tai Po Kau on 28th
Common Chiffchaff: one was at Fung Lok Wai on 16th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one was at Tai Po Kau on 24th
White-spectacled Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 23rd; one was at Tai Po Kau on 28th
Bianchi’s Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 26th
Alström's Warbler: up to two were at Pak Sha O from 23rd – 27th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 26th & 27th
Arctic Warbler: one was at Sai Wan Swimming Shed on 26th; one was at Mt Davis on 27th
Chestnut-crowned Warbler: one was at Lead Mine Pass on 23rd; one was at Wu Kau Tang from 26th - 28th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: one was at Wu Kau Tang from 16th – 28th; one was at Ho Chung on 25th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: one was at Fung Lok Wai from 4th – 12th with two there on 8th
Booted Warbler: the wintering bird was still at Fung Lok Wai on 15th
Vinous-throated Parrotbill: one was at Mai Po on 26th
Indochinese Yuhina: 30 were at KFBG on 25th; 20 were at Tai Po Kau on 28th
Common Starling: one was at Mai Po on 25th; two were at San Tin on 27th
Grey-backed Thrush: highest count was 12 at Pak Sha O on 23rd
Japanese Thrush: highest count was 15 at Mt Davis on 20th
Eyebrowed Thrush: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 23rd; one was at Shap Long on 24th; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 26th
Pale Thrush: one was at North District Park on 16th; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 18th; one was at Pak Sha O on 26th; two were at Po Toi on 26th
Brown-headed Thrush: three were at Po Toi on 22nd; two were at Pak Sha O on 26th & 27th; one was at Shap Long on 26th
Dusky Thrush: one was at Sai Wan Swimming Shed on 26th
Hainan Blue Flycatcher: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 27th
Fujian Niltava: two were at KFBG on 25th; one was at Pak Sha O on 27th
Small Niltava: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 16th; one was at Shing Mun on 23rd; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 26th & 27th
Siberian Blue Robin: one was at Po Toi on 19th – potentially the sixth or seventh winter record
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Mai Po on 21st
White-throated Rock Thrush: a female was at Shap Long, Lantau on 23rd
Mrs Gould’s Sunbird: a female was at Tai Po Kau on 18th, 20th & 26th; one was at Pak Sha O on 26th
Little Bunting: 45 were at Ping Che on 26th
Common Reed Bunting: three were at Mai Po on 27th.
During the wet, cold spell observers noted how much more observable some birds were, especially thrushes and robins. The highlight, however, was a strong movement of Streaked Shearwaters off Po Toi between 17th and 19th; these birds were presumably brought in by the strong easterly winds that were occurring at the time.
Birds of note as follows:
Common Shelduck: the bird at Mai Po remained until at least 24th
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake was at Mai Po on 16th & 24th, and a female-type bird was there on 23rd
Gadwall: highest count was three at Mai Po on 23rd & 25th
Falcated Duck: highest count was six at Mai Po on 21st
American Wigeon: the long-staying drake was at Mai Po on 23rd with three hybrid American x Eurasian Wigeons also present
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: highest count was 18 at Mai Po on 18th
Mallard: highest count at Mai Po was six on 24th
Japanese Quail: two were at San Tin on 27th
Pacific Swift: one was at Po Toi on 27th
Large Hawk Cuckoo: two were at Tai Tong on 15th
Rock Dove: 640 were at Kowloon Park on 24th; this is a new highest count
Red Collared Dove: 85 were at San Tin on 27th
Barred Cuckoo Dove: up to three were seen at Wu Kau Tang until the end of the month
Eastern Water Rail: one was at Fung Lok Wai to 18th
Eurasian Coot: 16 were at Fung Lok Wai on 18th
Grey-headed Swamphen: one at Mai Po on 24th & 25th
Eurasian Woodcock: one was at Lamma on 16th
Red-necked Phalarope: one was off Po Toi on 16th and four were there on 17th six were seen form the Po Toi ferry on 27th
Oriental Pratincole: two were at San Tin on 26th & 27th
Pallas’s Gull: up to two at Mai Po to 24th
Black-tailed Gull: 15 were in Tolo Harbour and 81 were off Cape D’Aguilar on 18th; 128 were off Po Toi on 19th withs even there on 27th; 15 were off Cheung Chau on 19th
Vega Gull: one was at Mai Po on 23rd
Mongolian Gull: 12 were off Po Toi on 27th
Slaty-backed Gull: two were at Mai Po on 18th
Heuglin’s Gull: 23 were off Po Toi on 15th, with 33 on 18th, seven on 19th and 41 on 27th
Caspian Tern: six were at Mai Po on 23rd with two on 24th; eight were off Po Toi on 27th
Pomarine Jaeger: two were off Po Toi on 16th, with one there on17th, 23 on 18th and one on 19th
Long-tailed Jaeger: singles were off Po Toi on 16th & 17th; these are the first February records for Hong Kong
Ancient Murrelet: counts at Po Toi involved one on 15th, eight on 16th, three on 18th, one on 19th and three on 27th
Streaked Shearwater: counts off Po Toi involved 33 on 17th, at least 204 on 18th, and 139 on 19th. These sightings are unprecedented. The previous earliest spring date in Hong Kong was 4 March, and the previous highest count was 149 past Po Toi on 22 July 2021. For Bart de Schutter’s account of this influx see: https://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redirect.php?tid=30286&goto=lastpost#lastpost . One was also off Po Toi on 27th.
