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Dalian (Jinshitan) Birding Reports (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Dong Bei
- Start date
Jinshitan Bay Dec. 24, 2010
I went out in a cab this afternoon to check the smoothness of the ice on some local ponds for family skating tomorrow. On the way I noticed a large bird in the air. Soon there were two more flying low over an area of flat and dry scrub area (the reason it's flat is because it is back-filled ocean
) They were Rough-legged Hawks which are not common here, not common when I have my camera with. I have tried to get a decent shot of one many times and it seems to be the bird that got away every time. The problem was that all I had with me was a hockey stick -- no camera. Ofcourse they flew really low and slow right over my head. When I arrived back home I imediately dressed for my motorbike in late December and was out the door with my camera. I never was able to relocate them but did get extremely cold and managed some photos of some ducks in one of the ocean bays. Taking gloves off to operate a camera in the Jinshitan wind of late December is something that takes a long time to recuperate from! Soon I was at the nearby country club clubhouse trying to get circulation back to my hands with a few workers staring at me intently. I pulled my book out of my bag and explained why I was out on a motorbike on a day like today. (I always keep my book handy for such situations) Once thawed, I spent another 30 minutes or so checking out the scrub area and managed a few other species before turning home because of the numbing sensation developing in my boots. The temperature was -10 which isn't rediculously cold. I have lived in two other cold climates before moving here, but there is nothing quite like to wind that blows in the winter here. Birding ona motorbike is not for the faint of heart. I could get a cab but they get restless birding and the economics never seem to be fair for them or me. Another thing, I saw a Green Sandpiper today! I know that birds migrate primarily because of food, not cold, but what is a Green Sandpiper eating on a day like today? It was in a fast flowing section of a creek where a tiny bit wasn't frozen. I guess it is possible to find something:eek!:
Merry Christmas to all and many life birds for 2011. I would like to extend an invitation to anyone to come to the Dalian area for birding in 2011. Certainly a place like Laotieshan needs more checking out but Jinshitan always produces at any time of the year as well. This area needs birders! I am off work for a week in late April and early May which is an awesome time for migration.
List from today:
Common Shelduck
Spot-billed Duck
Mallard
Eurasian Wigeon
Falcated Duck
Common Goldeneye
Little Grebe
Rough-legged Hawk
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Long-tailed Rosefinch
Yellow-throated Bunting
Black-tailed Gull
Vega Gull
could have been other gulls but I was too cold to check them out.
I went out in a cab this afternoon to check the smoothness of the ice on some local ponds for family skating tomorrow. On the way I noticed a large bird in the air. Soon there were two more flying low over an area of flat and dry scrub area (the reason it's flat is because it is back-filled ocean
) They were Rough-legged Hawks which are not common here, not common when I have my camera with. I have tried to get a decent shot of one many times and it seems to be the bird that got away every time. The problem was that all I had with me was a hockey stick -- no camera. Ofcourse they flew really low and slow right over my head. When I arrived back home I imediately dressed for my motorbike in late December and was out the door with my camera. I never was able to relocate them but did get extremely cold and managed some photos of some ducks in one of the ocean bays. Taking gloves off to operate a camera in the Jinshitan wind of late December is something that takes a long time to recuperate from! Soon I was at the nearby country club clubhouse trying to get circulation back to my hands with a few workers staring at me intently. I pulled my book out of my bag and explained why I was out on a motorbike on a day like today. (I always keep my book handy for such situations) Once thawed, I spent another 30 minutes or so checking out the scrub area and managed a few other species before turning home because of the numbing sensation developing in my boots. The temperature was -10 which isn't rediculously cold. I have lived in two other cold climates before moving here, but there is nothing quite like to wind that blows in the winter here. Birding ona motorbike is not for the faint of heart. I could get a cab but they get restless birding and the economics never seem to be fair for them or me. Another thing, I saw a Green Sandpiper today! I know that birds migrate primarily because of food, not cold, but what is a Green Sandpiper eating on a day like today? It was in a fast flowing section of a creek where a tiny bit wasn't frozen. I guess it is possible to find something:eek!:Merry Christmas to all and many life birds for 2011. I would like to extend an invitation to anyone to come to the Dalian area for birding in 2011. Certainly a place like Laotieshan needs more checking out but Jinshitan always produces at any time of the year as well. This area needs birders! I am off work for a week in late April and early May which is an awesome time for migration.
