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BIRDING in CHINA

CHANGING CURRENTS
20 YEARS of REFLECTIONS
BIRDS IN CHINA - PHOTOS
CYCLING to XANADU
THE CHINESE DREAM
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VIEWS FROM ABOARD THE CHINA EXPRESS:
1 Zola and Retail Marketing
2 Playing the Waiting Game
3 Beware the Ides of March
4 The county not on a map
5 Chinese Chess in Beijing
6 Build it and They'll Come
7 Riding the Water Dragon
8 The Best of Both Worlds
9 Storming the Great Wall
10 Welcome to the Wangba
11 The Catcher in the Rice
12 The Marriage Business
13 The Crouching Dragon
14 Counting the Numbers
15 A Century of Migration
16 Shooting for the Stars
17 Rise of Yorkshire Puds
18 Harry Potter in Beijing
19 Standing Out in China
20 Self-pandactualisation
21 Strolling on the Moon
22 Tea with the Brothers
23 Animated Guangzhou
24 Trouble on the Farms
25 Christmas in Haerbin
26 Dave pops into Tesco
27 A Breath of Fresh Air
28 The Boys from Brazil
29 Rolls-Royce on a roll
30 The Great Exhibition
31 Spreading the Word
32 On Top of the World
33 Moonlight Madness
34 Beijing's Wild West
35 Avatar vs Confucius
36 Brand Ambassadors
37 Inspiring Adventure
38 China's Sweet Spot
39 Spinning the Wheel
40 Winter Wonderland
41 The End of the Sky
42 Ticket to Ride High
43 Turning the Corner
44 Trouble in Toytown
45 Watch with Mother
46 Red-crowned Alert
47 In a Barbie World
48 Domestic Arrivals
49 Tale of Two Taxis
50 Land of Extremes
51 Of 'Mice' and Men
52 Tour of the South
53 Brooding Clouds?
54 The Nabang Test
55 Guanxi Building
56 Apple Blossoms
57 New Romantics
58 The Rose Seller
59 Rural Shanghai
60 Forbidden Fruit
61 Exotic Flavours
62 Picking up Pace
63 New Year, 2008
64 Shedding Tiers
65 Olympic Prince
66 London Calling
67 A Soulful Song
68 Paradise Lost?
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New Year's Eve, Emei Shan, Sichuan Province

Snow was falling. 

It had taken me the entire morning to climb up from Hongchun Monastery, where I had spent the night. 

I was tired and cold (at least the earlier noodles at Xianfeng Monastery had got me this far). 

I stopped in my tracks. 

A sound, coming from deep inside the thicket of bamboo that abuts the steps on this part of the long climb up Emei Mountain, made me get my camera ready for action.

Then I saw something - pehaps a bird, perhaps an animal - move.  

The shape reminded me of something I had seen before - two years ago on the adjacent mountain of Wawu Shan. 

And then it appeared.

The most glorious bird in all of China - as far as I am concerend - was there not more than 10 yards in front of me. 

A resplendant male Temminck's Tragopan no less.  One of the world's most beautiful pheasants.

This amazing creature walked quickly across the snow-covered steps as I fired off 8 shots (at 4 frames a second).   

Then it was gone, disappearing into the bamboo thicket on the other side of the steps.

China_birds_11.jpg

China_Emei_Shan_Tragopan.jpg

Annotated list of birds seen in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan from 29th January to the 7th February 2014

 

Grey Peacock Pheasant 灰孔雀雉 Polyplectron bicalcaratum bicalcaratum

One at Nangongshan on the 3rd at 1440 masl, seen at 09:46.  Perhaps the same bird seen on the track, at 1385 masl at 14:06, on the walk down the mountain.

 

Ruddy Shelduck 赤麻鸭 Tadorna ferruginea (monotypic)

Four together on the Mekong, west of Jinghong on the 4th.

 

Greater Yellownape 大黄冠啄木鸟 Chrysophlegma flavinucha

One at Nangongshan on the 2nd.

  charts/lesseryn.jpg

 

Blue-throated Barbet 蓝喉拟啄木鸟 Megalaima asiatica davisoni

Six at the Botanical Gardens on the 1st.

 

Golden-throated Barbet 金喉拟啄木鸟 Megalaima franklinii ramsayi

Two at Nangongshan on the 2nd.

  charts/Gtb.jpg

 

Hoopoe 戴胜 Upupa epops longirostris

One at the Botanical Gardens on the 31st.

 

Red-headed Trogon 红头咬鹃 Harpactes erythrocephalus intermedius

One at Nangongshan on the 3rd at 1490 masl, seen at 10:00. 

 

Green-billed Malkoha 绿嘴地鹃 Phaenicophaeus tristis saliens

One at Yexianggu on the 6th.

 

Atherton’s Bee-Eater 蓝须夜蜂虎 Nyctyornis athertoni athertoni

One at Nangongshan on the 2nd.

charts/athert.jpg 

 

Asian Palm Swift  棕雨燕 Cypsiurus balasiensis infumatus

About twenty over the Botanical Gardens on the 1st.  A few seen on the 2nd there.

 

Cook’s Swift [不知道中文怎么说] Apus cooki (monotypic)

Several over a Jinghong city park on the 7th.

 

Little Swift 小白腰雨燕 Apus nipalensis nipalensis

About 80 over the Botanical Gardens on the 30th.  A few seen there also on the 31st.

 

Emerald Dove 绿翅金鸠 Chalcophaps indica indica

One or two birds seen on each of the three days at the Botanical Gardens and on each of the three days at Nangongshan.

  charts/DSC_3252.jpg

 

Common Sandpiper 矶鹬 Actitis hypoleucos (monotypic)

One on the banks of the “north” river at the Botanical Gardens on the 1st; and three on the banks of the Mekong on the 4th.

 

Grey-headed Lapwing 灰头麦鸡 Vanellus cinereus

One near the rain forest on the 5th. 

 

Little Ringed Plover 金眶鸻 Charadrius dubius jerdoni

Two on the banks of the “north” river at the Botanical Gardens on the 1st; and four on the banks of the Mekong on the 4th.

 

[Jerdon’s Baza  褐冠鹃隼 Aviceda jerdoni jerdoni]

[Brief fly-away view of what was almost certainly this species at Nangongshan on the 4th.  But unfortunately inconclusive].  Sadly, the only raptor I saw on the trip.

 

Grey Heron 苍鹭 Ardea cinerea jouyi

One on a sand bank in the middle of the Mekong River on the 4th.

 

Striated Heron 绿鹭 Butorides striata actophila

One on a pond to the west of the Mekong River on the 4th.

 

Blue-winged Leafbird 蓝翅叶鹎 Chloropsis cochinchinensis (monotypic)

One at the Botanical Gardens on the 30th.

charts/bwlf.jpg 

Hardwick’s Leafbird 橙腹叶鹎 Chloropsis hardwickii hardwickii

Two or three birds seen at Nangongshan on the 2nd and 3rd.

 

Common Iora 黑翅雀鹎 Aegithina tiphia philipi  

One to three birds seen on each day except on the 7th.

 

Great Iora 大绿雀鹎 Aegithina lafresnayei innotata

One at the Botanical Gardens on the 30th.  At least four at Yexianggu on the 6th.

  charts/greatiora.jpg

 

Long-tailed Shrike棕背伯劳Lanius schach tricolor

One seen at Jinghong on the 4th and the 7th.

 

Common Green Magpie 蓝绿鹊 Cissa chinensis chinensis

One at Nangongshan on the 2nd at 1250 masl.

 

Black-winged Cuckooshrike 暗灰鹃鵙 Coracina melaschistos avensis

One at the Botanical Gardens on the 31st.

  charts/bwcs.jpg

 

Minivet sp 椒鸟Pericrocotus sp  

Brief view of a several-strong flock at Yexianggu on the 6th.

 

Ashy Drongo 灰卷尾 Dicrurus leucophaeus hopwoodi

One or two each day at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Crow-biled Drongo 鸦嘴卷尾 Dicrurus annectans (monotypic)

One at Nangongshan on the 2nd at 1285 masl.

 

Bronzed Drongo 古铜色卷尾 Dicrurus aeneus aeneus

One at the Botanical Gardens on the 30th.

 

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo 大盘尾 Dicrurus paradiseus grandis

One or two birds seen on the 2nd and 3rd at Nangongshan.

 

Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike 褐背鹟鵙 Hemipus picatus capitalis

One at the Botanical Gardens on the 1st.  One at Yexianggu on the 6th.

 

White-throated Fantail 白喉扇尾鹟 Rhipidura albicollis celsa

Three to six birds seen daily, except on the 7th when not seen.

 

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher 方尾鹟 Culicicapa ceylonensis calochrysea

One to three birds seen daily, except on the 7th when not seen.

 

Large Woodshrike 钩嘴林鵙 Tephrodornis virgatus jugans

One at Nangongshan on the 2nd and perhaps the same bird there on the 3rd, both sightings between 1250 and 1280 masl.

 

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush 栗腹矶鸫 Monticola rufiventris (monotypic)

One female at Nangongshan on the 2nd.

 

White’s Thrush 怀氏虎鸫 Zoothera aurea aurea

Two together on the 31st at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Chinese Blackbird 中国乌鸫 Turdus mandarinus mandarinus

One female on the 1st at the Botanical Gardens.  One male on the 3rd at Nangongshan.

 

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher 橙胸姬鹟 Ficedula strophiata strophiata

One on the 2nd and the 3rd at Nangongshan.

 

Snowy-browed Flycatcher 棕胸蓝姬鹟 Ficedula hyperythra hyperythra

One male on the 30th and probably the same bird on the 1st at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Large Niltava 大仙鹟 Niltava grandis grandis

One male on the 3rd at Nangongshan at 1530 masl.

 

Rufous-bellied Niltava 棕腹仙鹟 Niltava sundara sundara

One male on the 3rd at Nangongshan at 1250 masl.

 

Bluethroat 蓝喉歌鸲 Luscinia svecica svecica

One on the 4th in Jinghong, near to the Mekong,

 

Siberian Blue Robin 蓝歌鸲 Luscinia cyane bochaiensis

One male on the 31st at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Oriental Magpie Robin 鹊鸲 Copsychus saularis erimela

Two to six seen every day.

 

White-rumped Shama 白腰鹊鸲 Copsychus malabaricus interpositus

One on the 30th and two on the 1st at the Botanical Gardens.  One on the 6th at Yexianggu.

 

Plumbeous Water Redstart 红尾水鸲 Rhyacornis fuliginosa fuliginosa

One female on the 6th at Yexianggu.

 

[White-cheeked Starling 灰椋鸟 Spodiopsar cineraceus]

One outside of the aviary at Yexianggu presumed to be an escapee.

 

Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch 栗腹䴓 Sitta castanea tonkinensis

One on the 4th at Nangongshan.

 

Eastern-type Great Tit 远东山雀 Parus minor nubicolus ??

One on the 4th at Nangongshan.

 

Swallow 家燕 Hirundo rustica

Several seen every day.

 

Red-rumped Swallow or Striated Swallow 金腰燕/斑腰燕 Cecropis daurica or Cecropis striolata

Several seen each day at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Japanese White-eye or Oriental White-eye 暗绿绣眼鸟/灰腹绣眼鸟 Zosterops japonicas or Zosterops palpebrosus

A flock of c10 in the canopy of a tall flowering tree on the 31st at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Black-headed Bulbul 黑头鹎 Pycnonotus atriceps atriceps

Three together on the 31st at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Black-crested Bulbul 黑冠黄鹎 Pycnonotus flaviventris vantynei

One or two pairs seen each day at the Botanical Gardens. One pair seen at Yexianggu.

 

Finlayson’s Bulbul 纹喉鹎 Pycnonotus finlaysoni eous

One on 4th February at Nanhongshan

 

Flavescent Bulbul 黄绿鹎 Pycnonotus flavescens vividus

One on the 2nd at Nangongshan at 1,580 masl.

 

Red-whiskered Bulbul 红耳鹎 Pycnonotus jocosus monticola

Up to 80 birds seen each day at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Brown-breasted Bulbul 黄臀鹎 Pycnonotus xanthorrhous xanthorrhous

Two, perhaps three on the 31st at the Botanical Gardens (a low altitude for this species).

 

Sooty-headed Bulbul 白喉红臀鹎 Pycnonotus aurigaster latouchei

Two on the 6th at Yexianggu.

 

Ashy Bulbul 灰短脚鹎 Hemixos flavala bourdellei

Two at Nangongshan on the 3rd.

 

Mountain Bulbul 栗背短脚鹎 Hemixos castanonotus similis

One at Nangongshan on the 2nd.

  charts/mbu.jpg

 

Black Bulbul 黑短脚鹎 Hypsipetes leucocephalus ssp??

One white-headed bird seen at the Botanical Gardens; one dark-headed at Nangongshan.

 

Puff-throated Bulbul 白喉冠鹎 Alophoixus pallidus henrici

Two on the 2nd and three on the 3rd at Nangongshan.

 

Rufescent Prinia 暗冕鹪莺 Prinia rufescens rufescens

Three on the 30th at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Hodgson’s Prinia 灰胸鹪莺 Prinia hodgsonii confusa

A party of four or five on the 4th by the road at Nangongshan

 

Plain Prinia 纯色鹪莺 Prinia inornata ssp ??

Two on the 6th near Yexianggu.

 

Asian Stubtail 鳞头树莺 Urosphena squameiceps (monotypic)

One on the 31 st at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Common Tailorbird 长尾缝叶莺 Orthotomus sutorius inexpectatus

A few seen each day at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Dark-necked Tailorbird 黑喉缝叶莺 Orthotomus atrogularis nitidus

One on the 4th at Nangongshan.

 

Yellow-browed Warbler 黄眉柳莺 Phylloscopus inornatus

Several seen every day in all habitats and elevations.

 

La Touche’s Leaf Warbler 冠纹柳莺 Phylloscopus claudiae

A few seen at the Botanical Gardens and also at Nangongshan.

 

“Golden-spectacled” Warbler sp.  鹟莺  Seicercus sp.

Several birds at the three main locations, none of which was seen well.

 

Yellow-bellied Warbler 黄腹鹟莺 Abroscopus superciliaris superciliaris

One on the 3rd at Nangongshan at 1240 masl.

 

Rufous-faced Warbler 棕脸鹟莺 Abroscopus albogularis  ssp fulvifacies?

One on the 2nd at Nangongshan.

 

Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush 小黑领噪鹛 Garrulax monileger schauenseei

A flock of c10 on the 2nd at Nangongshan.  Probably the same flock also on the 3rd.

 

Tickell’s Babbler 棕胸雅鹛 Pellorneum tickelli fulvum

One on the 2nd at Nangongshan.

 

Puff-throated Babbler 棕头幽鹛 Pellorneum ruficeps ssp oreum?

Two seen each day at the Botanical Gardens.

  charts/ptb.jpg

 

Red-billed Scimitar Babbler 棕头钩嘴鹛 Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps ochraceiceps

Two on the 2nd at Nangongshan at about 1500 masl.

 

Striped Tit Babbler 纹胸巨鹛 Macronus gularis sulphureuse

A few at the Botanical Gardens on the 3rd.

 

Chestnut-capped Babbler 红顶鹛 Timalia pileata smithi

Two on the 30th at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Ramsay’s Barwing 白眶斑翅鹛 Actinodura ramsayi ssp ?

A flock of about six at 1585 masl watched between 11:22 and 11:43, loosely associating with the sibia and minlas.

  charts/rambar.jpg

 

Blue-winged Minla 蓝翅希鹛 Minla cyanouroptera wingatei

One on the 3rd at Nangongshan at 1585 masl.

 

Red-tailed Minla 火尾希鹛 Minla ignotincta ssp ?

One on the 3rd at Nangongshan at 1585 masl.

 

Rufous-winged Fulvetta  栗头雀鹛  Pseudominla castaneceps exul

One on the 3rd at Nangongshan at 1540 masl.

 

Brown-cheeked Fulvetta 褐脸雀鹛 Alcippe poioicephala ssp haringtoniae or alearis

Several each day at the Botanical Gardens; a flock of c20 at Yexianggu.

  charts/bcf.jpg

 

Rufous-backed Sibia 栗背奇鹛 Leioptila annectens ssp mixta ?

charts/rbsib.jpg

One on the 3rd at Nangongshan at 1585 masl.

