Fung Lok Wai - Booted Warbler

An interesting looking warbler was spotted by a birder at Fung Lok Wai, initial photos gave impression of Blunt-winged Warbler, some suggested Paddyfield, Booted and Sykes's were later suggested as well...Given all those species are rarity in Hong Kong, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at it myself! The bird showed extremely well from the moment I arrived on site, immediately it gave an impression of an iduna warbler, the only member of this genus that I have seen is the Booted Warbler, and somehow this one didn't quite give me the impression of a Booted. It's bill seemed long and supercelium was quite short, which suggested Sykes's.

Booted Warbler

Even after looking at it for over an hour and very good photos taken, I am still not entirely sure what I was looking at. Head shape was perhaps leaning more towards Booted, with a more rounded head instead of a sloping forehead of Sykes's. Some suggested the dark tipped lower mandible is a feature of Booted, but after searching through hundreds of photos of both species, it seems there is some overlapping in this feature...

Booted Warbler

Thanks to Koel Ko who let me use his excellent photo of the Booted Warbler seen at San Tin back in 2017, it clearly shows that the bill on this bird is clearly longer. Some also suggested there is some overlapping of this feature in both species. The general verdict for this bird seems to be Booted Warbler, though the bill length for this bird may well be on the long end of the spectrum for Booted. Either way, it was still an interesting bird to study and hopefully to shed more light on future identification for both species.

Booted Warbler - above (2017) & below (present)

Although I didn't spend to much time birding around Fung Lok Wai, there were evidently quite a lot of birds around. An Eastern Marsh Harrier drifted past, while at least two Black-winged Kites patrolled the area repeatedly.

Eastern Marsh Harrier

Black-winged Kite

Closer to home at Tai Mei Tuk Catchment, the Grey-backed Shrike was spotted again, although it remains a slightly elusive bird, only turning up sparingly. I got lucky and found it hunting at the same location as last time, hopefully it will stay over winter and perhaps even moult to adult plumage!

Grey-backed Shrike

Other species returning again for winter include a single female Grey Bushchat, after two wintering here last year it seems this location is a favourable spot for this species. Although this one was less friendly then the one seen last year. Daurian Redstarts are also back, a sign that we are now truly in the winter months!

Grey Bushchat - female

Daurian Redstart - female

Dark-sided Flycatchers can still be found in small numbers, I got a fairly confiding one which gave brilliant views. Amongst the three Muscicapa flycatchers found in Hong Kong, this is by far my favourite. Crested Serpent Eagle is a resident in my area, and quite often I find them perched in early morning.

Dark-sided Flycatcher

Crested Serpent Eagle

Down towards the coast of Ting Kok East, a Brown Shrike took up post near the farm. While a single Oriental Turtle Dove was found feeding on the lawn, I suspect this maybe a recent arrival as it was unusually confiding.

Brown Shrike

Oriental Turtle Dove

The best find was however a Chinese Egret amongst the numerous Little Egrets feeding along the mudflat, this is apparently the latest autumn record to date by 11 days!

Chinese Egret

Early November is a good time for night birding, my main goal is the Oriental Scops Owl which I have seen but not yet got a photo of. Finally after numerous tries, we got lucky and found one feeding by the road one evening. While a regular migrant in Hong Kong, Oriental Scops Owls remain quite scarce in Hong Kong.

Oriental Scops Owl