LATEST SIGHTINGS - MARCH 2020
March 1-8
March 1-8
Grey-capped Greenfinch at Plover Cove dam, Tai Mei Tuk, 3 March 2020
The first day of March brought temperatures of up to 28⁰C to the New Territories. A surge of the northeast monsoon from 4th onwards brought cooler temperatures (14-20⁰C) and rain patches to southern China. At the end of the week the northeast monsoon was replaced by a maritime airstream, raising the temperature a little and considerably increasing the humidity.
The tides at Mai Po were again good for bird watching. On 1st, the drake Eurasian x American Wigeon, a Pallas’s Gull, a Black-tailed Gull and a Mew (Kamchatka) Gull were seen. On 2nd, the Common Shelduck that had been seen flying over the reserve on 26 February was relocated out in Deep Bay. Other birds out on the mud flats on the same day included Nordmann’s Greenshank, Pallas’s Gull, Black-tailed Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Gull-billed Tern and Caspian Tern, all single birds. Two Pallas’s Gulls and the Mew (Kamchatka) Gull were present on 3rd. On 5th, the Common Shelduck was on the scrape on the main reserve over high tide, as were the Nordmann’s Greenshank and a Long-billed Dowitcher among the roosting Tringas. A pair of Falcated Ducks was also present on pond 11. The Common Shelduck was again on the scrape on 7th and a drake Mallard – the same bird as was seen on 27 February - was on pond 21 at the southern end of the reserve. The Mallard was seen again on 8th; also noted then were four Falcated Ducks, eleven Chinese Spot-billed Ducks, three Oriental Pratincoles - the first of the spring, the long-staying Chinese Grey Shrike, and 22 Black Drongos.
Tai Po Kau was productive on 1st with a Collared Owlet, two White-spectacled Warblers, a Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, a Chestnut-crowned Warbler, two Kloss’s Leaf Warblers, four Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds and several Plain Flowerpeckers being recorded. A Kloss’s Leaf Warbler and several Plain Flowerpeckers were again noted on 7th.
Sightings elsewhere on 1st included two Whiskered Terns at San Tin, two Eastern Water Rails at Long Valley and a Large Hawk Cuckoo calling at Lam Tsuen.
On 2nd, Tai Lam CP produced a White’s Thrush, two Small Niltavas and 15 Tristram’s Buntings, and one of the Eastern Water Rails was again seen at Long Valley.
On 3rd, 70 Grey-capped Greenfinches were on the Plover Cove dam at Tai Mei Tuk – the most recorded since the 1970s. Before 1980, this attractive finch was a common but localised resident and winter visitor to open country and village edge, the highest count being 200 at Fanling Golf Course on 26 August 1977. A crash in numbers occurred after 1980 and it has become a scarce bird. However, since 2010 there has been a welcome increase in records, especially in the northeast New Territories; 40 were at Lai Chi Wo on 19 December 2014.
On 4th, a Chestnut-crowned Warbler was singing at Pak Sha O.
On 6th, an unseasonal Yellow-breasted Bunting was at Long Valley.
The Eyebrowed Thrush was still at Yuen Long Park on 7th.
On 8th, 30 Eurasian Siskins were along Route Twisk at the start of Shek Kong catchwater – the first report of the 2019/20 winter (and the first occurrence since April 2018). An Eastern Water Rail was at Long Valley.
The tides at Mai Po were again good for bird watching. On 1st, the drake Eurasian x American Wigeon, a Pallas’s Gull, a Black-tailed Gull and a Mew (Kamchatka) Gull were seen. On 2nd, the Common Shelduck that had been seen flying over the reserve on 26 February was relocated out in Deep Bay. Other birds out on the mud flats on the same day included Nordmann’s Greenshank, Pallas’s Gull, Black-tailed Gull, Slaty-backed Gull, Gull-billed Tern and Caspian Tern, all single birds. Two Pallas’s Gulls and the Mew (Kamchatka) Gull were present on 3rd. On 5th, the Common Shelduck was on the scrape on the main reserve over high tide, as were the Nordmann’s Greenshank and a Long-billed Dowitcher among the roosting Tringas. A pair of Falcated Ducks was also present on pond 11. The Common Shelduck was again on the scrape on 7th and a drake Mallard – the same bird as was seen on 27 February - was on pond 21 at the southern end of the reserve. The Mallard was seen again on 8th; also noted then were four Falcated Ducks, eleven Chinese Spot-billed Ducks, three Oriental Pratincoles - the first of the spring, the long-staying Chinese Grey Shrike, and 22 Black Drongos.
