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18 months in Shanghai: March 2012 - August 2013 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter McMadd
- Start date
McMadd
You should see the other bloke...
Three Go To Hangzhou...
Time moving on we navigated our way along the narrow, tourist-strewn streets looking for ducks on the mighty West Lake...
One abortive stop saw us identifying a flock of distant bobbing dots as Mandarin Duck but our walk along the shoreline was thwarted...that said we did bump into a couple of Black-throated Tits that posed in the tree tops...
Back in the motor we tried driving closer only to be met by the military polis...always welcome when you're sitting there with bins round your neck and big lenses in your lap (stop that snickering at the back...)...no access, sorry...military old soldiers home, no disturbance by the unwashed such as we...
Back we headed...north along the west side of West Lake and finally found ourselves a parking space by a 'wildlife reserve'...a floating feeding platform attended by tame(d) Whooper Swans and real, live, wild, genuine Mandarins...and some Great Cormorants...as dusk approached, Black-crowned Night-herons did the photogenic thing and a Common Kingfisher caught some supper before whacking the poor bleeder (literally when he'd finished with it) to death...ahh..nature in the raw...
Some sunset pics and then the journey home...
Time moving on we navigated our way along the narrow, tourist-strewn streets looking for ducks on the mighty West Lake...
One abortive stop saw us identifying a flock of distant bobbing dots as Mandarin Duck but our walk along the shoreline was thwarted...that said we did bump into a couple of Black-throated Tits that posed in the tree tops...
Back in the motor we tried driving closer only to be met by the military polis...always welcome when you're sitting there with bins round your neck and big lenses in your lap (stop that snickering at the back...)...no access, sorry...military old soldiers home, no disturbance by the unwashed such as we...
Back we headed...north along the west side of West Lake and finally found ourselves a parking space by a 'wildlife reserve'...a floating feeding platform attended by tame(d) Whooper Swans and real, live, wild, genuine Mandarins...and some Great Cormorants...as dusk approached, Black-crowned Night-herons did the photogenic thing and a Common Kingfisher caught some supper before whacking the poor bleeder (literally when he'd finished with it) to death...ahh..nature in the raw...
Some sunset pics and then the journey home...
Attachments
McMadd
You should see the other bloke...
Three Go To Hangzhou...
Final delights...
Final delights...
Attachments
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IMG_2013-02-03_00420_Great Cormorant_West Lake_Hangzhou.jpg -
IMG_2013-02-03_00574_Common Kingfisher_West Lake_Hangzhou.jpg -
IMG_2013-02-03_00475_Black-crowned Night-heron_West Lake_Hangzhou.jpg -
IMG_2013-02-03_00446_Black-crowned Night-heron_West Lake_Hangzhou.jpg -
IMG_2013-02-03_00550_Shot_of_The_Day_West Lake_Hangzhou.jpg
thirudevaram
Trapped in mist ***s
18 months back in action. B 
60D did very good. How abt the new D? :king: Show some action from the "7" pack.
60D did very good. How abt the new D? :king: Show some action from the "7" pack.
McMadd
You should see the other bloke...
Usual Haunts
Saturday 23rd March saw Kevin and I heading out to our usual Shanghai haunts for a day of early spring migration...
Judging by the pictures we found very little except for on one newly drained pool south of the Black Magic Hotel in Nanhui...the freshly exposed mud seemed to have drawn a mixed bag of waders and migrant passerines...
Saturday 23rd March saw Kevin and I heading out to our usual Shanghai haunts for a day of early spring migration...
Judging by the pictures we found very little except for on one newly drained pool south of the Black Magic Hotel in Nanhui...the freshly exposed mud seemed to have drawn a mixed bag of waders and migrant passerines...
Attachments
McMadd
You should see the other bloke...
McMadd
You should see the other bloke...
Short but Sweet Sunday...
Sunday 31st March saw me head south of the "Floating Pig River" (Huangpo is it's other name...never did see a porcine parade float by me balcony...) to meet up with Jocko for a Nanhui hit 'n' run...
