China Birds (Nick Sismey) 2009 List (UK, China, Hong Kong & ?)

[ChinaBirds]

Where does the time go? This is already the fourth year I have recorded a year list on birdforum. My current total for the number of birds seen this year is 372, both in the UK and Worldwide, as of 31October2009.

My UK goal for 2009 is to hopefully beat my 2008 total of 220, again with the help of both Steve Whiteley and Dave Salisbury (DAS). A tougher challenge will be to beat my Worldwide record, set in 2008, of 443 as I currently have no planned overseas trips apart from business trips to China and Hong Kong. We will just have to see what the year brings I guess!

My current records are as follows:

-------------------UK-----Holland----China----Hong Kong----World

2009------------203--------4--------189--------105---------372
2008-------------UK-220, China-177, Hong Kong-99, Finland-17, USA-84, Canada-22, WW-443
2007-------------UK-200, China-249, WW-398
2006-------------UK-205, WW-410
2005-------------UK-183, WW-358
2004-------------UK-157, WW-276

Life-----823
China---460
UK------253

[ChinaBirds]

1January2009

As DAS and I left Derby for Attenborough, near Nottingham, at 7am there were still New Year revellers making their way home on what was a dark, freezing morning. Parking up near the football field in Attenborough the first bird of the year, as we left the car, was a Robin at 07:24, which found us rather than us finding it, being so tame. That is a different first year bird for each year since I first kept a year list back in 2004!

1. Robin----------------------------------Attenborough-----------------England

The aim was to get to the Brick Hide to spot the Bittern. No luck however, but we did pick up several other birds on the way and while waiting though.

2. Mallard-------------------------------Attenborough----------------England
3.Jackdaw-------------------------------Attenborough----------------England
4.Rook-----------------------------------Attenborough----------------England
5.Tufted Duck---------------------------Attenborough----------------England
6.Mute Swan----------------------------Attenborough-----------------England
7.Great Crested Grebe-----------------Attenborough-----------------England
8.Pochard-------------------------------Attenborough-----------------England
9.Blackbird------------------------------Attenborough-----------------England
10.Goosander---------------------------Attenborough-----------------England
11.Canada Goose-----------------------Attenborough-----------------England
12.Cormorant---------------------------Attenborough-----------------England

Andrew Przeslak joined DAS (Photo 1 – DAS in front) and I at the hide spotting a very greedy (or lucky) Grey Heron (Photo 2) trying to eat two fish at once. Luckily when it dropped the smaller fish it lay on the ice for the heron to pick up at its leisure!

13.Grey Heron----------------------------Attenborough-----------------England

More birds flew passed and DAS spotted the Reed Bunting we could all hear but were struggling to see, in the reeds (where else!).

14.Black Headed Gull--------------------Attenborough------------------England
15.Greylag Goose------------------------Attenborough------------------England
16.Magpie--------------------------------Attenborough------------------England
17.Woodpigeon---------------------------Attenborough------------------England
18.Reed Bunting-------------------------Attenborough-------------------England

DAS and I left Andrew to stake out the Bittern setting off for more birds around the Delta Wood and lakes. Two of the best were the Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper

19.Carrion Crow-------------------------Attenborough-------------------England
20.Great Tit------------------------------Attenborough-------------------England
21.Moorehen-----------------------------Attenborough-------------------England
22.Blue Tit-------------------------------Attenborough-------------------England
23.Wren----------------------------------Attenborough-------------------England
24.Dunnock------------------------------Attenborough-------------------England
25.Chaffinch-----------------------------Attenborough-------------------England
26.Bullfinch------------------------------Attenborough-------------------England
27.Goldfinch----------------------------Attenborough--------------------England
28. Coot---------------------------------Attenborough--------------------England
29.Great Spotted Woodpecker---------Attenborough--------------------England
30.Treecreeper-------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
31.Starling------------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
32.Coal Tit-------------------------------Attenborough--------------------England
33.Long Tailed Tit-----------------------Attenborough--------------------England

As we closed on the feeding station a Goldcrest flew across the path in front of us and then we scoped a Willow Tit on the bird table.

34.Goldcrest-----------------------------Attenborough--------------------England
35.Willow Tit----------------------------Attenborough---------------------England

Walking back to the car for our own refreshments we picked up a couple more ducks on Works Pond, despite it being virtually entirely frozen, as well as birds in the village and on the football pitch.

36.Gadwall------------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
37.Teal-----------------------------------Attenborough--------------------England
38.Redwing------------------------------Attenborough--------------------England
39.Collared Dove-----------------------Attenborough---------------------England
40.Greenfinch---------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
41.House Sparrow----------------------Attenborough---------------------England
42.Fieldfare------------------------------Attenborough--------------------England
43.Egyptian Goose----------------------Attenborough---------------------England
44.Mistle Thrush------------------------Attenborough---------------------England

A little later Church Pond added four more to the list

45.Shoveler-----------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
46.Common Gull------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
47.Little Grebe--------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
48.Goldeneye----------------------------Attenborough--------------------England

At the visitors centre several Pied Wagtails were feeding while across the Coneries lake we picked out a lone Ruddy Duck that took us to 50 birds by 10:41am

49.Pied Wagtail-------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
50.Ruddy Duck--------------------------Attenborough---------------------England

On the way to Kingfisher Hide, for the Tree Sparrows at the feeding station, several Lapwing were on Wheatear Field

51.Lapwing-----------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
52.Tree Sparrow-----------------------Attenborough---------------------England

Walking back to the car, alongside Wheatear Field, two more birds were added to the list, the latter thanks to a tip off from Andrew who had failed to see the Bittern! Another new year bird flew overhead.

53.Pheasant----------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
54.Stonechat---------------------------Attenborough---------------------England
55.Herring Gull-------------------------Attenborough--------------------England

Next stop was Long Eaton gravel pits where the whistling Wigeon are but guaranteed; we heard them well before seeing them.

56.Wigeon------------------------------Long Eaton-------------------------England

A little further along the road, close to the final smaller pit, a Snipe flew over just as DAS spotted the doves. At the end of the lane where a new pit is being dug a Kestrel passed through.

57.Snipe--------------------------------Long Eaton-------------------------England
58.Stock Dove-------------------------Long Eaton-------------------------England
59.Kestrel------------------------------Long Eaton-------------------------England

Along the A50 we pulled into the entrance of the Aston-on-Trent gravel pits, where all birders at banned! From the gates we picked up a couple more for the day and year!

60.Great Black Backed Gull-----------Aston-on-Trent---------------------England
61.Lesser Black Backed Gull----------Aston-on-Trent---------------------England

Leaving the A50 for Alvaston a Buzzard was keeping watch in a tree, while in the adjacent field a flock of Golden Plover kept our year list ticking over.

62.Buzzard-----------------------------Alvaston-----------------------------England
63.Golden Plover----------------------Alvaston-----------------------------England

Into the centre of Derby we circled the Cathedral in search of the Peregrine only to spot it watching us from a tall crane the other side of the inner ring road! It was not the only thing watching us as several passer-bys were amused by our antics!

64.Peregrine---------------------------Derby--------------------------------England

Next it was Allestree Park, a certainty for Mandarin (Photo 3) but no Lesser Spotted Woodpecker this time!

65.Mandarin----------------------------Allestree-----------------------------England

As we drove along the Carsington Reservoir dam road there were a number of Feral Pigeons resting on the outflow building roof.

66.Feral Pigeon------------------------Carsington Reservoir----------------England

At the visitors centre we startled a Song Thrush on the way to Stonecutters Island for the Great Northern Diver, which we luckily got onto straight away before even starting to cross the causeway. This also took us to 68 birds for the day beating our previous best of 67 in 2006 and 2007 on the first day of the year.

67.Song Thrush------------------------Carsington Reservoir-----------------England
68.Great Northern Diver---------------Carsington Reservoir----------------England

By now we were in contact with Steve Whiteley, who was down at Cromford looking for the Hawfinches, which was our next target. But before then DAS got onto a Redshank.

69.Redshank---------------------------Carsington Reservoir------------------England

At Cromford, as we waited for Steve to finish off a snack in a near by café we heard and then spotted two Dipper on the river by the Church.

70.Dipper-------------------------------Cromford-------------------------------England

There were several birders there but no sign of the Hawfinch; we did however add two more birds to the year list.

71.Nuthatch-----------------------------Cromford-------------------------------England
72.Grey Wagtail------------------------Cromford--------------------------------England

As the light was fading DAS and I moved onto Ogston Reservoir, along some pretty tricky roads due to the temperatures, where a group of birders were watching the gull roost, which is much smaller now as the local refuse pits have been discouraging birds via various means. No white winged gulls showed so we moved along the road a short distance to wait for the Woodcock. Sure enough they didn’t let us down, although I missed the first once, relieved to see the second!

73.Woodcock---------------------------Ogston----------------------------------England

Back in Derby DAS and I parted our ways, after our most successful start to a year yet. Following a quick bite to eat I then left for my mothers in Lincolnshire where I lucked in on a Tawny Owl during the journey. An hour of hunting the lanes later failed to pick up any Barn Owls!

74.Tawny Owl--------------------------South Witham--------------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

2January2009

Day two started the same way day one ended with an owl, a Little Owl flying alongside my car at Tipps End, deep into the fens, close to Welney. It was little more than an unmistakable silhouette as it flew up and over my bonnet against the cold winter dawn sky.

75.Little Owl-----------------------------Tipps End-----------------------England

Passing through the village of Welney and over the Old Bedford River bridge there were little or no birds on the frozen wetlands, not a swan in sight! Having driven passed the Wildfowl Refuge Centre to the where the swans are normally grazing again there were no swans to be found but two more birds were added to the year list, the Barn Owl quartering along a dike, occasionally pouncing on suspected prey.

76.Red Legged Partridge----------------Welney-------------------------England
77.Barn Owl------------------------------Welney-------------------------England

I therefore drove through to Ten Mile Bank looking for any grazing swans, without luck. Then, as I had my window open (and the car heater on full blast – not very eco friendly I might add!), I heard some Whooper Swans (Photo 1) calling, three birds flying overhead. Just as I was ticking those off however there was better to come, two Common Cranes followed them in the same direction. I have to admit I let out a loud “Yes!” Normally I have to search for cranes.

78.Whooper Swan-----------------------Ten Mile Bank------------------England
79.Common Crane-----------------------Ten Mile Bank-----------------England

Returning back towards Welney there were suddenly several flocks of swans leaving the refuge. Setting up my scope at the side of the road I picked out several Bewick Swans. I also spotted where they were grazing, along way off the beaten track, behind a private farm with no access to the general public. Then the rains came (Photo 2) so I set off for the coast!

80.Bewick Swan--------------------------Welney-----------------------England

Wolferton was the next stop. Just before taking the first turn into the triangle, off the A149, my attention was drawn skyward as a skein of Pink Footed Geese flew over. They were all I added to my list there as after a 45 minute stake out, with another car about 200 yards up the road facing me (really did feel like a stake out!), there was no sign of the Golden Pheasants!

81.Pink Footed Goose--------------------Wolferton---------------------England

Arriving at Hunstanton the Oystercatchers were on the usual school playing field, just after turning right at the main round-a-bout as you enter the town, and the Turnstones were mixing it on the grassy promenade, while Fulmar wheeled up from the cliffs; three easy ticks from the car in the rain!

82.Oystercatcher------------------------Hunstanton--------------------England
83.Turnstone----------------------------Hunstanton--------------------England
84.Fulmar-------------------------------Hunstanton--------------------England

Turning off the A149 at Thornham several Curlew were feeding across the fields

85.Curlew------------------------------Thornham----------------------England

Then it was onto Titchwell where you could see why it is one of the most visited RSPB reserves, the car parks at bursting point! I sneaked a spot for the car and joined the masses along the West Bank path.

Over the salt marsh, to the left, a brilliant white Little Egret stood out against the drab vegetation while a lone Brent Goose fed in the small pool and a Marsh Harrier cruised over the distant reed beds.

86.Little Egret-------------------------Titchwel-------------------------England
87.Brent Goose-----------------------Titchwell-------------------------England
88.Marsh Harrier---------------------Titchwell-------------------------England

Further along the path three more year birds were feeding in the fresh marsh

89.Shelduck---------------------------Titchwell------------------------England
90.Avocet-----------------------------Titchwell------------------------England
91.Pintail------------------------------Titchwell------------------------England

Several birders were gathered near the reed beds in between the two hides watching Bearded Tits (Photo 3), which in the wind were a pain to photograph with not only the reed heads they were feeding on moving to and fro but also the reeds in front of them obscuring them; but in the sun I had to get one good picture!

92.Bearded Tit-------------------------Titchwell----------------------England

Passing the brackish marsh several Black Tailed Godwits were feeding.

93.Black Tailed Godwit---------------Titchwell-----------------------England

At the beach the wind was blowing even stronger and the tide was ebbing away. There must have been as many birders out on the beach as birds! The closest bird was a Sanderling (Photo 4), which seemed totally unconcerned of the continuous birder traffic!

94.Sanderling-------------------------Titchwell-----------------------England

Out at sea a Shag was feeding in the surf while several Red Breasted Merganser were a little further out.

95.Shag-------------------------------Titchwell------------------------England
96.Red Breasted Merganser---------Titchwell------------------------England

With my camera well hidden from the blowing sand I wondered East along the beach spotting a Bar Tailed Godwit along the shoreline. A flock of 20 Snow Bunting (always a wonderful sight!) then passed me and disappeared as quickly as they arrived, blending in perfectly with the stony beach. A single Grey Plover was also feeding with the Godwits and Oystercatchers.

97.Bar Tailed Godwit-----------------Titchwell------------------------England
98.Snow Bunting----------------------Titchwell------------------------England
99.Grey Plover------------------------Titchwell------------------------England

The 100th year bird would be a Common Scoter. When I mean “a” I really mean over a thousand. I had never seen so many scoter before. They were a long way out, to the west of the wind farm, initially circling in one vast flock and then breaking off into one long line passing in front of the wind farm. They must have taken a good couple of minutes to pass by such was the size of the flock. Unfortunately they were too far out to look for white wing bars!

100.Common Scoter-------------------Titchwell----------------------England

While taking a break from the scope to rest my eyes I notice Dunlin moving along the shore line; back on the scope the tell tale arched back gave away a Red Throated Diver as it landed near the wind farm, to be lost for ever in the waves.

101.Dunlin------------------------------Titchwell----------------------England
102.Red Throated Diver---------------Titchwel-----------------------England

Finally succumbing to the cold I retreated back along the path just in time to join three birders who had just chanced on a bobbing Jack Snipe on an island in fresh marsh. It gave excellent views including a good comparison to a common snipe right next to it!

103.Jack Snipe-------------------------Titchwell----------------------England

The final new bird for the year was a Ruff from the Island Hide then it was to the warmth of the car, another dip at Wolferton and back to Lincolnshire.

104.Ruff--------------------------------Titchwell-------------------------England

More to follow............

[ChinaBirds]

3January2009

A slightly more sedate start to the day today with the first call being Eyebrook Reservoir where four male and a red head Smew (Photo1) were very obliging from the car park at the foot of the hill, after Stoke Dry.

105.Smew-----------------------------Eyebrook-------------------------England

Two birders mentioned that there were Siskins in the alders near the bridge. To my delight there were also Redpoll amongst the flock!

106.Siskin-----------------------------Eyebrook-------------------------England
107.Redpoll ---------------------------Eyebrook-------------------------England

Further round the reservoir I got talking to a guy who was miss-netting, he advised me of a Short Eared Owl haunt on the Great Easton to Rockingham road. I had only seen one at a distance in 2008, at Swallow Moss, so was hoping for better views this year. When I arrived there were already some birders there but no owls reported. Two more birds were added to the year list though.

108.Yellowhammer-------------------Great Eastern--------------------England
109.Meadow Pipit---------------------Great Eastern--------------------England

These birders recommended at trip to the village of Blatherwycke for Marsh Tit and Red Kite just 10 minutes up the road. Just as I arrived at the bridge over the stream at the end of the lake a Kingfisher took fright. It took a little longer to spot the Marsh Tit but I eventually found it on a feeder.

110.Kingfisher------------------------Blatherwycke---------------------England
111.Marsh Tit-------------------------Blatherwycke---------------------England

Driving round the lake a Red Kite flew out of a tree; having stopped the car to get a better view of the kite two Jay’s were squabbling in a tree on top of the hill behind the road.

112.Red Kite-------------------------Blatherwycke----------------------England
113.Jay-------------------------------Blatherwycke----------------------England

Next stop was Rutland Water but another quick visit to the owl area produced a Green Woodpecker but again no owls.

114.Green Woodpecker-------------Great Eastern---------------------England

At the Rutland Water Bird Watching Centre there were reports of two Black Necked Grebes on the North Arm. Having always dipped there previously I was not too optimistic. A long search again produced nothing although there was a large flotilla of various water birds out there. Then I noticed three birders on the far shore watching something so put my scope on full magnification and searched along the far bank, underneath the trees. Sure enough a small grebe appeared in the far distance, although I had to watch it for several minutes before I was able to convince myself it was a Black Necked. Several other birders then arrived who I put onto the bird and they agreed the sighting.

115.Black Necked Grebe------------Rutland Water-------------------England

On the way back to Derby I called at Holme Pierrepoint and ended the day dipping on the Lesser Scaup! Life can be tough sometimes, although I couldn’t grumble with my year count to date!

[ChinaBirds]

4January2009

Having decided to go to Cromford for the Hawfinch and Darley Dale for the Waxwings this afternoon a phone call to Steve took me to Holme Pierrepoint first to meet up with him and hopefully the Lesser Scaup as it had been seen that morning.

Driving up alongside Steve on the A52 dual carriageway we arrived at Holme Pierrepoint together; a bit risky stopping there on the A52 trying to get up onto the verge as it is a quick road but no harm done. There were already three other birders (Photo 1) there, two of them friends of Steve, who put us straight onto the bird!

116.Lesser Scaup-------------------Holme Pierrepoint-----------------England

Where to go next? I was aiming to still go to Cromford and Darley Dale while Steve was off looking for Ruddy Shelduck and Bittern but the birders said that they had seen Waxwings at both Rufford and Edwinstone. They both looked easier destinations to get to from the east of Nottingham so I set off there.