Tai Po Kau was productive on 1st with a Collared Owlet, two White-spectacled Warblers, a Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, a Chestnut-crowned Warbler, two Kloss’s Leaf Warblers, four Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds and several Plain Flowerpeckers being recorded. A Kloss’s Leaf Warbler and several Plain Flowerpeckers were again noted on 7th.
Sightings elsewhere on 1st included two Whiskered Terns at San Tin, two Eastern Water Rails at Long Valley and a Large Hawk Cuckoo calling at Lam Tsuen.
On 2nd, Tai Lam CP produced a White’s Thrush, two Small Niltavas and 15 Tristram’s Buntings, and one of the Eastern Water Rails was again seen at Long Valley.
On 3rd, 70 Grey-capped Greenfinches were on the Plover Cove dam at Tai Mei Tuk – the most recorded since the 1970s. Before 1980, this attractive finch was a common but localised resident and winter visitor to open country and village edge, the highest count being 200 at Fanling Golf Course on 26 August 1977. A crash in numbers occurred after 1980 and it has become a scarce bird. However, since 2010 there has been a welcome increase in records, especially in the northeast New Territories; 40 were at Lai Chi Wo on 19 December 2014.
On 4th, a Chestnut-crowned Warbler was singing at Pak Sha O.
On 6th, an unseasonal Yellow-breasted Bunting was at Long Valley.
The Eyebrowed Thrush was still at Yuen Long Park on 7th.
On 8th, 30 Eurasian Siskins were along Route Twisk at the start of Shek Kong catchwater – the first report of the 2019/20 winter (and the first occurrence since April 2018). An Eastern Water Rail was at Long Valley.
Yellow-breasted Bunting at Long Valley, 6 March 2020
March 9-15
Plain Flowerpecker at Tai Po Kau, 13 March 2020
Variable weather. Misty and humid with occasional rain on some days, bright and clear on others. Temperatures ranged from 18-26⁰C.
Mai Po held three Oriental Pratincoles and a Pallas’s Gull on 9th. Birds seen there on 12th included 13 Falcated Ducks, a Chinese Spot-billed Duck, a Eurasian Spoonbill in breeding plumage, 40 Oriental Pratincoles, a Nordmann’s Greenshank, two Pallas’s Gulls, a Black-tailed Gull and three Gull-billed Terns. 21 Oriental Pratincoles were noted on 13th and the Common Shelduck was seen again from the boardwalk on 14th & 15th. 40 Oriental Pratincoles were also present on 15th.
On 9th, 26 Eurasian Siskins were counted at Shek Kong catchwater.
Two Eastern Water Rails were at Long Valley throughout the week. A Bluethroat was seen there on 14th.
A Rustic Bunting was present with Little Buntings at Lam Tsuen on 13th. Also on 13th there were at least four Plain Flowerpeckers (two singing birds and a pair) recorded in Tai Po Kau.
On 14th, a Ferruginous Flycatcher was at Nam Shan Tung near Pak Sha O, a Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo and 110 Indochinese Yuhinas were at Pak Sha O, and a Mugimaki Flycatcher was in King’s Park. The Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo is a new early record by a week, the previous earliest arrival date being 21 March.
On 15th, 13 Oriental Pratincoles and a Buff-bellied Pipit were at Pui O on Lantau. Also on Lantau, there were reports of a female Pied Harrier, two Chinese Grassbirds, a Hume’s Leaf Warbler and two Upland Pipits at Sunset Peak.
