LATEST SIGHTINGS - October 2019
October 1 - 6
October 1 - 6
Black Drongo at Mai Po in October (Birding Hong Kong archive)
The long hot summer continued with hazy, polluted conditions at the beginning of the week. Temperatures were up to 33⁰C until the 6th when the winds changed to easterlies, bringing showers and slightly cooler temperatures to the territory.
Migration continued with most of the same species as at the end of September - however, as far as I am aware, there were no reports of Oriental Dollarbird, Tiger Shrike, Amur Paradise Flycatcher or Yellow-rumped Flycatcher - and there were more arrivals of winter visitors.
Records of particular note as follows:
Japanese Quail: singles at San Tin on 2nd, Lok Ma Chau on 3rd and Long Valley on 6th
Black-faced Spoonbill: the two summering birds were at Mai Po on 1st
Black-winged Kite: one at Tai Sang Wai on 1st
Baillon’s Crake: one at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: two at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd
Little Stint: one at Mai Po on 1st is only the 6th autumn record
Asian Dowitcher: one at Mai Po on 1st
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Lam Tsuen on 4th
Little Tern: one at Mai Po on 1st
Whiskered Tern: 12 at San Tin on 2nd
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: 11 at Mai Po and four at Long Valley on 1st
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Long Valley on 4th
Amur Falcon: one at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Fairy Pitta: one at Tai Lam CP on 2nd is the first ever October record, previous dates in autumn being between 26 August – 29 September
Black Drongo: movement noted on 1st when 80 were at Long Valley and 60 at Lam Tsuen; 30 were at Tai O on 6th
Hair-crested Drongo: small numbers associated with the movement of Black Drongos on 1st with seven at Long Valley and five at Lam Tsuen; 20 moved south at Ho Man Tin on 2nd
Black-naped Monarch: singles at Tai Po Kau on 1st, Tai Lam CP on 2nd and Tai Tong on 6th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 1st; one at Tai Lam CP on 2nd
Manchurian Bush Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Two-barred Warbler: singles at Discovery Bay on 2nd, Tai Lam CP on 5th and Tai Tong on 5th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: singles at Tai Lam CP on 2nd, Po Toi on 3rd and Tai Tong on 5th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: four at Tai Po Kau in 1st; one at Lamma on 2nd; one at Ho Man Tin on 4th
Rosy Starling: a juvenile at San Tin on 6th will be the 16th or 17th Hong Kong record if accepted
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Ho Man Tin on 4th; three at Tai Lam CP on 5th
White’s Thrush: the bird seen at the Peak on 30 September was still present 1st
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: singles at Tai Po Kau on 1st and Ho Man Tin on 2nd
Siberian Blue Robin: singles at Ho Man Tin on 2nd (found dead) & 4th, and at Uk Tau on 4th
Bluethroat: the first of the autumn was at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd
Green-backed Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 5th is the third bird to be reported in Hong Kong this autumn
Red-throated Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 2nd
Citrine Wagtail: one at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd
Richard’s Pipit: 15 were at Lam Tsuen on 1st
Red-throated Pipit: two at Long Valley on 1st
Chinese Grosbeak: one at Mai Po on 1st
Grey-capped Greenfinch: five at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd
Yellow-browed Bunting: one at Po Toi on 3rd
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Long Valley on 4th
Late News: Evidence of raptor movement at Tai Tong on 6th, when a Crested Honey Buzzard, a Grey-faced Buzzard and a Japanese Sparrowhawk were reported.
Migration continued with most of the same species as at the end of September - however, as far as I am aware, there were no reports of Oriental Dollarbird, Tiger Shrike, Amur Paradise Flycatcher or Yellow-rumped Flycatcher - and there were more arrivals of winter visitors.
