LATEST SIGHTINGS - MARCH 2022
March 1-6
March 1-6
Tree Pipit at Mai Po, 3 March 2022
The beginning of March was very mild. Winds were from the east and temperatures in the northern New Territories were up to 28℃.
The birding highlight was the second new species for Hong Kong so far this year in the form of a Tree Pipit discovered at Mai Po by Matt Kwan. Other rarities were a Black-legged Kittiwake off Lamma and a Relict Gull from the Mai Po boardwalk. Details below:
Common Shelduck: the wintering bird remained at Mai Po until at least 5th
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake remained at Mai Po until at least 6th
Gadwall: two were at Mai Po on 5th
Falcated Duck: highest count was 74 at Mai Po on 6th. This is the highest count this century. The species used to be much commoner – the highest ever count was 413 on 14 January 1984 – but numbers have declined dramatically since the 1990s
American Wigeon: the wintering drake was still present at Mai Po on 3rd
Pacific Swift: one was at Nam Shan on 4th
Large Hawk Cuckoo: singles were heard at Wang Tong on 1st, Wuk Kau Tang on 2nd, Mai Po on 3rd, and Nam Shan and Lam Tsuen on 4th
Barred Cuckoo Dove: up to three remained at Wu Kau Tang until at least 5th
Grey-headed Swamphen: one was at Mai Po on 5th
Black-legged Kittiwake: one was seen south of Lamma on 1st; this is the first record since 2014
Relict Gull: a second calendar year bird was at Mai Po on 6th. This is the tenth Hong Kong record and the first since November 2017
Black-tailed Gull: ten were in waters off Lamma on 1st; six were at Mai Po on 3rd
Vega Gull: three vegae were at Mai Po on 3rd with two there on 4th
Gull-billed Tern: one was at Mai Po on 3rd
Caspian Tern: six were at Mai Po on 4th
Streaked Shearwater: 17 (16 to the northeast, one to the southwest) were off Po Toi on 6th
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Tai Mei Tuk on 2nd; two were at Mai Po on 5th
Black-winged Kite: one was at Mai Po on 5th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one was at Shui Hau on 1st
Chinese Barbet: one was at Tai Po Kau from 1st to 5th with two reported there on 3rd; one was at Ho Chung on 5th; one was at Tai Lam CP on 5th
Bull-headed Shrike: one was at Lai Chi Wo on 1st
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one was at Chi Ma Wan on 4th
Carrion Crow: the long-staying bird was at Mai Po on 3rd & 4th
Rufous-faced Warbler: one was at Tai Lam CP on 5th; one was at Pak Sha O on 6th
White-spectacled Warbler: one was at Tai Po Kau on 1st & 3rd; one was at Lamma on 4th
Alström's Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 6th
Greenish Warbler: one was at Sam A Tsuen on 1st
Chestnut-crowned Warbler: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 1st & 5th, and two were there on 2nd
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: one was at Tai Po Kau on 5th
Indochinese Yuhina: 20 were at Tai Lam CP on 2nd
Chinese Grassbird: one was at Lantau Peak on 2nd
Eyebrowed Thrush: one was at Po Toi on 1st
Dusky Thrush: one was at Mt Davis on 2nd
Fujian Niltava: one was at Tai Po Kau on 1st; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 4th
Small Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang until 6th; two were at Tai Lam CP on 2nd
Red-breasted Flycatcher: an adult male was at Luk Keng on 2nd & 5th.
The birding highlight was the second new species for Hong Kong so far this year in the form of a Tree Pipit discovered at Mai Po by Matt Kwan. Other rarities were a Black-legged Kittiwake off Lamma and a Relict Gull from the Mai Po boardwalk. Details below:
Common Shelduck: the wintering bird remained at Mai Po until at least 5th
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake remained at Mai Po until at least 6th
Gadwall: two were at Mai Po on 5th
Falcated Duck: highest count was 74 at Mai Po on 6th. This is the highest count this century. The species used to be much commoner – the highest ever count was 413 on 14 January 1984 – but numbers have declined dramatically since the 1990s
American Wigeon: the wintering drake was still present at Mai Po on 3rd
Pacific Swift: one was at Nam Shan on 4th
Large Hawk Cuckoo: singles were heard at Wang Tong on 1st, Wuk Kau Tang on 2nd, Mai Po on 3rd, and Nam Shan and Lam Tsuen on 4th
Barred Cuckoo Dove: up to three remained at Wu Kau Tang until at least 5th
Grey-headed Swamphen: one was at Mai Po on 5th
Black-legged Kittiwake: one was seen south of Lamma on 1st; this is the first record since 2014
Relict Gull: a second calendar year bird was at Mai Po on 6th. This is the tenth Hong Kong record and the first since November 2017
Black-tailed Gull: ten were in waters off Lamma on 1st; six were at Mai Po on 3rd
Vega Gull: three vegae were at Mai Po on 3rd with two there on 4th
Gull-billed Tern: one was at Mai Po on 3rd
Caspian Tern: six were at Mai Po on 4th
Streaked Shearwater: 17 (16 to the northeast, one to the southwest) were off Po Toi on 6th
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Tai Mei Tuk on 2nd; two were at Mai Po on 5th
Black-winged Kite: one was at Mai Po on 5th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one was at Shui Hau on 1st
Chinese Barbet: one was at Tai Po Kau from 1st to 5th with two reported there on 3rd; one was at Ho Chung on 5th; one was at Tai Lam CP on 5th
Bull-headed Shrike: one was at Lai Chi Wo on 1st
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one was at Chi Ma Wan on 4th
Carrion Crow: the long-staying bird was at Mai Po on 3rd & 4th
Rufous-faced Warbler: one was at Tai Lam CP on 5th; one was at Pak Sha O on 6th
White-spectacled Warbler: one was at Tai Po Kau on 1st & 3rd; one was at Lamma on 4th
Alström's Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 6th
Greenish Warbler: one was at Sam A Tsuen on 1st
Chestnut-crowned Warbler: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 1st & 5th, and two were there on 2nd
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: one was at Tai Po Kau on 5th
Indochinese Yuhina: 20 were at Tai Lam CP on 2nd
Chinese Grassbird: one was at Lantau Peak on 2nd
Eyebrowed Thrush: one was at Po Toi on 1st
Dusky Thrush: one was at Mt Davis on 2nd
Fujian Niltava: one was at Tai Po Kau on 1st; one was at Wu Kau Tang on 4th
Small Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang until 6th; two were at Tai Lam CP on 2nd
Red-breasted Flycatcher: an adult male was at Luk Keng on 2nd & 5th.