List from today:
Common Shelduck
Spot-billed Duck
Mallard
Eurasian Wigeon
Falcated Duck
Common Goldeneye
Little Grebe
Rough-legged Hawk
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Long-tailed Rosefinch
Yellow-throated Bunting
Black-tailed Gull
Vega Gull
could have been other gulls but I was too cold to check them out.
Attachments
Jinshitan and Dalian Bay last week of December
I've got out a bit in this week, mostly to play pond hockey on a local pond. The pond is close to the dry scrub area described in the post above and so I've been taking my camera along to snap photos of the hawks hunting in the area. I also bought a new camera today and stopped at Dalian Bay on the way home to see what was there.
List from different places this week, nothing serious:
Mallard
Spot-billed Duck
Common Shelduck
Falcated Duck
Common Goldeneye
Great-crested Grebe
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Peregrine Falcon
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Rough-legged Buzzard
Common Buzzard
Upland Buzzard
I've got out a bit in this week, mostly to play pond hockey on a local pond. The pond is close to the dry scrub area described in the post above and so I've been taking my camera along to snap photos of the hawks hunting in the area. I also bought a new camera today and stopped at Dalian Bay on the way home to see what was there.
List from different places this week, nothing serious:
Mallard
Spot-billed Duck
Common Shelduck
Falcated Duck
Common Goldeneye
Great-crested Grebe
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Peregrine Falcon
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Rough-legged Buzzard
Common Buzzard
Upland Buzzard
Attachments
Jinshitan Jan. 1, 2011
Had a car today and drove aorund the area. Was able to use the car as a blind a few times. Saw a Great Egret today trying to find open water. I watched it move from place to place in the wind trying to figure out where to go. Never seen one this late before. Strange. Going again tomorrow in a car.
Common Pheasant
Mallard
Spot-billed Duck
Common Shelduck
Falcated Duck
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Black-necked Grebe
Great Egret
Grey Heron
Eurasian Kestrel
Hen Harrier
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
Upland Buzzard
Eurasian Skylark
Chinese Bulbul
Vinous-throated Parrotbill
Had a car today and drove aorund the area. Was able to use the car as a blind a few times. Saw a Great Egret today trying to find open water. I watched it move from place to place in the wind trying to figure out where to go. Never seen one this late before. Strange. Going again tomorrow in a car.
Common Pheasant
Mallard
Spot-billed Duck
Common Shelduck
Falcated Duck
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Black-necked Grebe
Great Egret
Grey Heron
Eurasian Kestrel
Hen Harrier
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
Upland Buzzard
Eurasian Skylark
Chinese Bulbul
Vinous-throated Parrotbill
Attachments
Jinshitan January 2, 2011
Out for a few hours this afternoon. Beautiful clear and cold day. Saw a Black-crowned Night Heron, another winter surprise this year. Rare bird here during migration times but January 2? It seems like there is something wierd on every report lately.
Spot-billed Duck
Mallard
Falcated Duck
Common Shelduck
Black-crowned Night Heron
Grey Heron
Eurasian Kestrel
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Hen Harrier
Common Buzzard
Rough-legged Buzzard
Upland Buzzard
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Great Tit
Eurasian Skylark
Daurian Redstart
Out for a few hours this afternoon. Beautiful clear and cold day. Saw a Black-crowned Night Heron, another winter surprise this year. Rare bird here during migration times but January 2? It seems like there is something wierd on every report lately.
Spot-billed Duck
Mallard
Falcated Duck
Common Shelduck
Black-crowned Night Heron
Grey Heron
Eurasian Kestrel
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Hen Harrier
Common Buzzard
Rough-legged Buzzard
Upland Buzzard
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Great Tit
Eurasian Skylark
Daurian Redstart
Attachments
Jinshitan Jan. 12, 2011
Warmed up a bit and I thought I'd try on the motorbike today to hit a few spots I haven't been to in a while. It was alright until the sun went down:eek!: It is my birthday today and I was hoping for some kind of nice present but nothing crazy to report. It was still a good time.
List:
Common Pheasant
Ruddy Shelduck
Common Goldeneye
Eurasian Kestrel
Hen Harrier-beautiful male in the sun but my camera was away and goves on!
