LATEST SIGHTINGS - OCTOBER 2021
October 1-10
October 1-10
The weather up until 7th was generally fine with temperatures up to 32⁰C. On 8th a low-pressure system over the central part of the South China Sea developed into Tropical Cyclone Lionrock. Although it remained 500 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong, in combination with the first northeast monsoon of the autumn, it brought strong winds and heavy rain to Hong Kong. The Black Rainstorm warning was issued on 8th and T8 was raised on 9th.
The cyclone stirred things up a bit bird-wise. The most notable casualty was a presumed Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel picked up at Shek O beach on 9th and taken into care. There was an obvious influx of Whiskered Terns into the territory. Pechora Pipits at Mai Po and Tai Sang Wai and a Ruddy Shelduck at Mai Po on 10th were also presumably brought in by the storm. Details of these and others below:
Ruddy Shelduck: one at Mai Po on 10th is a new early autumn date for this species, the previous earliest being 4 November
Garganey: the highest count at Mai Po was 50 on 9th
Japanese Quail: one at Tai Mo Shan on 5th; one at Mai Po on 10th
Himalayan Swiftlet: two at Ho Man Tin on 1st; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 3rd: two at Mai Po on 4th; three at Lung Kwu Tan on 6th; one at Mai Po on 7th
Pacific Swift: two at Mai Po on 1st & 10th
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo: one at Mt Davis on 2nd; one at Long Valley on 2nd
Oriental Cuckoo: two at Mai Po on 10th
Watercock: one found dead at South Horizons on 10th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Tai Sang Wai on 10th
Ruff: one at Long Valley on 6th; one at Mai Po on 7th
Swinhoe’s Snipe: one at Long Valley on 1st along with ten other Pintail/Swinhoe’s Snipe
Oriental Pratincole: three at Mai Po on 6th & 9th with 18 there on 10th
Common Tern: two at Cheung Chau on 9th
Whiskered Tern: Tropical Cylcone Lionrock brought widespread parties into Hong Kong on 9th, including 20 at Cheung Chau, 16 at Mui Wo, 54 at Kai Tak Runway Park, 30 at Sai Kung, 30 at Tai Sang Wai and 15 at Mai Po. Twenty-three were at Mai Po, 14 were at Tsuen Wan Park and 30 were at Kai Tak Runway Park on 10th
White-winged Tern: five at Cheung Chau, six at Mai Po and one at Kai Tak Runway Park on 9th
Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel: a petrel picked up at Shek O beach on 9th and taken into care is presumed to be this species
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Long Valley on 1st
Black Bittern: one at Kam Tin on 1st
Eastern Cattle Egret: 150 at Kai Tak Runway Park on 9th
Purple Heron: 16 at Mai Po on 3rd is the highest count this century.
The cyclone stirred things up a bit bird-wise. The most notable casualty was a presumed Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel picked up at Shek O beach on 9th and taken into care. There was an obvious influx of Whiskered Terns into the territory. Pechora Pipits at Mai Po and Tai Sang Wai and a Ruddy Shelduck at Mai Po on 10th were also presumably brought in by the storm. Details of these and others below:
Ruddy Shelduck: one at Mai Po on 10th is a new early autumn date for this species, the previous earliest being 4 November
Garganey: the highest count at Mai Po was 50 on 9th
Japanese Quail: one at Tai Mo Shan on 5th; one at Mai Po on 10th
Himalayan Swiftlet: two at Ho Man Tin on 1st; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 3rd: two at Mai Po on 4th; three at Lung Kwu Tan on 6th; one at Mai Po on 7th
Pacific Swift: two at Mai Po on 1st & 10th
Chestnut-winged Cuckoo: one at Mt Davis on 2nd; one at Long Valley on 2nd
Oriental Cuckoo: two at Mai Po on 10th
Watercock: one found dead at South Horizons on 10th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Tai Sang Wai on 10th
Ruff: one at Long Valley on 6th; one at Mai Po on 7th
Swinhoe’s Snipe: one at Long Valley on 1st along with ten other Pintail/Swinhoe’s Snipe
Oriental Pratincole: three at Mai Po on 6th & 9th with 18 there on 10th
Common Tern: two at Cheung Chau on 9th
Whiskered Tern: Tropical Cylcone Lionrock brought widespread parties into Hong Kong on 9th, including 20 at Cheung Chau, 16 at Mui Wo, 54 at Kai Tak Runway Park, 30 at Sai Kung, 30 at Tai Sang Wai and 15 at Mai Po. Twenty-three were at Mai Po, 14 were at Tsuen Wan Park and 30 were at Kai Tak Runway Park on 10th
White-winged Tern: five at Cheung Chau, six at Mai Po and one at Kai Tak Runway Park on 9th
Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel: a petrel picked up at Shek O beach on 9th and taken into care is presumed to be this species
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Long Valley on 1st
Black Bittern: one at Kam Tin on 1st
Eastern Cattle Egret: 150 at Kai Tak Runway Park on 9th
Purple Heron: 16 at Mai Po on 3rd is the highest count this century.
Black-winged Kite; highest count at Mai Po, where it was regularly present, was four on 3rd. Also, one at Long Valley on 1st, one at Tai Sang Wai on 7th, 9th & 10th, and one at Ho Chung on 10th
Crested Honey Buzzard: one at Mai Po on 10th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: singles at Lung Kwu Tan on 2nd & 3rd, and South Horizons on 3rd
Japanese Sparrowhawk: two at Lung Kwu Tan on 1st; one at Long Valley on 2nd; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 5th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: highest count was seven at Mai Po on 10th
Pied Harrier: one at San Tin on 1st; one at Mai Po on 2nd & 10th
Grey-faced Buzzard: one at Po Toi on 5th
Eastern Buzzard: one at Mai Po on 10th was the first of the season
Black-capped Kingfisher: one at Po Toi on 7th
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: all records from Mai Po: ten on 1st, three on 2nd; 11 on 3rd; three on 9th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 2nd; four together at Mai Po on 4th; one at Mai Po on 7th
Common Kestrel: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 3rd: two at Tai Mo Shan on 6th; two at Mai Po on 6th; two at Po Toi on 7th; one at Mai Po on 9th
Amur Falcon: at least five flew over Mai Po on 10th; singles were also seen at Tai Sang Wai and Shuen Wan on 10th
Eurasian Hobby: singles at south Lantau on 1st, Tai Tong on 2nd; Lung Kwu Tan and Kei Ling Ha on 3rd, and Kai Tak Runway Park on 9th; three at Mai Po on 10th; one at Shan Liu on 10th; one at Ho Pui village on 10th
Fairy Pitta: one at Ho Man Tin on 6th; one digitally recorded giving a very brief burst of song at Pak Sha O around 2.00 a.m. on 9th – both of these are new late autumn dates
Ashy Minivet: one at Mt Davis on 2nd; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 2nd; one at Po Toi on 5th; one at Tai Po Kau on 6th
Swinhoe’s Minivet: two at Lung Kwu Tan on 3rd
Ashy/Swinhoe’s Minivet: a group of 11 flew over Mai Po on 7th
Black-naped Oriole: highest counts were seven at Lung Kwu Tan on 1st, 15 at Mai Po on 4th and seven at Po Toi on 5th
Ashy Drongo: one of the race hopwoodi at Tai Po Kau Headland on 6th
Black Drongo: highest counts of migrating birds involved 110 at Lung Kwu Tan on 2nd and 116 at the same location on 3rd
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: two at Tai Lam CP on 1st; one at San Tin on 1st; up to two at Tai Po Kau between 3rd - 7th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 1st; two at Tai Po Kau on 4th; one at KFBG on 7th
Black Bulbul: one at Tai Po Kau on 4th
Sand Martin: two at San Tin on 9th; one at Mai Po on 10th; four at Tai Sang Wai on 10th
Asian Stubtail: one at Ho Man Tin on 4th; one at Mui Tsz Lam on 6th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Mo Shan on 2nd
Eastern Crowned Warbler: three at Tai Po Kau on 4th; three at Fanling Golf Course on 6th
Two-barred Warbler: highest counts were three at Tai Tong on 1st, three at Tai Po Kau on 4th and five at Fanling Golf Course on 6th
Greenish Warbler: one at Fanling Golf Course on 6th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Tong on 1st; one at Mt Davis on 2nd; one at Tai Po Kau on 4th; one at Mai Po on 4th; one at Ho Man Tin on 4th & 5th; two at Tai Po Kau on 5th; one at Fanling Golf Course on 6th; one at Nam Sang Wai on 7th; one at Mai Po on 10th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: highest counts were four at Tai Lam CP, five at Mai Po and five at Ma On Shan, all on 1st
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: one fokiensis at Tai Po Kau on 5th
Oriental Reed Warbler: 17 trapped at Mai Po on 4th; 33 trapped at Mai Po on 7th
Black-browed Reed Warbler: two at Telford Gardens on 3rd; 22 trapped at Mai Po on 4th; 19 trapped at Mai Po on 7th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: two trapped at Mai Po on 7th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Telford Gardens on 3rd; three trapped at Mai Po on 4th; one trapped at Mai Po on 7th
Lanceolated Warbler: one at Telford Gardens on 3rd; three trapped at Mai Po on 4th; one trapped at Mai Po on 7th
Golden-headed Cisticola: two at She Shan, Lam Tsuen on 9th
Chinese Grassbird: two at Tai Mo Shan on 5th
Chinese Babax: (Cat IIC): three at Tai Mo Shan on 5th with two there on 6th
Daurian Starling: one at Po Toi on 5th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 7th
Rosy Starling: a juvenile at Tai Sang Wai on 7th
Common Starling: one at Mai Po access road on 7th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Ho Man Tin on 1st; one at Tai Po Kau on 3rd; two at Ho Man Tin on 5th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 5th
Asian Brown Flycatcher: highest counts were six at Po Toi on 5th, seven at Fanling Golf Course on 6th and five at Mai Po on 9th
Hainan Blue Flycatcher: one of the orange-throated form klossi at Ho Man Tin on 3rd
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: two at Po Toi on 5th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Tai Tong on 2nd; two at Kei Ling Ha on 3rd; two at Tai Lam CP on 9th; one at Fa Sam Hang on 10th
Siberian Blue Robin: one at Ho Man Tin on 1st
Slaty-backed Forktail: one at Chinese University on 10th
Red-throated Flycatcher: three at Fanling Golf Course on 6th
Daurian Redstart: one at Fanling Golf Course on 6th was the first of the season
White-headed Munia (Cat III): 30 at Cheung Po, Shek Kong on 9th
Olive-backed Pipit: three at Fanling Golf Course on 6th were the first of the autumn
Pechora Pipit: two at Tai Sang Wai on 9th & 10th, and one at Mai Po on 9th
Red-throated Pipit: two at San Tin on 1st were the first of the season
Little Bunting: three at Tai Mo Shan on 5th; one at Mai Po on 7th; two at Po Toi on 7th
Yellow-browed Bunting: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 2nd; one at Mai Po on 7th & 10th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Ma On Shan on 2nd; one trapped at Mai Po on 4th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 6th.