Male Red-breasted Flycatcher at Luk Keng, 5 March 2022
Tree Pipit at Mai Po, 3 March 2022
Grey Bush Chat: one was at Sam A Tsuen on 1st; one was at Lin Ta Fei on 1st
Mrs Gould’s Sunbird: an adult male was at Tai Po Kau on 6th
Tree Pipit: one was at Mai Po with Olive-backed Pipits from 3rd – 6th. In the light of this record, a pipit photographed at Tai Po Tin on 1 January 2022 has now also been identified as this species. These are the first records for Hong Kong. Tree Pipit breeds from Europe east to southwest Siberia, northwest China and Mongolia, and winters in Africa and India. Off-course migrants have turned up in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore
Olive-backed Pipit: 22 were at Tai Tong on 3rd
Common Rosefinch: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 2nd
Grey-capped Greenfinch: eight were at Lai Chi Wo on 1st
Common Reed Bunting: two were at Mai Po on 5th.
Mrs Gould’s Sunbird: an adult male was at Tai Po Kau on 6th
Tree Pipit: one was at Mai Po with Olive-backed Pipits from 3rd – 6th. In the light of this record, a pipit photographed at Tai Po Tin on 1 January 2022 has now also been identified as this species. These are the first records for Hong Kong. Tree Pipit breeds from Europe east to southwest Siberia, northwest China and Mongolia, and winters in Africa and India. Off-course migrants have turned up in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore
Olive-backed Pipit: 22 were at Tai Tong on 3rd
Common Rosefinch: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 2nd
Grey-capped Greenfinch: eight were at Lai Chi Wo on 1st
Common Reed Bunting: two were at Mai Po on 5th.
Female Verditer Flycatcher at Tai Lam CP, 1 March 2022
March 7-13
Black-legged Kittiwake (central bird facing left) with Black-headed Gulls at Mai Po, 10 March 2022
A cold front reached the coast of southern China on 7th, although the temperature only dipped to 15℃ on 8th. The rest of the week was fine and warm with the mercury rising as high as 28℃ from 9th – 13th. Winds were from the east.
Gull passage was in evidence at Mai Po, the highlight being a 2nd calendar year Black-legged Kittiwake found by Roman Lo on 10th. Unfortunately, as with the Relict Gull found by Mike Turnbull on 6th of this month, the bird was just a one-day wonder. Details of this and other birds below:
Common Shelduck: the wintering bird remained at Mai Po until at least 11th
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake remained at Mai Po until at least 8th; a female was also present on 8th
Gadwall: one was at Mai Po on 7th & 9th; two were there on 11th
Falcated Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 21 on 10th
American Wigeon: the wintering drake was present on 7th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: three were at Mai Po on 12th
Barred Cuckoo Dove: up to three remained at Wu Kau Tang until 8th
Grey-headed Swamphen: the long-staying bird was seen again at Mai Po (pond 8a) on 11th & 12th
Far Eastern Curlew: one was with 600 Eurasian Curlew at Mai Po on 8th; also seen on 10th & 12th
Black-legged Kittiwake: a 2nd-calendar-year bird was at Mai Po on 10th
Saunders’s’Gull: highest count at Mai Po was 31 on 7th
Pallas’s Gull: highest count at Mai Po was three on 11th
Black-tailed Gull: one was at Mai Po on 7th; one was off Po Toi on 13th
Vega Gull: highest count at Mai Po was five on 11th
Mongolian Gull: highest count at Mai Po was 12 on 11th
Slaty-backed Gull: one was at Mai Po on 8th, 9th & 11th
Heuglin’s Gull: highest count at Mai Po was 130 on 10th
Gull-billed Tern: highest count at Mai Po was five on 11th & 12th
Caspian Tern: highest count at Mai Po was 11 on 10th
Ancient Murrelet: a total of 14 were seen off Po Toi on 13th; this is a new high count.