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Northern Goshawk
Common Buzzard
Rough-legged Buzzard
Mew Gull
Black-tailed Gull
Vega Gull
Oriental Turtle Dove
Great Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Vinous-throated Parrotbill
Winter Wren
Dusky Thrush
Naumann's Thrush
Daurian Redstart
Siberian Accentor
Long-tailed Rosefinch
Meadow Bunting
Yellow-throated Bunting
Rustic Bunting
Common Reed Bunting
Pallas's Reed Bunting
Warmed up a bit and I thought I'd try on the motorbike today to hit a few spots I haven't been to in a while. It was alright until the sun went down:eek!: It is my birthday today and I was hoping for some kind of nice present but nothing crazy to report. It was still a good time.
List:
Common Pheasant
Ruddy Shelduck
Common Goldeneye
Eurasian Kestrel
Hen Harrier-beautiful male in the sun but my camera was away and goves on!
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Northern Goshawk
Common Buzzard
Rough-legged Buzzard
Mew Gull
Black-tailed Gull
Vega Gull
Oriental Turtle Dove
Great Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Vinous-throated Parrotbill
Winter Wren
Dusky Thrush
Naumann's Thrush
Daurian Redstart
Siberian Accentor
Long-tailed Rosefinch
Meadow Bunting
Yellow-throated Bunting
Rustic Bunting
Common Reed Bunting
Pallas's Reed Bunting
Attachments
Jinzhou Bay Jan. 13, 2011
Went to Jinzhou Bay which usually has a few winter goodies. Surprised to see Oriental Storks there. There is a wintering areas for up to 50 of them north of here a bit in an area of rice stubble. Never seen them at a river mouth before. The water coming into the ocean at the garbage dump site there is incredibly polluted. There was a dead Stork and Mew Gull on the ice and also a White-tailed Sea Eagle that appeared to be hurt in some way. I couldn't get over to it but it's wings were both ok but it seemed to be sick or had a problem with its feet. On the way home I was wondering if the pollution of the place was a factor in the death (and eventual death) of those three birds at all. The Eagles and the Peregrine there were not showing any interest in the dead stork and gull even though both appeared to be fresh kills. I would think the Eagles would be on the gull immediately.
List from today:
White-tailed Sea Eagles -- 5
Peregrine Falcon -- 1
Ruddy Shelducks -- 300
Grey Heron -- 2
Oriental Stork -- 3
Gulls: LOTS!
Vega Gull
Mew Gull
Black-tailed Gull
I'm sure that there were other gulls but that's not my specialty when storks and eagles are around.
Went to Jinzhou Bay which usually has a few winter goodies. Surprised to see Oriental Storks there. There is a wintering areas for up to 50 of them north of here a bit in an area of rice stubble. Never seen them at a river mouth before. The water coming into the ocean at the garbage dump site there is incredibly polluted. There was a dead Stork and Mew Gull on the ice and also a White-tailed Sea Eagle that appeared to be hurt in some way. I couldn't get over to it but it's wings were both ok but it seemed to be sick or had a problem with its feet. On the way home I was wondering if the pollution of the place was a factor in the death (and eventual death) of those three birds at all. The Eagles and the Peregrine there were not showing any interest in the dead stork and gull even though both appeared to be fresh kills. I would think the Eagles would be on the gull immediately.
List from today:
White-tailed Sea Eagles -- 5
Peregrine Falcon -- 1
Ruddy Shelducks -- 300
Grey Heron -- 2
Oriental Stork -- 3
Gulls: LOTS!
Vega Gull
Mew Gull
Black-tailed Gull
I'm sure that there were other gulls but that's not my specialty when storks and eagles are around.
Attachments
I'm currently on Bohol in the Philippines for a family holiday but am doing some birding also. Please send me your e-mail if you want the updates with photos. I'm focusing on Rajah Sikatuna National Park. You can send me your e-mail in a private message if you want. 45 degrees warmer here!
One of the awesome experiences so far has been seeing the Chinese Egrets around here on their wintering grounds after seeing so many during the spring and summer on their breeding grounds in Dalian. With an estamated world population at 4000, I guess there's a chance that some of these are the same individuals. There is also Grey-tailed Tattler here.
Tom
One of the awesome experiences so far has been seeing the Chinese Egrets around here on their wintering grounds after seeing so many during the spring and summer on their breeding grounds in Dalian. With an estamated world population at 4000, I guess there's a chance that some of these are the same individuals. There is also Grey-tailed Tattler here.
