LATEST SIGHTINGS - NOVEMBER 2020
November 1-8
November 1-8
Greenish Warbler at Luk Keng, 2 November 2020
A dry northeast monsoon persisted over the south China coast during the week, bringing generally fine weather to the region, with temperatures as low as 17⁰C in the New Territories in the early morning. However, the mercury rose during the day. In China, the official start of winter is 7 November. The temperature at the Hong Kong Observatory on that day reached 30.2⁰C, making it the hottest first day of winter ever recorded in the territory.
Birding highlights included two potential firsts for Hong Kong. The first was a Large Cuckooshrike videoed at Tai Po Kau Headland on the last day of October. The second was a Short-toed Snake Eagle photographed on Lamma on 8 November. Other rarities during the week were Greenish Warblers at Pak Sha O and Luk Keng, a Hume’s Warbler of the nominate race humei at Pak Sha O, and a House Sparrow and a Rosy Pipit at Long Valley.
Details of these and other records of interest as follows:
Japanese Quail: one at Long Valley on 4th
Garganey: ten at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Falcated Duck: six at San Tin on 1st; seven at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: nine at Mai Po on 4th; three at Lok Ma Chau on 5th; two at Lamma on 8th
Common Pochard: one at Mai Po on 2nd
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Long Valley on 5th
Red Turtle Dove: highest count was 47 at San Tin on 7th
Slaty-breasted Rail: one at Long Valley from 1st - 6th
Eastern Water Rail: one at Long Valley from 1st – 8th, with two reported on 4th
Baillon’s Crake: one seen intermittently at Long Valley from 1st - 6th; one at Mai Po on 2nd
Ruddy-breasted Crake: one at Telford Gardens to at least 7th; one at Long Valley on 6th
Eurasian Coot: one at San Tin on 1st; one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Yellow-legged Buttonquail: one at Long Valley on 2nd; one at Ho Man Tin on 6th
Grey-headed Lapwing: two at Long Valley on 2nd, with one there on 6th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: two at Long Valley on 1st; one at San Tin on 1st; one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Tai Lam CP on 3rd; one at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway on 7th
Whiskered Tern: 25 at San Tin on 1st; a flock of 24 at San Tin and Mai Po on 2nd; one at Ma Tso Lung on 5th; two at San Tin on 7th
Black Stork: one in flight over Tung Chung on 4th
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at San Tin on 1st
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count was 79 at Mai Po on 6th
Eurasian Bittern: two at Mai Po on 6th
Black-winged Kite: one at Mai Po from 2nd - 6th; one at Ma Tso Lung on 5th; two at Tsim Bei Tsui on 7th
Crested Honey Buzzard: one at Ho Man Tin on 3rd; one at Shan King on 5th
Short-toed Snake Eagle: one photographed on Lamma on 7th will be the first record for Hong Kong if accepted
Greater Spotted Eagle: two at San Tin on 1st, with one there on 2nd; one at Lok Ma Chau on 4th
Eastern Imperial Eagle: one at Lok Ma Chau on 4th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at Shui Hau on 3rd; three at Keung Shan on 7th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Mai Po on 6th
Pied Harrier: singles at Lok Ma Chau, Ma Tso Lung and near Mai Po on 5th; one at Mai Po on 7th
Oriental Dollarbird: one at Tsuen Wan on 6th
Chinese Barbet: one at Tai Lam CP on 2nd
Eurasian Wryneck: singles at San Tin on 1st, Mai Po on 2nd & 6th, Long Valley on 2nd & 7th, Lok Ma Chau on 4th, and Ma Tso Lung on 5th
Ashy Minivet: one at Fanling Golf Course on 4th; two at Kowloon Hills catchwater on 8th
Large Cuckooshrike: one at Tai Po Kau Headland on 31 October will be the first record for Hong Kong if accepted
Black-winged Cuckooshrike: highest count was four at Ngong Ping on 7th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Long Valley on 5th
Birding highlights included two potential firsts for Hong Kong. The first was a Large Cuckooshrike videoed at Tai Po Kau Headland on the last day of October. The second was a Short-toed Snake Eagle photographed on Lamma on 8 November. Other rarities during the week were Greenish Warblers at Pak Sha O and Luk Keng, a Hume’s Warbler of the nominate race humei at Pak Sha O, and a House Sparrow and a Rosy Pipit at Long Valley.
Details of these and other records of interest as follows:
Japanese Quail: one at Long Valley on 4th
Garganey: ten at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Falcated Duck: six at San Tin on 1st; seven at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: nine at Mai Po on 4th; three at Lok Ma Chau on 5th; two at Lamma on 8th
Common Pochard: one at Mai Po on 2nd
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Long Valley on 5th
Red Turtle Dove: highest count was 47 at San Tin on 7th
Slaty-breasted Rail: one at Long Valley from 1st - 6th
Eastern Water Rail: one at Long Valley from 1st – 8th, with two reported on 4th
Baillon’s Crake: one seen intermittently at Long Valley from 1st - 6th; one at Mai Po on 2nd
Ruddy-breasted Crake: one at Telford Gardens to at least 7th; one at Long Valley on 6th
Eurasian Coot: one at San Tin on 1st; one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Yellow-legged Buttonquail: one at Long Valley on 2nd; one at Ho Man Tin on 6th
Grey-headed Lapwing: two at Long Valley on 2nd, with one there on 6th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: two at Long Valley on 1st; one at San Tin on 1st; one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Tai Lam CP on 3rd; one at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway on 7th
Whiskered Tern: 25 at San Tin on 1st; a flock of 24 at San Tin and Mai Po on 2nd; one at Ma Tso Lung on 5th; two at San Tin on 7th
Black Stork: one in flight over Tung Chung on 4th
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at San Tin on 1st
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count was 79 at Mai Po on 6th
Eurasian Bittern: two at Mai Po on 6th
Black-winged Kite: one at Mai Po from 2nd - 6th; one at Ma Tso Lung on 5th; two at Tsim Bei Tsui on 7th
Crested Honey Buzzard: one at Ho Man Tin on 3rd; one at Shan King on 5th
Short-toed Snake Eagle: one photographed on Lamma on 7th will be the first record for Hong Kong if accepted
Greater Spotted Eagle: two at San Tin on 1st, with one there on 2nd; one at Lok Ma Chau on 4th
Eastern Imperial Eagle: one at Lok Ma Chau on 4th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at Shui Hau on 3rd; three at Keung Shan on 7th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Mai Po on 6th
Pied Harrier: singles at Lok Ma Chau, Ma Tso Lung and near Mai Po on 5th; one at Mai Po on 7th
Oriental Dollarbird: one at Tsuen Wan on 6th
Chinese Barbet: one at Tai Lam CP on 2nd
Eurasian Wryneck: singles at San Tin on 1st, Mai Po on 2nd & 6th, Long Valley on 2nd & 7th, Lok Ma Chau on 4th, and Ma Tso Lung on 5th
Ashy Minivet: one at Fanling Golf Course on 4th; two at Kowloon Hills catchwater on 8th
Large Cuckooshrike: one at Tai Po Kau Headland on 31 October will be the first record for Hong Kong if accepted