Gull passage was in evidence at Mai Po, the highlight being a 2nd calendar year Black-legged Kittiwake found by Roman Lo on 10th. Unfortunately, as with the Relict Gull found by Mike Turnbull on 6th of this month, the bird was just a one-day wonder. Details of this and other birds below:
Common Shelduck: the wintering bird remained at Mai Po until at least 11th
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake remained at Mai Po until at least 8th; a female was also present on 8th
Gadwall: one was at Mai Po on 7th & 9th; two were there on 11th
Falcated Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 21 on 10th
American Wigeon: the wintering drake was present on 7th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: three were at Mai Po on 12th
Barred Cuckoo Dove: up to three remained at Wu Kau Tang until 8th
Grey-headed Swamphen: the long-staying bird was seen again at Mai Po (pond 8a) on 11th & 12th
Far Eastern Curlew: one was with 600 Eurasian Curlew at Mai Po on 8th; also seen on 10th & 12th
Black-legged Kittiwake: a 2nd-calendar-year bird was at Mai Po on 10th
Saunders’s’Gull: highest count at Mai Po was 31 on 7th
Pallas’s Gull: highest count at Mai Po was three on 11th
Black-tailed Gull: one was at Mai Po on 7th; one was off Po Toi on 13th
Vega Gull: highest count at Mai Po was five on 11th
Mongolian Gull: highest count at Mai Po was 12 on 11th
Slaty-backed Gull: one was at Mai Po on 8th, 9th & 11th
Heuglin’s Gull: highest count at Mai Po was 130 on 10th
Gull-billed Tern: highest count at Mai Po was five on 11th & 12th
Caspian Tern: highest count at Mai Po was 11 on 10th
Ancient Murrelet: a total of 14 were seen off Po Toi on 13th; this is a new high count.
Saunders's Gull at Mai Po, 8 March 2022
2nd-calendar-year Mongolian Gull at Mai Po, 8 March 2022
Eurasian Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was four on 11th
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 60 on 7th
Black-winged Kite: one was at Mai Po during the week
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one was at Heung Yuen Wai on 9th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: one was at San Tin on 13th
Northern Goshawk: a juvenile was at Mai Po on 12th; presumably this is the same bird that was seen at the same site from November 2021 to January 2022
Eurasian Hoopoe: one was at Tai Tong on 9th
Chinese Barbet: one was at Tai Po Kau on 8th & 9th; one was at Ho Chung on 12th
Bull-headed Shrike: one was at Tai Mo Shan on 11th
Black-naped Oriole: one was at Ng Tung Chai on 13th
Carrion Crow: the wintering bird was still at Mai Po on 12th
Chestnut Bulbul: 175 were at Tai Po Kau Headland on 10th with 240 there on 13th; the highest count on record is 466 at the same site on 7 April 2011
Rufous-faced Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 8th
Radde’s Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 12th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one was at Tai Tong on 8th
Alström's Warbler: two were at Pak Sha O on 8th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 8th; one was at Sham Chung on 13th
Chestnut-crowned Warbler: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 8th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: up to three were noted along the Mai Po boardwalk during the week
Lanceolated Warbler: one was at Mai Po on 10th
Vinous-throated Parrotbill: four were at Tai Mo Shan on 11th
Chinese Grassbird: three were at Tai Mo Shan on 11th
Eyebrowed Thrush: three were at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 13th
Fujian Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 11th & 13th
Small Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 13th
Japanese Robin: one was near Wu Kau Tang on 13th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Mai Po on 7th
Tree Pipit: the bird first seen on 3 March remained at Mai Po until 13th
Olive-backed Pipit: 22 were at Tai Tong on 3rd
Common Reed Bunting: two were at Mai Po on 10th.
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 60 on 7th
Black-winged Kite: one was at Mai Po during the week
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one was at Heung Yuen Wai on 9th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: one was at San Tin on 13th
Northern Goshawk: a juvenile was at Mai Po on 12th; presumably this is the same bird that was seen at the same site from November 2021 to January 2022
Eurasian Hoopoe: one was at Tai Tong on 9th
Chinese Barbet: one was at Tai Po Kau on 8th & 9th; one was at Ho Chung on 12th
Bull-headed Shrike: one was at Tai Mo Shan on 11th
Black-naped Oriole: one was at Ng Tung Chai on 13th
Carrion Crow: the wintering bird was still at Mai Po on 12th
Chestnut Bulbul: 175 were at Tai Po Kau Headland on 10th with 240 there on 13th; the highest count on record is 466 at the same site on 7 April 2011
Rufous-faced Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 8th
Radde’s Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 12th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one was at Tai Tong on 8th
Alström's Warbler: two were at Pak Sha O on 8th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 8th; one was at Sham Chung on 13th
Chestnut-crowned Warbler: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 8th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: up to three were noted along the Mai Po boardwalk during the week
Lanceolated Warbler: one was at Mai Po on 10th
Vinous-throated Parrotbill: four were at Tai Mo Shan on 11th
Chinese Grassbird: three were at Tai Mo Shan on 11th
Eyebrowed Thrush: three were at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 13th
Fujian Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 11th & 13th
Small Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 13th
Japanese Robin: one was near Wu Kau Tang on 13th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Mai Po on 7th
Tree Pipit: the bird first seen on 3 March remained at Mai Po until 13th
Olive-backed Pipit: 22 were at Tai Tong on 3rd
Common Reed Bunting: two were at Mai Po on 10th.
Saunders's Gull at Mai Po, 10 March 2022
March 14-20
Oriental Pratincole at Mai Po in spring (BHK archive)
Generally humid and fine with temperatures up to 30℃ in the northern New Territories. The good weather broke on 20th when it turned cloudy and there were heavy showers in places.
