HKBWS Vicky

5 Sep 2011
1 Pintail/Swinhoe's Snipe in Paddy field
3 Yellow Wagtail in Watercress field

1隻針尾/大沙錐 (稻米田)
3隻黃鶺鴒 (西洋菜田)

brendank

11 September 2011 - pm

1 Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler (a very unsatisfying 1 second view)
1 Oriental Reed Warbler
1 Plaintive Cuckoo (juvenile)
1 Yellow Bittern
1 Crested Serpent Eagle
4 Greater Painted Snipe
2 Common Snipe
15 Pintail/Swinhoe's Snipe
3 Chinese Starling

brendank

15 Sep 2011

A day of difficult to see birds and view photos...

1 small crake (I believe it was a Baillon's Crake by its small size and reddish-toned back; ran across the trail near the lily ponds at dusk)
1 Pheasant-tailed Jacana (seen for a second near the north end)
1 Whimbrel (looking slightly out of place--dont remember seeing one here before)
2 Common Greenshank
2 Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler (seen only briefly in flight when flushed)
3 Red-billed Starlings

whimbrel.JPG (101.81 KB)

15/09/2011 23:11

[ Last edited by brendank at 15/09/2011 23:15 ]

tsheunglai

Dear Brendan

At last you've got Pallas's Grasshoper Warblers you want albiet briefly.

cheers
S L Tai

brendank

25 Sep 2011 - PM

1 Small Crake (flushed from the short grass into tall grass, the most likely seems to be immature Baillon's Crake)
1 Pechora's Pipit (seen when I went to look for the crake with John Allcock)
1 Manchurian Reed Warbler?? (see ID section)
2 Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler
1 Northern Hobby

pechora.JPG (89.03 KB)

25/09/2011 19:18

ajohn

I can add that there were 2 Pechora Pipits present today, and at least 4 Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers. Also at least 10 Daurian Starling (with 35 White-shouldered) and a Ruddy-breasted Crake.
I managed to see your small crake again later in the day, but only a very brief flushed view. I am also starting to think it may be a juvenile Baillon's.

brendank

Can I ask where the Daurian Starlings are?

kmike

There were two Hobbies and a Brown Shrike in the eastern corner around 2:30.

Cheers
Mike

ajohn

In answer to Brendan's question, the starling flock was fairly mobile around the north-eastern part of the valley, feeding in various trees around the agricultural land. The Daurian were giving extremely good views at times.

HKBWS Vicky

21 Sep (by Kwok Jai)
1 Eurasian Hoopoe
1 Black-naped Oriole
1 Slaty-breasted Rail
9 Daurian Starlings
several Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers

26 Sep (by Kwok Jai)
1 Yellow-browed Bunting
several Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers
1 Spotted Redshank
1 Greenshank
1 Watercock (seen by others)

brendank

Haha, good to hear about the Watercock!!  I saw it in flight and I got one bad shot but I was starting to doubt myself. I will post my photo later.

I can add that there are now two Manchurian Reed Warblers around a pond at the north end.  These two Manchurian Reed Warblers are around a pond at the north end.  It is a pond which is mainly mud but there are some lillypads in the center.  The pond is next to a old greenhouse (which now doesn't have any glass left).

A Pechora Pipit was seen also perching on a wire and a Schrenk's and Yellow Bittern and at least 3 Pallas's Grasshopper Warblers were flushed from the tall green grass.

[ Last edited by brendank at 26/09/2011 15:29 ]

brendank

Here is the only photo of the Watercock that I could get. It flew out in front of me and into the rice and I couldn't find it again.  I think some of the photographers may have got a better photo.

watercock.JPG (35 KB)

26/09/2011 21:37

brendank

The two Manchurian Reed Warblers were observed today again in the spot described earlier. There were also 2 Pechora Pipits and Red-collared Dove present today.

The pond which I described previously as mostly mud with lillypads in the center is now filled with water due to the typhoon.

Kwok Jai

4Oct

1 Middendorf's Grasshopper Warbler
4 Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler
1 Hoopoe
1 Pechora Pipit
1 Japanese Sparrowhawk
1 Red Turtle Dove
1 Pacific Golden Plover
1 Spotted Redshank
4 Red-necked Phalarope

[ Last edited by Kwok Jai at 5/10/2011 00:25 ]

brendank

7 October 2011 - am

1 juv. Slaty-breasted Rail (nice long, close look)
1 Northern Hobby
1 Besra (perching on telephone wires--normally dont see them do that)
4 Pacific Golden Plover
2 Pechora Pipit
4 Black-browed Reed Warbler
2 Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler
1 Plaintive Cuckoo
1 Brown Shrike

blackbrowed.JPG (45.26 KB)

7/10/2011 22:52

rail.JPG (79.54 KB)

7/10/2011 22:52

[ Last edited by brendank at 7/10/2011 22:52 ]

tsheunglai

Dear Brendan

It's evident LV has become more and more rewarding. Carry on with your good effort and keep on
reporting here.

