LATEST SIGHTINGS - NOVEMBER 2019
November 1-10
November 1-10
Black-winged Kite at San Tin, with Shenzhen in the background, 1 November 2019
The northeast monsoon continued to bring fine and dry weather to southern China with temperatures ranging from 18-29 ⁰ in the New Territories.
First of all, an addendum: the reports of House Sparrows at Long Valley in October are now considered to be in error, the records being attributable to Russet Sparrows. See under the latter species below for a revised summary of recent occurrences.
The first ten days of November brought in a couple of rarities to Hong Kong. Most notable was a Chinese Grey Shrike at fish ponds along the Mai Po access road from 5th onward. This bird proved rather elusive but with persistence most keen birders managed to catch up with it. A Water Pipit at Long Valley on 10th was only the 5th record for Hong Kong. More mundane, but still of considerable interest, was the small influx of Chinese Spot-billed Ducks and Mallards into the territory on 9th & 10th.
Sightings of note as follows:
Cotton Pygmy Goose: one at Lok Ma Chau on 4th & 6th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: eight at Mai Po and c.18 at Starling Inlet on 9th; one at Mai Po and three at San Tin on 10th
Mallard: ten at Mai Po access road, five at Starling Inlet and eight at San Tin on 9th; one at Mai Po and two at Long Valley on 10th
Ferruginous Duck: one at Mai Po access road on 9th & 10th
Japanese Quail: one at Long Valley on 10th
Great Crested Grebe: one at San Tin on 10th was the first report of the season
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at San Tin on 2nd & 9th
Black-faced Spoonbill: more wintering birds arriving at Mai Po and adjacent fish ponds: at least 64 were at Mai Po on 6th
Black-winged Kite: singles at San Tin on 1st, 2nd & 9th, Mai Po access road on 9th, and Mai Po on 10th
Greater Spotted Eagle: one at San Tin on 1st & 2nd; three at Mai Po access road on 8th
Eastern Imperial Eagle: the first bird of the season was an adult at Mai Po on 4th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at Tai Lam CP on 5th
Slaty-breasted Rail: one at Long Valley from 6th to 10th
Eastern Water Rail: one at Long Valley from 2nd to 8th, with two there on 4th
Ruddy-breasted Crake: one at Long Valley on 6th & 10th
Grey-headed Lapwing: 14 at the regular wintering site on the Kam Tin River on 4th, with 12 there on 7th; one at San Tin on 10th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at San Tin from 1st to 10th; five at HK Wetland Park on 2nd; one at Mai Po on 4th & 10th
Far Eastern Curlew: one at Mai Po on 9th with Eurasian Curlews
Eurasian Woodcock: singles at Long Valley on 2nd, Tai Lam CP on 3rd and Po Toi on 5th
Black-headed Gull: arrival of wintering birds at Mai Po with 130 on the Deep Bay mud flats on 7th rising to c.400 on 9th
Saunders’s Gull: the first arrivals of the season were a 1st-year bird and a non-breeding adult at the Deep Bay mud flats on 7th; four were present on 9th
Heuglin’s Gull: one at Mai Po on 10th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 6th; one at San Tin on 9th
Amur Falcon: one at Long Valley on 2nd
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Lam Tsuen on 1st
Chinese Grey Shrike: one at fish ponds along the Mai Po access road from 5th to 9th. This is the first record for Hong Kong (although there was one at nearby Lok Ma Chau on 14 November 2018 which was judged to be ex-captive).
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 2nd & 4th
Eurasian Jay: two were reported from Tsim Bei Tsui on 10th
Chinese Penduline Tit: noted in small numbers from 5th onward in the northwest New Territories; 50 were at Mai Po on 10th
Eurasian Skylark: up to three at Long Valley from 1st to 10th
Sand Martin: up to three at San Tin from 1st to 9th
Rufous-faced Warbler: one at Po Toi on 10th
Manchurian Bush Warbler: singles reported from Lam Tsuen on 2nd, Mui Tsz Lam on 5th and Ping Yeung on 7th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 10th
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: arriving birds reported from several widespread sites
Radde’s Warbler: a good autumn for this species so far with continuing reports from several sites including four at Lam Tsuen on 2nd and six at Tai Lam CP on 5th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 4th; one at Po Toi on 5th; two at Tai Po Kau on 6th
Two-barred Warbler: several reports from wooded areas with a peak count of three at Lam Tsuen on 2nd
Arctic Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 6th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: two at Tai Po Kau on 6th
Goodson’s Leaf Warbler: one goodsoni at Tai Lam CP on 4th, 5th & 7th; one at Tai Po Kau on 6th; one fokiensis-type at Tai Lam CP on 4th & 7th
Russet Bush Warbler: singles at Lam Tsuen on 2nd and Mai Po access road on 6th
Golden-headed Cisticola: one at Lam Tsuen on 2nd; one at Ping Yeung on 3rd with at least four there on 7th
Indochinese Yuhina: 30 at Tai Po Kau on 2nd
Common Starling: one at San Tin on 7th with two there on 9th
Siberian Thrush: two at Tai Lam CP and one at Lai Chi Kok Park on 3rd
White’s Thrush: two at Tai Lam CP on 3rd & 5th with three there on 6th and two again on 7th
Japanese Thrush: one at Lai Chi Kok Park on 3rd; one at Tai Lam CP on 4th; three at Lamma on 6th; one at Tung Ping Chau on 9th
