LATEST SIGHTINGS - MAY 2022
May 1-8
May 1-8
Eastern Cattle Egrets in Hong Kong in May (BHK archive)
A blast of the northeast monsoon brought heavy showers to southern China on 1st & 2nd. The temperature on 2nd dropped to 16℃ which was the coolest day in May since 1917. The weather for the rest of the week was mainly fine with easterly winds and temperatures up to 29℃.
The bad weather at the start of the month brought in a number of late spring migrants to Hong Kong, most notably Brown Shrikes, Arctic Warblers and Grey-streaked Flycatchers. Brown Shrikes were, in fact, present in record numbers on 1st and 2nd. Other species brought in by the weather included Whiskered Terns, Eastern Cattle Egrets, Eastern Yellow Wagtails and Pechora Pipits. There were also two major rarities later in the week: a Masked Booby was off Po Toi and an Ashy Woodswallow was at Ping Yeung, both on 6th. Details below:
Greater White-fronted Goose: the long-staying bird was still at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 3rd – a very late date for a goose!
Grey Nightjar: two were at Fo Tan on 4th; one was at Tung Chung on 6th; one was at Shing Mun on 7th
Silver-backed Needletail: two were at Po Toi on 1st
Pacific Swift: highest count was 45 at Po Toi on 1st
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo: four were at Nam Chung on 4th
Oriental Cuckoo: two were at Po Toi on 1st; two were at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd; two were at Lions Nature Education Centre on 8th
Slaty-legged Crake: one was at Ho Pui reservoir on 3rd; one was at Luk Keng on 5th
Little Curlew: one was at Long Valley on 2nd
Far Eastern Curlew: ten were at Mai Po on 5th
Asian Dowitcher: highest count was 222 at Mai Po on 2nd
Red-necked Phalarope: highest count was 821 off Po Toi on 7th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: one was at Mai Po on 1st with two there on 5th
Oriental Pratincole: singles were at Mai Po on 2nd and Long Valley on 3rd; highest count of birds migrating off Po Toi was ten on 4th
Gull-billed Tern: highest count was 31 of Po Toi on 4th
Greater Crested Tern: highest count was 28 off Po Toi on 4th
Little Tern: 32 were at Mai Po on 5th; highest count off Po Toi was 159 on 5th
Aleutian Tern: highest count was 312 off Po Toi on 7th;
Bridled Tern: highest count was 248 off Po Toi on 8th
Roseate Tern: highest count was 14 off Po Toi on 8th
Black-naped Tern: highest counts were 25 were in Tolo Harbour on 5th and 25 in southern waters on 7th
Common Tern: highest count at Po Toi was 456 on 5th, which is the highest count since 1999
Whiskered Tern: Widespread reports. Counts included 92 at Po Toi and 70 at Mai Po on 1st, ‘a few hundred in northeast Lantau waters’ on 2nd, 60 at San Tin on 3rd, 150 at Cheung Chau on 4th, 62 at Tai Sang Wai on 5th and 53 at Hung Hom ferry pier on 7th
White-winged Tern: Widespread reports. Highest count involved 336 off Po Toi on 7th; c. 230 were at Cheung Chau on 8th
Parasitic Jaeger: counts off Po Toi involved one on 2nd, four on 3rd, five on 4th, ten on 5th, 27 on 6th, 16 on 7th and three on 8th
Long-tailed Jaeger: one was in southern waters on 7th
Streaked Shearwater: off Po Toi, two were seen on 5th and three on 7th
Short-tailed Shearwater: one was in southern waters on 2nd. Counts off Po Toi involved one on 3rd, nine on 4th, 11 on 5th, 18 on 7th and three on 8th. The count of 18 on 7th was a new high count for the territory
Lesser Frigatebird: one was in Tolo Harbour on 5th
Masked Booby: one was off Po Toi on 6th; this will be the second HK record if accepted, the first being one, also off Po Toi, on 18 March 2008
Red-footed Booby: singles were off Green Island on 1st and Po Toi on 5th
Brown Booby: singles were off Po Toi on 2nd, 4th and 5th, and two were seen together on 6th.