 

Whiskered Yuhina 黄颈凤鹛 Yuhina flavicollis rouxi

One on the 3rd at Nangongshan at 1585 masl.

 

White-bellied Yuhina 白腹凤鹛 Erpornis zantholeuca griseiloris

One on 30th at the Botanical Gardens; one on the 6th at Yexianggu.

 

Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker 黄腹啄花鸟 Dicaeum melanoxanthum (monotypic)

One on the 4th at Nangongshan at 1200 masl.

 

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker 朱背啄花鸟 Dicaeum cruentatum cruentatum

One on the 4th at Jinghong.

 

Ruby-cheeked Sunbird 紫颊直嘴太阳鸟 Chalcoparia singalensis ssp ?

One to two seen each day at the Botanical Gardens.

 

Streaked Spiderhunter 纹背捕蛛鸟 Arachnothera magna musarum

One on the 4th at Nangongshan at 1200 masl.

 

White Wagtail 白鹡鸰 Motacilla alba

Several seen near the Mekong.

 

Grey Wagtail 灰鹡鸰 Motacilla cinerea cinerea

One on the 4th near the Mekong.

 

Oliver-backed Pipit 树鹨 Anthus hodgsoni  ssp ?

Several on the 31st and c15 on the 1st at the Botanical Gardens

 

Eurasian Tree Sparrow 麻雀 Passer montanus malaccensis

Many in and around Jinghong.

 

Scaly-breasted Munia 斑文鸟 Lonchura punctulata ssp ?

Several on the 30th at the Botanical Gardens; c10 on the 4th at Jinghong.

 

Wolong and Balang Shan, Sichuan, 1st to the 4th June.

Snow Partridge 雪鹑 Lerwa lerwa 

A least three on the 2nd, on rocky vantage points on the Wolong side of the Balang Shan pass.

charts/sichuansnowpartridge.jpg

Verreaux's Monal Partridge 雉鹑 Tetraophasis obscurus

One calling on the 2nd close to the road on the Wolong side of the Balang Shan tunnel.

Tibetan Snowcock 藏雪鸡 Tetraogallus tibetanus przewalskii 

At least six birds at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

charts/sichuantibetansnowcock.jpg

charts/sichuantibetansnowcock2.jpg

Chinese Monal 绿尾虹雉 Lophophorus lhuysii

One adult male on Balang Shan within 100 metres of the Rilong side of the Balang Shan tunnel on the 2nd.  One juvenile male and one female on the mountain side on the 3rd, on the Wolong side of the tunnel.

charts/monal.jpg

charts/monal2.jpg

White Eared Pheasant  白马鸡  Crossoptilon crossoptilon crossoptilon 

One on Balang Shan on the 3rd.

charts/whiteearedpheasant.jpg

Golden Pheasant 红腹锦鸡 Chrysolophus pictus

Two heard on the 2nd at Balang Shan.

Lammergeyer 胡兀鹫 Gypaetus barbatus aureus

One on the 2nd; five on Balang Shan on the 3rd, in the air together with six Himalayan Griffon Vultures. 

charts/lammergeyer.jpg

Himalayan Vulture  高山兀鹫 Gyps himalayensis

Five on the 2nd; and six on the 3rd (in the air together with five Lammergeyer).  All at Balang Shan.

charts/himalayanv.jpg

Golden Eagle 金雕 Aquila chrysaetos daphanea

One on the 3rd at Balang Shan.

Wood Snipe 林沙锥 Gallinago nemoricola 

At least three birds performed their aerial display in the dark over the mountainside, 300 metres uphill of the Balang Shan tunnel from 5am to 5.45am on the 2nd.  They stopped as the first rays of sunlight were breaking over the horizon. 

charts/woodsnipe.jpg

Speckled Wood Pigeon 点斑林鸽 Columba hodgsonii 

A pair on the 4th on the way down from Wuyipeng.

charts/speckledwoodpigeon.jpg

Lesser Cuckoo 小杜鹃 Cuculus poliocephalus 

One on the 4th at Wuyipeng.

White-throated Needletail 白喉针尾雨燕 Hirundapus caudacutus nudipes

A few on the 2nd and several on the 3rd at Balang Shan.

charts/needletail.jpg

Salim Ali's Swift  藏雨燕 Apus salimalii

Two on the 4th at Balang Shan, about three km uphill on the Dengsheng trail.

White-backed Woodpecker 白背啄木鸟 Dendrocopos leucotos tangi

One at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

charts/whitebackedwood.jpg

Black Woodpecker 黑啄木鸟 Dryocopus martius khamensis 

One at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

Long-tailed Minivet 长尾山椒鸟 Pericrocotus ethologus laetus

A few at Wolong on the 1st.

Red-billed Blue Magpie 红嘴蓝鹊 Urocissa erythrorhyncha alticola

About 20 at Wolong on the 1st and the 4th.  Also, A few at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

charts/sichuanmagpie.jpg

Nutcracker 星鸦 Nucifraga caryocatactes macella 

One at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

charts/nutcracker.jpg

Red-billed Chough 红嘴山鸦 Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax himalayanus    

About a dozen at Balang Shan on the 2nd and also on the 3rd.

Alpine Chough 黄嘴山鸦 Pyrrhocorax graculus forsythi 

About 20 at Balang Shan on the 2nd and about 50 on the 3rd.

charts/alpinechough.jpg

Large-billed Crow 大嘴乌鸦 Corvus macrorhynchos tibetosinensis 

Two at at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

Raven 渡鸦 Corvus corax tibetanus

One at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

Canary-Flycatcher 方尾鹟 Culicicapa ceylonensis calochrysea

A pair at at Wuyipeng on the 4th. 

Weigold's Tit 川褐头山雀 Poecile weigoldicus

One on Balang Shan on the 2nd at exactly 4,000 metres aboves sea-level (masl).

charts/weigolds.jpg

Rufous-vented Tit 黑冠山雀 Periparus rubidiventris beavani 

One at Wuyipeng on the 4th. 

charts/rufous-ventedtit.jpg

Yellow-bellied Tit 黄腹山雀 Periparus venustulus 

A pair at Wuyipeng on the 4th. 

Green-backed Tit 绿背山雀 Parus monticolus yunnanensis

Several at Wolong on the 2nd and also the 4th.

Collared Finchbill 领雀嘴鹎 Spizixos semitorques semitorques 

Three at Wuyipeng on the 4th. 

charts/sichuancollaredfinchbill.jpg

Asian House Martin 烟腹毛脚燕 Delichon dasypus cashmeriense 

c20 at Wolong on the 2nd; c30 at Balang Shan on the 3rd and also on the 4th.

charts/asianhousemartin.jpg

Alpine Leaf Warbler 华西柳莺 Phylloscopus occisinensis

Three at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

charts/alpinewarbler.jpg

Yellow-streaked Warbler 棕眉柳莺 Phylloscopus armandii perplexus

At least three singing and two birds seen at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

charts/yswarbler.jpg

Buff-barred Warbler 橙斑翅柳莺 Phylloscopus pulcher pulcher

About ten at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

charts/bbwarbler.jpg

Sichuan Warbler 四川柳莺 Phylloscopus forresti

At least ten birds singing (and several seen) at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

charts/sichuan2.jpg

Chinese Leaf Warbler 云南柳莺 Phylloscopus yunnanensis

At least six singing (and one seen) at Wolong on the 1st.

Mandell's Warbler 淡眉柳莺 Phylloscopus [humei] mandellii

Several singing and seen at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

charts/humeswarbler.jpg

Large-billed Leaf Warbler 乌嘴柳莺 Phylloscopus magnirostris

At least 20 birds singing and several seen at Balang Shan and also Wuyipeng on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

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Claudia's Warbler 冠纹柳莺 Phylloscopus claudiae

Several birds singing and seen at Balang Shan and also Wuyipeng on the 3rd and 4th.

Martens's Warbler 峨嵋鹟莺 Seicercus omeiensis

One singing and seen at Wolong on the 1st.

Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler 大树莺 Cettia major major

Two singing at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler 黄腹树莺 Cettia acanthizoides acanthizoides

Two singing at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

Brown Bush Warbler 棕树莺 Bradypterus luteoventris

One seen 5km north of Wolong on the 4th.

Spotted Bush Warbler 斑胸短翅莺 Bradypterus thoracicus

Three singing at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

Chinese Babax 矛纹草鹛 Babax lanceolatus [bonvaloti?]

One at Wolong on the 1st.

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Barred Laughingthrush 斑背噪鹛 Garrulax lunulata liangshanensis  

One at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

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Giant Laughingthrush 大噪鹛 Garrulax maximus

Several singing and a few birds seen at Balang Shan on the 2nd and also on the 3rd.

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Spotted Laughingthrush 眼纹噪鹛 Garrulax ocellatus artemisiae 

One at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

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Elliot's Laughingthrush 橙翅噪鹛 Trochalopteron elliotii [elliotii or prjevalskii?]

About ten birds at Wolong on the 1st and  afew at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

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Grey-hooded Fulvetta 褐头雀鹛 Fulvetta cinereiceps cinereiceps  

One at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

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White-collared Yuhina 白领凤鹛 Yuhina diademata diademata 

One at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

Black-billed Whistling Thrush 紫啸鸫 Myophonus caeruleus temminckii

One at Wolong on the 1st.

Sichuan Thrush 四川地鸫 Zoothera sp.

Found by Per Alström, who is revising the taxonomy of molliissima with a view to suggesting elevation to species level.

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Dixon's Thrush 长尾地鸫 Zoothera dixoni  

One at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

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Chestnut Thrush 灰头鸫 Turdus rubrocanus gouldii 

Several at Balang Shan on the 2rd and also the 3rd.

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Kessler's Thrush  棕背黑头鸫 Turdus kessleri

Several at Balang Shan on the 2rd and also the 3rd.

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Himalayan Rubythroat 黑胸歌鸲 Luscinia pectoralis tschebaiewi 

At least five singing males at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

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Firethroat  金胸歌鸲 Luscinia pectardens 

Three singing males at one location on Balang Shan on the 2nd.

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Indian Blue Robin 栗腹歌鸲 Luscinia brunnea brunnea  

One heard at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

White-browed Bush Robin 白眉林鸲 Tarsiger indicus yunnanensis 

Two heard at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

Himalayan Bluetail 蓝眉林鸲 Tarsiger rufilatus

At least two birds at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

Daurian Redstart 北红尾鸲 Phoenicurus auroreus leucopterus 

Three at Wolong on the 1st.

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Blue-fronted Redstart 蓝额红尾鸲 Phoenicurus frontalis

At least six birds at Balang Shan on the 2nd and also on the 3rd.

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Plumbeous Water Redstart 红尾水鸲 Rhyacornis fuliginosa fuliginosa

About 10 birds by the river at Wolong on the 1st and several on the 4th.

White-capped Redstart 白顶溪鸲 Chaimarrornis leucocephalus  

Two by the river at Wolong on the 1st and one on the 4th.

Grandala 蓝大翅鸲  Grandala coelicolor

Three birds at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

Rothschild's Flycatcher 四川鹟 Muscicapa rothschildi

One at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

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Ferruginous Flycatcher 棕尾褐鹟  Muscicapa ferruginea

One at Wolong on the 1st.

Hodgson's Flycatcher 锈胸蓝姬鹟 Ficedula hodgsonii  

One singing (not seen) at Wolong on the 1st.

Mrs Gould's Sunbird  蓝喉太阳鸟 Aethopyga gouldiae dabryii

One at Wolong on the 1st.

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Alpine Accentor 领岩鹨 Prunella collaris [nipalensis or tibetana] 

About a dozen birds at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

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Rufous-breasted Accentor 棕胸岩鹨 Prunella strophiata strophiata 

Three at Balang Shan on the 2nd, and two there on the 3rd.

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Grey Wagtail 灰鹡鸰 Motacilla cinerea cinerea

A few at Wolong on the 1st and also on the 4th.

Himalayan Wagtail 喜山鹡鸰 Motacilla alboides 

A few at Wolong on the 1st.

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Olive-backed Pipit 树鹨 Anthus hodgsoni hodgsoni 

Two at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

Rosy Pipit 粉红胸鹨 Anthus roseatus  

Several at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

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Tibetan Serin 藏黄雀 Serinus thibetanus

Two at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

Plain Mountain Finch 林岭雀 Leucosticte nemoricola nemoricola 

About 20 birds at Balang Shan on the 2nd; a few there on the 3rd.

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Brandt's Mountain Finch 高山岭雀 Leucosticte brandti walteri 

Two at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

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Dark-breasted Rosefinch 暗胸朱雀 Carpodacus nipalensis nipalensis 

Three (two males) at Balang Shan on the 2nd; one male there on the 3rd.

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Scarlet Rosefinch 普通朱雀 Carpodacus erythrinus roseatus 

A few at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch 红眉朱雀 Carpodacus davidianus argyrophrys   

One male and one female at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

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Chinese White-browed Rosefinch 白眉朱雀 Carpodacus dubius [femininus?]  

A pair at Balang Shan on the 3rd.

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Grey-headed Bullfinch 灰头灰雀 Pyrrhula erythaca erythaca 

Four at Balang Shan on the 3rd; three at Wuyipeng on the 4th.

Siemssen's Bunting 蓝鹀 Latoucheornis siemsseni

One singing (not seen) at Wolong at the 1st.

Tufted Deer 水鼷鹿 Elaphodus cephalophus cephalophus

One at Balang Shan on the 2nd

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Takin 羚牛 Budorcas taxicolor tibetana

A herd of 44 (including a "nursery" of several young animals supervised by an adult) at Balang Shan on the 2nd.

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The birds of the Wenyu River, Beijing, in May 2013.

The Wenyu River is "urban" Beijing's premier birding location with a list of 246 species.  The central part of the river, which is known as "The Mile" (close to junction 4 of the Airport Expressway) is the best spot on the river by far, with 233 species recorded.

Here are the details of the 138 species seen (130 of which were seen on The Mile) during May 2013.    14 species were added to the Wenyu list during the month (13 to The Mile's list).  

All records and all locations relate to The Mile unless described as the Upper Wenyu (upstream of The Mile) or Lower Wenyu (downstream of The Mile).

The Wenyu was visited for a total of 115 hours on 22 days during May: 10 of 10 days in early May (36 hours); 7 of 11 days in mid May (49 hours); and 5 of 10 days in late May (30 hours).  19 of the 22 visits were “carbon free” (I cycled). 

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Ring-necked Pheasant 雉鸡 Phasianus colchicus. 

Single birds on the 16th and 17th on the Lower Wenyu, just outside of The Mile. 

Mandarin Duck 鸳鸯  Aix galericulata

A pair on the 4th, (in the top branches of a tall tree on the Shunyi side of the river), a male on the 11th, and presumably the same pair on the main paddies on the 29th. 

Mallard 绿头鸭 Anas platyrhynchos

A maximum of 20 birds, recorded on all visits. 

Eastern Spot-billed Duck 斑嘴鸭 Anas zonorhyncha

One on the 22nd

Garganey 白眉鸭 Anas querquedula

A pair on the 4th. 

Little Grebe 小䴙䴘 Tachybaptus ruficollis

Up to three birds recorded on ten dates.  On Upper and Lower Wenyu, and on The Mile. 

Yellow Bittern 黄苇千干鸟 Ixobrychus sinensis

One one the 23rd on the Upper Paddies. 

Von Schrenck's Bittern 紫背苇千干鸟 Ixobrychus eurhythmus

Singles on the 16th, 21st, 23rd, 25th and 26th.  All were seen on the Lower Paddies, except the last record which was seen on the Upper Paddies.  All were females.  It is likely that three different birds were seen. 

Cinnamon Bittern 栗苇千干鸟 Ixobrychus cinnamomeus

One, a male, on the 16th, flew from the Shunyi to the Chaoyang side of the river, landing 300 yards downstream of The Mile: the first record for the Wenyu.  One, a female, on the 23th over the Upper Paddies (one of three bittern species to be seen there that morning): the first record for The Mile.   

Black-crowned Night Heron 夜鹭 Nycticorax nycticorax

A maximum of about 20 birds, recorded on 17 days. 

Chinese Pond Heron 池鹭 Ardeola bacchus

Recorded on 18 of 22 days.  Number peaked at about ten birds on the 23rd and 26th. 