Eyebrowed Thrush: one at Tung Ping Chau on 9th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP on 2nd, 3rd & 5th, with three there on 4th; one at Po Toi on 9th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP from 2nd to 5th
Rufous-tailed Robin: three at Tai Lam CP on 7th
Bluethroat: one at San Tin on 2nd; one at Long Valley on 2nd & 3rd
Red-flanked Bluetail: one at Ho Man Tin on 5th & 7th; two at Tai Lam CP on 5th, with one there on 6th & 10th
Narcissus Flycatcher: a male at Po Toi on 5th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: three at Tai Lam CP on 5th; one at Tai Po Kau on 8th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 9th
White-throated Rock Thrush: two females at Tai Lam CP on 3rd were considered to be different individuals from previous birds in this area
Russet Sparrow: two females were at Long Valley on 2nd & 3rd. In October a female was at Long Valley on 20th and four females were noted there on 23rd; a male was present there on 23rd, 30th & 31st
Forest Wagtail: one at Tai Po Kau on 10th
Citrine Wagtail: one at Mai Po access road on 8th
Red-throated Pipit: 32 were at Long Valley on 2nd
Buff-bellied Pipit: two at Long Valley on 1st with one there from 3rd to 10th; one at Mai Po on 10th
Water Pipit: one at Long Valley on 10th is the 5th record for Hong Kong. See http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=28497
Grey-capped Greenfinch: six along Mai Po access road on 6th and two at Long Valley on 10th
Tristram’s Bunting: six at Po Toi on 5th; one at Tai Lam CP on 6th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: peak count was five at Long Valley on 2nd
Little Bunting: reported from several widespread sites, with peak count five at Mt Davis on 5th
Yellow-browed Bunting: two at Po Toi on 7th
Rustic Bunting: one at Long Valley on 6th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: peak count at Long Valley was 28 on 8th
Chestnut Bunting: reported at Tai Lam CP until 7th, with a peak count of 13 on 3rd; one at Po Toi on 5th with two there on 7th
Black-headed Bunting: reported from Long Valley to 6th with five there on 3rd. This is a new highest count
Black-faced Bunting: reported from several sites with a peak count of five at Mt Davis on 5th
First of all, an addendum: the reports of House Sparrows at Long Valley in October are now considered to be in error, the records being attributable to Russet Sparrows. See under the latter species below for a revised summary of recent occurrences.
The first ten days of November brought in a couple of rarities to Hong Kong. Most notable was a Chinese Grey Shrike at fish ponds along the Mai Po access road from 5th onward. This bird proved rather elusive but with persistence most keen birders managed to catch up with it. A Water Pipit at Long Valley on 10th was only the 5th record for Hong Kong. More mundane, but still of considerable interest, was the small influx of Chinese Spot-billed Ducks and Mallards into the territory on 9th & 10th.
Sightings of note as follows:
Cotton Pygmy Goose: one at Lok Ma Chau on 4th & 6th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: eight at Mai Po and c.18 at Starling Inlet on 9th; one at Mai Po and three at San Tin on 10th
Mallard: ten at Mai Po access road, five at Starling Inlet and eight at San Tin on 9th; one at Mai Po and two at Long Valley on 10th
Ferruginous Duck: one at Mai Po access road on 9th & 10th
Japanese Quail: one at Long Valley on 10th
Great Crested Grebe: one at San Tin on 10th was the first report of the season
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at San Tin on 2nd & 9th
Black-faced Spoonbill: more wintering birds arriving at Mai Po and adjacent fish ponds: at least 64 were at Mai Po on 6th
Black-winged Kite: singles at San Tin on 1st, 2nd & 9th, Mai Po access road on 9th, and Mai Po on 10th
Greater Spotted Eagle: one at San Tin on 1st & 2nd; three at Mai Po access road on 8th
Eastern Imperial Eagle: the first bird of the season was an adult at Mai Po on 4th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at Tai Lam CP on 5th
Slaty-breasted Rail: one at Long Valley from 6th to 10th
Eastern Water Rail: one at Long Valley from 2nd to 8th, with two there on 4th
Ruddy-breasted Crake: one at Long Valley on 6th & 10th
Grey-headed Lapwing: 14 at the regular wintering site on the Kam Tin River on 4th, with 12 there on 7th; one at San Tin on 10th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at San Tin from 1st to 10th; five at HK Wetland Park on 2nd; one at Mai Po on 4th & 10th
Far Eastern Curlew: one at Mai Po on 9th with Eurasian Curlews
Eurasian Woodcock: singles at Long Valley on 2nd, Tai Lam CP on 3rd and Po Toi on 5th
Black-headed Gull: arrival of wintering birds at Mai Po with 130 on the Deep Bay mud flats on 7th rising to c.400 on 9th
Saunders’s Gull: the first arrivals of the season were a 1st-year bird and a non-breeding adult at the Deep Bay mud flats on 7th; four were present on 9th
Heuglin’s Gull: one at Mai Po on 10th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 6th; one at San Tin on 9th
Amur Falcon: one at Long Valley on 2nd
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Lam Tsuen on 1st
Chinese Grey Shrike: one at fish ponds along the Mai Po access road from 5th to 9th. This is the first record for Hong Kong (although there was one at nearby Lok Ma Chau on 14 November 2018 which was judged to be ex-captive).