Spring migrants noted during the week included Silver-backed Needletail, Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo, Oriental Pratincole and Blue-and-white Flycatcher. There were resightings of wintering Booted Warbler at Fung Lok Wai and Blunt-winged Warbler at Mai Po. A Brahminy Kite at Tai Sang Wai was only the second Hong Kong record this century. Details below:
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake remained at Mai Po until at least 20th
Falcated Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 32 on 20th
Silver-backed Needletail: eight were at Lung Mei, Sai Kung on 18th
Pacific Swift: seven were at Po Toi on 15th, with one there on 17th and two on 20th; one was at Tai Mo Shan on 15th; one was at Tai Sang Wai on 19th
Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo: singles were at Tai Lam CP and Shing Mun on 15th, at Ho Man Tin on 17th, and at Hok Tau reservoir on 18th
Barred Cuckoo Dove: two were seen at Wu Kau Tang on 14th
Far Eastern Curlew: one was at Mai Po on 17th & 18th, with two there on 19th
Eurasian Woodcock: one was on Lamma on 17th
Red-necked Phalarope: highest count off Po Toi was 438 on 20th
Marsh Sandpiper: 25 were seen migrating past Po Toi on 17th
Oriental Pratincole: two were off Po Toi on 16th; one was at Tai Sang Wai on 19th; one was at San Tin and two were along the Mai Po access road on 20th
Black-tailed Gull: three were off Po Toi on 15th with one there on 16th and two on 17th
Vega Gull: highest count at Mai Po was three on 17th
Mongolian Gull: highest count at Mai Po was five on 17th
Slaty-backed Gull: one was at Mai Po on 19th
Heuglin’s Gull: highest count off Po Toi was 59 on 15th
Gull-billed Tern: highest count at Mai Po was 14 on 20th
Caspian Tern: highest count at Mai Po was 13 on 17th
Greater Crested Tern: two were off Po Toi on 16th, and 28 were there on 20th; these are both new early dates, the previous earliest being 21 March
Common Tern: seven were off Po Toi on 16th and one was there on 17th; these are both new early dates, the previous earliest being 21 March
Whiskered Tern: four were at Tai Sang Wai on 17th
Pomarine Jaeger: ten were off Po Toi on 20th
Long-tailed Jaeger: seven were off Po Toi on 16th
Ancient Murrelet: one was at Po Toi on 15th; three were off Po Toi on 16th
Streaked Shearwater: 124 (17 & 107) were off Po Toi on 16th; at least 155 were also there on 20th
Lesser Frigatebird: one was at Mai Po on 19th
Eurasian Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was four on 20th
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 60 on 17th
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Mai Po on 15th
Black-winged Kite: one was at Mai Po on 16th; one was at Nam Sang Wai on 20th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one was at Shek Kong catchwater on 18th
Pied Harrier: one was at San Tin on 20th
Brahminy Kite: an immature was at Tai Sang Wai on 15th & 18th
Chinese Barbet: two singing birds were reported from Tai Lam CP on 15th and Tai Po Kau on 16th & 18th; one was singing at Tai Om (Lam Tsuen) on 16th; one was singing at Ho Pui reservoir on 16th
Bull-headed Shrike: one was at Nam Chung on 14th
Carrion Crow: the wintering bird was still in the Mai Po/Lut Chau area on 20th
Eurasian Skylark: one was along the Mai Po access road on 17th; one was at San Tin on 20th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one was singing at Shing Mun on 15th
Alström's Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 19th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: one was singing at Shing Mun on 15th
Blunt-winged Warbler: one was retrapped at Mai Po on 15th (previously trapped on 10 & 12 November and 15 December 2021)
Thick-billed Warbler: one was at Lam Tsuen on 14th
Booted Warbler: one singing at Fung Lok Wai on 17th was considered to be the bird originally seen there from 12 November 2021 – 1 December 2022, and not the individual present from 18 January – 15 February this year
Baikal Bush Warbler: one was singing at Mai Po on 15th
Vinous-throated Parrotbill: two were at Tai Mo Shan on 15th
Chinese Grassbird: three were at Ping Fung Shan on 18th
Eyebrowed Thrush: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 15th
Fujian Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 15th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: the first bird of the season was at Ho Man Tin on 18th; one was at Po Toi on 20th
Bluethroat: four were at Mai Po on 15th
Citrine Wagtail: one was at Tai Sang Wai on 20th
White Wagtail: a leucopsis x alboides hybrid was seen at Mai Po on 16th & 20th. This is the returning bird that was first seen at Mai Po in 2019. See: https://www.birdinghongkong.com/march-2021.html
Tree Pipit: the bird first seen on 3 March remained at Mai Po until at least 20th
Black-headed Bunting: a male was at San Tin on 20th
Common Reed Bunting: one was trapped at Mai Po on 15th; this is the fourth individual to be trapped at Mai Po during the 2021/22 winter.