Crested Honey Buzzard: one at Mai Po on 10th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: singles at Lung Kwu Tan on 2nd & 3rd, and South Horizons on 3rd
Japanese Sparrowhawk: two at Lung Kwu Tan on 1st; one at Long Valley on 2nd; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 5th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: highest count was seven at Mai Po on 10th
Pied Harrier: one at San Tin on 1st; one at Mai Po on 2nd & 10th
Grey-faced Buzzard: one at Po Toi on 5th
Eastern Buzzard: one at Mai Po on 10th was the first of the season
Black-capped Kingfisher: one at Po Toi on 7th
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: all records from Mai Po: ten on 1st, three on 2nd; 11 on 3rd; three on 9th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 2nd; four together at Mai Po on 4th; one at Mai Po on 7th
Common Kestrel: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 3rd: two at Tai Mo Shan on 6th; two at Mai Po on 6th; two at Po Toi on 7th; one at Mai Po on 9th
Amur Falcon: at least five flew over Mai Po on 10th; singles were also seen at Tai Sang Wai and Shuen Wan on 10th
Eurasian Hobby: singles at south Lantau on 1st, Tai Tong on 2nd; Lung Kwu Tan and Kei Ling Ha on 3rd, and Kai Tak Runway Park on 9th; three at Mai Po on 10th; one at Shan Liu on 10th; one at Ho Pui village on 10th
Fairy Pitta: one at Ho Man Tin on 6th; one digitally recorded giving a very brief burst of song at Pak Sha O around 2.00 a.m. on 9th – both of these are new late autumn dates
Ashy Minivet: one at Mt Davis on 2nd; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 2nd; one at Po Toi on 5th; one at Tai Po Kau on 6th
Swinhoe’s Minivet: two at Lung Kwu Tan on 3rd
Ashy/Swinhoe’s Minivet: a group of 11 flew over Mai Po on 7th
Black-naped Oriole: highest counts were seven at Lung Kwu Tan on 1st, 15 at Mai Po on 4th and seven at Po Toi on 5th
Ashy Drongo: one of the race hopwoodi at Tai Po Kau Headland on 6th
Black Drongo: highest counts of migrating birds involved 110 at Lung Kwu Tan on 2nd and 116 at the same location on 3rd
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: two at Tai Lam CP on 1st; one at San Tin on 1st; up to two at Tai Po Kau between 3rd - 7th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 1st; two at Tai Po Kau on 4th; one at KFBG on 7th
Black Bulbul: one at Tai Po Kau on 4th
Sand Martin: two at San Tin on 9th; one at Mai Po on 10th; four at Tai Sang Wai on 10th
Asian Stubtail: one at Ho Man Tin on 4th; one at Mui Tsz Lam on 6th
Hume’s Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Mo Shan on 2nd
Eastern Crowned Warbler: three at Tai Po Kau on 4th; three at Fanling Golf Course on 6th
Two-barred Warbler: highest counts were three at Tai Tong on 1st, three at Tai Po Kau on 4th and five at Fanling Golf Course on 6th
Greenish Warbler: one at Fanling Golf Course on 6th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Tong on 1st; one at Mt Davis on 2nd; one at Tai Po Kau on 4th; one at Mai Po on 4th; one at Ho Man Tin on 4th & 5th; two at Tai Po Kau on 5th; one at Fanling Golf Course on 6th; one at Nam Sang Wai on 7th; one at Mai Po on 10th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: highest counts were four at Tai Lam CP, five at Mai Po and five at Ma On Shan, all on 1st
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: one fokiensis at Tai Po Kau on 5th
Oriental Reed Warbler: 17 trapped at Mai Po on 4th; 33 trapped at Mai Po on 7th
Black-browed Reed Warbler: two at Telford Gardens on 3rd; 22 trapped at Mai Po on 4th; 19 trapped at Mai Po on 7th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: two trapped at Mai Po on 7th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one at Telford Gardens on 3rd; three trapped at Mai Po on 4th; one trapped at Mai Po on 7th
Lanceolated Warbler: one at Telford Gardens on 3rd; three trapped at Mai Po on 4th; one trapped at Mai Po on 7th
Golden-headed Cisticola: two at She Shan, Lam Tsuen on 9th
Chinese Grassbird: two at Tai Mo Shan on 5th
Chinese Babax: (Cat IIC): three at Tai Mo Shan on 5th with two there on 6th
Daurian Starling: one at Po Toi on 5th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 7th
Rosy Starling: a juvenile at Tai Sang Wai on 7th
Common Starling: one at Mai Po access road on 7th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Ho Man Tin on 1st; one at Tai Po Kau on 3rd; two at Ho Man Tin on 5th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 5th
Asian Brown Flycatcher: highest counts were six at Po Toi on 5th, seven at Fanling Golf Course on 6th and five at Mai Po on 9th
Hainan Blue Flycatcher: one of the orange-throated form klossi at Ho Man Tin on 3rd
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: two at Po Toi on 5th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Tai Tong on 2nd; two at Kei Ling Ha on 3rd; two at Tai Lam CP on 9th; one at Fa Sam Hang on 10th
Siberian Blue Robin: one at Ho Man Tin on 1st
Slaty-backed Forktail: one at Chinese University on 10th
Red-throated Flycatcher: three at Fanling Golf Course on 6th
Daurian Redstart: one at Fanling Golf Course on 6th was the first of the season
White-headed Munia (Cat III): 30 at Cheung Po, Shek Kong on 9th
Olive-backed Pipit: three at Fanling Golf Course on 6th were the first of the autumn
Pechora Pipit: two at Tai Sang Wai on 9th & 10th, and one at Mai Po on 9th
Red-throated Pipit: two at San Tin on 1st were the first of the season
Little Bunting: three at Tai Mo Shan on 5th; one at Mai Po on 7th; two at Po Toi on 7th
Yellow-browed Bunting: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 2nd; one at Mai Po on 7th & 10th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Ma On Shan on 2nd; one trapped at Mai Po on 4th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 6th.
October 11-17
Tropical Cyclone Kompasu (T8) brought heavy rain and squalls to the territory on 12th & 13th. The weather remained mainly cloudy for the rest of the week with winds from the northeast and with temperatures for the most part staying below 28⁰C– a welcome relief after the long, hot summer months.
