Black-headed Bunting at Long Valley (archive photograph)
LATEST SIGHTINGS - October 2017
October 1-8
October began with generally fine weather. The temperature on 3rd was up close to 35⁰C in the New Territories, which proved to be the hottest October day on record since 1890! The northeast monsoon during the latter part of the week brought a little rain and slightly cooler temperatures in the early morning and evening, but the days remained unpleasantly hot.
On 1st, a Crested Honey Buzzard was seen at Pui O. A Black-backed Swamphen was reported from Long Valley but its tameness indicated it was an ex-cage bird, a fact that was substantiated in the afternoon when it was discovered that its wings were clipped.
On 2nd, two Grey Nightjars were seen at Tai Lam Country Park and a Yellow-rumped Flycatcher was at Ho Man Tin.
Birds at Shek Kong catchwater on 3rd included Chinese Goshawk, Ashy Drongo, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Asian Brown Flycatcher, a Yellow-browed Warbler, three Arctic Warblers and two Pale-legged/ Sakhalin Leaf Warblers. Ho Man Tin turned up a Lanceolated Warbler. The Grey Nightjars were again seen at Tai Lam and a Brown Wood Owl was heard in the evening darkness. This owl was first recorded in Hong Kong in 2006; its main strongholds are Tai Po Kau and Lam Tsuen but it appears to be slowly spreading to suitable woodland habitat away from its core areas.
Birds of interest on 4th were Verditer Flycatcher and Plain Flowerpecker at Pak Sha O, Eurasian Hobby and Oriental Dollarbird at Lam Tsuen, and a Himalayan Swiftlet and a Pheasant-tailed Jacana at the Wetland Park.
Tom Li posted his sightings of birds at Po Toi on 5th on the HKBWS website; they included Red Turtle Dove, Ashy and Black Drongos, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Black-naped Oriole, a sub adult male Siberian Thrush, a female Blue Rock Thrush, Amur Paradise Flycatcher, Eastern Crowned, Arctic and Yellow-browed Warblers, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Richard's Pipit and Brown Shrike. A Yellow-rumped Flycatcher was seen at the under-watched site of Mount Davis on the same day.
On 7th, Pui O held two Pacific Golden Plovers, two Red Turtle Doves, a Brown Shrike and the first Little Bunting of the autumn.
On 8th, a Sulphur-breasted Warbler, a Two-barred Warbler and two Asian Brown Flycatchers were found at Tai O. A Two-barred Warbler was also at Wonderland Villas near Tsuen Wan. Among the waders at Mai Po were Nordmann’s Greenshank, Long-billed Dowitcher and Asian Dowitcher. A Pacific Reef Heron and White-bellied Sea Eagle were seen at Pak Nai, and the over-summering Caspian (mongolicus) Gull and Black-headed Gull were at Tsim Bei Tsui. The first Eurasian Skylark of the autumn was at Long Valley.
October 1-8
October began with generally fine weather. The temperature on 3rd was up close to 35⁰C in the New Territories, which proved to be the hottest October day on record since 1890! The northeast monsoon during the latter part of the week brought a little rain and slightly cooler temperatures in the early morning and evening, but the days remained unpleasantly hot.
On 1st, a Crested Honey Buzzard was seen at Pui O. A Black-backed Swamphen was reported from Long Valley but its tameness indicated it was an ex-cage bird, a fact that was substantiated in the afternoon when it was discovered that its wings were clipped.
On 2nd, two Grey Nightjars were seen at Tai Lam Country Park and a Yellow-rumped Flycatcher was at Ho Man Tin.
Birds at Shek Kong catchwater on 3rd included Chinese Goshawk, Ashy Drongo, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Asian Brown Flycatcher, a Yellow-browed Warbler, three Arctic Warblers and two Pale-legged/ Sakhalin Leaf Warblers. Ho Man Tin turned up a Lanceolated Warbler. The Grey Nightjars were again seen at Tai Lam and a Brown Wood Owl was heard in the evening darkness. This owl was first recorded in Hong Kong in 2006; its main strongholds are Tai Po Kau and Lam Tsuen but it appears to be slowly spreading to suitable woodland habitat away from its core areas.