S L Tai

Ronaldo

This afternoon was a bit disappointing in Long Valley.
Dusky Warbler x2+
Oriental Reed Warbler x2
Plaintive Cuckoo x3
Little Bunting x1
Hoopoe x1
Pechora Pipit x1
Red-throated Pipit x2
Flushed what could be a crake (or a juvenile moorhen) in northern entrance while leaving, around 5pm.

brendank

The Little Bunting is an extremely early date according to the Avifauna.

ajohn

Early, yes, but not exceptional. I can confirm there was definitely a Little Bunting at LV on Saturday.
The earliest date in the avifauna is 6th October but I think there have been a number of earlier records in recent years.

brendank

I have the impression that many migrants have been early this year. Japanese Paradise and Yellow-rumped Flycatchers in August. Yellow-browed Bunting in September. It seemed some of the commoner birds such as Stonechats and Dusky Warblers seemed to arrive early to me too.

Ronaldo

Got an earlier record for Little bunting in Po Toi on 25th September...

wgeoff

The earliest Little Bunting I have is 24th September 2002

smp

10-10-2011
lv
Eurasian Sparrowhawk

brendank

11 Oct 2011 - am

2 Besra
1 Eurasian Sparrowhawk
1 Eurasian Hobby
3 Red-collared Dove
2 Spotted Redshank

A Bamboo Viper was found dead on one of the trails.

Beetle

Don't know why there isn't a post?

16 October 2011 am

Eurasian Sparrowhawk x1 (not seen by me)
Common Kestrel x1
Phesant-tailed Jacana x1
Yellow-breasted buntings (many)
Yellow Bittern x1
Eurasian Skylark x2
Brown Shrike x1
Silky Starlings

brendank

The thread is here for some reason:

http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/redi ... o=lastpost#lastpost

Ronaldo

16th October afternoon.

1 Skylark. Wondering how it was identified as Eurasian. Seemed more like Oriental to me and my friend (feathers quite plain, no patch on the wing).
1 Black-naped Oriole
a group of Yellow-breasted buntings + one unidentified bunting flushed by farmers (possible black-faced or little)
1 P-T Jacana
2 Black-browed Reed Warblers
plenty of Dusky Warblers
1 Dark-sided Flycatcher
1 Little Ringed Plover
1 Marsh Sandpiper

Beetle

Quote:

Original posted by Ronaldo at 16/10/2011 22:17
16th October afternoon.

1 Skylark. Wondering how it was identified as Eurasian. Seemed more like Oriental to me and my friend (feathers quite plain, no patch on the wing).
1 Black-naped Oriole
a grou ...

Possible - i don't have good views of the bird, probably some experts can confirm from the photos on HKWildlife...
http://hkwildlife.net/redirect.php?tid=70351&goto=newpost

Beetle

According to Collins Bird Guide the tail edge of Eurasian Skylark is white, while oriental is sandy-buff.

I have got one poor photo of a possible skylark in flight and it looks white

ajohn

The long primary projection shown by the bird on HKWildlife would favour ID as Eurasian Skyklark. Oriental should show little or no primary projection.

In the field also (in flight) look for the white trailing edge to the wings on Eurasian (not on Oriental) and the call is also distinctive - very musical on Eurasian (very familiar to those of us who have lived in Europe) and apparently more 'buzzy' on Oriental (but I admit I am not familiar with Oriental call).

brendank

18 Oct 2011 - am

3 Crested Honey Buzzard (in a flock heading south)
4 Spotted Redshank
4 Painted Snipe
1 Slaty-breasted Rail (likely same bird that was seen last week)
2 Yellow Bittern
1 Eurasian Skylark
4 Oriental Reed Warbler
4 Black-browed Reed Warbler
3 Plaintive Cuckoo
1 Yellow-breasted Bunting

brendank

20 October 2011

I heard second hand that a Greater White-fronted Goose was seen at Long Valley and flew off but I don't know more than that.

1 Japanese Sparrowhawk
1 Common Buzzard
1 Yellow Bittern
1 Eurasian Hoopoe
1 Red-collared Dove
1 Brown Shrike
3 Yellow-breasted Bunting
2 Little Bunting
4 Black-browed Reed Warbler

HKBWS Vicky

I saw a Pechora Pipit this morning too.