Records of particular note as follows:
Japanese Quail: singles at San Tin on 2nd, Lok Ma Chau on 3rd and Long Valley on 6th
Black-faced Spoonbill: the two summering birds were at Mai Po on 1st
Black-winged Kite: one at Tai Sang Wai on 1st
Baillon’s Crake: one at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: two at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd
Little Stint: one at Mai Po on 1st is only the 6th autumn record
Asian Dowitcher: one at Mai Po on 1st
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Lam Tsuen on 4th
Little Tern: one at Mai Po on 1st
Whiskered Tern: 12 at San Tin on 2nd
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: 11 at Mai Po and four at Long Valley on 1st
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Long Valley on 4th
Amur Falcon: one at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Fairy Pitta: one at Tai Lam CP on 2nd is the first ever October record, previous dates in autumn being between 26 August – 29 September
Black Drongo: movement noted on 1st when 80 were at Long Valley and 60 at Lam Tsuen; 30 were at Tai O on 6th
Hair-crested Drongo: small numbers associated with the movement of Black Drongos on 1st with seven at Long Valley and five at Lam Tsuen; 20 moved south at Ho Man Tin on 2nd
Black-naped Monarch: singles at Tai Po Kau on 1st, Tai Lam CP on 2nd and Tai Tong on 6th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 1st; one at Tai Lam CP on 2nd
Manchurian Bush Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 3rd
Two-barred Warbler: singles at Discovery Bay on 2nd, Tai Lam CP on 5th and Tai Tong on 5th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: singles at Tai Lam CP on 2nd, Po Toi on 3rd and Tai Tong on 5th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: four at Tai Po Kau in 1st; one at Lamma on 2nd; one at Ho Man Tin on 4th
Rosy Starling: a juvenile at San Tin on 6th will be the 16th or 17th Hong Kong record if accepted
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Ho Man Tin on 4th; three at Tai Lam CP on 5th
White’s Thrush: the bird seen at the Peak on 30 September was still present 1st
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: singles at Tai Po Kau on 1st and Ho Man Tin on 2nd
Siberian Blue Robin: singles at Ho Man Tin on 2nd (found dead) & 4th, and at Uk Tau on 4th
Bluethroat: the first of the autumn was at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd
Green-backed Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 5th is the third bird to be reported in Hong Kong this autumn
Red-throated Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 2nd
Citrine Wagtail: one at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd
Richard’s Pipit: 15 were at Lam Tsuen on 1st
Red-throated Pipit: two at Long Valley on 1st
Chinese Grosbeak: one at Mai Po on 1st
Grey-capped Greenfinch: five at Lok Ma Chau on 3rd
Yellow-browed Bunting: one at Po Toi on 3rd
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Long Valley on 4th
Late News: Evidence of raptor movement at Tai Tong on 6th, when a Crested Honey Buzzard, a Grey-faced Buzzard and a Japanese Sparrowhawk were reported.
October 7 - 13
Yellow-breasted Bunting at Long Valley in October (Birding Hong Kong archive)
There were fresh easterly winds bringing showers at the start of the week. Anticyclonic conditions prevailed after this until 13th when a cold front associated with the northeast monsoon moved across the south China coast, bringing showers and causing temperatures to fall below 30⁰C.
Migration continued apace. Highlights were the reappearance of Collared Owlet at Tai Po Kau and Red-backed Shrike at Long Valley. Ferruginous Duck, Little Curlew and personata White Wagtail were seen at Mai Po. A tristis Common Chiffchaff and a Narcissus Flycatcher were found on Po Toi and a Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher was at Ho Man Tin. Details of these and other species of note as follows:
Ferruginous Duck: one at Mai Po on 13th
Black-winged Kite: one at San Tin on 7th & 12th
Grey-faced Buzzard: one at Po Toi on 8th
Eastern Buzzard: singles at Ho Man Tin on 8th and Ping Yeung on 11th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: three at Mai Po on 13th
Baillon’s Crake: one at Mai Po on 12th
Yellow-legged Buttonquail: one at San Tin on 12th & 13th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at San Tin on 7th
Little Curlew: one at Mai Po on 12th & 13th
Ruff: two at Mai Po on 13th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Tai Lam CP on 9th; one at Po Toi on 10th
Little Tern: one at San Tin on 7th
Whiskered Tern: 100 at San Tin on 7th with 70 there on 8th
White-winged Tern: six at San Tin on 8th
Collared Owlet: one heard at Tai Po Kau before dawn on 9th in the same general area as the bird noted from 23 April – 1 May
Oriental Dollarbird: one at Ho Man Tin on 7th
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: ten at Long Valley on 12th; six at San Tin and four at Mai Po on 13th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Lam Tsuen on 7th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at San Tin on 7th; one at Mai Po on 13th
Common Kestrel: one at Ho Man Tin on 8th; one at Po Toi on 10th
Amur Falcon: three at Mai Po on 13th
Eurasian Hobby: one at San Tin on 7th; one at Long Valley on 8th
Red-backed Shrike: the 1st-winter bird seen at Long Valley on 28 & 29 September was reported again on 8th
Ashy Minivet: one at Ho Man Tin on 7th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Lau Shui Heung on 11th & 12th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 8th; one at Lau Shui Heung on 11th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 1st; one at Tai Lam CP on 2nd; one at Lau Shui Heung on 11th with two there on 12th
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher: two at Po Toi on 8th with one there on 10th
Asian Stubtail: three at Ho Man Tin on 7th. Widespread reports thereafter
Common Chiffchaff: one of the race tristis, commonly known as Siberian Chiffchaff, at Po Toi on 10th. This is the 15th record of this species for Hong Kong but is only the second in October. There are no November records. Twelve occurrences have been between 1st December and 10th February. The first record in 1986 was on 16th March.