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 30 on 2nd
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Fung Lok Wai on 2nd; one was at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 3rd
Malayan Night Heron: one was at Ho Pui reservoir on 3rd; one was at Lam Tsuen on 6th
Eastern Cattle Egret: migrants brought in by the bad weather included 120 at southwest Lantau on 2nd and 100 at Pui O on 3rd
Chinese Egret: one was at Po Toi on 2nd; two were at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd; one was at Stanley on 3rd; one was at San Tin on 4th; one was at Mai Po on 5th and five were there on 8th
Black-winged Kite: singles were at Mai Po and Fung Lok Wai on 2nd; two were at Mai Po on 5th
Crested Honey Buzzard: one was at Jordan Valley Park on 4th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one was at Ngong Ping on 4th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: noted at several sites until 7th. Highest counts involved 56 at Po Toi on 1st and 101 at Ngong Ping on 3rd
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one was at Po Toi on 1st
Grey-faced Buzzard: one was at Po Toi on 1st; two were at Ngong Ping on 3rd
Northern Boobook: one was heard at Po Toi on 3rd
Oriental Dollarbird: one was at Po Toi on 1st
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: eight were at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd
Chinese Barbet: two were at Tai Po Kau on 2nd; two were at Tai Lam CP on 3rd & 5th; one was at Tai Mo Shan on 7th
Ashy Woodswallow: one was at Ping Yeung on 6th – the third record for Hong Kong
Ashy Minivet: two were at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd; one was at Lo Kei Wan on 4th
Brown Shrike: widespread sightings from 1st-8th, especially on 1st & 2nd, with record counts of at least 207 at Po Toi on 1st and 217 at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd; much smaller numbers elsewhere. Seemingly, this fall involved a mix of lucionensis and confusus, along with small numbers of cristatus
Ashy Drongo: one was at Po Toi on 1st
Black-naped Monarch: one was at Ting Kok on 3rd
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one was heard at Po Toi on 3rd
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one was at Ho Pui village on 3rd
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one was at Lai Chi Kok on 1st; one was at Po Toi on 2nd; three were at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd; one was at Fo Tan on 4th
Arctic Warbler: widespread sightings in small numbers from 1st-8th with a high count of ten at Po Toi on 1st
Spot-breasted Parrotbill: the confiding bird of unknown origin remained at Tai Mo Shan until at least 8th
Vinous-throated Parrotbill: eight were at Tai Mo Shan on 7th
Orange-headed Thrush: one was at Tai Po Kau on 2nd; two were at Tai Lam CP on 3rd with one there on 7th; one was at Tai Mo Shan on 8th
Eyebrowed Thrush: 15 were at Tai Lam CP on 3rd with 30 there on 5th and seven on 7th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: widespread sightings in small (generally single-digit) numbers from 1st-8th, with high counts of 11 at Clearwater Bay and 30 at southwest Lantau on 2nd, and ten at Shui Hau on 4th
Brown-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Tai Po Kau on 2nd; one was at Tai Lam CP on 3rd & 7th
Red-throated Flycatcher: one was at Po Toi on 3rd; this is a new late date, the previous latest being 28 April
Eastern Yellow Wagtail: 250 were at Mai Po on 4th and 1135 were there on 5th; this is the highest count this century
Pechora Pipit: singles were at Tung Lung Chau, Big Wave Bay and southwest Lantau on 2nd, Lok Ma Chau EEA on 3rd, and Shui Hau on 3rd & 5th; nine were at Mai Po on 5th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one was at Long Valley on 4th.
The bad weather at the start of the month brought in a number of late spring migrants to Hong Kong, most notably Brown Shrikes, Arctic Warblers and Grey-streaked Flycatchers. Brown Shrikes were, in fact, present in record numbers on 1st and 2nd. Other species brought in by the weather included Whiskered Terns, Eastern Cattle Egrets, Eastern Yellow Wagtails and Pechora Pipits. There were also two major rarities later in the week: a Masked Booby was off Po Toi and an Ashy Woodswallow was at Ping Yeung, both on 6th. Details below:
Greater White-fronted Goose: the long-staying bird was still at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 3rd – a very late date for a goose!
Grey Nightjar: two were at Fo Tan on 4th; one was at Tung Chung on 6th; one was at Shing Mun on 7th
Silver-backed Needletail: two were at Po Toi on 1st
Pacific Swift: highest count was 45 at Po Toi on 1st
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo: four were at Nam Chung on 4th
Oriental Cuckoo: two were at Po Toi on 1st; two were at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd; two were at Lions Nature Education Centre on 8th
Slaty-legged Crake: one was at Ho Pui reservoir on 3rd; one was at Luk Keng on 5th
Little Curlew: one was at Long Valley on 2nd
Far Eastern Curlew: ten were at Mai Po on 5th
Asian Dowitcher: highest count was 222 at Mai Po on 2nd
Red-necked Phalarope: highest count was 821 off Po Toi on 7th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: one was at Mai Po on 1st with two there on 5th
Oriental Pratincole: singles were at Mai Po on 2nd and Long Valley on 3rd; highest count of birds migrating off Po Toi was ten on 4th
Gull-billed Tern: highest count was 31 of Po Toi on 4th
Greater Crested Tern: highest count was 28 off Po Toi on 4th
Little Tern: 32 were at Mai Po on 5th; highest count off Po Toi was 159 on 5th
Aleutian Tern: highest count was 312 off Po Toi on 7th;
Bridled Tern: highest count was 248 off Po Toi on 8th
Roseate Tern: highest count was 14 off Po Toi on 8th
Black-naped Tern: highest counts were 25 were in Tolo Harbour on 5th and 25 in southern waters on 7th
Common Tern: highest count at Po Toi was 456 on 5th, which is the highest count since 1999
Whiskered Tern: Widespread reports. Counts included 92 at Po Toi and 70 at Mai Po on 1st, ‘a few hundred in northeast Lantau waters’ on 2nd, 60 at San Tin on 3rd, 150 at Cheung Chau on 4th, 62 at Tai Sang Wai on 5th and 53 at Hung Hom ferry pier on 7th
White-winged Tern: Widespread reports. Highest count involved 336 off Po Toi on 7th; c. 230 were at Cheung Chau on 8th
Parasitic Jaeger: counts off Po Toi involved one on 2nd, four on 3rd, five on 4th, ten on 5th, 27 on 6th, 16 on 7th and three on 8th
Long-tailed Jaeger: one was in southern waters on 7th
Streaked Shearwater: off Po Toi, two were seen on 5th and three on 7th
Short-tailed Shearwater: one was in southern waters on 2nd. Counts off Po Toi involved one on 3rd, nine on 4th, 11 on 5th, 18 on 7th and three on 8th. The count of 18 on 7th was a new high count for the territory
Lesser Frigatebird: one was in Tolo Harbour on 5th
Masked Booby: one was off Po Toi on 6th; this will be the second HK record if accepted, the first being one, also off Po Toi, on 18 March 2008
Red-footed Booby: singles were off Green Island on 1st and Po Toi on 5th
Brown Booby: singles were off Po Toi on 2nd, 4th and 5th, and two were seen together on 6th.