Spring migrants noted during the week included Silver-backed Needletail, Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo, Oriental Pratincole and Blue-and-white Flycatcher. There were resightings of wintering Booted Warbler at Fung Lok Wai and Blunt-winged Warbler at Mai Po. A Brahminy Kite at Tai Sang Wai was only the second Hong Kong record this century. Details below:
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake remained at Mai Po until at least 20th
Falcated Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 32 on 20th
Silver-backed Needletail: eight were at Lung Mei, Sai Kung on 18th
Pacific Swift: seven were at Po Toi on 15th, with one there on 17th and two on 20th; one was at Tai Mo Shan on 15th; one was at Tai Sang Wai on 19th
Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo: singles were at Tai Lam CP and Shing Mun on 15th, at Ho Man Tin on 17th, and at Hok Tau reservoir on 18th
Barred Cuckoo Dove: two were seen at Wu Kau Tang on 14th
Far Eastern Curlew: one was at Mai Po on 17th & 18th, with two there on 19th
Eurasian Woodcock: one was on Lamma on 17th
Red-necked Phalarope: highest count off Po Toi was 438 on 20th
Marsh Sandpiper: 25 were seen migrating past Po Toi on 17th
Oriental Pratincole: two were off Po Toi on 16th; one was at Tai Sang Wai on 19th; one was at San Tin and two were along the Mai Po access road on 20th
Black-tailed Gull: three were off Po Toi on 15th with one there on 16th and two on 17th
Vega Gull: highest count at Mai Po was three on 17th
Mongolian Gull: highest count at Mai Po was five on 17th
Slaty-backed Gull: one was at Mai Po on 19th
Heuglin’s Gull: highest count off Po Toi was 59 on 15th
Gull-billed Tern: highest count at Mai Po was 14 on 20th
Caspian Tern: highest count at Mai Po was 13 on 17th
Greater Crested Tern: two were off Po Toi on 16th, and 28 were there on 20th; these are both new early dates, the previous earliest being 21 March
Common Tern: seven were off Po Toi on 16th and one was there on 17th; these are both new early dates, the previous earliest being 21 March
Whiskered Tern: four were at Tai Sang Wai on 17th
Pomarine Jaeger: ten were off Po Toi on 20th
Long-tailed Jaeger: seven were off Po Toi on 16th
Ancient Murrelet: one was at Po Toi on 15th; three were off Po Toi on 16th
Streaked Shearwater: 124 (17 & 107) were off Po Toi on 16th; at least 155 were also there on 20th
Lesser Frigatebird: one was at Mai Po on 19th
Eurasian Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was four on 20th
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 60 on 17th
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Mai Po on 15th
Black-winged Kite: one was at Mai Po on 16th; one was at Nam Sang Wai on 20th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one was at Shek Kong catchwater on 18th
Pied Harrier: one was at San Tin on 20th
Brahminy Kite: an immature was at Tai Sang Wai on 15th & 18th
Chinese Barbet: two singing birds were reported from Tai Lam CP on 15th and Tai Po Kau on 16th & 18th; one was singing at Tai Om (Lam Tsuen) on 16th; one was singing at Ho Pui reservoir on 16th
Bull-headed Shrike: one was at Nam Chung on 14th
Carrion Crow: the wintering bird was still in the Mai Po/Lut Chau area on 20th
Eurasian Skylark: one was along the Mai Po access road on 17th; one was at San Tin on 20th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one was singing at Shing Mun on 15th
Alström's Warbler: one was at Pak Sha O on 19th
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler: one was singing at Shing Mun on 15th
Blunt-winged Warbler: one was retrapped at Mai Po on 15th (previously trapped on 10 & 12 November and 15 December 2021)
Thick-billed Warbler: one was at Lam Tsuen on 14th
Booted Warbler: one singing at Fung Lok Wai on 17th was considered to be the bird originally seen there from 12 November 2021 – 1 December 2022, and not the individual present from 18 January – 15 February this year
Baikal Bush Warbler: one was singing at Mai Po on 15th
Vinous-throated Parrotbill: two were at Tai Mo Shan on 15th
Chinese Grassbird: three were at Ping Fung Shan on 18th
Eyebrowed Thrush: two were at Wu Kau Tang on 15th
Fujian Niltava: one was at Wu Kau Tang on 15th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: the first bird of the season was at Ho Man Tin on 18th; one was at Po Toi on 20th
Bluethroat: four were at Mai Po on 15th
Citrine Wagtail: one was at Tai Sang Wai on 20th
White Wagtail: a leucopsis x alboides hybrid was seen at Mai Po on 16th & 20th. This is the returning bird that was first seen at Mai Po in 2019. See: https://www.birdinghongkong.com/march-2021.html
Tree Pipit: the bird first seen on 3 March remained at Mai Po until at least 20th
Black-headed Bunting: a male was at San Tin on 20th
Common Reed Bunting: one was trapped at Mai Po on 15th; this is the fourth individual to be trapped at Mai Po during the 2021/22 winter.
March 21-31
Pallas's Gull and Heuglin's Gulls at Mai Po, 24 March 2022
Unsettled weather with a series of cold fronts bringing rain and thunderstorms to the coast of southern China. Temperatures varied from the mid-teens to the high-twenties. The humidity was very high on occasions. Winds were largely from the east.