Two-barred Warbler: several reports. Six at Lam Tsuen on 12th is a new high count
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 8th; one at Ho Pui reservoir on 8th; two at Tai Lam CP on 9th; one at Lau Shui Heung on 11th with two there on 12th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: singles at Ho Pui reservoir on 8th, Tai Lam CP on 9th and Lau Shui Heung on 12th
Goodson’s Leaf Warbler: one goodsoni at Tai Po Kau on 10th; one fokiensis-type Phylloscopus warbler at Lau Shui Heung on 11th & 12th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: one at San Tin on 7th
Styan's Grasshopper Warbler: one at Mai Po on 13th
Golden-headed Cisticola: two at Ping Yeung on 11th
Rosy Starling: the juvenile at San Tin on 6th was seen again on 7th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 8th with three there on 9th; one at Ho Man Tin on 9th; one at Tai Po Kau on 10th
Siberian Thrush: three at Tai Lam CP on 8th; one at Tai Po Kau on 10th
Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 11th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP and Ho Man Tin on 8th, Po Toi on 10th; two at Ho Man Tin on 12th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 11th
Bluethroat: one at San Tin on 7th
Siberian Rubythroat: one at San Tin on 7th
Narcissus Flycatcher: a male at Po Toi on 10th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 10th
Grey Bush Chat: one at Lam Tsuen on 9th
White Wagtail: one of the taxon personata at Mai Po on 13th is only the 5th Hong Kong record and the first in autumn
White Wagtail: one of the taxon lugens at Mai Po on 13th
Pechora Pipit: one at Tai Sang Wai on 8th
Chinese Grosbeak: eight at Mai Po on 7th with five there on 13th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: one at Long Valley on 8th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: one at San Tin on 7th
Little Bunting: one at Po Toi on 10th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Fung Lok Wai on 7th; six at Long Valley on 8th with five there on 12th; one at San Tin on 13th
October 14 – 20
The northeast monsoon brought fine and dry weather to the south China coast for most of the week with temperatures reaching 29⁰C in the middle of the day.
Passage migrants and arriving winter visitors were much in evidence and a wide variety of water birds, raptors, flycatchers, warblers, chats and buntings were reported. A selection of the most interesting sightings is given below:
Ferruginous Duck: one at Long Valley on 16th was presumably the same bird that was seen at Mai Po on 13th
Japanese Quail: one at Long Valley on 19th
Black-faced Spoonbill: arrival of the first wintering birds at Mai Po with at least 20 on 15th and 32 on 16th & 19th
Black-winged Kite: two at Mai Po and one at San Tin on 14th
Crested Honey Buzzard: two at Long Valley on 19th
Bonelli’s Eagle: a juvenile over Shek Wu Wai on 14th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: two at Mai Po on 19th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Mai Po on 14th with two there on 15th; three at Nam Sang Wai on 15th
Eurasian Woodcock: singles at Ho Man Tin and Aberdeen on 17th, and Tai Tong on 20th
Little Stint: one at Mai Po on 19th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: one at Mai Po on 15th
Whiskered Tern: 90 at San Tin on 14th
Red Turtle Dove: 134 at San Tin on 14th
Grey Nightjar: one at Ho Man Tin on 15th
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: 43 at Mai Po on 14th with eight there on 16th; eight at Fung Lok Wai on 19th
Eurasian Wryneck: singles at Long Valley on 18th and Mai Po on 19th
Amur Falcon: three at Mai Po on 14th with one there on 19th; two at San Tin on 20th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Po Toi on 17th is the first report of the autumn
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP and Po Toi on 20th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: two at Tai Lam CP on 16th with one there on 17th and two on 20th; one at Lau Shui Heung on 16th; one at Tai Po Kau on 16th with two there on 20th; two at Ng Tung Chai and one at Tai Tong on 19th
Radde’s Warbler: singles reported from Tai Po Kau on 16th and Tai Lam CP on 17th & 20th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: several reports including four at Tai Po Kau on 16th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: two at Lau Shui Heung on 16th; one at Ho Man Tin on 16th; one at Lead Mine Pass on 18th; one at Mai Po on 19th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Ho Man Tin on 15th; two at Tai Po Kau on 16th; one at Tai Lam CP on 17th; one at Tai Tong on 20th
Arctic Warbler: several reports including five at Tai Po Kau on 16th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 16th & 17th
Goodson’s Leaf Warbler: single goodsoni at Ho Man Tin and Tai Lam CP on 15th, Tai Lam CP and Ho Man Tin on 16th; three at Tai Lam CP on 17th; one at Ng Tung Chai on 19th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: one at San Tin on 20th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: two at Mai Po on 19th
Golden-headed Cisticola: one at Shek Wu Wai on 14th; seven at Ping Yeung on 16th
Daurian Starling: one at Po Toi on 17th
Orange-headed Thrush: singles at Ho Man Tin on 15th, 17th & 20th; one at Tai Lam CP on 15th with two there on 20th; one at Chinese University on 16th was found disoriented in one of the university buildings;; one at Lead Mine Pass on 18th