Kompasu brought some notable seabirds to Cape D’Aguilar in the form of eight Swinhoe’s Storm Petrels (a species only very recently accepted onto the Hong Kong list), a Bulwer’s Petrel and a Sooty Tern. In addition, a seawatch from Po Toi on 17th turned up two further Bulwer’s Petrels. All kudos to Graham and Bart for their persistence in their pursuit of Hong Kong seabirds. Details of these and other species of note follow:
Garganey: the highest count at Mai Po was 112 on 17th; one was also at Pui O on 14th
Japanese Quail: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 16th
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 15th
Pacific Swift: three at Tai Au Mun on 14th
Oriental Cuckoo: singles at Mai Po on 11th & 16th with a good count of five there on 14th; one at Po Toi on 14th
Eurasian Coot: one of this much-declined species at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 17th was the first of the season
Baillon’s Crake: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 14th
Grey-headed Lapwing: one at Pui O on 12th; one at San Tin on 14th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Tai Sang Wai on 11th & 14th; four at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 14th with two there on 16th; one at Long Valley on 17th
Far Eastern Curlew: two at Mai Po on 16th
Ruff: one at Mai Po on 11th
Red-necked Phalarope: six at San Tin on 14th & 16th
Oriental Pratincole: highest count at Mai Po was 17 on 11th; 14 flew over Ho Man Tin on 12th; two were at San Tin on 16th
Black-tailed Gull: one off Po Toi on 17th
Vega (Mongolian) Gull: a 1st-calendar-year mongolicus was at Mai Po on 11th; this is a very early autumn date as the previous earliest date is 28 November (although birds over-summered at Mai Po in 2017 and 2018)
Greater Crested Tern: 23 off Po Toi on 16th (17 moving west, six moving northeast) and one there on 17th; these are new late autumn dates, the previous latest date being 3 October
Sooty Tern: a juvenile off Cape D’Aguilar on 13th
Common Tern: two off Po Toi on 16th
Whiskered Tern: good numbers continued to be noted during the week including the following: 70 at Cheung Chau on 13th; 100, including a flock of 60, moving east in the Rambler Channel near Ting Kau on 13th; 165 at San Tin on 14th with 160 there on 16th; 50 at Mai Po on 14th; 40 at Ma Tso Lung on 15th
White-winged Tern: four at Tai Sang Wai on 11th
Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel: eight in total were seen off Cape D’Aguilar on 13th during Tropical Cyclone Kompasu
Bulwer’s Petrel: one off Cape D’Aguilar on 13th and two singles flying west off Po Toi on 17th; the second to fourth Hong Kong records if accepted
Black-faced Spoonbill: three at Mai Po on 13th
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Mai Po on 14th
Black Bittern: one at Mai Po on 11th
Black-winged Kite: singles were reported from five locations in the northwest New Territories during the week; one was also at Lam Tsuen on 13th
Crested Honey Buzzard: one at Palm Springs on 15th; one at Cheung Chau on 16th; two at Lung Kwu Tan on 17th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 11th & 12th with two there on 16th and one on 17th; two at Mt Davis on 15th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 14th; one at Mai Po on 14th; two at Lung Kwu Tan on 15th with singles there on 16th & 17th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: four at Mai Po on 11th & 14th; two at Po Toi on 16th
Pied Harrier: one at Mai Po on 11th
Grey-faced Buzzard: a party of 12 flew north at Fu Tei, Tuen Mun on 17th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Tai Sang Wai on 14th
Oriental Dollarbird: one at Mt Davis on 14th; one at Tai Lam CP on 14th; two at Mt Davis on 16th; one at Po Toi on 16th; one at Tai Tong on 17th
Black-capped Kingfisher: one at Mai Po on 14th
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: ten (9 +1) at Mai Po on 11th; eight at Lung Kwu Tan on 12th with ten there on 17th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 11th; two at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 14th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 14th
Common Kestrel: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 12th; one at Lung Kwu Tan from 12th- 15th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 14th; one at Po Toi on 17th
Amur Falcon: singles at Nam Sang Wai, Tuen Mun, and Lung Kwu Tan on 12th, Mai Po on 15th and Hung Shiu Kiu Nullah on 16th
Eurasian Hobby: one at Mai Po on 11th & 14th; one at Lam Tsuen on 13th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 14th & 17th; one at Mt Davis on 16th; two at Mai Po on 16th; three at Po Toi on 17th
Black-winged Cuckooshrike:
Ashy Minivet: one at Tai Au Mun on 14th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 14th & 16th
Swinhoe’s Minivet: two at Sham Liu on 14th; one at Lung Mei on 17th
Black-naped Oriole: four at Mai Po on 11th; five at Mai Po on 13th; four at Mai Po on 14th
Black Drongo: 40 at Mt Davis on 11th including a migrating flock of 36; 30 at Mai Po on 13th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Ho Man Tin from 12th – 17th; one at Tung Ping Chau on 14th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Shing Mun on 14th; two at Tai Po Kau on 15th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 11th
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Cape D’Aguilar on 13th and two at Po Toi on 16th were the first birds of the autumn
Sand Martin: three at Mai Po on 11th; 14 at San Tin on 14th; two at Mai Po on 14th
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 16th was the first report of the season
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Shing Mun on 14th; one at Shan Liu Road on 15th
Greenish Warbler: one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 16th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Mt Davis on 11th; two at Ho Man Tin on 12th & 15th with one there on 17th; one at Mai Po on 15th; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 16th; two at Mt Davis on 16th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: the highest count was three at Mt Davis on 11th
Arctic Warbler: the highest counts were five at Mt Davis on 11th, three at Ho Man Tin on 14th and three at Po Toi on 16th
Oriental Reed Warbler: 31 were trapped at Mai Po on 11th
Black-browed Reed Warbler: 14 were trapped at Mai Po on 11th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: two, including one ringed earlier in the season, were trapped at Mai Po on 11th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: three along the Mai Po boardwalk on 16th
Lanceolated Warbler: three were trapped at Mai Po on 11th; one was seen at San Tin on 14th
Daurian Starling: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 14th
Chestnut-cheeked Starling: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 14th
White-shouldered Starling: a flock of 508 at Fairview Park on 11th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: singles were reported from five sites; five were at Cape D’Aguilar Road on 13th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: singles at several sites; two at Tai Lam CP and two at Po Toi on 14th
Asian Brown Flycatcher: highest count was six at Tai Lam CP and six at Po Toi on 14th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: one at Mt Davis on 11th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 11th; one at Ho Man Tin on 12th; one at King’s Park on 14th.
Kompasu brought some notable seabirds to Cape D’Aguilar in the form of eight Swinhoe’s Storm Petrels (a species only very recently accepted onto the Hong Kong list), a Bulwer’s Petrel and a Sooty Tern. In addition, a seawatch from Po Toi on 17th turned up two further Bulwer’s Petrels. All kudos to Graham and Bart for their persistence in their pursuit of Hong Kong seabirds. Details of these and other species of note follow:
Garganey: the highest count at Mai Po was 112 on 17th; one was also at Pui O on 14th
Japanese Quail: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 16th
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 15th
Pacific Swift: three at Tai Au Mun on 14th
Oriental Cuckoo: singles at Mai Po on 11th & 16th with a good count of five there on 14th; one at Po Toi on 14th
Eurasian Coot: one of this much-declined species at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 17th was the first of the season
Baillon’s Crake: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 14th
Grey-headed Lapwing: one at Pui O on 12th; one at San Tin on 14th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Tai Sang Wai on 11th & 14th; four at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 14th with two there on 16th; one at Long Valley on 17th
Far Eastern Curlew: two at Mai Po on 16th
Ruff: one at Mai Po on 11th
Red-necked Phalarope: six at San Tin on 14th & 16th
Oriental Pratincole: highest count at Mai Po was 17 on 11th; 14 flew over Ho Man Tin on 12th; two were at San Tin on 16th
Black-tailed Gull: one off Po Toi on 17th
Vega (Mongolian) Gull: a 1st-calendar-year mongolicus was at Mai Po on 11th; this is a very early autumn date as the previous earliest date is 28 November (although birds over-summered at Mai Po in 2017 and 2018)
Greater Crested Tern: 23 off Po Toi on 16th (17 moving west, six moving northeast) and one there on 17th; these are new late autumn dates, the previous latest date being 3 October
Sooty Tern: a juvenile off Cape D’Aguilar on 13th
Common Tern: two off Po Toi on 16th
Whiskered Tern: good numbers continued to be noted during the week including the following: 70 at Cheung Chau on 13th; 100, including a flock of 60, moving east in the Rambler Channel near Ting Kau on 13th; 165 at San Tin on 14th with 160 there on 16th; 50 at Mai Po on 14th; 40 at Ma Tso Lung on 15th
White-winged Tern: four at Tai Sang Wai on 11th
Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel: eight in total were seen off Cape D’Aguilar on 13th during Tropical Cyclone Kompasu
Bulwer’s Petrel: one off Cape D’Aguilar on 13th and two singles flying west off Po Toi on 17th; the second to fourth Hong Kong records if accepted
Black-faced Spoonbill: three at Mai Po on 13th
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Mai Po on 14th
Black Bittern: one at Mai Po on 11th
Black-winged Kite: singles were reported from five locations in the northwest New Territories during the week; one was also at Lam Tsuen on 13th
Crested Honey Buzzard: one at Palm Springs on 15th; one at Cheung Chau on 16th; two at Lung Kwu Tan on 17th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 11th & 12th with two there on 16th and one on 17th; two at Mt Davis on 15th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 14th; one at Mai Po on 14th; two at Lung Kwu Tan on 15th with singles there on 16th & 17th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: four at Mai Po on 11th & 14th; two at Po Toi on 16th
Pied Harrier: one at Mai Po on 11th
Grey-faced Buzzard: a party of 12 flew north at Fu Tei, Tuen Mun on 17th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Tai Sang Wai on 14th
Oriental Dollarbird: one at Mt Davis on 14th; one at Tai Lam CP on 14th; two at Mt Davis on 16th; one at Po Toi on 16th; one at Tai Tong on 17th
Black-capped Kingfisher: one at Mai Po on 14th
Blue-tailed Bee-eater: ten (9 +1) at Mai Po on 11th; eight at Lung Kwu Tan on 12th with ten there on 17th
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 11th; two at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 14th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 14th
Common Kestrel: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 12th; one at Lung Kwu Tan from 12th- 15th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 14th; one at Po Toi on 17th
Amur Falcon: singles at Nam Sang Wai, Tuen Mun, and Lung Kwu Tan on 12th, Mai Po on 15th and Hung Shiu Kiu Nullah on 16th
Eurasian Hobby: one at Mai Po on 11th & 14th; one at Lam Tsuen on 13th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 14th & 17th; one at Mt Davis on 16th; two at Mai Po on 16th; three at Po Toi on 17th
Black-winged Cuckooshrike:
Ashy Minivet: one at Tai Au Mun on 14th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 14th & 16th
Swinhoe’s Minivet: two at Sham Liu on 14th; one at Lung Mei on 17th
Black-naped Oriole: four at Mai Po on 11th; five at Mai Po on 13th; four at Mai Po on 14th
Black Drongo: 40 at Mt Davis on 11th including a migrating flock of 36; 30 at Mai Po on 13th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Ho Man Tin from 12th – 17th; one at Tung Ping Chau on 14th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Shing Mun on 14th; two at Tai Po Kau on 15th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 11th
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Cape D’Aguilar on 13th and two at Po Toi on 16th were the first birds of the autumn
Sand Martin: three at Mai Po on 11th; 14 at San Tin on 14th; two at Mai Po on 14th
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler: one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 16th was the first report of the season
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Shing Mun on 14th; one at Shan Liu Road on 15th
Greenish Warbler: one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 16th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Mt Davis on 11th; two at Ho Man Tin on 12th & 15th with one there on 17th; one at Mai Po on 15th; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 16th; two at Mt Davis on 16th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: the highest count was three at Mt Davis on 11th
Arctic Warbler: the highest counts were five at Mt Davis on 11th, three at Ho Man Tin on 14th and three at Po Toi on 16th
Oriental Reed Warbler: 31 were trapped at Mai Po on 11th
Black-browed Reed Warbler: 14 were trapped at Mai Po on 11th
Manchurian Reed Warbler: two, including one ringed earlier in the season, were trapped at Mai Po on 11th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: three along the Mai Po boardwalk on 16th
Lanceolated Warbler: three were trapped at Mai Po on 11th; one was seen at San Tin on 14th
Daurian Starling: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 14th
Chestnut-cheeked Starling: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 14th
White-shouldered Starling: a flock of 508 at Fairview Park on 11th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: singles were reported from five sites; five were at Cape D’Aguilar Road on 13th
Dark-sided Flycatcher: singles at several sites; two at Tai Lam CP and two at Po Toi on 14th
Asian Brown Flycatcher: highest count was six at Tai Lam CP and six at Po Toi on 14th
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: one at Mt Davis on 11th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 11th; one at Ho Man Tin on 12th; one at King’s Park on 14th.