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 30 on 2nd
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Fung Lok Wai on 2nd; one was at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 3rd
Malayan Night Heron: one was at Ho Pui reservoir on 3rd; one was at Lam Tsuen on 6th
Eastern Cattle Egret: migrants brought in by the bad weather included 120 at southwest Lantau on 2nd and 100 at Pui O on 3rd
Chinese Egret: one was at Po Toi on 2nd; two were at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd; one was at Stanley on 3rd; one was at San Tin on 4th; one was at Mai Po on 5th and five were there on 8th
Black-winged Kite: singles were at Mai Po and Fung Lok Wai on 2nd; two were at Mai Po on 5th
Crested Honey Buzzard: one was at Jordan Valley Park on 4th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one was at Ngong Ping on 4th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: noted at several sites until 7th. Highest counts involved 56 at Po Toi on 1st and 101 at Ngong Ping on 3rd
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one was at Po Toi on 1st
Grey-faced Buzzard: one was at Po Toi on 1st; two were at Ngong Ping on 3rd
Northern Boobook: one was heard at Po Toi on 3rd
Oriental Dollarbird: one was at Po Toi on 1st
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: eight were at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd
Chinese Barbet: two were at Tai Po Kau on 2nd; two were at Tai Lam CP on 3rd & 5th; one was at Tai Mo Shan on 7th
Ashy Woodswallow: one was at Ping Yeung on 6th – the third record for Hong Kong
Ashy Minivet: two were at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd; one was at Lo Kei Wan on 4th
Brown Shrike: widespread sightings from 1st-8th, especially on 1st & 2nd, with record counts of at least 207 at Po Toi on 1st and 217 at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd; much smaller numbers elsewhere. Seemingly, this fall involved a mix of lucionensis and confusus, along with small numbers of cristatus
Ashy Drongo: one was at Po Toi on 1st
Black-naped Monarch: one was at Ting Kok on 3rd
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one was heard at Po Toi on 3rd
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one was at Ho Pui village on 3rd
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one was at Lai Chi Kok on 1st; one was at Po Toi on 2nd; three were at Tung Lung Chau on 2nd; one was at Fo Tan on 4th
Arctic Warbler: widespread sightings in small numbers from 1st-8th with a high count of ten at Po Toi on 1st
Spot-breasted Parrotbill: the confiding bird of unknown origin remained at Tai Mo Shan until at least 8th
Vinous-throated Parrotbill: eight were at Tai Mo Shan on 7th
Orange-headed Thrush: one was at Tai Po Kau on 2nd; two were at Tai Lam CP on 3rd with one there on 7th; one was at Tai Mo Shan on 8th
Eyebrowed Thrush: 15 were at Tai Lam CP on 3rd with 30 there on 5th and seven on 7th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: widespread sightings in small (generally single-digit) numbers from 1st-8th, with high counts of 11 at Clearwater Bay and 30 at southwest Lantau on 2nd, and ten at Shui Hau on 4th
Brown-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Tai Po Kau on 2nd; one was at Tai Lam CP on 3rd & 7th
Red-throated Flycatcher: one was at Po Toi on 3rd; this is a new late date, the previous latest being 28 April
Eastern Yellow Wagtail: 250 were at Mai Po on 4th and 1135 were there on 5th; this is the highest count this century
Pechora Pipit: singles were at Tung Lung Chau, Big Wave Bay and southwest Lantau on 2nd, Lok Ma Chau EEA on 3rd, and Shui Hau on 3rd & 5th; nine were at Mai Po on 5th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one was at Long Valley on 4th.
May 9-15
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Mai Po in May (BHK archive)
A trough of low pressure over the northern part of the South China Sea brought low cloud and heavy rain during the week. It rained continuously on 11th & 12th; two Amber Rainstorm Warnings were issued on 12th and a Red Rainstorm Warning on the early morning of 13th meant that schools were cancelled for the day. The rain was less intense at the end of the week but it remained cloudy and showery. It was relatively cool with temperatures in the mid-twenties.