Siberian Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 17th; one at Lead Mine Pass on 18th; two at Ng Tung Chai on 19th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 17th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: singles at Ho Man Tin on 15th, Tai Po Kau on 18th and Po Toi on 20th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Rufous-tailed Robin: one at Ho Man Tin on 20th is the first of the autumn
Bluethroat: two at Long Valley on 18th
Narcissus Flycatcher: the male seen at Po Toi on 10th was still present on 15th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 17th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 20th
Daurian Redstart: the first of the autumn was a female at Tai Tong on 19th
White-throated Rock Thrush: one at Ho Man Tin on 16th; one at Tai Lam CP on 20th
House Sparrow: a female photographed at Long Valley on 20th is the 6th Hong Kong record and is a new early date in autumn, the previous earliest date being 27 October. See http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=28450&pid=83852&page=1&extra=#pid83852
White Wagtail: the personata wagtail seen at Mai Po on 13th was there again on 14th, although present only briefly early in the morning
Chinese Grosbeak: one at Mai Po on 14th; one at Sha Tin Park on 14th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: two at Mai Po on 14th; one at Long Valley on 20th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: one at Long Valley on 18th & 19th with three there on 20th; one at San Tin on 19th; one at Fung Lok Wai on 19th
Little Bunting: three at Long Valley on 18th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: reported from Long Valley throughout, the peak count being 23 on 18th; elsewhere, two were at San Tin on 14th with four there on 20th, four were at Ping Yeung on 16th, one was at Fung Lok Wai on 19th, and four were at Kai Tak Runway Park on 20th
Black-headed Bunting: one at Long Valley on 18th
Black-faced Bunting: one at Fung Lok Wai on 19th
The northeast monsoon brought fine and dry weather to the south China coast for most of the week with temperatures reaching 29⁰C in the middle of the day.
Passage migrants and arriving winter visitors were much in evidence and a wide variety of water birds, raptors, flycatchers, warblers, chats and buntings were reported. A selection of the most interesting sightings is given below:
Ferruginous Duck: one at Long Valley on 16th was presumably the same bird that was seen at Mai Po on 13th
Japanese Quail: one at Long Valley on 19th
Black-faced Spoonbill: arrival of the first wintering birds at Mai Po with at least 20 on 15th and 32 on 16th & 19th
Black-winged Kite: two at Mai Po and one at San Tin on 14th
Crested Honey Buzzard: two at Long Valley on 19th
Bonelli’s Eagle: a juvenile over Shek Wu Wai on 14th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: two at Mai Po on 19th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Mai Po on 14th with two there on 15th; three at Nam Sang Wai on 15th
Eurasian Woodcock: singles at Ho Man Tin and Aberdeen on 17th, and Tai Tong on 20th
Little Stint: one at Mai Po on 19th
Nordmann’s Greenshank: one at Mai Po on 15th
Whiskered Tern: 90 at San Tin on 14th
Red Turtle Dove: 134 at San Tin on 14th
Grey Nightjar: one at Ho Man Tin on 15th
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: 43 at Mai Po on 14th with eight there on 16th; eight at Fung Lok Wai on 19th
Eurasian Wryneck: singles at Long Valley on 18th and Mai Po on 19th
Amur Falcon: three at Mai Po on 14th with one there on 19th; two at San Tin on 20th
Bull-headed Shrike: one at Po Toi on 17th is the first report of the autumn
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: singles at Tai Lam CP and Po Toi on 20th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: two at Tai Lam CP on 16th with one there on 17th and two on 20th; one at Lau Shui Heung on 16th; one at Tai Po Kau on 16th with two there on 20th; two at Ng Tung Chai and one at Tai Tong on 19th
Radde’s Warbler: singles reported from Tai Po Kau on 16th and Tai Lam CP on 17th & 20th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: several reports including four at Tai Po Kau on 16th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: two at Lau Shui Heung on 16th; one at Ho Man Tin on 16th; one at Lead Mine Pass on 18th; one at Mai Po on 19th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Ho Man Tin on 15th; two at Tai Po Kau on 16th; one at Tai Lam CP on 17th; one at Tai Tong on 20th
Arctic Warbler: several reports including five at Tai Po Kau on 16th
Sulphur-breasted Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 16th & 17th
Goodson’s Leaf Warbler: single goodsoni at Ho Man Tin and Tai Lam CP on 15th, Tai Lam CP and Ho Man Tin on 16th; three at Tai Lam CP on 17th; one at Ng Tung Chai on 19th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: one at San Tin on 20th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: two at Mai Po on 19th
Golden-headed Cisticola: one at Shek Wu Wai on 14th; seven at Ping Yeung on 16th
Daurian Starling: one at Po Toi on 17th
Orange-headed Thrush: singles at Ho Man Tin on 15th, 17th & 20th; one at Tai Lam CP on 15th with two there on 20th; one at Chinese University on 16th was found disoriented in one of the university buildings;; one at Lead Mine Pass on 18th