Not a massively productive morning but we were glad to be out birding...
If I rightly recall highlights were watching a Peregrine chase a feral pigeon across the reedbeds and out over the water towards the Yangshan 'bridge/road'...we turned a full 360 degrees while watching the battle...the outcome remains unknown as they disappeared into the murky air surrounding the bridge...epic and we hoped the plucky little pigeon remained...unplucked...!
A movement of Chinese Penduline Tit's bouncing through the reeds with too much energy to sit still for pictures stood out and a perfectly posing...left wing...flick...right wing....flick...Claudia's Leaf Warbler at the Black Magic Car Park were good value...
Sunday 31st March saw me head south of the "Floating Pig River" (Huangpo is it's other name...never did see a porcine parade float by me balcony...) to meet up with Jocko for a Nanhui hit 'n' run...
Not a massively productive morning but we were glad to be out birding...
If I rightly recall highlights were watching a Peregrine chase a feral pigeon across the reedbeds and out over the water towards the Yangshan 'bridge/road'...we turned a full 360 degrees while watching the battle...the outcome remains unknown as they disappeared into the murky air surrounding the bridge...epic and we hoped the plucky little pigeon remained...unplucked...!
A movement of Chinese Penduline Tit's bouncing through the reeds with too much energy to sit still for pictures stood out and a perfectly posing...left wing...flick...right wing....flick...Claudia's Leaf Warbler at the Black Magic Car Park were good value...
Attachments
McMadd
You should see the other bloke...
Mike Ilett
Member
Hi McMadd, I'm out in China next week and have next Saturday free for birding - any suggestions of place to visit around Shanghai, is there any movement this time of year or has it died down ?
Thanks Mike
Thanks Mike
McMadd
You should see the other bloke...
Hi Mike
I'd suggest the Botanic Gardens, Century Park or Gongqing Park would be ok early morning...and I mean early to avoid the rush...links below...
We were out today at our usual haunts south of the city but you'd need a car and driver to do them...PM me if that's an option and I'll give you more specifics
http://www.shgqsl.com/e_introduce.htm
http://www.shgqsl.com/e_introduce.htm
http://shanghaichina.ca/attractions/centuryparkshanghai.html
Cheers
M
I'd suggest the Botanic Gardens, Century Park or Gongqing Park would be ok early morning...and I mean early to avoid the rush...links below...
We were out today at our usual haunts south of the city but you'd need a car and driver to do them...PM me if that's an option and I'll give you more specifics
http://www.shgqsl.com/e_introduce.htm
http://www.shgqsl.com/e_introduce.htm
http://shanghaichina.ca/attractions/centuryparkshanghai.html
Cheers
M
McMadd
You should see the other bloke...
Mr Loma Man...
Friday 19th April saw me up bright and early and ready for a day of not being in the office...in fact the first of several such days on my immediate horizon...it was 'Loma' time...
Up, showered, dressed, fed and watered and downstairs in the lobby by 0800 where I quickly hooked up with driver Mr Ni and off we headed into the Streets of Shanghai...winding our way towards Pudong where we would collect the first of our two passengers for today's little outing. Swiftly we arrived at stop number one and found Cynthia waiting for us...gear in the boot rearranged we headed off again and straight into a traffic jam...luckily I'd allowed time in our schedule for just such an eventuality and it merely made our arrival at Pudong T2 that bit more suitable to collect passenger number two...
Entering the terminal we found the flight just landing and so it was only a short while before my old birding pal from the UK, Phil, strolled out from the customs hall doing his best to look like all the high-flying car executives surrounding him...seems it was a week for car exhibitions in the city and arrivals was festooned with local managers waiting to meet 'n' greet the arriving big wigs from overseas...well he tried but was soon spotted and welcomes and introductions swiftly over, Cynthia and I tried to remember which floor we'd left Mr Ni and the car...