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 2nd & 4th
Eurasian Jay: two were reported from Tsim Bei Tsui on 10th
Chinese Penduline Tit: noted in small numbers from 5th onward in the northwest New Territories; 50 were at Mai Po on 10th
Eurasian Skylark: up to three at Long Valley from 1st to 10th
Sand Martin: up to three at San Tin from 1st to 9th
Rufous-faced Warbler: one at Po Toi on 10th
Manchurian Bush Warbler: singles reported from Lam Tsuen on 2nd, Mui Tsz Lam on 5th and Ping Yeung on 7th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 10th
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: arriving birds reported from several widespread sites
Radde’s Warbler: a good autumn for this species so far with continuing reports from several sites including four at Lam Tsuen on 2nd and six at Tai Lam CP on 5th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 4th; one at Po Toi on 5th; two at Tai Po Kau on 6th
Two-barred Warbler: several reports from wooded areas with a peak count of three at Lam Tsuen on 2nd
Arctic Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 6th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: two at Tai Po Kau on 6th
Goodson’s Leaf Warbler: one goodsoni at Tai Lam CP on 4th, 5th & 7th; one at Tai Po Kau on 6th; one fokiensis-type at Tai Lam CP on 4th & 7th
Russet Bush Warbler: singles at Lam Tsuen on 2nd and Mai Po access road on 6th
Golden-headed Cisticola: one at Lam Tsuen on 2nd; one at Ping Yeung on 3rd with at least four there on 7th
Indochinese Yuhina: 30 at Tai Po Kau on 2nd
Common Starling: one at San Tin on 7th with two there on 9th
Siberian Thrush: two at Tai Lam CP and one at Lai Chi Kok Park on 3rd
White’s Thrush: two at Tai Lam CP on 3rd & 5th with three there on 6th and two again on 7th
Japanese Thrush: one at Lai Chi Kok Park on 3rd; one at Tai Lam CP on 4th; three at Lamma on 6th; one at Tung Ping Chau on 9th
Eyebrowed Thrush: one at Tung Ping Chau on 9th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP on 2nd, 3rd & 5th, with three there on 4th; one at Po Toi on 9th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP from 2nd to 5th
Rufous-tailed Robin: three at Tai Lam CP on 7th
Bluethroat: one at San Tin on 2nd; one at Long Valley on 2nd & 3rd
Red-flanked Bluetail: one at Ho Man Tin on 5th & 7th; two at Tai Lam CP on 5th, with one there on 6th & 10th
Narcissus Flycatcher: a male at Po Toi on 5th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: three at Tai Lam CP on 5th; one at Tai Po Kau on 8th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 9th
White-throated Rock Thrush: two females at Tai Lam CP on 3rd were considered to be different individuals from previous birds in this area
Russet Sparrow: two females were at Long Valley on 2nd & 3rd. In October a female was at Long Valley on 20th and four females were noted there on 23rd; a male was present there on 23rd, 30th & 31st
Forest Wagtail: one at Tai Po Kau on 10th
Citrine Wagtail: one at Mai Po access road on 8th
Red-throated Pipit: 32 were at Long Valley on 2nd
Buff-bellied Pipit: two at Long Valley on 1st with one there from 3rd to 10th; one at Mai Po on 10th
Water Pipit: one at Long Valley on 10th is the 5th record for Hong Kong. See http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=28497
Grey-capped Greenfinch: six along Mai Po access road on 6th and two at Long Valley on 10th
Tristram’s Bunting: six at Po Toi on 5th; one at Tai Lam CP on 6th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: peak count was five at Long Valley on 2nd
Little Bunting: reported from several widespread sites, with peak count five at Mt Davis on 5th
Yellow-browed Bunting: two at Po Toi on 7th
Rustic Bunting: one at Long Valley on 6th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: peak count at Long Valley was 28 on 8th
Chestnut Bunting: reported at Tai Lam CP until 7th, with a peak count of 13 on 3rd; one at Po Toi on 5th with two there on 7th
Black-headed Bunting: reported from Long Valley to 6th with five there on 3rd. This is a new highest count
Black-faced Bunting: reported from several sites with a peak count of five at Mt Davis on 5th
Black-headed Bunting at Long Valley, 3 November 2019
November 11 - 17
Generally fine and dry with temperatures in the low to high twenties. Winds north-easterlies to easterlies.
There were widespread arrivals of Chestnut Bulbuls and Indochinese Yuhinas, and an influx of thrushes, especially at a garden on Lamma which has been especially set up by the observer to provide photographic opportunities. There were also several species of buntings around the rice paddies at Long Valley.
