Frosty and Cold!

Temperature dropped below zero in many parts of north east New Territories, with frost reported throughout! Here are some shots of frost at Wu Kau Tang I took one cold morning, but other birders have reported frost at Lam Tsuen, Ta Kwu Leng, Fanling, Shengshui and Mai Po. Frost is not a common sight in Hong Kong, while we view it as a novelty, it is certainly a testing time for many birds, many of which are not used to cold weather like this. 

Frost in Hong Kong

With colder weather we often see changes in bird behaviour, skulking birds may become more bold and bold birds can become fearless! This was the case of this lovely male Siberian Rubythroat I encountered along Tsing Tam Reservoir one very cold morning, it was basically feeding by the roadside like a Magpie Robin! I took a few photos and left it to forage for food in peace.

Siberian Rubythroat - male

Other birds in the area and along Shek Kong Catchwater includes a bird wave with Speckled Piculet and the usual suspects of Minivets, Nuthatches and Babblers. Quite a few Rufous-tailed Robins were feeding close to the road, allowing good views.

Speckled Piculet

Grey-chinned Minivet - male

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

Rufous-tailed Robin

Closer to home, a female Verditer showed fairly well at Tai Mei Tuk Catchment, it was feeding on low branches on a cold morning. On the same day I connected with the long staying Alstrom's Warbler there, but only had a quick glimpse through the trees, but it was very vocal and easily detected by its 'Chi-Chit' call.

Verditer Flycatcher - female

Long Valley was also hit hard by frost, as I saw several fields of crops all withered from frostbite. Eastern Yellow Wagtails foraged along the dead plants. Ever since the construction of the nature park began, the affects on birds and wildlife in the area had been a huge concern for birders and green groups, draining and flattening of fields and wetland is worrying, I am certainly seeing less Snipes and Black-winged Stilts than usual. Several Little Ringed Plover foraged on dried fields, while small flock of Eurasian Teals made good use of the remaining ponds in Long Valley.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail - race taivana

Little Ringed Plover

Eurasian Teal

Good numbers of Red-rumped Swallows and House Swifts soars the sky above, hawking for insects in the midday sun. I scanned for other swift species but couldn't find any.

Red-rumped Swallow

House Swift

The remaining paddy fields are still the main attraction for Munias and Sparrows, perhaps it was the cold weather, theChestnut and White-headed Munias have become much bolder than they were before, often allowing close views of them feeding within the paddies. Whether these exotics will slowly die out or establish themselves remains to be seen.

Chestnut & White-headed Munia - exotic species in Hong Kong

Chestnut Munia

White-headed Munia

For now, Scaly-breasted Munia is still by far the dominant species, with no less than 400 birds in the paddies. Some Eurasian Tree Sparrows also join in for the action.

Scaly-breasted Munia

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

While a few Little Buntings persisted around the paddies, the the best Bunting at Long Valley by far is a male Crested Bunting, it had been showing well for anyone keen enough to visit, this is the first male I've seen in Hong Kong, certainly a very handsome looking fella!

Crested Bunting - male