As I arrived at Ruford the sun came out but it was still bitterly cold. I walked around a lot of the grounds, as were many families, but could see any Waxwings that were reported in the trees around the car park. After a while I called up Steve to report that there were no Waxwings. He exclaimed “There wouldn’t be, you should be looking for Hawfinch there, that is what they had seen that morning, the Waxwings were at Edwinstone”, “ Ah, that would explain it”, I said sheepishly! Being the afternoon the Hawfinch were also nowhere to be seen so I moved onto Edwinstone but couldn’t find where the Waxwings had been reported (Note: Must buy a Derbyshire AtoZ) so decided to go to my original destinations after all!

Cromford was quiet again, but arriving at Darley Dale the Waxwings (Photo 2) were in exactly the same tree that I had first seen the species way back in 2004 (can’t believe it was that long ago, seems only yesterday!). They were coming down to feed on apples giving excellent views although by now a little dark to get good photos.

117. Waxwing------------------------Darley Dale-----------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

11January2009

A gentle morning drive to Cromford produced a Sparrowhawk circling over the A6 at Ambergate, while two Raven were wheeling over the Church once I arrived at Cromford (Photo 1).

118.Sparrowhawk----------------------Ambergate---------------------England
119.Raven------------------------------Cromford-----------------------England

There were three other birders also looking for the Hawfinch at Cromford, but the trees, near the bridge over the Derwent, were void of anything for the first 30 minutes or so. We then decided to wonder onto the playing field next to the river as I had seen a flock of odd birds fly through. Viewing the tree line behind us we spotted a bird right on top of one of the tallest trees, which thanks to one of the other birders scopes (I had left mine in the car) proved to be a Hawfinch. We immediately returned to the bridge where the bird flew down into a Yew tree where we were able to view it feeding. Several other birders turned up during this time who we put onto the bird.

120.Hawfinch----------------------------Cromford----------------------England

On the way back to Derby I dipped on Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Allestree Park and White Fronted Goose at Kedleston Hall!

After lunch I visited the Erewash field at Attenborough, dipping on both Linnet and Skylark but was very surprised to see a Bewick Swan (Photo 2) fly over!

As the evening was drawing in I made my way to the Brick Hide for the Bittern. After around 20 minutes (1550 hours) a shout went up from one of the other birders in the hide that a Bittern was flying in from the right over the reeds. Sure enough the bird gave excellent views as it looked for its roosting spot. Another local then spotted a second bird that had climbed up the reeds to the left of the hide, which gave wonderful views through my scope for a number of birders who visited the hide.

121.Bittern---------------------------Attenborough----------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

17January2009

Heavy rain showers turned into a blue sky as Steve and I arrived at Park Hall Country Park in Stoke this morning, we thought we had arrived at Crufts with the number of dogs about! A ten-minute walk took us to the coniferous wood where Long Eared Owls regularly roost. Within seconds of arriving two birds could be seen at the top of the usual tree (Photo 1) although branches and the height impeded any good photos. Steve (Photo 2) had to set his scope up at a ridiculous angle to get views of the birds as they preened.

122.Long Eared Owl------------------Park Hall Country Park-----------England

This would be the only addition to the year list, as a couple of hours spent at Swallow Moss produced no further birds during the morning.

[ChinaBirds]

25 January 2009

With Cossington Meadows, south of Loughborough just off the A6, falling approximately half way between our homes DAS and I decided to meet up there, at 9am. The recent wet weather had left the River Soar very high with the grassed flood plain impassable in places. Just as we set off along the western bank of the river, heading south, another birder “John” pulled up and asked if he could join us as he was a novice at this game.

Walking across a couple of fields we spotted a large flock of geese, which include several White Fronted Geese, our main quarry for the morning!

123. White Fronted Goose------------Cossington Meadows-------------England

As the corner of the field was flooded we headed back to the road and the canal toll path where two Linnets gave me another year tick.

124.Linnet-----------------------------Cossington Meadows-------------England

Another local birder then joined us but nothing more turned up for the next couple of hours until DAS and I were the only ones left. We then spotted a couple of Brambling amongst a flock of Chaffinch high in a tree next to an area of sweet corn that had been left to seed.

125.Brambling-----------------------Cossington Meadows--------------England

[ChinaBirds]

01 February 2009

A gentle mid morning drive to Eyebrook Reservoir (Photo1), in Leicestershire, produce the annual Green Winged Teal. Three other birders were already there on the North shore, and between us we found the bird asleep amongst several common Teal. The obvious vertical white stripe was only just visible thanks to other birds asleep to the side of the bird.

126.Green Winged Teal------------Eyebrook Reservoir---------------England

Two trips to Great Eastern (the 3rd and 4th in 2009!) failed again to pick up a Short Eared Owl, however up to four Barn Owls (Photo 2) in my vision at one time kept me occupied through the snow flurries. One bird even pounced on prey close enough to me for a photo through the gloom!

Next stop China, where I am hoping to be birding around Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Haikou before travelling to Mai Po in Hong Kong.

[ChinaBirds]

03 February 2009

Taxiing into Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, on my way to Bejing, my Dutch bird list stands at "2" as both Carrion Crows and Common Buzzards were feeding on the large expanse of grass available to them!

[ChinaBirds]

04 February 2009

After landing at Beijing airport one of my reps, Julia Li, drove another of my reps, Jack Luo and I to the high speed train station (Photo 1). During the drive through Beijing’s busy streets Common Magpie’s were my first Chinese bird of the year, followed quickly by several Large Billed Crows flying between the skyscrapers

127.Large Billed Crow--------------------Beijing--------------------China

The 30-minute (203MPH!)train journey to Tianjin produced nothing more than magpies and crows, but then after another rep, Selina Xing, picked us up a flock of Black Headed Gulls were resting on a frozen river and a Tree Sparrow was feeding off what little, dust covered, frozen, vegetation there was downtown.

[ChinaBirds]

06 February 2009

Driving between offices in Tianjin a flock of Daurian Jackdaws (Photo 1 – taken early morning on 7th Feb) flew over the motorway quickly followed by a White Wagtail moving between the edges of the frozen fishponds

128.Daurian Jackdaw--------------------Tianjin--------------------China
129.White Wagtail-----------------------Tianjin--------------------China

[ChinaBirds]

07 February 2009

The day started at 7am meeting up with fellow Birdforum member Xiaoming, otherwise know as Li Ming, for the first time, in the lobby of The Great Wall Sheraton hotel in Beijing where we were in turn met by Julia Li, one of my reps who was kind enough to provide us with transport for the day ahead.

We then set off North-East into the mountains to Baihe, around 100km away. Before reaching Baihe we met up with four other birders at a motorway toll station, Mr Li Hai Tao (BMLee) and Ms Tian Zhu, who I knew well having birded with them several times, plus Mr Chen Liang who I had met before and Mr Li Xin (who saw over 600 birds in China in 2008!).

Once off the motorway, onto the G111, the mountains (Photo1 – note old part of the Great Wall winding itself up the mountain) lay ahead of us. White Cheeked Starlings flew overhead just after I took the above photo.

130.White Cheeked Starling-----------------Baihe-------------------China

We had an unbroken blue sky over us once we left the smog of the city, and while most of the frequently damned river was frozen (Photo 2) the winter sun kept the temperature above freezing except in the shade! Here a flock of Grey Capped Greenfinch (Photo 3) tinkled in the bushes on the side of the mountain, while a single Dusky Thrush sat high up in a tree.

131.Grey Capped Greenfinch----------------Baihe-------------------China
132.Dusky Thrush--------------------------Baihe-------------------China


Further along the river, which had not been damned, we turned off to find a flock of Meadow Buntings (Photo 4) feeding off what little vegetation there was, while a splendid Crested Kingfisher (Photo 5) sat looking at us from a utility cable strung across the river

133.Meadow Bunting-----------------------Baihe-------------------China
134.Crested Kingfisher---------------------Baihe-------------------China

[ChinaBirds]

First of all thank you to whoever just rated this Thread

07 February 2009 (continued)

As we walked along the road under the shadow of a mountain, the temperature dropped noticeably. Godlewski's Buntings (Photo 1) and Plain Laughingthrushes (Photo 2) were calling from the bushes covering the steep slopes.

135.Godlewski's Bunting------------------Baihe-----------------------China
136.Plain Laughingthrush-----------------Baihe-----------------------China

Then a shout went up from further along the road that there were Ibisbills (Photo 3) in the river (Photo 4). When we arrived we found three birds, two males and a female based on the mating routine that they were going through. You can never tire of seeing Ibisbill as the birders shown in Photo 5 can verify!

137.Ibisbill------------------------------Baihe-----------------------China

[ChinaBirds]

07 February 2009 (continued)

Across the river from the Ibisbill, Red Billed Blue Magpie’s (Photo1 – taken on 8th Feb) noisily moved amongst the trees.

138.Red Billed Blue Magpie-----------------Baihe---------------------China

We then set off through and over (there is a massive new road being constructed through the valley!) the mountains heading for Labagomen. After around 30 minutes of driving we stopped both cars to view a barn door sized Black (Cinereous) Vulture circling with two Black Storks (Photo 2). A little further along the G111 another vulture (Photo 3) was being mobbed by Large Billed Crows.

139.Black (Cinereous) Vulture ------------Labagomen----------------China
140.Black Stork--------------------------Labagomen----------------China

As we moved deeper into the mountains a Siberian Accentor was in a tree near a smaller valley while a Chinese Nuthatch (Photo 4) was feeding in the trees (Photo 5) in another small valley.

141.Siberian Accentor--------------------Labagomen----------------China
142.Chinese Nuthatch--------------------Labagomen----------------China

I also picked up a European Nuthatch, the first I had seen in China, my 444th Chinese bird!

[ChinaBirds]

07 February 2009 (continued)

A team photo (Photo1 - Left to Right, Ms Tian Zhu, Mr Li Xin, Mr Chen Liang, Mr Li Hai Tao, Mr Li Ming and Julia Li) before the next bird, which turned out to be a White Browed Chinese Warbler; Seems odd seeing warblers in mid winter! Almost at the same time a large flock of Vinous Throated Parrotbills flew threw.

143.White Browed Chinese Warbler---------Labagomen---------------China
144.Vinous Throated Parrotbill--------------Labagomen---------------China

In the same trees were Little Bunting (Photo 2) and a single Grey Headed Woodpecker

145.Little Bunting-------------------------Labagomen---------------China
146.Grey Headed Woodpecker -------------Labagomen---------------China

Walking along the road my first Hawfinch (Photo 3) in China sat high up in a tree taking in the late afternoon sun (China bird 445). Must have a different metabolism to the British one’s who only seem to show up in the morning!

With no further birds around we made our final stop high up in the Yun Men Mountains (Photo 4) where a Chinese Sparrowhawk wound its way up from the frozen valley floor.

147.Chinese Sparrowhawk ----------------Yun Men Mountains--------China

After thanking the rest of our party for a great day which totalled the 37 birds shown below Julia, Li Ming and I made our way back into the Beijing sunset (Photo 5) for a meal at a Mongolian restaurant near the airport with the rest of the Beijing team:-

Black Stork, Black Vulture (Cinereous Vulture), Brambling, Buzzard, Chinese Nuthatch, Chinese Sparrowhawk, Crested Kingfisher, Daurian Jackdaw, Dusky Thrush, Godlewski's Bunting, Goldeneye, Goosander, Great Tit, Grey Capped Greenfinch, Grey Headed Woodpecker, Hawfinch, Ibisbill, Kestrel, Large Billed Crow, Little Bunting, Little Grebe, Little Owl, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Tit, Meadow Bunting, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Plain Laughingthrush, Red Billed Blue Magpie, Siberian Accentor, Tree Sparrow, Vinous Throated Parrotbill, White Browed Chinese Warbler, White Cheeked Starling, Wren

[ChinaBirds]

08 February 2009

Another 7am start, with Fred Li, another of my reps based in Beijing, kindly picking me up from the same hotel before joining Li Ming at the Beijing Botanical Gardens, passing the aptly named Birds Nest Olympic Stadium on the way, as we headed North West.

Once Li Ming was with us we set off to Shidu (Photo1), a mountain canyon around 60km from the outskirts of Beijing. Winter is by far the best time to visit as in summer it is overrun with people. I have been coming here for 5 years now and the transformation since I first went there is incredible with buildings going up everywhere and new roads and bridges replacing old. Luckily the birding is still pretty good however.

While still on the motorway I was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of Azure Winged Magpies amongst the thousands of common Magpies (and I mean thousands – Bejing must be Magpie capital of the world!). Just off the motorway several Spotted Doves were on the utility lines.

148.Azure Winged Magpie-----------------Beijing--------------------China
149.Spotted Dove------------------------Beijing--------------------China

Arriving at the start of the canyon, we stopped at the first bridge just in time to see a Brown Dipper dive into the waterfall next to the bridge. It was bitterly cold at this point with a breeze and the sun hours away from reaching the canyon floor.

150.Brown Dipper-------------------------Shidu---------------------China

We then moved onto bridge three and walked downstream (Photo 2) where a male and female Plumbeous Water Redstart (Photo 3) were feeding.

151.Plumbeous Water Redstart------------Shidu---------------------China

Two Black Stork were feeding in the river, too far away to get a decent photo, while Goosander flew over, and the most abundant finches were Godlewski's Buntings and Brambling, all seen the previous day. There were also two more Brown Dippers feeding the other side of the river together with a Water Pipit. While the latter was a new bird for the year, beyond it were a flock of lifers, Hill Pigeons, feeding on the little remaining vegetation left by the new bridge construction!

152.Water Pipit---------------------------Shidu---------------------China
153.Hill Pigeon-------------------------Shidu---------------------China

Walking back to the car two Greater Spotted Woodpeckers (Photo 4) caught our eye high up in a tree.

Nothing more here so it was onto the 4th bridge, with mechanical hammers ringing off the side of the canyon as yet another bridge was under construction. Walking upstream away from the hammers we found a solitary Long Billed Plover (Photo 5) on the edge of the ice.

154.Long Billed Plover----------------------Shidu---------------------China

[ChinaBirds]

08 February 2009 (continued)

Negotiating the ice and stones crossing the river (who needs bridges?) a Green Sandpiper (Photo 1) shrieked as took off up into the air in front of us startling us all, but luckily we all kept our footing

155.Green Sandpiper---------------------Shidu----------------------China

While Fred went off to locate a local restaurant Li Ming and I took on the hammers in search of one of my all time favourite birds, a White Capped Water Redstart (Photo 2). It is a hot spot for these gorgeous birds and it did not let us down!

156.White Capped Water Redstart--------Shidu----------------------China

After lunch we continued up river a couple of miles to another hot spot (Photo 3), this time for Chukar (Photo 4) which again did not fail us and provided me with my second lifer of the day. They were feeding quietly on a small piece of land squeezed between the far shore of the river and the shear face of the canyon.

157.Chukar---------------------------Shidu--------------------China

Ok had to put the picture of the Black Stork, mentioned earlier, in as well, such wonderful birds

More to follow.......

[ChinaBirds]

Thanks to the second person for ranking this forum, much appreciated

08 February 2009 (continued)

Mid afternoon we decided to visit Li Ming’s local patch at the Beijing Botanical Gardens (Photo 1 – Left to Right Li Ming and Fred Li) where the first bird to add to my year list was a Chinese Bulbul, my 51st Chinese bird of the year, usually it is the first!

158.Chinese Bulbul----------------Beijing Botanical Gardens------------China

Deeper into the park two new year birds followed in quick succession, a male and female Yellow Billed Grosbeak together with a flock of Collared Finchbills (Photo 2)

159.Yellow Billed Grosbeak---------Beijing Botanical Gardens------------China
160.Collared Finchbills-------------Beijing Botanical Gardens------------China

Our final bird of the day was heard well before being seen, a Crested Myna, calling to it’s mate who duly joined it as we arrived.

161.Crested Myna-----------------Beijing Botanical Gardens-----------China

We then climbed part way up the mountain with little or nothing about except of course Magpies, so we returned to the car whereupon I thanked Li Ming for a great weekend and we parted company to keep in touch through Birdforum of course.

The last three photos are of birds seen over the weekend but photographed after the report, a Dusky Thrush, a Common Buzzard and a Tree Sparrow.

Below lists the 36 birds seen today.

Azure Winged Magpie, Blackbird, Black Stork, Brambling, Brown Dipper, Buzzard, Chinese Bulbul, Chukar, Collard Finchbill, Crested Myna, Dusky Thrush, Godlewski's Bunting, Goosander, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Green Sandpiper, Grey Capped Greenfinch, Grey Headed Woodpecker, Hill Pigeon, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Large Billed Crow, Little Grebe, Long Billed Plover, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Tit, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Red Billed Blue Magpie, Spotted Dove, Tree Sparrow, Vinous Throated Parrotbill, Water Pipit, White Capped Water Redstart, Wren, Yellow Billed Grosbeak

[ChinaBirds]

10 February 2009

The first birding experience of the day happened way up on the 26th floor (my room is on the 56th of 59!) of the new Renaissance Shanghai Zhongshan Park Hotel (Photo1) during breakfast when a Peregrine Falcon left the roof of the opposite building, just before 7am, in search of prey. Later in the day I saw the same bird return with a pigeon.

After our team meeting on the 59th floor I spent lunchtime in Zhongshan Park (Photo 2) next to the hotel. The park was heaving with people but luckily I was able to find a relatively quiet spot (Photo 3) where the first bird turning over the leaf litter was a Pale Thrush (Photo 4). While I was still writing this up in my notebook I noticed another bird move into my periphery vision. Looking up it was a delightful Orange Flanked Bush Robin (Photo 5)

162.Pale Thrush--------------------Zhongshan Park------------------China
163.Orange Flanked Bush Robin------Zhongshan Park------------------China

[ChinaBirds]

10 February 2009 (continued)

A little further around the park near to where a group of ladies were singing their heart out to traditional Chinese music a Long Tailed Shrike passed through the area making a quick exit; not sure if it was me or the singing!