Records of note as follows:
Falcated Duck: two at San Tin on 16th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: two at Mai Po on 16th
Mallard: two at San Tin on 16th
Ferruginous Duck: one at Mai Po from 11th to at least 16th
Eurasian Spoonbill: two at Mai Po on 14th
Black-winged Kite: single birds at Mai Po on 12th & 14th, and San Tin on 16th
Greater Spotted Eagle: singles at Mai Po and San Tin on 16th
Eastern Imperial Eagle: two at Mai Po on 13th with one there on 14th & 16th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at San Tin on 16th
Slaty-breasted Rail: one at Long Valley on 13th
Eastern Water Rail: one at Long Valley on 12th & 17th
Northern Lapwing: one at San Tin on 16th
Far Eastern Curlew: one at Mai Po on 16th
Saunders’s Gull: 13 were at Mai Po on 16th
Pallas’s Gull: one at Mai Po on 16th
Whiskered Tern: three still at San Tin on 16th
Oriental Turtle Dove: 36 at Mai Po on 16th
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at San Tin on 16th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at San Tin on 16th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Long Valley until at least 17th
Chinese Grey Shrike: the bird first reported on 5th November remained in the Mai Po area until at least 14th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 17th
Eurasian Jay: one at San Tin on 16th
Chinese Penduline Tit: 30 at Mai Po on 14th
Eurasian Skylark: one at Long Valley on 13th
Chestnut Bulbul: parties reported included 60 at Shek Kong catchwater, 30 at Cheung Chau and 22 at Ho Man Tin on 13th, with 80 at Cheung Chau and 40 at Lam Tsuen on 16th
Rufous-faced Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 11th and one at Pak Sha O on 16th
Asian Stubtail: a peak count of 20 at Tai Lam CP on 14th
Radde’s Warbler: singles reported from four sites during the week
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 11th & 14th; one at Tai Po Kau on 17th
White-spectacled Warbler: two at Tai Po Kau on 15th
Bianchi’s/Martens’s Warbler: one or other of these difficult-to-separate species (unless the call is heard) was photographed at Tai Tong on 15th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 11th
Goodson’s Leaf Warbler: one goodsoni and one fokiensis-type at Tai Lam CP on 11th & 17th, with two fokiensis-type there on 14th; two goodsoni in Tai Po Kau on 15th; two fokiensis-type in Tai Po Kau on 17th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Mai Po boardwalk on 16th
Indochinese Yuhina: parties of 80 at Tai Lam CP on 12th, with 46 at Braemar Hill, 20 at Hok Tau, 45 at Mai Po and 50 at Tai Lam CP on 16th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: one at Pak Sha O on 16th
Common Starling: one at Po Toi on 12th; one at San Tin on 16th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Ho Man Tin on 15th
White’s Thrush: reported at Tai Lam CP until at least 14th, with five there on 14th; one at Lamma on 17th
Grey-backed Thrush: two at Lamma on 15th with 15 there on 16th and 12 on 17th; one in Tai Po Kau on 15th & 16th
Japanese Thrush: singles at Ho Man Tin on 13th & 15th, and Tai Tong on 14th; reported at Lamma from 14th to 17th with a peak count of at least 29 there on 16th
Chinese Blackbird: 37 at Lamma on 16th
Eyebrowed Thrush: singles at Ho Man Tin and Tai Lam CP on 12th; four at Lamma on 15th, with three there on 16th & 17th
Pale Thrush: one at Lamma on 16th
Dusky Thrush: one at the Peak on 14th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: two at Tai Lam CP on 11th, 12th & 16th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: two at Lamma on 15th with one there on 16th; one at Tai Lam CP on 16th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Uk Tau and two at Tai Lam CP on 12th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 13th; one at Tai Lam CP on 17th
Rufous-tailed Robin: widespread reports; six were at Tai Po Kau on 16th
Red-flanked Bluetail: several reports with a peak count of 15 at Tai Lam CP on 14th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: two at Ho Man Tin on 11th; two at Tai Tong on 14th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Lamma on 16th
Plumbeous Water Redstart: one at Cheung Chau on 16th
White-throated Rock Thrush: singles at Tai Lam CP and Pak Sha O on 11th
Citrine Wagtail: one at San Tin on 16th
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Long Valley on 11th
Water Pipit: the bird reported at Long Valley on 10th was seen again on 11th & 12th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: two at Long Valley from 12th to 17th
Tristram’s Bunting: seven at Tai Lam CP on 16th with two there on 17th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: up to three at Long Valley during the week
Yellow-browed Bunting: two at Po Toi on 12th; up to four at Long Valley from 13th to 17th
Rustic Bunting: one at Long Valley on 12th, 13th & 17th with three there on 14th; one at San Tin on 16th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: peak count during the week at Long Valley was 18 on 13th
Chestnut Bunting: three at Tai Lam CP on 14th with two there on 17th
Black-headed Bunting: one at Long Valley on 12th & 17th.
Generally fine and dry with temperatures in the low to high twenties. Winds north-easterlies to easterlies.
There were widespread arrivals of Chestnut Bulbuls and Indochinese Yuhinas, and an influx of thrushes, especially at a garden on Lamma which has been especially set up by the observer to provide photographic opportunities. There were also several species of buntings around the rice paddies at Long Valley.
