China Birds (Nick Sismey) 2011 List (UK, China, Hong Kong & ?) (1 Viewer)

29 April 2011

An afternoon visit with Steve to Frampton RSPB Reserve, near Boston Lincolnshire, produced three more UK birds for the year.

Wondering round the first lagoon (Photo 1) two Wood Sandpipers (Photo 2) were feeding just behind the bank, only visible when on your tip toes.

Further around the same lagoon (Photo 3) nearing the Visitors centre we spotted a gorgeous Greenshank (Photo 4) in full summer plumage.

Just before we left a Common Sandpiper (Photo 5) flew in behind 360 Hide.

Although there were blue skies throughout the day the strong, cool, winds spoilt the day somewhat, the continuous buffeting making it very tiring outside the hides

My 2011 UK list now stands at 183, 12 ahead of the previous best for this date set in 2009.

30 April 2011

Blue skies and strong winds again greeted us today but in Norfolk this time.

Our first year bird of the day were Dotterel viewable through or over (Photo1) a hedge from a narrow lane near to Choseley.

319.Dotterel-----------------Choseley----------------------England

A quick stop at Burnham Norton (Photo 2) produced the first Swift of the year, always nice to pick up before May, just!

320.Swift---------------------Burnham Norton--------------England

A short drive to and through Burnham Market to the hills to the south where a female Montagu’s Harrier was quartering the hedgerows before disappearing out of view. Again the wind was making viewing difficult and somewhat cold when it could have been so nice.

321.Montagu’s Harrier------Burnham Market--------------England

From the visitors centre at Cley-next-the-sea (Photo 3) we could see the three Spoonbills feeding across the far side of the reserve but by the time we had made our way along the sea wall, being hammered by the large swell (Photo 4) the birds had moved on. We saw one in flight but didn’t see the other two leave.

At Titchwell we added no new birds to any year list however an unusually confiding pair of Garganey (Photo 5) were feeding just over the earth blind leading to the main hides, giving Steve and I an unprecedented chance to take some great shots.

My 2011 UK list now stands at 187, 16 ahead of the previous best for this date set in 2009. I also remain well ahead of my shortest mileage for 187 birds, currently sitting at 2,280.4 miles as apposed to 2,709.4 last year.

I have now set myself a goal to try and reach 200 UK birds this year by 16May11 when I fly to China for two weeks. That would beat my previous best of 23May08. Nothing like setting a stretch target!

7 May 2011

With 13 birds still required to reach my 200th UK bird of the year by 16May10 before I head east, I couldn’t resist a quick trip to Frampton mid afternoon, after checking Birdguides this morning. Having birded rather a lot recently I had to top up my brownie points with my wife and grandson hence the late start to the day.

Arriving at Frampton (Photo1) the warden advised that my “target species” (to quote Steve) were all still around so I headed for 360 Hide where to my dismay there were very few birders and the ones remaining had become so blasé about them that I was left to my own devices to find the birds.

Checking the lagoons to the South side of the hide (Photo 2) the Red Necked Phalarope soon came into view at the far end of one of the long pools, a UK first!

322.Red Necked Phalarope-------------Frampton--------------------England

Only five minutes later the Temminck’s Stint was feeding where the books say they feed amongst short vegetation whereas the Little Stint (Photo 3), that took another 10 minutes to locate, was feeding along the bare shoreline. Temminck’s I had seen earlier in the year in Shenzhen, China so couldn’t add it to my year list but still a very good UK tick, the Little was a new year bird. I was now within ten of my UK goal.

323.Little Stint------------------------Frampton--------------------England

Most of the serious birders had left the hide by now leaving a couple who were new to birding. Sat on the North side of the hide they told me the only bird they had failed to see was a Curlew Sandpiper, the only birds out there being Dunlin according to the other birders. When they also left I moved across to the North side and scoured the lagoons, and within a couple of minutes found a Curlew Sandpiper just coming into summer plumage. I rushed for the door and managed to call the couple back. They were chuffed to bits to see the bird.