164.Long Tailed Shrike------------------Zhongshan Park-----------------China

I also decided to retreat back to my quiet area just in time to pick up a Pallas Leaf Warbler (Photo1) enjoying the sunny, warm weather.

165.Pallas Leaf Warbler----------------Zhongshan Park------------------China

The peace was soon broken as another lady decided to have a very loud argument with someone over her mobile phone. I tried to ignore her the best I could, but then a smart Scaly Thrush (Photo 2) moved into the area, taking my attention away from arguments!

166.Scaly Thrush-----------------------Zhongshan Park------------------China

Just as I set off back to the hotel a Magpie Robin made the quickest of appearances, one minute it was on top of the barbed wire fence, the next gone!

167.Magpie Robin----------------------Zhongshan Park------------------China

Final picture is of early morning smoggy Shanghai from the 56th floor, with mainland China’s two tallest buildings an the centre-back of the photo, the Jing Mao to the left and the new tallest mainland China building, the Japanese World Trade Building.

[Larry Lade]

My wife and I are tentatively planning a two-week trip over to the Beijing area in late April - early May, 2009. I hope to be able to see some of the birds which you are mentioning above!

[ChinaBirds]

Hope you do Larry, there are some great places to bird over there, let me know if you would like some more info, send me a PM

Cheers
Nick

[ChinaBirds]

13 February 2009

A quick jaunt around the Liu Hua Lake Park (Photo1) near the China Hotel in Guangzhou, before going into the office, started with a flock of Japanese White Eye moving quickly through the treetops.

168.Japanese White Eye-----------Liu Hua Lake Park---------------------China

Battling my way through the incessant music and crowds of early morning Tai Ji followers a Common Tailorbird was watching proceedings from high up on a branch in a very mature tree.

169.Common Tailorbird-------------Liu Hua Lake Park--------------------China

I then found a large wall where I normally view an undisturbed island in the middle of the lake therefore my only viewing opportunity was from a small bridge between two further islands. As expected there were both Black Crowned Night Herons and Chinese Pond Herons flying around the island.

170.Black Crowned Night Heron----Liu Hua Lake Park-------------------China
171.Chinese Pond Heron------------Liu Hua Lake Park-------------------China

Having walked all the way round the outer perimeter fence of the east side of the park to try and get a better view of this island I realised when I got back in the park had I turned right rather than left when I first found the wall, I could have walked round the end of the wall to view the island!

Just having discovered the errors of my ways a couple of Red Whiskered Bulbuls (Photo 2) were feeding on a low bush, while out on the now famous island a White Throated Kingfisher (Photo 3) was joined by a couple of Red Billed Starlings (together with a Crested Myna and a Spotted Dove)

172.Red Whiskered Bulbul---------Liu Hua Lake Park--------------------China
173.White Throated Kingfisher----Liu Hua Lake Park--------------------China
174.Red Billed Starling------------Liu Hua Lake Park---------------------China

Hurrying back to the hotel through the madding crowd, three Moorhens were feeding in a Lilly pond when out of the corner of my eye a small bird flashed by into the bottom of a bush. I recognised that tell tale sign white rump, it was a White Rumped Munia (Photo 4). Such a tiny bird, which wasn’t at all shy when it started feeding on grass seeds in front of me, in fact I had to step back to be able to get the bird in focus! Almost at the same time a small bunting appeared next to the munia, a Black Faced Bunting (Photo 5).

175.White Rumped Munia----------Liu Hua Lake Park--------------------China
176.Black Faced Bunting-----------Liu Hua Lake Park--------------------China

I then had to up my pace to the hotel and leave for work.

[ChinaBirds]

14 February 2009

Today started by meeting up with long time Guangzhou birding friend Lool and another of her birding friends Lei Jinyu, who I met a couple of years ago, in the lobby of the China Hotel at 0730 hours. We were soon joined by Andrew Wang from our office here in Guangzhou and set off for a new birding sight for me, the Guangzhou Maofeng Mountain Forest Park, which is only 25km from downtown Guangzhou.

Leaving Guangzhou on the G109 a Swallow flew across the expressway

177.Swallow------------------------------------Guangzhou------------------------China

Arriving at the park (Photo 1) we were met by very dull day with frequent rain showers but the scenery was excellent (Photo 2).

Our first bird in the park was a Grey Treepie feeding on top of a tree, too far away to get a good photo.

178.Grey Treepie-------------------------------Maofeng----------------------------China

A little further along the mountain road we picked up on a small flock of birds, which included a Two Barred Warbler, Yellow Browed Warbler, a couple of Black Throated Tits and male and female Fork Tailed Sunbird, the male’s iridescent plumage still showing up despite the overcast sky.

179.Two Barred Warbler-----------------------Maofeng---------------------------China
180.Yellow Browed Warbler-------------------Maofeng---------------------------China
181.Black Throated Tit-------------------------Maofeng--------------------------China
182.Fork Tailed Sunbird------------------------Maofeng--------------------------China

We then drove up to the Temple car park and found one of the many paths that covered the mountain. Just as we found some level ground several Olive Backed Pipits flew up into the trees.

183.Olive Backed Pipit--------------------------Maofeng----------------------------China

Having roamed some more as we were descending some long steps (Photo 3) a Rufous Capped Babbler started calling from deep in the forest. Our patience was doubly rewarded as not only did the babbler appear, but also a wonderful Streak Breasted Scimitar Babbler that fed close to the base of the tree. It was just too dark to get a reasonable shot of either bird.

184.Rufous Capped Babbler--------------------Maofeng----------------------China
185.Streak Breasted Scimitar Babbler---------Maofeng----------------------China

We then came to a small lake (Photo 4) when suddenly a large bird headed straight for us through the gap in the trees at the far end of the lake. Before I even had chance to grab my camera, a lifer flashed by, a gorgeous Silver Pheasant, which landed in thick undergrowth to our right and disappeared. There were a few high-fives before diving for cover as the next rain shower hit us.

186.Silver Pheasant-----------------------------Maofeng----------------------China

Normally on these bird trips Lool has a small compact digital camera for taking general shots as well her digital SLR to take photos of the birds. Invariably she ends up taking lots of candid shots of me and putting them on Chinese birding web sites! So this time I was determined to pay her back by bringing along my own compact digital. However I had not bargained on Lool’s latest plan. Working at the Guangzhou TV station as a Programme Editor she has all of the tools around her necessary to make her own videos so what has she gone and done, invested in a state of the art digital video camera (Photo 5). There was no sign of the compact camera but every time we looked around we had this pointed at us! She even got me to agree to an interview! I give up!

More to follow……

[ChinaBirds]

14 February 2009 (continued)

Rounding another part of the mountain (Photo1) a Chestnut Bulbul was sharing a distant tree with several Chinese Bulbuls while a very noisy Grey Cheeked Fulvetta worked through the lower vegetation.

187.Chestnut Bulbul--------------------Maofeng---------------------------China
188.Grey Cheeked Fulvetta------------Maofeng---------------------------China

The final bird on the mountain, before we returned to the car, was a delightful Hwamei checking through the leaves on the forest floor. Much better seeing one free as so many are locked in cages and brought out into numerous city parks in China to sing while their gaolers chat about the issues of the day.

189.Hwamei-----------------------------Maofeng--------------------------China

Off the mountain we finally pinned down what we had heard calling several times while up in the clouds, a Greater Coucal, sounding like a monkey (according to Andrew!), with one calling across the fields on top of a tree.

190.Greater Coucal---------------------Sha Tian--------------------------China

We were now on the edge of a small town called Sha Tian, so decided to have lunch, the restaurant was local but certainly not quaint, the food was good though.

As we left the restaurant Red Rumped Swallows were flying around the buildings.

191.Red Rumped Swallow--------------Sha Tian--------------------------China

We then walked around the farmland (Photo 2) and damn wall (Photo 3) close to Sha Tian where a Siberian Stonechat was calling from several different prominent positions. As we walked back into the village, along redirected concrete streams, a Plain Prinia was flitting through some tall grass.

192.Siberian Stonechat------------------Sha Tian-------------------------China
193.Plain Prinia--------------------------Sha Tian-------------------------China

Leaving the village by car we stopped a couple of miles down the road, Sha Tian still being the closest inhabited place, where the team grouped together for a photo (Photo 4 – Left to Right Andrew Wang, Lool and Lei Jinyu) Here we also picked up Sooty Headed Bulbul and the meowing Yellow Bellied Prinia.

194.Sooty Headed Bulbul---------------Sha Tian--------------------------China
195.Yellow Bellied Prinia---------------Sha Tian---------------------------China

Our final stop was at Guangzhou’s Baiyun Airport, where I was due to fly to Chengdu later that evening. At the end of the west runway (Photo 5) we could see several Richard’s Pipits despite the incessant noise from the solar powered bird cannons, miss nets and aircraft taking off, the birds must be deaf!

196.Richard’s Pipit----------------------Sha Tian---------------------------China


From here it was to the terminal and a big thank you to Lool, Andrew and Lei for a successful day. The full list of 35 birds seen today is shown below: -

Black Faced Bunting, Black Throated Tit, Blackbird, Chestnut Bulbul, Chinese Bulbul, Chinese Pond Heron, Fork Tailed Sunbird, Great Tit, Greater Coucal, Green Sandpiper, Grey Cheeked Fulvetta, Grey Treepie, Hwamei, Japanese White Eye, Kingfisher, Long Tailed Shrike, Magpie Robin, Olive Backed Pipit, Olive Backed Pipit, Plain Prinia, Red Rumped Swallow, Red Whiskered Bulbul, Richard's Pipit, Rufous Capped Babbler, Siberian Stonechat, Silver Pheasant, Sooty Headed Bulbul, Spotted Dove, Streak Breasted Scimitar Babbler, Swallow, Two Barred Warbler, White Rumped Munia, White Wagtail, Yellow Bellied Prinia, Yellow Browed Warbler

[ChinaBirds]

15 February 2009

Arriving at Chengdu in the dark last night, I left the lobby of the relatively new Intercontinental Hotel at 0640 with Albert Jiang, one of our local reps based here. We then drove to near the Shangri-La Hotel where fellow Birdforum member Wei Qian was waiting for us. It was the first time I had seen Wei in a year so great to see him again.

We then set off on the 140km journey to the Tian Tao Mountain, southwest of Chengdu. The weather was a classic Chengdu day with an overcast sky.

Within about 40km of the mountain I asked Albert to stop the car, just after we crossed a bridge over a concrete channelled river (Photo 1), in a small town called Ping. I had spotted what I thought was my first Daurian Redstart of the year on a utility cable. On closer inspection however, with diesel belching lorries passing within inches of us, the drivers’ hands never off their horns, Wei Qian identified it as a Hodgson’s Redstart (Photo 2), which meant my first bird of the day was a lifer!

197.Hodgson’s Redstart------------Tian Tao Mountain------------China

Once on the twisty mountain road a pair of Grey Headed Bullfinch flew along the side of the road.

198.Grey Headed Bullfinch----------Tian Tao Mountain-----------------China

After about 30 minutes of driving we stopped next to a mountain stream (Photo 3) where a pair of Slaty Backed Forktails (Photo 4) were feeding, followed swiftly by my 200th bird of the year, a pair of Little Forktails (Photo 5), which was my 100th China bird of 2009.

199.Slaty Backed Forktail-----------Tian Tao Mountain-----------------China
200.Little Forktail--------------------Tian Tao Mountain-----------------China

More to follow.....

[ChinaBirds]

Thanks very much to the third person to rank this thread

15 February 2009 (continued)

After a quick team photo (Photo1 – Left, Wei Qian and Albert Jiang) we drove a little further up the mountain where there was mini replica of the original Stone Forest in Yunnan Province, next to the river. High up in a tree over the river a Chestnut Thrush was feeding, while even higher in another tree was a Yellow Bellied Tit. Crossing the road near a refuse dump a Green Backed Tit was fairing a lot better than Wei Qian and I with the smell!

201.Chestnut Thrush-----------------Tian Tao Mountain-------------------China
202. Yellow Bellied Tit---------------Tian Tao Mountain-------------------China
203.Green Backed Tit----------------Tian Tao Mountain-------------------China

Reaching as far as we could go up the mountain Wei Qian and I wondered across the river to pick up a flock of Ashy Throated Parrotbills. I also saw my first Chinese Treecreeper, unfortunately it was a European one when we checked the photos.

204.Ashy Throated Parrotbill--------Tian Tao Mountain------------------China

After a very spicy Sichuan lunch we left Albert in the car to sleep as we made our way down the mountain. Stopping to look across at the steep sides of the mountain from another, empty, summer car park, complete with garish sign advertising the wonders of the firefly (Photo 2) we picked out some Mountain Bulbuls (Photo 3) together with Stripe Throated Yuhina.

205.Mountain Bulbuls----------------Tian Tao Mountain------------------China
206.Stripe Throated Yuhina---------Tian Tao Mountain------------------China

Continuing down the mountain road Wei Qian spotted a little brown bird skulking in the undergrowth, which turned out to be my second lifer of the day a Dusky Fulvetta

207.Dusky Fulvetta--------------Tian Tao Mountain-------------China

90 minutes after leaving Albert in the car we arrived back at the model Stone Forest where a gorgeous Red Billed Leiothrix was in with a mixed flock of birds.

208.Red Billed Leiothrix-------------Tian Tao Mountain-------------China

Having walked for another hour through some wonderful countryside Albert joined us again and we set off back to Chengdu. Stopping alongside a bolder strewn river full of egrets and all three types of redstarts I have seen since arriving in China, an unmistakable Blue Whistling Thrush (Photo 4) was jumping from bolder to bolder. Meanwhile on the far bank a Brown Breasted Bulbul was working the bushes overhanging the river.

209.Blue Whistling Thrush-----------Tian Tao Mountain--------------China
210.Brown Breasted Bulbul----------Tian Tao Mountain--------------China

Another stop, again next to the river rewarded us with a flock of Russet Sparrows (Photo 5) mingling with Grey Headed Greenfinch

211.Russet Sparrow------------------Tian Tao Mountain--------------China

Our final stop was where we had made our first of the day with several noisy White Browed Laughingthrush being the last birds of the day, before the long trek home.

212.White Browed Laughingthrush----Tian Tao Mountain------------China

Having dropped off Wei Qian and thanking him for a great day (a days birding with Wei Qian is always good!) Albert and I went off a Chinese Restaurant to meet Zaxxio, our long time friend who runs the Chengdu Bird Society. He was celebrating the birth of a son during the last week so we all wet the baby’s head “metaphorically speaking”. It was also good to meet up with Roland Zeidler, whom Wei Qian and I teamed up with on Zaxxio’s first Chengdu Bird Society bird races in April 2006! He now runs Western Sichuan Tours.

Our 47 birds seen in the day are listed below

Ashy Thoated Parrotbill, Black Throated Tit, Blackbird, Blue Whistling Thrush, Brown Breasted Bulbul, Brown Dipper, Chestnut Thrush, Chinese Bulbul, Collared Finchbill, Dusky Fulvetta, Green Backed Tit, Green Sandpiper, Grey Capped Greenfinch, Grey Cheeked Fulvetta, Grey Headed Bullfinch, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Hodgson's Redstart, Hwamei, Jay, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Little Forktail, Long Tailed Shrike, Magpie Robin, Mountain Bulbul, Olive Backed Pipit, Orange Flanked Bush Robin, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Red Billed Blue Magpie, Red Billed Leiothrix, Rufous Capped Babbler, Russet Sparrow, Slaty Backed Forktail, Sparrowhawk, Streak Breasted Scimitar Babbler, Stripe Throated Yuhina, Swallow, Teal, Tree Sparrow, Treecreeper, White Browed Laughingthrush, White Capped Water Redstart, White Rumped Munia, White Wagtail, Wren, Yellow Bellied Tit

[ChinaBirds]

16 February 2009

During lunch at our usual Chinese restaurant (Photo1) near Chengdu airport, in what was a village and is now just a wasteland as the second runway is currently being built, my first ever House Sparrow in China was feeding with the more common Tree Sparrows.

As the weather was so good we ate in the garden of the restaurant where a female Daurian Redstart (Photo 2) kept us amused as it flew from bush to bush.

213.Daurian Redstart---------------------Chengdu-----------------------China

After work I walked across the road from the year old Intercontinental Hotel into an area of scrub, where there was a lake (Photo 3 - hotel on right) that clearly at one point had been part of a park, but the massive new development in this area will soon see this disappear. To my surprise there were several Ferruginous Pochards (Photo 4) on the lake, cleverly moving away as I approached, preventing a good photo in the poor light.

214.Ferruginous Pochard------------------Chengdu----------------------China

[ChinaBirds]

19 February 2009

A quick early morning walk through the gardens of the Sheraton Hotel in Haikou and along the beach to a small river (Photo 1) was rewarded with a Little Ringed Plover scurrying along the tide line.

215.Little Ringed Plover---------------------Haikou-----------------------China

This evening I went back to the river and followed it up stream to find the pastureland that is normally full of birds. My first shock (shouldn’t really be shocked anymore) was to see how the river had been changed. Part of the original river (Photo 2) was hanging on to life but a large length of it had been desecrated (Photo 3) as Haikou’s expansion has finally caught up with this originally quiet area; how much more bird watching I will be able to do around here in the future, only time will tell.

A Common Sandpiper, together with two Green Sandpiper still managed to find a small area to feed despite the increasing numbers of domestic ducks.

216.Common Sandpiper--------------------Haikou------------------------China

Then I heard the tell tale call of a Pied Kingfisher (Photo 4), not one but a wonderful family of five birds that all took to the air at once as I approached, this certainly lifted my spirits, watching them squabbling for several minutes!

217.Pied Kingfisher------------------------Haikou-------------------------China

As I moved on, a flock of Common Myna (Photo 5) lifted up from what was originally the top of a fish pond, now just laid to waste awaiting the construction vehicles.

218.Common Myna------------------------Haikou-------------------------China

The final bird of the day was one I was hoping to see there, and normally guaranteed, a beautiful Hoopoe that was far too flighty (can you blame it?) to get a photo.