Mai Po held three Oriental Pratincoles and a Pallas’s Gull on 9th. Birds seen there on 12th included 13 Falcated Ducks, a Chinese Spot-billed Duck, a Eurasian Spoonbill in breeding plumage, 40 Oriental Pratincoles, a Nordmann’s Greenshank, two Pallas’s Gulls, a Black-tailed Gull and three Gull-billed Terns. 21 Oriental Pratincoles were noted on 13th and the Common Shelduck was seen again from the boardwalk on 14th & 15th. 40 Oriental Pratincoles were also present on 15th.
On 9th, 26 Eurasian Siskins were counted at Shek Kong catchwater.
Two Eastern Water Rails were at Long Valley throughout the week. A Bluethroat was seen there on 14th.
A Rustic Bunting was present with Little Buntings at Lam Tsuen on 13th. Also on 13th there were at least four Plain Flowerpeckers (two singing birds and a pair) recorded in Tai Po Kau.
On 14th, a Ferruginous Flycatcher was at Nam Shan Tung near Pak Sha O, a Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo and 110 Indochinese Yuhinas were at Pak Sha O, and a Mugimaki Flycatcher was in King’s Park. The Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo is a new early record by a week, the previous earliest arrival date being 21 March.
On 15th, 13 Oriental Pratincoles and a Buff-bellied Pipit were at Pui O on Lantau. Also on Lantau, there were reports of a female Pied Harrier, two Chinese Grassbirds, a Hume’s Leaf Warbler and two Upland Pipits at Sunset Peak.
Barn Swallow at Mai Po San Tsuen, 9 March 2020
March 16-22
Parasitic Jaeger in southern waters, 21 March 2020
A trough of low pressure affected the region for the first part of the week, bringing easterly winds and showers to the coast. A maritime airstream later in the week brought foggy and humid conditions to the territory. Temperatures generally ranged from 19-26⁰C, although after the sun dispersed the mist on 22nd, the skies became clear and the temperature rose to a hot 29⁰C in the New Territories.
The unstable weather brought a good number of migrants to the territory. A boat-trip into southern waters on 21st proved productive with a record count of Streaked Shearwaters along with sightings of two species of tern and two species of skua.
Records of note as follows:
Common Shelduck: the bird present at Mai Po since 26 February was seen again on 18th
Falcated Duck: up to 14 at Mai Po from 16th – 22nd
Japanese Quail: one at Ping Yeung on 22nd
Streaked Shearwater: two flocks of 55 and 40 birds were seen in southern waters on 21st; this is a new high count, the previous highest count being 80 on 17 May 2006
Eurasian Bittern: seven birds migrating over Mai Po at dusk on 21st
Malayan Night Heron: one calling at Ho Pui reservoir after sunset on 22nd; this is a new early date, the previous earliest date being 27 March
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Po Toi on 22nd
Eastern Marsh Harrier: four at Mai Po on 21st
Grey-faced Buzzard: one at Po Toi on 17th
Pied Avocet: one at Mui Wo beach, Lantau at dawn on 21st; this species is rare away from the Deep Bay area
Far Eastern Curlew: two at Mai Po on 16th
Long-billed Dowitcher: one at Mai Po on 16th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Chai Wan on 21st; one at Po Toi on 22nd
Red-necked Phalarope: 39 in southern waters on 21st
Nordmann’s Greenshank: one at Mai Po on 18th
Oriental Pratincole: reported from Mai Po with 35 on 16th, 28 on 17th (access road), three on 18th, four on 19th and at least 191 on 22nd; the latter is a very high count for spring
Black-tailed Gull: two at Mai Po on 16th with one there on 18th; one in southern waters on 21st
Gull-billed Tern: 13 at Mai Po on 16th with 15 there on 18th
Caspian Tern: nine at Mai Po on 16th with four there on 18th
Greater Crested Tern: four in southern waters on 21st; this is a new early date, the previous earliest date being 1 April
Common Tern: two in southern waters on 21st; this is a new early date, the previous earliest date being 22 March
Pomarine Skua: three in southern waters on 21st
Parasitic Jaeger: three in southern waters on 21st; this is a new early date, the previous earliest date being 3 April
The unstable weather brought a good number of migrants to the territory. A boat-trip into southern waters on 21st proved productive with a record count of Streaked Shearwaters along with sightings of two species of tern and two species of skua.