Glowing with success I decided after another 30 minutes to take the plunge and finish the evening off at Hambleton Wood (Photo 4), Rutland Water in search of Nightingale. It was just after 1830 hours when I arrived, perfect timing I hoped. Deep into the wood where the track takes an ‘S’ bend two birds were calling. It would take another 30 minutes before I finally picked out a bird moving through the undergrowth – result!

324.Nightingale------------------------Rutland Water---------------England

My 2011 UK list now stands at 192, 16 ahead of the previous best for this date set in 2008. I also remain well ahead of my shortest mileage for 192 birds, currently sitting at 2,475.7 miles as apposed to 2,787.2 last year.

Next trip out is a dawn to dusk raid with DAS and Steve on 14May11 through Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Suffolk and Norfolk. One eye will be on beating the 115 birds all three of us need to see in a day the other on trying to reach my 200th UK year bird……..

14 May 2011

It was mid May so time for DAS, Steve and I to partake in our annual spring dawn till dusk bird race. The only rule was that all three of us had to see the bird. Steve had been to Frampton the day before so we met up on Friday night at my mums in Lincolnshire where a wonderful roast pork meal awaited us.

DAS would meet us the next day at our starting point, the Eggleton Bird Watching Centre car park at Rutland Water as his 10 year old son Tom would be joining us for the first time. Due to this Steve suggested we start an hour later than normal, six rather than five. Sounded a very good idea to me!

Our record for the day was 115 back in 2008, which was a very good total therefore we had our work cut out. I was also hoping to get 8 new UK year birds to reach 200 in record time.

Saturday arrived with blue skies but with that infernal wind that has continued to batter us for the last couple of weeks.

As soon as we arrived at the car park (Photo1) this birds started going into the book:-

1-----0603----Carrion Crow
2-----0603----Black Headed Gull
3-----0603----Goldfinch
4-----0604----Jackdaw
5-----0604----Greenfinch
6-----0604----Chiffchaff
7-----0605----Robin
8-----0606----Woodpigeon
9-----0607----Sedge Warbler
10-----0608----House Sparrow
11-----0608----Garden Warbler
12-----0614----Blackbird
13-----0615----Collared Dove
14-----0616----Starling
15-----0616----Greylag Goose
16-----0618----Whitethroat
17-----0619----Pied Wagtail

We then made our way to Hambleton Wood (Photo 2) in search of the Nightingale. Two birds were calling in close proximity to us but could we get onto either, no way! Still we added to our day list nonetheless:-

18-----0621----Dunnock
19-----0623----Mute Swan
20-----0623----Mallard
21-----0623----Common Tern
22-----0624----Swallow
23-----0625----Great Tit
24-----0626----Coot
25-----0628----Oystercatcher
26-----0628----Egyptian Goose
27-----0628----Great Crested Grebe
28-----0642----Swift
29-----0642----Gadwall
30-----0643----Song Thrush
31-----0644----Blackcap

We may have been 28 down on the record but we had started an hour later, no fear we had the full day ahead of us…..

0700 Hours Total = 31 (‘08 = 59)

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Making our way back to the car a few more common birds were added to the list:-

32-----0705----Wren
33-----0718----Cormorant
34-----0726----Sand Martin
35-----0726----House Martin
36-----0728----Chaffinch

Down at Manton Bay (Photo 3) an Osprey was feeding on an early morning fish on one of the purpose built nest platforms

37-----0735----Osprey
38-----0736----Grey Heron
39-----0737----Shelduck
40-----0738----Lapwing
41-----0739----Magpie
42-----0740----Pheasant
43-----0741----Common Sandpiper
44-----0742----Long Tailed Tit

We had closed the gap by five before we set off for Eyebrook Reservoir

0800 Hours Total = 44 (‘08 = 67)

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At Eyebrook (Photo 4) we had hoped the Slavonian Grebe was still there but no matter how many times we scanned the water’s surface we could not locate it. A Curlew Sandpiper amongst the Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers was a pleasant surprise though.