The bad weather brought in a wide range of migrants to the territory including cuckoos, needletails, Grey-faced Buzzards, minivets and flycatchers. Highlight among the seabirds off Po Toi was a Flesh-footed Shearwater videoed among record numbers of Streaked Shearwaters by Bart de Schutter on 21st. This is a first record for Hong Kong. Another potential first was a Spot-breasted Parrotbill photographed by Sherman Yeung in the mist at Tai Mo Shan on 22nd. Unlike the shearwater, however, there may be doubts about the provenance of the parrotbill. Details follow:
Greater White-fronted Goose: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA was presumably the same wintering bird that was last seen there on 25 January
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake remained at Mai Po until at least 30th
Garganey: 50 were at Mai Po on 23rd with 60 there on 30th; 28 were off Po Toi on 29th
Falcated Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 53 on 30th
Japanese Quail: one was at San Tin on 27th
White-throated Needletail: three were at Pat Sing Leng on 30th
Silver-backed Needletail: two were at Pat Sing Leng on 30th; ten were at Shek Pik on 31st
Pacific Swift: highest counts were 30 at Po Toi on 26th and 50 at Shek Pik on 31st
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo: the first birds of the season involved singles at Pak Sha O on 27th and Mt Parker on 31st
Indian Cuckoo: the first birds of the season involved singles at Mai Po and San Tin on 30th
Oriental Cuckoo: one was at Po Toi on 26th with two there on 29th and one on 31st
Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo: three were at Pak Sha O on 26th with one there from 27th - 31st; one was at Ng Tung Chai on 29th; one was at Wong Chuk Yeung on 31st
Domestic Pigeon (Rock Dove) (Cat IIB): 660 were at Kowloon Park on 31st – a new high count for Hong Kong
Grey-headed Swamphen: the long-staying bird was at Mai Po on 22nd
Grey-headed Lapwing: one was at Mai Po on 30th
Far Eastern Curlew: highest count at Mai Po was four on 26th
Sanderling: singles were at Shui Hau on 29th, Mai Po on 30th and - ore unusually - at Long Valley on 31st
Little Stint: singles were at Tai Sang Wai on 25th and San Tin from 27th - 30th
Red-necked Phalarope: counts off Po Toi involved 127 on 22nd, 117 on 29th, 601 on 30th and 456 on 31st
Nordmann’s Greenshank: two were at Mai Po on 27th with numbers rising to 16 on 30th
Oriental Pratincole: highest counts were 15 at Mai Po on 23rd, 60 at San Tin on 30th and 16 at Po Toi on 27th
Saunders’s’Gull: 20 were at Mai Po on 23rd
Pallas’s Gull: two were at Mai Po on 24th
Black-tailed Gull: counts off Po Toi were one on 27th, three on 29th, one on 30th and three on 31st; two were at Mai Po on 30th
Vega Gull: highest count at Mai Po was three on 26th
Mongolian Gull: highest count at Mai Po was five on 30th
Slaty-backed Gull: one was at Mai Po on 24th and two were there on 26th
Heuglin’s Gull: counts at Po Toi involved 75 on 21st, 34 on 27th, 107 on 29th, 267 on 30th and 72 on 31st.
The bad weather brought in a wide range of migrants to the territory including cuckoos, needletails, Grey-faced Buzzards, minivets and flycatchers. Highlight among the seabirds off Po Toi was a Flesh-footed Shearwater videoed among record numbers of Streaked Shearwaters by Bart de Schutter on 21st. This is a first record for Hong Kong. Another potential first was a Spot-breasted Parrotbill photographed by Sherman Yeung in the mist at Tai Mo Shan on 22nd. Unlike the shearwater, however, there may be doubts about the provenance of the parrotbill. Details follow:
Greater White-fronted Goose: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA was presumably the same wintering bird that was last seen there on 25 January
Baikal Teal: the wintering drake remained at Mai Po until at least 30th
Garganey: 50 were at Mai Po on 23rd with 60 there on 30th; 28 were off Po Toi on 29th
Falcated Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 53 on 30th
Japanese Quail: one was at San Tin on 27th
White-throated Needletail: three were at Pat Sing Leng on 30th
Silver-backed Needletail: two were at Pat Sing Leng on 30th; ten were at Shek Pik on 31st
Pacific Swift: highest counts were 30 at Po Toi on 26th and 50 at Shek Pik on 31st
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo: the first birds of the season involved singles at Pak Sha O on 27th and Mt Parker on 31st
Indian Cuckoo: the first birds of the season involved singles at Mai Po and San Tin on 30th
Oriental Cuckoo: one was at Po Toi on 26th with two there on 29th and one on 31st
Hodgson’s Hawk Cuckoo: three were at Pak Sha O on 26th with one there from 27th - 31st; one was at Ng Tung Chai on 29th; one was at Wong Chuk Yeung on 31st
Domestic Pigeon (Rock Dove) (Cat IIB): 660 were at Kowloon Park on 31st – a new high count for Hong Kong
Grey-headed Swamphen: the long-staying bird was at Mai Po on 22nd
Grey-headed Lapwing: one was at Mai Po on 30th
Far Eastern Curlew: highest count at Mai Po was four on 26th
Sanderling: singles were at Shui Hau on 29th, Mai Po on 30th and - ore unusually - at Long Valley on 31st
Little Stint: singles were at Tai Sang Wai on 25th and San Tin from 27th - 30th
Red-necked Phalarope: counts off Po Toi involved 127 on 22nd, 117 on 29th, 601 on 30th and 456 on 31st
Nordmann’s Greenshank: two were at Mai Po on 27th with numbers rising to 16 on 30th
Oriental Pratincole: highest counts were 15 at Mai Po on 23rd, 60 at San Tin on 30th and 16 at Po Toi on 27th
Saunders’s’Gull: 20 were at Mai Po on 23rd
Pallas’s Gull: two were at Mai Po on 24th
Black-tailed Gull: counts off Po Toi were one on 27th, three on 29th, one on 30th and three on 31st; two were at Mai Po on 30th
Vega Gull: highest count at Mai Po was three on 26th
Mongolian Gull: highest count at Mai Po was five on 30th
Slaty-backed Gull: one was at Mai Po on 24th and two were there on 26th
Heuglin’s Gull: counts at Po Toi involved 75 on 21st, 34 on 27th, 107 on 29th, 267 on 30th and 72 on 31st.