Black-winged Cuckooshrike: highest count was four at Ngong Ping on 7th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Long Valley on 5th
Bull-headed Shrike at Long Valley, 5 November 2020
Black-naped Oriole: one at Mai Po on 2nd
Ashy Drongo: highest count was four at Lung Fu Shan on 7th
Black-naped Monarch: singles at Mai Po on 2nd, Tung Lung Chau on 3rd & 7th, Cheung Chau and Shan King on 5th, Ho Man Tin on 7th, and Mt Davis on 8th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: singles at Cheung Chau and Ngong Ping on 5th, and Tai Lam CP on 8th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Mai Po on 5th
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP on 2nd, Tai Po Kau on 3rd, and Shek Kong catchwater on 8th
Chinese Penduline Tit: highest count was 21 trapped at Mai Po on 6th
Eurasian Skylark: two at Long Valley on 5th, with one there on 6th; two at Mai Po on 6th
Black Bulbul: two at KFBG on 4th
Sand Martin: one at San Tin on 1st
Red-rumped Swallow: highest count was 30 at Ho Sheung Heung on 6th
Asian Stubtail: highest count was six at Tai Lam CP on 2nd
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one of the nominate race humei at Pak Sha O on 7th & 8th; this will be the first definite record of this taxon for Hong Kong if accepted
Yellow-browed Warbler: highest count was 30 at Fanling Golf Course on 4th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Tung Lung Chau on 3rd
Dusky Warbler: strong passage of this species during the week with counts of 50 at San Tin on 1st, 85 (trapped) at Mai Po on 2nd, 50 at Lok Ma Chau on 5th, and 96 (trapped) at Mai Po on 6th
Ashy Drongo: highest count was four at Lung Fu Shan on 7th
Black-naped Monarch: singles at Mai Po on 2nd, Tung Lung Chau on 3rd & 7th, Cheung Chau and Shan King on 5th, Ho Man Tin on 7th, and Mt Davis on 8th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: singles at Cheung Chau and Ngong Ping on 5th, and Tai Lam CP on 8th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Mai Po on 5th
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP on 2nd, Tai Po Kau on 3rd, and Shek Kong catchwater on 8th
Chinese Penduline Tit: highest count was 21 trapped at Mai Po on 6th
Eurasian Skylark: two at Long Valley on 5th, with one there on 6th; two at Mai Po on 6th
Black Bulbul: two at KFBG on 4th
Sand Martin: one at San Tin on 1st
Red-rumped Swallow: highest count was 30 at Ho Sheung Heung on 6th
Asian Stubtail: highest count was six at Tai Lam CP on 2nd
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one of the nominate race humei at Pak Sha O on 7th & 8th; this will be the first definite record of this taxon for Hong Kong if accepted
Yellow-browed Warbler: highest count was 30 at Fanling Golf Course on 4th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Tung Lung Chau on 3rd
Dusky Warbler: strong passage of this species during the week with counts of 50 at San Tin on 1st, 85 (trapped) at Mai Po on 2nd, 50 at Lok Ma Chau on 5th, and 96 (trapped) at Mai Po on 6th
Dusky Warbler at Long Valley, 6 November 2020
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Ngong Ping on 5th; one at Tai Lam CP on 8th
Two-barred Warbler: highest count was four at Lam Tsuen on 8th
Greenish Warbler: one heard at Pak Sha O on 1st, and a very vocal bird at Luk Keng from 1st – 7th; potentially the fourth and fifth records for the territory if accepted
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Fanling Golf Course on 4th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one at San Tin on 1st; one at Pak Sha O on 8th
Arctic Warbler: singles at San Tin on 1st, Mai Po on 2nd, and Tai Po Kau on 3rd
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: singles at Tai Lam CP on 2nd, and Tai Po Kau on 3rd; three at Tai Lam CP, and one at Pak Sha O on 8th
Oriental Reed Warbler: highest count was eight trapped at Mai Po on 2nd
Black-browed Reed Warbler: highest count was 15 at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Middendorff’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Telford Gardens to at least 7th
Lanceolated Warbler: one at Telford Gardens to at least 7th; one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th; one trapped at Mai Po on 6th
Golden-headed Cisticola: two at Tung Lung Chau on 3rd; one at Lam Tsuen on 7th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: at least three at Ngong Ping on 5th
Siberian Thrush: singles at Tai Lam CP on 1st and 2nd
Japanese Thrush: one at Castle Peak on 7th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: one at Mt Davis on 2nd; one at Castle Peak on 7th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: a female at Ho Man Tin on 7th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 1st; one at Shan King on 2nd & 7th; two at Tai Po Kau on 3rd; singles at Ngong Ping and Po Toi on 5th; one on Lamma on 6th; one at Mt Davis on 7th; one at Tai Lam CP, two at Shek Kong catchwater and five at Pak SHa O on 8th
Rufous-tailed Robin: the first of the season was one at Lamma on 4th
Bluethroat: one trapped at Mai Po on 6th
Siberian Rubythroat: highest count was 32 at Tung Lung Chau on 3rd
Narcissus Flycatcher: a male at Po Toi on 3rd & 5th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP and Lamma on 2nd
Red-throated Flycatcher: highest count was eight at Fanling Golf Course on 4th
Daurian Redstart: highest count was 18 at Tung Lung Chau on 3rd
House Sparrow: a male at Long Valley on 1st & 5th
Russet Sparrow: two females at Long Valley on 5th, with a female there on 7th
Chestnut Munia (Cat IIC): two at Long Valley on 6th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): up to twenty at Long Valley throughout
White Wagtail (ocularis): highest count was six at San Tin on 1st
Richard’s Pipit: highest count was eight at Long Valley on 5th
Olive-backed Pipit: highest count was 16 at Lam Tsuen on 7th
Rosy Pipit: one at Long Valley on 5th & 6th is the fifth Hong Kong record
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Long Valley from 5th – 8th
Brambling: one at Mt Davis on 1st; one at Po Toi on 3rd; one at Pak Sha O on 3rd; three at Po Toi on 5th
Chinese Grosbeak: one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Chestnut Bunting: one at Pak Sha O on 1st, two at Mt Davis on 3rd, with four there on 5th; four at Po Toi on 3rd; one at Tung Lung Chau on 3rd & 7th; three at Lamma on 4th, with two there on 5th
Tristram’s Bunting: singles at Mt Davis on 1st, Tai Lam CP on 3rd, and Lamma on 4th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: up to three at Long Valley from 1st – 6th; one at San Tin on 1st; one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th; two at Ma Tso Lung on 5th
Little Bunting: three at Long Valley on 4th & 6th
Yellow-browed Bunting: two at Po Toi on 5th
Rustic Bunting: one trapped at Mai Po on 2nd; one at Long Valley on 5th & 6th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: highest count was 25 at Long Valley on 6th
Black-faced Bunting: highest count was four trapped at Mai Po on 6th
Black-headed Bunting: two at Long Valley on 1st, with one there from 5th - 8th.