Birds of interest on 4th were Verditer Flycatcher and Plain Flowerpecker at Pak Sha O, Eurasian Hobby and Oriental Dollarbird at Lam Tsuen, and a Himalayan Swiftlet and a Pheasant-tailed Jacana at the Wetland Park.
Tom Li posted his sightings of birds at Po Toi on 5th on the HKBWS website; they included Red Turtle Dove, Ashy and Black Drongos, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Black-naped Oriole, a sub adult male Siberian Thrush, a female Blue Rock Thrush, Amur Paradise Flycatcher, Eastern Crowned, Arctic and Yellow-browed Warblers, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Richard's Pipit and Brown Shrike. A Yellow-rumped Flycatcher was seen at the under-watched site of Mount Davis on the same day.
On 7th, Pui O held two Pacific Golden Plovers, two Red Turtle Doves, a Brown Shrike and the first Little Bunting of the autumn.
On 8th, a Sulphur-breasted Warbler, a Two-barred Warbler and two Asian Brown Flycatchers were found at Tai O. A Two-barred Warbler was also at Wonderland Villas near Tsuen Wan. Among the waders at Mai Po were Nordmann’s Greenshank, Long-billed Dowitcher and Asian Dowitcher. A Pacific Reef Heron and White-bellied Sea Eagle were seen at Pak Nai, and the over-summering Caspian (mongolicus) Gull and Black-headed Gull were at Tsim Bei Tsui. The first Eurasian Skylark of the autumn was at Long Valley.
October 9-15
It was hot for most of the period under review (34⁰C from 11th-13th). However on 14th, a combination of the northeast monsoon and Tropical Storm Khanun passing to the south of Hong Kong brought a change; it turned cloudy and the temperature fell to a relatively cool 24⁰C. On 15th, Khanun came closer to the territory than initially forecast, bringing strong winds and rain with its passing. Storm Signal number 8 was in effect for most of the day.
At Mai Po two Pheasant-tailed Jacanas were present on 8th and a juvenile Mandarin Duck was on the flooded scrape from 7th to at least 10th. On 9th, a Swinhoe’s Egret, two Asian Dowitchers and a Long-billed Dowitcher were seen from the boardwalk on the rising tide.
A Eurasian Skylark and a trickle of common open-country migrants (including nine Black Drongos, two Oriental Reed Warblers, four Stejneger's Stonechats, two Red-throated Pipits and a Richard’s Pipit) were at Long Valley on 10th. Twenty-four Eurasian Teal and a Garganey were also seen. At Po Toi migrants included Eurasian Woodcock, Black-naped Oriole, three Asian Brown Flycatchers, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Ashy Drongo and Black-winged Cuckooshrike.
Ho Man Tin on 11th held an Orange-headed Thrush, two Black-naped Orioles, two Japanese Paradise-flycatchers and an Asian Brown Flycatcher. Two Grey Nightjars were again seen at Tai Lam and a Eurasian Woodcock was also noted.
At least one of the Japanese Paradise-flycatchers was still at Ho Man Tin on 12th. Two Golden-headed Cisticolas were at She Shan, Lam Tsuen. A Siberian Blue Robin and an Orange-headed Thrush were in Tai Po Kau.
On 13th, the Wetland Park had three Blue-tailed Bee-eaters and four Asian Brown Flycatchers and there was a small influx of Dusky Warblers. A Tiger Shrike was seen on Lantau Peak: this brings the total number seen this autumn to six or seven, which is an exceptional count for this species. Three Orange-headed Thrushes, a Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher and an Eastern Crowned Warbler were seen at Tai Po Ko by Yat-tung Yu.