Records of note as follows:
Falcated Duck: two at San Tin on 16th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: two at Mai Po on 16th
Mallard: two at San Tin on 16th
Ferruginous Duck: one at Mai Po from 11th to at least 16th
Eurasian Spoonbill: two at Mai Po on 14th
Black-winged Kite: single birds at Mai Po on 12th & 14th, and San Tin on 16th
Greater Spotted Eagle: singles at Mai Po and San Tin on 16th
Eastern Imperial Eagle: two at Mai Po on 13th with one there on 14th & 16th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at San Tin on 16th
Slaty-breasted Rail: one at Long Valley on 13th
Eastern Water Rail: one at Long Valley on 12th & 17th
Northern Lapwing: one at San Tin on 16th
Far Eastern Curlew: one at Mai Po on 16th
Saunders’s Gull: 13 were at Mai Po on 16th
Pallas’s Gull: one at Mai Po on 16th
Whiskered Tern: three still at San Tin on 16th
Oriental Turtle Dove: 36 at Mai Po on 16th
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at San Tin on 16th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at San Tin on 16th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Long Valley until at least 17th
Chinese Grey Shrike: the bird first reported on 5th November remained in the Mai Po area until at least 14th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 17th
Eurasian Jay: one at San Tin on 16th
Chinese Penduline Tit: 30 at Mai Po on 14th
Eurasian Skylark: one at Long Valley on 13th
Chestnut Bulbul: parties reported included 60 at Shek Kong catchwater, 30 at Cheung Chau and 22 at Ho Man Tin on 13th, with 80 at Cheung Chau and 40 at Lam Tsuen on 16th
Rufous-faced Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 11th and one at Pak Sha O on 16th
Asian Stubtail: a peak count of 20 at Tai Lam CP on 14th
Radde’s Warbler: singles reported from four sites during the week
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 11th & 14th; one at Tai Po Kau on 17th
White-spectacled Warbler: two at Tai Po Kau on 15th
Bianchi’s/Martens’s Warbler: one or other of these difficult-to-separate species (unless the call is heard) was photographed at Tai Tong on 15th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 11th
Goodson’s Leaf Warbler: one goodsoni and one fokiensis-type at Tai Lam CP on 11th & 17th, with two fokiensis-type there on 14th; two goodsoni in Tai Po Kau on 15th; two fokiensis-type in Tai Po Kau on 17th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Mai Po boardwalk on 16th
Indochinese Yuhina: parties of 80 at Tai Lam CP on 12th, with 46 at Braemar Hill, 20 at Hok Tau, 45 at Mai Po and 50 at Tai Lam CP on 16th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: one at Pak Sha O on 16th
Common Starling: one at Po Toi on 12th; one at San Tin on 16th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Ho Man Tin on 15th
White’s Thrush: reported at Tai Lam CP until at least 14th, with five there on 14th; one at Lamma on 17th
Grey-backed Thrush: two at Lamma on 15th with 15 there on 16th and 12 on 17th; one in Tai Po Kau on 15th & 16th
Japanese Thrush: singles at Ho Man Tin on 13th & 15th, and Tai Tong on 14th; reported at Lamma from 14th to 17th with a peak count of at least 29 there on 16th
Chinese Blackbird: 37 at Lamma on 16th
Eyebrowed Thrush: singles at Ho Man Tin and Tai Lam CP on 12th; four at Lamma on 15th, with three there on 16th & 17th
Pale Thrush: one at Lamma on 16th
Dusky Thrush: one at the Peak on 14th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: two at Tai Lam CP on 11th, 12th & 16th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: two at Lamma on 15th with one there on 16th; one at Tai Lam CP on 16th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Uk Tau and two at Tai Lam CP on 12th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 13th; one at Tai Lam CP on 17th
Rufous-tailed Robin: widespread reports; six were at Tai Po Kau on 16th
Red-flanked Bluetail: several reports with a peak count of 15 at Tai Lam CP on 14th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: two at Ho Man Tin on 11th; two at Tai Tong on 14th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Lamma on 16th
Plumbeous Water Redstart: one at Cheung Chau on 16th
White-throated Rock Thrush: singles at Tai Lam CP and Pak Sha O on 11th
Citrine Wagtail: one at San Tin on 16th
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Long Valley on 11th
Water Pipit: the bird reported at Long Valley on 10th was seen again on 11th & 12th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: two at Long Valley from 12th to 17th
Tristram’s Bunting: seven at Tai Lam CP on 16th with two there on 17th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: up to three at Long Valley during the week
Yellow-browed Bunting: two at Po Toi on 12th; up to four at Long Valley from 13th to 17th
Rustic Bunting: one at Long Valley on 12th, 13th & 17th with three there on 14th; one at San Tin on 16th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: peak count during the week at Long Valley was 18 on 13th
Chestnut Bunting: three at Tai Lam CP on 14th with two there on 17th
Black-headed Bunting: one at Long Valley on 12th & 17th.
November 18 - 24
Asian Stubtail at Lau Shui Heung, 24 November 2019
Generally fine and dry with temperatures down to 16⁰C in the New territories in the early morning, rising to the high twenties during the day. Winds north-easterlies to easterlies.