Two-barred Warbler: highest count was four at Lam Tsuen on 8th
Greenish Warbler: one heard at Pak Sha O on 1st, and a very vocal bird at Luk Keng from 1st – 7th; potentially the fourth and fifth records for the territory if accepted
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Fanling Golf Course on 4th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one at San Tin on 1st; one at Pak Sha O on 8th
Arctic Warbler: singles at San Tin on 1st, Mai Po on 2nd, and Tai Po Kau on 3rd
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: singles at Tai Lam CP on 2nd, and Tai Po Kau on 3rd; three at Tai Lam CP, and one at Pak Sha O on 8th
Oriental Reed Warbler: highest count was eight trapped at Mai Po on 2nd
Black-browed Reed Warbler: highest count was 15 at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Middendorff’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Telford Gardens to at least 7th
Lanceolated Warbler: one at Telford Gardens to at least 7th; one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th; one trapped at Mai Po on 6th
Golden-headed Cisticola: two at Tung Lung Chau on 3rd; one at Lam Tsuen on 7th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: at least three at Ngong Ping on 5th
Siberian Thrush: singles at Tai Lam CP on 1st and 2nd
Japanese Thrush: one at Castle Peak on 7th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: one at Mt Davis on 2nd; one at Castle Peak on 7th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: a female at Ho Man Tin on 7th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 1st; one at Shan King on 2nd & 7th; two at Tai Po Kau on 3rd; singles at Ngong Ping and Po Toi on 5th; one on Lamma on 6th; one at Mt Davis on 7th; one at Tai Lam CP, two at Shek Kong catchwater and five at Pak SHa O on 8th
Rufous-tailed Robin: the first of the season was one at Lamma on 4th
Bluethroat: one trapped at Mai Po on 6th
Siberian Rubythroat: highest count was 32 at Tung Lung Chau on 3rd
Narcissus Flycatcher: a male at Po Toi on 3rd & 5th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP and Lamma on 2nd
Red-throated Flycatcher: highest count was eight at Fanling Golf Course on 4th
Daurian Redstart: highest count was 18 at Tung Lung Chau on 3rd
House Sparrow: a male at Long Valley on 1st & 5th
Russet Sparrow: two females at Long Valley on 5th, with a female there on 7th
Chestnut Munia (Cat IIC): two at Long Valley on 6th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): up to twenty at Long Valley throughout
White Wagtail (ocularis): highest count was six at San Tin on 1st
Richard’s Pipit: highest count was eight at Long Valley on 5th
Olive-backed Pipit: highest count was 16 at Lam Tsuen on 7th
Rosy Pipit: one at Long Valley on 5th & 6th is the fifth Hong Kong record
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Long Valley from 5th – 8th
Brambling: one at Mt Davis on 1st; one at Po Toi on 3rd; one at Pak Sha O on 3rd; three at Po Toi on 5th
Chinese Grosbeak: one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th
Chestnut Bunting: one at Pak Sha O on 1st, two at Mt Davis on 3rd, with four there on 5th; four at Po Toi on 3rd; one at Tung Lung Chau on 3rd & 7th; three at Lamma on 4th, with two there on 5th
Tristram’s Bunting: singles at Mt Davis on 1st, Tai Lam CP on 3rd, and Lamma on 4th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: up to three at Long Valley from 1st – 6th; one at San Tin on 1st; one at Lok Ma Chau on 5th; two at Ma Tso Lung on 5th
Little Bunting: three at Long Valley on 4th & 6th
Yellow-browed Bunting: two at Po Toi on 5th
Rustic Bunting: one trapped at Mai Po on 2nd; one at Long Valley on 5th & 6th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: highest count was 25 at Long Valley on 6th
Black-faced Bunting: highest count was four trapped at Mai Po on 6th
Black-headed Bunting: two at Long Valley on 1st, with one there from 5th - 8th.
House Sparrow at Long Valley, 5 November 2020
November 9-15
Slaty-breasted Rail at Long Valley, 11 November 2020
The dry northeast monsoon continued to bring fine weather to southern China, with temperatures mainly in the low to mid-twenties. At the end of the week the outer bands of Severe Typhoon Vamco, which did severe damage in the Philippines, brought cloudy weather to the coastal areas of Guangdong as it headed towards Vietnam.
A number of rarities were reported, including a couple of late sightings from the weekend of 7th & 8th; the latter involved a Pallas’s Reed Bunting at Long Valley and a Japanese Grosbeak at Sai Kung. Records during the week included two Greater White-fronted Geese at Mai Po, a Mandarin Duck at Nam Chung, a Black Baza at Po Toi, a Pale-footed Bush Warbler at Tung Chung Lau, a Yellow-streaked Warbler and a Blyth’s Reed Warbler trapped at Mai Po on the same morning, single Alström's Warblers at two different sites, and a Japanese Reed Bunting at Long Valley. Eleven different species of bunting were recorded at Long Valley, if y0u include the Pallas's Reed Bunting referred to above. Details of these and other sightings below:
Greater White-fronted Goose: two at Mai Po from 12th – 15th; the tenth Hong Kong record
Mandarin Duck: a female at Nam Chung on 11th & 13th
Falcated Duck: five at Lok Ma Chau on 10th & 12th, with seven there on 15th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: 13 at Mai Po on 13th, with ten there on 14th and 12 on 15th; three at Long Valley on 14th
Mallard: four at Mai Po on 13th, with five there on 14th & 15th
Common Pochard: three at Mai Po on 15th
Red Turtle Dove: 57 were at Lok Ma Chau on 15th
Slaty-breasted Rail: one continuing at Long Valley until at least 14th
Eastern Water Rail: one continuing at Long Valley until at least 13th
Baillon’s Crake: one continuing at Long Valley until at least 11th
A number of rarities were reported, including a couple of late sightings from the weekend of 7th & 8th; the latter involved a Pallas’s Reed Bunting at Long Valley and a Japanese Grosbeak at Sai Kung. Records during the week included two Greater White-fronted Geese at Mai Po, a Mandarin Duck at Nam Chung, a Black Baza at Po Toi, a Pale-footed Bush Warbler at Tung Chung Lau, a Yellow-streaked Warbler and a Blyth’s Reed Warbler trapped at Mai Po on the same morning, single Alström's Warblers at two different sites, and a Japanese Reed Bunting at Long Valley. Eleven different species of bunting were recorded at Long Valley, if y0u include the Pallas's Reed Bunting referred to above. Details of these and other sightings below:
Greater White-fronted Goose: two at Mai Po from 12th – 15th; the tenth Hong Kong record
Mandarin Duck: a female at Nam Chung on 11th & 13th
Falcated Duck: five at Lok Ma Chau on 10th & 12th, with seven there on 15th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: 13 at Mai Po on 13th, with ten there on 14th and 12 on 15th; three at Long Valley on 14th
Mallard: four at Mai Po on 13th, with five there on 14th & 15th
Common Pochard: three at Mai Po on 15th
Red Turtle Dove: 57 were at Lok Ma Chau on 15th
Slaty-breasted Rail: one continuing at Long Valley until at least 14th
Eastern Water Rail: one continuing at Long Valley until at least 13th
Baillon’s Crake: one continuing at Long Valley until at least 11th
Eastern Water Rail at Long Valley, 11 November 2020
Eurasian Coot: one at Lok Ma Chau on 15th
Yellow-legged Buttonquail: one was found in a garden at Tai Wo on 12th
Northern Lapwing: one at Lok Ma Chau on 12th & 15th
Grey-headed Lapwing: two at Long Valley on 10th, with one there on 11th; one at Lok Ma Chau on 12th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Mai Po on 9th & 15th; two at Lok Ma Chau from 10th - 15th
Eurasian Woodcock: singles at Tai Lam CP and Pak Sha O on 9th
Eurasian Spoombill: one at Mai Po on 13th & 15th
Black-faced Spoonbill: 71 at Mai Po on 13th; c.70 flying over Long Valley on 14th
Eurasian Bittern: one at Mai Po on 13th
Black Baza: one at Po Toi on 12th & 15th; this is a new late date, the previous latest being 31 October
Greater Spotted Eagle: two at Lok Ma Chau on 10th, with one there on 13th & 15th; one at Ngau Tam Mei on 11th; two at Mai Po on 13th
Eastern Imperial Eagle: one at Lok Ma Chau on 10th, with two there on 15th; two at Mai Po on 11th, with three there on 13th and one on 15th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Long Valley on 10th & 11th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: highest count was four at Mai Po on 9th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Lok Ma Chau Village on 13th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 13th
Ashy Minivet: one at Ngau Tam Mei on 11th
Yellow-legged Buttonquail: one was found in a garden at Tai Wo on 12th
Northern Lapwing: one at Lok Ma Chau on 12th & 15th
Grey-headed Lapwing: two at Long Valley on 10th, with one there on 11th; one at Lok Ma Chau on 12th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Mai Po on 9th & 15th; two at Lok Ma Chau from 10th - 15th
Eurasian Woodcock: singles at Tai Lam CP and Pak Sha O on 9th
Eurasian Spoombill: one at Mai Po on 13th & 15th
Black-faced Spoonbill: 71 at Mai Po on 13th; c.70 flying over Long Valley on 14th
Eurasian Bittern: one at Mai Po on 13th
Black Baza: one at Po Toi on 12th & 15th; this is a new late date, the previous latest being 31 October
Greater Spotted Eagle: two at Lok Ma Chau on 10th, with one there on 13th & 15th; one at Ngau Tam Mei on 11th; two at Mai Po on 13th