An Himalayan Swiftlet was at Pak Sha O on 14th. Five Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, a Black-winged Kite and five Black-faced Spoonbills were reported from Mai Po. A Pheasant-tailed Jacana was at Ting Kok near Tai Po. A Yellow-breasted Bunting was at Long Valley.
A four-and-a- half hour sea watch from Cape D’Aguilar during the passage of Typhoon Khanun turned up an impressive total of 47 Streaked Shearwaters.
It was hot for most of the period under review (34⁰C from 11th-13th). However on 14th, a combination of the northeast monsoon and Tropical Storm Khanun passing to the south of Hong Kong brought a change; it turned cloudy and the temperature fell to a relatively cool 24⁰C. On 15th, Khanun came closer to the territory than initially forecast, bringing strong winds and rain with its passing. Storm Signal number 8 was in effect for most of the day.
At Mai Po two Pheasant-tailed Jacanas were present on 8th and a juvenile Mandarin Duck was on the flooded scrape from 7th to at least 10th. On 9th, a Swinhoe’s Egret, two Asian Dowitchers and a Long-billed Dowitcher were seen from the boardwalk on the rising tide.
A Eurasian Skylark and a trickle of common open-country migrants (including nine Black Drongos, two Oriental Reed Warblers, four Stejneger's Stonechats, two Red-throated Pipits and a Richard’s Pipit) were at Long Valley on 10th. Twenty-four Eurasian Teal and a Garganey were also seen. At Po Toi migrants included Eurasian Woodcock, Black-naped Oriole, three Asian Brown Flycatchers, Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Ashy Drongo and Black-winged Cuckooshrike.
Ho Man Tin on 11th held an Orange-headed Thrush, two Black-naped Orioles, two Japanese Paradise-flycatchers and an Asian Brown Flycatcher. Two Grey Nightjars were again seen at Tai Lam and a Eurasian Woodcock was also noted.
At least one of the Japanese Paradise-flycatchers was still at Ho Man Tin on 12th. Two Golden-headed Cisticolas were at She Shan, Lam Tsuen. A Siberian Blue Robin and an Orange-headed Thrush were in Tai Po Kau.
On 13th, the Wetland Park had three Blue-tailed Bee-eaters and four Asian Brown Flycatchers and there was a small influx of Dusky Warblers. A Tiger Shrike was seen on Lantau Peak: this brings the total number seen this autumn to six or seven, which is an exceptional count for this species. Three Orange-headed Thrushes, a Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher and an Eastern Crowned Warbler were seen at Tai Po Ko by Yat-tung Yu.
An Himalayan Swiftlet was at Pak Sha O on 14th. Five Blue-tailed Bee-eaters, a Black-winged Kite and five Black-faced Spoonbills were reported from Mai Po. A Pheasant-tailed Jacana was at Ting Kok near Tai Po. A Yellow-breasted Bunting was at Long Valley.
A four-and-a- half hour sea watch from Cape D’Aguilar during the passage of Typhoon Khanun turned up an impressive total of 47 Streaked Shearwaters.
October 16-22
Yellow-breasted Bunting, Long Valley, October 19 2017
After the passage of Typhoon Khanun, Hong Kong once again came under the influence of the northeast monsoon. The temperature was a hot 30⁰C on 17th & 18th, but only reached the high twenties later in the week. Mornings and evenings had an autumnal feel to them, and this sense of autumn was mirrored in the wider variety of birds observed in the territory.
The most interesting records came from urban Kowloon and Mai Po. Ho Man Tin had Slaty-legged Crake, Japanese Paradise-flycatcher, Two-barred Warbler, Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher and Orange-headed Thrush on 18th. The thrush remained until at least 21st. Other sightings involved Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher on 19th and 21st, and Blue Rock Thrush on 19th. Kowloon Park held a male Narcissus Flycatcher (rare in autumn) and a Brown Shrike on 18th, and two Blue-winged Minlas, ten Red-billed Starlings, a Brown Shrike and an Orange-headed Thrush on 19th. The Orange-headed Thrush was still present on 22nd.