Siberian Blue Robin: one at Ho Man Tin on 11th; one at Tai Lam CP on 14th; one at Po Toi on 14th
Siberian Rubythroat: two at Lung Kwu Tan on 16th
Slaty-backed Forktail: the bird at Chinese University on 10th was seen again on 11th
Narcissus Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 16th; two at Tai Tong on 17th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): two at Ma Tso Lung on 15th
White Wagtail: the first ocularis of the season was at Lam Tsuen on 13th followed by singles at San Tin on 14th and Lung Kwu Tan on 16th
Pechora Pipit: two at Tai Sang Wai on 11th with one there on 14th & 15th
Little Bunting: one at Mui Wo on 11th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Lok Ma Chau Village on 15th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 16th; one at Long Valley on 17th.
Siberian Rubythroat: two at Lung Kwu Tan on 16th
Slaty-backed Forktail: the bird at Chinese University on 10th was seen again on 11th
Narcissus Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 16th; two at Tai Tong on 17th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): two at Ma Tso Lung on 15th
White Wagtail: the first ocularis of the season was at Lam Tsuen on 13th followed by singles at San Tin on 14th and Lung Kwu Tan on 16th
Pechora Pipit: two at Tai Sang Wai on 11th with one there on 14th & 15th
Little Bunting: one at Mui Wo on 11th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Lok Ma Chau Village on 15th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 16th; one at Long Valley on 17th.
October 18-24
Fine and dry from 18th – 20th. A cold front that arrived late on 21st caused the temperature to fall below 18⁰C on 22nd (15⁰C in the northern New Territories), bringing grey cloud and rain patches with its passage. Things improved on 24th with temperatures rising again to over 25⁰C. Winds were from the north or northeast.
It was good week for migrants and many birders were out in the field. There was late news of a Grey-backed Shrike on 16th (sixth HK record). A Siberian House Martin at San Tin from 22nd was the first since 2017. Most notable, however, was the passage of raptors through the territory with widespread reports of Crested Honey Buzzards, Grey-faced Buzzards, accipiters and various falcons. Details below:
Garganey: 50 at Mai Po on 19th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: one at Mai Po on 19th with two there on 23rd & 24th
Japanese Quail: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th; one at Tai Mo Shan on 22nd
Grey Nightjar: one at Ho Man Tin on 23rd
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Palm Springs on 20th; one at San Tin on 24th
Oriental Cuckoo: one at Lam Tsuen on 23rd
Eastern Water Rail: one at Mai Po on 19th
Common Moorhen: one at Po Toi on 19th
Eurasian Coot: one in Hong Kong harbour on 18th; one at San Tin/Lok Ma Chau from 22nd – 24th; one at Mai Po on 24th
Ruddy-breasted Crake: one at San Tin on 24th
Grey-headed Lapwing: two at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 18th; one at Long Valley on 19th; two at Mai Po on 23rd; four at Long Valley on 24th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Long Valley on 19th; one at Mai Po on 20th; one at San Tin on 23rd; one at Shap Long-Pui O on 23rd; two at Mai Po on 24th; one at Tam Kon Chau on 24th; one at San Tin on 24th; two at Long Valley on 24th; two at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 24th; one at Fan Lau on 24th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Sha Tau Lok on 18th
Red-necked Phalarope: two at San Tin on 23rd
Oriental Pratincole: four at Mai Po on 19th with three still there on 24th
Black-headed Gull: six off Po Toi on 18th
Black-tailed Gull: one off Po Toi on 18th
Caspian Tern: one off Po Toi on 18th
Greater Crested Tern: six off Po Toi on 18th
Common Tern: 13 off Po Toi on 18th (plus 124 distant terns sp. probably this species); five off Po Toi on 19th
Whiskered Tern: highest counts were 20 at Tai Sang Wai on 18th & 19th, and 23 at San Tin on 22nd
White-winged Tern: five off Po Toi on 18th; one at San Tin on 24th
Lesser Frigatebird: one at Cheung Chau on 24th was presumably the same bird as seen there in summer.
It was good week for migrants and many birders were out in the field. There was late news of a Grey-backed Shrike on 16th (sixth HK record). A Siberian House Martin at San Tin from 22nd was the first since 2017. Most notable, however, was the passage of raptors through the territory with widespread reports of Crested Honey Buzzards, Grey-faced Buzzards, accipiters and various falcons. Details below:
Garganey: 50 at Mai Po on 19th
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: one at Mai Po on 19th with two there on 23rd & 24th
Japanese Quail: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th; one at Tai Mo Shan on 22nd
Grey Nightjar: one at Ho Man Tin on 23rd
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Palm Springs on 20th; one at San Tin on 24th
Oriental Cuckoo: one at Lam Tsuen on 23rd
Eastern Water Rail: one at Mai Po on 19th
Common Moorhen: one at Po Toi on 19th
Eurasian Coot: one in Hong Kong harbour on 18th; one at San Tin/Lok Ma Chau from 22nd – 24th; one at Mai Po on 24th
Ruddy-breasted Crake: one at San Tin on 24th
Grey-headed Lapwing: two at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 18th; one at Long Valley on 19th; two at Mai Po on 23rd; four at Long Valley on 24th
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Long Valley on 19th; one at Mai Po on 20th; one at San Tin on 23rd; one at Shap Long-Pui O on 23rd; two at Mai Po on 24th; one at Tam Kon Chau on 24th; one at San Tin on 24th; two at Long Valley on 24th; two at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 24th; one at Fan Lau on 24th
Eurasian Woodcock: one at Sha Tau Lok on 18th
Red-necked Phalarope: two at San Tin on 23rd
Oriental Pratincole: four at Mai Po on 19th with three still there on 24th
Black-headed Gull: six off Po Toi on 18th
Black-tailed Gull: one off Po Toi on 18th
Caspian Tern: one off Po Toi on 18th
Greater Crested Tern: six off Po Toi on 18th
Common Tern: 13 off Po Toi on 18th (plus 124 distant terns sp. probably this species); five off Po Toi on 19th
Whiskered Tern: highest counts were 20 at Tai Sang Wai on 18th & 19th, and 23 at San Tin on 22nd
White-winged Tern: five off Po Toi on 18th; one at San Tin on 24th
Lesser Frigatebird: one at Cheung Chau on 24th was presumably the same bird as seen there in summer.