Eastern Imperial Eagle: one at Lok Ma Chau on 10th, with two there on 15th; two at Mai Po on 11th, with three there on 13th and one on 15th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Long Valley on 10th & 11th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: highest count was four at Mai Po on 9th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Lok Ma Chau Village on 13th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 13th
Ashy Minivet: one at Ngau Tam Mei on 11th
Brown Shrike at Long Valley, 11 November 2020
Brown Shrike: singles at Ho Man Tin on 9th & 13th, Long Valley from 10th - 15th, and King’s Park on 13th
Ashy Drongo: a dark bird, presumably of the taxon hopwoodi, at Lam Tsuen on 15th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Pak Sha O on 9th & 11th, with three there on 14th; one at King’s Park on 11th; one at Tung Lung Chau on 11th; one at Palm Springs on 13th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Lau Shui Heung on 9th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 11th
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: singles at Tai Po Kau on 9th, Pak Sha O from 11th - 14th, Tai Lam CP on 13th, and Shek Kong catchwater on 14th
Chinese Penduline Tit: highest count was 82 at Mai Po on 13th
Eurasian Skylark: two at Long Valley on 10th
Manchurian Bush Warbler: highest count was four at Tung Lung Chau on 11th
Asian Stubtail: highest count was seven at Pak Sha O on 14th
Pale-footed Bush Warbler: one at Tung Lung Chau on 11th is the fourth record of the autumn
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: the bird of the nominate race humei continued at Pak Sha O from 9th – 14th, although it has recently become less vocal than when it first arrived
Yellow-browed Warbler: highest count was 17 at Tai Lam CP on 9th
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: highest count was four at Tung Lung Chau on 11th
Yellow-streaked Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 13th
Dusky Warbler: highest count was 23 trapped at Mai Po on 13th – a significant reduction compared with the high numbers last week
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 9th; two at Tai Lam CP on 9th; one at Pak Sha O on 14th
Alström's Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 9th; one at Pak Sha O (Nam Shan Tung) from 11th – 13th; these are the fourth & fifth records this autumn, and bring the total number of occurrences in the territory to fifteen
Arctic Warbler: one at Long Valley on 11th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 9th
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: one goodsoni at Tai Lam CP on 9th & 13th; one at Pak Sha O from 11th - 13th, with three there on 14th
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 13th is the thirteenth Hong Kong record
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 13th
Lanceolated Warbler: one at Yi O on 10th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: one at Pak Sha O on 14th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 9th
Grey-backed Thrush: two at Lamma on 12th
Japanese Thrush: two at King’s Park on 9th, with four there on 11th; one at Ho Man Tin on 9th, with two there on 13th; two at Tung Lung Chau on 11th; three at Lamma on 12th;
Chinese Blackbird: 14 at Long Valley on 10th; 25 at Mui Wo on 10th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: one at Lam Tsuen on 15th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: a female at Po Toi on 10th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 9th & 14th
Rufous-tailed Robin: six at Tai Lam CP on 9th; seven at Pak Sha O on 14th
Japanese Robin: one flew inside a laboratory at the Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre near Tsuen Wan on 12th but escaped unharmed; this is a new early arrival date by a week
Siberian Rubythroat: highest count was 25 at Tung Lung Chau on 11th; at least 15 at Po Toi on 15th
Ashy Drongo: a dark bird, presumably of the taxon hopwoodi, at Lam Tsuen on 15th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Pak Sha O on 9th & 11th, with three there on 14th; one at King’s Park on 11th; one at Tung Lung Chau on 11th; one at Palm Springs on 13th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Lau Shui Heung on 9th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 11th
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: singles at Tai Po Kau on 9th, Pak Sha O from 11th - 14th, Tai Lam CP on 13th, and Shek Kong catchwater on 14th
Chinese Penduline Tit: highest count was 82 at Mai Po on 13th
Eurasian Skylark: two at Long Valley on 10th
Manchurian Bush Warbler: highest count was four at Tung Lung Chau on 11th
Asian Stubtail: highest count was seven at Pak Sha O on 14th
Pale-footed Bush Warbler: one at Tung Lung Chau on 11th is the fourth record of the autumn
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: the bird of the nominate race humei continued at Pak Sha O from 9th – 14th, although it has recently become less vocal than when it first arrived
Yellow-browed Warbler: highest count was 17 at Tai Lam CP on 9th
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: highest count was four at Tung Lung Chau on 11th
Yellow-streaked Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 13th
Dusky Warbler: highest count was 23 trapped at Mai Po on 13th – a significant reduction compared with the high numbers last week
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 9th; two at Tai Lam CP on 9th; one at Pak Sha O on 14th
Alström's Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau on 9th; one at Pak Sha O (Nam Shan Tung) from 11th – 13th; these are the fourth & fifth records this autumn, and bring the total number of occurrences in the territory to fifteen
Arctic Warbler: one at Long Valley on 11th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 9th
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: one goodsoni at Tai Lam CP on 9th & 13th; one at Pak Sha O from 11th - 13th, with three there on 14th
Blyth’s Reed Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 13th is the thirteenth Hong Kong record
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 13th
Lanceolated Warbler: one at Yi O on 10th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: one at Pak Sha O on 14th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 9th
Grey-backed Thrush: two at Lamma on 12th
Japanese Thrush: two at King’s Park on 9th, with four there on 11th; one at Ho Man Tin on 9th, with two there on 13th; two at Tung Lung Chau on 11th; three at Lamma on 12th;
Chinese Blackbird: 14 at Long Valley on 10th; 25 at Mui Wo on 10th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: one at Lam Tsuen on 15th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: a female at Po Toi on 10th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Pak Sha O on 9th & 14th
Rufous-tailed Robin: six at Tai Lam CP on 9th; seven at Pak Sha O on 14th
Japanese Robin: one flew inside a laboratory at the Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre near Tsuen Wan on 12th but escaped unharmed; this is a new early arrival date by a week
Siberian Rubythroat: highest count was 25 at Tung Lung Chau on 11th; at least 15 at Po Toi on 15th
Siberian Rubythroat at Long Valley, 11 November 2020
Red-flanked Bluetail: one at Po Toi on 10th; one at Lamma on 11th & 12th; one at Mt Butler on 15th
Narcissus Flycatcher: a female at Tung Lung Chau on 11th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 13th & 14th
Red-throated Flycatcher: highest count was five at Mai Po on 11th
Daurian Redstart: highest count was 18 at Tung Lung Chau on 11th
Grey Bush Chat: a male at Yi O on 10th
Russet Sparrow: a female at Long Valley from 9th - 15th
Eastern Yellow Wagtail: highest count was 26 at Long Valley on 12th
Rosy Pipit: the bird first seen at Long Valley on 5th & 6th, was seen again on 10th
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Mai Po on 13th
Brambling: two at Long Valley on 10th & 11th, with four there on 14th and one on 15th; three at Po Toi on 10th, with one there on 15th; three at Tung Lung Chau on 11th; singles at Cape D’Aguilar and Ocean Park on 12th – a good autumn for this species
Chinese Grosbeak: late news of three at Kap Pin Long, Sai Kung on 8 November; one at Long Valley on 14th
Japanese Grosbeak: late news of one at Kap Pin Long, Sai Kung on 8 November
Common Rosefinch: one at Long Valley on 11th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: one at Long Valley on 11th
Eurasian Siskin: one at Po Toi on 10th
Crested Bunting: a female at Long Valley on 15th
Chestnut Bunting: one at Tai Lam CP on 9th; two at Long Valley from 10th – 13th; one at Tai Po Kau on 10th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: up to two at Long Valley from 9th – 15th; one at Lok Ma Chau on 12th
Little Bunting: highest count was ten at Long Valley on 10th
Yellow-browed Bunting: one at Long Valley from 10th – 14th, with two trapped there on 11th; one at Ho Sheung Heung on 14th
Rustic Bunting: one at Long Valley from 10th - 14th, with two there on 15th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: highest count was 15 at Long Valley on 13th
Black-faced Bunting: highest count was six at Long Valley on 10th
Black-headed Bunting: one at Long Valley from 10th – 15th, with two there on 12th
Pallas’s Reed Bunting: late news of one photographed at Long Valley on 7th
Japanese Reed Bunting: one at Long Valley on 13th (reported again briefly on the morning of 14th) is only the third Hong Kong record; the previous records were of single birds trapped at Mai Po on 21 November 1992 and 18 November 2014.
