Late November Birding

Two days of birding last week produced some nice birds. I visited Tai Po Kau on my own last Friday, I haven't been there much since typhoon Mangkhut hit in September, the damage was still quite visible and the forest felt 'brighter' than usual, as most tree tops were blown off and significant numbers of large trees fell. This however provided a slightly better view throughout the forest, there were far less branches in the way. I will start off with my best finding of the morning, a pair of Bay Woodpecker. They seemed to be feeding on some broken branches, I first detected the female pecking on the trunk, they later flew off into downslope, I played a few burst of playback and waited. In the end the male flew back up and landed right in front of me, this was probably as close as I've ever been to a Bay Woodpecker.

Bay Woodpecker - male, the closest I've been with this species

Three brown skulkers showed well for me. First, a Lesser Shortwing which I heard as I walked up the main road. It was singing right next to the road and allowed excellent views! Next was an Asian Stubtail, a fairly common wintering species but never easy to see well. Finally, a silent Pygmy Wren-babbler was seen perched next to the footpath, I only spotted this LBJ because it flicked it's wings. Surprisingly, this was one of the friendliest Pygmy Wren-babbler I've ever seen, allowing a series of photography opportunity!

Lesser Shortwing

Asian Stubtail

Pygmy Wren-babbler

Photographing these skulkers brings a certain amount of satisfaction. A pair of Besra circling above the forest provided a good look. While a few warblers were seen along the way, mainly Yellow-browed Warblers which are increasing in numbers on a daily basis, but I also saw up to 2 Two-barred Warblers, 2 Goodson's Leaf Warblers and a Radde's Warbler...none of which allowed a photo, but I got a good look at them all.

Besra

Yellow-browed Warbler

A bird wave at picnic area #2 provided plenty of fun, other than the common resident species such as the always brilliant looking Yellow-cheeked Tits, there were also 2 Grey-headed Canary-Flycatchers amongst the flock, one of which gave some great eye-level views.

Yellow-cheeked Tit - male

Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher

I also visited San Tin and Long Valley with Hoiling last week. San Tin had remained fairly productive throughout most of November, I was greeted by a low flying Peregrine, dark faced race peregrinator shows extensive dark cheeks and buffish underparts.

Peregrine Falcon - peregrinator

The Common Pochard reported since the summer has finally been joined by a friend of it's own species, I was delighted to see the two swimming together. The previously reported Greater Scaup was missing, but there were quite a few Tufted Ducks around. A single Chinese Spot-billed Duck was also present, often feeding with the Moorhens.

Common Pochard - now with company

Tufted Duck

Chinese Spot-billed Duck

You can hardly go anywhere now without seeing a Daurian Redstart, I am not complaining as they are such energetic birds and great fun to watch. A weird looking leucopsis White Wagtail with eye-stripes caught my attention, although it is probably just a leucopsis, I coudln't help but to wonder if it could have some lugens or ocularis in it's blood...either way an intriguing looking bird.

Daurian Redstart - female

White Wagtail - leucopsis, probably?

Chestnut-eared Buntings were still in good numbers at San Tin, while a Pallas's Reed Bunting presumably the previously recorded individual was still present.

Chestnut-eared Bunting

Pallas's Reed Bunting

There were yet more Buntings over at Long Valley, mainly Yellow-breasted Buntings, their numbers had remained in twenties or thirties. This is a good sign for this critically endangered species, as it seems they've found a safe haven here at Long Valley...The single Black-headed Bunting had been rather elusive for me thus far, until Hoiling suddenly spotted it feeding in the reed bed!

Yellow-breasted Bunting

Black-headed Bunting

Finally, an Eastern Water Rail just before dusk, a species that is always a joy to see. We often get one or two of these skulking birds that are 'viewable' in Long Valley, although some patience is still often required to see them out in the open.

Eastern Water Rail