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at Mai Po on 21st & 24th
Black-faced Spoonbill: 32 at Mai Po on 19th was the highest count during the week
Von Schrenck’s Bittern: one at Shap Long-Pui O on 23rd
Black-winged Kite: at least four in the northwest New Territories during the week
Crested Honey Buzzard: at least 22 reported from widespread sites during the week; mainly single sightings, but totals of three at Lung Kwu Tan and Tai Au Mun on 21st
Greater Spotted Eagle: one at San Tin on 23rd & 24th; one at Mai Po on 24th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at Uk Tau on 18th; one at Fan Lau on 24th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: one at Po Toi on 19th; one at Cheung Chau on 24th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th; one trapped at Mai Po on 19th; one at Long Valley on 19th; two at Lung Kwu Tan on 19th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 19th; one at Ting Kok on 20th; one at Tai Lam CP on 21st; one at Mai Po on 21st; one at Tung Lung Chau on 23rd; four at Fan Lau on 24th; two at Nam Shan lookout, Lantau on 24th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: highest count involved three at Mai Po on 19th & 24th; away from the northwest New Territories, two were at Tai Au Mun on 20th, and singles were at Mt Davis, Fan Lau and Nam Shan lookout (Lantau) on 24th
Pied Harrier: one at San Tin on 22nd & 23rd; one at Mai Po on 22nd; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 23rd; one at Cheung Chau on 24th
Grey-faced Buzzard: two at Ho Man Tin on 18th; two at Tung Lung Chau on 20th; ten at Tai Au Mun on 21st; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 23rd; six at Tung Lung Chau on 23rd; one at southwest Lantau on 23rd; three near Braemar Hill on 24th; one at Stonecutter’s Island on 24th; three at Fan Lau on 24th
Eastern Buzzard: ones and twos reported from several widespread sites
Oriental Dollarbird: two at Tai Lam CP on 19th; two at Po Toi on 19th; one at Po Toi on 24th
Black-capped Kingfisher: one at Mai Po on 20th & 21st; two at Shap Long-Pui O on 23rd
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 19th; one trapped at Mai Po on 21st; one at Tseung Kwan O on 24th
Common Kestrel: ones and twos reported from several widespread sites
Amur Falcon: at least 66 reported from widespread sites during the week, usually in ones and twos; highest count was 12 at Ting Kok on 20th
Eurasian Hobby: at least 61 reported from widespread sites during the week, usually in ones and twos; highest count was 11 at Tung Lung Chau on 23rd flying southwest in 2.5 hours
Black-winged Cuckooshrike: three at Tai Po Kau on 20th; three at Tai Au Mun on 20th & 21st; three at Lam Tsuen on 23rd
Ashy Minivet: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th, 21st &23rd; four at Tai Au Mun on 22nd; one at Pak Sha O on 24th
Swinhoe’s Minivet: one at Lau Shui Heung on 18th with four other grey minivets; three at Lung Kwu Tan on 19th with singles there on 21st & 23rd; three at Tai Au Mun on 22nd; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 23rd
Grey-backed Shrike: a first-winter was photographed at Tai Mei Tuk on 16th; this is the 6th Hong Kong record
Black-naped Oriole: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th & 19th, with two there on 21st & 23rd; one at Po Toi on 19th; one at Tai Au Mun on 20th with two there on 21st;
Ashy Drongo: one hopwoodi at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th
Black Drongo: 60 at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Tai Lam CP on 21st; one at Mai Po on 21st; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 21st & 23rd; one at Sham Chung – Pak Sha O on 24th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 21st; two at Pak Sha O on 24th; one at Tai Po Kau on 24th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th & 19th; three at Tai Po Kau on 20th; one at Tai Po Kau on 24th
Eurasian Jay: one at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Azure-winged Magpie: 100 at Nam Sang Wai on 20th is a new high count
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 19th
Eurasian Skylark: one at Tsim Bei Tsui on 18th; one at Mai Po on 19th; one at Long Valley on 23rd; one at Tam Kon Chau on 24th
Sand Martin: highest count was 40 at San Tin on 22nd & 23rd
Siberian House Martin: one at San Tin on 22nd & 23rd & 24th is the first since 2017; recently split from Common House Martin Delicon urbicum, this taxon is now known as Delichon lagopodum
Asian House Martin: 12 at Shap Long-Pui O on 23rd; one at Fan Lau on 24th
Yellow-streaked Warbler: one reported from Lamma on 23rd
Radde’s Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 21st; one at Tung Lung Chau on 23rd; one at Mt Davis on 24th
Dusky Warbler: 25 trapped at Mai Po on 21st
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Two-barred Warbler: two at Lam Tsuen on 23rd; two at Ho Man Tin on 24th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Po Toi on 19th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 19th; one at Mai Po on 20th; one at Ho Man Tin on 21st; one at Fung Lok Wai on 22nd; two at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 23rd; one at Yi O on 24th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: highest count was four at Fan Lau on 24th
Arctic Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 19th; two at Po Toi on 19th; one at Tai Po Kau on 20th; one at Mai Po on 24th; one at Pak Sha O on 24th
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: one goodsoni at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th; one at Tai Lam CP on 19th; two at Pak Sha O on 24th
Oriental Reed Warbler: ten trapped at Mai Po on 19th; 14 trapped at Mai Po on 21st
Black-browed Reed Warbler: ten trapped at Mai Po on 19th; nine trapped at Mai Po on 21st; 23 at Fung Lok Wai on 22nd; 40 at Long Valley on 24th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 19th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: three at Mai Po on 20th; two at Mai Po on 21st & 24th
Lanceolated Warbler: three trapped at Mai Po on 19th; one at Long Valley on 24th; one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 24th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 24th
Baikal Bush Warbler: one singing briefly at Mai Po on 19th
Golden-headed Cisticola: three at Tsim Bei Tsui on 18th
Indochinese Yuhina: 20 at Shing Mun on 18th; 50 at KFBG on 21st; 20 at Tai Lam CP on 24th
Chinese Babax: (Cat IIC): four at Tai Mo Shan on 22nd
Daurian Starling: three at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 18th; two at Fung Lok Wai on 22nd; one at Fan Lau on 24th
White-shouldered Starling: 100 at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 18th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 19th; one at Tai Po Kau on 20th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: one at Quarry Bay on 21st; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 21st; one at Tai Po Kau on 22nd
Dark-sided Flycatcher: three at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th and three at KFBG on 19th were the highest numbers reported
Asian Brown Flycatcher: two at Tai Lam CP on 19th; three at Tai Au Mun on 23rd
Ferruginous Flycatcher: one juvenile at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th
Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 22nd
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 23rd; one at Pak Sha O on 24th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th, two at Tai Lam CP on 19th; one at Po Toi on 19th; three foraging together at KFBG on 19th; one at Pak Sha O on 24th
Siberian Rubythroat: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th & 21st
Slaty-backed Forktail: one at Shing Min on 18th
Russet Sparrow: two at Long Valley on 19th
Chestnut Munia (Cat IIC): two at Long Valley on 19th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): two at Long Valley on 19th
Pechora Pipit: one at San Tin on 22nd
Common Rosefinch: one at Long Valley on 19th; one at Lam Tsuen on 23rd
Grey-capped Greenfinch: a party of seven at Tung Lung Chau on 20th; one at San Tin on 24th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: one at San Tin on 22nd; one at Long Valley on 23rd; two at San Tin on 23rd; three at Long Valley on 24th; one at Yi O on 24th
Little Bunting: two at Po Toi on 19th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 23rd; one at Mt Davis on 24th; one at Long Valley on 24th; two at Fan Lau on 24th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Ho Man Tin on 18th; three at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 18th; three at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th; 21 at Tsim Bei Tsui on 18th; six at Long Valley on 19th; one at Mai Po on 21st; three at San Tin on 22nd; 45 at Long Valley on 23rd; five at San Tin on 23rd; two at Shap Long-Pui O on 23rd; 50 at Long Valley on 24th; two at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 24th; 26 at Fan Lau on 24th; 13 at Yi O on 24th; one at southwest Lantau on 24th
Chestnut Bunting: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 18th; one at Po Toi on 19th; ten at Mt Davis on 23rd; two at Pak Sha O on 24th
Black-headed Bunting: a 1st-winter at San Tin on 23rd & 24th
Pallas’s Reed Bunting: one at Tsim Bei Tsui on 18th.
Black-faced Spoonbill: 32 at Mai Po on 19th was the highest count during the week
Von Schrenck’s Bittern: one at Shap Long-Pui O on 23rd
Black-winged Kite: at least four in the northwest New Territories during the week
Crested Honey Buzzard: at least 22 reported from widespread sites during the week; mainly single sightings, but totals of three at Lung Kwu Tan and Tai Au Mun on 21st
Greater Spotted Eagle: one at San Tin on 23rd & 24th; one at Mai Po on 24th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at Uk Tau on 18th; one at Fan Lau on 24th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: one at Po Toi on 19th; one at Cheung Chau on 24th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th; one trapped at Mai Po on 19th; one at Long Valley on 19th; two at Lung Kwu Tan on 19th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 19th; one at Ting Kok on 20th; one at Tai Lam CP on 21st; one at Mai Po on 21st; one at Tung Lung Chau on 23rd; four at Fan Lau on 24th; two at Nam Shan lookout, Lantau on 24th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: highest count involved three at Mai Po on 19th & 24th; away from the northwest New Territories, two were at Tai Au Mun on 20th, and singles were at Mt Davis, Fan Lau and Nam Shan lookout (Lantau) on 24th
Pied Harrier: one at San Tin on 22nd & 23rd; one at Mai Po on 22nd; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 23rd; one at Cheung Chau on 24th
Grey-faced Buzzard: two at Ho Man Tin on 18th; two at Tung Lung Chau on 20th; ten at Tai Au Mun on 21st; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 23rd; six at Tung Lung Chau on 23rd; one at southwest Lantau on 23rd; three near Braemar Hill on 24th; one at Stonecutter’s Island on 24th; three at Fan Lau on 24th
Eastern Buzzard: ones and twos reported from several widespread sites
Oriental Dollarbird: two at Tai Lam CP on 19th; two at Po Toi on 19th; one at Po Toi on 24th
Black-capped Kingfisher: one at Mai Po on 20th & 21st; two at Shap Long-Pui O on 23rd
Eurasian Wryneck: one at Mai Po on 19th; one trapped at Mai Po on 21st; one at Tseung Kwan O on 24th
Common Kestrel: ones and twos reported from several widespread sites