Mai Po had 11 Black-faced Spoonbills, a juvenile Pied Harrier, an Oriental Pratincole, a Red-necked Phalarope and ten+ Whiskered Terns on 17th. In addition at least 200 Pale Martins were feeding over the re-flooded scrape. A Middendorff’s Grasshopper Warbler was trapped on 20th; other birds on the reserve on the same day were two Eurasian Bitterns, Asian Dowitcher, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Ruff, Black-winged Kite and two house martins sp. The scrape continued to attract aerial feeders and there were two Himalayan Swiftlets, 500 Pale Martins, two Asian House Martins, a Common House Martin plus at least ten house martins sp. there on 21st. The two swiftlets were still present on 22nd and there were at least ten house martins feeding in the vicinity of the scrape, with both Asian and Common House Martins present. Other birds of interest were Eurasian Hobby, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, at least ten Oriental Pratincoles, Long-billed Dowitcher and Ruff.
Elsewhere, on 18th a Forest Wagtail was seen on Cheung Chau and migrants found at Po Toi included Japanese Paradise-flycatcher, Blue-and-white Flycatcher and Brambling.
On 19th Long Valley had a male Chestnut-cheeked Starling, Lanceolated Warbler, a lugens White Wagtail and eight Yellow-breasted Buntings. A Eurasian Hobby, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler and Two-barred Warbler were at the Wetland Park.
On 20th, a Eurasian Wryneck was at Shek Kong catchwater.
On 21st, two Common House Martins were seen at Tai Sang Wai; also there were five Whiskered Terns and an Oriental Pratincole. Birds in Tai Po Kau included Speckled Piculet, Japanese Paradise-flycatcher and Dark-sided Flycatcher (seemingly scarce this autumn). A Black-headed Bunting was at Long Valley; see http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=26693
There was evidence of strong migration on 22nd. Birds seen in the San Tin fishpond area by Mike Kilburn included Yellow Bittern, Common Kestrel, Grey-headed Lapwing, 31 Temminck’s Stints, 59 Wood Sandpipers, 20 Whiskered Terns, seven Red Turtle Doves, Bull-headed Shrike, Pale Martin, Daurian Starling, Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher, 32 Dusky Warblers, ten Black-browed Reed Warblers, Siberian Rubythroat, Daurian Redstart, 15 Stejneger’s Stonechats, Buff-bellied Pipit and Yellow-breasted, Chestnut-eared and Black-faced Buntings.
At Pak Nai there were nine Crested Honey Buzzards, a Black-winged Kite, seven Black-browed Reed Warblers, six Asian Brown Flycatchers and two Chestnut-eared Buntings. Highlights at the Wetland Park were Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Oriental Scops Owl and two Lanceolated Warblers.
Finally, those observers who looked up at the uncharacteristically (for these days!) blue sky in the late afternoon were rewarded with four Amur Falcons and a Crested Honey Buzzard moving very high over Lam Tsuen, and three Amur Falcons migrating very high over Mai Po.
The most interesting records came from urban Kowloon and Mai Po. Ho Man Tin had Slaty-legged Crake, Japanese Paradise-flycatcher, Two-barred Warbler, Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler, Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher and Orange-headed Thrush on 18th. The thrush remained until at least 21st. Other sightings involved Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher on 19th and 21st, and Blue Rock Thrush on 19th. Kowloon Park held a male Narcissus Flycatcher (rare in autumn) and a Brown Shrike on 18th, and two Blue-winged Minlas, ten Red-billed Starlings, a Brown Shrike and an Orange-headed Thrush on 19th. The Orange-headed Thrush was still present on 22nd.