219.Hoopoe--------------------------------Haikou------------------------China

[ChinaBirds]

20 February 2009

Following a final night of celebration (Photo1) for a Conference going on at the hotel today dawned overcast, warm but thankfully dry as I looked out of my hotel window (Photo 2). That was good as I was taking the day off to do some birding here in Haikou before travelling to Hong Kong this afternoon.

Down at the beach, near the river outflow, several Kentish Plover (Photo 3) were feeding along the waterline.

220.Kentish Plover-----------------------Haikou----------------------China

Walking upstream a couple of Dusky Warblers were making their familiar tschack-tschack call deep inside a bush, impossible to photograph despite plenty of attempts. This would be my 126 China bird of the year equalling what had taken a month to build up in the UK!

221.Dusky Warbler-----------------------Haikou---------------------China

Wondering further inland my spirits again dropped at the desolation before me, I had taken the east bank this time where there was at least a bit more vegetation. After I walked as far as I could and started back for the hotel, first a juvenile and then an adult Black Shouldered Kite flew overhead against the opaque sky.

222.Black Shouldered Kite----------------Haikou--------------------China

The final bird of the day, and my 128th and final China bird of this trip, was one I had thought I had seen earlier amongst a flock of Spotted Doves, this time there was no doubt as I was virtually able to walk right beneath a Red Collared Dove, the spotted variety having left the scene much earlier!

223.Red Collared Dove-------------------Haikou---------------------China

In the three hours I picked up the following 29 birds : -

Black Shouldered Kite, Chinese Bulbul, Chinese Pond Heron, Common Myna, Common Sandpiper, Crested Myna, Daurian Redstart, Dusky Warbler, Great Tit, Greater Coucal, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, Hoopoe, Japanese White Eye, Kentish Plover, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Little Ringed Plover, Long Tailed Shrike, Magpie Robin, Olive Backed Pipit, Pied Kingfisher, Plain Prinia, Red Collared Dove, Siberian Stonechat, Spotted Dove, Swallow, White Throated Kingfisher, White Wagtail

[ChinaBirds]

20 February 2009 (continued)

Arriving at Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok airport (Photo1 –taken before flight home) the first bird I saw wheeling over the sea was a Black Eared Kite (Photo 2), the bird that tells you, you have arrived in Hong Kong so plentiful are they, especially around the harbour and island.

224.Black Eared Kite--------------------Chek Lap Kok----------------Hong Kong

Jason Zhang, another of our reps (and good friend), met me at the airport and kindly agreed to take me to Hong Kong Park (Photo 3 & 4) on the island. There the Yellow Crested Cockatoos were noisily chasing each other between the treetops while very tame Masked Laughingthrush were feeding in the bushes. Finally three brilliantly green Rose Ringed Parakeet flew overhead.

225.Yellow Crested Cockatoo----------Hong Kong Park-------------Hong Kong
226.Masked Laughingthrush------------Hong Kong Park-------------Hong Kong
227.Rose Ringed Parakeet-------------Hong Kong Park-------------Hong Kong

Then it was off to see the 8pm lightshow (Photo 5) before dinner.

[ChinaBirds]

21 February 2009

Saturday dawned overcast and windy, the wind having woken me during the night, up on the 15th floor. However when Jason and I left at 7am the wind weakened as we entered the New Territories and Ping Long (Photo1) where fellow Birdforum Member Mike Kilburn (MkinHK) lives. Mike had the morning free and so very generously agreed to show us some of his local haunts. As we arrived in the car park, my first year bird of the day was a Black Collared Starling (Photo 2) followed very closely by a Black Winged Cuckoo Shrike (Photo 3) in a tree near Mike’s apartment.

228.Black Collared Starling-------------------Ping Long--------------Hong Kong
229.Black Winged Cuckoo Shrike------------Ping Long--------------Hong Kong

From here Mike guided us to Kam Tin, a Koel calling in a tree being spotted as we arrived.

230.Koel--------------------------------------Kam Tin----------------Hong Kong

The main reason we were here was to see a specialist bird known to live in the village. Mike spotted said bird very quickly, setting up his scope (Photo 4 – Left to Right Jason Zhang and Mike Kilburn) on a wonderful Asian Barred Owlet (Photo 5 – badly digiscoped!)

231.Asian Barred Owlet---------------------Kam Tin---------------Hong Kong

[ChinaBirds]

21 February 2009 (continued)

Before leaving Kam Tin we noticed several Yellow Wagtails (Photo 1) mixing it with White Wagtails around the fishponds.

232.Yellow Wagtail------------------------Kam Tin--------------------Hong Kong

Next stop was, as Mike put it, the wonderfully named “Kam Tin Main Drainage Channel” (Photo 2), which produced much more than its name would suggest! Three sandpiper species were feeding there, but it was the Wood Sandpiper (Photo 3) that added to my year ticks, in far more numbers than either Common and Green.

233.Wood Sandpiper----------------------Kam Tin-------------------Hong Kong

Eagle eyed Mike then spotted a lifer for me walking along the edge of the channel’s stone banks, a Red Throated Pipit (Photo 4), which seemed to have some growths on its legs, unless it was just dried mud!

234.Red Throated Pipit--------------------Kam Tin-------------------Hong Kong

Further along the channel there were a number of Black Winged Stilts (Photo 5) with up to 18 splendid Grey Headed Lapwings

235.Black Winged Stilt--------------------Kam Tin-------------------Hong Kong
236.Grey Headed Lapwing----------------Kam Tin-------------------Hong Kong

More to follow……

[ChinaBirds]

21 February 2009 (continued)

Yet further along the channel mangrove swamps (Photo 1) started to appear with graceful Great White Egrets feeding in the shallows. An Osprey (Photo 2) then made a low level fly over.

237.Great White Egret-----------------Nam Sang Wai----------------Hong Kong
238.Osprey-----------------------------Nam Sang Wai----------------Hong Kong

Our final stop along the channel gave us wonderful views across a large mangrove swamp towards the metropolis of Hong Kong. I counted 22 Black Faced Spoonbills asleep and later a further one awake! (Photo 3)

239.Black Faced Spoonbill------------Nam Sang Wai----------------Hong Kong

Then a Collared Crow flew over the mangrove with Hong Kong acting as its backdrop

240.Collared Crow --------------------Nam Sang Wai---------------Hong Kong

[ChinaBirds]

21 February 2009 (continued)

Mike identified a lone gull that flew into view as a Heuglin's Gull (Photo 1), the other photographers (Photo 2) making me feel somewhat inadequate with the cameras and lenses they were operating! House Swifts were also evident high in the sky behind the gull, while under the mangroves, along the waterline several White Breasted Waterhens were skulking.

241.Heuglin's Gull---------------------Nam Sang Wai----------------Hong Kong
242.House Swift-----------------------Nam Sang Wai----------------Hong Kong
243.White Breasted Waterhen--------Nam Sang Wai----------------Hong Kong

This area really had that feeling about it that there was so much more out there, you just needed to keep looking. Using Mike’s telescope I scanned the distant mangroves and trees and spotted something big and brown in the far distance that didn’t feel like it was one of the many cormorants in the area. Mike took a look and identified it as a Greater Spotted Eagle, which took the attention of the recently arrived birders, and was my second lifer of the day. A fellow Hong Kong Bird Club and friend of Mikes, Bob (who I met last year) then appeared. Noticing he had the same camera setup as mine we got onto the subject of shooting RAW, which he swore by, something I should really try!

244.Greater Spotted Eagle---------Nam Sang Wai----------------Hong Kong

Time for another move as Mike had to be back home for 12pm. Arriving at the fishponds at Lut Chau (Photo 3) several Cattle Egret were feeding in the fields. But our thoughts were soon diverted from egrets as a large bird of prey came into view overhead, another eagle! As it circled closer and closer Mike advised that this was an Imperial Eagle; two eagles in less than half an hour and both lifers!

245.Cattle Egret------------------------Nam Sang Wai---------------Hong Kong
246.Imperial Eagle------------------Nam Sang Wai---------------Hong Kong

As the bird passed into the haze, it had turned out into a sunny warm day by now, Whiskered Terns could be seen fishing above the tree line, while on a remote utility cable a Black Drongo was deciding where to fly to next.

247.Whiskered Tern-------------------Nam Sang Wai---------------Hong Kong
248.Black Drongo---------------------Nam Sang Wai----------------Hong Kong

We now had to make tracks to get Mike home by the stipulated time. As we drove swiftly along the road separating the fishponds Zitting Cisticola bounced up from the tall grass surrounding the ponds

249.Zitting Cisticola------------------Nam Sang Wai-----------------Hong Kong

Mike’s final present of the morning for us was yet another eagle, a Crested Serpent Eagle circling above a mountain at the side of the road as we neared his home.

250.Crested Serpent Eagle-----------Nam Sang Wai-----------------Hong Kong

I thanked Mike for an excellent morning that had netted 66 birds and three lifers, several of which without his expertise of both the area and his local birds we would not have seen. Next stop for Jason and I was a forested mountain area Ng Tung Chai Tsuen (Photo 4) recommended by Mike. Initially there were very few birds but, as often happens in forests, suddenly several birds started flying through the trees overhead. After a while we identified them as multi-coloured Silver Eared Mesia (Photo 5)

251.Silver Eared Mesia--------------Ng Tung Chai Tsuen------------Hong Kong

It would be just over an hour before we picked up another year tick, in the meantime we had walked up to a waterfall and were now making our way back down the mountain. Deep down in the valley a minivet called. After some time we found a yellow female on an old tree and then a little later a red male Grey Throated Minivet joined her.

252.Grey Throated Minivet----------Ng Tung Chai Tsuen------------Hong Kong

Buoyed by this we continued down to the mountain when, just before the dirt trail was replaced by a concrete path, several little birds were keeping themselves busy in a tree. Again there were more mesia but this time with Grey Cheeked Fulvetta and a single blue winged bird that would just keep hiding behind the branches and leaves. Eventually I got a good enough view to identify it as a Blue Winged Minla, yet another lifer for the day!

253.Blue Winged Minla--------------Ng Tung Chai Tsuen-------------Hong Kong

[ChinaBirds]

21 February 2009 (continued)

Our final destination was Long Valley, which I visited with Mike in what I only thought was last year but my records show it was September 2007, now that is worrying! Long Valley consists of both arable farmland (Photo1), fishponds (Photo 2) and marshland areas, and is a truly special place for birders.

A flock of Scaly Breasted Munia (Photo 3) were scuttling through the bases of dead reeds as we arrived. There were in fact birds everywhere but we had had such a good day many were not new for the year, some new to Hong Kong though. My final bird of this trip would be both a surprise and a lifer, a Hill Myna (Photo 4) sitting on a distant utility cable just long enough for me to grab a quick shot in the fading light!

254.Scaly Breasted Munia----------Ng Tung Chai Tsuen------------Hong Kong
255.Hill Myna----------------------Ng Tung Chai Tsuen-----------Hong Kong

Having spent a good couple of hours wandering the built up mud walkways between the fields, fishponds and marshes, being deafened by three Hong Kong teenagers riding their cycles along another drainage channel with enormous music speakers blearing out contemporary music and being chased by a dog we called it a day at 1700 hours.

It had been a fabulous day and I will forever be indebted to Jason for providing the transport, Shou Ke the accommodation and Mike for his expertise. We saw a superb variety of birds and areas of Hong Kong we had never been to before. The full list of 78 birds is shown below: -

Asian Barred Owlet, Avocet, Black Collared Starling, Black Drongo, Black Eared Kite, Black Faced Spoonbill, Black Headed Gull, Black Winged Cuckoo Shrike, Black Winged Stilt, Blackbird, Blue Winged Minla, Buzzard, Cattle Egret, Chestnut Bulbul, Chinese Bulbul, Chinese Pond Heron, Collared Crow, Collared Dove, Common Sandpiper, Common Tailorbird, Cormorant, Crested Myna, Crested Serpent Eagle, Curlew, Dusky Warbler, Great Tit, Great White Egret, Greater Spotted Eagle, Green Sandpiper, Grey Cheeked Fulvetta, Grey Headed Lapwing, Grey Heron, Grey Throated Minivet, Heuglin's Gull, Hill Myna, House Swift, Imperial Eagle, Japanese White Eye, Koel, Large Billed Crow, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Little Ringed Plover, Long Tailed Shrike, Magpie, Magpie Robin, Marsh Harrier, Masked Laughingthrush, Moorhen, Olive Backed Pipit, Osprey, Peregrine, Plain Prinia, Red Billed Starling, Red Rumped Swallow, Red Throated Pipit, Red Whiskered Bulbul, Richard's Pipit, Rufous Capped Babbler, Scaly Breasted Munia, Shoveler, Siberian Stonechat, Silver Eared Mesia, Snipe, Sooty Headed Bulbul, Swallow, Teal, Tree Sparrow, Whiskered Tern, White Breasted Waterhen, White Cheeked Starling, White Throated Kingfisher, White Wagtail, Wigeon, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow Bellied Prinia, Yellow Wagtail, Zitting Cisticola.

This two and a half week trip added 130 birds to my 2009 year list, including 10 lifers, putting me 32 birds ahead of this time last year! Work filled my weekdays and evenings while birding filled the weekends thanks to some great birding friends and work colleagues/friends who spared me their valuable time. There was certainly no time to be bored and a great way to make the time away from the family fly by, again where did the time go?

Final photo is of a Dusky Warbler (Photo 5) taken on a driveway in Kam Tin. I had spent a good deal of time trying to photo these delightful birds in Haikou without luck, as they keep well hidden in the vegetation, whereas here they seemed far less afraid!

[ChinaBirds]

22 February 2009

Coming into Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam several Black Headed Gulls flew under our flight path while a kestrel was sitting on a post as we taxied to our gate, taking my Dutch year list to a grand total of "4".

[ChinaBirds]

1 March 2009

Following my two-hour dip yesterday at Allestree Park (Photo1), on the outskirts of Derby, Steve Whiteley joined me today at the same place in search of the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Photo 2). Just as we arrived two birders said they had had very quick views of both the male and female birds. However it took two hours before we lucked in, the female calling and giving herself away high in a tree, followed by the male a little later drumming for several minutes half way up a tree.

256.Lesser Spotted Woodpecker--------------Allestree Park-------------England

[ChinaBirds]

7 March 2009

After two failed attempts at Foremark Reservoir an early trip on Sunday morning looked like I was going for a hat-trick after the first hour and a half as I tried to morph every Great Crested Grebe in sight into the long staying Red Necked Grebe.

By the time I had joined up with several other birders (Photo1), who had also been looking for a good while, we were all starting to believe the bird had decided today of all days was the day to move on. Then, as is so typical with birding, we all had one final scan, and the bird was spotted asleep close to the bank of the reservoir.

257.Red Necked Grebe----------------Foremark Reservoir-------------England

All were naturally relieved and moved along the edge of the reservoir to get a closer look, but it was never seen again. More birders arrived but we couldn’t spot the bird for them, and with black clouds rolling in I was away in my car as the rain began.

[ChinaBirds]

12 March 2009

A Skylark flew up from a field just after Melton Mowbary, on the way to Lincolnshire

258.Skylark-------------------------Melton Mowbary---------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

14 March 2009

On the way to The Upper Derwent Valley, to join a Derby Ornithological Society (DOS) field trip, this morning Steve Whiteley and I first stopped at Totley Moor (Photo1) when a Red Grouse crossed the road in front of us as Steve had missed the bird. Luckily another was craning its neck above some heather giving us both our first year tick of the day.

259.Red Grouse---------------------Totley Moor-----------------------England

Meeting up with the DOS group in the car park near the Derwent Reservoir dam we all moved up next to the dam (Photo 2) to search for Goshawk. However the only birds of prey were Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard. Therefore we all drove up to the wood (Photo 3) and moor land at the end of Howden Reservoir in search of other birds, but nothing but more grouse!

Next stop was back to Windy Corner near the Howden dam where some of the DOS group (Photo 4) had set up camp. When we arrived two Goshawk had been reported 30 minutes early. As we scanned the skies a wonderful female Hen Harrier flew along the reservoir and up and over the forest.

260.Hen Harrier -------------------Howden Reservoir------------------England

Minutes later the bird we had come for appeared above the hill directly in front of us, a splendid female Goshawk, which had Steve and I high-fiving (so childish!).

261.Goshawk----------------------Howden Reservoir-------------------England

We celebrated with bacon butties back at the car park where Siskins (Photo 5) were on the feeders.

[ChinaBirds]

27 March 2009

Today was the first of our two annual dawn-‘til-dusk raids (the other usually in mid May) to try and see as many birds as we could in a day. Unfortunately DAS was unable to make it so it was down to Steve and I to try and break our late winter early spring record of 96 birds, where both of have to see the bird for it to count.

Our first bird of the day was a Woodpigeon, at 0538, through the windows of my mother’s house in Manthorpe, near Bourne in Lincolnshire. Following breakfast we picked up another nine birds (Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Starling, Magpie, Goldfinch, Black Headed Gull, Rook, Jackdaw) both in the garden and flying across the valley in front of the house. While the weather was dry it was overcast and very, very windy and equally cold!

A Collared Dove was the 11th bird of the day driving through the village, while three more appeared, a Lapwing wheeling about in full mating mode, a Buzzard on a early morning hunt and a Pheasant at the edge of a ploughed field, as we set off south-east towards Wilsthorpe.

A mile later we stopped at a renowned Green Woodpecker haunt, Wilsthorpe wood, where we both heard the Yaffle but I was the only one to see the bird bounding across the field and disappearing into the wood, so it couldn’t be counted. I thought I had found it on a tree for Steve but once we were able to get a good enough look through a windblown ‘scope it turned out to be a piece of green plastic, “Good spot Nick” said an impressed Steve. However we did pick up an unlikely bird though, a Reed Bunting!

A further half-mile and we arrived at the disused railway line, where House Sparrow were twittering in the garden of the former signal house and Stock Dove feeding amongst the sheep and new born lambs.

Through Wilsthorpe and over the two small bridges a Chaffinch flew across the road while a Skylark was singing its earthly song. Suddenly a flock of around 20 finches flew up from a flat brown soil coloured field. Close inspection revealed them to be my first year bird of the day, the enigmatic Corn Bunting, which was also our 20th bird of the day, not bad for the first hour. While watching these several Yellowhammer joined the fray.