Records of note as follows:
Common Shelduck: the bird present at Mai Po since 26 February was seen again on 18th
Falcated Duck: up to 14 at Mai Po from 16th – 22nd
Japanese Quail: one at Ping Yeung on 22nd
Streaked Shearwater: two flocks of 55 and 40 birds were seen in southern waters on 21st; this is a new high count, the previous highest count being 80 on 17 May 2006
Eurasian Bittern: seven birds migrating over Mai Po at dusk on 21st
Malayan Night Heron: one calling at Ho Pui reservoir after sunset on 22nd; this is a new early date, the previous earliest date being 27 March
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Po Toi on 22nd
Eastern Marsh Harrier: four at Mai Po on 21st
Grey-faced Buzzard: one at Po Toi on 17th
Pied Avocet: one at Mui Wo beach, Lantau at dawn on 21st; this species is rare away from the Deep Bay area
Far Eastern Curlew: two at Mai Po on 16th
Long-billed Dowitcher: one at Mai Po on 16th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Chai Wan on 21st; one at Po Toi on 22nd
Red-necked Phalarope: 39 in southern waters on 21st
Nordmann’s Greenshank: one at Mai Po on 18th
Oriental Pratincole: reported from Mai Po with 35 on 16th, 28 on 17th (access road), three on 18th, four on 19th and at least 191 on 22nd; the latter is a very high count for spring
Black-tailed Gull: two at Mai Po on 16th with one there on 18th; one in southern waters on 21st
Gull-billed Tern: 13 at Mai Po on 16th with 15 there on 18th
Caspian Tern: nine at Mai Po on 16th with four there on 18th
Greater Crested Tern: four in southern waters on 21st; this is a new early date, the previous earliest date being 1 April
Common Tern: two in southern waters on 21st; this is a new early date, the previous earliest date being 22 March
Pomarine Skua: three in southern waters on 21st
Parasitic Jaeger: three in southern waters on 21st; this is a new early date, the previous earliest date being 3 April
Greater Crested Tern in southern waters, 21 March 2020
Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo: one heard at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Oriental Cuckoo: a female hepatic morph on Po Toi on 21st
Grey Nightjar: on 21st, singing birds noted after dusk at Bride's Pool, and between Ngong Ping and Shek Mun Kap; on 22nd, one after dusk between Golden Hill and Tai Po Road
Pacific Swift: spring migrants included 20 at Chi Ma Wan on 18th and nine over southern waters on 21st
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: seven at Mai Po on 22nd; this is a new early date, the previous earliest date being 31 March
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Po Toi from 17th – 22nd
Eurasian Wryneck: two at Mai Po on 22nd
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Po Toi from 17th – 21st
Eurasian Skylark: one at Lut Chau on 17th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Ho Man Tin on 22nd
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Po Toi on 22nd
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: singles at Lung Fu Shan on 16th and Tai Lam CP on 21st
Arctic Warbler: one at Po Toi on 22nd
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Po Toi on 19th & 22nd
Black-browed Reed Warbler: two at San Tin on 20th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one singing at Tai Sang Wai on 17th
Japanese Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP and four at Ho Pui on 21st
Ferruginous Flycatcher: three at Pak Sha O on 20th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: two males at Po Toi on 17th & 19th, with one there on 22nd; one male singing at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 17th & 19th
Lesser Shortwing: ten at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Bluethroat: two at Mai Po on 19th
White-tailed Robin: one on Po Toi on 22nd
Narcissus Flycatcher: single males at Po Toi on 17th and Tai Lam CP on 21st
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 22nd
Grey Bush Chat: one at Yi O, Lantau on 20th
Plain Flowerpecker: three at Tai Po Kau on 22nd
Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds: two at Tai Po Kau on 22nd
Tristram’s Bunting: 22 at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Black-headed Bunting: a male coming into breeding plumage at Lut Chau on 20th.
