Birds and Herps in Early Autumn

I have not spent too much time birding recently, but seeing other people started seeing some returning migrants I thought I should try and look for some myself. Although the migrants at Tai Po Kau was slightly disappointing, with a heard only Eastern Crowned Warbler and a seen only Arctic Warbler. I did however got a nice selection of resident species, including an Asian Barred Owlet, which was being mobbed constantly by smaller birds.

Asian Barred Owlet

I encountered up to three flocks of Greater Necklaced Laughingthrushes, I kept a look out for Lesser Necklaced but with no luck. This species is in general less common than the Black-throated Laughingthrush, which to my surprise I saw none.

Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush

After breeding season most birds are now behaving 'normally', with many congregating in 'bird waves'. White-bellied Yuhina is one of the key feature of such flocks, I counted no less than three in the biggest 'wave'. 

White-bellied Erpornis

The very handsome Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler is always a welcoming sight, they often move in small flocks at this time of the year. They are very quick birds, so I was even more pleased when one decided to show well, allowing some decent photos to be taken.

Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler

Two of the most abundant species at Tai Po Kau is the Huet's Fulvetta and Silver-eared Mesias, I encountered several large flocks. Silver-eared Mesias are especially nice to see when they show well up close.

Huet's Fulvetta

Silver-eared Mesia

Yellow-cheeked Tits are usually present in larger feeding flocks, most of them stayed higher up, but I did saw this female feeding on a large caterpillar. Its easy to forget that Mountain Bulbul used to be considered a rarity years ago, now they are a regular breeding species at Tai Po Kau.

Yellow-cheeked Tit

Mountain Bulbul

I saw up to three Hainan Blue Flycatchers, but I only managed to photograph the female. Their breeding season is now over, I expect them to be departing very soon. They don't sing their melodic song at this time of the year, more often you can detect their presence by their 'tak-tak-tak' calls.

Hainan Blue Flycatcher - female

Recently we went gorge walking along Tai Shing Stream at Shing Mun, it was a nice change from regular trail walking. Also gave me a chance to use my TG5 to photograph some local fish. One of the most common sucker belly loach is the Pseudogastromyzon myersi, despite their camouflage, the dorsal fin of adults are quite colourful. Juveniles are more clearly marked than the adults.

Tai Shing Stream

Pseudogastromyzon myersi

Rhinogobius duospilus is the most common species of freshwater goby in Hong Kong, they are incredibly curious and quite often will swim towards you if you stay still enough. Males are quite nicely marked with red dorsal fins. They are also highly territorial, males will chase away any intruders.

Rhinogobius duospilus

Another common hillstream loach is the Liniparhomaloptera disparis, they are slightly longer than the Sucker Belly Loach and have bolder markings.

Liniparhomaloptera disparis

I've had some luck with snakes of late, including two juvenile Red-necked Keelback in one morning. This species is both venomous and poisonous, although being a rear-fanged species bites from this species are rarely dangerous. Juveniles are quite colourful, with bluish grey head, yellow and red neck.

Red-necked Keelback

During the monthly night bird survey (with barely any birds) I had a very nice looking Greater Green Snake, while a big Burmese Python certainly was the bright spot of the evening. This individual was probably over 2.5m, although this one is already quite big, it still have a lot of growing to do! They can reach 5m, but largest ever caught in Hong Kong is slightly over 4.5m long.

Greater Green Snake

Burmese Python

Mock Vipers are quite charming little snakes with lots of attitude, this little guy was no exception as it posed nicely for a photo. My snake of the month however goes to a Chinese Slug Snake found by my friends, it is a species I have wanted to see for a while, same as the White-spotted Slug Snake they are extremely docile and very gentle.

Mock Viper

Chinese Slug Snake

Recently with help of my friends I was able to finally see one of my most wanted reptile in Hong Kong, the Big-headed Turtle! Wild turtles are in serious decline due to illegal trapping for the black market and pet trade, the Big-headed Turtle is one of the species heavily affected by this. In fact they are now listed as an Endangered species. Seeing this juvenile in the wild have me remaining hopeful that this species will continue to thrive in the wilderness of Hong Kong.