Eastern Cattle Egret 牛背鹭 Bubulcus coromandus

One on the 17th, four together on the 18th, three together on the  21st, a single on the 23rd, a flock of seven on the 26th, and a flock of eight on the 29th.  All were seen on the Lower Paddies except the four on the 18th, which fed in the Water Meadow. 

Grey Heron 苍鹭 Ardea cinerea

Presumably the same bird on eight days. 

Great White Egret 大白鹭 Ardea alba

Up to ten birds on 18 of 22 days. 

Little Egret 白鹭 Egretta garzetta

Seen on all visits, with a maximum of eight birds on the 26th. 

Oriental Honey-buzzard 凤头蜂鹰 Pernis ptilorhynchus

About 75 birds, drifting high northwards, within one hour on the morning of the 11th 

Black-eared Kite  黑鸢 Milvus lineatus

One high over The Peninsula on the 17th.  The second record for The Wenyu this year. 

Pied Harrier 鹊鹞 Circus melanoleucos

One very late juvenile quartered the Upper Paddies on the 17th, before flying off north-westwards. 

Eurasian Sparrowhawk 雀鹰 Accipiter nisus

One to the south on the 1st. 

Grey-faced Buzzard 灰脸鵟鹰 Butastur indicus

One high to the south-east at 4pm on the 22nd.  The first record for the Wenyu. 

Common Kestrel 红隼 Falco tinnunculus

One on the 4th, 17th, and 23rd. 

Amur Falcon 红脚隼 Falco amurensis

One on the 10th, 16th , 27th and 21st.  A pair on the 22nd and 29th. 

Peregrine Falcon 游隼 Falco peregrinus

One flew low north-westwards on the 17th, 500 yards downstream of The Mile.  The second record for the Wenyu in 2013 (the first was seen on The Mile). 

White-breasted Waterhen 白胸苦恶鸟 Amaurornis phoenicurus

One on the 22nd at the Lower Paddies.  Two together in the same place on the 25th.  One on the 26th at the Lower Wenyu (at The Pond), 18km downstream of The Mile. 

Ruddy-breasted Crake 红胸田鸡 Porzana fusca

One on the early morning of the 25th at the Upper Paddies.  The first record for The Wenyu. 

Moorhen 黑水鸡 Gallinula chloropus

At least one bird recorded on two dates in mid and three dates in the latter part of the month.  First recorded on the 16th (the first for the year).      

Black-winged Stilt 黑翅长脚鹬 Himantopus himantopus

Six on the 3rd; two on the 4th, 11th, 22nd, and 23rd; and a flock of eight on the 25th. 

Grey-headed Lapwing 灰头麦鸡 Vanellus cinereus

One on the 3rd, 5th, 22nd and 25th; a pair on the 23rd; three on the 17th; and six on the 21st (including a flock of four at the Lower Paddies). 

Pacific Golden Plover 金斑鸻 Pluvialis fulva

A pair on the 21st and one on the 22nd upstream of the Upper Paddies.   The first for the year. 

Little Ringed Plover 金眶鸻 Charadrius dubius

Up to five birds seen on eight dates in early May; three birds on the 16th,  one or two birds seen on four dates in late May. 

Kentish Plover 环颈鸻 Charadrius alexandrines

Two on the 4th and also on the 6th. 

Pin-tailed Snipe 针尾沙锥 Gallinago stenura (mostly, at least)

Seen on 16 of 22 days.   Up to three birds seen on eight of ten days in early May.  About ten birds seen on the 16th and also on the 17th.  One and two seen on the 18th and the 20th respectively.   About ten birds on the 21st; three on the 22nd and also on the 23rd; and one – the last bird of the month – on the 25th.   It is of course possible that some of these birds were actually Swinhoe’s Snipe.  

Common Snipe 扇尾沙锥 Gallinago gallinago

Between ten and 40 birds (on the 1st) seen each day in early May.  Significant drop off in numbers after the 11th.   Next seen on the 16th (five).  Two birds on the 17th and also on the 22nd.   Last seen on the 23rd (one bird). 

Common Redshank 红脚鹬 Tringa totanus

A flock of five on the 20th at the Lower Paddies.  The first for the year. 

Marsh Sandpiper 泽鹬 Tringa stagnatilis

One or two birds seen each day from the 2nd (first for the year) to the 9th (except on the 3rd, when four were seen). 

Common Greenshank 青脚鹬 Tringa nebularia

Four on the 10th (first for the year); three on the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 7th; and one on the 6th, 8th and 11th. 

Green Sandpiper 白腰草鹬 Tringa ochropus

Between seven and 15 birds seen every day from the 1st to the 10th.   Three birds seen on the 11th and one on the 13th. 

Wood Sandpiper 林鹬 Tringa glareola

Between ten and 25 birds seen every day from the 1st to the 11th; six on the 16th, two on the 17th;  a remarkable 60 on the 20th; six on the 21st, one on the 22nd, and two on the 22nd. 

Common Sandpiper 矶鹬 Actitis hypoleucos Seen on 19 of 22 days. 

About 25 birds seen on the 16th; 15 birds on the 17th; 12 on the 1st; between two and five birds from the 2nd to the 13th; one or two birds between the 20th and 23rd; and one on the 25th. 

Little Stint 小滨鹬 Calidris minuta

One on the muddy shore on the Shunyi side of the Wenyu,  just downstream of The Peninsula.  Seen from the Chaoyang side of The Mile.  The first record for the Wenyu. 

Temminck's Stint 青脚滨鹬 Calidris temminckii

Two birds seen on the 1st, three on the 3rd, and one on the 5th.   All birds seen on a small area of mud on the Chaoyang side of the Wenyu, near to the East Bank of the Lower Paddies. 

Long-toed Stint 长趾滨鹬 Calidris subminuta

A group of four on the 3rd (first for the year), a flock of six on the 4th, two birds on the 8th, a group of five on the 20th, a flock of nine on the 21st, and a single bird on the 22nd. 

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 尖尾滨鹬 Calidris acuminata

A group of five birds on the 3rd (first for the year); and single birds on the 4th, 5th,7th and 8th. 

Curlew Sandpiper 弯嘴滨鹬 Calidris ferruginea

A pair on the 3rd (first for the year) were also there on the 4th; and a different bird on the 5th.  The birds were on the mud on the Shunyi side of the Wenyu; viewed from the Chaoyang side (from the bank of the Lower Paddies). 

Gull-billed Tern 鸥嘴噪鸥 Gelochelidon nilotica

A flock of seven flew high north-westwards – following the Wenyu – in the early morning of the 7th:  the first record of this species on the Wenyu.  The second record followed on the 21st, when one bird was seen hunting over the Wenyu, just upstream of the weir.  Remarkably, four species of tern were seen on The Mile on the 21st.    

Common Tern 普通燕鸥 Sterna hirundo

A group of three birds on the 17th on and around The Peninsula (within the upstream boundary of The Mile).  Perhaps the same three birds at the same place on the 21st, together with a flock of eight Whiskered Terns.  

Whiskered Tern 须浮鸥 Chlidonias hybrida

A flock of eight birds on the 21st on and around The Peninsula (within the upstream boundary of The Mile); together with three Common Terns. 

White-winged Black Tern 白翅浮鸥 Chlidonias leucopterus

A flock of 12 birds followed the Wenyu north-westwards on the 16th; and a flock of 13 birds did the same on the 21st 

Rufous Turtle Dove 山斑鸠 Streptopelia orientalis

Up to four birds up seen on 19 of 22 days. 

Spotted Dove 珠颈斑鸠 Spilopelia chinensis

One or two birds seen on 16 of 22 days, except on the 20th when six birds were seen. 

Indian Cuckoo 四声杜鹃 Cuculus micropterus

The first for the year arrived on the 11th.  Up to three birds were heard calling on all subsequent visits. 

Common Cuckoo 大杜鹃 Cuculus canorus

The first for the year arrived on the 13th.  Up to three birds were heard calling on all subsequent visits. 

Common Swift 普通楼燕 Apus apus

The first for the year (a pair) arrived on the 2nd.  Perhaps the same pair were seen on most subsequent visits.  A total of six birds were seen on the 11th; ten on the 20th; and eight on the 29th. 

Black-capped Kingfisher 蓝翡翠 Halcyon pileata

One was seen on the 20th in trees by the Lower Wenyu, about 18km downstream of The Mile. 

Common Kingfisher 普通翠鸟 Alcedo atthis

A pair were seen at the Lower Paddies on the 1st, 2nd and 4th.   The fish that the male was seen to offer to the female was perhaps not to her liking as only one bird was seen subsequently (on 5 days between 9th and 18th May).  

Common Hoopoe 戴胜 Upupa epops

Between one and six birds seen on 12 of 22 days. 

Eurasian Wryneck 蚁䴕 Jynx torquilla

One bird on the 1st and a different bird on the 5th in Wryneck Wood (the same wood had hosted another bird in on 17th April). 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 星头啄木鸟 Dendrocopos major

One or two birds seen on ten of 22 days.

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker 星头啄木鸟 Dendrocopos canicapillus

One or two birds seen on four days. 

Grey-headed Woodpecker 灰头绿啄木鸟 Picus canus

One or two birds seen on 15 days. 

Long-tailed Minivet 长尾山椒鸟 Pericrocotus ethologus

Two females on the 1st in White’s Wood: the second record for The Wenyu (the same wood had hosted presumably two different females in October 2007). 

Brown Shrike 红尾伯劳 Lanius cristatus

The first for the year (two birds) arrived on the 13th.   The species was seen on all subsequent visits up until the 26th.  Peak passage was between 17th and 21st May when between 10 and 15 birds were seen on each visit. 

Black Drongo 黑卷尾 Dicrurus macrocercus

The first for the year arrived on the 11th .  Between one and four birds were seen on each of all of the subsequent visits. 

Azure-winged Magpie 灰喜鹊 Cyanopica cyanus

Between six and 20 birds were seen on all except two visits (when no birds were seen). 

Common Magpie 喜鹊 Pica pica

Between ten and 50 birds were seen on each visit. 

Daurian Jackdaw 达乌里寒鸦 Coloeus dauuricus

Remarkably, a flock of about 50 birds flew over White’s Wood (from the Chaoyang to the Shunyi side of the river) on the 4th.  The first May record for the Wenyu (in previous years, all birds had left the area by early April). 

Large-billed Crow 大嘴乌鸦 Corvus macrorhynchos

One on the 20th and presumably the same bird on the 21st.  Two birds together on the 23rd. 

Marsh Tit 沼泽山雀 Poecile palustris

One on the 23rd on the Lower Wenyu, and a different bird there on the 25th. 

Eastern Great Tit 远东山雀 Parus minor

Two on the 16th and singles on the 23rd and 26th. 

Yellow-bellied Tit 黄腹山雀 Parus venustulus

Several stragglers from the large influx that had occurred in April remained into early May, with a flock of several birds seen on the East Bank on the 1st; and a flock of about 10 birds on the 4th, 5th and 6th at the Lower Wenyu, about 2km downstream of The Mile.   These are the only Wenyu records (the first of which was on 17th April).

Chinese Bulbul 白头鹎 Pycnonotus sinensis

Except on the 13th when several birds were seen, one or two birds on every visit from the 10th.

Sand Martin 崖沙燕 Riparia riparia OR Pale Martin淡色沙燕Riparia diluta

A single bird over the Wenyu on the 22nd (briefly seen from the East Bank of the Lower Paddies) was unexpected.  Sand Martin is a rare bird on the Wenyu.  Pale Martin is not on the Wenyu list.

Swallow 家燕 Hirundo rustica

Between an estimated 10 and 100 birds seen on each visit: with an average of 30 birds per day during the early part of the month, 50 per day during the middle period, and 45 per day during the latter.

Red-rumped Swallow 金腰燕 Cecropis daurica

First for the year seen on the 6th (two birds); and two again on the 8th.   Seen on most visits in mid-May (between one and six birds).  Three birds were seen on the 23rd and about 40 birds on the 29th, which was the only day of the month that the number of Red-rumped Swallows exceeded that of Swallows. 

Dusky Warbler 褐柳莺 Phylloscopus fuscatus

One or two birds seen on 12 of 22 visits.

Armand’s Warbler 棕眉柳莺 Phylloscopus armandii

One singing on The Peninsula, close to the entrance to the Water Works, on the 10th and again on the 11th.  The first record for the Wenyu.

Radde's Warbler 巨嘴柳莺 Phylloscopus schwarzi

The first for the year (three birds) arrived on the 3rd.  Numbers dropped to two on the 4th and one on the 5th.  No birds were seen from the 6th to the  9th.  Singles were seen on the 10th and 11th and three birds were present on the 16th.    An unprecedented (in Wenyu terms) 25 birds arrived on the 17th (about half of these were in Wryneck Wood).  All but one of the Wenyu birds had departed by the following day.  Two on the 21st were the last birds of the month.

Pallas's Leaf Warbler 黄腰柳莺 Phylloscopus proregulus

Several were seen on most days in early May (there was a peak of c15 birds on the 1st).  A few were seen in mid-May.

Chinese Leaf Warbler 云南柳莺 Phylloscopus yunnanensis

One (presumably the same bird) was singing in the woods opposite the Lower Paddies from the 1st to the 3rd and again on the 5th.  The first record for the Wenyu.  A second bird was singing at the Lower Wenyu on the 2nd, about 400 yards downstream of The Mile. 

Yellow-browed Warbler黄眉柳莺Phylloscopus inornatus

Ten birds on the 1st, several on the 2nd, and between one and three birds on most visits up to the 21st.

Hume's Warbler 淡眉柳莺 Phylloscopus humei

One on the 1st in the East Bank trees.

Arctic Warbler 极北柳莺 Phylloscopus borealis

One on the 17th in the East Bank trees. One singing on the 23rd at the Upper Wenyu, about 12km upstream of The Mile.

Two-barred Greenish Warbler  双斑绿柳莺 Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus

One singing on the 6th, one on the 16th and one singing on the 26th.   All in trees near to the Lower Paddies.

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler 淡脚柳莺 Phylloscopus tenellipes

Five well-separated birds on the 20th, two of which were singing.  All birds were seen at the Lower Wenyu, between two and 15km downstream of The Mile.  The first bird, which was in roadside trees 2km south of The Mile, is a first for the Wenyu. 

Claudia's Warbler 冠纹柳莺 Phylloscopus claudiae

One on the early morning of the 4th May, singing in the tops of trees by the East Bank, was found by Per Alström.  This is the first record of this species for the Wenyu.

Oriental Reed Warbler 东方大苇莺 Acrocephalus orientalis

The first for the year arrived on the 16th (two birds).   Between two and three birds singing on each subsequent visit.  

Black-browed Reed Warbler 黑眉苇莺 Acrocephalus bistrigiceps

The first for the year arrived on the 16th.   Between one and four birds singing on each subsequent visit.  

Manchurian Reed Warbler 远东苇莺 Acrocephalus tangorum

One on 16th singing at the Lower Paddies.  The first for the Wenyu.

Thick-billed Warbler 厚嘴苇莺 Iduna aedon

Arrived on the 16th.  Three on the 21st; two on the 16thand 25th;  and one on the 17th, 18th, 23rd  and 26th.   The East Bank trees were preferred.

Pere David's Bush Warbler 北短翅莺 Bradypterus davidi

One on the 26th in Lower Wenyu bushes, about 15km downstream of The Mile.  The second record for the Wenyu.

Lanceolated Warbler 矛斑蝗莺 Locustella lanceolata

One on the 21st and one on the 25th.  Both at the Upper Paddies.

Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler 小蝗莺 Locustella certhiola

One on the 21st, two on the 23rd and one on the 25th.  All at the Upper Paddies.

Fan-tailed Warbler 棕扇尾莺 Cisticola juncidis

Between one and two birds recorded on the majority of visits.

Webb's Parrotbill 棕头鸦雀 Sinosuthora webbiana

One on the 23rd, and perhaps the same bird on the 25th in West Bank bushes adjacent to the Upper Paddies.

Crested Myna 八哥 Acridotheres cristatellus

Two on the 10th at the Lower Wenyu; a single bird on the 22nd on The Mile; and one on the 23rd at the Upper Wenyu.

White-cheeked Starling 灰椋鸟 Spodiopsar cineraceus

Between ten and 30 birds recorded on each visit (mostly about 20 birds).