Tom
Jinzhou Bay Feb. 7, 2011
Terry Townshend and Spike Millington are here for three days of solid birding. Today we went to Jinzhou Bay and Dalian Bay with gulls as the main focus. Terry found three Mongolian Gulls with wing tags. This, after a friend of his who tags them in Mongolia asked him to look out for wing tagged Mongolians! Terry also found the Pallas's Gull. Probably the same bird as was here last winter. I learned a lot about gulling today. The Boh Hai Bay is frozen as far as can be seen. We enjoyed a very unusually warm day above freezing with almost no wind. Here's the list and some pics:
Common Shelduck
Ruddy Shelduck
Falcated Ducks
Mallard
Spot-billed
Common Pochard
Common Goldeneye
Smew
Common Meganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Great-crested Grebe
Oriental Stork
Grey Heron
White-tailed Sea Eagle -- 4
Common Buzzard
Rough-legged Buzzard
Dunlin
Black-tailed Gull
Common Gull
Vega Gull
Moongolian Gull
Slaty-backed Gull
Heughlin's Gull
Pallas's Gull
Black-head Gull
Mystery Gull (still to be determined)
Terry Townshend and Spike Millington are here for three days of solid birding. Today we went to Jinzhou Bay and Dalian Bay with gulls as the main focus. Terry found three Mongolian Gulls with wing tags. This, after a friend of his who tags them in Mongolia asked him to look out for wing tagged Mongolians! Terry also found the Pallas's Gull. Probably the same bird as was here last winter. I learned a lot about gulling today. The Boh Hai Bay is frozen as far as can be seen. We enjoyed a very unusually warm day above freezing with almost no wind. Here's the list and some pics:
Common Shelduck
Ruddy Shelduck
Falcated Ducks
Mallard
Spot-billed
Common Pochard
Common Goldeneye
Smew
Common Meganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Great-crested Grebe
Oriental Stork
Grey Heron
White-tailed Sea Eagle -- 4
Common Buzzard
Rough-legged Buzzard
Dunlin
Black-tailed Gull
Common Gull
Vega Gull
Moongolian Gull
Slaty-backed Gull
Heughlin's Gull
Pallas's Gull
Black-head Gull
Mystery Gull (still to be determined)
Attachments
Laotieshan, Feb. 8, 2011
Back to the migration hot spot of Laotieshan near the town of Lushun to see what was around in the winter with Terry and Spike. We were not disappointed. We managed both Long-tailed (beautiful male) and Pallas's Rosefinch that Terry and Spike were eager to see here. We also saw several porpoises swimming where the Yellow Sea and Boh Hai Bay meet. Temperature was still unusually warm with light snow in the afternoon. Here is the list:
Common Pheasant
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Great-crested Grebe
Eurasian Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Black-tailed Gull
Vega Gull
Oriental Turtle Dove
Bohemian Waxwing (first Dalian record for me)
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Yellow-bellied Tit (2nd record in Dalian for me)
Chinese Hill Warbler
Chinese Bulbul
Vinous-throated Parrotbill
Daurian Redstart
Naumann's Thrush
Siberian Accentor
Brambling
Eurasian Siskin
Long-tailed Rosefinch
Pallas's Rosefinch
Hawfinch
Yellow-throated Bunting
Yellow-browed Bunting (in early February?)
Meadow Bunting
Back to the migration hot spot of Laotieshan near the town of Lushun to see what was around in the winter with Terry and Spike. We were not disappointed. We managed both Long-tailed (beautiful male) and Pallas's Rosefinch that Terry and Spike were eager to see here. We also saw several porpoises swimming where the Yellow Sea and Boh Hai Bay meet. Temperature was still unusually warm with light snow in the afternoon. Here is the list:
Common Pheasant
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Merganser
Great-crested Grebe
Eurasian Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Black-tailed Gull
Vega Gull
Oriental Turtle Dove
Bohemian Waxwing (first Dalian record for me)
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Yellow-bellied Tit (2nd record in Dalian for me)
Chinese Hill Warbler
Chinese Bulbul
Vinous-throated Parrotbill
Daurian Redstart
Naumann's Thrush
Siberian Accentor
Brambling
Eurasian Siskin
Long-tailed Rosefinch
Pallas's Rosefinch
Hawfinch
Yellow-throated Bunting
Yellow-browed Bunting (in early February?)
Meadow Bunting
Attachments
Laotieshan pics
The one landscape picture shows the mountain range that leads directly to the point of the peninsula where all the raptors were migrating back in September. You can see how this would act as a natural funnel to the point with the updraft coming off the ocean.
The one landscape picture shows the mountain range that leads directly to the point of the peninsula where all the raptors were migrating back in September. You can see how this would act as a natural funnel to the point with the updraft coming off the ocean.