2nd-calendar-year Slaty-backed Gull at Mai Po, 24 March 2022
Gull-billed Tern: highest count at Mai Po was 35 on 26th; six were off Po Toi on 29th with three there on 30th and 27 on 31st
Caspian Tern: highest count at Mai Po was nine on 30th
Greater Crested Tern: counts at Po Toi involved 31 on 21st, eight on 22nd, 49 on 27th, 24 on 29th, 114 on 30th and 19 on 31st
Little Tern: six were off Po Toi on 30th with one there on 31st
Common Tern: counts at Po Toi involved two on 21st, 33 on 27th and five on 30th
Whiskered Tern: two were at San Tin on 21st & 27th with four there on 30th; two were at Tai Sang Wai on 28th with three there on 30th; one was off Po Toi on 29th; one was at Mai Po on 30th
Pomarine Jaeger: five were off Po Toi on 21st
Parasitic Jaeger: counts at Po Toi involved one on 21st, two on 22nd, five on 27th, five on 29th, eight on 30th and two on 31st
Ancient Murrelet: two were off Po Toi on 21st with four there on 30th
Streaked Shearwater: counts at Po Toi involved an unprecedented 479 on 21st, four on 22nd, 56 on 27th and 23 on 30th; 100 were seen from the Po Toi ferry on 24th
Flesh-footed Shearwater: an all-dark shearwater seen off Po Toi on 20th was considered to be this species but was too distant to be identified with absolute certainty; fortunately, what was considered to be the same bird came close enough on 21st to be videoed and positively identified. This is a new species for Hong Kong. See
https://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redirect.php?tid=30472&goto=lastpost#lastpost for Bart de Schutter's account of this occurrence
Brown Booby: two were together off Po Toi on 29th
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 59 on 27th
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Mai Po on 22nd
Black-winged Kite: singles were reported from San Tin, Mai Po, Nam Sang Wai and Tai Sang Wai during the period under review
Crested Honey Buzzard: one was at Tai Tong on 29th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one was at Kai Kung Leng on 21st
Japanese Sparrowhawk: singles were at Tai Wai on 21st, Mai Po on 22nd and Pak Sha O on 26th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: singles were reported from Yuen Long Park on 25th, San Tin on 30th and Tai Po Kau on 31st
Pied Harrier: one was at San Tin from 21st to 30th
Grey-faced Buzzard: reported from 25th from at least 14 sites with high counts of 31 at Nam Shan and 21 at San Tin on 30th, and 24 at Shek Pik on 31st
Northern Boobook: one was at Po Toi between 27th & 31st
Chinese Barbet: one was singing at Tai Po Kau on 29th; one was at Pat Sing Leng on 30th
Ashy Minivet: recorded from 24th at five sites, highest counts of 12 at Po Toi 29th & 31st, and nine at Mt Davis on 31st
Swinhoe’s Minivet: singles were at Po Toi on 26th and Tai Tong on 29th
Black-naped Oriole: one was at Lai Chi Kok on 24th
Eurasian Skylark: one was at San Tin from 21st – 30th
Sand Martin: two were at San Tin on 28th
Barn Swallow: two birds with deep red underparts indicative of the race tytleri were at Mai Po on 31st
Asian House Martin: one was at San Tin on 21st; two were at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 30th
Alström's Warbler: two were at Pak Sha O on 26th & 28th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one was at Po Toi on 24th
Arctic Warbler: one was at Lamma on 31st
Blunt-winged Warbler: one was at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 30th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one was at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 30th
Spot-breasted Parrotbill: one was photographed at Tai Mo Shan on 22nd. This is the first record for Hong Kong. Although it occurs in Guangdong province some 200 km northwest of Hong Kong, its sedentary nature raises doubts about its provenance; it may well end up as a Category III record
Orange-headed Thrush: one was at Ho Man Tin on 29th
White’s Thrush: one was at Po Toi on 24th & 29th
Eyebrowed Thrush: one was at Mai Po on 22nd; one was at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 25th; two were at Pak Sha O on 26th with one there on 28th; two were at Po Toi on 26th with one there on 31st; one was at Uk Tau on 31st
Pale Thrush: one was at Uk Tau on 31st
Ferruginous Flycatcher: up to two at Po Toi from 22nd – 31st, with singles at Ho Man Tin on 26th and Tai Po Kau on 29th & 30th
Hainan Blue Flycatcher: singles were at Pak Sha O on 26th, Tai Tong on 29th and King’s Park on 30th. One of the orange-throated morph (currently treated as race klossi) was at Pak Sha O on 31st
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: reported in ones and twos from 22nd at seven sites, with high counts of five at at Po Toi on 24th and Pak Sha O on 26th
Bluethroat: three were at Mai Po on 22nd
Narcissus Flycatcher: reported from 24th at five sites, ones and twos apart from four at Pak Sha O on 26th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Po Toi on 24th & 27th
Citrine Wagtail: one was at Tai Sang Wai on 28th & 30th
Tree Pipit: the bird first seen on 3 March was last seen at Mai Po on 21st
Upland Pipit: two were at Pat Sing Leng on 30th
Chinese Grosbeak: 20 were at San Tin on 27th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: three were at Long Valley on 21st with two there on 31st. Two were at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 30th, one of them being a small, richly coloured bird that may be of the race kuatunensis. This bird has been present since the end of 2021 and was photographed on 9 March. If accepted, this will be the first confirmed record of this taxon for Hong Kong
Black-headed Bunting: a male was at San Tin on 21st & 26th
Common Reed Bunting: one was trapped at Mai Po on 22nd.
