LATEST SIGHTINGS - JANUARY 2021
January 1-10
January 1-10
Oriental Storks at Mai Po, 1 January 2021
The first of January was the coldest New Year’s Day since 2005, with temperatures in the northern New Territories falling to 7⁰C and below; there was early morning frost in a couple of places. The 2nd was also cold, but temperatures increased after that and it was pleasantly mild until 8th, after which a resurgence of the winter monsoon sent temperatures back down to 6⁰C.
The two adult Greater White-fronted Geese that arrived at Mai Po on 12 November, 2020 remained until at least 9th. Other reports of wintering wildfowl from Mai Po included four Gadwall on 3rd, 12 Chinese Spot-billed Ducks on 1st, three Common Pochard on 3rd, and three Ferruginous Ducks on 2nd. Elsewhere, four Ferruginous Ducks were at San Tin on 1st, and the male Greater Scaup that first appeared on the river at Sha Tin on 31 December 2020 remained until 9th.
The cold weather led to small congregations of House Swifts over wetland areas: 90 were at Fung Lok Wai on 1st and 40 were at Long Valley on 2nd, with 45 at the latter site on 10th.
Single Slaty-breasted Rails were at Long Valley on 1st and Nam Sang Wai on 9th. An Eastern Water Rail was at Long Valley on 2nd & 10th. Two Ruddy-breasted Crakes were at Mai Po on 9th. The only Eurasian Coot reported was a single bird at San Tin on 1st. At Pak Nai, the Eurasian Oystercatcher first noted on 14 December was present until at least 3rd; 36 Great Crested Grebes were also counted at Pak Nai on 1st. Other waders of interest reported on 1st were a Northern Lapwing at Mai Po, nine Grey-headed Lapwings at Kam Tin River, and 19 Great Knots out on the Deep Bay mudflats. A Eurasian Woodcock was at Tai Tong on 10th.
At the Deep Bay mudflats on 1st were an adult Pallas’s Gull, a 1st-winter Black-tailed Gull, an adult Vega Gull Larus v. vegae, three immature Mongolian Gulls Larus v. mongolicus, and 30 Heuglin’s Gulls. Two Pallas’s Gulls and the Vega Gull were also seen on 3rd.
The two Oriental Storks that arrived at Mai Po on 22 November, 2020 were still present on 7th. An unseasonal Lesser Frigatebird was photographed at Luk Keng on 3rd.
Reports of single Black-winged Kites came from Fung Lok Wai and San Tin on 1st, and Ma Tso Lung on 6th. Up to two Greater Spotted Eagles and three Eastern Imperial Eagles were seen in the northwest New Territories. A Japanese Sparrowhawk was at Mai Po on 1st.
A Collared Owlet was heard and seen at Tai Po Kau on 6th. At least one Black-capped Kingfisher was regularly noted at the Mai Po boardwalk, and one was also at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway on 4th. A Chinese Barbet was reported from KFBG on 8th. A Eurasian Wryneck was in the Lok Ma Chau/San Tin area on 6th & 8th. Reports of Common Kestrel involved two at Fung Lok Wai on 1st, and singles at Ma Tso Lung on 6th and Long Valley on 10th.
A total of three Bull-headed Shrikes were reported - one at Castle Peak on 2nd, one at Cheung Chau on 3rd, and one at KFBG on 8th.The 1st-winter Grey-backed Shrike that had been present at Lam Tsuen since 29 November, 2020 remained until at least 9th. There was another record of an adult Grey-backed Shrike at an unspecified location in the northern NT on 3rd, bringing the total this winter to three. Single Brown Shrikes were reported from five widespread sites, and there were two at Cornwall Street Park on 8th.
Single Black-naped Monarchs were in the Heung Yuen Wai/Lin Ma Hang area on 2nd, at Tai Po Kau on 2nd, and in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area on 3rd. Two Eurasian Jays were seen near Kau Tam Tso on 1st. An Indochinese Green Magpie (Cat III) was present at Bride’s Pool throughout the period under review; in addition, three were in the Heung Yuen Wai/Lin Ma Hang area on 2nd, and two were in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area on 8th. This species is now well-established in the northeast New Territories. It continues to be a good winter for Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers with reports from several sites, including up to four at Tai Po Kau and three at Shek Kong catchwater.
Two Sand Martins were at Fung Lok Wai on 1st, and two Asian House Martins were at Mai Po on 9th. There were good counts of Red-rumped Swallows with 60 at San Tin on 1st and 120 at Ma Tso Lung on 6th.
The Hume’s Leaf Warbler first reported from Pak Sha O on 7 November 2020 was heard again on 9th. The highest count of Pallas’s Leaf Warblers was 17 at Shing Mun on 8th. A Common Chiffchaff was trapped at Mai Po on 5th. Single Eastern Crowned Warblers were seen at Tai Po Kau on 1st and at Shing Mun on 8th. Three White-spectacled Warblers were at Tai Po Kau on 3rd, and one was at Shing Mun on 8th. The ringed Alström's Warbler at Tai Po Kau was present until at least 7th. Other reports of Alström's Warblers, in what is an unprecedented run of records for this species, came from Nam Shan Tung near Pak Sha O on 1st & 3rd, and Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 4th & 9th. Single Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warblers were seen at Lam Tsuen and Tai Lam CP on 7th, and Kowloon Tsai Park on 9th. The only one of this species-pair identified to taxon was a Pale-legged Leaf Warbler at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 9th.
It has been a very good winter for Hartert’s Leaf Warbler, with reports of up to four at Shing Mun, six at Pak Sha O and a high count of eight at Tai Po Kau on 7th. Interestingly, some individuals of the race goodsoni have shown extensive yellow on the underparts, inviting confusion with Sulphur-breasted Warbler. It seems also that Hartert’s does not always exhibit its diagnostic nuthatch-like behaviour, which only serves to add to the confusion. Records of Sulphur-breasted Warbler involved singles at Tai Po Kau on 1st & 2nd, with two there on 7th, and one at Tai Lam CP on 1st. Single Kloss’s Leaf Warblers were at Tai Po Kau from 1st – 3rd, and two were noted on 4th & 7th.
Six Black-browed Reed Warblers were at Fung Lok Wai on 1st. A Brown Bush Warbler was at Tung Yeung Shan near Tate’s Cairn on 1st. Reports of Golden-headed Cisticola consisted of one at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway on 4th and one at Lam Tsuen on 5th.
Reports of Chestnut-flanked White-eyes involved singles at Bride’s Pool on 1st, Tai Lam CP on 1st, and Pak Sha O on 3rd; two were in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area on 8th, and one was in the Lai Chi Wo/Luk Keng area on 9th. An adult Rosy Starling at Mai Po on 5th was possibly the same individual reported earlier in the winter at San Tin.
Small numbers of Japanese Thrushes were reported from widespread sites, with 40++ individuals regularly visiting a garden on Lamma during the day. Grey-backed Thrushes were reported from fewer sites and were less numerous; the highest count was of at least five at Lamma on 1st. Eyebrowed Thrushes were seen at seven different sites, the highest count being ten at Tai Po Kau on 3rd. The only report of White’s Thrush was one at Kwun Yam Shan, KFBG on 1st, and the only report of Pale Thrush was one in the Lai Chi Wo/Luk Keng area on 9th.