White's Thrush 怀氏虎鸫 Zoothera aurea

The same bird on the 2nd, 4th and the 5th in White’s Wood, just upstream of the Weir.  One at the Lower Wenyu on the 10th, about 15km downstream of The Mile.

Fea's Thrush 褐头鸫 Turdus feae

One male on the 4th at the Lower Wenyu, in the now-named Fea’s Wood, about 15km downstream of The Mile.  Watched from 3.50pm to 4pm as it hopped around the understory.  The first record for the Wenyu.  Alas, it was not there the following morning when I returned with my camera.

Eyebrowed Thrush 白眉鸫 Turdus obscurus

One on the 13th at the Lower Wenyu, in Pond Park, about 20km downstream of The Mile.  The first record for the Wenyu. 

Bluethroat 蓝喉歌鸲 Luscinia svecica

Three on the 4th, one on the 16th, and one on the 17th.

Siberian Rubythroat 红喉歌鸲 Luscinia calliope

Two on the 17th and one on the 21st.  All birds seen in low bushes near to the East Bank.

Swinhoe's Robin 红尾歌鸲 Luscinia sibilans

One on the 21st in bushes near to the East Bank. 

Siberian Stonechat 黑喉石即鸟 Saxicola maurus

Five birds on the 1st, three on the 4th, two on the 5th and 16th, and one bird on the 10th.

Siberian Flycatcher 乌鹟 Muscicapa sibirica

Two on the 16th, three on the 17th, two on the 20th, and three on the 22nd.  White’s Wood and Bunting Wood were the favoured locations.

Brown Flycatcher 北灰鹟 Muscicapa dauurica

About ten on the 16th and one on the 17th.   White’s Wood and Bunting Wood were their preferred stop-overs.

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher 白眉姬鹟 Ficedula zanthopygia

One male on the 20th at the Lower Wenyu, in newly planted trees near to the river, about 15km downstream of The Mile.

Mugimaki Flycatcher 鸲姬鹟 Ficedula mugimaki

One female on the 17th in Bunting Wood.

 Taiga Flycatcher 红喉姬鹟 Ficedula albicilla

Seen on all visits up to the 21st.  One to four birds seen each day in early May.  One to four birds seen on each visit in mid-May, except on the 17th when a Wenyu-record 15 birds were seen.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow 麻雀 Passer montanus

Between an estimated 20 and 100 birds seen on each visit.

Forest Wagtail 山鹡鸰 Dendronanthus indicus

One on the 16th in trees by the Upper Paddies; three on the 17th (one in Bunting Wood; two in trees by the Upper Paddies); and one on the 21st in trees by the Upper Paddies.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail 黄鹡鸰 Motacilla tschutschensis

Seen every visit up until the 23rd and also a single bird on the 29th.  The peak was on 3rd May when an estimated 60 birds were seen.  About 50 were seen on the 4th, about 35 were seen each day from the 6th to the 8th; there were about 30 on the 16th; and about 20 on the 5th, 10th and 17th.  Up to an estimated 10 birds were seen on other visits up to and including the 23rd. 

Green-headed Wagtail   绿头鹡鸰 Motacilla taivana

One on the 4th; one on the 16th; two on the 17th, and an estimated ten birds on the 21st.  All birds were seen at the Lower Paddies.

Citrine Wagtail 黄头鹡鸰 Motacilla citreola

Six on the 1st; two on the 2nd and the 3rd; one on the 5th, 6th, 10th and 11th.

Grey Wagtail 灰鹡鸰 Motacilla cinerea

Up to five birds seen each day in early May.  A pair seen on most subsequent visits.

White Wagtail 白鹡鸰 Motacilla alba

Between seven and ten birds seen each day from the 1st to the 5th.  Between one and two birds seen on five subsequent visits.

Richard's Pipit 理氏鹨 Anthus richardi

Two on the 4th; one on the 6th;  four on the 7th; two on the 8th; four on the 9th; one on the 10th; one on the 13th; an estimated 12 birds on the 16th; an estimated 25 birds on the 17th (including a flock of 17 birds on the scrubland next to the Upper Paddies); two on the 18th; one on the 20th; several on the 21st; and presumably the same flock of 17 on the scrubland next to the Upper Paddies on the 22nd (reducing to a flock of 11 there on the 23rd).  There was none there on the 24th or on subsequent visits.

Olive-backed Pipit 树鹨 Anthus hodgsoni

Seen on every visit up to and including the 21st.    An average of 25 birds were seen per day in early May (the peak was 60 on the 1st May).   The average daily count for mid May was just four birds.

Pechora Pipit 北鹨 Anthus gustavi

One on the 4th at the Lower Paddies: the second record for the Wenyu.

Red-throated Pipit 红喉鹨 Anthus cervinus

One on five days and two on one day in early May.  Seen on three visits in mid May (four on the 16th; two on 17th and one on the 21st).  All birds were seen at the Lower Paddies.

Buff-bellied Pipit 黄腹鹨 Anthus rubescens

Several birds on the 2nd and on the 4th; and one bird on the 10th.  All at the Lower Paddies

Water Pipit 水鹨 Anthus spinoletta

Two birds on the 1st at the Lower Paddies.

Brambling 燕雀 Fringilla montifringilla

Several birds on the 1st and 2nd May in the East Bank trees.

Oriental Greenfinch 金翅雀 Carduelis sinica

One on the 13th and six on the 20th at the Lower Wenyu

Eurasian Siskin 黄雀 Carduelis spinus

Two on the 1st by the East Bank stream.  The first record for the Wenyu.

Common Rosefinch 普通朱雀 Carpodacus erythrinus

Recorded each day from 2nd to the 9th in the East Bank trees (two or three on five days; three on one day; and a flock of about 30 on the 3rd).  Also a single bird on the 17th.

Chinese Grosbeak 黑尾蜡嘴雀 Eophona migratoria

Two on the 16th in Bunting Wood.

Tristram's Bunting 白眉鹀 Emberiza tristrami

Three on the 1st in Bunting Wood and one on the 3rd in the roadside trees of the Lower Paddies.

Chestnut-eared Bunting 栗耳鹀 Emberiza fucata

One on the 17th in the Lower Paddies’ riverside scrub.

Little Bunting 小鹀 Emberiza pusilla

In early May, 60 birds on the 4th (more than half of them in Bunting Wood); about 20 on the 1st; also 20 on the 5th; and between five and ten birds seen on other days.  In mid-May, an estimated 13 birds on the 15th, two on the 17th; one on the 18th; and one on the 22nd.

Yellow-browed Bunting 黄眉鹀 Emberiza chrysophrys

Amazingly, a flock of eight on the 1st in Bunting Wood (they were not present the following day).   The first record for the Wenyu.   Also, one on the 5th in the same wood.

Rustic Bunting  田鹀 Emberiza rustica

One on the 7th in Bunting Wood.

Elegant Bunting 黄喉鹀 Emberiza elegans

Six on the 1st in White’s Wood.  A few there also on the 2nd and one there on the 5th.

Yellow-breasted Bunting 黄胸鹀 Emberiza aureola

One female on the 16th in the roadside trees by the Upper Paddies.   A seriously declining species... globally, in China, and on the Wenyu.

Chestnut Bunting 栗鹀 Emberiza rutila

One male on the 6th in the roadside trees by the Lower Paddies; two females on the 17th in the roadside trees of the Upper Paddies.

Black-faced Bunting 灰头鹀 Emberiza spodocephala

Between one and three birds seen on seven days in early May.  One on the 16th and one on the 17th.   Bunting Wood and White’s Wood were preferred.

Pallas's Reed Bunting 苇鹀 Emberiza pallasi

One on the 4th and two on the 16th at the Lower Paddies.

Japanese Reed Bunting 红颈苇鹀 Emberiza yessoensis

One found by Per Alström on the early morning of the 4th in the Lower Paddies’ riverside scrub.   The first record for The Mile [the species wintered this year 1km downstream of The Mile].  

May at the Wenyu River, Beijing

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16th March 2013, 33 species (328 in 2013)
Wenyu River, Beijing

2 male Falcated Duck Anas falcata 罗纹鸭 (photo of one with one Baikal Teal)

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1 male Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 赤颈鸭 +

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 c90 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 绿头鸭

1 male Shoveler Anas clypeata 琵嘴鸭

1 pair of Garganey Anas querquedula 白眉鸭 +

3 (2 male) Baikal Teal Anas formosa 花脸鸭 + (one female and one male on the left)

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c10 Common Teal Anas crecca 绿翅鸭 (one female and one male on the right)

1 female Common Pochard Aythya ferina 红头潜鸭

c8 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 小䴙䴘

c6 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 苍鹭

1 Great White Egret Ardea alba 大白鹭

1 Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 普通鵟

1 Long-billed Plover Charadrius placidus 长嘴剑鸻

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2 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 扇尾沙锥

3 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 白腰草鹬

5 Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 山斑鸠

3 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops 戴胜

1 Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus 灰头绿啄木鸟

c30 Common Magpie Pica pica 喜鹊

1 Daurian Jackdaw Coloeus dauuricus 达乌里寒鸦

1 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 紫翅椋鸟

6  White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 灰椋鸟

1 Red-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis 赤颈鸫

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c10 Naumann's Thrush Turdus naumanni 红尾鸫

c60 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 麻雀

c15 Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella 棕眉山岩鹨

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3 White Wagtail Motacilla alba leucopsis 白鹡鸰

5 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta 水鹨

c20 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 燕雀v

7 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 锡嘴雀

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2 (1 male) Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria 黑尾蜡嘴雀

2 Rustic Bunting  Emberiza rustica 田鹀

3 Pallas's Reed Bunting  Emberiza pallasi 苇鹀

13th March, 36 species (325 in 2013)
Miyun Reservoir, Beijing

3 Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 雉鸡

4 Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris 短嘴豆雁

c400 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 赤麻鸭

c300 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 绿头鸭

8 Falcated Duck Anas falcata 罗纹鸭

c10 Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha 斑嘴鸭

c20 Common Teal Anas crecca 绿翅鸭

8 Common Merganser Mergus merganser 普通秋沙鸭

c20 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 小䴙䴘

2 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 黑鹳

c30 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 苍鹭

3 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 普通鸬鹚

1 female Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 白尾鹞

2 Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius 大鵟  +

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2 Great Bustard Otis tarda 大鸨 +

c60  Common Coot Fulica atra 骨顶鸡

1 Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus 白鹤 + (photo of it with 28 white-necked)

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c600 White-naped Crane Grus vipio 白枕鹤 +

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c250 Common Crane Grus grus 灰鹤 (Photo of 5 with 1 Hooded)

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c30 Hooded Crane Grus monacha 白头鹤 (photo of one with Commons)

14 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 凤头麦鸡 +

1 Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus 灰头绿啄木鸟

1 Chinese Grey Shrike Lanius sphenocercus 楔尾伯劳 +

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3 Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha 红嘴蓝鹊

c40 Common Magpie Pica pica 喜鹊

c60 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 云雀

c80 Webb's Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 棕头鸦雀

c12 (most singing) Chinese Hill Warbler Rhopophilus pekinensis 山鹛

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5 Naumann's Thrush Turdus naumanni 红尾鸫

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c20 Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 麻雀

3 Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella 棕眉山岩鹨

1 Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens 黄腹鹨

c80 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 燕雀

c20  Siberian Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 三道眉草鹀

1 Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica 田鹀

c15 Pallas's Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi 苇鹀

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11th March, 16 species (319 in 2013)
Wenyu River, Chaoyang, Beijing

Highlight:

2 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 紫翅椋鸟

10th March 2013, 29 species (318 in 2013)

Cycled 78 km to Shahe Reservoir, via Wenyu River tracks

Highlights:

c41 (2 flocks, 18 and 23)  Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 赤麻鸭

c60 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 绿头鸭

c10 Common Teal Anas crecca 绿翅鸭

1 male Common Pochard Aythya ferina 红头潜鸭

c40 Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 鹊鸭 (Shahe)

c20 Smew Mergellus albellus 白秋沙鸭 (Shahe)

c15 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 小䴙䴘

1 Black-eared Kite  Milvus lineatus 黑鸢

1 Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 普通鵟

1 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 红隼

2 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops 戴胜

2 Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus 灰头绿啄木鸟

1 Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 大斑啄木鸟

c150  Daurian Jackdaw Coloeus dauuricus 达乌里寒鸦

c6 Eastern Great Tit Parus minor 远东山雀

2 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris 沼泽山雀

1 flock of 13 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 云雀 +

c20 White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 灰椋鸟

1 male Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 中国乌鸫

2 Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis 黑颈鸫

1 Red-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis 赤颈鸫

c8 Naumann's Thrush Turdus naumanni 红尾鸫

1 Dusky Thrush Turdus eunomus 斑鸫

c10 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 燕雀

c10 Rustic Bunting  Emberiza rustica 田鹀

2 Elegant Bunting Emberiza elegans 黄喉鹀

2 large gull larus (Shahe)

5th March 2013, 37 species (317 in 2013)

Cycled 105 km to Shahe Reservoir, via Wenyu River tracks

Highlights:

1 Swan Goose Anser cygnoides 鸿雁 (Shahe) +

2 Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 大天鹅 (Shahe) +

5 Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus 小天鹅 (Shahe)

29 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 黑水鸡

c12 Gadwall Anas strepera 赤膀鸭 (Shahe)

c50 Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 鹊鸭   (Shahe)
c30 Smew  Mergellus albellus 白秋沙鸭   
c10 Goosander普通秋沙鸭  Mergus merganser  
3  Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus  普通鵟 
c40 Daurian Jackdaw Coloeus dauuricus 达乌里寒鸦
1 Marsh Tit Poecile palustris 沼泽山雀 +
4 Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus 太平鸟
1 Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos 白头鹀
2 Pallas’s Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi  苇鹀
1 Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala 灰头鹀 
3 Elegant Bunting Emberiza elegans 黄喉鹀
c6 Siberian Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 三道眉草鹀

3rd March 2013 (314 species in 2013)
Lingshan, Beijing

Highlights:

3 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 黑鹳 +

1 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 苍鹰 +

c12 Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris 岩鸽 +

3 (1 male) Guldenstadt's Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogastrus 红腹红尾鸲 ++

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c20 Godlewski's Bunting Emberiza godlewskii 戈氏岩鹀   

c10 三道眉草鹀  Emberiza cioides Siberian Meadow Bunting

19th February 2013 (310 species in 2013)
Gongtibei Lu, Chaoyang, Beijing

A flock of 9 Bohemian Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus 太平鸟

5th - 15th February, 225 species (309 in 2013)
Western Yunnan

A selection of my favourite photos taken on this trip can be seen HERE

5th: Longling from 1,500 to 2,000 masl. 

6th: west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl; and Baihualing, Gaoligongshan (from 1,450 to 1,950 masl). 

7th:  Baihualing, Gaoligongshan from 1,450 to 1,900 masl; and the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) from 1,900 to about 2,400 masl. 

8th:  Baihualing, Gaoligongshan from 1,450 to 2,350 masl. 

9th:  Baihualing, Gaoligongshan from 1,450 to 1,950 masl; and Tengchong from 1,650 to about 1,900 masl. 

10th: Yinjiang, at about 800 masl; and Xima at about 1,600 masl. 

11th: Xima, near to the border with Burma, from about 1,650 to about 1,450 masl.  

12th: Husa, from about 1,450 to about 2,000 masl. 

13th: Nanjingli, near Ruili at about 1,400 masl; and Lexi Bishan, Ruili at about 950 masl. 

14th: Moli at about 900 masl; east of the Ruili River at about 800 masl; and Jiele Reservoir at about 850 masl. 

15th:  Lexi Bishan at about 950 masl; and east of the Ruili River at about 800 masl. 

Unless otherwise stated, ssp have been assigned following an analysis of the species’ IOC (3.2) ranges.  Clements (6.7) was also consulted.  Many thanks to the organisations responsible for compiling and maintaining these remarkable tomes, and of course for allowing free and unfettered access to the birding community.  

Mountain Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola fytchii 棕胸竹鸡 + 

One at Husa on the 12th.  

The nominate ssp occurs here (w Sichuan to Burma and n Vietnam).   

Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera 白鹇 + 

Three at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 1,700 masl. 

Those in western Yunnan are presumed to be jonesi (e Burma to s China and n Thailand).    