Caspian Tern: highest count at Mai Po was nine on 30th
Greater Crested Tern: counts at Po Toi involved 31 on 21st, eight on 22nd, 49 on 27th, 24 on 29th, 114 on 30th and 19 on 31st
Little Tern: six were off Po Toi on 30th with one there on 31st
Common Tern: counts at Po Toi involved two on 21st, 33 on 27th and five on 30th
Whiskered Tern: two were at San Tin on 21st & 27th with four there on 30th; two were at Tai Sang Wai on 28th with three there on 30th; one was off Po Toi on 29th; one was at Mai Po on 30th
Pomarine Jaeger: five were off Po Toi on 21st
Parasitic Jaeger: counts at Po Toi involved one on 21st, two on 22nd, five on 27th, five on 29th, eight on 30th and two on 31st
Ancient Murrelet: two were off Po Toi on 21st with four there on 30th
Streaked Shearwater: counts at Po Toi involved an unprecedented 479 on 21st, four on 22nd, 56 on 27th and 23 on 30th; 100 were seen from the Po Toi ferry on 24th
Flesh-footed Shearwater: an all-dark shearwater seen off Po Toi on 20th was considered to be this species but was too distant to be identified with absolute certainty; fortunately, what was considered to be the same bird came close enough on 21st to be videoed and positively identified. This is a new species for Hong Kong. See
https://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redirect.php?tid=30472&goto=lastpost#lastpost for Bart de Schutter's account of this occurrence
Brown Booby: two were together off Po Toi on 29th
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 59 on 27th
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Mai Po on 22nd
Black-winged Kite: singles were reported from San Tin, Mai Po, Nam Sang Wai and Tai Sang Wai during the period under review
Crested Honey Buzzard: one was at Tai Tong on 29th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one was at Kai Kung Leng on 21st
Japanese Sparrowhawk: singles were at Tai Wai on 21st, Mai Po on 22nd and Pak Sha O on 26th
Eurasian Sparrowhawk: singles were reported from Yuen Long Park on 25th, San Tin on 30th and Tai Po Kau on 31st
Pied Harrier: one was at San Tin from 21st to 30th
Grey-faced Buzzard: reported from 25th from at least 14 sites with high counts of 31 at Nam Shan and 21 at San Tin on 30th, and 24 at Shek Pik on 31st
Northern Boobook: one was at Po Toi between 27th & 31st
Chinese Barbet: one was singing at Tai Po Kau on 29th; one was at Pat Sing Leng on 30th
Ashy Minivet: recorded from 24th at five sites, highest counts of 12 at Po Toi 29th & 31st, and nine at Mt Davis on 31st
Swinhoe’s Minivet: singles were at Po Toi on 26th and Tai Tong on 29th
Black-naped Oriole: one was at Lai Chi Kok on 24th
Eurasian Skylark: one was at San Tin from 21st – 30th
Sand Martin: two were at San Tin on 28th
Barn Swallow: two birds with deep red underparts indicative of the race tytleri were at Mai Po on 31st
Asian House Martin: one was at San Tin on 21st; two were at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 30th
Alström's Warbler: two were at Pak Sha O on 26th & 28th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one was at Po Toi on 24th
Arctic Warbler: one was at Lamma on 31st
Blunt-winged Warbler: one was at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 30th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one was at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 30th
Spot-breasted Parrotbill: one was photographed at Tai Mo Shan on 22nd. This is the first record for Hong Kong. Although it occurs in Guangdong province some 200 km northwest of Hong Kong, its sedentary nature raises doubts about its provenance; it may well end up as a Category III record
Orange-headed Thrush: one was at Ho Man Tin on 29th
White’s Thrush: one was at Po Toi on 24th & 29th
Eyebrowed Thrush: one was at Mai Po on 22nd; one was at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 25th; two were at Pak Sha O on 26th with one there on 28th; two were at Po Toi on 26th with one there on 31st; one was at Uk Tau on 31st
Pale Thrush: one was at Uk Tau on 31st
Ferruginous Flycatcher: up to two at Po Toi from 22nd – 31st, with singles at Ho Man Tin on 26th and Tai Po Kau on 29th & 30th
Hainan Blue Flycatcher: singles were at Pak Sha O on 26th, Tai Tong on 29th and King’s Park on 30th. One of the orange-throated morph (currently treated as race klossi) was at Pak Sha O on 31st
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: reported in ones and twos from 22nd at seven sites, with high counts of five at at Po Toi on 24th and Pak Sha O on 26th
Bluethroat: three were at Mai Po on 22nd
Narcissus Flycatcher: reported from 24th at five sites, ones and twos apart from four at Pak Sha O on 26th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Po Toi on 24th & 27th
Citrine Wagtail: one was at Tai Sang Wai on 28th & 30th
Tree Pipit: the bird first seen on 3 March was last seen at Mai Po on 21st
Upland Pipit: two were at Pat Sing Leng on 30th
Chinese Grosbeak: 20 were at San Tin on 27th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: three were at Long Valley on 21st with two there on 31st. Two were at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 30th, one of them being a small, richly coloured bird that may be of the race kuatunensis. This bird has been present since the end of 2021 and was photographed on 9 March. If accepted, this will be the first confirmed record of this taxon for Hong Kong
Black-headed Bunting: a male was at San Tin on 21st & 26th
Common Reed Bunting: one was trapped at Mai Po on 22nd.
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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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