45-----0800----Tufted Duck
46-----0807----Canada Goose
47-----0811----Skylark
48-----0813----Little Ringed Plover
49-----0813----Ringed Plover
50-----0813----Dunlin
51-----0817----Curlew Sandpiper
52-----0827----Kestrel
53-----0828----Red Kite
54-----0839----Yellowhammer
55-----0846----Moorhen
56-----0853----Buzzard

While we were at Eyebrook we met up with two other birders doing a similar thing to us although they had the added benefit of counting Black Swan and Peacocks! We couldn’t understand it either……

Less than 20 behind the total by 0900 hours we continued around Eyebrook

0900 Hours Total = 56 (‘08 = 72)

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Having picked up Tree Sparrow in their usual place at Eyebrook we set off back round the lake when we heard a Lesser Whitethroat call, a real birders bird (to quote Steve). After some searching we found the bird.

57-----0906----Bullfinch
58-----0927----Tree Sparrow
59-----0945----Lesser Whitethroat
60-----0950----Red Legged Partridge

The gap had continued to close!

1000 Hours Total = 60 (‘08 = 73)

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Setting off for Welney, just one bird was added over the next hour, yet the gap only grew by one:-

61-----1024----Rook

1100 Hours Total = 61 (‘08 = 75)

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While waiting at the traffic lights in March Steve suggested we should count a chicken and mushroom pie nestling in the window of a Butcher’s, if our fellow birders were counting Black Swan and Peacocks. After a short committee meeting the idea was thrown out, although full marks were given for the suggestion! Four more acceptable birds were added to the list however in the March area:-

62-----1110----Herring Gull
63-----1112----Feral Pigeon
64-----1117----Corn Bunting
65-----1119----Stock Dove

At Tipps End, a village just before Welney we stopped near a horse paddock (Photo 5) where we had seen Green Woodpecker before. Sure enough we weren’t to be disappointed.

66-----1130----Yellow Wagtail
67-----1131----Green Woodpecker
68-----1132----Little Egret

More to follow…………………..

14 May 11 (Continued…..)

After just over an hour of driving we stopped for a refreshment break near the main bridge in Welney (Photo1) where we picked up two more day birds while munching on our provisions. The gap had been halved by now!

69-----1138----Great Spotted Woodpecker
70-----1145----Blue Tit

1200 Hours Total = 70 (‘08 = 77)

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Then it was on to Lakenheath where the wind was blowing hard making it virtually impossible to search out the orioles. In fact we didn’t even hear one! Checking out the lagoon nearest the car park three more birds went into the book though:-

71-----1241----Reed Bunting
72-----1244----Shoveler
73-----1245----Garganey

1300 Hours Total = 73 (‘08 = 78)

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Deep into the reserve my first year bird of the day, a Hobby flew along the river and then minutes later some other birders on the edge of one of the small woods (Photo 3) put us onto another year bird, a Spotted Flycatcher (Photo 4)

325.Hobby------------------------Lakenheath----------------------England
326.Spotted Flycatcher-----------Lakenheath-----------------------England

Things were looking up my year list had started advancing again and we were just four down on the record. If only the wind would drop!

74-----1308----Hobby
75-----1312----Marsh Harrier
76-----1336----Spotted Flycatcher

1400 Hours Total = 76 (‘08 = 80)

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Over the next hour we endeavoured to pick up cranes, cuckoos, bearded tits etc but failed on all fronts however we did hear a Cetti’s Warbler at Lakenheath for the first time and a Bittern was booming.

1500 Hours Total = 76 (‘08 = 82)

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We then moved onto Weeting Heath where the hide to the right of the visitor centre produced nothing, however on the way to the left hand hide some other birders advised that there were two Stone Curlews. Our pace picked up and we were surprised to have the hide to ourselves (Photo 5). The birds were in good view with your scope and one even flew, the first time we had seen one fly, after a failed attempt to attract the other bird. Stone Curlews are always a good tick lets hope they don’t get too much attention from the egg collectors this year!

327.Stone Curlew-----------------Weeting Heath-------------------England

The gap to the record had opened up again but we were in good spirits

77-----1524----Mistle Thrush
78-----1528----White Wagtail
79-----1558----Stone Curlew

1600 Hours Total = 79 (‘08 = 86)

More to follow…………………..

14 May 11 (Continued…….)

Over the next hour we made our way across country to Cley-next-the-Sea, with no birds going into the book.