Mai Po had 11 Black-faced Spoonbills, a juvenile Pied Harrier, an Oriental Pratincole, a Red-necked Phalarope and ten+ Whiskered Terns on 17th. In addition at least 200 Pale Martins were feeding over the re-flooded scrape. A Middendorff’s Grasshopper Warbler was trapped on 20th; other birds on the reserve on the same day were two Eurasian Bitterns, Asian Dowitcher, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Ruff, Black-winged Kite and two house martins sp. The scrape continued to attract aerial feeders and there were two Himalayan Swiftlets, 500 Pale Martins, two Asian House Martins, a Common House Martin plus at least ten house martins sp. there on 21st. The two swiftlets were still present on 22nd and there were at least ten house martins feeding in the vicinity of the scrape, with both Asian and Common House Martins present. Other birds of interest were Eurasian Hobby, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, at least ten Oriental Pratincoles, Long-billed Dowitcher and Ruff.
Elsewhere, on 18th a Forest Wagtail was seen on Cheung Chau and migrants found at Po Toi included Japanese Paradise-flycatcher, Blue-and-white Flycatcher and Brambling.
On 19th Long Valley had a male Chestnut-cheeked Starling, Lanceolated Warbler, a lugens White Wagtail and eight Yellow-breasted Buntings. A Eurasian Hobby, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler and Two-barred Warbler were at the Wetland Park.
On 20th, a Eurasian Wryneck was at Shek Kong catchwater.
On 21st, two Common House Martins were seen at Tai Sang Wai; also there were five Whiskered Terns and an Oriental Pratincole. Birds in Tai Po Kau included Speckled Piculet, Japanese Paradise-flycatcher and Dark-sided Flycatcher (seemingly scarce this autumn). A Black-headed Bunting was at Long Valley; see http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=26693
There was evidence of strong migration on 22nd. Birds seen in the San Tin fishpond area by Mike Kilburn included Yellow Bittern, Common Kestrel, Grey-headed Lapwing, 31 Temminck’s Stints, 59 Wood Sandpipers, 20 Whiskered Terns, seven Red Turtle Doves, Bull-headed Shrike, Pale Martin, Daurian Starling, Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher, 32 Dusky Warblers, ten Black-browed Reed Warblers, Siberian Rubythroat, Daurian Redstart, 15 Stejneger’s Stonechats, Buff-bellied Pipit and Yellow-breasted, Chestnut-eared and Black-faced Buntings.
At Pak Nai there were nine Crested Honey Buzzards, a Black-winged Kite, seven Black-browed Reed Warblers, six Asian Brown Flycatchers and two Chestnut-eared Buntings. Highlights at the Wetland Park were Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Oriental Scops Owl and two Lanceolated Warblers.
Finally, those observers who looked up at the uncharacteristically (for these days!) blue sky in the late afternoon were rewarded with four Amur Falcons and a Crested Honey Buzzard moving very high over Lam Tsuen, and three Amur Falcons migrating very high over Mai Po.
October 23-31
Fine and sunny with cool mornings and evenings, although the maximum temperature in the New Territories approached an uncomfortable 30⁰C in the middle of the period under review. There was a resurgence of the northeast monsoon at the end of the month. It was a good time for birds and bird watchers. Reports as follows:
Geese and Ducks: The four common surface-feeding species (Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail and Eurasian Teal) were much in evidence out in Deep Bay and on the flooded scrape at Mai Po, and a few Garganey were still present. Other ducks noted at Mai Po were three Chinese Spot-billed Ducks on 24th, a female Falcated Duck on 29th with two on 31st, and a Common Pochard on 24th and 29th. The first Tufted Duck of the autumn was at San Tin on 29th and a Falcated Duck was at Lok Ma Chau on 30th. Four Tundra Bean Geese (4th record) and three Greater White-fronted Geese (6th record?) were discovered at Mai Po on 31st.