Asian Brown Flycatchers were reported from six sites, all singles apart from three at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 9th. A male Hainan Blue Flycatcher was seen in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area on 3rd & 10th. There were two sightings of Small Niltava: one was at Shing Mun on 1st, and the other was at Bride’s Pool on 10th. Verditer Flycatchers were reported from ten widespread sites, all singles apart from two at Tai Po Kau on 1st &2nd. A female Siberian Blue Robin was photographed at Tai Po Kau on 9th. This is only the fourth winter record, the last being in December 2003. Single Bluethroats were at Long Valley on 1st, Mai Po on 5th, and Shek Kong catchwater on 9th. In a very poor winter for Red-flanked Bluetails, the only reports were of singles in the Tung Chung/Mui Wo area on 7th and at Tai Tong on 10th.
In contrast to Red-flanked Bluetail, it has been a good winter for Mugimaki Flycatchers with recent reports of at least ten different birds from six sites, including two in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area from 2nd – 9th, and two at Bride’s Pool on 10th. The wintering female Plumbeous Water Redstart was at Mui Shue Hang again on 2nd, and the two wintering Grey Bush Chats were seen at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 4th, with one of them there on 9th.
Chestnut Munias (Cat IIC) and White-headed Munias (Cat III) continue to be seen with Scaly-breasted Munias feeding on the extant rice at Long Valley; 15 Chestnut Munias and 40 White-headed Munias were counted there on 2nd.
Counts of wagtails at San Tin on 8th turned up 25 taivana Eastern Yellow Wagtails, 16 ocularis White Wagtails and 25 leucopsis White Wagtails. Thirty-five Olive-backed Pipits, 13 Red-throated Pipits, and five Buff-bellied Pipits were at Pui O on 7th. Other reports of Buff-bellied Pipits involved one at San Tin on 1st, one at Tai Sang Wai on 2nd, and two at Long Valley on 10th.
Two Chinese Grosbeaks were in the Heung Yuen Wai/Lin Ma Hang area on 2nd. Common Rosefinches were reported in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area from 2nd – 10th, with numbers peaking at 21 on 4th; only one was seen on 10th. An adult male Crested Bunting was at Long Valley on 2nd. Sightings of Tristram’s Buntings involved singles at Shek Kong catchwater and in the Lai Chi Wo/Luk Keng area on 9th, and two in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area on 10th. An unseasonal Yellow-breasted Bunting was at Long Valley on 10th.
The two adult Greater White-fronted Geese that arrived at Mai Po on 12 November, 2020 remained until at least 9th. Other reports of wintering wildfowl from Mai Po included four Gadwall on 3rd, 12 Chinese Spot-billed Ducks on 1st, three Common Pochard on 3rd, and three Ferruginous Ducks on 2nd. Elsewhere, four Ferruginous Ducks were at San Tin on 1st, and the male Greater Scaup that first appeared on the river at Sha Tin on 31 December 2020 remained until 9th.
The cold weather led to small congregations of House Swifts over wetland areas: 90 were at Fung Lok Wai on 1st and 40 were at Long Valley on 2nd, with 45 at the latter site on 10th.
Single Slaty-breasted Rails were at Long Valley on 1st and Nam Sang Wai on 9th. An Eastern Water Rail was at Long Valley on 2nd & 10th. Two Ruddy-breasted Crakes were at Mai Po on 9th. The only Eurasian Coot reported was a single bird at San Tin on 1st. At Pak Nai, the Eurasian Oystercatcher first noted on 14 December was present until at least 3rd; 36 Great Crested Grebes were also counted at Pak Nai on 1st. Other waders of interest reported on 1st were a Northern Lapwing at Mai Po, nine Grey-headed Lapwings at Kam Tin River, and 19 Great Knots out on the Deep Bay mudflats. A Eurasian Woodcock was at Tai Tong on 10th.
At the Deep Bay mudflats on 1st were an adult Pallas’s Gull, a 1st-winter Black-tailed Gull, an adult Vega Gull Larus v. vegae, three immature Mongolian Gulls Larus v. mongolicus, and 30 Heuglin’s Gulls. Two Pallas’s Gulls and the Vega Gull were also seen on 3rd.
The two Oriental Storks that arrived at Mai Po on 22 November, 2020 were still present on 7th. An unseasonal Lesser Frigatebird was photographed at Luk Keng on 3rd.
Reports of single Black-winged Kites came from Fung Lok Wai and San Tin on 1st, and Ma Tso Lung on 6th. Up to two Greater Spotted Eagles and three Eastern Imperial Eagles were seen in the northwest New Territories. A Japanese Sparrowhawk was at Mai Po on 1st.
A Collared Owlet was heard and seen at Tai Po Kau on 6th. At least one Black-capped Kingfisher was regularly noted at the Mai Po boardwalk, and one was also at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway on 4th. A Chinese Barbet was reported from KFBG on 8th. A Eurasian Wryneck was in the Lok Ma Chau/San Tin area on 6th & 8th. Reports of Common Kestrel involved two at Fung Lok Wai on 1st, and singles at Ma Tso Lung on 6th and Long Valley on 10th.
A total of three Bull-headed Shrikes were reported - one at Castle Peak on 2nd, one at Cheung Chau on 3rd, and one at KFBG on 8th.The 1st-winter Grey-backed Shrike that had been present at Lam Tsuen since 29 November, 2020 remained until at least 9th. There was another record of an adult Grey-backed Shrike at an unspecified location in the northern NT on 3rd, bringing the total this winter to three. Single Brown Shrikes were reported from five widespread sites, and there were two at Cornwall Street Park on 8th.
Single Black-naped Monarchs were in the Heung Yuen Wai/Lin Ma Hang area on 2nd, at Tai Po Kau on 2nd, and in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area on 3rd. Two Eurasian Jays were seen near Kau Tam Tso on 1st. An Indochinese Green Magpie (Cat III) was present at Bride’s Pool throughout the period under review; in addition, three were in the Heung Yuen Wai/Lin Ma Hang area on 2nd, and two were in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area on 8th. This species is now well-established in the northeast New Territories. It continues to be a good winter for Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers with reports from several sites, including up to four at Tai Po Kau and three at Shek Kong catchwater.
Two Sand Martins were at Fung Lok Wai on 1st, and two Asian House Martins were at Mai Po on 9th. There were good counts of Red-rumped Swallows with 60 at San Tin on 1st and 120 at Ma Tso Lung on 6th.
The Hume’s Leaf Warbler first reported from Pak Sha O on 7 November 2020 was heard again on 9th. The highest count of Pallas’s Leaf Warblers was 17 at Shing Mun on 8th. A Common Chiffchaff was trapped at Mai Po on 5th. Single Eastern Crowned Warblers were seen at Tai Po Kau on 1st and at Shing Mun on 8th. Three White-spectacled Warblers were at Tai Po Kau on 3rd, and one was at Shing Mun on 8th. The ringed Alström's Warbler at Tai Po Kau was present until at least 7th. Other reports of Alström's Warblers, in what is an unprecedented run of records for this species, came from Nam Shan Tung near Pak Sha O on 1st & 3rd, and Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 4th & 9th. Single Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warblers were seen at Lam Tsuen and Tai Lam CP on 7th, and Kowloon Tsai Park on 9th. The only one of this species-pair identified to taxon was a Pale-legged Leaf Warbler at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 9th.