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 赤麻鸭  

Three at Yinjiang on the 10th. 

Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,650 masl.  Eight by the Ruili River on 14th, at about 800 masl. 

Monotypic.  

Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica 栗树鸭 + 

One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Common Teal Anas crecca 绿翅鸭  

c15 at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl. 

Those in western Yunnan are the nominate crecca.

Falcated Duck Anas falcata 罗纹鸭  

c15 at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.  

Monotypic. 

Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha 印缅斑嘴鸭 + 

c20 at Xima on the 11th.  c100, presumably of this species, at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl (only two were close enough to be specifically identified). 

Those in western Yunnan are presumed to be haringtoni  (Burma to s China and Laos).

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Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 赤嘴潜鸭 + 

3 females at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl. 

Monotypic 

Goosander Mergus merganser 普通秋沙鸭                                          

Four on the Ruili River on the 14th. 

Unclear to me whether these birds were orientalis or the nominate merganser. 

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 小䴙䴘  

c20 on the Jiele Reservoir, Ruili on the 14th. 

Unclear to me whether these distant birds were poggei (ne to se Asia…) or albescens (Caucasus to Burma and Sri Lanka).   

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus 星头啄木鸟  

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th.  One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,650 masl.  One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.  One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

Clements describes kaleensis range as “SW China (Sichuan to Fujian) to n Burma, n Indochina; Taiwan”. The illustration of kaleensis in Robson matches the birds seen above.  However, The IOC and Brazil describe the range of kaleensis as Taiwan only. 

Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos cathpharius 赤胸啄木鸟 + 

One at Xima, close to the border with Burma, on the 11th.

Presumed to be a tenebrosus (n and e Burma to s China and nw Vietnam).  

Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis 黄颈啄木鸟 + 

One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,400 masl. 

Of the nominate form (Nepal and ne India to s China and nw Vietnam). 

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 大斑啄木鸟 + 

One at Tengchong on the 9th. 

This bird is presumed to be a stresemanni (ne India, ne Burma and s China). 

Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha 大黄冠啄木鸟 + 

One, a male, at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,750 masl. 

This bird is presumed to be a lylei (w Thailand and e Burma to s China, n Laos and nw Vietnam).  The red “full” crown illustrated in Robson supports this hypothesis.    

Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus 灰头绿啄木鸟 + 

One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl. 

This bird is presumably a sordidior (se Tibet and sw China to ne Burma). 

Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus 栗啄木鸟 +  

One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th February, at about 850 masl. 

This bird is presumably a phaioceps (c Nepal and ne India to sw and s China, n and e Thailand and Burma). 

Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus 大金背啄木鸟 + 

Two, a vociferous male, and a female, at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th February, at about 950 masl.  Three, two males and a female at the same location on the 15th. 

The few birds of the species left in western Yunnan are nominate guttacristatus. 

charts/2013yunnan2.JPG

Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis  黄嘴栗啄木鸟 + 

One, a male, at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,900 masl. 

Those in western Yunnan are nominate pyrrhotis. 

Great Barbet Megalaima virens 大拟啄木鸟 + 

Up to eight birds seen daily at all locations. 

Based on range analysis by the IOC, those in western Yunnan could be nominate virens, or clamator  or both.  Clements states that it is clamator  that occurs in “w Yunnan”.  

Franklin's Barbet Megalaima franklinii 金喉拟啄木鸟 + 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,650 masl.  One there on the 7th and two on the 8th (within 100 masl of the first sighting).  One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,750 masl. 

All birds seen well identified as the nominate franklinni (e Himalayas and ne India to s China and n Vietnam) on the basis of them having a golden-yellow chin and upper-throat patch markedly contrasting with whitish mid and lower throat; as well as “duo-tone” ear-coverts (dark underscored by silvery white).  Presumably ramsayi (e and se Burma and nw Thailand) also occurs.

charts/2013yunnan24.JPG 

Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica 蓝喉拟啄木鸟 + 

One at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.  Three at Moli on the 14th.  Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

All birds that were seen well were identified as the nominate (ne Pakistan to w and n Burma and sw Yunnan).  SE Yunnan holds davisoni, but it is unclear to me how far this ssp (se Burma to se Yunnan…) extends westwards and northwards in Yunnan. 

charts/2013yunnan29.JPG

Wreathed Hornbill Rhyticeros undulatus 花冠皱盔犀鸟 + 

One flapped majestically over a vast area of the Yinjiang side of the Husa ridge at 9.10am on the 12th, at about 1,500 masl.  Unforgettable.  Thank goodness I had seen the species before in Yunnan, otherwise I don’t think I would have been able to put my bins down and pick my camera up to get a photo for the record. 

I photographed a flock of 5 birds at close range in westernmost Yunnan in 2010 that were a stone’s throw from the border with Burma.  That area is presently classified as a war zone, and consequently is off-limits to anyone except locals because shells from Burmese army guns, aimed at the Kachin rebels, have hit Chinese territory. Seeing this bird on this trip was a most unexpected surprise to say the least. 

It is not known how many modern records there have been beyond this border area. 

2 ssp recognised by the IOC (Clements regards the species as monotypic ; the IOC recognises another ssp that is endemic to Borneo).   Either way, the bird I saw was the nominate.  

charts/2013yunnan23.JPG

Hoopoe Upupa epops 戴胜  + 

One west of the Nu River valley on the 6th, at about 800 masl. 

Longirostris in western Yunnan. 

Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis 棕胸佛法僧 ++ 

Two on wires east of the Ruili River on the 15th. 

Affinis in western Yunnan.

charts/2013yunnan34.JPG   

Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus 红头咬鹃 + 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,850 masl. 

Intermedius in “Yunnan”.  However, Clements states that it is helenae that occurs in western Yunnan (and northern Burma).  The bird here was not seen well enough to identify the ssp.  

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 普通翠鸟 + 

One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl.   

Bengalensis is presumably the ssp here. 

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 斑鱼狗 + 

One at Yinjiang on the 10th.  Several at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl. 

Leucomelanurus is the ssp here. 

charts/2013yunnan1.JPG

White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis 白胸翡翠 + 

Two at Yinjiang on the 10th.  One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl. 

Perpulchra (Bhutan to e India, Indochina, the Malay Pen. and w Java) seems to be the ssp here, although I don’t know how far the range of fokiensis (s and e China, Taiwan and Hainan) extends westwards. 

Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus 八声杜鹃 + 

One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl. 

Querulous is the ssp here. 

Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis 绿嘴地鹃 + 

One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

The nominate is the ssp here. 

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 褐翅鸦鹃 + 

One east of the Ruili River on the 15th.

 It is unclear to me whether the ssp here is the nominate (Pakistan through n India to se China) or intermedius (Bangladesh and Burma to s Thailand, Indochina and Malay Pen). 

Atherton's Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni 蓝须夜蜂虎 + 

One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,550 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata 凤头树燕 + 

Six over Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, seen from about 950 masl. 

Monotypic 

Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides 斑头鸺鹠 + 

One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl. 

Unclear to me which ssp this is.  The IOC describes rufescens range as: ne India, Bangladesh, n Burma and s Hunnan.  Clements describes whitelyi range as: Sichuan, Yunnan and se China s of Yangtze to ne Vietnam. 

Speckled Wood Pigeon Columba hodgsonii 点斑林鸽 + 

A flock of c20 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,950 masl. 

Monotypic [The IOC does not include China is this species range, whereas Clements does]. 

Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 山斑鸠  

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,550 masl. 

The ssp here is either winter-visiting orientalis or resident agricola.  Birds not seen well enough to determine which. 

Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 珠颈斑鸠  

One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl. 

The ssp here is presumably chinensis, although it is not clear to me how far the range of tigrina (n India through Indochina to Philippines and Sundas) extends eastwards.  

Barred Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia unchall 斑尾鹃鸠 + 

One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl. 

The ssp here is tusalia. 

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 黑水鸡 +  

c20 on the Ruili River on the 14th.  

Nominate ssp. 

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 丘鹬 + 

One at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria 孤沙锥 ++ 

One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 10th, at about 1,600 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 扇尾沙锥 + 

Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,600 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 白腰草鹬  

One at Tengchong on the 9th, at about 1,600 masl.  Five at Yinjiang on the 10th, at about 800 masl.  One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,650 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 矶鹬 + 

Two at Yinjiang on the 10th. 

Monotypic. 

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 青脚鹬 + 

One at Jiele Reservoir on the 14th, at about 850 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 金眶鸻 +  

c10 at Yinjiang on the 10th. 

The ssp that breeds here is jerdoni.  The wintering ssp is curonicus.   

River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii 距翅麦鸡 + 

A group of seven at Yinjiang on the 10th.  One east of the Ruili River on the 15th. 

Monotypic.

charts/2013yunnan16.JPG 

Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus 灰头麦鸡 + 

A flock of nine on a sandbank next to the Ruili River on the 14th. 

Monotypic. 

Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus 肉垂麦鸡 + 

A flock of five in a flooded field east of the Ruili River on the 15th. 

The ssp here is atronuchalis. 

charts/2013yunnan35.JPG

River Tern Sterna aurantia 黄嘴河燕鸥 + 

Four at Yinjiang on the 10th. 

Monotypic.

charts/2013yunnan17.JPG 

Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus 凤头蜂鹰 + 

One at Longling on the 5th. 

Unclear whether this was a migratory orientalis or a resident ruficollis. 

Black-eared Kite Milvus lineatus 黑鸢 + 

Three west of Yinjiang on the 10th.  One at Mangshi on the 15th. 

The IOC regards lineatus as a ssp of Milvus migrans. 

Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 黑翅鸢 + 

Four at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,550 masl. 

The ssp here and in other parts of China is vociferus.

charts/2013yunnan19.JPG 

Himalayan Buzzard Buteo burmanicus 喜山鵟 + 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,400 masl. 

Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis 林雕 + 

One on the east side of the Husa ridge on the 12th, at about 1,750 masl. Nominate ssp. 

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 红隼  

One at Yinjiang on the 10th. 

The ssp here is presumably interstinctus.

Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger 黑颈鸬鹚 + 

c30 at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 普通鸬鹚  

c70 at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl. 

The ssp is sinensis. 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 白鹭  

Two at the Xima wetlands on 11th at about 1600 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Great White Egret Ardea alba 大白鹭  

Two on the Ruili River on the 14th. 

Presumably ssp modestus. 

Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 牛背鹭 + 

One near Longling on the 5th.  Three near the Ruili River on 14th and six on the 16th, at about 800 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 池鹭 + 

Two at Jiele Reservoir on 14th, at about 850 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 苍鹭  

Three by the Ruili River on the 14th. 

The ssp here is presumably jouyi, although it is not clear to me how far west the nominate winters or strays. 

Little Green Heron Butorides striata 绿鹭 + 

One at Yinjiang on the 10th. 

Unclear to me whether the ssp here is javanica (IOC: Burma and Thailand to the Philippines and the Greater and Lesser Sundas) or actophila (Clements: e China to n Vietnam and n Burma). 

Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons 金额叶鹎 + 

One at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.  Three at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

Unclear to me whether the ssp here is pridii (IOC: sw China and e Burma to nw Thailand and n and c Laos; Clements: SW China [s Yunnan] to s Burma, n Thailand and n Laos) or the nominate (IOC: e Himalayas to Burma; Clements: Himalayas and ne India to Burma). 

Hardwick’s Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii 橙腹叶鹎 + 

Five at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 棕背伯劳  

c6 at Longling on the 5th.  Three at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.  

The ssp here is tricolor (IOC: Nepal and e India through Burma and s China to n Laos and n Thailand; Clements: Nepal to n Burma, Yunnan, n Laos and n Thailand). 

Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus 灰背伯劳 + 

Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 10th, at about 1,650 masl.  Four there on the 11th.  Two at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,850 masl. 

The ssp is presumably the nominate.  However, the range described by the IOC for lahulensis (nw India and sw China) conflicts with that described by Clements (N Kashmir to Ladakh and adjacent w Tibet).   

Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 松鸦 + 

Three at Tengchong on the 9th. 

The ssp is presumably sinensis.  However, Clements describes leucotis as present in “s Yunnan”.  It is unclear to how far the population extends northwards. 

Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa flavirostris 黄嘴蓝鹊 + 

Two at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 2,300 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha 红嘴蓝鹊  

One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 950 masl. 

The ssp here is alticola 

House Crow Corvus splendens 家鸦 ++ 

A flock of c12 near the army checkpoint, about 10 miles east of the border with Burma, on the 10th. 

Presumably ssp insolens. 

Large-billed Corvus macrorhynchos 大嘴乌鸦 or Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus levaillantii 丛林鸦 

Two west of Yinjiang on the 10th. 

If Large-billed the presumably ssp tibetosinensis.  Eastern Jungle Crow is monotypic. 

Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris 细嘴黄鹂 + 

Four at Tengchong on the 9th.  One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

The IOC recognises two species: invisus (e Himalayas to s China and c Vietnam) and tenuirostris (s Vietnam). That being the case, then clearly invisus would be the ssp here.  Clements, however, regards the species as monotypic.

charts/2013yunnan32.JPG 

Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii 朱鹂 + 

One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.  One at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.  Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.   

Nominate ssp.

charts/2013yunnan33.JPG 

Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos 暗灰鹃贝鸟 + 

One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.  One at Moli on the 14th.  One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

Presumably ssp avensis. 

Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris 灰喉山椒鸟 + 

Two at Longling on the 5th. 

Western Yunnan ssp:  Clements describes montpellieri as occurring in SW China (nw and c Yunnan), and the IOC describes this ssp as occurring in “s China”.  But there are two other ssp whose ranges (described by the IOC) are not far from where the Longling birds were seen: solaris (c and e Himalayas, n and w Burma) and rubrolimbatus (e and se Burma, n Thailand). 

Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus 长尾山椒鸟 

Two on the 8th Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 1,950 masl. 

The situation regarding ssp is complex.    

Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris 短嘴山椒鸟  +

One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,550 masl.  Four at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,450 masl.  c6 at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.  

The ssp in Western Yunnan is presumably affinis. 

Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus 赤红山椒鸟 +

Three at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.  Three at Moli on the 14th. Four at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.  

From an analysis of the ranges in IOC, the ssp involved are presumably either speciosus (Himalayas to sw China) or fraterculus (ne India, n Burma, s China, Hainan and n Indochina).  However, with reference to Clements, the most likely contender is elegans (SW China [nw Yunnan] to ne India, n Burma and n Indochina).  To complicate matters further, the elegans ssp is not recognised by the IOC.

charts/2013yunnan5.JPG 

Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus 灰卷尾 + 

Up to ten birds seen daily at several locations. 

Seems likely that the birds in western Yunnan are hopwoodi. 

Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus 古铜色卷尾 + 

Several birds seen daily in the Ruili area. 

Nominate ssp. 

Yellow-bellied Fantail  Chelidorhynx hypoxantha 黄腹扇尾鹟 + 

One to four individuals seen daily when in suitable forest habitat. 

Monotypic.

charts/2013yunnan13.JPG 

White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis 白喉扇尾鹟 + 

One to three individuals seen daily when in suitable forest habitat. 

The ssp here is celsa.

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis 方尾鹟  + 

One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,500 masl. Three at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl. 

The ssp here is calochrysea.  

Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis virgatus 钩嘴林贝鸟 + 

A flock of seven at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.  A flock of c10 at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl.  

The ssp here is presumably jugans.  

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris 栗腹矶鸫 + 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,550 masl.  One at Tengchong on the 9th, at about 1,850 masl.  Three at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,700 masl.  

Monotypic. 

Eugene’s Whistling Thrush Myophonus [caeruleus] eugenei 紫啸鸫  

One on the road to Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,050 masl.  Two at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,600 masl.  Three at Moli on the 14th. 

The IOC and Clements treat eugenei as a ssp of Myophonus caeruleus. 

Dixon’s Thrush Zoothera dixoni 长尾地鸫 +

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,900 masl.  At least ten different birds there on the 7th and 8th, between 1,850 and 2,100 masl.   

Monotypic.

Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma 虎斑地鸫 + 

One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,150 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Purple Cochoa Cochoa purpurea 紫宽嘴鸫 + 

One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 1,950 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii 褐河乌 + 

Three at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl. 

The ssp here is dorjei.

charts/2013yunnan22.JPG 

Black-breasted Thrush Turdus dissimilis 黑胸鸫 + 

c10 at Tengchong on the 9th. 