1700 Hours Total = 79 (‘08 = 88)

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At Cley we turned down the lane leading to the beach and spotted several birders on the bank watching what we hoped would be our next quarry. We all leapt out of the car and set up our scopes (Photo1) and within seconds we were watching a Lesser Yellow Legs, year tick number four for the day!

328.Lesser Yellowlegs--------------Cley-next-the-Sea---------------England

Both there and along the East bank (Photo 2) we added a total of 13 birds over the next hour to equal our record for the first time in the day!

80-----1720----Avocet
81-----1720----Pochard
82-----1720----Lesser Yellowlegs
83-----1720----Redshank
84-----1722----Wood Sandpiper
85-----1737----Whimbrel
86-----1742----Sandwich Tern
87-----1745----Spoonbill
88-----1746----Reed Warbler
89-----1749----Meadow Pipit
90-----1751----Greenshank
91-----1756----Curlew
92-----1757----Black Tailed Godwit

1800 Hours Total = 92 (‘08 = 92)

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The coast road then took us to Holkham Hall but the hall was closed so our forest bird haul took a bit of a dip. Un-phased we continued on to Choseley drying barns, picking up Grey Partridge as we passed the entry to a field. At the barns (Photo 3) another birder was on to a Turtle Dove (Photo 4) feeding on seed amongst the Yellowhammers and Corn Buntings, which kept my year list closing on the 200 tick target!

329.Turtle Dove-------------------Choseley------------------------England

93-----1845----Grey Partridge
94-----1853----Turtle Dove

Unfortunately we had fallen off the top of the cam as far as the day target was concerned, we had just over two days of daylight to get back on terms!

1900 Hours Total = 94 (‘08 = 102)

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At Titchwell the reported Wood Warbler hadn’t been seen or heard for 30 minutes or so. Not to be beaten we combed the area (Photo 5) and just as we decided to move on we caught a sound of the bird’s unmistakeable call. It had only been calling the last half of its spinning penny call all day and that is what we picked up on. Despite the wind all three of us spotted the bird high up at the top of one of the trees busy feeding.

330.Wood Warbler-----------------Titchwell------------------------England

This took my UK year tick to 198 surely we could find two more year birds to hit the 200 mark?

Entering the reserve a further five birds added to the day list but despite reaching three figures we were starting to wonder how we were going to stop the gap continuing to widen……

95-----1922----Wood Warbler
96-----1929----Brent Goose
97-----1931----Black Tailed Godwit
98-----1934----Turnstone
99-----1945----Barnacle Goose
100----1945----Common Gull

2000 Hours Total = 100 (’08 = 112)

More to follow…………………..

14 May 11 (Continued…..)

We were virtually on our own at Titchwell, under splendid Norfolk skies (Photo1) by now, with two birds being added to the list from the new hides…..

101-----2004----Grey Plover
102-----2008----Lesser Black Backed Gull

-----------and two others on the beach (Photo 2).

103-----2015----Sanderling
104-----2016----Knot

We were by now resigned to the fact that we were not going to beat the record, but hey I only needed two more birds for my 200th year bird and Dersingham Bog surely had them both!

2100 Hours Total = 104 (‘08 = 114)

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Arriving at the top of the former sea cliffs at Dersingham Bog (Photo 3) we heard a Nightjar calling. Two birders at the foot of the cliff advised that two birds had been wing clapping around them earlier but seemed to have settled down. Steve suddenly remembered that Nightjar fly earlier in the evening when they first arrive in the UK and sure enough we didn’t hear them again let alone see them. Our disappointment was lifted slightly when several Woodcock whistled their way over our heads.

We almost needed torches to find our way back to the car. Despite missing out on the day record by 10 birds we had still had a great day and Tom had done very well to stay the pace.

105-----2122----Woodcock

My final UK tally was 199, with little chance to get out birding before I flew to China on Monday. Therefore my record of reaching 200 UK birds in a year by 23May set in 2008 would last for another year.

331.Woodcock--------------------Dersingham Bog------------------England

2200 Hours Total = 105 (‘08 = 115)

We were all revived with fish and chips at Kings Lynn and then after dropping Steve off at my mums to pick his car and DAS and Tom off at the Eggington Bird Centre car park where we started the day I arrived home at 0130 hours being extremely pleased to finally be able to crawl into bed!