Narcissus Flycatcher: a female at Tung Lung Chau on 11th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 13th & 14th
Red-throated Flycatcher: highest count was five at Mai Po on 11th
Daurian Redstart: highest count was 18 at Tung Lung Chau on 11th
Grey Bush Chat: a male at Yi O on 10th
Russet Sparrow: a female at Long Valley from 9th - 15th
Eastern Yellow Wagtail: highest count was 26 at Long Valley on 12th
Rosy Pipit: the bird first seen at Long Valley on 5th & 6th, was seen again on 10th
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Mai Po on 13th
Brambling: two at Long Valley on 10th & 11th, with four there on 14th and one on 15th; three at Po Toi on 10th, with one there on 15th; three at Tung Lung Chau on 11th; singles at Cape D’Aguilar and Ocean Park on 12th – a good autumn for this species
Chinese Grosbeak: late news of three at Kap Pin Long, Sai Kung on 8 November; one at Long Valley on 14th
Japanese Grosbeak: late news of one at Kap Pin Long, Sai Kung on 8 November
Common Rosefinch: one at Long Valley on 11th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: one at Long Valley on 11th
Eurasian Siskin: one at Po Toi on 10th
Crested Bunting: a female at Long Valley on 15th
Chestnut Bunting: one at Tai Lam CP on 9th; two at Long Valley from 10th – 13th; one at Tai Po Kau on 10th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: up to two at Long Valley from 9th – 15th; one at Lok Ma Chau on 12th
Little Bunting: highest count was ten at Long Valley on 10th
Yellow-browed Bunting: one at Long Valley from 10th – 14th, with two trapped there on 11th; one at Ho Sheung Heung on 14th
Rustic Bunting: one at Long Valley from 10th - 14th, with two there on 15th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: highest count was 15 at Long Valley on 13th
Black-faced Bunting: highest count was six at Long Valley on 10th
Black-headed Bunting: one at Long Valley from 10th – 15th, with two there on 12th
Pallas’s Reed Bunting: late news of one photographed at Long Valley on 7th
Japanese Reed Bunting: one at Long Valley on 13th (reported again briefly on the morning of 14th) is only the third Hong Kong record; the previous records were of single birds trapped at Mai Po on 21 November 1992 and 18 November 2014.
Bramblings at Long Valley, 14 November 2020
Black-headed Bunting at Long Valley, 11 November 2020
Japanese Reed Bunting at Long Valley, 13 November 2020
November 16-22
Chinese Leaf Warbler at Tai Po Kau, 17 November 2020
Easterly winds brought warm and humid weather to the territory for most of the week, with the mercury rising to over 30⁰C in the New Territories on a couple of days - surely this will turn out to be one of the warmest Novembers on record. A resurgence of the northeast monsoon on 21st brought fresh winds and some rain, and the temperature fell to the mid-twenties. However, the next day the mercury was back up to 31.4⁰C in Yuen Long Park.
Migration of many species was clearly tailing off, although there were a number of interesting ducks in the northwest New Territories, including a potential first in the form of a Canvasback at Mai Po. Other highlights of the week were two Oriental Storks at Mai Po, a Chinese Leaf Warbler at Tai Po Kau, and a Rosy Starling at San Tin. Details of these and other species as follows:
Japanese Quail: one at Ta Kwu Ling on 19th, with two there on 20th & 22nd; one at Long Valley on 22nd
Greater White-fronted Goose: the two birds that arrived on 12th were present at Mai Po until at least 21st
Baikal Teal: a male at Lok Ma Chau on 16th; a female at Mai Po on 20th
Garganey: highest count at Mai Po was 24 on 20th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 15 on 19th
Mallard: up to four present at Mai Po during the week
Canvasback: a female at Mai Po on 16th; this will be the first Hong Kong record if accepted
Common Pochard: present at Mai Po throughout the week, highest count being 11 on 17th
Ferruginous Duck: one at Mai Po on 16th, with three there on 21st & 22nd
Migration of many species was clearly tailing off, although there were a number of interesting ducks in the northwest New Territories, including a potential first in the form of a Canvasback at Mai Po. Other highlights of the week were two Oriental Storks at Mai Po, a Chinese Leaf Warbler at Tai Po Kau, and a Rosy Starling at San Tin. Details of these and other species as follows:
Japanese Quail: one at Ta Kwu Ling on 19th, with two there on 20th & 22nd; one at Long Valley on 22nd
Greater White-fronted Goose: the two birds that arrived on 12th were present at Mai Po until at least 21st
Baikal Teal: a male at Lok Ma Chau on 16th; a female at Mai Po on 20th
Garganey: highest count at Mai Po was 24 on 20th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: highest count at Mai Po was 15 on 19th
Mallard: up to four present at Mai Po during the week
Canvasback: a female at Mai Po on 16th; this will be the first Hong Kong record if accepted
Common Pochard: present at Mai Po throughout the week, highest count being 11 on 17th
Ferruginous Duck: one at Mai Po on 16th, with three there on 21st & 22nd
Chinese Spot-billed Duck at Mai Po, 21 November 2020
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at San Tin on 22nd
Pacific Swift: one at San Tin on 22nd
Slaty-breasted Rail: one at Mui Shue Hang on 19th
Eastern Water Rail: at least one continuing at Long Valley throughout, with two seen there on 22nd; one at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Eurasian Coot: four at San Tin on 21st, with five there on 22nd
Northern Lapwing: one at Pui O on 21st & 22nd
Grey-headed Lapwing: one at Long Valley on 21st
Common Snipe: 31 were counted at Long Valley on 22nd
Saunders’s Gull: three at Mai Po on 16th
Lesser Black-backed (Heuglin’s) Gull: at least seven at Mai Po on 16th
Whiskered Tern: one at San Tin on 21st & 22nd
Oriental Stork: two flew into Mai Po on the late afternoon of 22nd
Eurasian Spoonbill: up to two reported from Mai Po during the week
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count was c.200 at Mai Po on 20th
Eurasian Bittern: present at Mai Po during the week, with a high count of three on 20th; one at Heung Yuen Wai on 20th
Black-winged Kite: three at Mai Po on 16th, with one there on 17th & 21st; one at San Tin on 22nd
Greater Spotted Eagle: singles at Ping Shan on 19th, Mai Po on 20th, and San Tin on 21st & 22nd
Eastern Imperial Eagle: one at Mai Po on 17th, with two there on 21st; two at San Tin on 22nd
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 22nd
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Long Valley on 22nd
Pied Harrier: one at Mai Po on 20th
Eurasian Hoopoe: two at Ma Tso Lung on 19th; one at Pui O on 21st, with two there on 22nd
Black-capped Kingfisher: regularly noted from the Mai Po boardwalk; one at Ma Tso Lung on 19th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 16th & 20th; one at San Tin on 18th; one at Long Valley on 19th; five at Ma Tso Lung on 19th
Ashy Minivet: one at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Black-winged Cuckooshrike: highest counts were three at Tai Po Kau on 17th and three at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Black-naped Oriole: one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 21st
Black-naped Monarch: singles at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway and Lamma on 18th, Palm Springs on 21st, and Shek Kong catchwater and Shan King on 22nd
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 16th, with two there on 17th; five at Shek Kong catchwater on 18th & 22nd; one at Lam Tsuen on 19th; one at Tai Tong on 22nd
Chinese Penduline Tit: highest count was 30 at Mai Po on 17th
Eurasian Skylark: one at Long Valley on 16th
Sand Martin: one at San Tin on 18th, with five there on 22nd
Red-rumped Swallow: five at San Tin on 22nd
Asian Stubtail: highest count was seven at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Yellow-browed Warbler: highest counts were 14 at Tai Lam CP on 20th and 14 at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Chinese Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau from 16th to 19th is only the fifth Hong Kong record
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: highest count was nine at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Lam Tsuen on 19th
Dusky Warbler: 22 were trapped at Mai Po on 20th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 18th & 22nd; one at Tai Lam CP on 22nd
Two-barred Warbler: five were at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Dutch Lane, HK Island on 22nd
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 16th, with two there on 22nd; two at Tai Po Kau on 17th & 19th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 22nd
Thick-billed Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 20th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 20th
Golden-headed Cisticola: one at Long Valley on 20th & 22nd; two at Leung Tin Au on 21st; six at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: one at Tai Lam CP on 16th