A flock of 21 birds at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,400 masl.  c10 at Moli on the 14th. 

Monotypic.

charts/2013yunnan4.JPG

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata 橙胸姬鹟 + 

One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,550 masl.  Three at Husa on the 12th. 

Nominate ssp.

charts/2013yunnan21.JPG 

White-gorgeted Flycatcher Anthipes monileger 白喉姬鹟 + 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,800 masl.  I was surprised to find one there.

The ssp is leucops. 

Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor 灰蓝姬鹟 + 

Three at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl. 

Not clear to me which ssp is in western Yunnan. 

Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus 铜蓝鹟 + 

Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl. Nominate ssp. 

Large Niltava Niltava grandis 大仙鹟 + 

One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,050 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae 小仙鹟 + 

One at Moli on the 14th, at about 900 masl. 

The ssp here is signata. 

Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara 棕腹仙鹟 + 

One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

The ssp here is probably sundara (IOC: c and e Himalayas to sw China and c Burma; Clements: E Himalayas to se Tibet, s China [n Yunnan) and n Laos).  Although denotata (IOC: s China and e Burma; Clements: SW China to n Myanmar; to n Thailand and n Laos) is a possibility. 

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 蓝喉歌鸲 + 

One at Yinjiang on the 10th, at about 800 masl. 

This appeared to be the nominate ssp, but I have no idea what kobdensis (IOC: breeds in w Mongolia and w China, winters in s and se Asia) looks like. 

Himalayan Bluetail Tarsiger rufilatus 蓝眉林鸲 + 

Several seen daily at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan from 1,700 to 2,000 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Golden Bush Robin Tarsiger chrysaeus 金色林鸲 + 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at 1,650 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis 鹊鸲 + 

One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.

The ssp here is presumably erimelas. 

White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus 白顶溪鸲 + 

Two by the river next to the approach road to Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,250 masl.  One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,600 masl.  Two at Moli on the 14th. 

Monotypic.

charts/2013yunnan3.JPG 

Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosa 红尾水鸲 + 

One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 850 masl.  Three at Moli on the 14th. 

Nominate ssp. 

White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucura 白尾蓝地鸲 + 

One at Longling on the Feb 5th, at about 1,700 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus 黑喉石即鸟 + 

Several on Feb 10th and 11th at Xima, at about 1,600 masl.   

All at Xima were in breeding plumage, and were presumably ssp przewalskii 

Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata 白斑黑石即鸟 + 

Two at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,600 masl. 

The ssp here is burmanicus. 

Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferreus 灰林即鸟+ 

c6 each day (presumably the same birds) at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan, between 1,550 and 1,700 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 北红尾鸲  

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,150 masl.  Also one there on the 9th, at about 1,800 masl.  One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,800 masl. 

The ssp here is leucopterus. 

Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis 蓝额红尾鸲 + 

Two at Longling on the 5th, at about 1,800 masl. One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,600 masl.  Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.   

Monotypic  

Black-backed Forktail Enicurus immaculatus 黑背燕尾 + 

One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

Monotypic.

charts/2013yunnan31.JPG  

Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus 灰背燕尾 + 

Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.  Two at Moli on the 14th.  

Monotypic 

Leschenault’s Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti 白冠燕尾 + 

One at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

The ssp here is indicus. 

Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus 斑背燕尾 + 

Three at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,450 masl. 

The ssp here is guttatus 

Great Myna Acridotheres grandis 林八哥 + 

One by the road from Dehong to Longling on the 5th. Perhaps a rare bird south of the Gaoligongshan. 

Monotypic.

Black-collared Starling Gracupica nigricollis 黑领椋鸟 + 

Several at Tengchong on the 9th. 

Monotypic. 

Naga Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis 栗臀䴓 + 

Two at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,950 masl. Two at Tengchong also on the 9th, at about 1,850 masl.  

The ssp here is montium. 

White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis 白尾䴓+ 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,250 masl.

Monotypic. 

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis 绒额䴓 + 

One at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,400 masl.  Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.  

Nominate ssp. 

Eastern Great Tit Parus minor 远东山雀  

Two at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,750 masl.  Three on two other dates. 

According to the ranges described by the IOC, the ssp here is tibetanus (se Tibet, sw and sc China to n Burma).  However, the situation is far from the clear, as there may be a second distinct species in western Yunnan (“Cinerous” Tit).  In short, the taxonomy and identification of this group is, to me, as clear as mud.  

Yellow-cheeked Tit Parus spilonotus 黄颊山雀 + 

Three at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, between 1,550 and 1,750 masl.  Five at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,800 masl. Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl. 

The ssp here is presumably the nominate (IOC: e Nepal and ne India to n and w Burma and sw China). 

Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus 黄眉林雀 + 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,200 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus 红头长尾山雀 + 

Several from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,250 masl. c10 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 1,650 masl.  

The ssp here appears to be talifuensis.

Bonvalot's Tit Aegithalos bonvaloti 黑眉长尾山雀 + 

Three at Longling on the 5th, at about 1,900 masl.

Nominate ssp.  

Fire-capped Tit Cephalopyrus flammiceps 火冠雀 + 

Two at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.  A flock of c25 on the south side of the Husa ridge on the 12th, at about 1,600 masl. 

The ssp here is olivaceus.

charts/2013yunnan25.JPG 

Grey-throated Martin Riparia chinensis 褐喉沙燕 + 

c30 by the river, in the town of Longling on the 5th.  c20 at Yinjiang on the 10th, at about 800 masl.  Two by the Ruili River on the 14th. 

Nominate ssp. 

Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus 烟腹毛脚燕 + 

A flock of c100 in the air over the Husa ridge on the 12th.  

Unclear whether these were ssp cashmeriense or nigrimentale. 

Swallow Hirundo rustica 家燕 + 

Many seen on most dates below 1,800 masl. 

Presumably ssp gutturalis, but possibly up to three (IOC recognised) ssp involved. 

Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 线尾燕 + 

One over fields east of the Ruili River on the 14th, at about 800 masl. 

The ssp here is filifera. 

charts/2013yunnan6.JPG

Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 金腰燕 + 

Several over Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

Presumably the nominate ssp. 

Chestnut-flanked White-eye Zosterops erythropleurus 红胁绣眼鸟 + 

A flock of c50 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,900 masl.     

Monotypic. 

Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus 暗绿绣眼鸟

A flock of c30 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,800 masl.  And several other flocks on all days in the Gaoligongshan.  A flock of c20 at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.  '

The ssp here is simplex. 

Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris 黑冠黄鹎  + 

One west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.  Two at Moli on the 14th. 

The ssp here is presumably the nominate (IOC: Nepal, n and e India to s China and c Burma; Clements: Himalayas [Punjab] to ne India, n Burma and sw China).    

Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus 红耳鹎  + 

Three west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.  c10 at Moli on the 14th. 

The ssp here is monticola (e Himalayas to n Burma and s China). 

Striated Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus 纵纹绿鹎 + 

One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,050 masl.  Two at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. 

The ssp here is presumably paulus (e Burma, s China and n Indochina). 

Brown-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthorrhous 黄臀鹎 + 

Several at Longling on the 5th.   

Nominate ssp. 

Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer 黑喉红臀鹎 + 

Several west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.  c20 at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.  c30 at Moli on the 14th.  

The ssp here is stanfordi (n Burma and sw China). 

Flavescent Bulbul Pycnonotus flavescens 黄绿鹎 + 

Two at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,850 masl.  Several at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.  Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl. 

The ssp here is vividus. 

White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus 黄腹冠鹎 + 

Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th and one there on the 15th, at about 950 masl. 

The ssp here is burmanicus. 

Mountain Bulbul Ixos mcclellandii 绿翅短脚鹎 + 

Three from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,000 masl.  Several at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,450 masl.  Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th and one there on the 15th, at about 950 masl. 

The ssp here is similis [Clements NE Burma (Kachin) to sw China (Yunnan) and n Indochina]. 

Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala 灰短脚鹎 + 

Three at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. 

Nominate ssp.  [Clements: E Himalayas (Garhwal to Nepal); w Yunnan and sw Burma] 

Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus 黑短脚鹎 + 

Up to 150 seen daily at altitudes lower than 2,200 masl.  Fewer than 5 per cent were white-headed. 

The main ssp here is ambiens [Clements: NE Burma to sw China (w Yunnan in Irrawaddy watershed)] 

Crested Finchbill Spizixos canifrons 凤头雀嘴鹎 + 

c15 at Xima on the 11th.  Three at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.  Two at Moli on the 14th. 

The ssp here is ingrami.  [IOC: e Burma, s China and n Indochina; Clements: E Burma to sw China (Yunnan), nw Thailand and n Indochina.] 

Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens 暗冕山鹪莺 + 

Three east of the Ruili River on the 14th, at about 800 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Hodgson’s Prinia Prinia hodgsonii 灰胸山鹪莺 + 

c10 west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.  Several at the Jiele reservoir on the 14th. 

The ssp here is confusa. [Clements: S China (s Sichuan and w Yunnan) to ne Laos and n Vietnam.] 

Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris 黄腹山鹪莺 + 

Two west of the Nu River on the 6th. 

Possibly nominate ssp, but situation is far from clear as delacouri (according to the IOC) seems also to be a strong contender.   

Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 纯色山鹪莺 + 

One at Yinjiang on the 10th. 

The ssp here is blanfordi (n, c and e Burma, nw Thailand and w Yunnan). 

Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris 沼泽大尾莺 + 

One in a flooded field at Xima on the 10th, at about 1,600 masl.   

The ssp here is toklao. 

Grey-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer 灰腹地莺+ 

One at Moli on the 14th, at about 900 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Mountain Tailorbird Phyllergates cucullatus 金头缝叶莺 + 

One at Xima on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.  One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,800 masl. 

The ssp here is coronatus. 

Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus 褐柳莺 + 

One at Yinjiang on the 10th. Not known whether this was ssp fuscatus or ssp robustus. 

Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 黄眉柳莺 +

One to three daily in the Gaoligongshan. 

Monotypic. 

Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher 橙斑翅柳莺 + 

Three at Longling on the 5th.  One to four birds daily in the Gaoligongshan. 

Nominate ssp. 

Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis 灰喉柳莺 + 

Up to four birds daily at the Gaoligongshan, 1,800 to 2,200 masl. 

Nominate ssp.

charts/2013yunnan15.JPG 

Sichuan Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus forresti 四川柳莺 + 

A few birds seen daily in the Gaoligongshan. 

Monotypic. 

Blyth's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides 西南冠纹柳莺 + 

A few seen in the Gaoligongshan and also near Ruili. 

Presumably ssp assamensis.   

Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni 宽嘴鹟莺 ++ 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,300 masl in the same bamboo cluster at the flock of Slender-billed Scimitar Babblers. 

Presumably nominate ssp. 

Black-faced Warbler Abroscopus schisticeps 黑脸鹟莺 + 

One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,200 masl. 

The ssp here is ripponi. 

Davison's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus davisoni 云南白斑尾柳莺 + 

Three in the Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at least two there on the 8th.  Several each day in the Ruili area. 

Monotypic. 

Grey-cheeked Warbler Seicercus poliogenys 灰脸鹟莺 + 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,100 masl. 

Monotypic. 

charts/2013yunnan9.JPG

White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis 白喉噪鹛 + 

One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,800 masl.

The ssp here is eous.

Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger 小黑领噪鹛 + 

A flock of c6 at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl.

Nominate ssp (c and e Himalayas to c Burma and w Yunnan). 

Rufous-necked Laughingthrush Garrulax ruficollis 栗颈噪鹛 + 

None in the Lexi Bishan forest, but a flock of c6 along the edge of a crop on 15th beneath there, at about 750 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Black-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax chinensis 黑喉噪鹛 + 

A flock of 5 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th, at about 1,550 masl. 

The ssp here is presumably lochmius. 

Moustached Laughingthrush Garrulax cineraceus 灰翅噪鹛  + 

One at Tengchong on the 9th, at about 1,850 masl. 

The ssp here is strenuus. 

White-browed Laughingthrush Garrulax sannio 白颊噪鹛 + 

Three at Longling on the 5th.  A few with the flock of Rufous-necked Laughingthrush on the 15th. 

The ssp here is comis. 

Scaly Laughingthrush Trochalopteron subunicolor 纯色噪鹛 +

Two together from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,100 masl.  One at Tengchong on the 9th, at about 1,850 masl.  

The ssp here is griseatum (n Burma and w Yunnan)   

Red-tailed Laughingthrush Trochalopteron milnei 赤尾噪鹛 + 

A flock of c8 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 1,750 masl.  A flock (perhaps the same) at a slightly lower elevation on the following day.

The ssp here is sharpei

charts/2013yunnan14.JPG

Rippon's Liocichla Liocichla ripponi 红翅薮鹛 + 

A flock of c6 at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.  One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,600 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Rippon’s or Red-faced Liocichla ripponi/phoenicea 红翅薮鹛/灰头薮鹛 

The small flock (three or four) birds seen at Baihualing, Gaoligoingshan on the 7th at about 1,700 masl, showed characteristics of the latter.  One there on the 9th at about the same place.  If Red-faced, then ssp bakeri [Clements:  S Assam (s of the Brahmaputra) to nw Myanmar and nw Yunnan.]

charts/2013yunnan7.JPG  

Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps 棕头幽鹛 + 

Two west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl. 

The ssp here is presumably shanense. 

Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus gravivox 斑胸钩嘴鹛 + 

One at Longling on the 5th. 

The ssp here is odicus (IOC: ne and e Burma, s China and n Indochina; Clements: mountains of ne Myanmar to s China (Yunnan), n Laos and nw Tonkin).  This taxon was formerly classified as a ssp of Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler. 

White-browed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus  schisticeps 灰头钩嘴鹛 + 

One ssp ripponi with a Red-billed Scimitar Babbler at Husa on the 12th at about 1,800 masl.  Darker mantle than Red-billed; shorter, and thicker yellow (versus red) bill.  Chestnut collar and flanks. 

Red-billed Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps 棕头钩嘴鹛 + 

One with a White-browed Scimitar Babbler at Husa on the 12th at about 1,800 masl.   

Nominate ssp. 

Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis 棕颈钩嘴鹛 + 

Two from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th with a single Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, at about 2,350 masl in mature evergreens.  One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,150 masl.  

The ssp here is probably similis. 

Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler Xiphirhynchus superciliaris 剑嘴鹛 ++ 

One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,350 masl, with two Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers.  A flock of five at Baihualing on the 8th at about 2,300 masl in dense bamboo. 

The ssp here is forresti  [Clements: Mountains of ne Myanmar and sw China (nw Yunnan)] 

Streaked Wren Babbler Napothera brevicaudata 短尾鹪鹛 + 

Four at Moli in on the 14th. 

The ssp here is venningi [Clements: S China (w Yunnan) to ne Myanmar].

charts/2013yunnan27.JPG 

Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyridopsis ruficeps 红头穗鹛 + 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,700 masl. 

The ssp here is bhamoensis. 

White-bellied Yuhina Erpornis zantholeuca 白腹凤鹛 +

 c20 at Nanjingli on the 13th at about 1,400 masl. 

Nominate ssp [c and e Himalayas to Burma, w Thailand and w Yunnan]. 

Black-headed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius rufiventer 棕腹贝鸟鹛 + 

One from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,250 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Blyth's Shrike Babbler Pteruthius aeralatus 红翅贝鸟鹛 + 

One at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, at about 1,800 masl.  One at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,950 masl. 

The spp here is ricketti. 

Green Shrike Babbler Pteruthius xanthochlorus 淡绿贝鸟鹛 + 

Two at Husa on the 2 th at about 1,800 masl. 

The ssp here is pallidus.  

Egerton’s Barwing Actinodura egertoni 锈额斑翅鹛 + 

Up to 20 birds seen daily at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan, between 1,700 and 2,100 masl (including one flock of c15 birds on the 9th).  c6 at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl. c10 at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,850 masl.  Several at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. 

The ssp here is ripponi.

Sir Philip Grey Egerton (13 November 1806 – 6 April 1881) was a palaeontologist, who amassed the-then world’s most extensive private collection of fish fossils.   He also had time to be a member of parliament (for a total of 47 years at three different Cheshire constituencies).

charts/2013yunnan12.JPG    

Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera 蓝翅希鹛 + 

c10 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 6th, between about 1,600 and 1,900 masl. Seveal at Husa on the 12th.  Four at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 13th, at about 950 masl. 