Siberian Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 17th; one at Lead Mine Pass on 18th; two at Ng Tung Chai on 19th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 17th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: singles at Ho Man Tin on 15th, Tai Po Kau on 18th and Po Toi on 20th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 20th
Rufous-tailed Robin: one at Ho Man Tin on 20th is the first of the autumn
Bluethroat: two at Long Valley on 18th
Narcissus Flycatcher: the male seen at Po Toi on 10th was still present on 15th
Mugimaki Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 17th
Red-breasted Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 20th
Daurian Redstart: the first of the autumn was a female at Tai Tong on 19th
White-throated Rock Thrush: one at Ho Man Tin on 16th; one at Tai Lam CP on 20th
House Sparrow: a female photographed at Long Valley on 20th is the 6th Hong Kong record and is a new early date in autumn, the previous earliest date being 27 October. See http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=28450&pid=83852&page=1&extra=#pid83852
White Wagtail: the personata wagtail seen at Mai Po on 13th was there again on 14th, although present only briefly early in the morning
Chinese Grosbeak: one at Mai Po on 14th; one at Sha Tin Park on 14th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: two at Mai Po on 14th; one at Long Valley on 20th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: one at Long Valley on 18th & 19th with three there on 20th; one at San Tin on 19th; one at Fung Lok Wai on 19th
Little Bunting: three at Long Valley on 18th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: reported from Long Valley throughout, the peak count being 23 on 18th; elsewhere, two were at San Tin on 14th with four there on 20th, four were at Ping Yeung on 16th, one was at Fung Lok Wai on 19th, and four were at Kai Tak Runway Park on 20th
Black-headed Bunting: one at Long Valley on 18th
Black-faced Bunting: one at Fung Lok Wai on 19th
October 21 - 31
Black-browed Reed Warbler at Long Valley, 22 October 2019
The end of October was dominated by the northeast monsoon which brought generally fine and dry weather to the south Chinese coast. Temperatures remained under 30⁰C with night time temperatures falling to 18⁰C in the northern New Territories, making birding in the field more tolerable than it had been for several months.
As usual there were plenty of migrants around. Tai Lam Country Park and Ho Man Tin were particularly well-covered during the period under review and turned up a number of good birds. A full summary of the period is given below.
Geese, Swans & Ducks: A white swan Cygnus sp. was reported flying southwest over Long Valley on 21st. The only swan species on the Hong Kong list to date is Whooper Swan with records of an adult at Mai Po on 13 March 2001 and a juvenile at Sai Kung on 26 January 2014. In addition 14 swans sp. were at Mai Po on 16 Nov 1992. A Cotton Pygmy Goose at Lok Ma Chau on 22nd is the 12th Hong Kong record.
The usual dabbling ducks (Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Garganey and Eurasian Teal) were present in the wetlands of the northwest New Territories in small numbers; most numerous were Eurasian Wigeons with 300+ in Deep Bay on 26th and 180 on the fish ponds at Lut Chau on 30th. 40 Eurasian Teals were at San Tin on 26th. The first Tufted Duck of the autumn was at San Tin on 26th, and there were three there on 30th as well as one at Lut Chau on the same date.
Quails, Spoonbills & Herons: A Japanese Quail was at Long Valley on 27th. A Eurasian Spoonbill was at Mai Po on 26th when at least 36 Black-faced Spoonbills were present on the reserve.
Raptors: Black-winged Kites were reported from Tai Sang Wai on 21st, 22nd & 30th, Mai Po on 22nd & 29th, and San Tin on 25th. A Crested Honey Buzzard flew over Kennedy Town on 27th. The first Greater Spotted Eagle of the season was at Lok Ma Chau on 22nd. Other raptors at Lok Ma Chau on the same date were a migrating juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle flying high in a southerly direction, and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. There were several reports of Eastern Buzzards mainly from the northern New Territories but also including one at Ho Man Tin on 28th. One or two Eastern Marsh Harriers were noted at Mai Po and Tai Sang Wai although there were no sightings of Pied Harrier. There were at least three sightings of Common Kestrels from the northwest New Territories. Two Amur Falcons were at San Tin on 26th, one was at Ho Man Tin on 28th, and on 29th one was at Shuen Wan landfill and at least ten flew over HK Wetland Park; so far it has been a rather poor autumn for this species. A Eurasian Hobby was at Tai Lam Country Park on 27th and one was hawking bats at Mai Po at dusk on 28th.
As usual there were plenty of migrants around. Tai Lam Country Park and Ho Man Tin were particularly well-covered during the period under review and turned up a number of good birds. A full summary of the period is given below.
Geese, Swans & Ducks: A white swan Cygnus sp. was reported flying southwest over Long Valley on 21st. The only swan species on the Hong Kong list to date is Whooper Swan with records of an adult at Mai Po on 13 March 2001 and a juvenile at Sai Kung on 26 January 2014. In addition 14 swans sp. were at Mai Po on 16 Nov 1992. A Cotton Pygmy Goose at Lok Ma Chau on 22nd is the 12th Hong Kong record.