Rosy Starling: one at San Tin on 21st
Common Starling: two at San Tin on 16th, with seven there on 21st and eight on 22nd
Orange-headed Thrush: two at Ho Man Tin on 20th
Japanese Thrush: two at Lamma on 16th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 22nd
Chinese Blackbird: 25 were at Long Valley on 22nd
Dark-sided Flycatcher: two at Leung Tin Au on 21st; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 22nd
Verditer Flycatcher: singles at Tai Po Kau on 18th, Mui Shue Hang and Tai Lam CP on 20th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 21st, and Uk Tau on 22nd
Rufous-tailed Robin: highest count was six at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Bluethroat: one at Ma Tso Lung on 16th; one trapped at Mai Po on 20th; one at Long Valley on 22nd
Siberian Rubythroat: highest count was ten at Leung Tin Au on 21st
Mugimaki Flycatcher: singles at Ho Man Tin on 18th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 21st, and Tai Tong on 22nd; two at Tai Lam CP on 22nd
Plumbeous Water Redstart: one at Mui Shue Hang on 19th & 20th; Mui Shue Hang is a regular wintering site for this species
Russet Sparrow: one at Long Valley on 19th & 21st
Chestnut Munia (Cat IIC): continuing at Long Valley; ten were counted on 20th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): continuing at Long Valley; 25 were counted on 20th
Eastern Yellow Wagtail: 40 were at Long Valley on 22nd
Richard’s Pipit: highest count was 15 at Pui O on 22nd
Olive-backed Pipit: highest count was 18 at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Buff-bellied Pipit: four at Mai Po on 16th; one at Long Valley on 18th
Brambling: two at Po Toi on 17th
Chinese Grosbeak: twenty were at Mai Po on 19th
Common Rosefinch: one at Long Valley on 16th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: one at Long Valley on 22nd
Eurasian Siskin: a flock of 30 at Shek Kong catchwater on 18th
Crested Bunting: one at Long Valley on 19th, with two there from 20th – 22nd
Chestnut Bunting: one at Tai Po Kau on 17th
Tristram’s Bunting: two at Tai Lam CP on 16th & 20th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: at least one at Long Valley throughout the week; one at Ma Tso Lung on 19th; one trapped at Mai Po on 20th
Little Bunting: highest count was five at Long Valley on 16th
Rustic Bunting: one at Long Valley on 22nd
Yellow-breasted Bunting: highest count was eleven at Long Valley on 22nd
Black-faced Bunting: highest count was ten at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway on 20th
Black-headed Bunting: one at Long Valley on 19th & 22nd.
Pacific Swift: one at San Tin on 22nd
Slaty-breasted Rail: one at Mui Shue Hang on 19th
Eastern Water Rail: at least one continuing at Long Valley throughout, with two seen there on 22nd; one at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Eurasian Coot: four at San Tin on 21st, with five there on 22nd
Northern Lapwing: one at Pui O on 21st & 22nd
Grey-headed Lapwing: one at Long Valley on 21st
Common Snipe: 31 were counted at Long Valley on 22nd
Saunders’s Gull: three at Mai Po on 16th
Lesser Black-backed (Heuglin’s) Gull: at least seven at Mai Po on 16th
Whiskered Tern: one at San Tin on 21st & 22nd
Oriental Stork: two flew into Mai Po on the late afternoon of 22nd
Eurasian Spoonbill: up to two reported from Mai Po during the week
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count was c.200 at Mai Po on 20th
Eurasian Bittern: present at Mai Po during the week, with a high count of three on 20th; one at Heung Yuen Wai on 20th
Black-winged Kite: three at Mai Po on 16th, with one there on 17th & 21st; one at San Tin on 22nd
Greater Spotted Eagle: singles at Ping Shan on 19th, Mai Po on 20th, and San Tin on 21st & 22nd
Eastern Imperial Eagle: one at Mai Po on 17th, with two there on 21st; two at San Tin on 22nd
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 22nd
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Long Valley on 22nd
Pied Harrier: one at Mai Po on 20th
Eurasian Hoopoe: two at Ma Tso Lung on 19th; one at Pui O on 21st, with two there on 22nd
Black-capped Kingfisher: regularly noted from the Mai Po boardwalk; one at Ma Tso Lung on 19th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 16th & 20th; one at San Tin on 18th; one at Long Valley on 19th; five at Ma Tso Lung on 19th
Ashy Minivet: one at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Black-winged Cuckooshrike: highest counts were three at Tai Po Kau on 17th and three at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Black-naped Oriole: one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 21st
Black-naped Monarch: singles at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway and Lamma on 18th, Palm Springs on 21st, and Shek Kong catchwater and Shan King on 22nd
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 16th, with two there on 17th; five at Shek Kong catchwater on 18th & 22nd; one at Lam Tsuen on 19th; one at Tai Tong on 22nd
Chinese Penduline Tit: highest count was 30 at Mai Po on 17th
Eurasian Skylark: one at Long Valley on 16th
Sand Martin: one at San Tin on 18th, with five there on 22nd
Red-rumped Swallow: five at San Tin on 22nd
Asian Stubtail: highest count was seven at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Yellow-browed Warbler: highest counts were 14 at Tai Lam CP on 20th and 14 at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Chinese Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Po Kau from 16th to 19th is only the fifth Hong Kong record
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: highest count was nine at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Lam Tsuen on 19th
Dusky Warbler: 22 were trapped at Mai Po on 20th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 18th & 22nd; one at Tai Lam CP on 22nd
Two-barred Warbler: five were at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Dutch Lane, HK Island on 22nd
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 16th, with two there on 22nd; two at Tai Po Kau on 17th & 19th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 22nd
Thick-billed Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 20th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 20th
Golden-headed Cisticola: one at Long Valley on 20th & 22nd; two at Leung Tin Au on 21st; six at Lam Tsuen on 22nd
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: one at Tai Lam CP on 16th
Rosy Starling: one at San Tin on 21st
Common Starling: two at San Tin on 16th, with seven there on 21st and eight on 22nd
Orange-headed Thrush: two at Ho Man Tin on 20th
Japanese Thrush: two at Lamma on 16th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 22nd
Chinese Blackbird: 25 were at Long Valley on 22nd
Dark-sided Flycatcher: two at Leung Tin Au on 21st; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 22nd
Verditer Flycatcher: singles at Tai Po Kau on 18th, Mui Shue Hang and Tai Lam CP on 20th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 21st, and Uk Tau on 22nd
Rufous-tailed Robin: highest count was six at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Bluethroat: one at Ma Tso Lung on 16th; one trapped at Mai Po on 20th; one at Long Valley on 22nd
Siberian Rubythroat: highest count was ten at Leung Tin Au on 21st
Mugimaki Flycatcher: singles at Ho Man Tin on 18th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 21st, and Tai Tong on 22nd; two at Tai Lam CP on 22nd
Plumbeous Water Redstart: one at Mui Shue Hang on 19th & 20th; Mui Shue Hang is a regular wintering site for this species
Russet Sparrow: one at Long Valley on 19th & 21st
Chestnut Munia (Cat IIC): continuing at Long Valley; ten were counted on 20th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): continuing at Long Valley; 25 were counted on 20th
Eastern Yellow Wagtail: 40 were at Long Valley on 22nd
Richard’s Pipit: highest count was 15 at Pui O on 22nd
Olive-backed Pipit: highest count was 18 at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Buff-bellied Pipit: four at Mai Po on 16th; one at Long Valley on 18th
Brambling: two at Po Toi on 17th
Chinese Grosbeak: twenty were at Mai Po on 19th
Common Rosefinch: one at Long Valley on 16th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: one at Long Valley on 22nd
Eurasian Siskin: a flock of 30 at Shek Kong catchwater on 18th
Crested Bunting: one at Long Valley on 19th, with two there from 20th – 22nd
Chestnut Bunting: one at Tai Po Kau on 17th
Tristram’s Bunting: two at Tai Lam CP on 16th & 20th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: at least one at Long Valley throughout the week; one at Ma Tso Lung on 19th; one trapped at Mai Po on 20th
Little Bunting: highest count was five at Long Valley on 16th
Rustic Bunting: one at Long Valley on 22nd
Yellow-breasted Bunting: highest count was eleven at Long Valley on 22nd
Black-faced Bunting: highest count was ten at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway on 20th
Black-headed Bunting: one at Long Valley on 19th & 22nd.