The award for rare bird of the week would have gone to a female Stejneger’s Scoter if it had not turned up across the border on the Shenzhen side of Deep Bay on 23rd. Hong Kong birders naturally hope it will drift across to the Mai Po side of the bay. However, the odds seem against us. There is a previous record of this species from Shenzhen, a female from 24 November to 2 December 2012. There is also a record of Long-tailed Duck at Shenzhen from 22 – 28 January 2006. Neither of these sea ducks is known to have entered Hong Kong waters and are thus not yet on the Hong Long list. **
Back in the HKSAR, the Chinese Grey Shrike was seen again at Mai Po on 19th. Also on 19th, a Black-necked Grebe was found at San Tin but went AWOL until 23rd when it was found again on the same pond, and a Naumann’s Thrush was seen at Ting Kok. Rufous-faced Warblers were reported from three different locations, and a Sulphur-breasted Warbler and a Bianchi’s/Martens’s Warbler were seen in a bird wave at Lau Shui Heung. A positively-identified Bianchi's Warbler was at Tai Lam CP on 24th. A White-tailed Robin and a Small Niltava were also discovered at Tai Lam CP, and another Small Niltava was at Ho Man Tin.
Chestnut Bulbuls and Indochinese Yuhinas were again reported in good numbers, and there was evidence of an influx of Black Bulbuls at Tai Tong and Tai Lam CP. Pallas’s Leaf Warblers seemed particularly common in forested areas.
Records of note as follows:
Mandarin Duck: late news of one at Long Valley on 15th
Falcated Duck: one at San Tin on 18th
Common Pochard: three at San Tin on 23rd
Ferruginous Duck: one at San Tin on 23rd & 24th
Black-necked Grebe: one at San Tin on 19th, 23rd & 24th; the eighth Hong Kong record
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at San Tin on 20th with two there on 24th
Black-winged Kite: one at Mai Po on 19th
Eastern Imperial Eagle: two at Mai Po on 19th; one at San Tin on 23rd
Greater Spotted Eagle: two at San Tin on 23rd
Northern Lapwing: one at Ting Kok on 20th
Whiskered Tern: one at San Tin on 18th with two there on 20th and one on 24th
Bull-headed Shrike: three at Fanling Golf Course on 22nd
Chinese Grey Shrike: the bird first reported on 5th November remained in the Mai Po area until at least 19th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: singles at Cheung Chau on 18th, and Po Toi on 21st and 23rd
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 18th, equal to the latest autumn date on record
Eurasian Skylark: one at San Tin on 23rd
Chestnut Bulbul: 48 at Tai Po Kau Headland on 19th
Black Bulbul: 80 at Tai Tong on 18th; 35 at Tai Lam CP on 21st
The award for rare bird of the week would have gone to a female Stejneger’s Scoter if it had not turned up across the border on the Shenzhen side of Deep Bay on 23rd. Hong Kong birders naturally hope it will drift across to the Mai Po side of the bay. However, the odds seem against us. There is a previous record of this species from Shenzhen, a female from 24 November to 2 December 2012. There is also a record of Long-tailed Duck at Shenzhen from 22 – 28 January 2006. Neither of these sea ducks is known to have entered Hong Kong waters and are thus not yet on the Hong Long list. **
Back in the HKSAR, the Chinese Grey Shrike was seen again at Mai Po on 19th. Also on 19th, a Black-necked Grebe was found at San Tin but went AWOL until 23rd when it was found again on the same pond, and a Naumann’s Thrush was seen at Ting Kok. Rufous-faced Warblers were reported from three different locations, and a Sulphur-breasted Warbler and a Bianchi’s/Martens’s Warbler were seen in a bird wave at Lau Shui Heung. A positively-identified Bianchi's Warbler was at Tai Lam CP on 24th. A White-tailed Robin and a Small Niltava were also discovered at Tai Lam CP, and another Small Niltava was at Ho Man Tin.
Chestnut Bulbuls and Indochinese Yuhinas were again reported in good numbers, and there was evidence of an influx of Black Bulbuls at Tai Tong and Tai Lam CP. Pallas’s Leaf Warblers seemed particularly common in forested areas.