The ssp here is wingatei. 

Chestnut-tailed Minla Chrysominla strigula 斑喉希鹛 + 

Three at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 1,700 masl. 

The ssp here is yunnanensis.

charts/2013yunnan10.JPG 

Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta 火尾希鹛 + 

Three at Longling on the 5th.  Up to six seen daily in the Gaoligongshan. 

Nominate ssp. 

Yellow-throated Fulvetta Pseudominla cinerea 黄喉雀鹛 + 

A flock of c12 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th at about 2,250 masl. 

Monotypic.

charts/2013yunnan11.JPG 

Rufous-winged Fulvetta Pseudominla castaneceps 栗头雀鹛 + 

A flock of c15 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th at about 2,100 masl. 

Nominate ssp (e Himalayas to w Yunnan and w Thailand). 

White-browed Fulvetta Fulvetta vinipectus 白眉雀鹛 + 

At least three birds at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th at about 2,350 masl. 

The ssp here is perstriata. [Clements: NE Myanmar (Kachin State) to… w Yunnan] 

Manipur Fulvetta Fulvetta manipurensis 印缅褐头雀鹛 + 

A flock of c10 from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,250 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Rusty-capped Fulvetta Alcippe dubia 褐胁雀鹛  +

Three flocks, each comprising c10 birds on the 8th, between 1,650 and 2,000 masl. 

The ssp here is intermedia (ne and e Burma, w Yunnan).

charts/2013yunnan36.JPG 

Yunnan Fulvetta Alcippe fratercula 灰头雀鹛  

A flock of c30 on the 6th and several on the 7th at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan, between 1,700 and 1,900 masl.  Over 100 birds in several flocks at Husa on the 12th. 

Monotypic.

Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis 白眶雀鹛 + 

A flock of c6 at Xima on the 11th at about 1,450 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Chinese Babax Babax lanceolatus 矛纹草鹛 + 

Three at Xima on the 10th, at about 1,600 masl. 

Nominate ssp [Clements: Mountains of se Tibet to se Assam, sw China and ne Burma].  The IOC recognises ssp bonvaloti (SW China), which Clements doesn’t recognise.  It is worth noting that both the IOC and Clements recognise ssp latouchei in SE China. 

Rufous-backed Sibia Leioptila annectans 栗背奇鹛 + 

1 pair at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,950 masl. 

Nominate ssp [IOC: e Himalayas, n Burma and sw China; Clements: Sikkim to Bhutan, Assam, nw Myanmar and w Yunnan] 

Grey Sibia Leioptila gracilis 灰奇鹛 + 

c12 at Xima on the 11th at about 1,500 masl.  Three at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.  Two at Moli on the 14th. 

Monotypic. 

Black-headed Sibia Leioptila desgodinsi 黑头奇鹛 + 

Four at the Baihualing, Gaoligongshan, on the 6th between 1,800 and 1,900 masl.  Three there on the 8th at about 1,750 masl.  

Nominate ssp. 

Beautiful Sibia Leioptila pulchellus 丽色奇鹛 + 

Up to a dozen birds each day at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan. 

Monotypic.

charts/2013yunnan8.JPG 

Long-tailed Sibia Heterophasia picaoides 长尾奇鹛 + 

A flock of five at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 9th at about 1,650 masl.  A flock of 18 at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl. 

Nominate ssp. [IOC: c Himalayas to n Burma and s China; Clements: Nepal to Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam, nw Yunnan and ne Myanmar.] 

charts/2013yunnan26.JPG

Silver-eared Mesia Mesia argentauris 银耳相思鸟 + 

Up to 30 birds seen daily at higher altitudes.  Mostly in flocks. 

The ssp here is presumably vernayi.  [IOC: ne Assam  (ne India), n Burma and s China; Clements: NE Assam to n Myanmar and s China (w Yunnan)].   

Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea 红嘴相思鸟 + 

A flock of c12 from the Gaoligongshan Gu Dao (Ancient Road) on the 7th, at about 2,050 masl.  A flock of c8 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 1,950 masl.  

The ssp here is presumably yunnanensis. 

Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis 黄颈凤鹛 + 

Flocks of up to ten birds seen daily in the Gaoligongshan.  Several at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,550 masl.  c20 at Husa on the 12th, at about 1,450 masl. 

The ssp here is presumably rouxi 

Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis 棕臀凤鹛 + 

Flocks of up to 20 birds seen daily in the Gaoligongshan. 

The ssp here is obscurior. 

Grey-headed Parrotbil Psittiparus gularis 灰头鸦雀 + 

A flock of c6 at Nanjingli on the 12th at about 1,400 masl. 

The ssp here is presumably transfluvialis. 

Spot-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis guttaticollis 点胸鸦雀 + 

A flock of seven at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th at about 1,700 masl. 

Monotypic. 

Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill Chleuasicus atrosuperciliaris 黑眉鸦雀 + 

A flock of c6 at Nanjingli on the 13th at about 1,450 masl.

Nominate ssp. 

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus 红胸啄花鸟 + 

One at Xima on the 11th at about 1,500 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Mrs Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae 蓝喉太阳鸟 + 

c20 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th between 1,700 and 1,900 masl.  c10 there on the 8th and also on the 9th.  Three at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,500 masl.   

The ssp here is dabryii. 

charts/2013yunnan37.JPG

Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis 绿喉太阳鸟 + 

Two at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 8th, at about 2,000 masl. 

The ssp here is koelzi. 

Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata 黑胸太阳鸟 + 

One at Xima on the 11th, at about 1,450 masl.  One at Nanjingli, near Ruili on the 13th, at about 1,450 masl.  

The ssp here is assamensis. [IOC: ne India, n Burma into sw China; Clements: Bangladesh to Assam, n Burma and sw China (w Yunnan)] 

Fire-tailed Sunbird  Aethopyga ignicauda 火尾太阳鸟 + 

At least two at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th at about 1,900 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja 黄腰太阳鸟+ 

One pair east of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl. 

According to Clements, the spp here is seheriae [who includes SW China within its range].  The IOC, though, describes the range of seheriae as “Himalayan foothills of n India, w Bangladesh”.  With reference to the IOC-described ranges, labecula looks to be the most likely candidate [e Himalayas and Bangladesh through Burma (except s) to nw Laos and nw Vietnam]. 

Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna 纹背捕蛛鸟 + 

Three at Xima on the 11 th at about 1,550 masl.  Three at Moli on the 14th. Two at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

charts/2013yunnan30.JPG

White Wagtail Motacilla alba 白鹡鸰  

Several at Yinjiang on the 10th, and up to 10 birds daily near the river and reservoir at Ruili.  

Both leucopsis and alboides were identified.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 灰鹡鸰 + 

Two west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.  One at Xima, near to the border with Burma, on the 11th, at about 1,650 masl.   

Nominate ssp. 

Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus 田鹨 + 

One at Yinjiang on the 10th. Identification based on dark lores, extensive pale fringes to median coverts, and indistinct throat and breast streaking (whereas Richard’s has pale lores, narrow fringes to the median coverts and marked streaking). 

The authoritative book on the subject is Per Alstrom’s Pipits and Wagtails [a description and reviews of this 'must have' book can be read here].

Nominate ssp.

charts/2013yunnan18.JPG 

Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 树鹨 + 

Up to c10 birds seen most days at most locations. 

The ssp here is either the nominate or yunnanensis. 

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 麻雀  

Up to 100 each day at lower altitudes. 

It is unclear to me which ssp occurs here. 

White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata 白腰文鸟 + 

A flock of nine at Lexi Bishan, Ruili on 15th, at about 950 masl. 

The ssp here is presumably acuticauda. 

Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata 斑文鸟 + 

A flock of c50 west of the Nu River on the 6th, at about 800 masl.  c30 at Jiele reservoir on the 14th. 

The ssp here is yunnanensis. 

Vinaceous Rosefinch Carpodacus vinaceus 酒红朱雀 + 

Two (one male) at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan on the 7th, at about 1,900 masl. 

Nominate ssp. 

Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 小鹀 + 

Two to ten birds seen daily at most locations. 

Monotypic. 

Elegant Bunting Emberiza elegans 黄喉鹀 + 

Three at Xima on the 11th at about 1,500 masl. 

The ssp here is presumably elegantula [Clements: Mountains of sw China; > to ne Myanmar].  The IOC, though, describes its range as central China only.  

2nd February, 22 species (110 in 2013)
West of Nanshan ski resort, Beijing

Highlights:

6 Pallas's Rosefinch Carpodacus roseus 北朱雀

1 Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch Carpodacus davidianus 红眉朱雀

3 Plain Laughingthrush  Pterorhinus davidi 山噪鹛

1 Chinese Hill Warbler Rhopophilus pekinensis 山鹛

c15 (in 3 groups) Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella 棕眉山岩鹨

c100 Webb's Parrotbill (in 3 flocks) Sinosuthora webbiana 棕头鸦雀

7 Siberian Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 三道眉草鹀

3 Red-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis 赤颈鸫

1 Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis 黑颈鸫

2 Naumann's Thrush Turdus naumanni 红尾鸫

1 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 燕雀

c10 Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha 红嘴蓝鹊

31st January 2013, 31 species (104 in 2013)
22 km stretch of the Wenyu River, Chaoyang to Tongzhou

1 calling 雉鸡Phasianus colchicus Common Pheasant

1  翘鼻麻鸭Tadorna tadorna Common Shelduck 

c 25 赤麻鸭  Tadorna ferruginea  Ruddy Shelduck
c 15  赤膀鸭  Anas strepera  Gadwall
several hundred  绿头鸭  Anas platyrhynchos  Mallard
c 20  斑嘴鸭  Anas zonorhyncha  Spot-billed Duck
1  琵嘴鸭  Anas clypeata  Shoveler
c 30 绿翅鸭  Anas Crecca Common Teal
c 35 鹊鸭  Bucephala clangula Goldeneye (one flock)
c 30  白秋沙鸭  Mergellus albellus  Smew (including one flock of 19)
c dozen  普通秋沙鸭  Mergus merganser  Goosander
c 10  小䴙䴘  Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe
红隼   Falco tinnunculus  Common Kestrel
1  普通鵟  Buteo japonicus  Eastern Buzzard
2 山斑鸠  Streptopelia orientalis Oriental Turtle Dove
1 珠颈斑鸠Spilopelia chinensis  Spotted Dove
1 灰头绿啄木鸟  Picus canus  Grey-headed Woodpecker
few 灰喜鹊  Cyanopica cyanus  Azure-winged Magpie
c 30达乌里寒鸦Coloeus dauuricus Daurian Jackdaw
several喜鹊  Pica pica  Common Magpie
c  20 小嘴乌鸦  Corvus corone  Carrion Crow
c 50 麻雀  Passer montanus Tree Sparrow
several 棕眉山岩鹨 Prunella montanella Siberian Accentor
1 白头鹀 Emberiza leucocephalos Pine Bunting + [a personal first for the Wenyu]
4 三道眉草鹀  Emberiza cioides Siberian Meadow Bunting
2 苇鹀  Emberiza pallasi   Pallas’s Reed Bunting

23 to 26 January (74 species; 103 in 2013)
Yancheng 23 and 24 & Nanjing (Purple Mountain) Jiangsu 25 and 26

Public bus on 23rd from Shanghai to Yancheng city (7.50am - 12.05pm).  Taxi to Xinyanggang.  Birded from 1pm to 5.30pm.

On 24th:  Morning on the Reed Farm; afternoon around the reserve, and the road that passes it (as far as 20km to the east).

25th:  7.40am train from Yancheng city to Nanjing (arriving around midday).  Motorised rickshaw to the foot of Purple Mountain. Birded the mountain from 1pm to 6pm. 

26th: Walked to the top of the mountain and back down again (8am - 2pm).  Taxi to the airport for flight back to Beijing (5pm - 6.45pm).

My detour to Nanjing (there are now flights from Yancheng to Beijing) was to spend time on Purple Mountain - a place I last birded in 1997.  I am delighted to report that the mountain exceeded my high expectations of it.

This is the annotated list of the birds I saw during the four days (actually a total birding time of two and a half days):

["+" indicates that this is the first time I have seen this species in 2013;  "++" = the first time I have ever seen this species.]

Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus  雉鸡

2 on 23, 1 on 24. 

Tundra Bean Goose  Anser serrirostris 短嘴豆雁

+c100 on 23, c800 on 24. 

Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus 小天鹅

+2 on 24. 

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 翘鼻麻鸭

1 on 24. 

Gadwall Anas strepera 赤膀鸭

c20 on 23, c30 on 24. 

Falcated Duck Anas falcata 罗纹鸭 +

1 male on 24. 

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 绿头鸭

A few hundred on 23, several hundred on 24. 

Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha 斑嘴鸭

c30 on 23, c70 on 24. 

Pintail Anas acuta 针尾鸭

c10 on 23. 

Common Teal Anas crecca 绿翅鸭

Several hundred on 24. 

Pochard Aythya ferina 红头潜鸭

c50 on 23, c1,200 on 24. 

Smew Mergellus albellus 白秋沙鸭

c10 on 23, c30 on 24. 

Goosander Mergus merganser 普通秋沙鸭

Several on 23, c30 on 24. 

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 小䴙䴘

c10 on 23, c20 on 24. 

Oriental White Stork Ciconia boyciana 东方白鹳 +

2 on 23, c50 on 24. 

charts/os7.jpg

Spoonbill sp Platalea leucorodia/minor 白琵鹭/黑脸琵鹭

20 distantly on 23. 

Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 白琵鹭 +

c250 on 24. 

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 夜鹭 +

c15 on 24. 

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 苍鹭

Several on 23, c20 on 24. 

Great White Egret Ardea alba 大白鹭 +

c20 on 23, c 15 on 24. 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 白鹭

c10  on 23, c30 on 24. 

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 普通鸬鹚 +

c30 on 23, c50 on 24. 

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 红隼

3 on 23. 

Merlin Falco columbarius 灰背隼 +

1 on 24. 

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 游隼

1 ssp japonensis on 24. 

charts/peregrine8.jpg

Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 黑翅 +

1 on 24.  

charts/bwk9.jpg

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 黑水鸡 +

c10 on 23, c30 on 24. 

Coot Fulica atra 骨顶鸡 +

c20 on 23, c300 on 24. 

Common Crane Grus grus 灰鹤 +

c100 on 23, c1,200 on 24. 

Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis 丹顶鹤 +

7 on 23, 5 on 24. 

charts/rcc6.jpg

Hooded Crane Grus monacha 白头鹤 + 

c20 on 24. 

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 黑翅长脚鹬 +

c60 on 24. 

Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 白腰杓鹬 +

c25 on 23, c10 on 24. 

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 鹤鹬 +

72 on 24. 

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 白腰草鹬

1 on 23. 

Vega/Mongolian Gull Larus vegae/mongolicus 西伯利亚银鸥/蒙古银鸥

c200 on 23, c500 on 24 (a good view of 1 Mongolian mongolicus 蒙古银鸥 + on 24). 

Rufous Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 山斑鸠

c10 on 23, c20 on 24, c10 on 25, c30 on 26. 

Hoopoe Upupa epops 戴胜

1 on 23, 4 on 24. 

Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus 斑姬啄木鸟 +

Several ssp chinensis on 25. 

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus 星头啄木鸟

5 ssp scintilliceps [same as Hebei and Beijing] on 25, 1 on 26. 

Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 棕背伯劳 +

3 ssp schach on 23, 2 on 24. 

charts/longtailedshrike3.jpg

Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus 灰喜鹊

Several on 25 and also on 26. 

Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha 红嘴蓝鹊

Several on 25, 3 on 26. 

Common Magpie Pica pica 喜鹊

More than 200 seen on 23 and also on 24.  A few on 25 and also on 26. 

Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae 灰树鹊 +

3 ssp sinica on 25 and 2 on 26.

charts/greytreepie15.jpg 

Southern Great Tit Parus cinereus 苍背山雀 +

1 on 23 was heard calling.   

Eastern Great Tit Parus minor 远东山雀

c50 on 25 and similar numbers on 26.    

Silver-throated Tit Aegithalos glaucogularis 银喉长尾山雀 +

c30 on 25, and same number on 26.

charts/stt10.jpg 

Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus 红头长尾山雀 +

c20 on 25, c 30 on 26. 

charts/btt11.jpg

Chinese Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 白头鹎

Several on 26. 