Amur Falcon: at least 66 reported from widespread sites during the week, usually in ones and twos; highest count was 12 at Ting Kok on 20th
Eurasian Hobby: at least 61 reported from widespread sites during the week, usually in ones and twos; highest count was 11 at Tung Lung Chau on 23rd flying southwest in 2.5 hours
Black-winged Cuckooshrike: three at Tai Po Kau on 20th; three at Tai Au Mun on 20th & 21st; three at Lam Tsuen on 23rd
Ashy Minivet: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th, 21st &23rd; four at Tai Au Mun on 22nd; one at Pak Sha O on 24th
Swinhoe’s Minivet: one at Lau Shui Heung on 18th with four other grey minivets; three at Lung Kwu Tan on 19th with singles there on 21st & 23rd; three at Tai Au Mun on 22nd; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 23rd
Grey-backed Shrike: a first-winter was photographed at Tai Mei Tuk on 16th; this is the 6th Hong Kong record
Black-naped Oriole: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th & 19th, with two there on 21st & 23rd; one at Po Toi on 19th; one at Tai Au Mun on 20th with two there on 21st;
Ashy Drongo: one hopwoodi at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th
Black Drongo: 60 at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th
Black-naped Monarch: one at Tai Lam CP on 21st; one at Mai Po on 21st; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 21st & 23rd; one at Sham Chung – Pak Sha O on 24th
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 21st; two at Pak Sha O on 24th; one at Tai Po Kau on 24th
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th & 19th; three at Tai Po Kau on 20th; one at Tai Po Kau on 24th
Eurasian Jay: one at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Azure-winged Magpie: 100 at Nam Sang Wai on 20th is a new high count
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Tai Po Kau on 19th
Eurasian Skylark: one at Tsim Bei Tsui on 18th; one at Mai Po on 19th; one at Long Valley on 23rd; one at Tam Kon Chau on 24th
Sand Martin: highest count was 40 at San Tin on 22nd & 23rd
Siberian House Martin: one at San Tin on 22nd & 23rd & 24th is the first since 2017; recently split from Common House Martin Delicon urbicum, this taxon is now known as Delichon lagopodum
Asian House Martin: 12 at Shap Long-Pui O on 23rd; one at Fan Lau on 24th
Yellow-streaked Warbler: one reported from Lamma on 23rd
Radde’s Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 21st; one at Tung Lung Chau on 23rd; one at Mt Davis on 24th
Dusky Warbler: 25 trapped at Mai Po on 21st
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 21st
Two-barred Warbler: two at Lam Tsuen on 23rd; two at Ho Man Tin on 24th
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Po Toi on 19th; one at Tai Sang Wai on 19th; one at Mai Po on 20th; one at Ho Man Tin on 21st; one at Fung Lok Wai on 22nd; two at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 23rd; one at Yi O on 24th
Pale-legged Leaf Warbler: highest count was four at Fan Lau on 24th
Arctic Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 19th; two at Po Toi on 19th; one at Tai Po Kau on 20th; one at Mai Po on 24th; one at Pak Sha O on 24th
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: one goodsoni at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th; one at Tai Lam CP on 19th; two at Pak Sha O on 24th
Oriental Reed Warbler: ten trapped at Mai Po on 19th; 14 trapped at Mai Po on 21st
Black-browed Reed Warbler: ten trapped at Mai Po on 19th; nine trapped at Mai Po on 21st; 23 at Fung Lok Wai on 22nd; 40 at Long Valley on 24th
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 19th
Styan’s Grasshopper Warbler: three at Mai Po on 20th; two at Mai Po on 21st & 24th
Lanceolated Warbler: three trapped at Mai Po on 19th; one at Long Valley on 24th; one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 24th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 24th
Baikal Bush Warbler: one singing briefly at Mai Po on 19th
Golden-headed Cisticola: three at Tsim Bei Tsui on 18th
Indochinese Yuhina: 20 at Shing Mun on 18th; 50 at KFBG on 21st; 20 at Tai Lam CP on 24th
Chinese Babax: (Cat IIC): four at Tai Mo Shan on 22nd
Daurian Starling: three at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 18th; two at Fung Lok Wai on 22nd; one at Fan Lau on 24th
White-shouldered Starling: 100 at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 18th
Orange-headed Thrush: one at Tai Lam CP on 19th; one at Tai Po Kau on 20th
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: one at Quarry Bay on 21st; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 21st; one at Tai Po Kau on 22nd
Dark-sided Flycatcher: three at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th and three at KFBG on 19th were the highest numbers reported
Asian Brown Flycatcher: two at Tai Lam CP on 19th; three at Tai Au Mun on 23rd
Ferruginous Flycatcher: one juvenile at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th
Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher: one at Ho Man Tin on 22nd
Blue-and-white Flycatcher: one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 23rd; one at Pak Sha O on 24th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Ta Tai Lam CP on 18th, two at Tai Lam CP on 19th; one at Po Toi on 19th; three foraging together at KFBG on 19th; one at Pak Sha O on 24th
Siberian Rubythroat: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th & 21st
Slaty-backed Forktail: one at Shing Min on 18th
Russet Sparrow: two at Long Valley on 19th
Chestnut Munia (Cat IIC): two at Long Valley on 19th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): two at Long Valley on 19th
Pechora Pipit: one at San Tin on 22nd
Common Rosefinch: one at Long Valley on 19th; one at Lam Tsuen on 23rd
Grey-capped Greenfinch: a party of seven at Tung Lung Chau on 20th; one at San Tin on 24th
Chestnut-eared Bunting: one at San Tin on 22nd; one at Long Valley on 23rd; two at San Tin on 23rd; three at Long Valley on 24th; one at Yi O on 24th
Little Bunting: two at Po Toi on 19th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 23rd; one at Mt Davis on 24th; one at Long Valley on 24th; two at Fan Lau on 24th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: one at Ho Man Tin on 18th; three at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 18th; three at Lung Kwu Tan on 18th; 21 at Tsim Bei Tsui on 18th; six at Long Valley on 19th; one at Mai Po on 21st; three at San Tin on 22nd; 45 at Long Valley on 23rd; five at San Tin on 23rd; two at Shap Long-Pui O on 23rd; 50 at Long Valley on 24th; two at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 24th; 26 at Fan Lau on 24th; 13 at Yi O on 24th; one at southwest Lantau on 24th
Chestnut Bunting: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 18th; one at Po Toi on 19th; ten at Mt Davis on 23rd; two at Pak Sha O on 24th
Black-headed Bunting: a 1st-winter at San Tin on 23rd & 24th
Pallas’s Reed Bunting: one at Tsim Bei Tsui on 18th.
October 25-31
It was largely cloudy during the week with winds from the northeast. Temperatures ranged from 20-28⁰C.
Highlight of the week was a Lapland Longspur trapped and ringed at Long Valley on 27th. It remained in the area until the end of the month. This is the second record of this species for Hong Kong and the first twitchable one. A Hawfinch at Mai Po on 26th was the first since 2012. Also of note was the continuing movement of raptors through the territory with record numbers of Crested Honey Buzzard, Amur Falcon and Eurasian Hobby. Details below:
Garganey: 170 at Mai Po on 31st
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: 16 in flight at Long Valley on 31st; 16 at Mai Po on the same day may be the same birds
Tufted Duck: 19 at Fung Lok Wai on 25th were the first to be reported this autumn
Japanese Quail: one at San Tin on 30th
Grey Nightjar: one at Mt Davis on 25th
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Fung Lok Wai on 25th; one at San Tin on 31st
Pacific Swift: three at Fung Lok Wai on 25th
Hawk Cuckoo sp.: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th
Red Collared Dove: 25 at Tsim Bei Tsui on 27th was the highest count
Eurasian Coot: up to five at Fung Lok Wai and two at Lok Ma Chau EEA/San Tin during the week
Yellow-legged Buttonquail: one at Mai Po on 28th
Buttonquail sp.: one at Ma Tso Lung on 27th
Grey-headed Lapwing: one at Long Valley on 31st
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Fung Lok Wai on 25th with two there on 31st; one at HK Wetland Park on 25th; one at Long Valley on 27th; nine at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th with five there on 31st; one at Ho Sheung Heung on 30th; one at San Tin on 31st
Eurasian Woodcock: singles at Tung Lung Chau on 25th, Tai Lam CP on 29th and Keung Shan catchwater on 30th
Red-necked Phalarope: one at San Tin on 31st
Oriental Pratincole: seven at Mai Po on 30th with three there on 31st
Black-headed Gull: 27 off Po Toi on 30th
Black-tailed Gull: sightings off Po Toi involved two on 28th, four on 29th and one on 30th
Heuglin’s Gull: four off Po Toi on 29th
Caspian Tern: sightings off Po Toi involved 25 on 28th, 12 on 29th and 21 on 30th
Little Tern: one off Po Toi on 30th
Common Tern: five off Po Toi on 29th
Whiskered Tern: 30 off Po Toi on 29th
Parasitic Jaeger: one at Po Toi on 28th & 29th.
Highlight of the week was a Lapland Longspur trapped and ringed at Long Valley on 27th. It remained in the area until the end of the month. This is the second record of this species for Hong Kong and the first twitchable one. A Hawfinch at Mai Po on 26th was the first since 2012. Also of note was the continuing movement of raptors through the territory with record numbers of Crested Honey Buzzard, Amur Falcon and Eurasian Hobby. Details below:
Garganey: 170 at Mai Po on 31st
Chinese Spot-billed Duck: 16 in flight at Long Valley on 31st; 16 at Mai Po on the same day may be the same birds
Tufted Duck: 19 at Fung Lok Wai on 25th were the first to be reported this autumn
Japanese Quail: one at San Tin on 30th
Grey Nightjar: one at Mt Davis on 25th
Himalayan Swiftlet: one at Fung Lok Wai on 25th; one at San Tin on 31st
Pacific Swift: three at Fung Lok Wai on 25th
Hawk Cuckoo sp.: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th
Red Collared Dove: 25 at Tsim Bei Tsui on 27th was the highest count
Eurasian Coot: up to five at Fung Lok Wai and two at Lok Ma Chau EEA/San Tin during the week
Yellow-legged Buttonquail: one at Mai Po on 28th
Buttonquail sp.: one at Ma Tso Lung on 27th
Grey-headed Lapwing: one at Long Valley on 31st
Pheasant-tailed Jacana: one at Fung Lok Wai on 25th with two there on 31st; one at HK Wetland Park on 25th; one at Long Valley on 27th; nine at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th with five there on 31st; one at Ho Sheung Heung on 30th; one at San Tin on 31st
Eurasian Woodcock: singles at Tung Lung Chau on 25th, Tai Lam CP on 29th and Keung Shan catchwater on 30th
Red-necked Phalarope: one at San Tin on 31st
Oriental Pratincole: seven at Mai Po on 30th with three there on 31st
Black-headed Gull: 27 off Po Toi on 30th
Black-tailed Gull: sightings off Po Toi involved two on 28th, four on 29th and one on 30th
Heuglin’s Gull: four off Po Toi on 29th
Caspian Tern: sightings off Po Toi involved 25 on 28th, 12 on 29th and 21 on 30th
Little Tern: one off Po Toi on 30th
Common Tern: five off Po Toi on 29th
Whiskered Tern: 30 off Po Toi on 29th
Parasitic Jaeger: one at Po Toi on 28th & 29th.
