Dalian (Jinshitan) Birding Reports (6 Viewers)

Terry Townshend · Mar 11, 2015

Hi Owen,
Welcome to birding and to the China pages of BirdForum, some of the finest on this website! East Asian buntings are tough, and there is no shame at all in making mistakes - all of us, no matter how long we have been birding, misidentify birds - part of the challenge!
We have very few active birders in NE China, so I am very much looking forward to hearing about what you see. And please feel free to post any photos of birds the identification of which you are unsure - the folk on here are extremely helpful and knowledgeable (Tom is a case in point!)
Cheers, Terry

Owen Krout · Mar 12, 2015

Bird ID Book available?

Tom,

Reading a few of the posts on this thread, [no, I haven't managed all the posts on all 51 pages

], I saw reference to your having a China Birds ID guidebook. Something that I would be interested in, so how to obtain a copy?

According to our daughter, Wo shi lao ren, and as such I still find a physical book in hand much better to work with.

Owen :hippy:

thirudevaram · Mar 12, 2015

Hi Owen,

"Birds of East Asia" by Mark Brazil is the book you have to go after. I must also point out that Tom has authored his own book on Jinshitan. Second edition will be in decks soon which i'm eagerly waiting for.

Dong Bei · Mar 12, 2015

Owen, I can send you the first edition of "The Birds of Dalian" now but the second edition is coming soon. The word "soon" can mean several things, however..... I'm working with a couple groups now looking at some options to print. It will be in Mandarin but English ones will also be printed. The new edition will contain over 300 species in the area with males, females, flight shots, and some juveniles covered for the most part. I'm in China for another 15 months so I do want to get it out. A project like this takes time and the longer it goes, the longer one sees more work to do on it! New species and photos are still being added almost on a weekly basis. It is always ready for print when the time arises. If you do still want a first edition (180 species), send me a private message on birdforum and I can make that happen. Brazil's book, mentioned by Dev above, is the best for the area by far.

Tom

Owen Krout · Mar 12, 2015

Tom,

Given that the new edition will be 120 additional species and that I will be leaving for six months come May, put me down for one of those.

thirudevaram, Thanks for the tip, I had been trying to decide what to bring back with me from the States. I've added it to my Amazon wish list.

Owen

Owen Krout · Mar 12, 2015

OK, I'm starting to be a pest, but the old man isn't used to being retired yet. Besides, I am really pleased that the school let you do something outside of the normal in China. I tried several times at Shenyang Aerospace to break the set in a classroom model. I had a plan for a design and build project as a way to improve technical English with a team of students already interested and later offered to help start an astronomy club again with interested students. First was shot down as "too dangerous" to allow students to actually build a simple ramjet. Second was just crazy - it was "not possible" to have students out of the dorm at night! (Never mind that they were already sneaking off campus to the bars every night in large numbers.)

Back to the point though, I was doing some poking around and came across a site that made me wonder if you had ever considered some grant writing. http://www.chinabirdnet.org/ccfund.html Looks to be a very basic proposal form. Certainly would make the school happy to get some recognition and a little outside funding to help with what may be a one of a kind school program in China. If nothing else, good public exposure for the school to sponsor some of their training programs http://www.chinabirdnet.org/train.html Maybe you could at least take a first step and get your group registered as a Bird Watching Society.

Owen

Dong Bei · Mar 13, 2015

Hi Owen,

Thanks for thinking of us

Everything is running quite smoothly "as is" for the moment. It is indeed a very pioneering venture and we're learning as we go. My class has been accepted as an official British Columbia certified course and we are carrying out all of the prescribed learning outcomes so as long as there is interest from students, it's good to go. I have thought of some funding options and might pursue those after I get through my first year. For now, things are running smoothly and students are coming into contact with the environment .

Dong Bei · Mar 13, 2015

Jinshitan Sea-farming Ponds March 13, 2015

Very quick class visit this afternoon.