The usual dabbling ducks (Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Garganey and Eurasian Teal) were present in the wetlands of the northwest New Territories in small numbers; most numerous were Eurasian Wigeons with 300+ in Deep Bay on 26th and 180 on the fish ponds at Lut Chau on 30th. 40 Eurasian Teals were at San Tin on 26th. The first Tufted Duck of the autumn was at San Tin on 26th, and there were three there on 30th as well as one at Lut Chau on the same date.
Quails, Spoonbills & Herons: A Japanese Quail was at Long Valley on 27th. A Eurasian Spoonbill was at Mai Po on 26th when at least 36 Black-faced Spoonbills were present on the reserve.
Raptors: Black-winged Kites were reported from Tai Sang Wai on 21st, 22nd & 30th, Mai Po on 22nd & 29th, and San Tin on 25th. A Crested Honey Buzzard flew over Kennedy Town on 27th. The first Greater Spotted Eagle of the season was at Lok Ma Chau on 22nd. Other raptors at Lok Ma Chau on the same date were a migrating juvenile Crested Serpent Eagle flying high in a southerly direction, and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. There were several reports of Eastern Buzzards mainly from the northern New Territories but also including one at Ho Man Tin on 28th. One or two Eastern Marsh Harriers were noted at Mai Po and Tai Sang Wai although there were no sightings of Pied Harrier. There were at least three sightings of Common Kestrels from the northwest New Territories. Two Amur Falcons were at San Tin on 26th, one was at Ho Man Tin on 28th, and on 29th one was at Shuen Wan landfill and at least ten flew over HK Wetland Park; so far it has been a rather poor autumn for this species. A Eurasian Hobby was at Tai Lam Country Park on 27th and one was hawking bats at Mai Po at dusk on 28th.
Crakes to Terns: A Slaty-legged Crake was at Ho Man Tin on 27th and a Ruddy-breasted Crake was at Long Valley on 30th. There were a number of reports of Pheasant-tailed Jacanas: one was at Lok Ma Chau on 25th, and at HK Wetland Park three were seen on 26th with numbers rising to five on 26th and eight on 29th, singles were at San Tin on 26th & 29th and two were at Tai O, Lantau on 26th. A Grey-headed Lapwing was at Long Valley on 30th and a Far Eastern Curlew was amongst the Eurasian Curlews at Mai Po on 26th.A Little Stint was feeding alongside a Red-necked Stint on the mud flats at Mai Po on 29th. There were several reports of Eurasian Woodcocks especially from Tai Lam Country Park from 21st to 29th with a peak count there of three on 25th. Other sightings involved singles at Ho Man Tin on 21st and the Peak on 23rd & 24th, and two at Po Toi on 31st (one living, one dead!). Wintering Common Snipes were now far more numerous than Pintail and Swinhoe’s Snipes, which are mainly passage migrants, but three non-calling Pintail/Swinhoe’s Snipes were at Long Valley on 22nd, with at least one Swinhoe’s Snipe there on 22nd and a Pintail Snipe there on 28th.
The first Black-headed Gulls of the season were two on the Deep Bay mud flats on 29th. Whiskered Terns continued to be recorded from San Tin, albeit in reduced numbers, with 15 present on 27th and 12 on 30th.
Doves to Hirundines: Small numbers of Oriental Turtle Doves were reported from the northwest New Territories. At Lok Ma Chau, 110 Red Turtle Doves were counted on 22nd and 150 were seen at nearby San Tin on 26th. A migrant Oriental Scops Owl was seen roosting during the day at Tsing Yi Park on 30th. A Eurasian Wryneck was at Lok Ma Chau on 24th. Black-winged Cuckooshrikes were widespread in suitable woodland habitat. A Black-naped Oriole was at Po Toi on 22nd. Hair-crested, Black and Ashy Drongos were reported from several sites. A Eurasian Skylark was at Long Valley on 27th with two there on 30th. A Sand Martin was at Tai Sang Wai on 21st and three were at Lut Chau on 30th. The highest count of Barn Swallows was of 40 at Lut Chau on 30th. Six Red-rumped Swallows were at Ping Yeung on 23rd.
The first Black-headed Gulls of the season were two on the Deep Bay mud flats on 29th. Whiskered Terns continued to be recorded from San Tin, albeit in reduced numbers, with 15 present on 27th and 12 on 30th.
Doves to Hirundines: Small numbers of Oriental Turtle Doves were reported from the northwest New Territories. At Lok Ma Chau, 110 Red Turtle Doves were counted on 22nd and 150 were seen at nearby San Tin on 26th. A migrant Oriental Scops Owl was seen roosting during the day at Tsing Yi Park on 30th. A Eurasian Wryneck was at Lok Ma Chau on 24th. Black-winged Cuckooshrikes were widespread in suitable woodland habitat. A Black-naped Oriole was at Po Toi on 22nd. Hair-crested, Black and Ashy Drongos were reported from several sites. A Eurasian Skylark was at Long Valley on 27th with two there on 30th. A Sand Martin was at Tai Sang Wai on 21st and three were at Lut Chau on 30th. The highest count of Barn Swallows was of 40 at Lut Chau on 30th. Six Red-rumped Swallows were at Ping Yeung on 23rd.