20 May 2011

Having failed to pick up on my 200th UK year bird before leaving for China I would have to wait another year to try and beat my 2008 record of reaching this goal on 23May, which will take some beating as my 200th bird that year was also a lifer, a Red Footed Falcon.

Having passed through Xiamen and Guangzhou I found myself sitting in one of our Beijing offices where common Swifts were flying above one of the vast Ameco hangers (Photo1) taking my China year list to 103

21 May 2011

An 0800 hour start to the day saw Yan Shen (from our Beijing office) and I visiting the Hanshi Qiao wetland reserve otherwise known as Health Bridge Wetland (Photo1), not too far from Beijing Airport. While we had blue skies the wind in the UK had followed me to China, blowing the reeds into impossible angles at times!

At the bird observatory (Photo 2) they showed a film (Photo 3), in Chinese, about the reserve and, as what seems to be the norm, one half of the building held an array of stuff birds that frequented the reserve!

From the observatory we spotted a Oriental Reed Warbler (a first for China!) skulking at the bottom of some reeds at the far side of the lagoon. It would be the only one we would see while we were there, even though there were many calling within feet of us at times!

332.Oriental Reed Warbler-----------Hanshi Qiao-----------------------China

The observatory was built on a small island of mixed woodland (Photo 4) which attracted Grey Capped Greenfinch while Fork Tailed Swifts flew overhead.

333.Grey Capped Greenfinch---------Hanshi Qiao----------------------China
334.Fork Tailed Swift----------------Hanshi Qiao----------------------China

Suddenly a flash of yellow caught my eye and we homed in on a gorgeous Yellow Rumped Flycatcher (Photo 5), which moved on as quickly as it arrived.

335.Yellow Rumped Flycatcher-------Hanshi Qiao----------------------China

Strolling along the levee that kept the reed beds in check, Sand Martins were in good numbers high above the reeds while a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew between trees as we caught up with it, both new-year birds for China.

More to follow……

21 May 2011

We then decided to drive into the local foot hills (Photo1) driving until the road turned into a track, which lead into an active quarry. Backing up slightly we decided to explore the surrounding area. In between explosions from the quarry we found a pair of Red Billed Blue Magpie’s in a hillside woodland.

336.Red Billed Blue Magpie--------Foothills near Hanshi Qiao------------China

A pair of Amur Falcons (Photo 2) were hovering like kestrels overhead. The beautifully coloured male never coming close enough to photograph

337.Amur Falcon-----------------Foothills near Hanshi Qiao------------China

A Collared Dove also added to the Chinese list.

By now we were both getting peckish so we drove to another park even closer to the airport, Luo Ma Hu, which we had regularly visited in the past. There, after a delicious Teppanyaki meal alongside a lake we walked along the narrow banks of a particularly stinky river (Photo 3) that was hemmed in by a long stone wall encapsulating rows upon rows of green houses. The last time we were there they were open fields!

I always remember the comments of another UK birder while visiting Chengdu once. “Find the worst smelling city river and you will find your best flycatchers!” This was certainly true as we first came across a Red Throated Flycatcher and then a Grey Streaked Flycatcher (Photo 4).

338.Red Throated Flycatcher--------Luo Ma Hu------------------------China
339.Grey Streaked Flycatcher-------Luo Ma Hu------------------------China

Finally breaking free of the river when the wall stopped we walked over to a lake (Photo 5) that was previously surrounded by trees. A Red Rumped Swallow patrolled the area.

340.Red Rumped Swallow------------Luo Ma Hu-----------------------China

One loop of the lake and then it was time for Yan to take me to the airport for my flight to Shanghai. As usual Yan had been a complete star, without him I just wouldn’t be able to do the birding I do in the Beijing area!

My China year list now sits at 115

22 May 2011

Sunday in Shanghai also started at 0800 hours with Cai Chang driving us to the Dongtan Wetland Park on Chong Ming Island for the second time this year.

Before we even entered the park’s Visitor Centre (Photo 1) both Whiskered Terns (Photo 2) and White Winged Black Terns (Photo 3) flew overhead in small flocks.