262.Corn Bunting---------------------------------Wilsthorpe-------------------------------------------England

Turning right at the next T-junction, as we headed towards Greatford, Feral Pigeons were feeding in a field. Passing through the village passed the grand Greatford Hall we stopped at the bridge over the West Glen River, normally a good spot for Kingfisher! No Kingfisher I am afraid but we did pick up a Moorehen.

Taking the next left and left again we were in Barholm, where to our surprise a Red Kite was circling.

Opposite the church we turned right to Tallington where Linnets, Great Tits and a Robin were calling from the hedgerow while Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Coots, Tufted Ducks, Mallards, and Greylag Geese were all seen on the first disused gravel pits. A Blue Tit passed in front of us just as we spotted a couple of Lesser Black Backed Gulls across the other side of the pit, a Dunnock soon followed.

Taking a left onto the A16 towards West Deeping we immediately took the next left onto Kings Street where another pit provided a Little Grebe and a Teal. It was a race to get back in the car once we had seen the birds such was the temperature and strength of the wind, “I don’t do cold!” exclaimed Steve!

Taking the next right through Langtoft, across the A15 to yet more gravel pits, Wigeon was the 40th bird of our campaign with two hours having passed since our first bird of the day. We picked up another seven birds there (Goldeneye, Wren, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Siskin,
Long Tailed Tit) but again dipped with the bird normally guaranteed there, Red Crested Pochard so could by now have reached 50! We were particularly pleased to see the single female Siskin at the top of an Alder.

Taking a right at the next crossroads we headed for the A16 again and this time took a right heading towards Market Deeping, which we bi-passed on the A15 towards Peterborough. We were due to turn off towards Northborough but a flock of birds had us taking the Maxi Road off the island south-west of Market Deeping and then the next left stopping near Maxi Quarry, gravel pits I had never been to previously. Shelduck were sharing the drained pit with Redshank and my second year and 50th bird of the day, Ringed Plover; 50 birds by 0758 hours! After a Cormorant flew overhead we checked out where we thought the earlier flock of birds had landed and sure enough there were a couple of hundred Golden Plover.

263.Ringed Plover------------------------------Maxi-------------------------------------------England

Back through Northborough towards Peakirk we were just found enough room to stop on the side of the busy Peakirk Road (it was rush hour in Lincolnshire by now) to confirm a flock Fieldfare.

Through Peakirk and left onto the long, bumpy and boring A1443, then bi-passing Thorney on the even longer, less bumpy but even more boring A47 to the Guyhirn island we turned right along the A141 to March. After stopping for Diesel it was out of March along the B1099 heading for Welney. Just outside March a family of Red Legged Partridge marked 0900 hours.

Having had to take a detour round Welney we finally crossed the Old Bedford River stopping for coffee before crossing the New Bedford River. There two Little Egret sat enjoying the sun, but huddled together against the wind!

Refreshed we crossed the second river taking a sharp left towards the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust Wildfowl Refuge reception centre. Alongside the road two Stonechats were doing what they do naturally perching on the top of tall vegetation.

At the Wildfowl Refuge car park we made a quick visit to the centre but decided not to go into the Refuge as the CCTV showed very little activity. We did however pick up a Brent Goose in one of the new lagoons next to the centre.

Heading towards Ten Mile Bank Steve spotted a single Whooper Swan in amongst a field of Mute Swans, but no Bewick (dip number 4).

Left onto the A10 northwards towards Downham Market our first Kestrel of the day was hovering next to the side of the road.

At Kings Lynn we took the A149 and then right onto the A148 and immediately right again to Roydon Common (Photo1), parking on the right along the track to the southwest of the common.

Another birder advised the Great Grey Shrike (Photo 2) had been showing well from there but had moved behind the small copse. Dressing up against the cold Steve and I set off in pursuit, a flock of Redwing in the birch trees being our 60th bird of the day. As walked out amongst the heather a Marsh Harrier was gliding across the horizon and then our quarry appeared atop a tree. The shrike was struggling to keep its balance in the wind but this didn’t put it off feeding on bees etc! Transfixed we stayed there longer than we should have for a bird race, but who could blame us, digi-scoping taking over the next hour. We also picked up a Meadow Pipit.

264.Great Grey Shrike------------------------------Roydon Common--------------------------------England

Back onto the A149 we made a quick trip round Wolfreton triangle, dipping on Golden Pheasant before crossing the A149 towards the Sandringham estate. We stopped on the large grass verge at the edge of the forest near a bird table where Marsh Tit and Coal Tit were feeding, a Treecreeper also making its way up a nearby tree, but no Nuthatch!

Back to Wolfreton we parked up just as a rain shower started. I though it was going to be a downpour so wasn’t keen to set off just yet, taking cover in the car, but Steve looked at me in an old fashioned way so we made our way through to Dersingham Bog (Photo 3), a Pied Wagtail flying over. As luck would have it the storm passed by us, the wind taking it in land, Steve walking with a wry smile! It was soon my turn for the wry smile however as Steve was convinced we would see Woodlark here as they had been calling a couple of weeks earlier when he visited. However we neither heard nor saw any.

We were also hunting down Crossbill, several birders saying they had seen them earlier but again they were nowhere to be seen and the wind was making it difficult to hear them. Just as we were about to leave Steve thought he heard one so we returned and made another circle around the wood at the top of the bog, but again nothing. Another of Steve’s loves then distracted him, a moth, so I decided to scan the pines the near the wet bog, where Crossbills had been reported. To my delight a bright red male was perched on top of one of the trees, however we had to wait until several birds flew into the trees next to us before Steve picked one up, but he did get his moth. It had taken us an hour for the Crossbill, not good for the bird race but great for my year list!

265.Crossbill---------------------------------Dersingham Bog--------------------------------England

The wind was even more intense as we turned off the A149 a couple of miles before Snettisham into a parking area, so much so we stayed but a few moments before rejoining the A road towards Snettisham before taking a left hand turn towards the RSPB reserve. Along that side road a large flock of Curlew were blowing in the wind in a large arable field.

Neither of us fancied stopping at the beach car park as the next rain shower hit, so we drove onto Heacham where we decided to take a right at the main traffic light junction along the B1454 towards Sedgeford. The sun had again regained its place by now and the hills guarded us from the wind, so suddenly it was quite a pleasant spring day. Just as we were starting to enjoy the day it went one better as our 70th bird was a ghostly Barn Owl quartering the hedge to our left. Being a very narrow road it was impossible to park up safely however a little further along where the road straightened out I spotted out the corner of my eye two birds on the edge of a field. Stopping as soon as we could, Steve jumped out and announced “Grey Partridge!” (Photo 4) my fifth year bird of the day. We stopped and digi-scoped them for a while, the Barn Owl also passing by overhead.

266.Grey Partridge ---------------------------------Heacham-----------------------------------England

Taking a left in Sedgeford brought us up onto a hill, which again introduced us to the wind, a quick check of a flock of finches being very quick! Another left and we found a small wood, just round a tight bend, where a Chiffchaff was refuelling after its long journey.

267.Chiffchaff----------------------------------------Heacham-----------------------------------England

Turning right onto the A149 again we took the first exit off the island approaching Hunstanton, as I was confident of Oystercatcher on the school playing field to our right. School must have been out for the Oystercatcher so we drove to the cliff top road for the guaranteed Fulmar.

We thought we had already been exposed to the strength of the wind throughout the day but the wind here was at another level, as it whipped over the edge of the cliff face. Every piece of clothing we had with us was deployed and yet we still made for one of the three shelters along the cliff top, feeling like real explorers. “Morning, a bit windy isn’t it?” said a passing dog walker in a light coat. While Steve and I expected a short, tee-shirt and flip-flop wearing holiday maker to walk passed we clocked Herring Gull, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Grey Plover and Bar Tailed Godwith either flying passed or on the rock covered beach, but no Fulmar!

Steve directed us down to the beach car park where he had always seen Fulmar on the cliffs, but not today, just some chap who seemed to be rebuilding the cliff, pebble by pebble! Clearly we had not read the small print on our Fulmar guarantee!

A quick stop on at the cliff top car park found Common Gull resting from the wind and Kittiwake still enjoying the “breeze” overhead.

268. Kittiwake --------------------------------------Hunstanton--------------------------------------England

Back onto the A149 we headed for Titchwell, but before taking a left to the RSPB reserve we took the next right towards Choseley drying barns to check out the Little Owl trees. “I’ve never seen a Little Owl there”, indicated Steve, “I have several times” I replied. “Told you so” smiled Steve as we drove onto the drying barns where bright yellow Yellowhammers were feeding with Corn Bunting. Both birds we had seen earlier but you never tire of either!

Heading back towards Titchwell a Little Owl burst out of the “Little Owl Tree”, not a word was said but we had our 80th tick for the day!

The wind had finally abated as we arrived in the unusually deserted car park at 1635 hours, most birders having left for the day. Early a birder at Dersingham Bog had told us there was nothing at Titchwell, what would we find? We needed a further 16 birds to equal our March record.

A Song Thrush near the picnic area left us needing 15 birds, while an Avocet was the next bird to go in the record books after a quick look in the RSPB shop and Fen Hide. A Shoveler swiftly followed viewed from Island Hide. While there we were directed to a splendid Mediterranean Gull in full summer plumage, with a black head and bright red bill.

269.Mediterranean Gull------------------------------Titchwell -----------------------------------England

Walking towards Parrinder Hide a large flock of Black Tailed Godwit in various plumage colours were huddled together while a lone Snipe was feeding on one of the islands. Once in the hide a Great Black Blacked Gull flew across our sight line and several Dunlin were moving along the water line in the muddiest areas.

Heading towards the beach Steve picked up a Spotted Redshank (Photo 5) close in, wading through the saltwater marsh.

270.Spotted Redshank -------------------------------Titchwell-----------------------------------England

At the beach it was high tide, I had clearly never been there at high tide before in all of my trips to Titchwell as I was surprised just how little beach was left exposed! There was enough available though for Sanderling to run along, avoiding the waves, our 90th bird!

As we made our way back along the path the sun was setting to our right. A perfect sunset, but we were still six short of a perfect day and had little time to add anything to our list! Just as we came alongside the pool to our left over the sea wall, our legs feeling the cold air with no sun to keep any warmth in the air, I decided to make one more scan over the reed beds to my right. “Ring Tail” I shouted as a female Hen Harrier flew across with a Marsh Harrier. Buoyed by this I also checked out the pool to our left, which had been impossible to view earlier due to the low sun. The unmistakable rear of a Pintail was raised out of the water as the duck fed, and behind what turned out to be two pairs of Pintail, a pair of Pochard glided passed the reeds!

Just three birds were now needed, and seconds later a Cetti’s Warbler burst into song, Steve and I attempting to hunt it down. “There!” we shouted in unison, but a Wren was playing with us!

The Pochard would be our 93rd and final bird of the day. Our best birding trip of the year, at least as far as numbers were concerned, but we were left a little disappointed at not at least equalling our record. One person who was happy though was DAS, who we called from the car park, as he still held the record at 96 birds seen in March!

Fish and Chips at Hunstanton’s version of Las Vegas followed by quick dip of Golden Pheasant and Woodcock at Wolfreton saw us arrive back in Manthorpe at 2100 hours.

Our next bird race will be in May trying to beat the 115 seen by all three of us in 2008! The full list of today’s birds in alphabetical order follows: -

Avocet, Bar Tailed Godwit, Barn Owl, Black Headed Gull, Black Tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Brent Goose, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Common Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Corn Bunting, Crossbill, Curlew, Dunlin,
Dunnock, Feral Pigeon, Fieldfare, Gadwall, Golden Plover, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Great Grey Shrike, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Grey Partridge, Grey Plover, Greylag Goose, Hen Harrier, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Kittiwake, Lapwing, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Linnet, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Little Owl, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Marsh Tit, Meadow Pipit, Mediterranean Gull, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Pintail, Pochard, Red Kite, Red Legged Partridge, Redshank, Redwing, Reed Bunting, Ringed Plover, Robin, Rook, Sanderling, Shelduck, Shoveler, Siskin, Skylark, Snipe, Song Thrush, Spotted Redshank, Starling, Stock Dove, Stonechat, Teal, Treecreeper, Tufted Duck, Turnstone, Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer.

[ChinaBirds]

04 April 2009

A 7am start from Derby had Steve and I on the banks of Eyebrook Reservoir (Photo 1) by 8am whereupon Steve almost immediately spotted an Osprey flying along the reservoir, both of us making a dash from the car for better views. We later saw the bird fishing and followed it to a tree (Photo 2 - digiscoped at maximum magnification) where it made short work of the fish’s head and then flew on (Photo 3) with its prize. This added to my UK list but not year list.

Back at the reservoir (Photo 4) there were several Swallows over the water with one or two Sand Martins.

271.Sand Martin---------------------------Eyebrook--------------------England

Steve picked up a year bird for him, with a bouncing Jack Snipe on the far shore, then a Yellow Wagtail flew across our view onto the mud, a year bird for us both!

272.Yellow Wagtail------------------------Eyebrook-------------------England

Back round to the other side of the reservoir a final scan provided a lone House Martin.

273.House Martin-------------------------Eyebrook--------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

10 April 2009

A late evening trip to a drizzly and misty Beeley Moor (Photo1) in the Derbyshire Peak District produced a single wonderful Short Eared Owl.

274.Short Eared Owl----------------Beeley Moor------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

11 April 2009

It was an overcast and cool morning at Attenborough Nature Reserve’s (Photo1) main car park at 0730 hours this morning, where I met up with Steve. As soon as I got out of the car three Common Terns flew over in their noisy fashion.

275.Common Tern----------------------Attenborough-------------------England

Walking towards Kingfisher Hide along Barton Lane a calling Willow Warbler gave us the run around before we spotted it atop a tree.

276.Willow Warbler--------------------Attenborough-------------------England

Before reaching the hide my 150th UK bird of the year, a White Wagtail, was feeding on the islands in Tween Pond and the next was calling from a tree, a Blackcap, which would turn out to be the most common warbler of the day.

277.Blackcap---------------------------Attenborough-------------------England

In the hide it took Steve and I a while to positively identify a Little Ringed Plover (152nd UK bird) as the bird was at the furthest extent of our scopes’ optics across Clifton Pond

It was another three hours before we picked up the next bird, and then two came along at once. At the Wheatear Field (Photo 2) a Grasshopper Warbler (Photo 3 – digi-scoped) was reeling at the top of a bramble giving unusually excellent views. A Sedge Warbler was also calling from the same patch of brambles, occasionally working its way to the top.

278.Grasshopper Warbler--------------Attenborough------------------England
279.Sedge Warbler---------------------Attenborough------------------England

Following refreshments we then drove to Willington, near Burton-upon-Trent where, on the canal pit (Photo 4), a Green Sandpiper was feeding on the far shore, taking my 2009 UK list to 155.

[ChinaBirds]

Thanks to the fourth person to vote for this thread, much appreciated.

15 April 2009

A family trip to fog bound Scarborough today gave me an opportunity, later in the day when the fog had lifted a little and the temperature risen to a more normal level for the time of year, to visit Bempton Cliffs.

Before we reached Bempton we made a short visit to Hunmanby Gap where Gannets were moving across the horizon in small groups close to the water.

280.Gannet-----------------------Hunmanby Gap-----------------------England

At Bempton it was a record visit, time wise, as the family are all avid non-birders. The Razorbills and Guillemots were located immediately but the Puffin took a couple of extra minutes, the only one I saw flying towards the cliff. In all I was out of the car for less than 15 minutes, including collecting all of my gear together and walking to and from the cliff edge, could this be a record? :-)

281.Razorbill---------------------Bempton Cliffs-----------------------England
282.Guillemot--------------------Bempton Cliffs-----------------------England
283.Puffin------------------------Bempton Cliffs-----------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

17 April 2009

Steve and I were at Rutland Water for 0830 this morning, a gentle start to the day. First stop was Hambleton where the stroll towards the wood produced a very flighty Wheatear along the rocky shoreline.

284.Wheatear----------------------Rutland Water---------------------England

We arrived at the woods just after the Leicestershire and Rutland County Recorder Steve Lister had parked up, but none of us lucked in with a Nightingale! Steve did direct us to some Little Gulls out on the reservoir near to where we had parked so the walk wasn’t wasted, with two birds added to the year list already!

285.Little Gull-----------------------Rutland Water---------------------England

Before visiting the Bird Watching Centre and all of the hides we made a quick trip to Eyebrook where we counted 11 Arctic Terns and Steve finally ticked off the Green Winged Teal!

286.Arctic Tern---------------------Eyebrook---------------------------England

By this time it was 1030 and had we been told that over the next 9 hours, having visited almost all of the hides at both Egleton and Lyndon, that we would not pick up another year bird we would have not believed it. By 1930 we called it a day, and a few other things as well........... On a positive side we felt fitter for all the walking!

[ChinaBirds]

23 April 2009

An evening trip to Cossington Meadows (Photo1) south of Loughborough produced the advertised Pectoral Sandpiper (Photo 2 – Digi-scoped). In fact there were two birds keeping several birders happy

287.Pectoral Sandpiper----------------Cossington----------------------England

Further into the reserve a Whitethroat was calling from atop a bramble bush

288.Whitethroat------------------------Cossington----------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

24 April 2009

Steve called me this evening, just as I was about to go on my nightly, timed, mountain bike ride with my mate along the River Derwent, to let me know about the 11 (a British record we believe) Whiskered Terns at Willington. It was the quickest turn round (not quickest bike ride time unfortunately) ever after the ride and and 90 mins later I was walking along the single track road to join Steve and the other birders (Photo1) at the far end of the reserve.

What a sight, as promised 11 Whiskered Terns (Photo's 2 - 4) hawking flies and resting on posts out in the lagoon, a UK first for me, but not for the year as I had seen them in Hong Kong in Feb. I can imagine Willington will be rather busy tomorrow, the car park was rather full today. For anyone who has not been before best to park at the first car park as the lane is very narrow further down and will cause chaos if too many cars down there. Also a lot of fisherman drive down there so they will want their gates keeping clear.