The rain continued to bring migrants to the territory, notably two Tiger Shrikes and a Fairy Pitta to urban Kowloon and five Blue-throated Bee-eaters to Mai Po. Details below:
White-throated Needletail: three were at Lions Nature Education Centre on 13th
Pacific Swift: highest counts were 11 at Lions Nature Education Centre on 13th and 20 at Sai Kung on 15th
Lesser Cuckoo: the first bird of the season was one at Pak Nai on 14th
Oriental Cuckoo: two were at Lions Nature Education Centre on 9th & 10th
Watercock: one was at San Tin on 14th
Little Curlew: up to two were at Mai Po from 9th – 15th
Far Eastern Curlew: highest count at Mai Po was five on 14th
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper: 171 were at Mai Po on 14th
Red-necked Phalarope: 266 were in southeastern waters on 9th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: one was at Mai Po on 9th with two there on 14th
Oriental Pratincole: one was at Mai Po on 10th with two there on 14th; one was off Po Toi on 15th
Gull-billed Tern: 92 were at Mai Po on 14th
Caspian Tern: four were at Mai Po on 14th
Greater Crested Tern: three were in southeastern waters on 9th; eight were off Po Toi on 15th
Little Tern: three were at Mai Po on 9th, 14th & 15th; one was at Cheung Chau on 10th
Aleutian Tern: 37 were in southeastern waters on 9th
Bridled Tern: highest count was 145 off Po Toi on 15th
Roseate Tern: two were seen from the Wong Shek-Tap Mun ferry on 13th; six were at Tap Mun on 14th; ten were seen from the central-Cheung Chau ferry on 14th; nine were seen at Po Toi on 15th
Black-naped Tern: highest counts involved 30 from the Wong Shek-Tap Mun ferry on 13th and 30 at Castle Rock near Po Toi on 15th
Common Tern: 53 were in southeastern waters on 9th
Whiskered Tern: widespread reports including 150 in Victoria Harbour on 9th, 80 at Cheung Chau on 10th and 66 at Ma Tso Lung on 14th
White-winged Tern: widespread reports including 168 in southeastern waters and 60 in Victoria Harbour on 9th, 80 at Cheung Chau on 10th and 62 at Mai Po on 15th
Short-tailed Shearwater: two were in southeastern waters on 9th and one was off Po Toi on 15th
Lesser Frigatebird: one was at Causeway Bay on 10th
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 40 on 14th
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Mai Po on 14th & 15th
Malayan Night Heron: one was at Lam Tsuen on 13th
Chinese Egret: two were at Mai Po on 9th; two were at Pak Nai and one was at Tsim Bei Tsui on 15th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: singles were at Ho Pui reservoir on 9th, Po Toi on 12th, and Po Toi, Pui O and Sai Kung on 15th
Oriental Dollarbird: two were at Ho Man Tin on 12th; one was at Lam Tsuen on 13th; one was at Tai Tong and four were at Shek Kong catchwater on 14th; five were at Pui O, two were at Po Toi and one was at Fung Lok Wai on 15th
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: three were at Mai Po on 15th
Blue-throated Bee-eater: five were at Mai Po on 15th; the tenth Hong Kong record
Eurasian Hobby: one was at San Tin on 14th
Fairy Pitta: one was at King’s Park on 13th
Ashy Minivet: one was at Po Toi on 15th
Tiger Shrike: single adult males were at King’s Park on 13th and Ho Man Tin on 13th & 14th; these are the second and third spring records for Hong Kong, the first being an adult male at Ho Man Tin on 23 May 2017
Brown Shrike: widespread reports; highest count was seven at Ho Man Tin on 10th
Black-naped Oriole: singles were at Po Toi and South Horizons on 15th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: a female was at Ho Man Tin on 13th & 14th; one was at Po Toi on 15th. These are new late spring dates, the previous latest date being 6 May
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: two 1st-summer males were at Ho Man Tin on 13th & 14th
Sand Martin: 20 were at Tai Sang Wai on 13th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one was at Tung Lung Chau on 9th
Arctic Warbler: widespread reports; highest count was eight at Fo Tan on 9th
Orange-headed Thrush: one was at Tai Lam CP on 14th
Eyebrowed Thrush: two were at Tai Lam CP on 14th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: ones and twos reported from several sites during the week; 15 were at Po Toi on 15th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: two were at King’s Park on 13th
Asian Brown Flycatcher: widespread reports; highest count was five at Lions Nature Education Centre on 10th
White-tailed Robin: one was singing at Tai Lam CP on 14th; this was at a different location to the bird heard at the end of April but could possibly be the same bird relocating
Pechora Pipit: one was at Tai Sang Wai on 13th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one was at Heung Yuen Wai on 10th
The rain continued to bring migrants to the territory, notably two Tiger Shrikes and a Fairy Pitta to urban Kowloon and five Blue-throated Bee-eaters to Mai Po. Details below:
White-throated Needletail: three were at Lions Nature Education Centre on 13th
Pacific Swift: highest counts were 11 at Lions Nature Education Centre on 13th and 20 at Sai Kung on 15th
Lesser Cuckoo: the first bird of the season was one at Pak Nai on 14th