Second guess was correct and we, once again, rearranged the luggage to accommodate Phil's small ensemble...well...I had said to pack for all eventualities...
Off we set, due north through the city and then veering east and under the river to Chongming Island from where we continued N towards today's destination three hours say...the word famous Yangkou...one stop for a sticky rice lunch and a second to buy Phil some wellies...and the journey passed without fuss...conversation filling the car as we caught up on the goss and discussed plans for the next two weeks...
Arriving at Yangkou we checked in to the birders hotel with Cynthia's help and bumped in to Zhang Lin and Tong...seems the whole world was in residence! A quick chat and plans to hit the reeds and wasteland near the temple then the seawall for a first look at waders were made and Phil and I set off with Mr Ni...there may have been lunch at this point but it's all somewhat a blur!
First to the reeds and scrub and an introduction to the birds of China...first up...quelle surprise...Red-flanked Bluetail...they'd been all over the place for the previous week or so in Shanghai so I was suitably non-plussed...
Walking around the pools was slow work with only a Wryneck and several Dusky Thrushes showing themselves...Vinous-throated Parrotbills posed for good views but no sign of any of their bigger, reedier, cousins unfortunately...
Plain Prinia and Pallas's Leaf Warbler popped up and an Oriental Turtle Dove paused in the trees. Walking the rough ground pushed four Common Snipe into the air and away and a Red-billed Starling passed overhead...more were present later at the Temple proper. While trying for shots of the bluetail a Pale Thrush showed briefly to me and a male Grey-backed Thrush sat still long enough for a good luck at this smart lifer for Phil. Then a really good bird...faithful to this area since it's unexpected arrival last autumn popped up...Varied Tit! Cracking bird but, apart from a 'hide & seek' Black-faced Bunting that was it for the early afternoon...not the best time for birding anyway...
Next stop was to be the seawall...
Friday 19th April saw me up bright and early and ready for a day of not being in the office...in fact the first of several such days on my immediate horizon...it was 'Loma' time...
Up, showered, dressed, fed and watered and downstairs in the lobby by 0800 where I quickly hooked up with driver Mr Ni and off we headed into the Streets of Shanghai...winding our way towards Pudong where we would collect the first of our two passengers for today's little outing. Swiftly we arrived at stop number one and found Cynthia waiting for us...gear in the boot rearranged we headed off again and straight into a traffic jam...luckily I'd allowed time in our schedule for just such an eventuality and it merely made our arrival at Pudong T2 that bit more suitable to collect passenger number two...
Entering the terminal we found the flight just landing and so it was only a short while before my old birding pal from the UK, Phil, strolled out from the customs hall doing his best to look like all the high-flying car executives surrounding him...seems it was a week for car exhibitions in the city and arrivals was festooned with local managers waiting to meet 'n' greet the arriving big wigs from overseas...well he tried but was soon spotted and welcomes and introductions swiftly over, Cynthia and I tried to remember which floor we'd left Mr Ni and the car...
Second guess was correct and we, once again, rearranged the luggage to accommodate Phil's small ensemble...well...I had said to pack for all eventualities...
Off we set, due north through the city and then veering east and under the river to Chongming Island from where we continued N towards today's destination three hours say...the word famous Yangkou...one stop for a sticky rice lunch and a second to buy Phil some wellies...and the journey passed without fuss...conversation filling the car as we caught up on the goss and discussed plans for the next two weeks...
Arriving at Yangkou we checked in to the birders hotel with Cynthia's help and bumped in to Zhang Lin and Tong...seems the whole world was in residence! A quick chat and plans to hit the reeds and wasteland near the temple then the seawall for a first look at waders were made and Phil and I set off with Mr Ni...there may have been lunch at this point but it's all somewhat a blur!
First to the reeds and scrub and an introduction to the birds of China...first up...quelle surprise...Red-flanked Bluetail...they'd been all over the place for the previous week or so in Shanghai so I was suitably non-plussed...