While there two Common Sandpiper were on the shore line

289.Common Sandpiper-------------------Willington----------------------England

By now the sun was getting low (Photo 5) so we set off back to the car park. The final bird of the evening was a skulking Lesser Whitethroat calling from the middle of a bush.

290.Lesser Whitethroat--------------------Willington----------------------England

What an evening, but now time for food.........

[ChinaBirds]

25 April 2009

Meeting up with Steve, just after 8am at Attenborough, we were just heading for Kingfisher hide on Clifton Pond when another birder mentioned that a pair of Garganey had already been seen that morning at the other end of the same pond. We therefore switched tack. Setting up our scopes in the Eastern corner of the Clifton Pond (Photo1) the female soon gave herself up and after a few more minutes the male appeared from behind a low gravel spit.

291.Garganey-----------------------Attenborough----------------------England

What had started off as a sunny day soon clouded over so I nipped back to the car for my coat whereupon a Cuckoo flew overhead; every cloud has a silver lining!

292.Cuckoo--------------------------Attenborough----------------------England

Steve was waiting with several other birders next to Wheatear Field photographing very obliging Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers (Photo 2) that were singing their hearts out from very prominent perches.

While there the first three Swifts of the year flew overhead. I then made for the reed beds behind us and I finally got onto one of a number of calling Reed Warblers, my first of the year.

293.Swift----------------------------Attenborough----------------------England
294.Reed Warbler------------------Attenborough----------------------England

While dipping on Garden Warblers a Whitethroat (Photo 3) gave us some good views

[ChinaBirds]

2 May 09

Steve and I met up with Craig and Dennis, long term birding friends of Steve, at Padley Gorge (Photo 1) this morning. Steve I were there first and as soon as we got out of the car we could hear a Redstart calling from one of the tallest trees at the top of the gorge, a very good start.

295.Redstart-------------------------Padley Gorge---------------------England

Craig and Dennis had got a bit lost so it was a while before they joined us but once they arrived we headed off down the gorge (Photo 2). We soon heard a male Pied Flycatcher calling and moving towards the sound found a male and female (Photo 3) around a nest box. The female was doing all of the work, the male just kept high up in the canopy calling!

296.Pied Flycatcher-----------------Padley Gorge----------------------England

Unfortunately there was no sign of any Wood Warblers so we then headed off to Danebower Quarry (Photo 4) about 45 mins away, close to Buxton. Steve had had very close views of Ring Ouzel earlier in the week, however again we dipped!

[ChinaBirds]

9 May 09

A bike ride along the River Derwent (Photo1), to the East of Derby, this evening provided me with my best ever views of a Cetti’s Warbler as it moved along the edge of the water on the far bank of the river. Luckily that side of the river has no public access so hopefully the bird will continue to stay.

297.Cetti’s Warbler-----------------------Derby--------------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

16 May 09

A non birding trip to Illam, in the Derbyshire Dales, added one bird to my year list, a pair of nesting Spotted Flycatchers in a tree on the far side of a river (Photo1 by mobile phone)

298.Spotted Flycatcher----------------------Illam----------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

22 May 09

Today was the earliest start of the year as Steve, DAZ and I were on our annual May bird race. The alarm went off at 0345 and we all met up at Hambleton (Photo1) on the edge of Rutland Water, at 0500 hours. We were two weeks later than the normal ideal date due to other commitments. We hoped this would not affect our goal to beat the record 115 birds we all three saw in 2008. The last two years we started from the bird watching centre at Egleton but this year decided to go for the Nightingale first.

On the walk down to the wood (Photo 2) I was surprised to pick up a year bird within the first few minutes, a Ruddy Shelduck, which saw us first and made for deeper water off shore.

299.Ruddy Shelduck------------------Rutland Water-------------------England

Once in Hambleton wood (Photo 3) there were very few birds calling but then our quarry, a Nightingale, began to sing, DAZ being the first to locate it deep in a bush. It made it doubly special being my 300th bird of the year.

300.Nightingale-----------------------Rutland Water-------------------England

By 0600 hours we were on 34 birds compared to the 44 in 2008, but we still had the main reserve to come. Before leaving the wood my first Garden Warbler (Photo 4) of the year started calling.

301.Garden Warbler------------------Rutland Water-------------------England

Arriving at the Egleton reserve a Mistle Thrush made it 41 birds by 0700 hours (59 in 2008). We then made visits to each hide (Photo 5) on what was turning out to be a sunny but cold morning.

On the new lagoon a couple of White Fronted Geese were our 54th bird at 0800 hours compared to 67 last year. A lone Barnacle Goose added to both our numbers and my year list, which was a bonus.

302.Barnacle Goose-------------------Rutland Water------------------England

More to follow....

[ChinaBirds]

Before I continue with this report thanks for the two new ratings for this thread, much appreciated.

22 May 09 continued

A Reed Warbler took us to 60 birds before 0900 hours (72 – 2008) at Shoveler Hide (Photo1) on Lagoon 3, before we headed off to Eyebrook Reservoir, 5 miles to the North.

Arriving at Eyebrook (Photo 2) Steve picked up our first bird there after hearing a Lesser Whitethroat calling, the bird giving all three of us good views as it flew across the road from its Hawthorne bush.

A Red Kite took us to 69 birds at 1000 hours (73 – 2008) while another three birds were added before we moved on, including a Sparrowhawk I spotted as we were leaving. I nearly put DAZ through the front window of the car I stopped so quickly. Neither he nor Steve had seen it so we had to scan the horizon. Luckily I found it sitting on a post, our 72nd bird at 1100 hours (75 – 2008). We had probably stayed there longer than we should but we had also been looking for Little Owl and Yellow Wagtail, dipping on both!

We then set off East for Lakenheath via Welney, which was the most direct route. During the next hour we only picked up a Rook, our 73rd bird, but were only four down on 2008. Near Welney DAZ spotted a Corn Bunting on a telegraph wire and a little later some Stock Doves. At Welney, while stopping for a quick coffee break between the two rivers, four Little Egrets added to our list.

Back en route, exiting Littleport, I spotted a lone small dove sitting in the distance on a telegraph wire. Its jiz had me stop the car on the edge of the busy A10 (Photo 3), not the wisest of places but needs must. We had to use the telescope to confirm my thoughts, a Turtle Dove, a year bird for me, the first one I had seen for two years!

303.Turtle Dove------------------Littleport-------------------------------England

Before we arrived at Lakenheath a Red Legged Partridge marked our 78th bird at Sedge Fen at 1300 hours. Exactly the same number as in 2008 by this time, although we were running about an hour behind schedule by now as we had been deep into the Lakenheath reserve by 1300 hours in 2008.

Looking over the man made lake at Lakenheath (Photo 4) two striking male Garganey with a single female (my favourite uk duck) added to our day list, as did up to 30 Hobby’s hunting over the reed beds. However we dipped on the Golden Orioles despite hearing the male on several occasions from one of the copses (Photo 5) and the Common Cranes, both of which we saw in 2008. Truth be known, DAZ did see a male Oriole but Steve and I missed out.

A Marsh Harrier took us to 82 birds by 1400 hours, two ahead of 2008! By 1500 hours a Bearded Tit, Kingfisher and Curlew had taken us to 85, three birds ahead of the record-breaking year. The problem was that during the next hour we did not add another bird so by 1600 hours we were only one bird ahead!

More to follow.........

[ChinaBirds]

Again thank you to the seventh person for rating this thread, it really is appreciated.

22 May 09 continued…..

Next stop was Weeting Heath, and after paying our £2.50 we managed to dip on both Stone Curlew and Woodlark, however a Spotted Flycatcher was seen outside of the East Hide (Photo 1) taking us to 86 birds by 1700, now two behind 2008.

Our next decision would be the deciding factor on whether or not we would beat our 115-bird record. With a Collared Pratincole reported at Cley we decided to head there rather than the usual Titchwell, Choseley and Dersingham Bog. It was 22 years since DAZ and I had seen a Collared Pratincole in the UK, at Titchwell, Steve had never seen one in the UK.

Before Cley we called in at Lynford Arboretum (Photo 2), near Mundford, a first for us all, hoping for some woodland birds. Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Jay plus a Little Grebe on the lake took our total to 90 by 1800 hours (92 – 2008). We did hear Nuthatch and Marsh Tit but saw neither, however what a wonderful place even if you were not a birder, certainly on the list of venues for 2010.

1900 hours passed without adding anything to our list dropping us 12 behind 2008!

At Cley we drove down to the beach car park where other birders advised that the Collared Pratincole was still there. Before we reached the area where it was we picked up six more birds including a year tick, with a number of Sandwich Terns flying along the shingle beach.

305.Sandwich Tern---------------------------Cley-----------------------England

The Collared Pratincole was a distant view from the beach, being our 97th and clearly the best bird of the day, quickly followed by another splendid bird, a Spoonbill feeding in the shallow lagoons.

306.Collared Pratincole-----------------------Cley-----------------------England
307.Spoonbill----------------------------------Cley-----------------------England

Two more birds took us to 100 by 2000 hours, still 12 behind 2008’s tally. Unfortunately we would only add one further bird making our total just 101 for the day, not a bad score by any standard, but at least we know what we need to do in 2010 to get closer to or beat the record. It was still a great day with great friends, which all ended with a wonderful sunset over the North Sea (Photo 4) followed by fish and chips with mushy peas on the quay side at Wells next the Sea. Roll on 2010………

All 101 birds seen today are shown below in alphabetical order:-

Avocet, Barnacle Goose, Bearded Tit, Black Headed Gull, Black Tailed, Godwit, Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Brent Goose, Buzzard, Canada Goose, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Collared Dove, Collared Pratincole, Common Gull, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Coot, Corn Bunting, Curlew, Dunnock, Dunnock, Egyptian Goose, Feral Pigeon, Gadwall, Garden Warbler, Garganey, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Black Backed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Hobby, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Jay, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Lesser Whitethroat, Linnet, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Little Ringed Plover, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Nightingale, Osprey, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Red Kite, Red Legged Partridge, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Ringed Plover, Robin, Rook, Ruddy Shelduck, Sand Martin, Sandwich Tern, Sedge Warbler, Shelduck, Shoveler, Skylark, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Spoonbill, Spotted Flycatcher, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Swift, Teal, Tree Sparrow, Tufted Duck, Turnstone, Turtle Dove, White Fronted Goose, Whitethroat, Wigeon, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Wren, Yellowhammer

[ChinaBirds]

Thank you very much to the eighth person to rate this thread, much appreciated

26 May 09

Padley Gorge (Photo1) on a cold (is it really late May?) but sunny morning was my first destination of the day in search of Wood Warbler, having dipped there three weeks earlier. And just like three weeks earlier there were several Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts but not a Wood Warbler to be heard anywhere. Chatting to fellow birders, none of them had had any luck either so it was time to head off to Buxton and on to the Goyt Valley (Photo 2) where I had seen my first ever Wood Warbler back in 2005. Again there were other birders searching for the same bird but again we all dipped!

I did however pick up my first Tree Pipit of the year singing from high up on top of a tree.

308.Tree Pipit--------------------------Goyt Valley----------------------England

Buoyed with my success I then drove just across the Cheshire border to the Danebower Quarry (Photo 3) for my second attempt of the year to pick up a Ring Ouzel (Photo 4). As soon as I got out of the car and looked into the field over the dry stonewall I saw a male bird feeding. Walking through the field a run down dry stonewalled building made a perfect temporary hide enabling close quarter photos. The bird was feeding young hence the beaks full of worms. On several occasions a “junior” Ouzel came out of its hiding place but always too far away for any shots!

309.Ring Ouzel-------------------------Danebower Quarry-------------England

Lunchtime was creeping up quickly so it was time to head back to Derby, but there was still time to see a family of Red Grouse (Photo 5 - through the passenger side window) escaping into the moorland, which had been feeding on the side of the road back in Derbyshire. The heather soon enveloped the chicks but mum and dad could still be seen!

[ChinaBirds]

30 May 09

A 30-minute pass out this evening to Aston-on-Trent gravel pits (Photo1), viewed from the gate off the A50, was a success with two Black Terns flying in the distance and occasionally preening on posts (Photo 2 - badly digi-scoped)

310.Black Tern--------------------Aston-on-Trent-----------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

Thanks to the ninth person to rate this thread, five new ratings in just over a week, most appreciated from all of you

31 May 09

A gloriously sunny morning started with 90 minutes of speed birding at Willington. Yes you can do the canal pit as well as the third and most distant platform, at a push, in that time. Unfortunately I dipped on the Little Stint reported the previous day.

The reason for the speed birding was that Steve and I had arranged to meet up at Matlock Bath at 0930 hours to do some birding in the Peak District.

Our first destination was Jack Flat Moorland, where the A621 crosses Clodhall Lane. Steve had seen Whinchat there before but there was no sign on this occasion. From here we continued along the A621 North, parking where a tarmac road led to the decommissioned Barbrook Reservoir.

After chatting to an elderly gentleman who worked for the Peak District who had a wonderful house on the edge of the former reservoir we made our way down Bar Brook river towards a smaller lake. On the way we picked up a Whinchat, which flew up into a Rowan tree. The bird was too far away to photograph and unfortunately I also left my compact camera in the car so was unable to take any photo’s of the area.

311.Whinchat--------------------------Bar Brook----------------------England

On the way back to the car a Marsh Harrier flew passed and we watched a Buzzard continually hovering, but couldn’t positively identify as a Rough Legged Buzzard.

Driving passed Padley Gorge, it was absolutely heaving with walkers, I have never seen so many cars parked along the road! We dropped into Grindleford before taking a right up the B6001, which took us passed Sheriff Wood to our left. While at Willington earlier one of the regular birders said he had seen Wood Warbler there. We couldn’t stop on the main road so took the first left up a single-track road to the upper part of the wood.

Driving slowly along here we thought we heard a Wood Warbler calling so pulled over at an idyllic spot (Photo1) and sure enough a bird was calling over the wall to our left in private grounds. After a short search Steve got onto the bird (Photo 2) first, the wall acting as a good “rest” to get some reasonable shots of the distant bird.

312.Wood Warbler---------------------Bar Brook----------------------England

To quote one of Steve's favourite phrases "Well we successfully found our target species"......we certainly did Steve:t:

[ChinaBirds]

12 June 09

At 0530 (Photo1) dawn had already well and duly broken in Manthorpe, Lincolnshire but it was 0630 before Steve and I set off for Weeting Heath (Photo 2) in Norfolk for our second attempt at Stone Curlew. We were in the right hand hide (Photo 3) by 8am after some birders said they had seen a couple of Stone Curlew by the far right hand fence.

Steve soon claimed to have spotted one, but couldn’t get on it with his telescope, so I proceeded to explain to him the tell tail differences between a Stone Curlew and a rabbit (which were not in short supply!). Some time later Steve spotted both birds near the fence as previously reported, and was adamant they were what he had seen earlier! I was on stony ground (pun intended) by now so just relished in his keen spotting ability! The birds were far too far away, even with digi-scoping, to get anything apart from a hazy blurred photo, so they were all soon deleted!

313.Stone Curlew-----------------Weeting Heath------------------England

Next it was across the border to Suffolk and Lakenheath to again try and pick up on a bird we had dipped on back in May.

It was a long walk to the far end of the reserve (Photo 4) to where there was a female Golden Oriole sitting on a nest. She was joined on a number of occasions by a splendid male that had the whole crowd (Photo 5) that had built up after we had arrived, spell bound. Steve was the perfect host in this situation guiding new birders to the nest, most were appreciative but for some reason, no matter what directions we gave, one lady always knew best, not sure if she ever saw the bird, oh well!

314.Golden Oriole------------------Lakenheath--------------------England

More to follow……….

[ChinaBirds]

12 June 09 continued..........

After the long walk back to the car park we drove onto Swanton Novers to dip on Honey Buzzard, although Steve was able to pick up a mobile moth trap from nearby to make the trip worthwhile. North Creak provided us with our next dip with no sign of Montague’s Harrier, while our hat-trick was completed when the long staying Black Winged Pratincole near Titchwell decided that today would be the day it left the area!

The weather continued to be sunny but the temperature started to cool off. However we still made the most of our visit to Titchwell (Photo1) with a couple of distant Wood Sandpiper (Photo 2 – digi-scoped) and a couple of Knot (hadn’t realised I had not seen them this year until I checked my list at home) in the fresh water marsh adding to our year lists.

315.Wood Sandpiper-----------------Titchwell--------------------England
316.Knot----------------------------Titchwell--------------------England

Out onto the beach the wind was blowing, so conscious (following bitter experience and cost in 2008) of what fine sand can do to your camera we kept them well hidden. A pity as there was a large flock of knot with many in full summer plumage.

Walking off the beach I just happen to mention to Steve that we hadn’t seen Little Tern this year. A hundred yards back into the reserve we both smiled, as there was a lone Little Tern (Photo 3) fishing near the sea wall in the saltwater marsh (Photo 4). Steve suggested I mention what other birds we hadn’t seen this year!

317.Little Tern---------------------Titchwell----------------------England

After fish and chips in Hunstanton we drove to Dersingham Bog (Photo 5) where the weather was so cold (in June!) that we had to go back for our winter coats, the offshore breeze making it feel very uncomfortable. The midges were kept down though!

By 2115 several Nightjars started chirring, but it was another 20 mins before we saw a single bird fly out of a tree.

318.Nightjar------------------------Dersingham Bog---------------England

A reasonably successful but tiring day, arriving home at 0100 hours!

[ChinaBirds]

6 August 2009

A 5am get up in Hawkhurst, Kent, had me on the shingle beach (Photo 1) near the Nuclear Power Station at Dungeness just after 6am. Having walked passed the old lighthouse at the East end of the power station and then trudged along to the shingle beach to the South, a Black Redstart appeared on the Western perimeter fence. More birds (Photo 2) flew between the scrub area and the fence as I headed north. The first time I had seen Black Redstart in one of their UK breeding grounds!