Oriental Cuckoo: two were at Lions Nature Education Centre on 9th & 10th
Watercock: one was at San Tin on 14th
Little Curlew: up to two were at Mai Po from 9th – 15th
Far Eastern Curlew: highest count at Mai Po was five on 14th
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper: 171 were at Mai Po on 14th
Red-necked Phalarope: 266 were in southeastern waters on 9th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: one was at Mai Po on 9th with two there on 14th
Oriental Pratincole: one was at Mai Po on 10th with two there on 14th; one was off Po Toi on 15th
Gull-billed Tern: 92 were at Mai Po on 14th
Caspian Tern: four were at Mai Po on 14th
Greater Crested Tern: three were in southeastern waters on 9th; eight were off Po Toi on 15th
Little Tern: three were at Mai Po on 9th, 14th & 15th; one was at Cheung Chau on 10th
Aleutian Tern: 37 were in southeastern waters on 9th
Bridled Tern: highest count was 145 off Po Toi on 15th
Roseate Tern: two were seen from the Wong Shek-Tap Mun ferry on 13th; six were at Tap Mun on 14th; ten were seen from the central-Cheung Chau ferry on 14th; nine were seen at Po Toi on 15th
Black-naped Tern: highest counts involved 30 from the Wong Shek-Tap Mun ferry on 13th and 30 at Castle Rock near Po Toi on 15th
Common Tern: 53 were in southeastern waters on 9th
Whiskered Tern: widespread reports including 150 in Victoria Harbour on 9th, 80 at Cheung Chau on 10th and 66 at Ma Tso Lung on 14th
White-winged Tern: widespread reports including 168 in southeastern waters and 60 in Victoria Harbour on 9th, 80 at Cheung Chau on 10th and 62 at Mai Po on 15th
Short-tailed Shearwater: two were in southeastern waters on 9th and one was off Po Toi on 15th
Lesser Frigatebird: one was at Causeway Bay on 10th
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 40 on 14th
Cinnamon Bittern: one was at Mai Po on 14th & 15th
Malayan Night Heron: one was at Lam Tsuen on 13th
Chinese Egret: two were at Mai Po on 9th; two were at Pak Nai and one was at Tsim Bei Tsui on 15th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: singles were at Ho Pui reservoir on 9th, Po Toi on 12th, and Po Toi, Pui O and Sai Kung on 15th
Oriental Dollarbird: two were at Ho Man Tin on 12th; one was at Lam Tsuen on 13th; one was at Tai Tong and four were at Shek Kong catchwater on 14th; five were at Pui O, two were at Po Toi and one was at Fung Lok Wai on 15th
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: three were at Mai Po on 15th
Blue-throated Bee-eater: five were at Mai Po on 15th; the tenth Hong Kong record
Eurasian Hobby: one was at San Tin on 14th
Fairy Pitta: one was at King’s Park on 13th
Ashy Minivet: one was at Po Toi on 15th
Tiger Shrike: single adult males were at King’s Park on 13th and Ho Man Tin on 13th & 14th; these are the second and third spring records for Hong Kong, the first being an adult male at Ho Man Tin on 23 May 2017
Brown Shrike: widespread reports; highest count was seven at Ho Man Tin on 10th
Black-naped Oriole: singles were at Po Toi and South Horizons on 15th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: a female was at Ho Man Tin on 13th & 14th; one was at Po Toi on 15th. These are new late spring dates, the previous latest date being 6 May
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: two 1st-summer males were at Ho Man Tin on 13th & 14th
Sand Martin: 20 were at Tai Sang Wai on 13th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one was at Tung Lung Chau on 9th
Arctic Warbler: widespread reports; highest count was eight at Fo Tan on 9th
Orange-headed Thrush: one was at Tai Lam CP on 14th
Eyebrowed Thrush: two were at Tai Lam CP on 14th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: ones and twos reported from several sites during the week; 15 were at Po Toi on 15th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: two were at King’s Park on 13th
Asian Brown Flycatcher: widespread reports; highest count was five at Lions Nature Education Centre on 10th
White-tailed Robin: one was singing at Tai Lam CP on 14th; this was at a different location to the bird heard at the end of April but could possibly be the same bird relocating
Pechora Pipit: one was at Tai Sang Wai on 13th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one was at Heung Yuen Wai on 10th
May 16-22
Red-necked Phalaropes at Mai Po Po in May (BHK archive)
The week was largely fine and dry with mainly easterly winds; temperatures gradually increased from a low of 19℃ on 16th (due to a surge of the northeast monsoon) to 31℃ on 21st.
The birding highlight was the second Bulwer’s Petrel of the month off Po Toi – seen by Bart de Schutter during one of his very rewarding marathon seawatching sessions from the island. Both Red-footed and Brown Boobies also passed by the island on the same day. Details below:
Greater White-fronted Goose: the long-staying bird was again noted at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 17th
Black Swan (Cat. III): one off Po Toi on 20th and one (the same bird?) at Pui O on the same day. This Australian swan is common in captivity in southern China, including Fairview Park near Yuen Long, and free-flying birds have been reported in HK on a few occasions in recent years, mainly at Mai Po.