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Luk Keng on 22nd; the long-staying bird was at Tai Mei Tuk on 23rd
Black-winged Kite: one was at Fung Lok Wai on 16th; one was at Mai Po on 27th
Crested Honey Buzzard: two were at Tai Tong on 17th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one was at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 27th
Collared Owlet: one was at Tai Po Kau on 24th; one was at Grassy Hill on 26th
Chinese Barbet: one was at Ho Chung on 15th; one was at Tai Po Kau on 28th
Ashy Minivet: one was at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 27th
Bull-headed Shrike: one was at Sha Lo Tung on 27th
Black-naped Oriole: one was at Lamma on 26th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: the wintering bird was at Quarry Bay on 15th
Carrion Crow: the long-staying bird was at Mai Po on 18th & 24th
Eurasian Skylark: one was at San Tin on 15th
Asian House Martin: one was at Pui O on 21st
Rufous-faced Warbler: one was at Tai Po Kau on 24th; two were at Pak Sha O on 27th
Pale-footed Bush Warbler: one was at Liu Pok on 16th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one was at Tai Po Kau on 28th
Common Chiffchaff: one was at Fung Lok Wai on 16th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one was at Tai Po Kau on 24th
White-spectacled Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 23rd; one was at Tai Po Kau on 28th
Bianchi’s Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 26th
Alström's Warbler: up to two were at Pak Sha O from 23rd – 27th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 26th & 27th
Arctic Warbler: one was at Sai Wan Swimming Shed on 26th; one was at Mt Davis on 27th
Chestnut-crowned Warbler: one was at Lead Mine Pass on 23rd; one was at Wu Kau Tang from 26th - 28th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: one was at Wu Kau Tang from 16th – 28th; one was at Ho Chung on 25th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: one was at Fung Lok Wai from 4th – 12th with two there on 8th
Booted Warbler: the wintering bird was still at Fung Lok Wai on 15th
Vinous-throated Parrotbill: one was at Mai Po on 26th
Indochinese Yuhina: 30 were at KFBG on 25th; 20 were at Tai Po Kau on 28th
Common Starling: one was at Mai Po on 25th; two were at San Tin on 27th
Grey-backed Thrush: highest count was 12 at Pak Sha O on 23rd
Japanese Thrush: highest count was 15 at Mt Davis on 20th
Eyebrowed Thrush: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 23rd; one was at Shap Long on 24th; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 26th
Pale Thrush: one was at North District Park on 16th; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 18th; one was at Pak Sha O on 26th; two were at Po Toi on 26th
Brown-headed Thrush: three were at Po Toi on 22nd; two were at Pak Sha O on 26th & 27th; one was at Shap Long on 26th
Dusky Thrush: one was at Sai Wan Swimming Shed on 26th
Hainan Blue Flycatcher: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 27th
Fujian Niltava: two were at KFBG on 25th; one was at Pak Sha O on 27th
Small Niltava: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 16th; one was at Shing Mun on 23rd; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 26th & 27th
Siberian Blue Robin: one was at Po Toi on 19th – potentially the sixth or seventh winter record
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Mai Po on 21st
White-throated Rock Thrush: a female was at Shap Long, Lantau on 23rd
Mrs Gould’s Sunbird: a female was at Tai Po Kau on 18th, 20th & 26th; one was at Pak Sha O on 26th
Little Bunting: 45 were at Ping Che on 26th
Common Reed Bunting: three were at Mai Po on 27th.
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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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