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Message: <blockquote data-quote="tony.saw" data-source="post: 2453993" data-attributes="member: 3058">Day 3After long discussion over a beer in Lijiang, we decided on a plan. We debated buying and releasing, trapping, taking a captive bird out with us and other alternatives. We decided that the best idea was to see the trapper again and get more information from him. If he was agreeable, do we take him with us in the car – although this might lead to more trapping. We left Lijiang in order to get to his house at about 7:00, we thought he should be up by then.  Arriving at the house, we went into the garden, his two birds singing away in the early morning sunshine. His wife was up and called out to him. Judging from the number of empty bottles around, a good night had been had! He finally emerged, not looking great. After a number of hacking coughs and spitting, a cigarette was lit and we began to talk over our position. The trapper said that there were many more birds present a few years ago – not surprising if he was trapping them! He got between 300 – 400 RMB per bird, so the restaurant was offering their one at a reasonable price(?). He had had his male bird for a year and the female had flown in recently in answer to the trapped bird’s calls and he had caught it. He thought it was rare for the birds to answer to tape, he had tried it to little effect. He suggested that we headed back to the rhododendron reserve to see one “It’s the best place!” We agreed and decided against asking him to come – he was probably reluctant anyway. On the way out Jerry said that he thought that the trapper was being economical with the truth and there were still some birds in the area (probably!).We headed off to the reserve, driving over on a newly laid road. Then, as we rounded a corner, two laughingthrushes were hopping off into the undergrowth. Cries of stop, stop had no effect, but using ting, ting brought the car to a halt. We quickly looked at the two birds before they disappeared –yes, two Biet’s Laughingthrushes! They vanished into the undergrowth. We carefully got out and played the calls, but there was no response – perhaps the trapper was right about that anyway. We kept looking and saw the two birds briefly higher up the hill. We walked round, up the road, hoping to head them off, but they stayed in front of us, continually on the move until they flew off over the hill. Great rejoicing all round, even the driver joined in, probably as there were no more early starts! We decided to continue to the reserve to see what was around. On arrival, the locals again said that the Laughers had been heard behind the accommodation huts, so we headed off, much more relaxed this time! However, there was again no sign of the Laughers, although a Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler was some compensation. After a late breakfast of buns and boiled egg, we decided to head back and see if the two Laughers from earlier in the morning had reappeared in the same area. A steady drive back to the small clearing followed and we passed a number of small vehicles heading up the hill. Just as we arrived at the clearing, we could see a couple of birds a little way up the hill, perhaps a chance for a photograph. Unfortunately, just at that moment, a somewhat loud tractor type vehicle appeared and sent the birds flying. We tried to follow them up the hill, but with little success. Oh well, we had seen them anyway. A jolly party made its way back to a local Naxi hotpot restaurant for lunch, this time with a few celebratory beers!We had been helped by the enthusiasm of Jerry, who was prepared to make every effort to help us see the birds and we would be happy to recommend him, even just as a tour guide. He can be contacted at zxp2913atyahoo.com.cn. Our travel arrangements and initial contact with Jerry had been arranged by Tang Jun of Chinatibettravel.net. He had arranged our travels throughout Sichuan, where we had a great time, with no problems. He can be contacted via the web site and I would have no problem in recommending him. We have previously used TJ to travel through Tibet and surrounding areas.</blockquote>

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