It has been a very good winter for Hartert’s Leaf Warbler, with reports of up to four at Shing Mun, six at Pak Sha O and a high count of eight at Tai Po Kau on 7th. Interestingly, some individuals of the race goodsoni have shown extensive yellow on the underparts, inviting confusion with Sulphur-breasted Warbler. It seems also that Hartert’s does not always exhibit its diagnostic nuthatch-like behaviour, which only serves to add to the confusion. Records of Sulphur-breasted Warbler involved singles at Tai Po Kau on 1st & 2nd, with two there on 7th, and one at Tai Lam CP on 1st. Single Kloss’s Leaf Warblers were at Tai Po Kau from 1st – 3rd, and two were noted on 4th & 7th.
Six Black-browed Reed Warblers were at Fung Lok Wai on 1st. A Brown Bush Warbler was at Tung Yeung Shan near Tate’s Cairn on 1st. Reports of Golden-headed Cisticola consisted of one at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway on 4th and one at Lam Tsuen on 5th.
Reports of Chestnut-flanked White-eyes involved singles at Bride’s Pool on 1st, Tai Lam CP on 1st, and Pak Sha O on 3rd; two were in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area on 8th, and one was in the Lai Chi Wo/Luk Keng area on 9th. An adult Rosy Starling at Mai Po on 5th was possibly the same individual reported earlier in the winter at San Tin.
Small numbers of Japanese Thrushes were reported from widespread sites, with 40++ individuals regularly visiting a garden on Lamma during the day. Grey-backed Thrushes were reported from fewer sites and were less numerous; the highest count was of at least five at Lamma on 1st. Eyebrowed Thrushes were seen at seven different sites, the highest count being ten at Tai Po Kau on 3rd. The only report of White’s Thrush was one at Kwun Yam Shan, KFBG on 1st, and the only report of Pale Thrush was one in the Lai Chi Wo/Luk Keng area on 9th.
Asian Brown Flycatchers were reported from six sites, all singles apart from three at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 9th. A male Hainan Blue Flycatcher was seen in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area on 3rd & 10th. There were two sightings of Small Niltava: one was at Shing Mun on 1st, and the other was at Bride’s Pool on 10th. Verditer Flycatchers were reported from ten widespread sites, all singles apart from two at Tai Po Kau on 1st &2nd. A female Siberian Blue Robin was photographed at Tai Po Kau on 9th. This is only the fourth winter record, the last being in December 2003. Single Bluethroats were at Long Valley on 1st, Mai Po on 5th, and Shek Kong catchwater on 9th. In a very poor winter for Red-flanked Bluetails, the only reports were of singles in the Tung Chung/Mui Wo area on 7th and at Tai Tong on 10th.
In contrast to Red-flanked Bluetail, it has been a good winter for Mugimaki Flycatchers with recent reports of at least ten different birds from six sites, including two in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area from 2nd – 9th, and two at Bride’s Pool on 10th. The wintering female Plumbeous Water Redstart was at Mui Shue Hang again on 2nd, and the two wintering Grey Bush Chats were seen at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 4th, with one of them there on 9th.
Chestnut Munias (Cat IIC) and White-headed Munias (Cat III) continue to be seen with Scaly-breasted Munias feeding on the extant rice at Long Valley; 15 Chestnut Munias and 40 White-headed Munias were counted there on 2nd.
Counts of wagtails at San Tin on 8th turned up 25 taivana Eastern Yellow Wagtails, 16 ocularis White Wagtails and 25 leucopsis White Wagtails. Thirty-five Olive-backed Pipits, 13 Red-throated Pipits, and five Buff-bellied Pipits were at Pui O on 7th. Other reports of Buff-bellied Pipits involved one at San Tin on 1st, one at Tai Sang Wai on 2nd, and two at Long Valley on 10th.
Two Chinese Grosbeaks were in the Heung Yuen Wai/Lin Ma Hang area on 2nd. Common Rosefinches were reported in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area from 2nd – 10th, with numbers peaking at 21 on 4th; only one was seen on 10th. An adult male Crested Bunting was at Long Valley on 2nd. Sightings of Tristram’s Buntings involved singles at Shek Kong catchwater and in the Lai Chi Wo/Luk Keng area on 9th, and two in the Wu Kau Tang/Kau Tam Tso area on 10th. An unseasonal Yellow-breasted Bunting was at Long Valley on 10th.
January 11-17
Gadwalls at Mai Po (Birding Hong Kong archive)
A cold start to the week with temperatures falling to below 5⁰C in parts of the northern New Territories; there was early morning frost in several places on 13th. Temperatures them increased from 15th-17th, rising to the low twenties in the middle of the day.
Bird-wise, it was perhaps quieter than recent weeks. Highlights were a Ruddy Shelduck at Mai Po and a Barred Cuckoo Dove at Lu Fung Shan.
A Japanese Quail was between Hung Fa Chai and Robin’s Nest on 17th. The two Greater White-fronted Geese wintering at Mai Po remained throughout the week. A male Ruddy Shelduck was seen at Mai Po on the afternoon of 15th but, like the individual on 27 November 2020, was not present on the following morning. Most records of scarcer waterfowl came at the beginning of the week. These consisted of five Gadwall at Mai Po and four Falcated Ducks at Lok Ma Chau on 11th, six Chinese Spot-billed Ducks at Mai Po on 11th with two there on 12th, a Common Pochard at Lok Ma Chau on 11th with three at Mai Po on 11th and one there on 12th, and a Ferruginous Duck at Lok Ma Chau on 11th.
A Barred Cuckoo Dove was photographed at Lung Fu Shan on 12th. This is the 15th Hong Kong record. Once considered a major rarity, this dove has occurred annually since 2014.
An Eastern Water Rail was at Long Valley on 14th & 15th. Ten Eurasian Coots were reported from Fung Lok Wai on 14th – the highest count of the winter for a species that used to occur in Hong Kong in thousands (the highest count on record involved 3,245 in the waterfowl count on 12 January 1992). Wader records from Mai Po included a Northern Lapwing on 14th, a Far Eastern Curlew and 13 Red-necked Stints on 11th, and a Nordmann’s Greenshank on 17th. Single Eurasian Woodcocks were at Shing Mun and Lamma on 17th. Gulls out on the Deep Bay mudflats on 11th included 26 Saunders’s Gulls, two Pallas’s Gulls and two Black-tailed Gulls. Pallas’s Gull numbers had increased to five - all adults - on 17th.
The two wintering Oriental Storks remained at Mai Po throughout the week. Two Eurasian Spoonbills were reported from the reserve on 11th, as were two Eurasian Bitterns on 14th. A Cinnamon Bittern was at Nam Chung on 14th.
A Black-winged Kite was at Mai Po on 11th & 12th. Three Greater Spotted Eagles were at Mai Po, and two were at Lok Ma Chau on 11th. Single Eastern Imperial Eagles were seen at Mai Po and Lok Ma Chau on 11th, and San Tin on 16th. A Bonelli’s Eagle was over KFBG on 11th.
A pair of Eurasian Hoopoes was at Pui O on 16th; these birds have apparently been wintering in the Pui O/Shap Long area for several weeks. Two Black-capped Kingfishers were at Pui O on 11th, and one was there on 13th. A Eurasian Wryneck was at Ma Tso Lung on 17th. Single Common Kestrels were at Shek Kong Airfield Road between 11th & 17th, at Mai Po on 12th, and between Hung Fa Chai and Robin’s Nest on 17th.