Oriental Cuckoo: a female hepatic morph on Po Toi on 21st
Grey Nightjar: on 21st, singing birds noted after dusk at Bride's Pool, and between Ngong Ping and Shek Mun Kap; on 22nd, one after dusk between Golden Hill and Tai Po Road
Pacific Swift: spring migrants included 20 at Chi Ma Wan on 18th and nine over southern waters on 21st
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: seven at Mai Po on 22nd; this is a new early date, the previous earliest date being 31 March
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Po Toi from 17th – 22nd
Eurasian Wryneck: two at Mai Po on 22nd
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Po Toi from 17th – 21st
Eurasian Skylark: one at Lut Chau on 17th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Ho Man Tin on 22nd
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Po Toi on 22nd
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: singles at Lung Fu Shan on 16th and Tai Lam CP on 21st
Arctic Warbler: one at Po Toi on 22nd
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Po Toi on 19th & 22nd
Black-browed Reed Warbler: two at San Tin on 20th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one singing at Tai Sang Wai on 17th
Japanese Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP and four at Ho Pui on 21st
Ferruginous Flycatcher: three at Pak Sha O on 20th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: two males at Po Toi on 17th & 19th, with one there on 22nd; one male singing at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 17th & 19th
Lesser Shortwing: ten at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Bluethroat: two at Mai Po on 19th
White-tailed Robin: one on Po Toi on 22nd
Narcissus Flycatcher: single males at Po Toi on 17th and Tai Lam CP on 21st
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 22nd
Grey Bush Chat: one at Yi O, Lantau on 20th
Plain Flowerpecker: three at Tai Po Kau on 22nd
Mrs Gould’s Sunbirds: two at Tai Po Kau on 22nd
Tristram’s Bunting: 22 at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Black-headed Bunting: a male coming into breeding plumage at Lut Chau on 20th.
Male Black-headed Bunting at Lut Chau, 20 March 2020
(Posted 22 March; amended 23 March)
March 23-31
Ferruginous Flycatcher at Po Toi, 24 March 2020
East to southeasterly winds from 23rd to 27th, with temperatures ranging from 21-28⁰C and a mixture of sun and showers. There was a surge of the northeast monsoon from 28th when a cold front passed across the territory in the early afternoon bringing low cloud and rain. The monsoon persisted to the end of the month; winds were fresh from the northeast, temperatures were slightly cooler and there was little sunshine but plenty of rain, low cloud and mist.
These are good conditions for grounded migrants and the period proved productive, at least at certain sites – particularly Po Toi. Apart from the expected spring migrants, a Goldcrest on the island on 31st will be a first record for Hong Kong if accepted. There were also some interesting seabird records during the period under review, notably four Red-footed Boobies and a Brown Booby.
Records of particular interest as follows:
Falcated Duck: a female at Mai Po on 26th
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Po Toi on 24th
Malayan Night Heron: one at Yan Yee Road, Sai Kung on 27th; up to two at Tai Tong from 28th onwards; one at Tai Lam CP on 29th
Red-footed Booby: one at the Ninepins on 27th; three (two juveniles together and a separate adult) in southern waters on 29th. There are thirteen previous records of this species in Hong Kong, all singles between 3 May and 9 October. These are therefore new early dates as well as the first time that more than one bird has been seen in a single day
Brown Booby: one found exhausted on Lamma on 31st was rescued by AFCD and taken to KFBG for rehabilitation; this is the 12th record for Hong Kong
Grey-faced Buzzard: three at Mui Wo on 25th; one at Po Toi on 26th & 31st; one at Ting Kok on 26th; two at Inspiration Lake, Lantau on 27th; one at Tai Mei Tuk Catchwater on 28th; two at Tai Tong on 29th
Slaty-legged Crake: two at Bride’s Pool on 23rd; singles at Uk Tau, Shan Liu Road and Mui Tsz Lam on 24th – all calling birds after dusk