Himalayan Swiftlet: singles were at the ZBG on 16th and Mai Po on 21st
Pacific Swift: highest count was 27 at Ngong Ping on 17th
Lesser Cuckoo: singles were heard at Tai Po Kau and Tsing Tam on 19th, and Ho Chung and Sai Kung on 20th
Oriental Cuckoo: one was trapped at Mai Po on 20th
Slaty-legged Crake: two were at Tsing Tam on 18th; one was at Uk Tau on 20th; one was at Fo Tan on 22nd
Grey-headed Lapwing: one was at Mai Po on 18th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: three were at Mai Po on 16th & 17th with two remaining on 19th and one on 22nd
Far Eastern Curlew: highest count at Mai Po was seven on 17th
Red-necked Stint: 620 were at Mai Po on 17th
Asian Dowitcher: one was at Mai Po on 17th with four there on 21st and 12 on 22nd
Red-necked Phalarope: highest count was at least 309 at Po Toi on 20th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: seven were at Mai Po on 17th with two there on 18th
Oriental Pratincole: 12 were off Po Toi on 18th and 12 were at Mai Po on 21st
Gull-billed Tern: highest count was 45 at Mai Po on 17th
Greater Crested Tern: noted daily off Po Toi from 17th-21st with a high count of 18 on 21st
Little Tern: one was at Mai Po on 17th & 19th. Noted daily off Po Toi from 18th-21st with a high count of 12 on 19th
Aleutian Tern: noted at Po Toi as follows: 31 on 19th, six on 20th and one on 21st
Bridled Tern: highest count was 187 off Po Toi on 18th
Roseate Tern: up to 11 noted at Po Toi from 18th – 21st
Common Tern: noted daily off Po Toi from 17th-21st with a high count of 171 on 20th
Whiskered Tern: highest count was 70 at Pui O on 20th
White-winged Tern: 69 were at Mai Po on 16th. Noted daily off Po Toi from 17th-21st with a high count of 93 on 19th
Parasitic Jaeger: noted at Po Toi as follows: two on 18th, three on 19th and two on 20th
Streaked Shearwater: two were off Po Toi on 20th and five were there on 21st
Short-tailed Shearwater: noted at Po Toi as follows: six on 18th, five on 19th, 16 on 20th and seven on 21st
Bulwer’s Petrel: one was off Po Toi 20th (and another probable was seen on the same day); this is potentially the sixth HK record. Bart’s observations in 2021 & 2022 suggest that this species is a regular spring and autumn migrant to HK in very small numbers
Lesser Frigatebird: one was at Mai Po on 19th
Red-footed Booby: one was off Po Toi 20th
Brown Booby: singles were off Po Toi on 17th & 21st
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 42 on 19th
Cinnamon Bittern: singles were at Kam Tin on 17th, Mai Po on 21st & 22nd and Fung Lok Wai on 22nd
Malayan Night Heron: singles were at Lions Nature Education Centre on 16th and Lam Tsuen on 17th
Black-winged Kite: up to two were at Mai Po from 16th – 22nd
Bonelli’s Eagle: singles were at Ho Pui Tsuen on 16th and Ngong Ping on 17th & 18th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: singles were at Lin Fa Tei and Tsing Tam on 16th; three were at Po Toi on 19th
Oriental Dollarbird: Reported from six sites from 16th – 22nd with high counts of 12 at Lin Fa Tei on 16th and seven at Kam Tin on 17th
Chinese Barbet: one was at Tai Lam CP 17th
Eurasian Hobby: one was at Long Valley on 18th
Fairy Pitta: one found dead at Shau Kei Wan on 17 May had flown into a window. One was also heard in Tai Po Kau on 20th. These records, along with one at King’s Park on 13th, are new late spring dates, the previous latest date being 6 May
Tiger Shrike: apparently up to two males and two females were at Ho Man Tin between 13th & 17th
Brown Shrike: highest count was five at Ho Man Tin on 16th
Black-naped Oriole: one was at Po Toi on 19th
Ashy Drongo: one at Ho Man Tin on 20th was a new late spring date by two days
Sand Martin: one was at Mai Po on 17th; five were at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 17th
Arctic Warbler: eight were at Po Toi on 19th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: highest count was five at Ho Man Tin on 16th
Brown-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Tai Lam CP on 17th
Pechora Pipit: two were at Mai Po on 20th.
The birding highlight was the second Bulwer’s Petrel of the month off Po Toi – seen by Bart de Schutter during one of his very rewarding marathon seawatching sessions from the island. Both Red-footed and Brown Boobies also passed by the island on the same day. Details below:
Greater White-fronted Goose: the long-staying bird was again noted at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 17th
Black Swan (Cat. III): one off Po Toi on 20th and one (the same bird?) at Pui O on the same day. This Australian swan is common in captivity in southern China, including Fairview Park near Yuen Long, and free-flying birds have been reported in HK on a few occasions in recent years, mainly at Mai Po.