Single Brown Shrikes were at Yuen Long Park and Shek Kong Airfield Road on 12th, at Nam Sang Wai on 12th & 14th, at KFBG on 13th, and near Oscar by the Sea on 14th. The birds at Nam Sang Wai and KFBG were of the nominate race cristatus; the Oscar by the Sea bird was of the taxon lucionensis.
The highest count of Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers was three at Tai Po Kau on 11th. Thirty-two Chinese Penduline Tits were at Mai Po on 15th. Thirteen Black Bulbuls were at Tai Lam CP on 15th, one was in Tai Po Kau on 11th & 15th with two there on 17th, and ten were at Shing Mun on 17th. Three Black-throated Tits were seen at Shing Mun on 14th, and one was heard at Tai Po Kau on 17th.
The wintering Hume’s Leaf Warbler was again reported from Pak Sha O on 17th. A White Spectacled Warbler was at Tai Po Kau on 17th. There were three reports of single Alström's Warblers -at Pak Sha O on 11th, Shing Mun on 14th, and Tai Po Kau on 17th. The Shing Mun bird is yet another new report for the winter. Single Sulphur-breasted Warblers were at Tai Po Kau on 11th and Tai Lam CP on 15th. The highest count of Hartert’s Leaf Warblers was six at Tai Po Kau on 17th. Up to two Kloss’s Leaf Warblers were at Tai Po Kau between 11th & 17th. Three Black-browed Reed Warblers and a Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler were at Fung Lok Wai on 14th. A Brown Bush Warbler was at Tate’s Cairn on 17th.
Ten Indochinese Yuhinas were at Tai Lam CP on 15th. Also on 15th, a Chestnut-flanked White-eye was in Tai Po Kau, and the adult Rosy Starling was seen again at Mai Po. Another Chestnut-flanked White-eye was at Shing Mun on 17th.
A White’s Thrush was at Lamma on 17th. Small numbers of Grey-backed, Japanese and Eyebrowed Thrushes were reported from several widespread sites. A Pale Thrush was at Pak Sha O on 11th and a Brown-headed Thrush was at Tai Lam CP on 15th.
The highest count of Asian Brown Flycatchers was three at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 11th & 12th. Verditer Flycatchers were reported as follows: one at Quarry Bay on 12th, one at Bride’s Pool on 14th, two at Wu Kau Tang on 14th, and one at Tai Po Kau on 17th. The female Siberian Blue Robin from 10th was seen again at Tai Po Kau on 11th but not thereafter. Eleven Rufous-tailed Robins were at south Lantau on 13th. Four Japanese Robins were heard at Tai Lam CP on 15th. A Bluethroat was at Lok Ma Chau on 11th. Single Red-flanked Bluetails were at Pak Sha O on 11th, south Lantau on 13th, and at Nam Sang Wai on 16th & 17th. At least one of the resident Slaty-backed Forktails was seen at Shing Mun between 11th & 16th. Two Mugimaki Flycatchers were at Bride’s Pool on 14th, and singles were at KFBG on 13th, and at Tai Po Kau, Wu Kau Tang and Pak Sha O on 17th. A male Grey Bush Chat was reported from Wah Shan Tsuen, Sheung Shui on 13th, and a female was at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 17th.
The highest count of Olive-backed Pipits was 20 at Tai Lam CP on 15th. Buff-bellied Pipits were reported as follows: one at Mai Po on 11th & 15th, eight at Pui O on 13th, and one at Long Valley on 15th. Twenty-four Chinese Grosbeaks were at Yuen Long Park on 11th, and two were at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 12th & 17th. Six Common Rosefinches were at Shui Hau on 16th. The adult male Crested Bunting was at Long Valley from 11th – 14th. A Chestnut-eared Bunting was at Long Valley on 15th, and a Yellow-breasted Bunting was at the same location on 12th & 13th.
Bird-wise, it was perhaps quieter than recent weeks. Highlights were a Ruddy Shelduck at Mai Po and a Barred Cuckoo Dove at Lu Fung Shan.
A Japanese Quail was between Hung Fa Chai and Robin’s Nest on 17th. The two Greater White-fronted Geese wintering at Mai Po remained throughout the week. A male Ruddy Shelduck was seen at Mai Po on the afternoon of 15th but, like the individual on 27 November 2020, was not present on the following morning. Most records of scarcer waterfowl came at the beginning of the week. These consisted of five Gadwall at Mai Po and four Falcated Ducks at Lok Ma Chau on 11th, six Chinese Spot-billed Ducks at Mai Po on 11th with two there on 12th, a Common Pochard at Lok Ma Chau on 11th with three at Mai Po on 11th and one there on 12th, and a Ferruginous Duck at Lok Ma Chau on 11th.
A Barred Cuckoo Dove was photographed at Lung Fu Shan on 12th. This is the 15th Hong Kong record. Once considered a major rarity, this dove has occurred annually since 2014.
An Eastern Water Rail was at Long Valley on 14th & 15th. Ten Eurasian Coots were reported from Fung Lok Wai on 14th – the highest count of the winter for a species that used to occur in Hong Kong in thousands (the highest count on record involved 3,245 in the waterfowl count on 12 January 1992). Wader records from Mai Po included a Northern Lapwing on 14th, a Far Eastern Curlew and 13 Red-necked Stints on 11th, and a Nordmann’s Greenshank on 17th. Single Eurasian Woodcocks were at Shing Mun and Lamma on 17th. Gulls out on the Deep Bay mudflats on 11th included 26 Saunders’s Gulls, two Pallas’s Gulls and two Black-tailed Gulls. Pallas’s Gull numbers had increased to five - all adults - on 17th.
The two wintering Oriental Storks remained at Mai Po throughout the week. Two Eurasian Spoonbills were reported from the reserve on 11th, as were two Eurasian Bitterns on 14th. A Cinnamon Bittern was at Nam Chung on 14th.
A Black-winged Kite was at Mai Po on 11th & 12th. Three Greater Spotted Eagles were at Mai Po, and two were at Lok Ma Chau on 11th. Single Eastern Imperial Eagles were seen at Mai Po and Lok Ma Chau on 11th, and San Tin on 16th. A Bonelli’s Eagle was over KFBG on 11th.
A pair of Eurasian Hoopoes was at Pui O on 16th; these birds have apparently been wintering in the Pui O/Shap Long area for several weeks. Two Black-capped Kingfishers were at Pui O on 11th, and one was there on 13th. A Eurasian Wryneck was at Ma Tso Lung on 17th. Single Common Kestrels were at Shek Kong Airfield Road between 11th & 17th, at Mai Po on 12th, and between Hung Fa Chai and Robin’s Nest on 17th.
Single Brown Shrikes were at Yuen Long Park and Shek Kong Airfield Road on 12th, at Nam Sang Wai on 12th & 14th, at KFBG on 13th, and near Oscar by the Sea on 14th. The birds at Nam Sang Wai and KFBG were of the nominate race cristatus; the Oscar by the Sea bird was of the taxon lucionensis.
The highest count of Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers was three at Tai Po Kau on 11th. Thirty-two Chinese Penduline Tits were at Mai Po on 15th. Thirteen Black Bulbuls were at Tai Lam CP on 15th, one was in Tai Po Kau on 11th & 15th with two there on 17th, and ten were at Shing Mun on 17th. Three Black-throated Tits were seen at Shing Mun on 14th, and one was heard at Tai Po Kau on 17th.