Big-headed Turtle

2018 Top Wildlife Encounters

2018 was not the most exciting year of birding for me, but it had been a year where I travelled the most which certainly broadened my spectrum on birding and being a naturalist in general. If I included all my encounters abroad this post would have gone on forever...Therefore, I am just going to list sightings from Hong Kong, and for the first time I am not just going to include birds in my annual highlight reviews, but other wildlife I've encountered throughout the year! 

1. Oriental Stork

It had been so long since I've seen one of these majestic birds in Hong Kong, one at Mai Po at the beginning of the year certainly was one of the top bird to see. This Endangered species had been continually decreasing, with an estimated global population of no more than 3,000 individuals.

2. Grey-headed Swamphen

Another rarity from Mai Po, I've been wanting to see one of these in Hong Kong for a while, having missed a chance before I am glad to have caught up with this one. This incredibly beautiful species was formerly considered a race of Purple Swamphen.

3. Mrs. Gould's Sunbird

I've missed several chances of seeing this species in Hong Kong, this immature male at Shing Mun Valley was more than enough to make up for it. Not as beautiful as adult males, but this was enough to get me this Hong Kong tick.

4. Crested Serpent Eagle consuming a snake

When I say "Top Wildlife Encounters" it mean it doesn't have to be anything rare, but this moment was amongst one of the most memorable all year! A Crested Serpent Eagle doing what it does best, eating snakes! It's the first time I've seen one in the act and I certainly hope it's not the last.

5. Eurasian Siskin

A large flock of Eurasian Siskin don't sound very interesting to those living in Europe, but it's sure not a common sight in Hong Kong. It's the first time I've seen over 30 individuals all in one go.

6. Glaucous Gull

Okay, this one was debated quite a lot at the time, I am not sure whether the record committee is accepting this as a genuine Glaucous Gull or not, but it certainly was genuine enough for me.

7. Oriental Plover

I've been wanting to get a proper photograph of this species for a while, this very cooperative individual at San Tin certainly made my day!

8. Common Wolf Snake

Been wanting to see this beautiful species for so long, I've seen a few dead ones in the past but finally found this young snake by the roadside on a night walk at Shek Kong Catchment one evening!

9. Lau's Leaf Litter Toad

This little toad species was found during one of our night walks at Tai Mo Shan, right in the middle of the road where Kenneth so nearly stepped on it! Not a particularly rare species but not one that you often find hopping around either.

10. Lesser Whistling Duck

A rare duck that I've not seen for years, provided a good reason to visit Mai Po in the middle of summer.

11. Breeding Eurasian Hobbies

While we get Eurasian Hobbies on passage, breeding is not that well known in Hong Kong, although this pair which had successfully been breeding the last few years proves how little we actually know about birds...

12. Phlogiellus sp.

A Tarantula in Hong Kong, I've always wanted to see one of these! They are impressive looking animals and was no doubt one of my spider highlight of the year!

13. MacClelland's Coral Snake

A species I've searched for years, finally saw this beautiful snake one fateful night!

14. Bamboo Pit-Viper and meal...

The snake itself is not really worth mentioning, but we found this one in the middle of devouring a Chinese Gecko! The poor gecko was still sitting in it's mouth looking as though it's trying to escape.

15. Tiger Shrike

I can hardly recount how many times I tried looking for this species at Ho Man Tin, but perseverance paid off when I finally struck gold one day!

16 Giant Spiny Frog

I've been wanting to get a good photo of this monster frog species, being the largest frog species in Hong Kong they are truly impressive to look at, and certainly worth all the hard work climbing down rocks and getting your feet wet.

17. Yellow-browed Bunting

I found a small flock of these lovely buntings at Mai Po, never really been able to get a good photo of them before until now!

18. Manchurian Reed Warbler

A notoriously difficult species decided to play it easy this year, this very showy individual certainly made an impression, I am not quite sure when I will be able to see another quite like it!

19. Rook

After the immature individual last year, another decided to pop in Hong Kong again! This time an adult! Whether they are the same individual is unknown, but this had got to be one of my best finds this year. 

20. Yellow-streaked Warbler

My final lifer of the year, this species had been long anticipated for me. Having been able to observe this individual for a few hours in the field helped with gaining enough confidence for me to make the call for it's ID.

I am looking forward for more wildlife encounters in 2019!