341.White Winged Black Tern-----Dongtan Wetland Park---------------China

Once in the park (Photo 4) a Greenshank flew up from in front of us while over the reed beds a number of Oriental Skylark’s and even more Cuckoo’s (Photo 5 ) were continually calling. Most of the Cuckoo’s were in pairs. Clearly what ever has greatly reduced the number of Cuckoo’s reaching the UK hasn’t affected the Chinese bound birds!

342.Oriental Skylark--------------Dongtan Wetland Park---------------China
343.Cuckoo----------------------Dongtan Wetland Park---------------China

Walking deeper into the park something caught my eye speeding across the sky, my binos picked out a pair of White Throated Needletail’s. Wow what a bird, I had always hoped to see them in China but had failed up to now. It was probably one of my briefest views of a lifer. It looked like it was going to be a good day….

344.White Throated Needletail----Dongtan Wetland Park---------------China

More to follow…..

22 May 2011 (Continued….)
This was my first visit to the Dangtan Wetland in spring. It was good to see green reeds and blooming plants (Photo1). I had already added Grey Heron to my list of birds seen during the day but had to scrub that when we realised that all of the heron’s flying over were in fact Purple Heron’s (Photo 2). We never did positively id a Grey Heron all day!

345.Purple Heron-----------------Dongtan Wetland Park---------------China

At the far end of the park we were trying to find which quail was continually calling but instead came across another lifer a Dark Sided Flycatcher (Photo 3) kindly identified by fellow Birdforum Members.

346.Dark Sided Flycatcher-----Dongtan Wetland Park--------------China

During the long walk back to the centre we caught a brief view of a Yellow Bittern

347.Yellow Bittern---------------Dongtan Wetland Park---------------China

After lunch we left the park but after just a few hundred metres stopped at some flooded fields (Photo 4) that we had noticed earlier in the day. Four tractors were continually ploughing up and down, churning up the mud, making it ideal for Cattle Egret (Photo 5), Spotted Redshank, Pacific Golden Plover and both tern species (in good numbers) seen earlier.

More to follow…..

22 May 2011 (Continued….)

After leaving the terns (Photo1) with their tractors we left Chong Ming Island for Pudong and the Binjiang Forest Park, one of the largest parks in Shanghai. We passed some huge power stations on the way and an enormous freight port. Wherever you looked there were container lorries parked, all along the twisty coast road.

By the time we arrived at the park it was growing dark with occasional bursts of rain, although only mid afternoon.

As I waited at the entrance for Cai to park his car many of the locals were intrigued with my telescope, and when Cai joined me there were people queuing up to have a look through it.

Finally we entered the park to find a gloriously rich variety of habitats, from manicured lawns to hidden ponds and streams and area’s for to nature to do its best. It was wonderful to see Hwamei enjoying their freedom, compared to many other parks where they call only call to each other from cages brought along by their “owners”.

348.Hwamei------------------------Binjiang Forest Park---------------China

After reaching the coast (Photo 2) where the Yangtze and two other rivers converge we turned on our heels and headed back through the park which, being so large was devoid of people. The trouble was it also seemed to be devoid of birds which seemed puzzling!

Suddenly we heard a bush warbler calling, “Shall we try and find it, they are notoriously difficult?” I exclaimed to Cai, “Of course” he replied. It was moving quickly through the vegetation (Photo 3) but we eventually tracked down the Manchurian Bush Warbler, of which we both managed surprisingly good views. My third lifer of the day, I had heard them before but never seen them!

349.Manchurian Bush Warbler-------Binjiang Forest Park---------China

Leaving the park if we had thought we had seen big industry during our drive there, it paled into insignificance when we took another route to downtown Shanghai. The size of the chemical works we passed was just extraordinary.

I thanked Cai for a wonderful day (3 lifers) and headed for the Starbucks in the hotel’s lobby….

My China year list now sits at 129

25 May 2011

Next stop of this China tour was Sanya (China’s version of Hawaii) on the southern tip of Hainan Island for a regional road show and then a China team away day. Between events I managed a couple of hours to explore the area. Previously we had twice stayed at the Gloria Hotel resort in a different part of Sanya but that hotel had been raised to the ground so we now stayed in a new Hilton (Photo1) which I found to be pretty much on its own as across the road was a lush unspoilt (for how long?) landscape (Photo2).