The wintering Hume’s Leaf Warbler was again reported from Pak Sha O on 17th. A White Spectacled Warbler was at Tai Po Kau on 17th. There were three reports of single Alström's Warblers -at Pak Sha O on 11th, Shing Mun on 14th, and Tai Po Kau on 17th. The Shing Mun bird is yet another new report for the winter. Single Sulphur-breasted Warblers were at Tai Po Kau on 11th and Tai Lam CP on 15th. The highest count of Hartert’s Leaf Warblers was six at Tai Po Kau on 17th. Up to two Kloss’s Leaf Warblers were at Tai Po Kau between 11th & 17th. Three Black-browed Reed Warblers and a Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler were at Fung Lok Wai on 14th. A Brown Bush Warbler was at Tate’s Cairn on 17th.
Ten Indochinese Yuhinas were at Tai Lam CP on 15th. Also on 15th, a Chestnut-flanked White-eye was in Tai Po Kau, and the adult Rosy Starling was seen again at Mai Po. Another Chestnut-flanked White-eye was at Shing Mun on 17th.
A White’s Thrush was at Lamma on 17th. Small numbers of Grey-backed, Japanese and Eyebrowed Thrushes were reported from several widespread sites. A Pale Thrush was at Pak Sha O on 11th and a Brown-headed Thrush was at Tai Lam CP on 15th.
The highest count of Asian Brown Flycatchers was three at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 11th & 12th. Verditer Flycatchers were reported as follows: one at Quarry Bay on 12th, one at Bride’s Pool on 14th, two at Wu Kau Tang on 14th, and one at Tai Po Kau on 17th. The female Siberian Blue Robin from 10th was seen again at Tai Po Kau on 11th but not thereafter. Eleven Rufous-tailed Robins were at south Lantau on 13th. Four Japanese Robins were heard at Tai Lam CP on 15th. A Bluethroat was at Lok Ma Chau on 11th. Single Red-flanked Bluetails were at Pak Sha O on 11th, south Lantau on 13th, and at Nam Sang Wai on 16th & 17th. At least one of the resident Slaty-backed Forktails was seen at Shing Mun between 11th & 16th. Two Mugimaki Flycatchers were at Bride’s Pool on 14th, and singles were at KFBG on 13th, and at Tai Po Kau, Wu Kau Tang and Pak Sha O on 17th. A male Grey Bush Chat was reported from Wah Shan Tsuen, Sheung Shui on 13th, and a female was at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 17th.
The highest count of Olive-backed Pipits was 20 at Tai Lam CP on 15th. Buff-bellied Pipits were reported as follows: one at Mai Po on 11th & 15th, eight at Pui O on 13th, and one at Long Valley on 15th. Twenty-four Chinese Grosbeaks were at Yuen Long Park on 11th, and two were at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 12th & 17th. Six Common Rosefinches were at Shui Hau on 16th. The adult male Crested Bunting was at Long Valley from 11th – 14th. A Chestnut-eared Bunting was at Long Valley on 15th, and a Yellow-breasted Bunting was at the same location on 12th & 13th.
January 18-24
Ashy Drongo at Shek Kong catchwater, 21 January 2021
It was fine and dry during the week. Temperatures rose to 26⁰C on 22nd & 23rd, bringing spring-like conditions to the territory. The sense of spring was enhanced by several reports of Crested Serpent Eagles and Crested Goshawks in territorial display flights, the odd Asian Koel singing, and an early Large Hawk Cuckoo brain-fevering at Mai Po.
The two adult Greater White-fronted Geese remained throughout the week. A third bird – a juvenile – was seen elsewhere on the reserve on 23rd; this may have been the same juvenile that was reported on 11 December 2020. Scarcer ducks reported from Mai Po included four Gadwall, 14 Chinese Spot-billed Ducks and a Common Pochard on 20th, and six Mallard on 23rd. Lok Ma Chau turned up five Falcated Ducks on 24th, two Common Pochards on 21st, and a Ferruginous Duck on 21st & 24th.
A hundred House Swifts were at San Tin on 22nd. The Large Hawk Cuckoo referred to above was heard singing at Mai Po on 22nd. This is a new earliest date by eight days.
A Eurasian Coot was at San Tin on 22nd. The Eurasian Oystercatcher that was first seen at Pak Nai on 14 December 2020 was still present on 24th. Other waders of interest included a Northern Lapwing at Mui Wo on 23rd, a Eurasian Woodcock at Tai Lam CP on 22nd, and a Pintail Snipe at Long Valley on 21st. Gulls out on the Deep Bay mudflats on 18th included six Pallas’s Gulls - a new highest count, a Black-tailed Gull and a 1st-winter Common (Mew) Gull of the race L. c. heinei. The latter is potentially the 11th record of the taxon heinei in Hong Kong, although the past records need to be reviewed to clarify its status. Thirty Saunders’s Gulls were counted on 20th. Four Caspian Terns were noted on 18th.
The two wintering Oriental Storks remained at Mai Po throughout the week. A Eurasian Spoonbill and two Eurasian Bitterns were seen on the reserve on 18th.
A Black-winged Kite was at Mai Po access road on 20th, and one was at Ma Tso Lung on 21st. A Crested Honey Buzzard was at Tai Po Kau on 24th. Up to three Greater Spotted Eagles were reported from the northwest New Territories, and one was at Lam Tsuen on 24th – an unusual location for this species. Two Eastern Imperial Eagles were seen at Mai Po on 23rd.
Single Chinese Barbets were heard singing at KFBG on 20th & 21st, and at Tai Lam CP on 22nd. Two Eurasian Wrynecks were at Ma Tso Lung on 21st.
The wintering Grey-backed Shrike was again seen at Lam Tsuen on 23rd & 24th. Single Brown Shrikes were at Nam Sang Wai on 18th, Ma Tso Lung on 21st, Ma On Shan on 23rd, and Lok Ma Chau on 24th. A Black-naped Oriole was at Mui Wo on 23rd.
Single Black-naped Monarchs were at Palm Springs on 20th & 22nd, and at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 23rd. Reports of single Indochinese Green Magpies (Cat III) came from Bride’s Pool on 19th & 22nd, and Shan Liu Rd, Sai Kung on 22nd. The highest count of Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers was four at Tai Po Kau on 20th. Twelve Black Bulbuls were at Tai Lam CP on 23rd. A Sand Martin was at Ma Tso Lung on 21st. A Black-throated Tit was at Shing Mun on 24th.
An Eastern Crowned Warbler was at Shing Mun on 23rd & 24th. A White Spectacled Warbler and the wintering Alström's Warbler were seen at Tai Po Kau throughout the week. Another Alström's Warbler was at Pak Sha O on 24th. Single Pale-legged Leaf Warblers were reported from Tai Mei Tuk catchwater and Lam Tsuen on 23rd. A Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler was at Tai Lam CP on 22nd. Two Sulphur-breasted Warblers were at Tai Po Kau on 21st, one was at Shing Mun on 23rd, and one was at Yan Yee Road on 24th. The highest count of Hartert’s Leaf Warblers was eight at Tai Po Kau on 21st. Two Kloss’s Leaf Warblers were at Tai Po Kau on 21st. A Black-browed Reed Warbler was at Mai Po on 18th. A Lanceolated Warbler was at Mai Po on 22nd. A Brown Bush Warbler was reported from Shing Mun on 18th.