Himalayan Swiftlet: singles were at the ZBG on 16th and Mai Po on 21st
Pacific Swift: highest count was 27 at Ngong Ping on 17th
Lesser Cuckoo: singles were heard at Tai Po Kau and Tsing Tam on 19th, and Ho Chung and Sai Kung on 20th
Oriental Cuckoo: one was trapped at Mai Po on 20th
Slaty-legged Crake: two were at Tsing Tam on 18th; one was at Uk Tau on 20th; one was at Fo Tan on 22nd
Grey-headed Lapwing: one was at Mai Po on 18th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: three were at Mai Po on 16th & 17th with two remaining on 19th and one on 22nd
Far Eastern Curlew: highest count at Mai Po was seven on 17th
Red-necked Stint: 620 were at Mai Po on 17th
Asian Dowitcher: one was at Mai Po on 17th with four there on 21st and 12 on 22nd
Red-necked Phalarope: highest count was at least 309 at Po Toi on 20th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: seven were at Mai Po on 17th with two there on 18th
Oriental Pratincole: 12 were off Po Toi on 18th and 12 were at Mai Po on 21st
Gull-billed Tern: highest count was 45 at Mai Po on 17th
Greater Crested Tern: noted daily off Po Toi from 17th-21st with a high count of 18 on 21st
Little Tern: one was at Mai Po on 17th & 19th. Noted daily off Po Toi from 18th-21st with a high count of 12 on 19th
Aleutian Tern: noted at Po Toi as follows: 31 on 19th, six on 20th and one on 21st
Bridled Tern: highest count was 187 off Po Toi on 18th
Roseate Tern: up to 11 noted at Po Toi from 18th – 21st
Common Tern: noted daily off Po Toi from 17th-21st with a high count of 171 on 20th
Whiskered Tern: highest count was 70 at Pui O on 20th
White-winged Tern: 69 were at Mai Po on 16th. Noted daily off Po Toi from 17th-21st with a high count of 93 on 19th
Parasitic Jaeger: noted at Po Toi as follows: two on 18th, three on 19th and two on 20th
Streaked Shearwater: two were off Po Toi on 20th and five were there on 21st
Short-tailed Shearwater: noted at Po Toi as follows: six on 18th, five on 19th, 16 on 20th and seven on 21st
Bulwer’s Petrel: one was off Po Toi 20th (and another probable was seen on the same day); this is potentially the sixth HK record. Bart’s observations in 2021 & 2022 suggest that this species is a regular spring and autumn migrant to HK in very small numbers
Lesser Frigatebird: one was at Mai Po on 19th
Red-footed Booby: one was off Po Toi 20th
Brown Booby: singles were off Po Toi on 17th & 21st
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count at Mai Po was 42 on 19th
Cinnamon Bittern: singles were at Kam Tin on 17th, Mai Po on 21st & 22nd and Fung Lok Wai on 22nd
Malayan Night Heron: singles were at Lions Nature Education Centre on 16th and Lam Tsuen on 17th
Black-winged Kite: up to two were at Mai Po from 16th – 22nd
Bonelli’s Eagle: singles were at Ho Pui Tsuen on 16th and Ngong Ping on 17th & 18th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: singles were at Lin Fa Tei and Tsing Tam on 16th; three were at Po Toi on 19th
Oriental Dollarbird: Reported from six sites from 16th – 22nd with high counts of 12 at Lin Fa Tei on 16th and seven at Kam Tin on 17th
Chinese Barbet: one was at Tai Lam CP 17th
Eurasian Hobby: one was at Long Valley on 18th
Fairy Pitta: one found dead at Shau Kei Wan on 17 May had flown into a window. One was also heard in Tai Po Kau on 20th. These records, along with one at King’s Park on 13th, are new late spring dates, the previous latest date being 6 May
Tiger Shrike: apparently up to two males and two females were at Ho Man Tin between 13th & 17th
Brown Shrike: highest count was five at Ho Man Tin on 16th
Black-naped Oriole: one was at Po Toi on 19th
Ashy Drongo: one at Ho Man Tin on 20th was a new late spring date by two days
Sand Martin: one was at Mai Po on 17th; five were at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 17th
Arctic Warbler: eight were at Po Toi on 19th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: highest count was five at Ho Man Tin on 16th
Brown-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Tai Lam CP on 17th
Pechora Pipit: two were at Mai Po on 20th.
May 23-31
Roseate Tern near Po Toi in May (BHK archive)
A broad trough of low pressure brought showers to southern China with rain being particularly continuous and heavy on 27th. Anticyclonic conditions from 28th onward brought hot conditions tempered with a few showers. Temperatures rose to 33℃ and winds were from the south.