Spoonbills & Herons: 130 Black-faced Spoonbills were out in Deep Bay on 25th, as was a Eurasian Spoonbill. The latter, or a different individual, was seen on the northern part of the main reserve with small numbers of roosting Black-faced Spoonbills on 28th & 29th. There were regular sightings of one or two Yellow Bitterns at Mai Po and SanTin, and a Cinnamon Bittern was at San Tin on 24th. A Schrenck’s Bittern found injured at Fortress Hill on 24th was taken to Kadoorie Farm for rehabilitation.
Fine and sunny with cool mornings and evenings, although the maximum temperature in the New Territories approached an uncomfortable 30⁰C in the middle of the period under review. There was a resurgence of the northeast monsoon at the end of the month. It was a good time for birds and bird watchers. Reports as follows:
Geese and Ducks: The four common surface-feeding species (Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail and Eurasian Teal) were much in evidence out in Deep Bay and on the flooded scrape at Mai Po, and a few Garganey were still present. Other ducks noted at Mai Po were three Chinese Spot-billed Ducks on 24th, a female Falcated Duck on 29th with two on 31st, and a Common Pochard on 24th and 29th. The first Tufted Duck of the autumn was at San Tin on 29th and a Falcated Duck was at Lok Ma Chau on 30th. Four Tundra Bean Geese (4th record) and three Greater White-fronted Geese (6th record?) were discovered at Mai Po on 31st.
Spoonbills & Herons: 130 Black-faced Spoonbills were out in Deep Bay on 25th, as was a Eurasian Spoonbill. The latter, or a different individual, was seen on the northern part of the main reserve with small numbers of roosting Black-faced Spoonbills on 28th & 29th. There were regular sightings of one or two Yellow Bitterns at Mai Po and SanTin, and a Cinnamon Bittern was at San Tin on 24th. A Schrenck’s Bittern found injured at Fortress Hill on 24th was taken to Kadoorie Farm for rehabilitation.
Raptors: There was a notable movement at the beginning of the period under review. A Crested Honey Buzzard was at Cheung Chau on 23rd, and there were three over Mai Po on the same day with two there on 27th. Eastern Buzzards were widespread with migrating birds including seven flying high together moving southwest over San Tin on 24th and five doing the same over Mai Po on 25th. Amur Falcons were reported from six different sites on 23rd with at least 28 passing over Mai Po during the day. Passage continued on 24th when at least 30 were seen over Long Valley; six flew over San Tin on 25th and one was at Tai Po Kau on 26th. One or two Greater Spotted Eagles were regularly noted in the Mai Po/San Tin area and the first Eastern Imperial Eagle was seen at Mai Po on 28th; one was at the Wetland Park on 30th. At least two Eastern Marsh Harriers were at Mai Po during the period and a Pied Harrier was seen on 29th. Other reports included two Bonelli’s Eagles and two Chinese Sparrowhawks at the Wetland Park on 26th and a Japanese Sparrowhawk at Lung Kwu Chau on 23rd.
Finally a pale-headed Peregrine-type bird photographed at Mai Po on 21st and posted on the website on 22nd provoked an interesting discussion; its identity still remains unclear. See http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redirect.php?tid=26696&goto=lastpost#lastpost .
Finally a pale-headed Peregrine-type bird photographed at Mai Po on 21st and posted on the website on 22nd provoked an interesting discussion; its identity still remains unclear. See http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redirect.php?tid=26696&goto=lastpost#lastpost .