Records of Chestnut-flanked White-eyes involved the following: one at Pak Sha O on 18th; one at Pak Tam Chung on 18th & 20th; one at Bride’s Pool on 19th & 24th; three at KFBG on 20th; two at Tai Lam CP on 23rd. A Rosy Starling was seen at Mai Po on 22nd and Lok Ma Chau on 24th. Records of Common Starling consisted of seven at Lok Ma Chau on 21st with eight there on 24th, and one at Mai Po on 22nd
An Orange-headed Thrush was at Shing Mun on 18th. Singe White’s Thrushes were at KFBG on 20th and Shing Mun on 23rd. Small numbers of Grey-backed, Japanese and Eyebrowed Thrushes were reported from several widespread sites. Four Pale Thrushes were at Yan Yee Road on 19th, and one was at Tai Po Kau on 22nd.
White-rumped Shamas (Cat III) were noted as follows: one at Shing Mun on 18th & 20th, with two there on 23rd; two at Pak Tam Chung on 18th; one at Yan Yee Road on 19th, 20th & 24th. This species has, in fact, been regularly reported for several months now, mainly from the Sai Kung area. It is possible that a self-sustaining population is becoming established, in which case it would be a candidate for elevation to Category IIB. However, it is also possible that some of these sightings are a result of ongoing releases into the wild.
Single Asian Brown Flycatchers were reported from at least five different sites in the New Territories. A Fujian Niltava was seen briefly at Pak Sha O on 24th. Verditer Flycatchers were reported as follows: two at Shing Mun from 18th - 22nd; one at Chai Wan Park on 18th & 19th; one at Lam Tsuen on 19th; one at Bride’s Pool on 22nd; one at Chai Wan on 23rd; one at Mui Wo on 23rd, with two there on 24th; one at Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail on 23rd; one at Yan Yee Road on 24th. A Bluethroat was at Tai Sang Wai on 23rd. Red-flanked Bluetails were noted as follows: one at Shing Mun on 18th & 23rd, with two there on 19th; one at Nam Sang Wai on 18th; two at Tai Po Kau on 20th. A Slaty-backed Forktail was again seen at Shing Mun throughout the week, and one was also seen near Tsuen Wan on 23rd. Single Mugimaki Flycatchers were at Tuen Mun Park and Shing Mun on 18th, Bride’s Pool on 19th & 24th, Discovery Bay on 20th, Tai Lam CP on 22nd, and Yan Yee Road on 24th; three were at Pak Sha O on 24th. A Grey Bush Chat was at Wu Kau Tang on 21st, two were at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 23rd, and one was at Lam Tsuen on 24th.
A Plain Flowerpecker was singing at Lam Tsuen on 20th. The first Mrs Gould’s Sunbird of the season was a 1st-winter male at Shing Mun on 23rd. A female Russet Sparrow was at Long Valley on 23rd. Single Buff-bellied Pipits were at Mai Po on 20th, Ma Tso Lung on 21st, and Tai Sang Wai on 23rd. Seven Chinese Grosbeaks were at Shek Kong catchwater on 19th. Six Common Rosefinches were at Kau Tam Tso on 19th.
The two adult Greater White-fronted Geese remained throughout the week. A third bird – a juvenile – was seen elsewhere on the reserve on 23rd; this may have been the same juvenile that was reported on 11 December 2020. Scarcer ducks reported from Mai Po included four Gadwall, 14 Chinese Spot-billed Ducks and a Common Pochard on 20th, and six Mallard on 23rd. Lok Ma Chau turned up five Falcated Ducks on 24th, two Common Pochards on 21st, and a Ferruginous Duck on 21st & 24th.
A hundred House Swifts were at San Tin on 22nd. The Large Hawk Cuckoo referred to above was heard singing at Mai Po on 22nd. This is a new earliest date by eight days.
A Eurasian Coot was at San Tin on 22nd. The Eurasian Oystercatcher that was first seen at Pak Nai on 14 December 2020 was still present on 24th. Other waders of interest included a Northern Lapwing at Mui Wo on 23rd, a Eurasian Woodcock at Tai Lam CP on 22nd, and a Pintail Snipe at Long Valley on 21st. Gulls out on the Deep Bay mudflats on 18th included six Pallas’s Gulls - a new highest count, a Black-tailed Gull and a 1st-winter Common (Mew) Gull of the race L. c. heinei. The latter is potentially the 11th record of the taxon heinei in Hong Kong, although the past records need to be reviewed to clarify its status. Thirty Saunders’s Gulls were counted on 20th. Four Caspian Terns were noted on 18th.
The two wintering Oriental Storks remained at Mai Po throughout the week. A Eurasian Spoonbill and two Eurasian Bitterns were seen on the reserve on 18th.
A Black-winged Kite was at Mai Po access road on 20th, and one was at Ma Tso Lung on 21st. A Crested Honey Buzzard was at Tai Po Kau on 24th. Up to three Greater Spotted Eagles were reported from the northwest New Territories, and one was at Lam Tsuen on 24th – an unusual location for this species. Two Eastern Imperial Eagles were seen at Mai Po on 23rd.
Single Chinese Barbets were heard singing at KFBG on 20th & 21st, and at Tai Lam CP on 22nd. Two Eurasian Wrynecks were at Ma Tso Lung on 21st.
The wintering Grey-backed Shrike was again seen at Lam Tsuen on 23rd & 24th. Single Brown Shrikes were at Nam Sang Wai on 18th, Ma Tso Lung on 21st, Ma On Shan on 23rd, and Lok Ma Chau on 24th. A Black-naped Oriole was at Mui Wo on 23rd.
Single Black-naped Monarchs were at Palm Springs on 20th & 22nd, and at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 23rd. Reports of single Indochinese Green Magpies (Cat III) came from Bride’s Pool on 19th & 22nd, and Shan Liu Rd, Sai Kung on 22nd. The highest count of Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers was four at Tai Po Kau on 20th. Twelve Black Bulbuls were at Tai Lam CP on 23rd. A Sand Martin was at Ma Tso Lung on 21st. A Black-throated Tit was at Shing Mun on 24th.
An Eastern Crowned Warbler was at Shing Mun on 23rd & 24th. A White Spectacled Warbler and the wintering Alström's Warbler were seen at Tai Po Kau throughout the week. Another Alström's Warbler was at Pak Sha O on 24th. Single Pale-legged Leaf Warblers were reported from Tai Mei Tuk catchwater and Lam Tsuen on 23rd. A Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler was at Tai Lam CP on 22nd. Two Sulphur-breasted Warblers were at Tai Po Kau on 21st, one was at Shing Mun on 23rd, and one was at Yan Yee Road on 24th. The highest count of Hartert’s Leaf Warblers was eight at Tai Po Kau on 21st. Two Kloss’s Leaf Warblers were at Tai Po Kau on 21st. A Black-browed Reed Warbler was at Mai Po on 18th. A Lanceolated Warbler was at Mai Po on 22nd. A Brown Bush Warbler was reported from Shing Mun on 18th.
Records of Chestnut-flanked White-eyes involved the following: one at Pak Sha O on 18th; one at Pak Tam Chung on 18th & 20th; one at Bride’s Pool on 19th & 24th; three at KFBG on 20th; two at Tai Lam CP on 23rd. A Rosy Starling was seen at Mai Po on 22nd and Lok Ma Chau on 24th. Records of Common Starling consisted of seven at Lok Ma Chau on 21st with eight there on 24th, and one at Mai Po on 22nd
An Orange-headed Thrush was at Shing Mun on 18th. Singe White’s Thrushes were at KFBG on 20th and Shing Mun on 23rd. Small numbers of Grey-backed, Japanese and Eyebrowed Thrushes were reported from several widespread sites. Four Pale Thrushes were at Yan Yee Road on 19th, and one was at Tai Po Kau on 22nd.