An Oriental Skylark (Photo3) was one of the first birds I saw, much better views than I had seen Sunday on Chong Ming Island. Then a noise in a bush to my right revealed two White Shouldered Starlings, an adult and a juvenile.

350.White Shouldered Starling-----------------Sanya-----------------China

Walking along the flooded plain (Photo 4) I was pleased to see so many Cinnamon Bitterns (Photo 5) taking flight, a wonderful bird but so persecuted by bird traders.

351.Cinnamon Bittern--------------------------Sanya----------------China

On the way back to the hotel I added Oriental Pratincole and Little Tern to my China list leaving it at 133 for the year.

27 May 2011

The day after taking the fast train from Sanya to Hainan Island’s capital city Haikou I made a very early morning visit to one of my favourite birding areas on Hainan, a small river that bisects some pastoral farmland. Despite some big developments in the area (including a magnificent, if that is the word, conference centre with a multi layered white roof) since I first stayed in the Sheraton Hotel (Photo1) when all around was unspoilt, “my river” has so far evaded the developers!

Each time I walk along the beach more of it has been regained by the sea, this time they were constructing new sea defences (Photo 2) to try and stem the tide!

Upon reaching the river a Hoopoe (Photo 3) was sat in some bushes watching me, both of us wondering why I was up at this unearthly hour!

Crossing the four lane dual carriageway and the bridge over the river I was now in familiar territory (Photo 4). The size of the duck ponds and the number of domestic ducks that fell over themselves trying to get away from me as I passed by had grown but there was still plenty of natural countryside left.

Above me two gorgeous, elegant Blue Throated Bee Eaters (Photo 5) we resting on a thin branch while noisy, boisterous Black Collared Starlings made a nuisance of themselves in a bush, such a contrast!

352.Blue Throated Bee Eater---------------Haikou---------------------China

More to follow……………..

27 May 2011 (Continued….)

The route the river (Photo1) takes changes each time I visit. The last few times I haven’t been able to cross and had to take a long detour but this time it was easy to cross giving me quick easy access to more areas in the time I had left to me.

Earlier in my trip I had heard Indian Cuckoo’s calling but with little hope of seeing them. This area was usually pretty good and sure enough after a short wait two birds flew through the trees on the far bank calling as they went.

353.Indian Cuckoo--------------------Haikou-------------------------China

Cinnamon and Yellow Bittern’s (Photo 2) were in good numbers in the vegetation along the river (Photo 3) while I was pleased to find Blue Tailed Bee Eaters (Photo 4) sharing the same habitat as the blue throated. I don’t remember seeing two species of bee eaters on the same day before!

A number of Red Collared Doves were gathered high up on the electricity grid lines while Common Myna were feeding amongst the tethered cattle, both new to this year’s China list

As time was running short and I needed to be on the way to the office I quickened my pace and headed back to the hotel, but still had time to photograph a Green Heron (Photo 5).

Later that day I would head for Hong Kong leaving my China year list at 139 for now.

28 May 2011

Saturday morning gave me a couple of hours in Hong Kong (Photo1) before I caught my flight home therefore I ventured into Kowloon Park (Photo 2) off Nathan Road.

The usual suspects were about, Chinese and Red Whiskered Bulbul, Tree Sparrows, Magpie Robins and Spotted Doves. In fact there seemed little else until I came upon some serious photographers (Photo 3).

They were shooting hundreds of photos of a Japanese Sparrowhawk (Photo 4) that nests in the park, devouring some recently caught prey. There was little conversation amongst the hawk’s own paparazzi and so after ten minutes or so, happy with my own results (I took 40 odd shots), I moved on.

354.Japanese Sparrowhawk -------------Kowloon Park------------Hong Kong

Just as I was leaving this area of the park an American gentlemen collared me asking what all the fuss was about. I explained, showing him my photos and the bird in my book; we got talking. Two days earlier I had been asked to take the training course I had given in Bangkok in March and in Sanya a couple of days ago to Dallas in the middle of June. I didn’t need asking twice! I had since (you have to work fast in this game) been in contact with another Birdforum member from Dallas who had kindly agreed to take me birding over the weekend. The guy in the park was from the very same town as this Birdforum member and so was able to give me some local advice; talk about coincidences!