Walking around the pools was slow work with only a Wryneck and several Dusky Thrushes showing themselves...Vinous-throated Parrotbills posed for good views but no sign of any of their bigger, reedier, cousins unfortunately...
Plain Prinia and Pallas's Leaf Warbler popped up and an Oriental Turtle Dove paused in the trees. Walking the rough ground pushed four Common Snipe into the air and away and a Red-billed Starling passed overhead...more were present later at the Temple proper. While trying for shots of the bluetail a Pale Thrush showed briefly to me and a male Grey-backed Thrush sat still long enough for a good luck at this smart lifer for Phil. Then a really good bird...faithful to this area since it's unexpected arrival last autumn popped up...Varied Tit! Cracking bird but, apart from a 'hide & seek' Black-faced Bunting that was it for the early afternoon...not the best time for birding anyway...
Next stop was to be the seawall...
Attachments
McMadd
You should see the other bloke...
Mr Loma Man...
Next stop the Temple 'garden' briefly as it was apparent things were quiet and the only bird of note was a 'there then gone' male Daurian Redstart I saw...Mr Ni knew where we needed to be though so off we went along the seawall, diverting across a small construction site to a favoured spot where the shellfish harvesting crews accessed the mudflats...
Some confusion over the timing of high tide (it was after dusk and not that high) ensued but there were a few birds 'out there' so on with the wellies and down the slipway we went to see what we could see to add to the Far Eastern Curlew and Grey Plover we'd already spied from the car window...the answer was not that much...Kentish and Greater Sandplovers, Bar-Tailed Godwits, Red-necked Stints and Dunlin plus a few 'longipennis' Common Terns...
With the afternoon light fading and jet lag inevitably catching up on Phil we retired to our base and prepared for supper and an early night...hot showers and then a perusal of both the menu and the freezers saw us set up with a good meal and some beers as we met Lin's main group and plotted the next days plan of attack...
And that was pretty much that...
Next stop the Temple 'garden' briefly as it was apparent things were quiet and the only bird of note was a 'there then gone' male Daurian Redstart I saw...Mr Ni knew where we needed to be though so off we went along the seawall, diverting across a small construction site to a favoured spot where the shellfish harvesting crews accessed the mudflats...
Some confusion over the timing of high tide (it was after dusk and not that high) ensued but there were a few birds 'out there' so on with the wellies and down the slipway we went to see what we could see to add to the Far Eastern Curlew and Grey Plover we'd already spied from the car window...the answer was not that much...Kentish and Greater Sandplovers, Bar-Tailed Godwits, Red-necked Stints and Dunlin plus a few 'longipennis' Common Terns...
With the afternoon light fading and jet lag inevitably catching up on Phil we retired to our base and prepared for supper and an early night...hot showers and then a perusal of both the menu and the freezers saw us set up with a good meal and some beers as we met Lin's main group and plotted the next days plan of attack...
And that was pretty much that...
Attachments
Mike Ilett
Member
Hi McMadd, thanks for the response, sorry in delay getting back to you. In end went upto Rudong area, which was quiet compared to previous visits but still a great days birding for a UK birder !
Thanks Mike
Thanks Mike
McMadd
You should see the other bloke...
Hi Mike
Glad you got some birding in. Rudong's always delivered something interesting when I've been.
Now...a little "to do" list of write-ups still to be done...so I don't lose me place and you all get a teaser of things to come...
Rudong Day 2
Sichuan 13 days
Shanghai 11/05
Shanghai 19/05
Jilin 30 & 31/05
Wu Ling Shan 01 & 02/06
A wee taster...
Glad you got some birding in. Rudong's always delivered something interesting when I've been.
Now...a little "to do" list of write-ups still to be done...so I don't lose me place and you all get a teaser of things to come...
Rudong Day 2
Sichuan 13 days
Shanghai 11/05
Shanghai 19/05
Jilin 30 & 31/05
Wu Ling Shan 01 & 02/06
A wee taster...