Records of note as follows:
Mandarin Duck: late news of one at Long Valley on 15th
Falcated Duck: one at San Tin on 18th
Common Pochard: three at San Tin on 23rd
Ferruginous Duck: one at San Tin on 23rd & 24th
Black-necked Grebe: one at San Tin on 19th, 23rd & 24th; the eighth Hong Kong record
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at San Tin on 20th with two there on 24th
Black-winged Kite: one at Mai Po on 19th
Eastern Imperial Eagle: two at Mai Po on 19th; one at San Tin on 23rd
Greater Spotted Eagle: two at San Tin on 23rd
Northern Lapwing: one at Ting Kok on 20th
Whiskered Tern: one at San Tin on 18th with two there on 20th and one on 24th
Bull-headed Shrike: three at Fanling Golf Course on 22nd
Chinese Grey Shrike: the bird first reported on 5th November remained in the Mai Po area until at least 19th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: singles at Cheung Chau on 18th, and Po Toi on 21st and 23rd
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 18th, equal to the latest autumn date on record
Eurasian Skylark: one at San Tin on 23rd
Chestnut Bulbul: 48 at Tai Po Kau Headland on 19th
Black Bulbul: 80 at Tai Tong on 18th; 35 at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Dark-sided Flycatcher at Tai Lam Country Park, 20 November 2019
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Pallas's Leaf Warbler at Lau Shui Heung, 22 November 2019
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Rufous-faced Warbler: singles at Po Toi on 21st & 23rd, Lau Shui Heung on 22nd and Tai Po Kau on 23rd. This brings the total this autumn to at least five birds, which is unprecedented. Recent summer records from forests in west and north Guangdong suggest the species is expanding its range in southern China
Black-throated Tit: one at Tai Po Kau on 24th
Radde’s Warbler: reported from five sites during the week, all singles apart from three at Po Toi on 21st
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 19th & 23rd; one at Tai Po Kau on 19th & 23rd with two there on 24th; one at Lau Shui Heung on 21st & 24th
White-spectacled Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 24th
Bianchi's Warbler: one reported from Tai Lam CP on 24th
Bianchi’s/Martens’s Warbler: one or other of these difficult-to-separate species at Lau Shui Heung on 21st
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one at Lau Shui Heung on 22nd & 24th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Lau Shui Heung on 21st & 22nd
Goodson’s Leaf Warbler: three fokiensis-types and one goodsoni at Tai Lam CP on 19th, with one fokiensis-type and one goodsoni there on 24th; two fokiensis-types and one goodsoni at Tai Po Kau on 19th, with one goodsoni there on 23rd and two fokiensis-types and a goodsoni on 24th; two goodsoni at Lau Shui Heung on 21st, with one goodsoni there on 22nd
Indochinese Yuhina: largest flock recorded was of 80 at Tai Lam CP on 19th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: One at Tai Lam CP on 18th; one at Lau Shui Heung on 21st; three at Tai Po Kau on 24th
Common Starling: up to two at San Tin to 24th
Rosy Starling: one at San Tin on 24th
White’s Thrush: regularly reported at Tai Lam CP where four were present on 18th; one at Po Toi on 21st
Eyebrowed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 21st
Pale Thrush: two at Po Toi on 21st with one there on 23rd
Brown-headed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 19th with three reported there on 21st; one on Lamma on 22nd
Naumann’s Thrush: one at Ting Kok on 19th; the 15th HK record if accepted
Dark-sided Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP through to 24th
Small Niltava: single females at Ho Man Tin on 23rd and Tai Lam CP on 24th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 19th
Verditer Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP on 18th, and Lau Shui Heung and Po Toi on 21st
White-tailed Robin: a female at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Red-flanked Bluetail: peak count was eight at Tai Lam CP on 19th
Plumbeous Water Redstart: one at Mui Wo on 21st
Olive-backed Pipit: 32 at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Mai Po on 19th
Common Rosefinch: one at Ting Kok on 19th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: one at Long Valley on 22nd
Tristram’s Bunting: reported at Tai Lam CP throughout with a peak count of six on 19th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: two at Ting Kok on 20th
Yellow-browed Bunting: three at Po Toi on 21st; one at Long Valley on 23rd
Rustic Bunting: one at Long Valley on 18th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: three at Ting Kok on 20th; seven at Long Valley on 22nd
Chestnut Bunting: up to three present at Tai Lam CP throughout; singles at Po Toi on 19th & 21st, and at Lau Shui Heung on 22nd
Japanese Yellow Bunting: one at Po Toi on 19th
Many thanks to Richard Lewthwaite for details of previous records of Stejneger's Scoter and Long-tailed Duck in Deep Bay, and for recent records of Rufous-faced Warbler in Guangdong.
Black-throated Tit: one at Tai Po Kau on 24th
Radde’s Warbler: reported from five sites during the week, all singles apart from three at Po Toi on 21st
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 19th & 23rd; one at Tai Po Kau on 19th & 23rd with two there on 24th; one at Lau Shui Heung on 21st & 24th
White-spectacled Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 24th
Bianchi's Warbler: one reported from Tai Lam CP on 24th
Bianchi’s/Martens’s Warbler: one or other of these difficult-to-separate species at Lau Shui Heung on 21st
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one at Lau Shui Heung on 22nd & 24th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Lau Shui Heung on 21st & 22nd
Goodson’s Leaf Warbler: three fokiensis-types and one goodsoni at Tai Lam CP on 19th, with one fokiensis-type and one goodsoni there on 24th; two fokiensis-types and one goodsoni at Tai Po Kau on 19th, with one goodsoni there on 23rd and two fokiensis-types and a goodsoni on 24th; two goodsoni at Lau Shui Heung on 21st, with one goodsoni there on 22nd
Indochinese Yuhina: largest flock recorded was of 80 at Tai Lam CP on 19th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: One at Tai Lam CP on 18th; one at Lau Shui Heung on 21st; three at Tai Po Kau on 24th
Common Starling: up to two at San Tin to 24th
Rosy Starling: one at San Tin on 24th
White’s Thrush: regularly reported at Tai Lam CP where four were present on 18th; one at Po Toi on 21st
Eyebrowed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 21st
Pale Thrush: two at Po Toi on 21st with one there on 23rd
Brown-headed Thrush: one at Po Toi on 19th with three reported there on 21st; one on Lamma on 22nd
Naumann’s Thrush: one at Ting Kok on 19th; the 15th HK record if accepted
Dark-sided Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP through to 24th
Small Niltava: single females at Ho Man Tin on 23rd and Tai Lam CP on 24th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 19th
Verditer Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP on 18th, and Lau Shui Heung and Po Toi on 21st
White-tailed Robin: a female at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Red-flanked Bluetail: peak count was eight at Tai Lam CP on 19th
Plumbeous Water Redstart: one at Mui Wo on 21st
Olive-backed Pipit: 32 at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Mai Po on 19th
Common Rosefinch: one at Ting Kok on 19th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: one at Long Valley on 22nd
Tristram’s Bunting: reported at Tai Lam CP throughout with a peak count of six on 19th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: two at Ting Kok on 20th
Yellow-browed Bunting: three at Po Toi on 21st; one at Long Valley on 23rd
Rustic Bunting: one at Long Valley on 18th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: three at Ting Kok on 20th; seven at Long Valley on 22nd
Chestnut Bunting: up to three present at Tai Lam CP throughout; singles at Po Toi on 19th & 21st, and at Lau Shui Heung on 22nd
Japanese Yellow Bunting: one at Po Toi on 19th
Many thanks to Richard Lewthwaite for details of previous records of Stejneger's Scoter and Long-tailed Duck in Deep Bay, and for recent records of Rufous-faced Warbler in Guangdong.