319.Black Redstart------------------Dungeness--------------------England

Having retraced my steps back to the car I then visited the Dungeness RSPB reserve, where the “Recent Sightings” board indicated that the best birds could be seen on the Arc pit back across the Dungeness road. It was a hot and cloudless morning, with the direction of the morning sun making viewing difficult from the hides. Walking further up the path however I managed to get a better view from near a small wood where a Greenshank flew up from one of the lagoons (Photo 3).

320.Greenshank------------------Dungeness----------------------England

Unfortunately there was no sign of the Whimbrel or Curlew Sandpiper seen the previous day, and having to be back at Hawkhurst by 1030 I did not have too long to look!

[ChinaBirds]

14 August 2009

A gentle mid morning drive to Welbeck raptor watch point (Photo 1) in Nottinghamshire for Steve and I produced the target bird, a lone Honey Buzzard

321.Honey Buzzard-----------------Welbeck--------------------England

[ChinaBirds]

6 September 2009

It was early afternoon before the Ring Necked Duck (Photo 1) came up on Birdguides today at Westport Lake (Photo 2) near Stoke. Getting to Stoke took 45 mins but finding the lake had me lost for another 30 mins and that was with a map book and asking locals directions!

Arriving at the car park a sunny afternoon had turned very dull. The place was packed with families enjoying a Sunday afternoon so I felt a bit conspicuous getting my camera out and extending my telescope tripod, so I kept my camera in its bag and held my telescope to my side until I got away from the throng.

Once at the waters edge I moved along the shore a couple of times before settling down for a good scour of the lake. I was soon joined by another birder who, like me couldn’t turn any of the Tufted Ducks into our target bird! We then decided to check the far shore where I found the Ring Necked Duck preening. We made our way to the other side of the lake where I was able to take some hand held digi shots through my scope. Clearly the bird was in full moult with little or no wing feathers (Photo 3). Fellow Birdforum Member Mike Atkinson also arrived on the scene, and since seeing his photo’s of the bird earlier in the week when I got home mine look even more like record shots!

322.Ring Necked Duck---------------Westport Lake----------------England

[ChinaBirds]

12 September 2009

A 24 hour corporate trip to St Andrews (Photo 1) meant I was able to take an early morning walk from the Old Course Hotel across the 18th fairway (Photo 2) to the rocky shoreline (Photo 3) where a couple of Rock Pipits were feeding. A nice way to reach my goal of 200 UK birds for 2009! The less said about the golf score later the better, but our customers thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

323.Rock Pipit---------------------St Andrews---------------------Scotland

[ChinaBirds]

27 September 2009

A 6am start today as Steve, DAS and I made our way, on a gloriously sunny morning, to Bridlington to catch the RSPB's last skua and shearwater trip on the Yorkshire Belle (Photo1). Before we boarded we checked out the harbour wall (Photo 2) for Purple Sandpiper (Photo 3) with two birds being very obliging.

324.Purple Sandpiper--------------------Bridlington-----------------England

Once out on the boat, the sea was like a mill pond but birds where very few and far between, although good numbers of juvenile Gannets and gulls followed our chum line. My fourth such trip on the Yorkshire Belle gave me the confidence to be the first to call "Skua" on this sailing, after spotting a bird flying close to Flamborough Head, typically chasing a gull. The more experienced birders identified it as an Arctic Skua. Later it came close enough to snap a record shot (Photo 4)

325.Arctic Skua---------------------Bridlington--------------------England

The only other new bird of the year was a Manx Shearwater that glided past the bow of the boat, too quick to get a shot, but some Shags (Photo 5) did show well enough for my final photo of the day.

326.Manx Shearwater----------------Bridlington--------------------England

Following the boat trip and some delicious fish and chips a quick trip along the coast and a visit to Blacktoft Sands produced no further birds for the year. Where have all the migrants gone!

October sees only my second trip to China this year, which will include my first visit to Beidaihe, birding near Guangzhou and two trips in Hong Kong including Mai Po.

[ChinaBirds]

13 October 2009

Arriving at Heathrow Airport, the previous day, one minute late for checking in for my flight (due to standing traffic on the M40) meant I had to take the late flight to Hong Kong. This in turn meant I couldn’t catch my connecting flight to Haikou on Hainan Island in China leaving me in Hong Kong for the night today. Therefore to help me stay awake and beat the jet lag I made a quick dash to Kowloon Park (Photo 1&2).

After an hour of spotting the more common birds and getting used to the heat again a family of White Shouldered Starlings hit the top of a conifer tree near the Chinese Garden.

327.White Shouldered Starling----------Kowloon Park-------------Hong Kong

Another 30 minutes later there was a feeding frenzy high up in a fruit-bearing tree where, amongst the myriad of Red Whiskered Bulbuls, was a lone juvenile Orange Bellied Leafbird.

328.Orange Bellied Leafbird-------------Kowloon Park-------------Hong Kong

Just before I headed back to the hotel I spotted an Asian Brown Flycatcher moving along the branches of a large well-established tree, more like a nuthatch than a flycatcher!

328.Asian Brown Flycatcher------------Kowloon Park-------------Hong Kong

[ChinaBirds]

16 October 2009

At 4pm today I met up with keen birders Mr Liao Xiao Dong (Bird Man), long time Guangzhou birding friend Lool and Mr Wu Kan Song (Country Boy) near Guangzhou airport. Our destination was the town of Ji Jia on the west coast of the Lei Zhou peninsula in the far east of Guangdong province. The peninsula leads down to Hainan Island where there is a 20 odd mile sea crossing to the island.

I was pleased we were not going to the southern tip of Lei Zhou, just half way down took us nearly 9 hours, including stopping for a meal in the town of Yang Jiang. How our driver Mr He was still awake when we arrived I will never know as the last couple of hours were on less than adequate roads with on coming traffic, which always had their lights on full beam! William Tang, one of our Reps, had also come along for the trip and was already wondering what he had let himself in for when we arrived at our hotel!

17 October 2009

It was a quite leisurely start Saturday morning, the alarm going off in the Ji Gu Yuan hotel (Photo 1) at 0630. Considering we were only paying £8 per room per night it had all the amenities you could want in an area of China that only saw electricity for the first time ten years ago.

Country Boy was a local, who had moved to Guangzhou to teach Biology, having taken up birding just two year previously. He had to organise everything as the majority of the locals only spoke their local language, which none of the Mandarin / Cantonese speakers could understand! He had also discovered the birding area we were going to today, Lool, Bird Man and he having been there only two weeks previously!

Before any birding day in China, breakfast must come first so we headed across the street (Photo 2) to a restaurant (!) (Photo 3) where we sat down to noodles and Chinese bread (Photo 4, LtoR Mr He, Country Boy, William, Bird Man and Lool).

Once breakfast was over we were joined by another two groups of birders, there were 15 of us altogether, from both Shenzhen Birding Club and Guangzhou. It was another 30-minute drive to the village of Hao Lang (Photo 5), down narrow roads in-between plantation after plantation of very thin trees, specifically grown for the paper industry, so I was informed.

We were met at the village by an endless stream of children, the five-child policy evidently the norm here. For such a small, impoverished village the size of the three-story school would compliment any small town in the UK! According to Country Boy this was the first time any of the children (and most of the adults) had seen a westerner and so they were amused with both my skin colour and my big nose, as well as my English accent, excited laughter filling the air as they tried to repeat some basic English words!

After a quick game of badminton with some of the children, as the rest of the birders arrived and organised their gear, which raised the noise level even further we left the village for the paddy fields.

[ChinaBirds]

17 October 2009 (continued)

Once down in the paddy fields we were met with the sight of many, many mist nets (Photo1) that the farmers put up this time of year to catch the migrating birds. Country Boy had mentioned this before we arrived but I didn’t expect quite so many, lined up and down the fields (Photo 2). Alongside each section of netting was “temporary” accommodation (Photo 3) as the nets were harvested around 4am each day.

Back tracking slightly, my first new China bird of the day (I had already seen them in Hong Kong earlier this year) had been black Black Drongos along the roadside on electric cables (Photo 4 - taken the following day). My first new year bird, and lifer, was however a Japanese Sparrowhawk, which flew over as we left the vehicles, a good start to the day!

330.Japanese Sparrowhawk------------Hai Lang----------------China

A Scarlet Backed Flowerpecker, feeding at the top of a tree, had quickly followed, unaware of the crowd it was attracting!

331.Scarlet Backed Flowerpecker---------Hai Lang------------------China

Just before we had entered the paddy fields we had seen a Chestnut Winged Cuckoo (Photo 5) being pulled out of a net by a young lad who gleefully showed it to us all. While I was dismayed at what fate awaited such a beautiful bird I was at least able to appreciate it in closer quarters than normal, my second lifer of the day.

332.Chestnut Winged Cuckoo-----------Hai Lang----------------China

It was already warming up out in the paddy fields with both Richard and Buff Bellied Pipits being flushed as we walked, the latter a year bird, as was a Lesser Coucal that burst out of a mature crop of rice.

333.Buff Bellied Pipit-----------------------Hai Lang-------------------China
334.Lesser Coucal-------------------------Hai Lang-------------------China

[ChinaBirds]

17 October 2009 (continued)

Having passed through the paddy fields and a small wood we then found ourselves amongst more than 100 large fishponds (Photo1), each with its own aerator and automatic fish feeders although all had ropes across, which the fisherman used to pull themselves across on small platforms scattering fish food.

We all (Photo 2) then arrived at a golden beach where the temperatures really began to soar, Lool (Photo 3) taking interesting precautions! The beach stretched as far as the eye could see in either direction in fact it was more like a desert than a beach. The majority of it was perfectly flat where the tide had been in, except for literally trillions of tiny balls of sand that darkened the beach (see dark area at bottom of Photo 4) produced by millions of crabs sifting out any food left by the sea.

Kentish Plover and Sanderling (Photo 5) were the main birds on the beach and shoreline; while above the flow of migrating raptors at this fly away point had not really started just yet.

[ChinaBirds]

17 October 2009 (continued)

Moving along the beach, there were a number of Lesser Sand Plovers (Photo1) feeding alongside the meandering outlets of small streams that were tricking across the sand. My first Hobby in China for the year also flew overhead, starting the flow of raptors.

335.Lesser Sand Plover--------------Hao Lang----------------------China

Shielding our eyes from the fierce sun we watched several Crested Honey Buzzards (Photo 2) using the thermals above the beach to head south, my third lifer of the day.

336.Crested Honey Buzzard----------Hao Lang------------------China

Another small stream produced a couple of Pacific Golden Plovers (Photo 3), already in non-breeding plumage. Then, above, seven Amur Falcons (Photo 4) slowly glided by. Three males and 4 females one of the latter coming low enough to be captured on “film”.

337.Pacific Golden Plover-------------Hao Lang----------------------China
338.Amur Falcon---------------------Hao Lang----------------------China

After a couple of hours on the beach we headed back to the village along one of the streams. There was no bank as such to walk along. We had to make our way across the top edges of individual fish-ponds where the black plastic, that covered the man made depression, was stretched tight and weighted down.

Country Boy was walking along the opposite side of the stream and called out “Little Heron” just in time for me to see it disappear into the vegetation. I was not so lucky with the Oriental Reed Warbler!

339.Little Heron----------------------Hao Lang----------------------China

Back at the familiar sight of mist nets surrounding paddy fields, the heat was almost unbearable, there wasn’t a breath of wind and lunch beckoned. Nearing the village there was a flock of strange birds overhead, each separated by a good distance, feeding as they flew. Having never seen these birds in such a situation (they are normally crouched down on mud) at first I didn’t know what they were but then one flew away from the sun and so proved to be an Oriental Pratincole. The first I had seen in China since 2006, near Tianjin, where there had been 30 birds or more crouched down on the mud!

340.Oriental Pratincole----------------Hao Lang----------------------China

Several tiny Zitting Cisticola were the last new China birds of the year to be seen before we arrived back at the village. Country Boy had us all smiling as he repeatedly tried to say this bird’s name as we sat down for lunch.

[ChinaBirds]

17 October 2009 (continued)

Lunch (Photo1) was well received by all the children (Photo 2) again taking centre stage calling out their recently learnt English words.

After lunch a Ruddy Breasted Crake (Photo 3) was brought to the party, by a child, which was tied to a stick by a thread through its beak. The children then amused themselves by throwing the bird into the air to see it crash landing back to earth. It was able to get enough lift from frantically flying its wings to save serious injury thank goodness!

It was now siesta time and all were thankful for it such was the heat, over the next couple of hours all was quiet. Refreshed a number of us made it up onto the roof (Photo 4) of the restaurant, covered in drying corn, where numerous birds of prey were passing overhead. The sun was still baking down and you soon struggled looking up into the bright sky.

The only new bird at this juncture was an Eastern Marsh Harrier (Photo 5), looking much darker than any other bird in the sky.

341.Eastern Marsh Harrier--------------Hao Lang---------------------China

More to follow.........

[ChinaBirds]

17 October 2009 (continued)

Back out in the paddy fields (Photo1) while there were numerous types of bird of prey flying through no new species passed by. I then broke away from the main group to do a bit of solo birding. Just as I was criss-crossing one of the mature fields of rice a Yellow Bittern (Photo 2 - taken during lunch, another captive I am afraid!) burst out from its cover, I was pleased to see there were still some flying free!

342.Yellow Bittern--------------------Hao Lang-----------------------China

Twenty minutes later and I found a Bull Headed Shrike (Photo 3) atop a mist net pole, my fourth lifer of the day.

343.Bull Headed Shrike---------------Hao Lang-----------------------China

A makeshift dirt road split the expanses of paddy fields and mist nets with the bushes that lined the road providing the only cover between the two woods. I was pleased to pick up my first Crested Bunting, a female, of the year there. Unfortunately the farmers and fisherman were returning home by now, as dusk began to fall, frightening off the bunting before I could get close enough for a record shot with my camera.

344.Crested Bunting-----------------Hao Lang-----------------------China

After I mentioned this bird to one of the young Shenzhen birders, he was keen to return there to try and see if it was still around as he had not seen one in the flesh. Unfortunately for him it didn't but we did luck in, in first hearing and then seeing five wonderful Blue Tailed Bee Eaters fly over heading north, my last lifer of the day!

345.Blue Tailed Bee Eater------------Hao Lang-----------------------China

By now the sun (Photo 5) was just a red disc above the trees with Black Drongos enjoying the last few rays of the day. As we made our way back to the village a number of farmers were just entering the fields with bright lights strapped to their heads holding long poles with nets. They were after Yellow Breasted Buntings that roosted in the rice fields. I tell you there is no let up for any poor bird this time of year here! Luckily we did see some of these birds but well away from where the "light hunters" were so we could enjoy these brightly coloured birds in peace, our last bird of the day.

346.Yellow Breasted Bunting---------Hao Lang-----------------------China

Back in the village, we had to rely on torches to find our way back, as large bats flew overhead. I was actually looking forward to returning to our hotel however someone produced a laptop and proceeded to give a lecture, in Chinese, on birds of prey (Photo 5). Nearly two hours later and after nodding off at least twice I mentioned to William (who could understand it but was a none birder, so not really interested) that I was going to ask the lecturer to repeat it in English afterwards! Grimacing he suggested we wait in the car with the air conditioning on. This we did for just five minutes before all returned..............

[ChinaBirds]

18 October 2009

It was a rather early start today, arriving at the paddy fields (Photo1) at 0530 as Lool was hoping we would be able to see some of the birds the farmers had caught in the mist nets. However we were too late, the car that came and picks up all the birds had long gone with its prizes to sell in the towns and cities!

As we arrived the farmers were just raising the lower portions of their nets (Photo 2), their dirty work done for another day. One of the farmers even showed us in one of our books which owl (Photo 3) he had caught, an Oriental Scops Owl that fetched him an extra couple of Yuan!

To our surprise he then told us that he had not sold all of his nights catch. He brought out a bag (Photo 4), which contained two Cinnamon Bitterns and a White Breasted Waterhen. Country Boy negotiated the price for the birds, leaving me to hand over the 24Yuan (£2.40) to the farmer.

Extracting the birds from the bag they didn't look in pristine condition, their capturers even forcing the bittern's bills through the skin at the base of their necks so they cannot bite, unbelievable! However both Cinnamon Bitterns (Photo 5) looked like they would survive so we released them into some thick vegetation giving them time to recover before the following night's campaign! The waterhen soon followed.

347.Cinnamon Bittern----------------Hao Lang------------------------China

More to follow............

[ChinaBirds]

18 October 2009 (Continued)

As the sun rose in the sky Lool, Country Boy, Bird Man and I spread out to try and find our own birds. William and the driver slept in the car knowing they had a nine-hour drive home later!

Rounding the shaded part of a mature rice field I spotted a small crake like bird moving just behind the first row of rice plants. Analysing a couple of quick poor quality shots proved the bird to be a lifer a Baillon's Crake (Photo1). I called the rest over as quietly as I could and luckily it stayed for all to view

348.Baillon's Crake----------------Hao Lang-------------------------China

Separating again I then found myself staring through my binoculars at a bird that seemed to be sunning itself next to yet another crop of rice. I beckoned Country Boy over with his scope and we all viewed (Photo 2) a Water Rail sitting down and taking in the early rays of sun before skulking back into the rice. I still haven't seen one in the UK yet this year so that was a nice surprise, particularly as it was a first for China!

349.Water Rail--------------------Hao Lang-------------------------China

From here I found a farmer (Photo 3) standing in a small field covered in nets with three Red Collared Doves tied to the nets by a thread that just enabled them to fly up a couple of metres or so. His targets were wild birds of the same species. As luck would have it he had not been successful today, ironically as he put the last net away a flock of the same doves flew into the tree behind us, I must have had a rye smile across my face!

After this encounter I only added three more China year birds to my list, Hen Harrier, Black Winged Cuckoo Shrike and Greenshank despite another trip to the beach where ladies were skimming the surface of the sand with 'U' shaped tools (Photo 4) that ran a couple of inches under the surface and when they hit something hard they hoped it was a shell fish. Looking in their baskets they were not having a lot of success!

Before returning to the car Bird Man (Photo 5) just wanted to get some plover shots, it was then time for the journey we all dreaded!