Oriental Reed Warbler at Lut Chau, 30 October 2019
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Black-browed Reed Warbler at Lut Chau, 30 October 2019
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Warblers: Asian Stubtails were present at several sites, the peak count being eight at Tai Po Kau on 24th. A Black-throated Tit was at Tai Po Kau on 30th. Reports of the rare Hume’s Leaf Warblers involved singles at Tai Lam CP on 25th and at Eagle’s Nest on 27th. Yellow-browed Warblers were widespread, with peak counts of 13 at Tai Lam CP on 21st and Tai Po Kau on 24th. The first Pallas’s Leaf Warbler of the season was reported from Po Toi on 31st. The peak count of Dusky Warblers was 50 at San Tin on 26th. Single Radde’s Warblers were seen at Tai Lam CP from 23rd to 30th, Lau Shui Heung on 23rd & 28th, Tai Po Kau on 29th & 30th, and Ho Pui reservoir on 29th. In addition, three were seen at Mt Davis on 31st. Eastern Crowned Warblers were noted in ones and twos at several sites, as were Two Barred Warblers; four of the latter were at Eagle’s Nest on 27th and three were on Po Toi on 31st. Sightings of Arctic Warblers were much fewer than in the preceding weeks with one at Ho Man Tin and two at Lau Shui Heung on 23rd and one at Tai Po Kau on 28th. An Alstrom’s Warbler was on Po Toi on 29th & 31st. Reports of Sakhalin Leaf Warbler involved one at Tai Lam CP on 24th and two at Po Toi on 31st. Pale-legged Leaf Warblers were recorded from four different sites between 22nd & 29th. One, possibly two, Sulphur-breasted Warblers were seen regularly at Tai Lam CP from 23rd to 30th. Goodson’s Leaf Warblers of the taxon goodsoni were also noted regularly at Tai Lam CP, with a peak count of three on 24th. Other reports came from Eagle’s Nest (one on 27th) and Tai Po Kau (one on 28th, with four there on 30th) and Po Toi (one on 31st); fokiensis-type birds involved singles at Tai Lam CP from 24th -30th, and two at Tai Po Kau on 30th.
Thirty Oriental Reed Warblers were at San Tin on 26th and 50 Black-browed Reed Warblers were at Lok Ma Chau on 22nd, with 35 at san Tin on 26th. There were regular reports of up to five Zitting Cisticolas at Long Valley. Two Golden-headed Cisticolas were at Ping Yeung on 23rd and one was in the fields below Shek Kong catchwater on 29th.
Thirty Oriental Reed Warblers were at San Tin on 26th and 50 Black-browed Reed Warblers were at Lok Ma Chau on 22nd, with 35 at san Tin on 26th. There were regular reports of up to five Zitting Cisticolas at Long Valley. Two Golden-headed Cisticolas were at Ping Yeung on 23rd and one was in the fields below Shek Kong catchwater on 29th.
Radde's Warbler at Lau Shui Heung, 28 October 2019
White-eyes to Chats: On 29th, a flock of 30 Indochinese Yuhinas was at Shek Kong catchwater and a flock of 20 was at Tai Po Kau. A Common Starling was at Lut Chau on 30th. Single Orange-headed Thrushes were at Ho Man Tin on 23rd & 29th, and Tai Lam CP on 23rd & 26th. A female Siberian Thrush was at Tai Lam CP on 24th & 30th, and a single White’s Thrush was noted there from 21st to 29th; a sudden influx on 30th brought six birds to the area. Other thrushes at Tai Lam CP were an Eyebrowed Thrush on 24th and a Japanese Thrush on 26th. A Grey-backed Thrush was on Lamma on 31st, a new earliest autumn date by one day. A Pale Thrush was at Ho Man Tin on 30th; this is a new early autumn date, the previous earliest being 4 November. There were a few sightings of Chinese Blackbirds in the northwest New Territories.
Single Rufous-tailed Robins were at Tai Lam CP from 23rd to 29th, and one was on Po Toi on 29th. A Bluethroat was at Long Valley on 27th, and there was a scattering of Siberian Rubythroats in the northern New Territories including three at Ping Yeung on 22nd and three at San Tin on 26th. The first Red-flanked Bluetail of the autumn was at Uk Tau on 24th, and one was also on Po Toi on 29th. There were widespread reports of Daurian Redstarts from 22nd; eight were on Po Toi on 31st. Two Blue Rock Thrushes were at Causeway Bay on 23rd, and singles were at Uk Tau on 24th, Long Valley on 27th and Kai Tak Runway Park on 28th. At Tai Lam CP, a male White-throated Rock Thrush was present on 21st & 23rd and at least one female, possibly two or three, were there from 21st to 27th; a female was also noted at Tai Po Kau on 30th. The peak count of Stejneger’s Stonechats was 13 at Long Valley on 26th.