November 25 - 30
Chinese Penduline Tit at Long Valley, 27 November 2019
We are creeping into winter. The northeast monsoon persisted, bringing generally fine weather to Hong Kong; temperatures in the New Territories fell to 16⁰C at night, rising to 24⁰C during the day. However, next week the mercury is forecast to fall below 10⁰C, which may well bring problems for insectivorous species, particularly flycatchers and warblers.
Migration is now much-decreased, but a couple of new rarities did turn up during the week. The first was a Japanese Night Heron at Pak Tam Chung on 28th (present on 27th?) which remained until at least the end of the month. This is the seventh Hong Kong record. Interestingly, the last record in December 2014 was of a bird not too far from the present site.
The second rarity was also on 28th and involved a Japanese Waxwing feeding with a small party of Eyebrowed Thrushes near Quarry Bay; this bird was seen again early in the morning on 29th but not later in the day.
Continuing rarities consisted of the Stejneger’s Scoter on the Chinese side of Deep Bay on 25th when it was accompanied by five Greater Scaups, the Black-necked Grebe at San Tin until at least 28th, and the Chinese Grey Shrike at Mai Po until at least 30th.
Tai Lam Country Park continued to turn up a number of rare/uncommon species, including the Bianchi’s Warbler on 25th (first seen on 24th), a male White-tailed Robin on 26th, a Hume’s Leaf Warbler on 27th and a Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush on 28th.
The Ferruginous Duck was at San Tin on 25th, and the Rosy Starling was noted on 28th.
Two Small Niltavas were at Wu Kau Tang on 25th.
Two Brown-headed Thrushes were at Ho Man Tin on 26th.
A Rustic Bunting, a Yellow-browed Bunting and two Yellow-breasted Buntings were seen at Long Valley on 27th.
An adult Pallas’s Gull was off the boardwalk at Mai Po on 27th & 30th.
A Bull-headed Shrike was at the Peak on 28th.
On 30th, a Fujian Niltava and a Rufous-faced Warbler were at Pak Sha O.
Migration is now much-decreased, but a couple of new rarities did turn up during the week. The first was a Japanese Night Heron at Pak Tam Chung on 28th (present on 27th?) which remained until at least the end of the month. This is the seventh Hong Kong record. Interestingly, the last record in December 2014 was of a bird not too far from the present site.
The second rarity was also on 28th and involved a Japanese Waxwing feeding with a small party of Eyebrowed Thrushes near Quarry Bay; this bird was seen again early in the morning on 29th but not later in the day.
Continuing rarities consisted of the Stejneger’s Scoter on the Chinese side of Deep Bay on 25th when it was accompanied by five Greater Scaups, the Black-necked Grebe at San Tin until at least 28th, and the Chinese Grey Shrike at Mai Po until at least 30th.
Tai Lam Country Park continued to turn up a number of rare/uncommon species, including the Bianchi’s Warbler on 25th (first seen on 24th), a male White-tailed Robin on 26th, a Hume’s Leaf Warbler on 27th and a Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush on 28th.
The Ferruginous Duck was at San Tin on 25th, and the Rosy Starling was noted on 28th.
Two Small Niltavas were at Wu Kau Tang on 25th.
Two Brown-headed Thrushes were at Ho Man Tin on 26th.
A Rustic Bunting, a Yellow-browed Bunting and two Yellow-breasted Buntings were seen at Long Valley on 27th.
An adult Pallas’s Gull was off the boardwalk at Mai Po on 27th & 30th.
A Bull-headed Shrike was at the Peak on 28th.
On 30th, a Fujian Niltava and a Rufous-faced Warbler were at Pak Sha O.
Japanese Night Heron at Pak Tam Au, 16 December 2014 (Birding Hong Kong archive)
** Addendum. There are, in fact, two old records of Stejneger's Scoter in Hong Kong - a male at Pak Nai on 5 February 1982, and an immature male & a female at Tsim Bei Tsui on 26 December 1985.
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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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