Beidaihe, China - Awaiting the Birds of Heaven (1 Viewer)

[Paul Higson]

After an early morning roam around the reservoir looking at hordes of buntings and a unsuccessful search for yesterdays Baikal Teal it was back to the sandflats but only for 7.5 hours this time.

I'd be beside you now
But I can only sigh
And watch you circle round

It was good, in fact it was very very good.

Frank

Have you had a beer Frank?

Cheers,

Paul

 

[FXM]

The first step towards a cure is to admit it to oneself so I'll do just that, but in public ... I'm addicted to sprite. Say no more eh!

Frank

 

[FXM]

Early morning to the flats for stragglers but nothing showed so a return to the reservoir for a couple of hours and some respite from the F5 Siberian winds howling in from the NE. Another dose of buntings then a flock of c.35 Baikal Teal circled several times before dropping into the reeds and out of sight.

Back into the cold wind on the very exposed sandflats. Once again it was worth it. This time we watched from the stalls at the rear of the theatre but it didn't matter as we were treated to another stunning performance. They're obviously on the move big style, as are lots of other species. What else will come down I wonder ?

Frank

 

[rockfowl]

Another 'Big Day' in very difficult conditions, nothing will move in these winds we thought, but we'd better not chance it.... Just shows that when birds have to move, they'll move!
Geese at 5000ft and Cranes in off the Sea, an amazing and rather 'adrenalin-pulsing' sight. Counting them was tricky, thankfully someone invented digital cameras!

Todays totals...
Siberian Crane - 192 involving 27 juveniles (22+170) - attached, small part of the group!
Common Crane - 5 involving 2 Juveniles
Oriental Stork - 230 (163+67)

Bean Goose - 36

Maybe more tomorrow...and hopefully a few Bustards!

Mark

 

[xiaoming]

I will arrive at BeiDaiHe tomorrow noon.
Hope to have a good birding weekend with you and Cranes.

Li Ming

 

[rockfowl]

Li Ming,

Bring some warm clothes! It's very cold and stronger North Easterlies tomorrow!!

Mark

 

[Paul Eele]

Hi Mark

Sounds fantastic out there at the moment brings back loads of memories from last spring.
Looks like I should be saving my pennies and joining you out the one autumn

Paul

 

[FXM]

With the wind still in the NE quarter and very cold conditions above us there were great expectations. The sound of Common Cranes overhead at 1000hrs made sure those at the reservoir were quick to return to the sandflats in anticipation of what else might come down from the far north. Once again we were not disappointed but difficult conditions meant even those with the best eyes had to work that bit harder today.

I managed to dip on Great Bustard once again, missing two groups, but I've still got tomorrow to connect with (a close) one hopefully.

Frank

 

[rockfowl]

To be brief, tired eyes

Crane totals today...

Siberian Crane - 122 involving at least 6 juveniles
Red Crowned Crane - 14
White-naped Crane - 21
Common Crane - 107

Other notables..
Oriental Stork - 24
Great Bustard - 18 (7+11) Very High, Sorry Frank!
Spoonbill - 1 with 9 Red-crowned and 2 Siberian Crane

 

[RonMac]

Great postings , I have visited beidaihe in spring twice - autumn looks good too! Have posted a few pics amongst other stuff at www.pbase.com/ronm

 

[rockfowl]

Great postings , I have visited beidaihe in spring twice - autumn looks good too! Have posted a few pics amongst other stuff at www.pbase.com/ronm

Some nice images Ron but your Eye-browed's a Grey-sided!

 

[RonMac]

Hi thank you, we thought the same but the bird had strong malar stripes (not obvious in this shot) would grey sided show these stripes?

 

[James Eaton]

Hi thank you, we thought the same but the bird had strong malar stripes (not obvious in this shot) would grey sided show these stripes?

The Grey-sides are the give away - Eye-browed would never show this feature, always showing a hint of rufous.
even washed-out 1st-winter birds still show rufous:
http://orientalbirdimages.org/searc...esult&Bird_ID=2428&Bird_Family_ID=&pagesize=1

See these too:
http://orientalbirdimages.org/searc...esult&Bird_ID=2427&Bird_Family_ID=&pagesize=1
One from Mark - http://orientalbirdimages.org/searc...esult&Bird_ID=2427&Bird_Family_ID=&pagesize=1

Cheers,

James

 

[RonMac]

The Grey-sides are the give away - Eye-browed would never show this feature, always showing a hint of rufous.
even washed-out 1st-winter birds still show rufous:
http://orientalbirdimages.org/searc...esult&Bird_ID=2428&Bird_Family_ID=&pagesize=1

See these too:
http://orientalbirdimages.org/searc...esult&Bird_ID=2427&Bird_Family_ID=&pagesize=1
One from Mark - http://orientalbirdimages.org/searc...esult&Bird_ID=2427&Bird_Family_ID=&pagesize=1

Cheers,

James

Many thanks James, I stand corrected.

 

[FXM]

A full day on the sand flats today in sunny, less windy, but still rather cold conditions. A rather unusual large falcon got things off to an interesting start. I had two objectives: 1) See some more Siberian Cranes, enough to take the count into four figures. We know they are on the way but it didn't happen today. 2) Great Bustard - none seen. Another thoroughly enjoyable day with the prospect of much more still to come.

Frank

 

[xiaoming]

Hi Mark and Frank:

Thank you very very much. We spent a very great birding weekend. Thank you for your help in finding the cranes. I'm sure without your help I will miss most of the cranes.
Also please convey my thank to John(Right spelling?). Hope to birding with you again.

Cheers
Li Ming

Ps: Do you ID the Falcon?

 

[xiaoming]

With the wind still in the NE quarter and very cold conditions above us there were great expectations. The sound of Common Cranes overhead at 1000hrs made sure those at the reservoir were quick to return to the sandflats in anticipation of what else might come down from the far north. Once again we were not disappointed but difficult conditions meant even those with the best eyes had to work that bit harder today.

I managed to dip on Great Bustard once again, missing two groups, but I've still got tomorrow to connect with (a close) one hopefully.

Frank

If you want to see a Great Bustard, why not go to Guanting Reservoir (Wild duck lake), many people see Great Bustard during these days and very close.

 

[rockfowl]

Xiaoming and Team,

You're welcome and you will be pleased to know that after you left only one more group of Cranes came through (14) at 17.00hrs though it did contain three species!

Todays totals...

Siberian Crane - Only 3 today, all adults with Red Crowned (2+1)
Red-crowned Crane - 97 birds involving 19 juveniles (29+22+4+21+5+4+12) included one with a broken leg!
Common Crane - 166 (5+10+36+20+36+16=7=21+7+7+1)
Oriental Stork - 4

We haven't identified the Falcon yet despite a good observation and photographs, bit of a Mystery!

Mark

 

[FXM]

Today is my last opportunity to see some more cranes and maybe a Great Bustard as I head off to Beijing late afternoon for my return flight to the Uk tomorrow morning. Whatever happens it's been an incredible experience.

Xaoming and Team: great to meet you all and I'm really pleased you enjoyed things so much. Thanks for the tip re Wild Duck Lake and when I'm next in China I'm sure I'll take the opportunity to spend at least a day there. Maybe we can meet up.

Just off for breakfast.

Frank

 

[rockfowl]

Sorry Frank! Literally ten minutes after you left having stared at nothing all day, that 'magic door" once again opened and for fifty minutes only, the birds once again passed through!

Todays Crane totals...

Siberian Crane - 5 involving 1 juvenile
Red-crowned Crane - 48 involving 17 juveniles (10+17+7+14)
Common Crane - 191 (4+37+47+3+59+41)