Masked Laughingthrush Garrulax perspicillatus 黑脸噪鹛 +

3 on 25; and 1 on 26 with the flock of Berthemy’s Laughingthrushes. 

Greater Necklaced Laughingthrushes Garrulax pectoralis 黑领噪鹛 +

Wonderfully long views of an entertaining flock of c30 ssp picticollis on 25. 

charts/gnl12.jpg

Berthemy’s Laughingthrush Dryonastes berthemyi 棕噪鹛 ++

Prolonged views of a flock of about a dozen on 26 searching for food on the ground at 80m above sea-level, unbothered by the unrelenting noise of hundreds of people passing by on their way up the mountain.  The taxon in eastern and south-eastern China was previously called Rusty Laughingthrush, until its Taiwan cousin nabbed the name following a split.   The BBBC, always keen to seek truth from facts, concluded that its new name is as misleading as it is uninspiring and, therefore,  unanimously voted to consign “Buffy Laughingthrush” to the same etymological dustbin that already contains the ill-conceived “Plain Laughingthrush”.   This beautiful bird shall henceforth be known by the honourary eponym chosen by Emile Oustalet (1844-1905), when describing the species to science in 1876.  Jules Francois Gustave Berthemy was born in Paris on 1 December 1826.  He was attached to the French diplomatic service in China, and became minister in Peking in 1862.  He died in 1902. 

charts/berthemys2.jpg

Hwamei Leucodioptron canorum 画眉 +

Several nominate ssp in a flock on 25, and also a few on 26. 

charts/hwamei13.jpg

Webb’s Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 棕头鸦雀 +

c50 nominate ssp on 23, c30 on 24, c20 on 25, c40 on 26.

charts/webbs14.jpg 

Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 震旦鸦雀 +

Prologed close-up views of a feeding flock of 17 on 23. 

charts/reedparrotbill5.jpg

Japanese White-Eye Zosterops japonicus 暗绿绣眼鸟 +

1 ssp simplex on 26. 

Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 八哥 +

2 on 23. 

Red-billed Starling podiopsar sericeus 丝光椋鸟 +

1 on 23. White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 灰椋鸟 +

c20 on 23, c50 on 24. 

Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 中国乌鸫 +

3 on 23, several on 24. 

Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 白腹鸫 +

1 on 23. 

charts/palethrush1.jpg

Naumann’s Thrush Turdus naumanni 红尾鸫

1 on 23, 1 on 24, 1 on 26. 

Dusky Thrush Turdus eunomus 斑鸫 +

2 on 23, 1 on 24. 

Japanese Robin Erithacus akahige 日本歌鸲 +

Frame-filling views of 1 on 25 at 260m above sea-level. 

charts/japaneserobin16.jpg

Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 红胁蓝尾鸲 +

1 on 25.

 Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 北红尾鸲 +

2 on 23, 1 on 24. 

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 麻雀

More than 200 on 23 and same again on 24. 

White Wagtail Motacilla alba 白鹡鸰

1 on 23. 

Buff-belled Pipit Anthus rubescens 黄腹鹨 +

c4 on 23, 2 on 24. 

charts/buffbellied4.jpg

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 燕雀

1 on 26 Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica 田鹀 +

c dozen on 23, c80 on 24. 

Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala 灰头鹀 +

3 on 23, and 2 on 24. 

Pallas’s Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi 苇鹀

1 on 23.

20th January (10 species; 59 in 2013)
Weir at the Wenyu River, Beijing;  4.30 - 5.30pm

c100  绿头鸭  Anas platyrhynchos  Mallard

c6  绿翅鸭  Anas crecca  Teal

1 female 白尾鹞 Circus cyaneus Hen Harrier +

白腰草鹬  Tringa ochropus  Green Sandpiper

c20 灰喜鹊  Cyanopica cyanus  Azure-winged Magpie

c20 喜鹊  Pica pica  Common Magpie

few 达乌里寒鸦  Coloeus dauuricus  Daurian Jackdaw

several 小嘴乌鸦  Corvus corone  Carrion Crow

c100 麻雀  Passer montanus Tree Sparrow

水鹨    Anthus spinoletta  Water Pipit

18th January (24 species; 58 in 2013)
Cycled 20km stretch of Wenyu River, Beijing; 11am - 5pm

1 雉鸡Phasianus colchicus Common Pheasant  +

1 翘鼻麻鸭Tadorna tadorna Common Shelduck +

c 35  赤麻鸭  Tadorna ferruginea  Ruddy Shelduck

c600  绿头鸭  Anas platyrhynchos  Mallard

2 斑嘴鸭  Anas zonorhyncha  Spot-billed Duck

c10  绿翅鸭  Anas crecca  Teal

1 鹊鸭  Bucephala clangula Goldeneye

2 白秋沙鸭  Mergellus albellus  Smew

8 普通秋沙鸭  Mergus merganser  Goosander

c15  小䴙䴘  Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe

1 白鹭  Little Egret Egretta garzetta +

红隼   Falco tinnunculus  Common Kestrel

1 游隼Falco peregrines  Peregrine Falcon +

charts/WenyuPeregrineComp.jpg 

3 长嘴剑鸻Charadrius placidus  Long-billed Plover +

白腰草鹬  Tringa ochropus  Green Sandpiper

1 冠鱼狗 Megaceryle lugubris  Crested Kingfisher +

3 戴胜 Upupa epops  Hoopoe

c20灰喜鹊  Cyanopica cyanus  Azure-winged Magpie

c30 喜鹊  Pica pica  Common Magpie

c200达乌里寒鸦  Coloeus dauuricus  Daurian Jackdaw

c50 小嘴乌鸦  Corvus corone  Carrion Crow

c60 麻雀  Passer montanus Tree Sparrow

3 白鹡鸰Motacilla alba White Wagtail +

2 水鹨    Anthus spinoletta  Water Pipit

17th January (19 species; 51 in 2013)
Botanical Gardens, Beijing; 10.30 am to 2.30 pm

3  星头啄木鸟  Dendrocopos canicapillus scintilliceps  Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker

1  灰头绿啄木鸟  Picus canus  Grey-headed Woodpecker

c20  灰喜鹊  Cyanopica cyanus  Azure-winged Magpie

3  红嘴蓝鹊 Urocissa erythrorhyncha Red-billed Blue Magpie +

c10 喜鹊  Pica pica  Common Magpie

c30 小嘴乌鸦  Corvus corone  Carrion Crow

c50  黄腹山雀Periparus venustulus Yellow-bellied Tit +

c6  远东山雀Parus minor Eastern Great Tit  +

1  白头鹎Pycnonotus sinensis  Chinese Bulbul +

1  鹪鹩 Troglodytes troglodytes Eurasian Wren +

3  黑头䴓 Sitta villosa Chinese Nuthatch +

2  红尾鸫  Turdus naumanni   Naumann’s Thrush

c12  银喉长尾山雀Aegithalos caudatus Long-tailed Tit

c80  麻雀  Passer montanus Tree Sparrow

c60  燕雀 Fringilla montifringilla Brambling +

2  金翅雀 Carduelis sinica Oriental Greenfinch +

1  红腹灰雀 Pyrrhula pyrrhula Eurasian Bullfinch +

charts/Bullfinch.jpg

1  锡嘴雀 Coccothraustes coccothraustes Hawfinch +

1  黑尾蜡嘴雀 Eophona migratoria Chinese Grosbeak +

Wednesday, 16th January 2013 (17 species)
5 km stretch of the Wenyu River, Beijing; 2.30pm to 4.40 pm

1 鹌鹑 Coturnix japonica  Japanese Quail  

c 30  赤麻鸭  Tadorna ferruginea  Ruddy Shelduck

1  鸳鸯  Aix galericulata  Mandarin Duck 

c 2050  绿头鸭  Anas platyrhynchos  Mallard

1 male  琵嘴鸭  Anas clypeata  Shoveler  [2013 = 38 species]

2 (male and female)  针尾鸭  Anas acuta  Pintail  [2013 = 39 species]

绿翅鸭  Anas crecca  Teal 红头潜鸭  Aythya ferina  Pochard

1  白眼潜鸭  Aythya nyroca  Ferruginous Duck  [2013 = 40 species]

红隼  Falco tinnunculus  Common Kestrel

白腰草鹬  Tringa ochropus  Green Sandpiper

c 20  喜鹊  Pica pica  Common Magpie

c 1100  达乌里寒鸦  Coloeus dauuricus  Daurian Jackdaw [photo of some of them]

c 10  小嘴乌鸦  Corvus corone  Carrion Crow

c 100  麻雀  Passer montanus Tree Sparrow

c dozen  苇鹀  Emberiza pallasi   Pallas’s Reed Bunting

several 红颈苇鹀   Emberiza yessoensis  Japanese Reed Bunting [photo]  

charts/JapanesReedBunting.jpg

 charts/daurianjackdaws.jpg

Monday, 14th January 2013 (15 species)
4 km stretch of the Wenyu River, Beijing; 3.15 pm to 4.45 pm

鹌鹑 Coturnix japonica  Japanese Quail

c 10  赤麻鸭  Tadorna ferruginea  Ruddy Shelduck

c400  绿头鸭  Anas platyrhynchos  Mallard

c 70  绿翅鸭  Anas crecca  Teal

苍鹭  Ardea cinerea  Grey Heron

红隼  Falco tinnunculus  Common Kestrel

1  普通鵟  Buteo japonicus  Eastern Buzzard

c 20  灰喜鹊  Cyanopica cyanus  Azure-winged Magpie

c 20  喜鹊  Pica pica  Common Magpie

小嘴乌鸦  Corvus corone  Carrion Crow

1  红尾鸫  Turdus naumanni   Naumann’s Thrush  [2013 = 37 species]

c 50    麻雀  Passer montanus Tree Sparrow

1  小鹀  Emberiza pusilla  Little Bunting

苇鹀  Emberiza pallasi   Pallas’s Reed Bunting

1   红颈苇鹀  Emberiza yessoensis  Japanese Reed Bunting  

Sunday, 13th January 2013 (31 species)
20 km stretch of the Wenyu River, Beijing; 8.45 am to 2 pm

4 鹌鹑 Coturnix japonica  Japanese Quail  (2 pairs) [2013 = 33 species]

c 15  赤麻鸭  Tadorna ferruginea  Ruddy Shelduck

c10  鸳鸯  Aix galericulata  Mandarin Duck 

few  赤膀鸭  Anas strepera  Gadwall

several hundred  绿头鸭  Anas platyrhynchos  Mallard

c 20  斑嘴鸭  Anas zonorhyncha  Spot-billed Duck

c 25  绿翅鸭  Anas crecca  Teal

红头潜鸭  Aythya ferina  Common Pochard  [2013 = 34 species]

39  鹊鸭  Bucephala clangula Goldeneye

c 20  白秋沙鸭  Mergellus albellus  Smew

several  普通秋沙鸭  Mergus merganser  Goosander

c dozen  小䴙䴘  Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe

苍鹭  Ardea cinerea  Grey Heron

2  红隼  Falco tinnunculus  Common Kestrel

2  普通鵟  Buteo japonicus  Eastern Buzzard

白腰草鹬  Tringa ochropus  Green Sandpiper

黑腹滨鹬 Calidris alpina [presumed sakhalina]  Dunlin [2013 = 35 species]

山斑鸠  Streptopelia orientalis Oriental Turtle Dove

戴胜 Upupa epops  Hoopoe

星头啄木鸟  Dendrocopos canicapillus scintilliceps Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker

灰头绿啄木鸟  Picus canus  Grey-headed Woodpecker

c 20  灰喜鹊  Cyanopica cyanus  Azure-winged Magpie

c 30  喜鹊  Pica pica  Common Magpie

c 30  达乌里寒鸦  Coloeus dauuricus  Daurian Jackdaw

c20  小嘴乌鸦  Corvus corone  Carrion Crow

c 100  麻雀  Passer montanus  Tree Sparrow

1  水鹨  Anthus spinoletta  Water Pipit

several  棕眉山岩鹨  Prunella montanella Siberian Accentor (scrub field south of stables)

小鹀  Emberiza pusilla  Little Bunting

few  苇鹀  Emberiza pallasi  Pallas’s Reed Bunting

few 红颈苇鹀 Emberiza yessoensis Japanese Reed Bunting [2013 = 36 species]

charts/Goldeneyewenyu.jpg

charts/sibeaccentorwenyu.jpg

Wednesday, 9th January 2013 (23 species)
5 km stretch of the Wenyu River, Beijing

赤麻鸭  Tadorna ferruginea   Ruddy Shelduck

17  鸳鸯  Aix galericulata  Mandarin Duck (5 males)

赤膀鸭  Anas strepera  Gadwall

c 1,100  绿头鸭  Anas platyrhynchos Mallard

c 10  斑嘴鸭  Anas zonorhyncha  Spot-billed Duck

c 25  绿翅鸭  Anas crecca  Teal

21  白秋沙鸭  Mergellus albellus  Smew

小䴙䴘  Tachybaptus ruficollis  Little Grebe

苍鹭  Ardea cinerea  Grey Heron

红隼  Falco tinnunculus Common Kestrel  [2013 = 31 species]

1  普通鵟  Buteo japonicus  Eastern Buzzard

白腰草鹬  Tringa ochropus  Green Sandpiper

山斑鸠 Streptopelia orientalis Oriental Turtle Dove

珠颈斑鸠  Spilopelia chinensis Spotted Dove

戴胜 Upupa epops Hoopoe 

灰头绿啄木鸟  Picus canus Grey-headed Woodpecker

c 40  灰喜鹊  Cyanopica cyanus Azure-winged Magpie

c 30  喜鹊  Pica pica Common Magpie 

c 500  达乌里寒鸦  Coloeus dauuricus Daurian Jackdaw

c6  小嘴乌鸦  Corvus corone Carrion Crow

c 100  麻雀  Passer montanus  Tree Sparrow

水鹨 Anthus spinoletta blakistoni   Water Pipit  [2013 = 32 species]  ---  photo below

苇鹀  Emberiza pallasi  Pallas’s Reed Bunting   

charts/waterpipitcompressed.jpg

Monday, 7th January 2013 (30 species)
24 km stretch of the Wenyu River, Beijing

c 60  赤麻鸭  Tadorna ferruginea  Ruddy Shelduck

10  鸳鸯  Aix galericulata  Mandarin Duck  (5 males)

赤膀鸭  Anas strepera  Gadwall

c 2,100  绿头鸭  Anas platyrhynchos  Mallard

c 60  斑嘴鸭  Anas zonorhyncha  Spot-billed Duck

c 80  绿翅鸭  Anas crecca  Teal

18  鹊鸭  Bucephala clangula Goldeneye

c 20  白秋沙鸭  Mergellus albellus  Smew

普通秋沙鸭  Mergus merganser  Goosander

c 10  小䴙䴘  Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe

苍鹭  Ardea cinerea  Grey Heron

雀鹰  Accipiter nisus  Eurasian Sparrowhawk

1  普通鵟  Buteo japonicus  Eastern Buzzard

白腰草鹬  Tringa ochropus  Green Sandpiper

山斑鸠  Streptopelia orientalis Oriental Turtle Dove

珠颈斑鸠  Spilopelia chinensis  Spotted Dove

戴胜 Upupa epops  Hoopoe

星头啄木鸟  Dendrocopos canicapillus  Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker

灰头绿啄木鸟  Picus canus  Grey-headed Woodpecker

c 6  灰喜鹊  Cyanopica cyanus  Azure-winged Magpie

c 30  喜鹊  Pica pica  Common Magpie

c 40  达乌里寒鸦  Coloeus dauuricus  Daurian Jackdaw

小嘴乌鸦  Corvus corone  Carrion Crow

大嘴乌鸦  Corvus macrorhynchos  Large-billed Crow

c 12  银喉长尾山雀  Aegithalos caudatus  Long-tailed Tit

c 50  麻雀  Passer montanus  Tree Sparrow

棕眉山岩鹨  Prunella montanella Siberian Accentor (scrub field south of stables)

小鹀  Emberiza pusilla  Little Bunting

c 6   三道眉草鹀  Emberiza cioides  Siberian Meadow Bunting

c35  苇鹀  Emberiza pallasi  Pallas’s Reed Bunting