Jinshitan Sea-farming Ponds, CN-21
13-Mar-2015 14:45 - 15:30
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 kilometer(s)
19 species

Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) 3
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 9
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 50
Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha) 20
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) 6
Eurasian/American Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 3
Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) 20
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 2
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 12
Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) 1
Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) 20
Mew Gull (Larus canus) 15
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 3
Common Magpie (Pica pica) 10
Japanese Tit (Parus minor) 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill (Sinosuthora webbiana) 25
White/Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) 5
Pallas's Reed Bunting (Emberiza pallasi) 15
Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) 5

Dong Bei · Mar 19, 2015

Country Club March 19, 2015

With Spring in the air I headed to the Country Club here in Jinshitan for a spot of lunch time birding. I left with three very good species for the area. Water Pipit, Japanese Waxwing, and Grey-headed Woodpecker. The woodpecker is a difficult one to find here in Dalian for some reason. I was quite pleased with a quick look around this fantastic migrant location. The Rustic Buntings were in their spring look with black and white patterned heads, not the slightly drab looking ones usually seen here in winter.

Country Club, CN-21
19-Mar-2015 11:00 - 12:00
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 kilometer(s)
19 species (+1 other taxa)

Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) 3
Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) 1
Hill Pigeon (Columba rupestris) 2
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) 1
Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus) 1
Common Magpie (Pica pica) 10
Japanese Tit (Parus minor) 4
Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) 1
Light-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis) 8
Brown-eared Bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis) 1
Vinous-throated Parrotbill (Sinosuthora webbiana) 20
Naumann's Thrush (Turdus naumanni) 2
Dusky/Naumann's Thrush (Turdus naumanni/eunomus) 2
Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) 1 blakestoni
Japanese Waxwing (Bombycilla japonica) 12
Rustic Bunting (Emberiza rustica) 15
Yellow-throated Bunting (Emberiza elegans) 2
Oriental Greenfinch (Chloris sinica) 10
Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) 10

Dong Bei · Mar 19, 2015

Jinshitan Sea-farming Ponds March 19, 2015

Had some time to explore the ponds before dark. Lots of birdlife around this afternoon. The Pallas's Reed Bunting picture below shows the outer tail feathers that are usually seen as they dart away. I was surprised to see Oystercatcher here already.

Jinshitan Sea-farming Ponds, CN-21
19-Mar-2015 14:45 - 16:45
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 kilometer(s)
37 species (+1 other taxa)

Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) 450
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 4
Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) 30
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 50
Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha) 15
Eurasian/American Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 4
Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) 15
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 2
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 2
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 2
Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) 5
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) 1
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 6
Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) 1
Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) 2
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) 6
Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) 5 photographed
Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) 3
Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) 100
Mew Gull (Larus canus) 20
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 10
Hill Pigeon (Columba rupestris) 1
Little Owl (Athene noctua) 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) 1
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) 1
Common Magpie (Pica pica) 10
Skylark (Alauda arvensis) 3
Japanese Tit (Parus minor) 5
Light-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis) 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill (Sinosuthora webbiana) 25
Naumann's Thrush (Turdus naumanni) 2
Dusky/Naumann's Thrush (Turdus naumanni/eunomus) 1
White/Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) 6 all leucopsis
Meadow Bunting (Emberiza cioides) 1
Pallas's Reed Bunting (Emberiza pallasi) 18
Long-tailed Rosefinch (Uragus sibiricus) 5
Oriental Greenfinch (Chloris sinica) 10
Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) 10

Dong Bei · Mar 19, 2015

the

rest

Jeff Hopkins · Mar 19, 2015

Love the parrotbill shot!

Dong Bei · Mar 21, 2015

Country Club March 22, 2015

Mid-morning visit with my parents to see the Grey-headed Woodpecker that remains there. We did get some close flight views but couldn't relocate it later. 23 Japanese Waxwings there as well!

Check out the Wagtail photo below with its lunch.

Country Club, CN-21
21-Mar-2015 10:00 - 11:30
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 kilometer(s)
21 species (+1 other taxa)

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 2
Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) 2
Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) 1
Hill Pigeon (Columba rupestris) 2
Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) 4
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) 2
Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus) 1
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) 3
Common Magpie (Pica pica) 10
Japanese Tit (Parus minor) 5
Light-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis) 5
Brown-eared Bulbul (Hypsipetes amaurotis) 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill (Sinosuthora webbiana) 15
Red-flanked Bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus) 1
Naumann's Thrush (Turdus naumanni) 1
Dusky/Naumann's Thrush (Turdus naumanni/eunomus) 2
White/Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) 3 all leucopsis
Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) 1 blackestoni
Japanese Waxwing (Bombycilla japonica) 23
Yellow-throated Bunting (Emberiza elegans) 3
Oriental Greenfinch (Chloris sinica) 10
Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) 10

Dong Bei · Mar 21, 2015

Boat Trip in Jinshitan Bay March 22, 2015

Headed out on a boat with my parents for a bit of ocean bird watching/photography. Normally it's very hard to get close to Red-breasted Merganser here for good photo opportunities. The Pelagic Cormorants were all dressed up for spring.