Eurasian Spoonbill: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 31st
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count was 37 at Mai Po on 28th
Eurasian Bittern: one at Mai Po on 29th
Von Schrenck’s Bittern: one at Fung Lok Wai on 29th
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Tai Mei Tuk on 28th & 31st; one at Nam Sang Wai on 30th
Black-winged Kite: reported from Fung Lok Wai, Nam Sang Wai, Tai Sang Wai, Palm Springs, Mai Po, San Tin, Ma Tso Lung and Long Valley during the week; no more than two at any one site
Crested Honey Buzzard: at least 75 reported during the week at widespread sites; highest count at a single site was eleven (parties of four and seven) at Ting Kok on 28th
Greater Spotted Eagle: one at San Tin/Lok Ma Chau EEA from 25th to 31st
Eastern Imperial Eagle: one at Mai Po on 28th; one at Nam Sang Wai on 30th; one at Ma Tso Lung on 30th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at southwest Lantau on 27th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 27th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: three at Nam Shan lookout (Lantau) on 25th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 26th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: singles at Yi O, Pui O and Nam Shan lookout (Lantau) on 25th; two at Lung Kwu Tan on 26th with five there on 30th and two on 31st; singles at Long Valley on 27th & 28th; two at Mt Davis on 29th; one at Mong Tseng on 29th; one at San Tin on 30th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: highest count was three at Mai Po on 30th
Pied Harrier: one at San Tin on 25th; one at Tung Lung Chau on 28th; one at Mai Po on 30th; four migrating together at Leung Tin Au on 31st
Grey-faced Buzzard: one at Fung Lok Wai on 25th; eight at Tung Lung Chau on 25th; one at southwest Lantau on 27th; one at Mai Po on 28th; one at Mt Davis on 30th; one at Lung Fu Shan on 30th; three between Shek Pik – Fan Lau on 31st
Eastern Buzzard: highest count was six at San Tin on 27th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Victoria Park on 29th
Oriental Dollarbird: singles at Yi O on 25th, Lung Kwu Tan, Pui O and Po Toi on 26th, southwest Lantau on 27th, and Mt Davis, Po Toi and Tsing Tam Road on 28th
Black-capped Kingfisher: one at Pui O on 27th
Eurasian Wryneck: singles at Fu Shan (Lantau) and Fung Lok Wai on 25th, Mai Po and Yi O on 26th, Mai Po on 28th, Fung Lok Wai on 29th, San Tin on 30th, and Lung Kwu Tan and Fung Lok Wai on 31st; two were at Mai Po on 31st; one at Leung Tin Au on 31st
Common Kestrel: highest count was three at Tung Lung Chau on 25th
Amur Falcon: at least 496 were reported during the week. Peak passage occurred on the weekend of 30th/31st: 34 were on wires at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway on 30th; 80 (60 + 20) were at San Tin on the morning of 31st, and 158 (largest flock = 70) were seen flying southwest over Fung Lok Wai in three hours on the afternoon of 31st. The latter is a new high count at a single site in Hong Kong
Eurasian Hobby: at least 46 recorded during the week with high total counts of seven at Nam Shan lookout (Lantau) on 25th and four at southwest Lantau on 27th
Black-winged Cuckooshrike: three at Shek Kong catchwater on 31st
Ashy Minivet: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 26th & 30th
Swinhoe’s Minivet: two at Mt Davis on 29th;
Black-naped Oriole: one at Po Toi on 26th; one at southwest Lantau on 27th; two at Tsim Bei Tsui on 27th; one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th; four at Lai Chi Kok Park on 27th; one at Fung Lok Wai on 29th; one at Lam Tsuen on 29th; one at Tai Tam CP on 30th; one at Po Toi on 30th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 30th; one at Mt Davis on 31st
Black-naped Monarch: one at Tung Lung Chau on 25th; one at Mai Po on 26th; one at Mt Davis on 30th; one at Lung Fu Shan on 30th; one at Mt Davis on 31st
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Lai Chi Kok Park on 27th; two at Mt Davis on 31st
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 25th;
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 31st
Eurasian Skylark: three at Tung Lung Chau on 25th; two at San Tin on 25th; one at Long Valley on 26th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 26th; six at Mai Po on 26th; one at Long Valley on 28th; one at Mai Po on 28th; one at San Tin on 30th; one at Mai Po on 30th; 13 at Mai Po on 31st; (the highest count on record is 15 at MPNR on 28 October 2010)
Black Bulbul: seven at Tai Po Kau Headland on 26th
Chinese Bulbul: 2125 passed over Lung Kwu Tan on 31st
Sand Martin: reported from Pui O, Fung Lok Wai and San Tin. Highest count was five at San Tin on 31st
Siberian House Martin: two at San Tin on 25th
Asian House Martin: three at Pui O on 25th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Mai Po on 26th; one at Ho Pui reservoir on 27th; one at Tsing Tam Road on 28th; one at Lam Tsuen on 29th;
Dusky Warbler: 25 at Fung Lok Wai on 25th; 51 trapped at Mai Po on 26th; 78 trapped at Mai Po on 28th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 25th
Alstrom’s Warbler: two together at Po Toi on 26th; one at Pak Shao on 30th; one at Po Toi on 30th
Two-barred Warbler: three at Lung A Pai on 25th was the highest count
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Shui Hau on 26th; one at Shap Long on 26th; two at southwest Lantau on 27th; one at Tai Po Kau on 28th; one at Mt Davis on 30th; one at Lung Fu Shan on 30th; two at Po Toi on 30th
Arctic Warbler: two at Po Toi on 26th; one at Ho Man Tin on 26th; one at Tung Lung Chau on 28th; one at Po Toi on 28th & 30th; one between Shek Pik – Fan Lau on 31st
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: one fokiensis at Tai Lam CP on 25th; one fokiensis at Tai Po Kau on 25th; two at Pak Sha O on 30th;
Oriental Reed Warbler: eight trapped at Mai Po on 26th
Black-browed Reed Warbler: highest count was 63 at Fung Lok Wai on 25th; 34 trapped at Mai Po on 26th; 40 at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th; 36 trapped at Mai Po on 28th;
Manchurian Reed Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 26th; one at Ting Kok on 27th; one at San Tin on 29th; five at Fung Lok Wai on 30th; one trapped at Mai Po on 28th; four at Fung Lok Wai on 31st; one at Mai Po on 31st. The count of five at Fung Lok Wai is exceptional
Thick-billed Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 28th; one at Mai Po on 31st
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 26th; two trapped at Mai Po on 28th;
Lanceolated Warbler: 19 trapped at Mai Po on 26th; two trapped at Long Valley on 27th; five at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th; one at Mong Tseng on 29th; 12 trapped at Mai Po on 28th; one at Long Valley on 31st
Golden-headed Cisticola: one at Mong Tseng on 29th; one at Long Valley on 31st
Common Starling: one at San Tin on 31st
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: two at Tung Lung Chau on 25th; one at Tai Po Kau on 25th; one at Shap Long on 26th; one at Chinese University on 31st
Dark-sided Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 26th; one at Lai Chi Kok Park on 27th; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 28th; one at Victoria Park on 29th
Asian Brown Flycatcher: highest count was seven at southwest Lantau on 27th
Ferruginous Flycatcher: a juvenile at Tai Lam CP on 29th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Po Toi from 26th – 30th; one at Ho Man Tin on 26th; one at Cheung Chau on 26th; one at Mt Davis on 28th; one at Lung Fu Shan on 30th; two at Uk Tau on 31st
Bluethroat: one at San Tin on 31st
Siberian Rubythroat: ten were trapped at Mai Po on 28th
White-tailed Robin: one singing at southwest Lantau on 27th
Slaty-backed Forktail: one between Shek Pik – Fan Lau on 31st
Mugimaki Flycatcher: three between Shek Pik – Fan Lau on 31st
Red-throated Flycatcher: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th; two at Mai Po on 30th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 31st; one at Mt Davis on 31st; two at Shek Kong catchwater on 31st
Daurian Redstart: the first of the season was a male at Lamma on 25th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): four at Long Valley on 31st
Brambling: one at Tung Lung Chau on 25th; one at Po Toi on 28th; one at Mt Davis on 31st
Hawfinch: one in flight at Mai Po on 26th is the ninth HK record and the first since 2012
Common Rosefinch: one at Lung A Pai on 25th; one at Long Valley on 27th; one at Mai Po on 28th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: six at Fu Shan, Lantau on 25th; one at Mai Po on 26th
Lapland Longspur: a 1st-winter male trapped at Long Valley on 27th remained until at least 31st; (one was also at Zhuhai, Guangdong on 29th)
Chestnut-eared Bunting: reported from six sites including three at Mt Davis on 25th and one at Ting Kok on 28th. Highest count was nine at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th
Little Bunting: highest count was three at Mt Davis on 29th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: up to 30 in the rice fields at Long Valley during the week. 21 at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th
Chestnut Bunting: one at Tai Lam CP on 25th; one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th with two there on 31st; up to six at Mt Davis from 28th – 31st
Black-headed Bunting: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th & 31st; one at Long Valley on 28th
Black-faced Bunting: one at Long Valley on 28th; eight at Mong Tseng on 29th; one at San Tin on 30th with two there on 31st; two trapped at Mai Po on 28th
Pallas’s Reed Bunting: one at Long Valley on 25th; one at San Tin on 30th.