Greater White-fronted Goose at Mai Po, 21 November 2020
November 23-30
Female Grey Bush Chat at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater, 28 November 2020
The northeast monsoon again dominated and temperatures gradually fell throughout the week, reaching 15⁰C in the New Territories in the early mornings of 29th & 30th. Maximum temperatures at the end of the month were in the low twenties. It was generally fine and dry.
Mai Po continued to turn up interesting waterfowl with sightings of Tundra Bean Goose and Ruddy Shelduck; unfortunately – unlike the two Greater White-fronted Geese and two Oriental Storks which remained throughout the week – both of these species were one-day wonders only. Another new arrival which proved popular with birders was an Ancient Murrelet in the harbour at Po Toi. Details of these and other reports below:
Japanese Quail: one at Ta Kwu Ling on 27th
Tundra Bean Goose: a party of five was seen at Mai Po on 24th
Greater White-fronted Goose: the two birds that arrived on 12th were still present at Mai Po on 30th
Ruddy Shelduck: one at Mai Po on 27th is the first since March 2016
Baikal Teal: the male first seen at Lok Ma Chau on 16th was noted again at Lok Ma Chau on 23rd and San Tin on 25th
Falcated Duck: one at Mai Po on 23rd & 24th, with two there on 26th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: nine at Mai Po on 24th; one at Lok Ma Chau on 25th
Mallard: six at Mai Po on 23rd, with four there on 24th and six again on 26th
Common Pochard: six at Mai Po on 23rd, with five there on 24th, eight on 26th, and one on 27th
Ferruginous Duck: up to three at Mai Po from 23rd – 28th; three at San Tin on 28th
Greater Scaup: one at Mai Po on 24th & 28th
Himalayan Swiftlet: singles at Mai Po on 23rd & 28th, and at Ta Kwu Ling on 28th
Eastern Water Rail: one at Long Valley until at least 30th
Baillon’s Crake: one at Long Valley on 30th
Ruddy-breasted Crake: one at Long Valley on 30th
Eurasian Coot: four at San Tin on 27th, with six there on 28th; one at Mai Po on 28th
Northern Lapwing: one at Pui O until at least 26th
Grey-headed Lapwing: two at Long Valley on 23rd, with three there on 24th
Greater Painted-snipe: 23 were at Long Valley on 23rd
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Wonderland Villas on 29th
Ancient Murrelet: one at Po Toi on 28th & 29th
Oriental Stork: the two birds that arrived on 22nd were still present at Mai Po on 30th
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at Mai Po on 23rd, with two there on 24th; one at Lok Ma Chau on 25th; one at San Tin on 27th
Black-faced Spoonbill: 120 at Lok Ma Chau on 23rd; 155 at Mai Po on 24th
Eurasian Bittern: singles at Mai Po on 23rd, 26th & 28th
Black-winged Kite: regular reports from Mai Po, San Tin and Lok Ma Chau Village – single birds apart from two at Mai Po on 24th
Greater Spotted Eagle: regular reports of single birds from Mai Po and Lok Ma Chau/San Tin
Eastern Imperial Eagle: regular reports of single birds from Mai Po and Lok Ma Chau/San Tin, with two at Mai Po on 27th & 28th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one continuing at Lok Ma Chau Village until at least 28th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 24th & 27th; one at San Tin from 25th - 28th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Uk Tau from 24th - 29th
Black-naped Oriole: single adults at Mai Po on 28th & 30th, and Tai Mei Tuk catchwater also on 28th & 30th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Ho Chau Road on 26th; one at Cheung Chau on 29th; one at Palm Springs on 30th
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 24th; four at Tai Tong on 28th; four at Shek Kong catchwater on 26th, with three there on 28th and two on 30th; one at Wonderland Villas on 29th
Chinese Penduline Tit: 37 were at Mai Po on 24th
Sand Martin: one at Lok Ma Chau Village on 26th; ten at San Tin on 28th; one at Long Valley on 30th
Asian Stubtail: 14 were at Tai Lam CP on 24th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: the humei that was first seen at Pak Sha O on 7 November was still present on 29th
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: 20 were at Tai Lam CP on 24th
Radde’s Warbler: two were at Ngau Tam Shan on 26th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: singles at Po Toi on 28th, and Bride’s Pool and Tai Lam CP on 30th
White-spectacled Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 30th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one in Tai Po Kau on 24th; one at Tai Lam CP on 30th
Thick-billed Warbler: two at Lok Ma Chau Village on 26th, with one there on 27th
Golden-headed Cisticola: singles at Mai Po on 24th, and Long Valley on 30th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: singles at Tai Lam CP on 26th, 28th & 29th, and Pak Sha O on 29th
Rosy Starling: the adult first seen at San Tin on 21st was noted intermittently until at least 29th
Common Starling: three at San Tin on 24th, with one there on 25th and four on 28th; one at Lok Ma Chau Village on 26th
White’s Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 26th
Japanese Thrush: two at Tai Lam CP on 24th; several at Ngau Tam Shan on 26th; two at Shek Kong catchwater on 28th; four at Castle Peak on 29th; one at Tai Lam CP on 29th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: a female at Tai Lam CP on 24th
Verditer Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP on 24th, 26th & 30th, Uk Tau from 24th - 29th, Shek Kong catchwater on 26th & 28th, Ho Man Tin on 26th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 28th & 30th, and Bride’s Pool on 30th; two were at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 29th
Bluethroat: one at Ma Tso Lung on 25th
Siberian Rubythroat: 18 were at Ma Tso Lung on 25th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 24th & 26th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 26th; three at Ho Man Tin on 26th
Plumbeous Water Redstart: a female continuing at Mui Shue Hang until at least 29th
Grey Bush Chat: two females at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater from 27th - 29th, with one there on 30th; one at Lam Tsuen on 29th
Russet Sparrow: a female at Long Valley on 26th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): 21 still at Long Valley on 29th
Citrine Wagtail: one at Ma Tso Lung on 25th; one at Long Valley on 26th & 27th
White Wagtail: one lugens at San Tin on 26th
Red-throated Pipit: 12 were at Lok Ma Chau Village on 26th
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Long Valley on 23rd & 24th; one at Mai Po on 24th, with two there on 27th; one at Lok Ma Chau Village on 28th
Chinese Grosbeak: 15 at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 29th
Eurasian Siskin: 12 at Shek Kong catchwater on 28th, with eight there on 30th
Crested Bunting: two continuing at Long Valley until at least 29th
Tristram’s Bunting: two at Tai Lam CP on 26th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: one at Long Valley on 23rd & 24th; one at San Tin on 27th; two at Long Valley on 29th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: highest count at Long Valley was six on 23rd; one at Lok Ma Chau on 23rd; one at Mai Po on 27th
Black-faced Bunting: highest count was ten at Mai Po on 24th
Black-headed Bunting: one at Long Valley from 23rd – 30th; one at Ta Kwu Ling on 28th.