White-rumped Shamas (Cat III) were noted as follows: one at Shing Mun on 18th & 20th, with two there on 23rd; two at Pak Tam Chung on 18th; one at Yan Yee Road on 19th, 20th & 24th. This species has, in fact, been regularly reported for several months now, mainly from the Sai Kung area. It is possible that a self-sustaining population is becoming established, in which case it would be a candidate for elevation to Category IIB. However, it is also possible that some of these sightings are a result of ongoing releases into the wild.
Single Asian Brown Flycatchers were reported from at least five different sites in the New Territories. A Fujian Niltava was seen briefly at Pak Sha O on 24th. Verditer Flycatchers were reported as follows: two at Shing Mun from 18th - 22nd; one at Chai Wan Park on 18th & 19th; one at Lam Tsuen on 19th; one at Bride’s Pool on 22nd; one at Chai Wan on 23rd; one at Mui Wo on 23rd, with two there on 24th; one at Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail on 23rd; one at Yan Yee Road on 24th. A Bluethroat was at Tai Sang Wai on 23rd. Red-flanked Bluetails were noted as follows: one at Shing Mun on 18th & 23rd, with two there on 19th; one at Nam Sang Wai on 18th; two at Tai Po Kau on 20th. A Slaty-backed Forktail was again seen at Shing Mun throughout the week, and one was also seen near Tsuen Wan on 23rd. Single Mugimaki Flycatchers were at Tuen Mun Park and Shing Mun on 18th, Bride’s Pool on 19th & 24th, Discovery Bay on 20th, Tai Lam CP on 22nd, and Yan Yee Road on 24th; three were at Pak Sha O on 24th. A Grey Bush Chat was at Wu Kau Tang on 21st, two were at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 23rd, and one was at Lam Tsuen on 24th.
A Plain Flowerpecker was singing at Lam Tsuen on 20th. The first Mrs Gould’s Sunbird of the season was a 1st-winter male at Shing Mun on 23rd. A female Russet Sparrow was at Long Valley on 23rd. Single Buff-bellied Pipits were at Mai Po on 20th, Ma Tso Lung on 21st, and Tai Sang Wai on 23rd. Seven Chinese Grosbeaks were at Shek Kong catchwater on 19th. Six Common Rosefinches were at Kau Tam Tso on 19th.
January 25-31
Eurasian Coot at Mai Po (Birding Hong Kong archive)
Fine and dry conditions with clear blue skies and winds from the east or northeast. Temperatures down to 14⁰C in the mornings rising to the low-twenties in the afternoons.
There was a late record of a potential first for Hong Kong – a Black-chinned Yuhina photographed at KFBG on 22nd. This species is resident from north India east to southeast China. It is common at Yao Shan in east Guangxi and at Wuyishan in northwest Fujian, but there are only two reports from Guangdong, both in the northern mountains (information courtesy of Richard Lewthwaite.)
Other records of note during the week involved sightings of Northern Goshawk and Lesser Frigatebird, both at Mai Po. Details of these and other birds follow:
The two adult Greater White-fronted Geese remained throughout the week, but there were no further reports of the juvenile seen on 23rd. Ducks reported from Mai Po included four Gadwall, eight Falcated Ducks, 19 Chinese Spot-billed Ducks and two Common Pochards on 30th. Three Ferruginous Duck were at San Tin, also on 30th.
Three Eurasian Coots were at San Tin on 30th. Four Pallas’s Gulls were at Mai Po on 29th, with five there on 30th. Other gull sightings from Mai Po included a Black-tailed Gull on 30th, the 1st-winter Common (Mew) Gull L. c. heinei again on 29th, and two 1st-winter gulls showing characteristics of nominate Vega Gull on 30th.
One Oriental Stork was seen at Mai Po from 28th - 30th. A juvenile Lesser Frigatebird spent most of the high tide period on 30th flying over Deep Bay with Black Kites; it was again present on 31st. This is the second record of this species so far this winter; most records occur in spring and summer. Three Eurasian Spoonbills were at San Tin on 30th, along with 84 Black-faced Spoonbills. A Eurasian Bittern was seen at Mai Po on 30th.
Raptor highlight of the week was a juvenile Northern Goshawk photographed at Mai Po on 29th. If accepted, this will be the third record of a wild bird after singles at Mai Po on 11 December 2011 and Pui O on 1 January 2018.
Eleven Collared Scops Owls were heard along the south Lantau catchment on 27th, which equals the highest count of 11 along Bride's Pool Road on 17 April 200. The long-staying Collared Owlet was again noted at Tai Po Kau on 25th & 26th.
A Chinese Barbet was at KFBG on 26th. Other reports from KFBG included a Bull-headed Shrike on 27th and a Grey-backed Shrike on 25th; the latter is presumably the same adult as was seen on 10 December 2020.
A Black-naped Oriole was at Lam Tsuen on 28th. Single Black-naped Monarchs were at Palm Springs on 27th & 30th, at Pak Sha O on 28th, and at Ping Yeung on 29th. The highest counts of Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers involved four at Tai Po Kau and four at Lung Fu Shan on 30th. Two Eurasian Skylarks were at San Tin on 30th. Eleven Black Bulbuls were at Tai Lam CP on 29th. Hirundines counted at Mai Po on 30th consisted of a Sand Martin, 260 Barn Swallows and 22 Red-rumped Swallows. Single Rufous-faced Warblers – the first of the autumn – were reported from Tai Tong on 28th and Shing Mun on 29th. Up to five Black-throated Tits were at Shing Mun during the week.
The long-staying Hume’s Leaf Warbler was noted again at Pak Sha O on 30th, and another was at Shing Mun on 30th. A Common Chiffchaff was trapped at Mai Po on 26th. This is the second bird trapped at Mai Po this year after one on 5 January, and brings the total number of Hong Kong records to at least 19. It has occurred annually since 2016, Single Eastern Crowned Warblers were at Shing Mun on 26th & 30th, at Tai Lam CP on 29th, and at Lam Tsuen on 30th. A White Spectacled Warbler was at Tai Po Kau on 30th & 31st. Reports of wintering Alström's Warblers involved one at Shing Mun on 27th & 30th, with two there on 29th, one at Tai Po Kau on 27th, and one at Tai Tong on 28th. It has been an exceptional season for this species. Apart from three migrant birds in October, at least nine different birds have been reported between November and January. This brings the total number of Hong Kong records to c.22. A Pale-legged Leaf Warbler was at south Lantau on 27th. A Sulphur-breasted Warbler was at Tai Po Kau on 27th & 31st.The highest count of Hartert’s Leaf Warblers was five at Tai Po Kau on 30th. Single Kloss’s Leaf Warblers were at Shing Mun from 25th – 30th, at Tai Lam CP on 29th, and at Tai Po Kau on 30th.
Seven Golden-headed Cisticiolas were at Ping Yeung on 29th. A Chinese Grassbird was at Lam Tsuen on 30th. Three Chestnut-flanked White-eyes were at Shing Mun on 26th, one was at KFBG on 25th & 26th, and two were at Pak Sha O on 31st.