More to follow............

[ChinaBirds]

First of all many thanks to the 10th person to rank this thread, much appreciated

18 October 2009 (Continued)

Back at the car in time for one last shot of the team (Photo1) we then headed for Lei Zhou's principle city aptly named Lei Zhou where we ate lunch, Country Boy picked something up from his mother and we then set off back to Guangzhou.

Arriving back at 2230 we were all spent and I cheered when I arrived at my hotel room. A big thanks as usual to Lool for arranging the trip, for Country Boy showing us this very remote part of China and Bird Man for his guidance. Hats off also to our driver Mr He who drove 16 of the 18 hours and for William for driving the rest and being such good company, even though he hadn't realised what he had let himself in for!

Our total number of birds seen over the weekend was 53, all listed below in alphabetical order: -

Amur Falcon, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Baillon's Crake, Black Drongo, Black Shouldered Kite,Black Winged Cuckoo Shrike, Blue Tailed Bee Eater, Buff Bellied Pipit, Bull Headed Shrike, Chestnut Winged Cuckoo, Chinese Bulbul, Chinese Pond Heron, Cinnamon Bittern, Crested Bunting, Crested Honey Buzzard, Dusky Warbler, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret,Greater Coucal, Greenshank, Grey Capped Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Hen Harrier, Hobby,Japanese Sparrowhawk, Japanese White Eye, Kentish Plover, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Lesser Coucal, Lesser Sand Plover, Little Egret, Little Heron, Long Tailed Shrike, Magpie Robin,Oriental Pratincole, Pacific Golden Plover, Plain Prynia, Red Collared Dove, Red Rumped Swallow, Richard's Pipit, Sanderling, Scaly Breasted Munia, Scarlet Backed Flowerpecker,Siberian Stonechat, Snipe, Swallow, Water Rail, White Breasted Waterhen, White Wagtail,Yellow Bittern, Yellow Breasted Bunting, Zitting Cisticola

[ChinaBirds]

24 October 2009

A leisurely 0730 start today in Beidaihe after travelling here from Beijing with Julia Li and Cynthia Zhang together with fellow Birdforum member Mr Li Ming and long time Beijing bird watching friend Mr Li Haitao last night.

The Lang Qin Yu hotel (Photo1) was very good for the Yuan100 (£10) a night. I had always wanted to visit Beidaihe, in all my birding trips out of Beijing I had never made it there as it hadn't been the right time of year. I was so hoping it was this time!

After a full Chinese breakfast for the others, Chinese tea for me, we headed for the mud flats (Photo 2) near an outlet to a reservoir. Luckily the tide was coming in when we arrived pushing the birds towards us. There were many gulls, the majority being Black Headed and my first Black Tailed Gulls (Photo 2) of the year.

350.Black Tailed Gull------------------Beidaihe---------------------China

The wind was from the South and it was still very warm so we soon realised we had little hope of seeing migrating crane today, but hey I was in Beidaihe one had to make the most of it! Out on the surf several families of Red Breasted Merganser (a first for China) were feeding while there were a number of Vega Gulls (a lifer) in various plumages resting above the high tide line.

351.Vega Gull------------------------Beidaihe----------------------China

Dunlin (Photo 3) were chasing the tide as they fed while Pallas's Reed Buntings were mixing it with Tree Sparrows in the reed beds. A Japanese Quail was flushed from the same reeds as we progressed along the mud.

352.Pallas's Reed Bunting-------------Beidaihe----------------------China
353.Japanese Quail-------------------Beidaihe----------------------China

Two more birds took my Chinese year count to 168, a Grey Plover (Photo 5) and a low flying Goshawk that buzzed the hundred or so Kentish Plovers. Two Spot Billed Ducks then flew over and headed up the reservoir, somewhere where we needed to be later according to a Chinese photographer who spoke no English but showed me the ducks that were there by pointing to them in a book.

354.Spot Billed Duck------------------Beidaihe---------------------China

[ChinaBirds]

24 October 2009 (Continued)

Next stop was a Lian Fengshan park (Photo 1) that looked over Beidaihe, which has a tall mast giving good views of any migrating birds, should there be any migrating birds! Unfortunately the only new bird of the year was a Grey Capped Pygmy Woodpecker (Photo 2) and so after a very quiet couple of hours we were heading back to the sea again.

355.Grey Capped Pygmy Woodpecker--------Beidaihe-----------------China

Back at the coast Li Ming had arranged to meet up with Birdforum member and Beidaihe resident Gretchen Naumann who joined us for the afternoon. This started with a very long walk trying to get into the reservoir park across the road but with little success and so we took a rest scouring the mud flats again (Photo 3).

Three Far Eastern Curlews (Photo 4) were feeding in front of us giving some rest bite to an extremely frustrating day.

356.Far Eastern Curlew---------------------Beidaihe-----------------China

Ok we were by now determined to get into the reservoir park so approached the originally chained gate and found that it was quite easy to step over the padlocked chain between the gate and the fence and so we were in!

We were pleased we had made the effort as the park was unspoilt, the general public not being allowed in and so there was no litter anywhere. We stood on a small covered platform to view the reservoir where a male Falcated Duck gave me my final year tick of the day, although there were five other duck species I had not seen in China this year together with three (Gadwall, Pochard and Tufted) that I had never seen before in China!

357.Falcated Duck-------------------------Beidaihe------------------China

As dusk fell it was then time to say our farewells to Gretchen and return to the hotel for a meal.

That night gave me my first chance to read through a copy of the "Birds of East Asia" by Mark Brazil, Li Ming had managed to pick up for the princely sum of 75 Yuan (£7.50). The book is printed in China and like everything in China if you know where to go some extra copies are always available at local prices! Saying that the book is certainly worth the full price, Mark has done an excellent job it will certainly accompany me on future trips.

[ChinaBirds]

25 October 2009

We awoke the next day to thick fog that put pay to any migration watch. Julia and Cynthia bought some hot corn on the cob from a street vendor (Photo1) before we headed to the same breakfast stop as the previous day.

Due to the weather we decided to visit the reservoir park again, and would you know it the gate was open this time. The fog had not relented as we wondered along the track (Photo 2) deep into the park, but it didn't seem to affect the Spot Bills (Photo 3) who kept us company with their loud calling.

Nearing some thicker vegetation, with a small stream running through it, there were many small birds feeding. Although the light was not the best we soon picked out a Tristram's Bunting, followed almost immediately by a Yellow Browed Bunting (Photo 4) that dropped into the bottom of the leaf covered stream

358.Tristram's Bunting----------------Beidaihe-----------------------China
359.Yellow Browed Bunting-----------Beidaihe-----------------------China

As fast as could write the birds names down another would appear, this time a splendid male Yellow Throated Bunting stopped for a split moment before disappearing.

360.Yellow Throated Bunting----------Beidaihe-----------------------China

If the birds was more than 20 feet away from us we were struggling to identify them, although we were able to assure ourselves Photo 5 was a Grey Headed Woodpecker by its call!

[ChinaBirds]

25 October 2009 (Continued)

Moving deeper into the park we came across some paddy fields where we could hear a large number of Tree Sparrows calling. Once we found them there must have been several hundred. However we also came across the blight of many birding areas in China, a mist net which had caught several birds.

Li Haitao immediately got to work freeing the sparrows (Photo1). We all soon did our bit, each of us freeing a total of seven birds. Some even had the net tangled around their tongues (Photo 2). Note to self: Always have small pair of scissors when birding in China.

After all the live birds were freed we "de-commissioned" the net! As we left this area a couple of Oriental Skylarks flew over

361.Oriental Skylark--------------------Beidaihe---------------------China

Back in the wood our final bird of the day a Rustic Bunting (Photo 3) made this place Bunting city! It was certainly a better day/morning than we envisaged.

362.Rustic Bunting---------------------Beidaihe---------------------China

With the fog unabating we decided it best to take lunch and then make our way back to Beijing. The authorities close the expressways during foggy weather so we were expecting a long drive! All told it was a disappointing weekend, however the non-birders Cynthia (Photo 4) and Julia enjoyed the fresh air and it was good to be out birding again with my two birding friends.

The full team is shown in Photo 5, LtoR Cynthia Zhang, Julia Li, Li Ming and Li Haitao.

The list of the 55 birds seen over the two days follows in alphabetical order: -

Black Headed Gull, Black Tailed Gull, Brambling, Buzzard, Coot, Crested Myna, Daurian Redstart, Dunlin, Falcated Duck, Far Eastern Curlew, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Goshawk, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Grey Capped Greenfinch, Grey Capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Grey Capped Woodpecker, Grey Faced Bunting, Grey Heron, Grey Plover, Japanese Quail, Kentish Plover, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Magpie, Mallard, Olive Backed Pipit, Orange Flanked Bush Robin, Oriental Skylark, Pallas's Leaf Warbler, Pallas's Reed Bunting, Pochard, Red Billed Blue Magpie, Red Breasted Merganser, Rustic Bunting, Shoveler, Sparrowhawk, Spot Billed Duck.Teal, Tree Sparrow ,Tristram's Bunting, Tufted Duck, Vega Gull ,Wigeon, Yellow Browed Bunting, Yellow Browed Tit, Yellow Browed Warbler, Yellow Throated Bunting

[ChinaBirds]

28 October 2009

Having taken the fast train (200 mph plus) from Beijing to Tianjin Sunday night, I transferred to Chengdu (Sichuan) Monday night and by Tuesday night I was in Urumqi (Xinjiang) west of the Gobi Desert, having flown in alongside the impressive Tianshan Mountain range.

I hadn't been here for five years so it was good to be back, as it has always been one of my favourite areas of China, being so remote. Urumqi is the furthest city in the world from the sea. It was strange not being able to text, e-mail, use the internet or make international calls due to the government restrictions after the unrest in July between the Uiger and Han Chinese communities.

With China being on the same time zone work doesn't start in Urumqi until 10am, it is still dark at nearly 9am (should be 7am). However we had still finished our meetings by mid afternoon so had the chance to make a quick dash for the Bai Yang Valley leading to the Nan Shan mountain (Photo1), south of Urumqi.

Cai Chang, our rep, had lived here in the past so knew a local guy, a Mongolian Mr Ning Bo who ran a four-wheel drive. It was a good thing as the roads once out of the city were terrible. It took us just over an hour to get to the mountain, passing through mile after mile of steppe made up of medium sized rounded stones and grass. The size of the quarries we passed had to be seen to believed, hence the reason the roads were so bad, the thundering lorries breaking it up!

Walking down the mountain stream, which I had previously visited in June 2004 and was then teaming with birds, was this time rather depleted most birds sensibly moving south as the first snows of winter had already fallen.

I did hear a familiar sound though, that of a Dipper, which briefly stood on one of the slabs of ice on the edge of the stream before making a hasty retreat. While I had seen many Brown Dipper this was my first Dipper in China.

With little to see here we returned to the foothills (Photo 2) where I lucked in on one of my favourite birds a Shore Lark (Horned Lark) (Photo 3), which kept a safe distance in the dulling light. My previous encounter had been here in 2004!

363.Shore Lark--------------Nan Shan (Urumqi)----------------------China

The few bushes in this area attracted Pine Buntings (Photo 4) giving me final bird of the day.

364.Pine Bunting------------Nan Shan (Urumqi)----------------------China

As we walked back to the car Mr Ning Bo showed me that he was very familiar with the flora and fauna and its whereabouts in the region. He had some wonderful photos of Ground Jays, Bustards and Snowfinch to name but three. Hopefully I will be able to return for a weekend in the future!

However it was a good couple of hours, thanks must go to Cai Chang, Tracey Du and Ning Bo (Photo 5) for organising the trip at the last minute.

We then went to a famous Peking Duck Restaurant with our customer. Conversation soon turned to the atrocities of July, which do not warrant repeating here, but safe to say I am pleased with the level of security here at present, you even have to scan your bags each time you enter the Sheraton Hotel.

[ChinaBirds]

31 October 2009

Jason Zhang, one of our Reps in Hong Kong, kindly picked me up from my hotel just off Nathan road in Mongkok, Hong Kong at 7am this morning to drive out to the New Territories and pick up fellow Birdforum member Mike Kilburn (MkinHK) from Ping Long at 8am.

My last trip out with Mike had been in February, and invariably he comes up trumps with some terrific birds so the anticipation was high! Our first destination was one of my favourite birding areas in Hong Kong, Long Valley (Photo1) with its large variety of habitats. We raked up 20 birds in the first 15 minutes the 25th being a new one for the year, a Marsh Sandpiper (Photo 2).

365.Marsh Sandpiper----------------Long Valley----------------Hong Kong

Mike then suggested we walk down a particularly muddy area, as there was a good chance of Painted Snipe. Almost as soon as we entered one broke cover! Later we found ourselves in an even better area (Photo 3) for the same species. Initially we saw one in a very peculiar pose (Photo 4) as if trying to camouflage itself against the plants, but then up to 15 young birds moved through an opening enabling some good photo opportunities (Photo 5)

366.Painted Snipe-------------------Long Valley---------------Hong Kong

Later I was pleased to get onto an Oriental Reed Warbler that had escaped me in Lei Zhou earlier in the trip. This bird showed well in some tall reeds, but not well enough to get a record shot.

367.Oriental Reed Warbler------------Long Valley--------------Hong Kong

[ChinaBirds]

31 October 2009 (Continued)

A Chestnut Eared Bunting (Photo1) provided my penultimate year bird at Long Valley, while a splendid Pheasant Tailed Jacana (minus the tail this time of year) flew over providing the last. We saw it a couple of times in fact but always flying in the distance.

368.Chestnut Eared Bunting--------------Long Valley------------Hong Kong
369.Pheasant Tailed Jacana--------------Long Valley------------Hong Kong

We had 52 day ticks in the books when we left Long Valley for Nam Sang Wai (Photo 2) where I never need an excuse to take photos of the elegant Great Egret (Photo 3), with that snake like neck! There were also several Black Faced Spoonbills in the mangroves, while a couple of Ospreys passed through.

A Black Tailed Godwit took us to 60 birds for the day, which was also my 100th Hong Kong bird of the year.

We then moved inland slightly into some extensive reed beds (Photo 4), where having passed couples in wedding attire, three chaps in World-War II regalia and another family with a dog, all being photographed we locked on to a Purple Heron (Photo 5) that was always going away from us unfortunately.

370.Purple Heron--------------------Long Valley----------------Hong Kong

This was our last birding patch with Mike for the day and so returned him to Ping Long where we bid our farewells and thanked him for sharing his local expertise with us again. I hope it is not too long before we were back out with him!

[ChinaBirds]

31 October 2009 (Continued)

After a short lunch in Tai Po Jason and I then visited Tai Po Kau (Photo 1) forest Nature Reserve, which had been recommended by Mike. Initially there were very few birds around, and even when we went off piste up one of the steeper paths the silence was deafening.

All of a sudden we walked into a feeding frenzy, we didn't know where to look next (Photo 2). Chestnut Bulbuls were making most of the noise while male and female Grey Throated Minivet produced the most colour. Then high up on a branch, but only for a split second a tiny Fire Breasted Flowerpecker came into view, followed almost immediately by a gorgeous Velvet Fronted Nuthatch. In fact I counted five of the latter. Having not seen them since 2004 in Yexiangu (Xishuangbanna - Yunnan province) this was a real treat!

371.Fire Breasted Flowerpecker---------Tai Po Kau---------------Hong Kong
372.Velvet Fronted Nuthatch-----------Tai Po Kau---------------Hong Kong

Then came the bird of the day for me as it was my only lifer of the day, a Yellow Cheeked Tit. Jason spotted it first with its striking yellow and black plumage and crest. Being deep in the foliage it was impossible to photograph but made for an excellent end to the day.

372.Yellow Cheeked Tit-----------------Tai Po Kau--------------Hong Kong

We walked further into the forest seeing very little else except a family of noisy Monkeys (Photo 3) before returning back to the city.

It had been a good day with 73 birds being recorded, thanks again to Jason for providing the wheels and Mike the expertise.

A full list of bird is shown below in alphabetical order:-

Asian Brown Flycatcher, Azure Winged Magpie, Black Collared Starling, Black Crowned Night Heron, Black Drongo, Black Eared Kite, Black Faced Spoonbill, Black Tailed Godwit, Black Winged Cuckoo Shrike, Black Winged Stilt, Blue Winged Minla, Buzzard, Cattle Egret, Chestnut Bulbul, Chestnut Eared Bunting, Chinese Bulbul, Chinese Pond Heron, Collared Crow, Common Myna, Common Sandpiper, Cormorant, Crested Myna, Dusky Warbler, Fire Breasted Flowerpecker, Great Egret, Great Tit, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Grey Heron, Grey Throated Minivet, Grey Wagtail, House Swift, Japanese Quail, Japanese White Eye, Kingfisher,Little Egret, Little Grebe, Little Ringed Plover, Long Tailed Shrike, Magpie, Magpie Robin, Marsh Sandpiper, Masked Laughingthrush, Olive Backed Pipit, Oriental Reed Warbler, Osprey,Painted Snipe, Pheasant Tailed Jacana, Pintail, Purple Heron, Red Throated Pipit, Red Whiskered Bulbul, Richard's Pipit, Scaly Breasted Munia, Shoveler, Siberian Stonechat, Snipe,Sooty Headed Bulbul, Spotted Dove, Teal, Tree Sparrow, Velvet Fronted Nuthatch, White Breasted Waterhen, White Rumped Munia, White Throated Kingfisher, White Wagtail, Wigeon, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow Bellied Prinia, Yellow Browed Warbler, Yellow Cheeked Tit,Yellow Wagtail, Zitting Cisticola.

[ChinaBirds]

1 November 2009

A later start today, my last day in Greater China, with Jason picking me up from the hotel at 7:30 am for the 30 minute drive to Mai Po Nature Reserve (Photo 1) where the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society were holding a bird watching day. As soon as we arrived we realised that it was going to be a busy day at Mai Po as the World Wildlife Fund (Photo 2) was also holding an open day to make all aware of global warming. I had never seen so many people at Mai Po before (Photo's 3 & 4) however it didn't affect its charm (Photo 5)