The Buntings Returns

It is about the time of year when flocks of Buntings are returning to the paddies at Long Valley, and without missing a beat I found them in fairly good numbers, although many of them were still rather skittish and only gave brief perched views. I counted over ten Yellow-breasted Buntings, the now critically endangered species is clinging on despite trapping in China continues to threaten their existence. A Black-headed Bunting is also present, their annual appearance is much appreciated. Other species I saw includes Chestnut-eared Buntings and Little Buntings.

Yellow-breasted Bunting

Black-headed Bunting

I was delighted to find small flock of Russet Sparrows feeding in the paddies, some of the handsome males were showing nicely. This is not a particularly common species in Hong Kong, usually appearing sporadically in the winter months.

Russet Sparrow

I finally caught up with a Himalayan Swiftlet at Long Valley last week, having missed them throughout much of this autumn. They are fairly scarce passage migrants in Hong Kong, where we usually get single birds following other swifts or swallows, this one was seen hawking for insects with a large flock of Red-rumped Swallows.

Himalayan Swiftlet

At Tai Sang Wai I failed to produce anything particularly interesting, the numerous Whiskered Terns were still attracting tons of photographers. I suspect the disturbance may have affected the birds there somewhat, as one of the promising looking drained ponds were missing all the interesting waders that I was expecting.

Whiskered Tern

Shek Kong Catchment had been fairly consistent lately, with a few bird waves seen near eco-garden, with newly arriving Verditer and Grey-headed Canary Flycatchers, although none of which allowed a photo. Eastern Crowned Warblers were still in good numbers, while a few Hartert's Leaf Warblers (goodsoni) are now turning up in the bird waves.

Eastern Crowned Warbler

Hartert's Leaf Warbler - goodsoni

Larger birds includes Ashy Drongos and Black-winged Cuckooshrikes, both regularly seen in the area. During a full day tour last week we had great views of a single Speckled Piculet within a bird wave, it showed superbly for everyone. The best bird was probably an adult Bonelli's Eagle, a local species that seems to have declined significantly in recent years, I haven't seen one for over two years, its nice to catchup with this handsome raptor last week.

Ashy Drongo - salangensis

Black-winged Cuckooshrike

Speckled Piculet

Bonelli's Eagle