[mcaribou]

Inspired by more and more findings of loons especially Yellow-billed Loon in South Korea,I have tried several times

to organise our birder friends from Jiangsu Wild Bird Society to explore the offshore islands at Lianyungang,between

Jiangsu and Shandong Province.

Finally there were enough birders to join to share the cost of boat rental.Comparing with the snowy and windy day on

27th Feb,on 28th Feb it was so good-just a little cloudy,a little windy,the lowest temperature around zero degree

C.We gathered at the dock in the morning,watching some gulls(mainly Black-headed,a few Black-tailed,Mongolian,Vega

and Heuglin's) and waiting for the birders from Nanjing.Far away beside the nuclear power station,I saw lots of

ducks(the next day we saw thousands of Falcated and Eurasian Wigeon there).

Around 9:30,everybody arrived.At first,we crossed an area for planting the seaweed Laver Porphyra.For the

next three hours,at the speed of 12.7km/h to northeast,no highlights.Just some gulls occasionally flew over.Someone

was singing,the others sleepy,one or two even started to throw up although the sea looked calm to me.Right at the

south of Cheniushan Island,we turned to the north.I kept my eyes open all the way,and at this time I found the

excuse to shout everybody awake.To our port there were two black spots with white centers floating on the surface.I

was sure that these were birds,possibly loons.We turned left for a while,but I lost the target.Then I found that the

captain had turned the boat back again to the north!He thought we were going to Cheniushan Island for gulls,although

he knew many Black-tailed Gulls could only be seen breeding in summer.I shouted at him to turn left and suddenly the

birders standing on the front deck found one loon just 20 meters in front of us.I was totally confused if this was

one of the two I saw minutes ago.But who cared!We passed it within 10 meters at full speed as we still had one hour

to go.A little scared,it flapped its wings,low over the water,not willing to really fly into the air,and landed 20

meters away.Definitely a Black-throated Loon.Sorry to scare you,my buddy!

Minutes after the first loon,the excited birders found another Black-throated Loon.It behaved the same when we

passed it within again 10 meters.

Gradually we could see Cheniushan Island and the islets around.What a wonderful place where I saw my first Lesser

Frigatebird last summer!To our port,I saw two spots,with obvious differences in size.The bigger one on the right

seemed to be a loon.But I had no idea what it was on the left.A grebe,or a merganser?We circled in between an islet

and Cheniushan to approach the two.A small flock of small black birds flapping quickly to the starboard.We could see

their white eyebrow-breeding plumaged Ancient Murrelet!Then a Crested Grebe flew away to the starboard,showing its

typical wing pattern.

Getting closer and closer,we id the smaller one to be a female Red-breasted Merganser.We still couldn't id the

bigger one,for that we didn't know how big a Black-throated or even our dream Yellow-billed Loon looked when

comparing with a Red-breasted Merganser.It looked quite thick-necked,without any obvious white rear flanks shown in

Black-throated.Against the background,the bill looked big and pale.Dream bird!Dream bird!We thought...

The captain now knew our request quite well.He turned down the engine to the minimum speed,trying not to scare the

loon away.Within 5 meters,we saw its feet under the water!Not as often shown in books,the feet were not grey but

kind of fleshy.I stepped backward,put down my binoculars,looked at everyone's face while the loon,totally enjoying

the moment.And then I found the tail stream of our boat made a circle in which it was calm and outside it was the

normal sea with a little wave-the loon was in the circle!

The loon dicided not to show off any longer,dived below the boat,and appeared within 10 meters to the port. I heard

the gentle "ohh~" from the satisfied birders when the loon dived.Suddenly I felt hungry-I used too much energy to

shout out the position of every seabird.

Game not over.On top of an islet nearby,a juv cormorant was standing there with a gull.It flew away before I could

make an id.But that led to the finding of a small flock of ducks.Someone was wondering why there could be Smews in

the sea,while I saw another closer one,just 15 meters.It flew around to our stern,showing clearly its feet-they were

pink!What a cute bird,like a penguin!

It was a pity that we didn't had enough time to search this area any longer.On the three hours' direct way back,with

the speed 13.5km/h,we saw some other birds including several loons unidentified.Maybe next time we could try to

start earlier.

Dark at the dock,a Blue Rock Thrush were seen before we found a restaurant and crazily filled our stomachs.

PS.Yellow-billed Loon and Long-tailed Duck are added into Jiangsu checklist.

[StuartReeves]

A great story of some real pioneering birding. Well done on adding two species to your area list!

Stuart

[Gretchen]

Thanks for the detailed description! This contains lreally useful information about birds in that area.
It is quite exciting to really see your target bird after so much effort, and lots of other good finds as well!

[MKinHK]

a great trip - congratulations on your new Jiangsu records!

Last winter we had Yellow-billed Loon in HK for the first time (although I didn't see it myself) , but all loons are very rare here. It's good to use the same boat-man a few times so he learns how to approach birds slowly and give you the chance for good views and good photos.

Look forward to hearing about more trips and more Jiangsu birding

Cheers
Mike

[mcaribou]

Hi Mike,I've heard of that YB Loon in HK.And the Common Scoter in HK,as I remembered.
White-winged Scoter is uncommon winter visitor in Shanghai and I guess in Jiangsu.
Common Scoter is in Jiangsu list.
Maybe next time I'll have a chance to look for both the two.

To Gretchen:
There seem to be some loons winter to the east of Liaodong Penisular,which is not far away from Qinhuangdao.As I know,sometimes loons(Red-throated) can be seen in migration at Beidaihe,Qinhuangdao.

[Gretchen]

Hi, thanks for the info!

I've never actually seen loons in the ocean (only lakes - common loons are the state bird in my husband's home state - Minnesota). Would there be much chance of seeing them from the shore, and do you have any idea if they are early migrants (coming first part of March)?

Gretchen

[mcaribou]

Sorry Gretchen
I dont know much about loons' migration in Qinhuangdao.
Red and Black-throated Loons arrive in Shanghai(where I live) every year around 1 Jan and leave in Mar.Occasinally some can be seen in Apr which I think are in migration from the south.
On the weekend of 7 Mar birders from Beijing,Nanjing,Shanghai and Hangzhou gathered in Lianyungang,did another seawatch but didnt meet the Yellow-billed Loon.
Other seabirds were seen,even a flock of Swan Geese passing there in a V formation.Quite an early migration,I think.

[mcaribou]

http://www.birdforum.tv/action/viewv.../?ref=mcaribou

Hi all
video uploaded

[delia todd]

Originally Posted by mcaribou

http://www.birdforum.tv/action/viewv.../?ref=mcaribou

Hi all
video uploaded

And linked to the Opus article

Thanks mcaribou

D

[Shi Jin]

Thanks for the write-up. Very interesting indeed. You mentioned you've seen Lesser Frigatebird on the islands. Do you know what else may be seen in spring/summer?

[mcaribou]

some passages in spring.In summer only breeding Black-tailed Gull and Fork-tailed Swift rich.Planning to seek this summer Chinese Crested Tern in remote area.
To Gretchen:
Today only two Red-throated Loons seen in Shanghai while one month ago there were seven.I think they're leaving for the north.A few spring passages arrived.

[Gretchen]

Thanks for the word - I'll try to get to where I can get some views in the next few weeks. Unfortunately my work is hitting peak time and birding time is a bit limited the next two months - just as all the exciting birds should be coming through

Still, if you are there at just the right time, then you get to see the birds

Appreciate your encouragement.

Gretchen