After another 30 minutes walking around the park, a White Rumped Munia flashed passed me with a piece of grass that must have been ten times the length of its carrier. Knowing from previous experience it would soon be back I waited and sure enough it returned from whence it came, allowing some quick shots (Photo 5)

355.White Rumped Munia------------------Kowloon Park----------Hong Kong

This took my Hong Kong year list (so many lists!) to 82 and overall to 355, ten ahead of my previous best for this time of year.

A day in the UK when I return and then Monday my lady wife (Suzy) and I fly off to the Portuguese island of Madeira for a holiday. Not a big birding destination but I am sure I will get some birding in despite Suzy being an avid non birder! That seems a long way away at the moment as I look out of the window at the Gobi desert far below as I write……..

30 May 2011

Having arrived in Madeira just after lunch my wife Suzy and I picked up the hire car and drove along the very twisty and steep (some only negotiable in first gear!) roads to our apartment (Photo1) at Cabo Girao atop some of the tallest cliffs (Photo 2 – all 580 metres down to the sea) in Europe with wonderful views over Camara De Lobos (Photo 3).

Blackbird, Goldfinch and Herring Gull were my first birds in Madeira. While unloading the car I noticed several Plain Swifts circling over the woods behind our apartment. Fourth bird of the day and already a lifer in the books!

356.Plain Swift----------------------Cabo Girao---------------------Madeira

After all the unpacking was done I took a bit more interest in the swifts from our balcony and thought one seemed much larger than the rest. After some time it showed again, an Alpine Swift. Not that common on Madeira so a good catch.

357.Alpine Swift---------------------Cabo Girao---------------------Madeira

Later in the evening I took a quick walk around the site picking up Buzzard and Sparrowhawk and then while making my way back to the apartment my second lifer of the day showed, a Canary (Photo 4) drinking from one of the fresh water supplies.

358.Canary-------------------------Cabo Girao---------------------Madeira

Finally a Blackcap and Feral Pigeon took my Madeira list up to ten!

31 May 2011

This morning we spent our time in Funchal where Grey Wagtail were feeding in one of the many streams / storm drains (Photo 1) peppering the town while Common Tern were vying with the gulls for fish in the harbour.

Later in the day we drove West along the coast to Ribeira Bravia where a stunning coastline (Photo 2) produced a number of Yellow Legged (Photo 3) and Lesser Black Backed Gulls.

We then drove North right through the middle of the island before reaching Sao Vicente (Photo 4) on the North coast. What a transformation from the sun drenched idyllic views of the south with thick cloud, a strong wind and North Atlantic rollers pounding the coastline. On the plus side there were a number of Cory’s Shearwaters (Photos 5) gliding over the rough seas, another lifer in the book!

359.Cory’s Shearwater----------------Sao Vicente------------Madeira

A Kestrel hovering on the up draughts from the cliffs took the Madeira list to 16

01 June 2011

Before catching the cable car (Photo1) to the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens (Photo 2) a Little Egret flew along the coast.

Walking through the extensive gardens (Photo 2) a Chaffinch, together with a lifer a Madeiran Firecrest, came down to drink in one of the small streams.

360.Madeiran Firecrest------Monte Palace Tropical Gardens----Madeira

Taking in some brunch with Suzy several Chaffinches’ (Photo 3) joined our table! A Robin was also calling from a tree.

Next stop was the far Eastern part of the Island, Ponta de Sao Lourenco, where the habitat was totally different to that we had seen up to then, with mainly grassland and low bushes interspersed with lava bolder fields (Photo 4). It didn’t take long to pick up another lifer with several Berthelot’s Pipits (Photo 5) in the area.

361.Berthelot’s Pipit---------Ponta de Sao Lourenco-----------Madeira

While it was impossible to see any of the Quail that were continually calling a Red Legged Partridge was far more obliging taking the Madeira count to 22.