Mai Po continued to turn up interesting waterfowl with sightings of Tundra Bean Goose and Ruddy Shelduck; unfortunately – unlike the two Greater White-fronted Geese and two Oriental Storks which remained throughout the week – both of these species were one-day wonders only. Another new arrival which proved popular with birders was an Ancient Murrelet in the harbour at Po Toi. Details of these and other reports below:
Japanese Quail: one at Ta Kwu Ling on 27th
Tundra Bean Goose: a party of five was seen at Mai Po on 24th
Greater White-fronted Goose: the two birds that arrived on 12th were still present at Mai Po on 30th
Ruddy Shelduck: one at Mai Po on 27th is the first since March 2016
Baikal Teal: the male first seen at Lok Ma Chau on 16th was noted again at Lok Ma Chau on 23rd and San Tin on 25th
Falcated Duck: one at Mai Po on 23rd & 24th, with two there on 26th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: nine at Mai Po on 24th; one at Lok Ma Chau on 25th
Mallard: six at Mai Po on 23rd, with four there on 24th and six again on 26th
Common Pochard: six at Mai Po on 23rd, with five there on 24th, eight on 26th, and one on 27th
Ferruginous Duck: up to three at Mai Po from 23rd – 28th; three at San Tin on 28th
Greater Scaup: one at Mai Po on 24th & 28th
Himalayan Swiftlet: singles at Mai Po on 23rd & 28th, and at Ta Kwu Ling on 28th
Eastern Water Rail: one at Long Valley until at least 30th
Baillon’s Crake: one at Long Valley on 30th
Ruddy-breasted Crake: one at Long Valley on 30th
Eurasian Coot: four at San Tin on 27th, with six there on 28th; one at Mai Po on 28th
Northern Lapwing: one at Pui O until at least 26th
Grey-headed Lapwing: two at Long Valley on 23rd, with three there on 24th
Greater Painted-snipe: 23 were at Long Valley on 23rd
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Wonderland Villas on 29th
Ancient Murrelet: one at Po Toi on 28th & 29th
Oriental Stork: the two birds that arrived on 22nd were still present at Mai Po on 30th
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at Mai Po on 23rd, with two there on 24th; one at Lok Ma Chau on 25th; one at San Tin on 27th
Black-faced Spoonbill: 120 at Lok Ma Chau on 23rd; 155 at Mai Po on 24th
Eurasian Bittern: singles at Mai Po on 23rd, 26th & 28th
Black-winged Kite: regular reports from Mai Po, San Tin and Lok Ma Chau Village – single birds apart from two at Mai Po on 24th
Greater Spotted Eagle: regular reports of single birds from Mai Po and Lok Ma Chau/San Tin
Eastern Imperial Eagle: regular reports of single birds from Mai Po and Lok Ma Chau/San Tin, with two at Mai Po on 27th & 28th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one continuing at Lok Ma Chau Village until at least 28th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 24th & 27th; one at San Tin from 25th - 28th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Uk Tau from 24th - 29th
Black-naped Oriole: single adults at Mai Po on 28th & 30th, and Tai Mei Tuk catchwater also on 28th & 30th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Ho Chau Road on 26th; one at Cheung Chau on 29th; one at Palm Springs on 30th
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 24th; four at Tai Tong on 28th; four at Shek Kong catchwater on 26th, with three there on 28th and two on 30th; one at Wonderland Villas on 29th
Chinese Penduline Tit: 37 were at Mai Po on 24th
Sand Martin: one at Lok Ma Chau Village on 26th; ten at San Tin on 28th; one at Long Valley on 30th
Asian Stubtail: 14 were at Tai Lam CP on 24th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: the humei that was first seen at Pak Sha O on 7 November was still present on 29th
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: 20 were at Tai Lam CP on 24th
Radde’s Warbler: two were at Ngau Tam Shan on 26th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: singles at Po Toi on 28th, and Bride’s Pool and Tai Lam CP on 30th
White-spectacled Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 30th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one in Tai Po Kau on 24th; one at Tai Lam CP on 30th
Thick-billed Warbler: two at Lok Ma Chau Village on 26th, with one there on 27th
Golden-headed Cisticola: singles at Mai Po on 24th, and Long Valley on 30th
Chestnut-flanked White-eye: singles at Tai Lam CP on 26th, 28th & 29th, and Pak Sha O on 29th
Rosy Starling: the adult first seen at San Tin on 21st was noted intermittently until at least 29th
Common Starling: three at San Tin on 24th, with one there on 25th and four on 28th; one at Lok Ma Chau Village on 26th
White’s Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 26th
Japanese Thrush: two at Tai Lam CP on 24th; several at Ngau Tam Shan on 26th; two at Shek Kong catchwater on 28th; four at Castle Peak on 29th; one at Tai Lam CP on 29th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: a female at Tai Lam CP on 24th
Verditer Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP on 24th, 26th & 30th, Uk Tau from 24th - 29th, Shek Kong catchwater on 26th & 28th, Ho Man Tin on 26th, Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 28th & 30th, and Bride’s Pool on 30th; two were at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 29th
Bluethroat: one at Ma Tso Lung on 25th
Siberian Rubythroat: 18 were at Ma Tso Lung on 25th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 24th & 26th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 26th; three at Ho Man Tin on 26th
Plumbeous Water Redstart: a female continuing at Mui Shue Hang until at least 29th
Grey Bush Chat: two females at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater from 27th - 29th, with one there on 30th; one at Lam Tsuen on 29th
Russet Sparrow: a female at Long Valley on 26th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): 21 still at Long Valley on 29th
Citrine Wagtail: one at Ma Tso Lung on 25th; one at Long Valley on 26th & 27th
White Wagtail: one lugens at San Tin on 26th
Red-throated Pipit: 12 were at Lok Ma Chau Village on 26th
Buff-bellied Pipit: one at Long Valley on 23rd & 24th; one at Mai Po on 24th, with two there on 27th; one at Lok Ma Chau Village on 28th
Chinese Grosbeak: 15 at Shek Kong Airfield Road on 29th
Eurasian Siskin: 12 at Shek Kong catchwater on 28th, with eight there on 30th
Crested Bunting: two continuing at Long Valley until at least 29th
Tristram’s Bunting: two at Tai Lam CP on 26th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: one at Long Valley on 23rd & 24th; one at San Tin on 27th; two at Long Valley on 29th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: highest count at Long Valley was six on 23rd; one at Lok Ma Chau on 23rd; one at Mai Po on 27th
Black-faced Bunting: highest count was ten at Mai Po on 24th
Black-headed Bunting: one at Long Valley from 23rd – 30th; one at Ta Kwu Ling on 28th.
1st-winter Citrine Wagtail at Ma Tso Lung, 25 November 2020
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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=28893&extra=page%3D1
All images & text © David Diskin unless otherwise stated
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