Eastern Water Rail: one at Mui Wo on 27th
Grey-headed Lapwing: one on Po Toi on 31st
Far Eastern Curlew: two at Mai Po on 26th & 29th with ten there on 31st
Red-necked Phalarope: 420 in southern waters on 29th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: six at Mai Po on 31st
Oriental Pratincole: 50 at Mai Po on 26th & 29th; 13 there on 31st
Pallas’s Gull: two at Mai Po on 29th
Black-tailed Gull: singles at Mai Po and in southern waters on 29th; three at Mai Po on 31st
Gull-billed Tern: 69 at Mai Po on 29th
Caspian Tern: 24 at Mai Po on 29th
Greater Crested Tern: three in southern waters on 29th; two from the Po Toi ferry on 31st
Little Tern: two at Mai Po on 29th
Common Tern: three in southern waters on 29th
Long-tailed Jaeger: 22 in southern waters on 29th
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo: singles at Lam Tsuen on 28th & 29th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 28th, and Wonderland Villas on 29th
Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo: recorded from Yan Yee Road, Sai Kung and Ng Tung Chai on 24th, Tai Po Kau on 26th, Pak Sha O on 28th & 29th, Lam Tsuen and Tai Tong on 29th & 30th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 30th – all singles apart from two at Lam Tsuen and Tai Tong on 30th
Grey Nightjar: singles at Tai Tong and Bride’s Pool on 23rd; four at Mui Tsz Lam on 24th; one at Uk Tau on 26th & 30th
Northern Boobook: one at Po Toi on 24th & 26th, and one – probably a different individual - on 29th
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Mai Po on 31st
Silver-backed Needletail: two at Tai Lam CP on 27th
Pacific Swift: highest count was 36 at Po Toi on 28th
Oriental Dollarbird: three at Po Toi on 26th with one there on 29th and two on 31st
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: three at Mai Po on 26th and nine at Palm Springs on 29th
Ashy Minivet: six at Po Toi on 26th with three there on 29th and two on 31st; 20 at Lai Chi Kok Park on 29th; one at Yi O on 29th; eight at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 30th; a flock of 71 at Mai Po on 31st - a new high count, the previous highest count being 55 at Tai Po Kau Headland on 9 April 2012
Swinhoe’s Minivet: one at Po Toi on 28th & 29th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Man Kung Uk near Tseung Kwan O on 29th
Black-naped Oriole: one at Man Kung Uk near Tseung Kwan O on 29th
Hair-crested Drongo: 48 at Mui Wo on 25th
Black-naped Monarch: two at Kowloon Park on 24th; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 28th; one at Tuen Mun Shan King on 29th
Sand Martin: one at Mai Po on 29th
Rufous-faced Warbler: two heard at Po Toi on 29th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: three reported at Tai Tong from 26th – 31st; one at Pak Sha O on 28th; singles at Tuen Mun Shan King and Pak Sha O on 29th; one at Po Toi on 31st
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: singles at Po Toi on 26th, Ho Man Tin on 30th and Wai Tsui Crescent on 31st
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Shan Liu Road on 28th
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at HK Trail Section 7 on 30th; one at Kowloon Tsai Park on 31st
Arctic Warbler: one at Po Toi on 24th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: single birds singing at Cheung Chau on 23rd and Tai Po Kau on 25th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Mai Po on 31st
Goldcrest: one at Po Toi on 31st will be a first record for Hong Kong if accepted. This species is widespread in Eurasia. The IOC recognises 14 different races, three of which occur in China. The taxon involved here is presumably Regulus regulus japonensis which breeds in southeast Siberia, Sakhalin, the south Kuril Islands, Hokkaido and Honshu. It winters in Korea, eastern China and the Ryukyu Islands, and occasionally reaches Taiwan and Fujian
White’s Thrush: two at Tai Tong on 31st
Grey-backed Thrush: five at Tai Tong on 31st
Japanese Thrush: five at Tai Lam CP on 27th; three at Tai Tong on 31st
Eyebrowed Thrush: the wintering bird at Yuen Long Park was present until at least 30th