Single White’s Thrushes were at Shing Mun and south Lantau on 27th; and at Pak Sha O on 29th. A Pale Thrush was at Pak Sha O 31st. Highest reported counts of the regular wintering thrushes were seven Grey-backed Thrushes and ten Japanese Thrushes at Shing Mun on 27th, and six Eyebrowed Thrushes at Tai Lam CP on 29th.
A Hainan Blue Flycatcher was at Pak Sha O on 30th. Two Japanese Robins were at Tai Lam CP on 29th. Single Red-flanked Bluetails were at Shing Mun on 25th and southwest Lantau on 29th. A Slaty-backed Forktail was again seen at Shing Mun throughout the week. The highest count of Mugimaki Flycatchers was four at Pak Sha O on 28th
A Buff-bellied Pipit was at Mai Po on 30th. Five Chinese Grosbeaks were at Ping Yeung on 29th, and seven were at Lam Tsuen on 30th.Two Common Rosefinches were at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 28th, and one was there on 31st. Reports of Eurasian Siskins consisted of 26 at Tai Tong on 27th with six there on 30th, 20 at Pak Sha O on 28th, and one at Tai Po Kau on 30th. Six Tristram’s Buntings were at Tai Lam CP on 29th. The highest count of Little Buntings was 17 at Ping Yeung on 29th. The highest count of Black-faced Buntings was 11 at Lam Tsuen on 30th.
There was a late record of a potential first for Hong Kong – a Black-chinned Yuhina photographed at KFBG on 22nd. This species is resident from north India east to southeast China. It is common at Yao Shan in east Guangxi and at Wuyishan in northwest Fujian, but there are only two reports from Guangdong, both in the northern mountains (information courtesy of Richard Lewthwaite.)
Other records of note during the week involved sightings of Northern Goshawk and Lesser Frigatebird, both at Mai Po. Details of these and other birds follow:
The two adult Greater White-fronted Geese remained throughout the week, but there were no further reports of the juvenile seen on 23rd. Ducks reported from Mai Po included four Gadwall, eight Falcated Ducks, 19 Chinese Spot-billed Ducks and two Common Pochards on 30th. Three Ferruginous Duck were at San Tin, also on 30th.
Three Eurasian Coots were at San Tin on 30th. Four Pallas’s Gulls were at Mai Po on 29th, with five there on 30th. Other gull sightings from Mai Po included a Black-tailed Gull on 30th, the 1st-winter Common (Mew) Gull L. c. heinei again on 29th, and two 1st-winter gulls showing characteristics of nominate Vega Gull on 30th.
One Oriental Stork was seen at Mai Po from 28th - 30th. A juvenile Lesser Frigatebird spent most of the high tide period on 30th flying over Deep Bay with Black Kites; it was again present on 31st. This is the second record of this species so far this winter; most records occur in spring and summer. Three Eurasian Spoonbills were at San Tin on 30th, along with 84 Black-faced Spoonbills. A Eurasian Bittern was seen at Mai Po on 30th.
Raptor highlight of the week was a juvenile Northern Goshawk photographed at Mai Po on 29th. If accepted, this will be the third record of a wild bird after singles at Mai Po on 11 December 2011 and Pui O on 1 January 2018.
Eleven Collared Scops Owls were heard along the south Lantau catchment on 27th, which equals the highest count of 11 along Bride's Pool Road on 17 April 200. The long-staying Collared Owlet was again noted at Tai Po Kau on 25th & 26th.
A Chinese Barbet was at KFBG on 26th. Other reports from KFBG included a Bull-headed Shrike on 27th and a Grey-backed Shrike on 25th; the latter is presumably the same adult as was seen on 10 December 2020.
A Black-naped Oriole was at Lam Tsuen on 28th. Single Black-naped Monarchs were at Palm Springs on 27th & 30th, at Pak Sha O on 28th, and at Ping Yeung on 29th. The highest counts of Grey-headed Canary-flycatchers involved four at Tai Po Kau and four at Lung Fu Shan on 30th. Two Eurasian Skylarks were at San Tin on 30th. Eleven Black Bulbuls were at Tai Lam CP on 29th. Hirundines counted at Mai Po on 30th consisted of a Sand Martin, 260 Barn Swallows and 22 Red-rumped Swallows. Single Rufous-faced Warblers – the first of the autumn – were reported from Tai Tong on 28th and Shing Mun on 29th. Up to five Black-throated Tits were at Shing Mun during the week.
The long-staying Hume’s Leaf Warbler was noted again at Pak Sha O on 30th, and another was at Shing Mun on 30th. A Common Chiffchaff was trapped at Mai Po on 26th. This is the second bird trapped at Mai Po this year after one on 5 January, and brings the total number of Hong Kong records to at least 19. It has occurred annually since 2016, Single Eastern Crowned Warblers were at Shing Mun on 26th & 30th, at Tai Lam CP on 29th, and at Lam Tsuen on 30th. A White Spectacled Warbler was at Tai Po Kau on 30th & 31st. Reports of wintering Alström's Warblers involved one at Shing Mun on 27th & 30th, with two there on 29th, one at Tai Po Kau on 27th, and one at Tai Tong on 28th. It has been an exceptional season for this species. Apart from three migrant birds in October, at least nine different birds have been reported between November and January. This brings the total number of Hong Kong records to c.22. A Pale-legged Leaf Warbler was at south Lantau on 27th. A Sulphur-breasted Warbler was at Tai Po Kau on 27th & 31st.The highest count of Hartert’s Leaf Warblers was five at Tai Po Kau on 30th. Single Kloss’s Leaf Warblers were at Shing Mun from 25th – 30th, at Tai Lam CP on 29th, and at Tai Po Kau on 30th.
Seven Golden-headed Cisticiolas were at Ping Yeung on 29th. A Chinese Grassbird was at Lam Tsuen on 30th. Three Chestnut-flanked White-eyes were at Shing Mun on 26th, one was at KFBG on 25th & 26th, and two were at Pak Sha O on 31st.
Single White’s Thrushes were at Shing Mun and south Lantau on 27th; and at Pak Sha O on 29th. A Pale Thrush was at Pak Sha O 31st. Highest reported counts of the regular wintering thrushes were seven Grey-backed Thrushes and ten Japanese Thrushes at Shing Mun on 27th, and six Eyebrowed Thrushes at Tai Lam CP on 29th.
A Hainan Blue Flycatcher was at Pak Sha O on 30th. Two Japanese Robins were at Tai Lam CP on 29th. Single Red-flanked Bluetails were at Shing Mun on 25th and southwest Lantau on 29th. A Slaty-backed Forktail was again seen at Shing Mun throughout the week. The highest count of Mugimaki Flycatchers was four at Pak Sha O on 28th
A Buff-bellied Pipit was at Mai Po on 30th. Five Chinese Grosbeaks were at Ping Yeung on 29th, and seven were at Lam Tsuen on 30th.Two Common Rosefinches were at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 28th, and one was there on 31st. Reports of Eurasian Siskins consisted of 26 at Tai Tong on 27th with six there on 30th, 20 at Pak Sha O on 28th, and one at Tai Po Kau on 30th. Six Tristram’s Buntings were at Tai Lam CP on 29th. The highest count of Little Buntings was 17 at Ping Yeung on 29th. The highest count of Black-faced Buntings was 11 at Lam Tsuen on 30th.
Black-faced Bunting at Long Valley (Birding Hong Kong archive)
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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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