Forest area and coast near Xiao Yao Wan, CN-21
21-Mar-2015 13:30 - 15:30
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 kilometer(s)
15 species

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 10
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 10
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 1
Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 25
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 5
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) 2
Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) 30
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 3
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 50
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 3 all Larus mongolicus
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) 1
Common Magpie (Pica pica) 10
Skylark (Alauda arvensis) 40
Light-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus sinensis) 3
Blue Rock-Thrush (Monticola solitarius) 1 seen clearly

Dong Bei · Mar 22, 2015

March 22, 2015 Jinshitan Sea-farming Ponds

Afternoon visit to the sea wall area of the ponds with my parents and daughter. Rook is new for the ponds and is my 260th species there. The Lapwing flew in, did a loop right in front of us, and then landed right in the area we hoped they would! It was a beautiful, but cool, afternoon to be out. Two distant Saunders's Gulls were nice as well.

Jinshitan Sea-farming Ponds, CN-21
22-Mar-2015 15:00 - 17:15
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 kilometer(s)
25 species

Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) 500
Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) 3
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 45
Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha) 7
Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) 85
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 10
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 6
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 1
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 1
Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) 1
Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 23
Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) 3
Saunders's Gull (Saundersilarus saundersi) 2
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) 46
Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) 800
Mew Gull (Larus canus) 10
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 5
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) 2
Common Magpie (Pica pica) 10
Rook (Corvus frugilegus) 3
Skylark (Alauda arvensis) 15
Japanese Tit (Parus minor) 2
White-cheeked Starling (Sturnus cineraceus) 58
Oriental Greenfinch (Chloris sinica) 5
Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) 10

thirudevaram · Mar 22, 2015

Some lovely shots Tom. I guess you are enjoying a great weather. There were three Northern Lapwings in SH last weekend which was clear sign of their northward journey, your no's are awesome.

Gretchen · Mar 23, 2015

Jeff hopkins said:
Love the parrotbill shot!

Yes! And the pair of buzzards. Very handsome cormorants and mergansers as well.

Dong Bei · Mar 25, 2015

Jinshitan Sea-farming Ponds March 25, 2015

Jinshitan Sea-farming Ponds, CN-21
25-Mar-2015 08:00 - 09:20
Protocol: Traveling
3.0 kilometer(s)
33 species

Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) 350
Gadwall (Anas strepera) 5
Falcated Duck (Anas falcata) 4
Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) 10
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 125
Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Anas zonorhyncha) 35
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 30
Eurasian/American Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 12
Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) 80
Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) 2
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 2
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) 1
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 5
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 3
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) 10
Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) 30
Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) 3
Dunlin (Calidris alpina) 1
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) 15
Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) 125
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 2
Hill Pigeon (Columba rupestris) 2
Little Owl (Athene noctua) 1
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) 1
Common Magpie (Pica pica) 10
Japanese Tit (Parus minor) 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill (Sinosuthora webbiana) 15
Daurian Redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus) 1
Crested Myna (Acridotheres cristatellus) 8
White/Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) 5 all leucopsis
Pallas's Reed Bunting (Emberiza pallasi) 35
Oriental Greenfinch (Chloris sinica) 5
Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) 10

Dong Bei · Mar 25, 2015

Sea-farming Ponds

Took some pictures today before work and again on a class trip today of the pond areas.

Owen Krout · Mar 26, 2015

Great work your doing there, Tom. If you manage to instill even a beginning of appreciation for the truly natural environment in your Chinese students you could be making a huge impact on China itself. A large percentage of your students are upper class bound for leadership positions in the future.

Dalian (Jinshitan) Birding Reports (6 Viewers)

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