Pale Thrush: one at HK Trail Section 7 on 30th
Ferruginous Flycatcher: one at Lantau Peak on 23rd; three at Po Toi on 24th with one there on 26th; one at Pak Sha O on 28th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: one at Tai Tong on 23rd & 24th; one at Tai Po Kau on 26th; one at Lai Chi Kok Park on 29th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 23rd & 28th
Narcissus Flycatcher: late news of an individual of the race owstoni found dead along HK Trail Section 4 on 20 March. If accepted this will be the eighth Hong Kong record of this taxon which is considered by some authorities to be a separate species, Ryukyu Flycatcher. Nominate narcissina were recorded as follows: one at Tai Po Kau on 23rd; two at Po Toi on 24th with one there on 26th & 31st; one at Ho Man Tin on 27th & 30th; one at Pak Sha O on 28th; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 28th with two there on 30th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 31st
Plain Flowerpecker: one at Lam Tsuen on 29th & 30th – a new location for this species
Brambling: one at Po Toi on 26th
Chinese Grosbeak: ten at Yuen Long Park on 30th
Tristram’s Bunting: highest count was ten at Po Toi on 26th
Little Bunting: highest count was 16 at Lam Tsuen on 29th
Yellow-browed Bunting: two at Lam Tsuen on 29th with at least one there on 30th
These are good conditions for grounded migrants and the period proved productive, at least at certain sites – particularly Po Toi. Apart from the expected spring migrants, a Goldcrest on the island on 31st will be a first record for Hong Kong if accepted. There were also some interesting seabird records during the period under review, notably four Red-footed Boobies and a Brown Booby.
Records of particular interest as follows:
Falcated Duck: a female at Mai Po on 26th
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Po Toi on 24th
Malayan Night Heron: one at Yan Yee Road, Sai Kung on 27th; up to two at Tai Tong from 28th onwards; one at Tai Lam CP on 29th
Red-footed Booby: one at the Ninepins on 27th; three (two juveniles together and a separate adult) in southern waters on 29th. There are thirteen previous records of this species in Hong Kong, all singles between 3 May and 9 October. These are therefore new early dates as well as the first time that more than one bird has been seen in a single day
Brown Booby: one found exhausted on Lamma on 31st was rescued by AFCD and taken to KFBG for rehabilitation; this is the 12th record for Hong Kong
Grey-faced Buzzard: three at Mui Wo on 25th; one at Po Toi on 26th & 31st; one at Ting Kok on 26th; two at Inspiration Lake, Lantau on 27th; one at Tai Mei Tuk Catchwater on 28th; two at Tai Tong on 29th
Slaty-legged Crake: two at Bride’s Pool on 23rd; singles at Uk Tau, Shan Liu Road and Mui Tsz Lam on 24th – all calling birds after dusk
Eastern Water Rail: one at Mui Wo on 27th
Grey-headed Lapwing: one on Po Toi on 31st
Far Eastern Curlew: two at Mai Po on 26th & 29th with ten there on 31st
Red-necked Phalarope: 420 in southern waters on 29th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: six at Mai Po on 31st
Oriental Pratincole: 50 at Mai Po on 26th & 29th; 13 there on 31st
Pallas’s Gull: two at Mai Po on 29th
Black-tailed Gull: singles at Mai Po and in southern waters on 29th; three at Mai Po on 31st
Gull-billed Tern: 69 at Mai Po on 29th
Caspian Tern: 24 at Mai Po on 29th
Greater Crested Tern: three in southern waters on 29th; two from the Po Toi ferry on 31st
Little Tern: two at Mai Po on 29th
Common Tern: three in southern waters on 29th
Long-tailed Jaeger: 22 in southern waters on 29th
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo: singles at Lam Tsuen on 28th & 29th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 28th, and Wonderland Villas on 29th
Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo: recorded from Yan Yee Road, Sai Kung and Ng Tung Chai on 24th, Tai Po Kau on 26th, Pak Sha O on 28th & 29th, Lam Tsuen and Tai Tong on 29th & 30th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 30th – all singles apart from two at Lam Tsuen and Tai Tong on 30th
Grey Nightjar: singles at Tai Tong and Bride’s Pool on 23rd; four at Mui Tsz Lam on 24th; one at Uk Tau on 26th & 30th