Birding-wise, it felt like the beginning of the summer doldrums. Compared with previous weeks there were few records of interest:
Cotton Pygmy Goose: one was seen briefly at Mai Po on 30th
Garganey: one was at Mai Po on 23rd & 30th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: one was at Mai Po on 30th
Pacific Swift: eight were at Lions Nature Education Centre on 29th
Lesser Cuckoo: singles were at Tai Po Kau on 30th and Tai Mo Shan on 31st
Slaty-legged Crake: one was at Tai Po Kau on 25th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one was at Mai Po on 30th
Asian Dowitcher: 12 were at Mai Po on 23rd
Red-necked Phalarope: 30 were seen from the Po Toi ferry on 28th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: one was at Mai Po on 30th & 31st
Oriental Pratincole: one was at Mai Po on 23rd, seven were there on 30th and two were there on 31st
Black-headed Gull: one was at Mai Po on 31st
Gull-billed Tern: 14 were at Mai Po on 23rd with ten there on 31st
Little Tern: one was at Mai Po on 23rd
Aleutian Tern: two were seen from the Po Toi ferry on 24th
Roseate Tern: two were seen off Round Island from the Po Toi ferry on 28th
Common Tern: four were seen from the Po Toi ferry on 24th
White-winged Tern: one was at Mai Po on 23rd
Whiskered Tern: 12 were at Mai Po on 23rd; one was at Lok Ma Chai EEA on 24th; one was at Ma Tso Long on 25th
Black-faced Spoonbill: 27 were still at Mai Po on 23rd with 19 remaining on 31st
Von Schrenck’s Bittern: one was seen at Mt Parker on 29th
Cinnamon Bittern: two were at Mai Po on 25th
Black-winged Kite: two were at Palm Springs on 30th; one was at Mai Po on 31st
Black Baza: two were seen near Sheung Shui from 27th – 31st
Bonelli’s Eagle: two were at Pat Sin Leng on 29th
Chinese Barbet: singles were at Tai Po Kau and Tai Lam CP on 30th, and Tai Mo Shan on 31st
Swinhoe’s Minivet: two were at Po Toi on 24th; this is a very late spring record, the previous latest date being 6 May
Brown Shrike: one was at Po Toi on 24th
Arctic Warbler: one was at Po Toi on 24th
Vinous-throated Parrotbill: one was retrapped at Mai Po on 27th, having initially been trapped on 13 January 2022; presumed to be an escape. Five were at Tai Mo Shan on 31st
Ashy-throated Parrotbill (Cat III): one was trapped at Mai Po on 27th; presumed to be an escape
Chinese Grassbird: two were at Pat Sin Leng on 29th; two were at Tai Mo Shan on 31st
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: two were at Po Toi on 24th
Brown-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Tai Lam CP on 30th
Upland Pipit: three were at Pat Sin Leng on 29th
Birding-wise, it felt like the beginning of the summer doldrums. Compared with previous weeks there were few records of interest:
Cotton Pygmy Goose: one was seen briefly at Mai Po on 30th
Garganey: one was at Mai Po on 23rd & 30th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: one was at Mai Po on 30th
Pacific Swift: eight were at Lions Nature Education Centre on 29th
Lesser Cuckoo: singles were at Tai Po Kau on 30th and Tai Mo Shan on 31st
Slaty-legged Crake: one was at Tai Po Kau on 25th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one was at Mai Po on 30th
Asian Dowitcher: 12 were at Mai Po on 23rd
Red-necked Phalarope: 30 were seen from the Po Toi ferry on 28th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: one was at Mai Po on 30th & 31st
Oriental Pratincole: one was at Mai Po on 23rd, seven were there on 30th and two were there on 31st
Black-headed Gull: one was at Mai Po on 31st
Gull-billed Tern: 14 were at Mai Po on 23rd with ten there on 31st
Little Tern: one was at Mai Po on 23rd
Aleutian Tern: two were seen from the Po Toi ferry on 24th
Roseate Tern: two were seen off Round Island from the Po Toi ferry on 28th
Common Tern: four were seen from the Po Toi ferry on 24th
White-winged Tern: one was at Mai Po on 23rd
Whiskered Tern: 12 were at Mai Po on 23rd; one was at Lok Ma Chai EEA on 24th; one was at Ma Tso Long on 25th
Black-faced Spoonbill: 27 were still at Mai Po on 23rd with 19 remaining on 31st
Von Schrenck’s Bittern: one was seen at Mt Parker on 29th
Cinnamon Bittern: two were at Mai Po on 25th
Black-winged Kite: two were at Palm Springs on 30th; one was at Mai Po on 31st
Black Baza: two were seen near Sheung Shui from 27th – 31st
Bonelli’s Eagle: two were at Pat Sin Leng on 29th
Chinese Barbet: singles were at Tai Po Kau and Tai Lam CP on 30th, and Tai Mo Shan on 31st
Swinhoe’s Minivet: two were at Po Toi on 24th; this is a very late spring record, the previous latest date being 6 May
Brown Shrike: one was at Po Toi on 24th
Arctic Warbler: one was at Po Toi on 24th
Vinous-throated Parrotbill: one was retrapped at Mai Po on 27th, having initially been trapped on 13 January 2022; presumed to be an escape. Five were at Tai Mo Shan on 31st
Ashy-throated Parrotbill (Cat III): one was trapped at Mai Po on 27th; presumed to be an escape
Chinese Grassbird: two were at Pat Sin Leng on 29th; two were at Tai Mo Shan on 31st
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: two were at Po Toi on 24th
Brown-breasted Flycatcher: one was at Tai Lam CP on 30th
Upland Pipit: three were at Pat Sin Leng on 29th
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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