Flycatchers: Single Black-naped Monarchs were at Lau Shui Heung on 23rd, Tai Lam CP on 24th, Tai Tong on 26th and Shek Kong catchwater and Tai Po Kau on 30th. The only Amur Paradise Flycatcher reported was at Tai Lam CP on 23rd, but Japanese Paradise Flycatchers were noted as follows: singles at Tai Lam CP on 21st & 24th, with two there on 25th & 30th, one at Lau Shui Heung on 23rd, and two at Tai Po Kau on 30th. A Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher was at Shek Kong catchwater on 30th. Single Dark-sided Flycatchers were at Tai Lam CP on 21st & 30th, and at Tai Po Kau on 30th. Asian Brown Flycatchers were widespread in small numbers. A Hainan Blue Flycatcher was at Ho Man Tin on 21st & 24th. Single Blue-and-white Flycatchers were noted at Ho Man Tin on 21st & 30th, Po Toi on 22nd, Tai Lam CP on 26th & 29th, Lam Tsuen on 28th and Tai Po Kau on 30th. Two were at Po Toi on 29th. Up to two Verditer Flycatchers were at Tai Lam CP from 21st to 29th and one was at Lau Shui Heung on 23rd. Records of Mugimaki Flycatcher involved three at Ho Man Tin on 21st, two at Po Toi on 22nd, singles at Tai Po Kau, Tai Lam CP and Ho Man Tin on 29th, and at Mt Davis on 31st. The peak count of Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatchers was four at Ho Sheung Heung on 28th, Reports of the less common Red-breasted Flycatcher involved singles at Ho Man Tin on 21st & 22nd, Lam Tsuen on 28th and Tai Lam CP on 30th.
Stejneger's Stonechat at Long Valley, 28 October 2019
Sparrows to Buntings: A female House Sparrow was at Long Valley on 23rd and a male Russet Sparrow was at the same location on 23rd, 30th & 31st. Both macronyx and taivana Eastern Yellow Wagtails were present in small numbers around fish ponds in the northwest New Territories. Five ocularis White Wagtails were at Long Valley on 22nd along with 34 leucopsis White Wagtails. The peak count of Richard’s Pipits was six at Lam Tsuen on 21st and small numbers of Red-throated and Olive-backed Pipits were reported from widespread areas. A Buff-bellied Pipit was at Long Valley on 30th.
A Brambling was at Mai Po on 25th. A Tristram’s Bunting was at Po Toi on 31st. Up to two Chestnut-eared Buntings were at Long Valley until 30th, and singles were at Ping Yeung on 23rd and San Tin on 30th. However, there was a marked influx at Long Valley on 31st when 13 were counted, which is the highest count since the 1970s (although 12 were at Lok Ma Chau on 31 October 2018). Up to two Little Buntings were at Long Valley, and on 29th, two were at Mt Davis, one was at Po Toi and one was in the fields below Shek Kong catchwater. The peak count of Yellow-breasted Buntings at Long Valley was 20 on 30th. Other sightings of this Critically Endangered species came from Lam Tsuen (two on 21st) and San Tin (three from 26th to 29th). A Chestnut Bunting was at Ho Man Tin on 21st, two were at Tai Lam CP on 23rd with one there on 24th & 25th, and five were at Mt Davis on 29th. A Black-headed Bunting was at Long Valley on 29th and two were reported there on 30th. A Japanese Yellow Bunting was at Ho Man Tin on 28th, and three Black-faced Buntings were at Long Valley on 30th with two at San Tin on the same date and at least one on Po Toi on 31st.
A Brambling was at Mai Po on 25th. A Tristram’s Bunting was at Po Toi on 31st. Up to two Chestnut-eared Buntings were at Long Valley until 30th, and singles were at Ping Yeung on 23rd and San Tin on 30th. However, there was a marked influx at Long Valley on 31st when 13 were counted, which is the highest count since the 1970s (although 12 were at Lok Ma Chau on 31 October 2018). Up to two Little Buntings were at Long Valley, and on 29th, two were at Mt Davis, one was at Po Toi and one was in the fields below Shek Kong catchwater. The peak count of Yellow-breasted Buntings at Long Valley was 20 on 30th. Other sightings of this Critically Endangered species came from Lam Tsuen (two on 21st) and San Tin (three from 26th to 29th). A Chestnut Bunting was at Ho Man Tin on 21st, two were at Tai Lam CP on 23rd with one there on 24th & 25th, and five were at Mt Davis on 29th. A Black-headed Bunting was at Long Valley on 29th and two were reported there on 30th. A Japanese Yellow Bunting was at Ho Man Tin on 28th, and three Black-faced Buntings were at Long Valley on 30th with two at San Tin on the same date and at least one on Po Toi on 31st.
White Wagtail Motacilla alba leucopsis at Long Valley, 28 October 2019
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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