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Message: <blockquote data-quote="rockfowl" data-source="post: 1640687" data-attributes="member: 64295">Hi Frank,Having had a closer look now, there does seem to be some rather worrying gaps! I assume Mr Diao at the LH has been on duty since the beginning of October, any news from earlier in the month?There appears to be no sightings of Oriental Stork so far this year? Considering that the world pop passes through, have part of this group, the first wave passed through before your arrival, off the top of my head 27th Oct in previous years was around the first wave.No sightings of White-naped Crane mentioned, traditionally the earliest of the movers?Are you aging the Red-crowned or are the conditions/visibility hindering this process this year, remember last year, evidence suggested a very good breeding year.Very few Siberian Crane juveniles mentioned, as above or mostly adults powering through, as usual, not needing to teach juv's the route?The 07.45 Siberian Cranes on the 4th would again suggest that there is a staging post just to the west of Qinhuangdao,remember we've seen Storks and Cranes rising before from this area. I can't see how they could clear the Jiaoshan Mountain this early and unfortunately, we couldn't do proper counts and risk investigating the area during our previous periods. As Martin suggests, Tian Ma Hu could be worth a visit as could the military area JW knows about. Qiliha was the driest I've ever seen it this Spring, so unless they had some decent rain this year, doubtful, it is probably on a severe decline.Anybody on HI? This area needs to be monitored in future, maybe next year with an FXM team?Without appearing to take the P, how much time are you spending at the watchpoint ?I know it's difficult when it's very quiet, but remember many cranes are now passing across the bay and will remain unheard and probably unseen from the road inwards. It seems an astonishingly slow year compared with the last three.I have a couple of 'big-players' interested in getting involved next year, timing is going to be difficult but it has to be done. Maybe finally, we could put that rather dreadful Birdwatching Centre to good use - I see what you mean Martin, a wasted opportunity again and one we should perhaps forcefully suggest to put right!Two/three days left Frank? Got to be the prime time to finally see the Bustards surely? Suggest Sandflats bridge early, when they are likely to be kicked off the fields to the north, otherwise a visit to specsavers <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />And yes, Ladakh awesome... No Black-necked Crane (they were in a sensitive area) but I did see two Snow Leopard :eek!:Martin, disastrous news about Poyang, are things likely to improve? If not, they'll be better off staying in the north! Be in touch shortly.M.</blockquote>

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