Northern Boobook: one at Po Toi on 24th & 26th, and one – probably a different individual - on 29th
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Mai Po on 31st
Silver-backed Needletail: two at Tai Lam CP on 27th
Pacific Swift: highest count was 36 at Po Toi on 28th
Oriental Dollarbird: three at Po Toi on 26th with one there on 29th and two on 31st
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: three at Mai Po on 26th and nine at Palm Springs on 29th
Ashy Minivet: six at Po Toi on 26th with three there on 29th and two on 31st; 20 at Lai Chi Kok Park on 29th; one at Yi O on 29th; eight at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 30th; a flock of 71 at Mai Po on 31st - a new high count, the previous highest count being 55 at Tai Po Kau Headland on 9 April 2012
Swinhoe’s Minivet: one at Po Toi on 28th & 29th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Man Kung Uk near Tseung Kwan O on 29th
Black-naped Oriole: one at Man Kung Uk near Tseung Kwan O on 29th
Hair-crested Drongo: 48 at Mui Wo on 25th
Black-naped Monarch: two at Kowloon Park on 24th; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 28th; one at Tuen Mun Shan King on 29th
Sand Martin: one at Mai Po on 29th
Rufous-faced Warbler: two heard at Po Toi on 29th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: three reported at Tai Tong from 26th – 31st; one at Pak Sha O on 28th; singles at Tuen Mun Shan King and Pak Sha O on 29th; one at Po Toi on 31st
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: singles at Po Toi on 26th, Ho Man Tin on 30th and Wai Tsui Crescent on 31st
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Shan Liu Road on 28th
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at HK Trail Section 7 on 30th; one at Kowloon Tsai Park on 31st
Arctic Warbler: one at Po Toi on 24th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: single birds singing at Cheung Chau on 23rd and Tai Po Kau on 25th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Mai Po on 31st
Goldcrest: one at Po Toi on 31st will be a first record for Hong Kong if accepted. This species is widespread in Eurasia. The IOC recognises 14 different races, three of which occur in China. The taxon involved here is presumably Regulus regulus japonensis which breeds in southeast Siberia, Sakhalin, the south Kuril Islands, Hokkaido and Honshu. It winters in Korea, eastern China and the Ryukyu Islands, and occasionally reaches Taiwan and Fujian
White’s Thrush: two at Tai Tong on 31st
Grey-backed Thrush: five at Tai Tong on 31st
Japanese Thrush: five at Tai Lam CP on 27th; three at Tai Tong on 31st
Eyebrowed Thrush: the wintering bird at Yuen Long Park was present until at least 30th
Pale Thrush: one at HK Trail Section 7 on 30th
Ferruginous Flycatcher: one at Lantau Peak on 23rd; three at Po Toi on 24th with one there on 26th; one at Pak Sha O on 28th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: one at Tai Tong on 23rd & 24th; one at Tai Po Kau on 26th; one at Lai Chi Kok Park on 29th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 23rd & 28th
Narcissus Flycatcher: late news of an individual of the race owstoni found dead along HK Trail Section 4 on 20 March. If accepted this will be the eighth Hong Kong record of this taxon which is considered by some authorities to be a separate species, Ryukyu Flycatcher. Nominate narcissina were recorded as follows: one at Tai Po Kau on 23rd; two at Po Toi on 24th with one there on 26th & 31st; one at Ho Man Tin on 27th & 30th; one at Pak Sha O on 28th; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 28th with two there on 30th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 31st
Plain Flowerpecker: one at Lam Tsuen on 29th & 30th – a new location for this species
Brambling: one at Po Toi on 26th
Chinese Grosbeak: ten at Yuen Long Park on 30th
Tristram’s Bunting: highest count was ten at Po Toi on 26th
Little Bunting: highest count was 16 at Lam Tsuen on 29th
Yellow-browed Bunting: two at Lam Tsuen on 29th with at least one there on 30th
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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