Crakes to Terns: The first Eurasian Coot was at San Tin on 29th. A Yellow-legged Button-quail was at Mai Po on 29th. Wader passage seems to have almost finished with most of the shorebirds out in Deep Bay – Pied Avocets, Dunlins, Kentish Plovers, Tringa sandpipers, Eurasian Curlews, Black-tailed Godwits - being wintering birds. Grey-headed Lapwings were at San Tin on 24th, Kam Tin River on 25th (two) and 28th, Lok Ma Chau on 30th and Mai Po on 31st. A Northern Lapwing was also at Mai Po on 31st. There were three Pheasant-tailed Jacanas together at San Tin on 24th. A Long-billed Dowitcher was at Mai Po on 24th and a Nordmann’s Greenshank was also there on 24th and 25th. Several Spotted Redshanks (a much-decreased species in Hong Kong) were on the scrape towards the end of the month. Six Great Knots were out in the bay on 25th. A Ruff and a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper were on the scrape on 29th. A handful of Black-headed Gulls arrived – six were seen in Deep Bay on 25th. A sub-adult Caspian (mongolicus) Gull was present on the same day, presumably the same bird that has been present throughout the summer. A Little tern was at Mai Po on 25th, with a Whiskered Tern on 28th and a late White-winged Tern on 28th and 29th.
Doves to Hirundines: Thirty-four Red Turtle Doves were at San Tin on 24th. Two Himalayan Swiftlets were at Lung Kwu Chau on 23rd and two were at the Wetland Park on 30th. A Eurasian Wryneck was at Chek Lap Kok on 24th and 25th. Black-winged Cuckooshrikes were widespread in suitable habitat with at least five counted at Shek Kong catchwater on 27th. Three Ashy Minivets were at Mai Po on 29th. A female Bull-headed Shrike was at San Tin on 29th. Hair-crested and Ashy Drongos were reported from several sites. An Ashy Drongo of the dark taxon hopwoodi was seen at Shek Kong catchwater on 27th. (Most Ashy Drongo records are of the pale “ghost-bird” form leucogenis.) Up to three Eurasian Skylarks were at San Tin and Long Valley during the period. A Mongolian Lark was seen and photographed at San Tin on 25th but all records of this species are considered to be escaped/released birds as it is a common species in the cage-bird traded. Two Asian House Martins were at Lung Kwu Chau on 23rd. Small numbers of Pale Martins were recorded at San Tin during the period.
Warblers: The first Asian Stubtails were reported from Tai Po Kau on 27th and Ho Man Tin on 28th. There was an obvious passage of Dusky Warblers in the northwest New Territories with a high count of 85 at San Tin on 28th. Radde’s Warblers were seen at Shing Mun (one) and Mai Po (two) on 23rd with three at Mai Po and one at Shek Kong catchwater on 27th. Yellow-browed Warblers were widespread at the end of the month and a few Arctic, Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf and Two-barred Warblers continued to be reported. An Eastern Crowned Warbler and a Goodson’s Leaf Warbler were at Ho Man Tin on 23rd. A Spectacled Warbler Seicercus sp., either Bianchi’s Warbler or Alström’s Warbler, was found on Cheung Chau on 30th. A fokiensis Goodson’s Leaf Warbler/ Claudia’s Leaf Warbler was at Cheung Chau on the same day. Oriental and Black-browed Reed Warblers were regularly seen in the wetland areas of the northwest New Territories. Twenty-three Black-browed Reed Warblers were at Mai Po on 27th. A Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler was at Mai Po on 31st. Lanceolated Warblers were noted in ones and twos at the Wetland Park, Long Valley, Chek Lap Kok and Long Valley, with a good count of 20 at Mai Po on 27th.