Black-faced Spoonbill: highest count was 37 at Mai Po on 28th
Eurasian Bittern: one at Mai Po on 29th
Von Schrenck’s Bittern: one at Fung Lok Wai on 29th
Cinnamon Bittern: one at Tai Mei Tuk on 28th & 31st; one at Nam Sang Wai on 30th
Black-winged Kite: reported from Fung Lok Wai, Nam Sang Wai, Tai Sang Wai, Palm Springs, Mai Po, San Tin, Ma Tso Lung and Long Valley during the week; no more than two at any one site
Crested Honey Buzzard: at least 75 reported during the week at widespread sites; highest count at a single site was eleven (parties of four and seven) at Ting Kok on 28th
Greater Spotted Eagle: one at San Tin/Lok Ma Chau EEA from 25th to 31st
Eastern Imperial Eagle: one at Mai Po on 28th; one at Nam Sang Wai on 30th; one at Ma Tso Lung on 30th
Bonelli’s Eagle: one at southwest Lantau on 27th; one at Shek Kong catchwater on 27th
Chinese Sparrowhawk: three at Nam Shan lookout (Lantau) on 25th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 26th
Japanese Sparrowhawk: singles at Yi O, Pui O and Nam Shan lookout (Lantau) on 25th; two at Lung Kwu Tan on 26th with five there on 30th and two on 31st; singles at Long Valley on 27th & 28th; two at Mt Davis on 29th; one at Mong Tseng on 29th; one at San Tin on 30th
Eastern Marsh Harrier: highest count was three at Mai Po on 30th
Pied Harrier: one at San Tin on 25th; one at Tung Lung Chau on 28th; one at Mai Po on 30th; four migrating together at Leung Tin Au on 31st
Grey-faced Buzzard: one at Fung Lok Wai on 25th; eight at Tung Lung Chau on 25th; one at southwest Lantau on 27th; one at Mai Po on 28th; one at Mt Davis on 30th; one at Lung Fu Shan on 30th; three between Shek Pik – Fan Lau on 31st
Eastern Buzzard: highest count was six at San Tin on 27th
Eurasian Hoopoe: one at Victoria Park on 29th
Oriental Dollarbird: singles at Yi O on 25th, Lung Kwu Tan, Pui O and Po Toi on 26th, southwest Lantau on 27th, and Mt Davis, Po Toi and Tsing Tam Road on 28th
Black-capped Kingfisher: one at Pui O on 27th
Eurasian Wryneck: singles at Fu Shan (Lantau) and Fung Lok Wai on 25th, Mai Po and Yi O on 26th, Mai Po on 28th, Fung Lok Wai on 29th, San Tin on 30th, and Lung Kwu Tan and Fung Lok Wai on 31st; two were at Mai Po on 31st; one at Leung Tin Au on 31st
Common Kestrel: highest count was three at Tung Lung Chau on 25th
Amur Falcon: at least 496 were reported during the week. Peak passage occurred on the weekend of 30th/31st: 34 were on wires at Yuen Long Bypass Floodway on 30th; 80 (60 + 20) were at San Tin on the morning of 31st, and 158 (largest flock = 70) were seen flying southwest over Fung Lok Wai in three hours on the afternoon of 31st. The latter is a new high count at a single site in Hong Kong
Eurasian Hobby: at least 46 recorded during the week with high total counts of seven at Nam Shan lookout (Lantau) on 25th and four at southwest Lantau on 27th
Black-winged Cuckooshrike: three at Shek Kong catchwater on 31st
Ashy Minivet: one at Lung Kwu Tan on 26th & 30th
Swinhoe’s Minivet: two at Mt Davis on 29th;
Black-naped Oriole: one at Po Toi on 26th; one at southwest Lantau on 27th; two at Tsim Bei Tsui on 27th; one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th; four at Lai Chi Kok Park on 27th; one at Fung Lok Wai on 29th; one at Lam Tsuen on 29th; one at Tai Tam CP on 30th; one at Po Toi on 30th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 30th; one at Mt Davis on 31st
Black-naped Monarch: one at Tung Lung Chau on 25th; one at Mai Po on 26th; one at Mt Davis on 30th; one at Lung Fu Shan on 30th; one at Mt Davis on 31st
Amur Paradise Flycatcher: one at Lai Chi Kok Park on 27th; two at Mt Davis on 31st
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher: one at Tai Lam CP on 25th;
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher: one at Shek Kong catchwater on 31st
Eurasian Skylark: three at Tung Lung Chau on 25th; two at San Tin on 25th; one at Long Valley on 26th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 26th; six at Mai Po on 26th; one at Long Valley on 28th; one at Mai Po on 28th; one at San Tin on 30th; one at Mai Po on 30th; 13 at Mai Po on 31st; (the highest count on record is 15 at MPNR on 28 October 2010)
Black Bulbul: seven at Tai Po Kau Headland on 26th
Chinese Bulbul: 2125 passed over Lung Kwu Tan on 31st
Sand Martin: reported from Pui O, Fung Lok Wai and San Tin. Highest count was five at San Tin on 31st
Siberian House Martin: two at San Tin on 25th
Asian House Martin: three at Pui O on 25th
Radde’s Warbler: one at Mai Po on 26th; one at Ho Pui reservoir on 27th; one at Tsing Tam Road on 28th; one at Lam Tsuen on 29th;
Dusky Warbler: 25 at Fung Lok Wai on 25th; 51 trapped at Mai Po on 26th; 78 trapped at Mai Po on 28th
Eastern Crowned Warbler: one at Tai Lam CP on 25th
Alstrom’s Warbler: two together at Po Toi on 26th; one at Pak Shao on 30th; one at Po Toi on 30th
Two-barred Warbler: three at Lung A Pai on 25th was the highest count
Sakhalin Leaf Warbler: one at Shui Hau on 26th; one at Shap Long on 26th; two at southwest Lantau on 27th; one at Tai Po Kau on 28th; one at Mt Davis on 30th; one at Lung Fu Shan on 30th; two at Po Toi on 30th
Arctic Warbler: two at Po Toi on 26th; one at Ho Man Tin on 26th; one at Tung Lung Chau on 28th; one at Po Toi on 28th & 30th; one between Shek Pik – Fan Lau on 31st
Hartert’s Leaf Warbler: one fokiensis at Tai Lam CP on 25th; one fokiensis at Tai Po Kau on 25th; two at Pak Sha O on 30th;
Oriental Reed Warbler: eight trapped at Mai Po on 26th
Black-browed Reed Warbler: highest count was 63 at Fung Lok Wai on 25th; 34 trapped at Mai Po on 26th; 40 at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th; 36 trapped at Mai Po on 28th;
Manchurian Reed Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 26th; one at Ting Kok on 27th; one at San Tin on 29th; five at Fung Lok Wai on 30th; one trapped at Mai Po on 28th; four at Fung Lok Wai on 31st; one at Mai Po on 31st. The count of five at Fung Lok Wai is exceptional
Thick-billed Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 28th; one at Mai Po on 31st
Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler: one trapped at Mai Po on 26th; two trapped at Mai Po on 28th;
Lanceolated Warbler: 19 trapped at Mai Po on 26th; two trapped at Long Valley on 27th; five at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th; one at Mong Tseng on 29th; 12 trapped at Mai Po on 28th; one at Long Valley on 31st
Golden-headed Cisticola: one at Mong Tseng on 29th; one at Long Valley on 31st
Common Starling: one at San Tin on 31st
Grey-streaked Flycatcher: two at Tung Lung Chau on 25th; one at Tai Po Kau on 25th; one at Shap Long on 26th; one at Chinese University on 31st
Dark-sided Flycatcher: one at Po Toi on 26th; one at Lai Chi Kok Park on 27th; one at Tai Mei Tuk catchwater on 28th; one at Victoria Park on 29th
Asian Brown Flycatcher: highest count was seven at southwest Lantau on 27th
Ferruginous Flycatcher: a juvenile at Tai Lam CP on 29th
Verditer Flycatcher: one at Po Toi from 26th – 30th; one at Ho Man Tin on 26th; one at Cheung Chau on 26th; one at Mt Davis on 28th; one at Lung Fu Shan on 30th; two at Uk Tau on 31st
Bluethroat: one at San Tin on 31st
Siberian Rubythroat: ten were trapped at Mai Po on 28th
White-tailed Robin: one singing at southwest Lantau on 27th
Slaty-backed Forktail: one between Shek Pik – Fan Lau on 31st
Mugimaki Flycatcher: three between Shek Pik – Fan Lau on 31st
Red-throated Flycatcher: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th; two at Mai Po on 30th; one at Lung Kwu Tan on 31st; one at Mt Davis on 31st; two at Shek Kong catchwater on 31st
Daurian Redstart: the first of the season was a male at Lamma on 25th
White-headed Munia (Cat III): four at Long Valley on 31st
Brambling: one at Tung Lung Chau on 25th; one at Po Toi on 28th; one at Mt Davis on 31st
Hawfinch: one in flight at Mai Po on 26th is the ninth HK record and the first since 2012
Common Rosefinch: one at Lung A Pai on 25th; one at Long Valley on 27th; one at Mai Po on 28th
Grey-capped Greenfinch: six at Fu Shan, Lantau on 25th; one at Mai Po on 26th
Lapland Longspur: a 1st-winter male trapped at Long Valley on 27th remained until at least 31st; (one was also at Zhuhai, Guangdong on 29th)
Chestnut-eared Bunting: reported from six sites including three at Mt Davis on 25th and one at Ting Kok on 28th. Highest count was nine at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th
Little Bunting: highest count was three at Mt Davis on 29th
Yellow-breasted Bunting: up to 30 in the rice fields at Long Valley during the week. 21 at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th
Chestnut Bunting: one at Tai Lam CP on 25th; one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th with two there on 31st; up to six at Mt Davis from 28th – 31st
Black-headed Bunting: one at Lok Ma Chau EEA on 27th & 31st; one at Long Valley on 28th
Black-faced Bunting: one at Long Valley on 28th; eight at Mong Tseng on 29th; one at San Tin on 30th with two there on 31st; two trapped at Mai Po on 28th
Pallas’s Reed Bunting: one at Long Valley on 25th; one at San Tin on 30th.
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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