White-eyes to Chats: A Chestnut-flanked White-eye was photographed at Po Toi on 29th. Eighteen White-shouldered Starlings, ten Red-billed Starlings and a White-cheeked Starling were at San Tin on 24th. A Chestnut-cheeked Starling was at Mai Po on 29th. The first Japanese Thrush of the season was in Kowloon Park on either 26th or 27th and there was a small influx of Chinese Blackbirds into the territory towards the end of the month, including 30 at Po Toi on 31st. The Orange-headed Thrush remained at Ho Man Tin until at least 28th. A late Siberian Blue Robin was also at Ho Man Tin on 24th. Ten Siberian Rubythroats were at Mai Po on 27th and there were also sightings of singe birds at San Tin, Ho Man Tin and Chek Lap Kok at the end of the month. Daurian Redstarts were noted widely during the same period. Best bird, however, was a female Black Redstart of the eastern race rufiventris photographed at Long Valley on 29th. See http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redirect.php?tid=26724&goto=lastpost#lastpost . This is only the third Hong Kong record, the previous two being in April 1995 on Tung Ping Chau and in April 2011 on Po Toi. There were two reports of White-throated Rock Thrush: a male at Lung Kwu Chau on 23rd and a female at Ho Man Tin on 27th. Fifteen Stejneger’s Stonechats were at San Tin on 28th.
Flycatchers: Two Japanese Paradise-flycatchers were at Shing Mun on 23rd and two were at Po Toi from 26th to 31st. Asian Brown Flycatchers were widespread and Dark-sided Flycatchers were at Shing Mun on 23rd and Shek Kong catchwater on 30th. A Grey-streaked Flycatcher was at Po Toi on 31st.There were several reports of Taiga Flycatchers and a Red-breasted Flycatcher was at Ho Man Tin on 28th. Blue-and-white Flycatchers were noted at Po Toi from 24th to 31st, Tai Po Kau on 27th and Ho Man Tin on 29th. There were at least four sightings of Verditer Flycatchers from different localities during the period and six sightings of Mugimaki Flycatchers.
Pipits to Buntings: Apart from the regular Richard’s, Olive-backed and Red-throated Pipits, single Buff-bellied Pipits were at San Tin on 24th and Mai Po on 29th. A Common Rosefinch was trapped at Mai Po on 27th. Ten Eurasian Siskins were at Po Toi on 31st. Three Tristram’s Buntings were at Mai Po on 26th, and singles were at Ho Man Tin on 28th and Po Toi on 31st. Up to three Chestnut-eared Buntings were noted at Long Valley and up to four at San Tin. There were scattered sightings of Little and Black-faced Buntings at various localities, including five of the latter at Po Toi on 31st. At least six Yellow-breasted Buntings were attracted to the rice at Long Valley and at least two were at San Tin. A Chestnut Bunting was at Ho Man Tin on 28th. Two Yellow-throated Buntings and a Yellow-browed Bunting were at Po Toi on 31st. A single Black-headed Bunting was at Long Valley on 28th and there was an unsubstantiated report of a juvenile Red-headed Bunting there on 25th.
Additional sightings: Common Starling at Mai Po on 27th. Twenty Chestnut-collared Yuhinas and a Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher at Shing Mun 0n 31st. Red-breasted Flycatcher on Lamma on 31st.
Pipits to Buntings: Apart from the regular Richard’s, Olive-backed and Red-throated Pipits, single Buff-bellied Pipits were at San Tin on 24th and Mai Po on 29th. A Common Rosefinch was trapped at Mai Po on 27th. Ten Eurasian Siskins were at Po Toi on 31st. Three Tristram’s Buntings were at Mai Po on 26th, and singles were at Ho Man Tin on 28th and Po Toi on 31st. Up to three Chestnut-eared Buntings were noted at Long Valley and up to four at San Tin. There were scattered sightings of Little and Black-faced Buntings at various localities, including five of the latter at Po Toi on 31st. At least six Yellow-breasted Buntings were attracted to the rice at Long Valley and at least two were at San Tin. A Chestnut Bunting was at Ho Man Tin on 28th. Two Yellow-throated Buntings and a Yellow-browed Bunting were at Po Toi on 31st. A single Black-headed Bunting was at Long Valley on 28th and there was an unsubstantiated report of a juvenile Red-headed Bunting there on 25th.
Additional sightings: Common Starling at Mai Po on 27th. Twenty Chestnut-collared Yuhinas and a Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher at Shing Mun 0n 31st. Red-breasted Flycatcher on Lamma on 31st.