Kwok Jai

a Greylag Goose was found at today 0700am ( not white-fronted ) by ar Leung

John Holmes

Yesterday, 20th October 2011 about 17:00hrs

- Chestnut-eared Bunting

Kwok Jai

by ar Leung

IMG_9350.JPG (65.91 KB)

21/10/2011 22:51

brendank

That looks more like a Greater White-fronted Goose to me. The mantle doesn't have the pale "barring" I would expect on a Greylag. The grinning patch suggests a Greylag but the upper parts look so brown more like a White-fronted. Possible hybrid?

[ Last edited by brendank at 21/10/2011 23:09 ]

kkoel

I think this is a Greylag Goose. Despite the white forehead and the slightly soiled bill, this goose has a structure that looks very Greylag with thick neck, huge deep bill and bulky head. There are also actually some white mantle barring slightly obscured by lighting. Perhaps just a Greylag with some weird features?

[ Last edited by kkoel at 21/10/2011 23:25 ]

HKBWS Vicky

someone posted the goose to hkwildlife.net, hope this helps the ID
http://www.hkwildlife.net/viewth ... &extra=page%3D1

brendank

Pictures are quite good--clearly Greylag.

ajohn

Yes, clearly a Greylag.
...but that has to be one of the most obvious cage damaged birds I've seen. The hkwildlife pictures show there are no feathers on the back of the neck, vitually no tail, and severe damage to the whole of the culmen (top of the bill).

Greylag Goose is long overdue in HK, but I don't think this one is going to get past the RC as a genuinely wild bird!

HKBWS Vicky

Oh, I thought the lost of neck feather was due to predator's attack.

brendank

27 Oct 2011

1 Amur Falcon
4 Eastern Buzzard
1 Grey-headed Lapwing
1 Red-collared Dove
4 Spotted Redshank
1 Pechora Pipit
1 Eurasian Skylark
1 Black-browed Reed Warbler
1 Oriental Reed Warbler
12 Yellow-breasted Bunting
3 Chestnut-eared Bunting
1 Little Bunting

kmike

At Long Valley from 4-5:45 this evening The following birds were seen or reported

Purple Heron - 1 flyover

Amur Falcon - 1 (Brendan has a pic which I think confirms a second)

Eurasian Skylark (extremely tame and a likely escape)
Pechora Pipit

Black-browed Reed Warbler - 2-3
Oriental Reed Warbler - 2

Black-headed Bunting - 2
Yellow-breasted Bunting - 5+

Cheers
Mike K

brendank

2 November 2011 - am

1 Amur Falcon -- perched at close range near the rice fields
1 Eastern Marsh Harrier--my first time seeing it at LV
1 Common Kestrel
8 Spotted Redshank
14 Chinese Blackbird
1 Eurasian Skylark
10 Yellow-breasted Bunting
2 Russet Sparrow
3 Black-browed Reed Warbler

[ Last edited by brendank at 2/11/2011 14:37 ]

Beetle

6 November 2011

Yellow-breasted Bunting x6+
Chestnut-eared Bunting
Black-headed Bunting
Russet Sparrow (M) x1
Chinese Penduline Tit x12+
Pechora Pipit

brendank

10 Nov 2011

1 Pechora Pipit (will it winter here?)
1 Black-headed Bunting
4 Yellow-breasted Bunting
3 Eurasian Skylark
2 Black-browed Reed Warbler
1 Oriental Reed Warbler
20 Chinese Blackbird

kmatthew

13/11/2011
The highlight of the day was a warbler sighted at the furthest paddy field from Yin Kong. I flushed it a few times on a trail, and it responded to my pishing a few times. I initially thought it was a Lanceolated Warbler with it's rather dark but warm olive brown mantle, I got a good view of it's nape, back and tail through my bins, it showed little to no markings on it's back. I had brief views of about 1 second each time, after it was flushed 5 times, it flew into cover of a thicker bush and disappeared. I temporarily gave it an ID of Lanceolated Warbler, as I didn't know what else it could be. After I got home and did some research and dug up some books, where I find all Lanceolated Warblers have streaked heads and mantle, and that rules out Pallas's at the same time. Then I saw some photos of Middendorf's Grasshopper Warbler, which have the exact same colour tone. The mantle was warm olive brown, the tertials and primaries are darker then the mantle, the tail was graduated with a dark fringe on the outside, in flight it showed a much warmer and brighter brown near the rump, which unlike Styan's Grasshopper Warbler will show a much duller grey brown. These features lead me to believe the bird I saw was a Middendorf's Grasshopper Warbler.

Common Buzzard x1
Red-turtle Dove x1
Middendorf's Grasshopper Warbler x1
Oriental Reed Warbler x1
Brown Shrike x1
Azure-winged Magpie x1 (Spreading from Mai Po?!)
Collard Crow x2
Silky Starling
Yellow-breasted Bunting

[ Last edited by kmatthew at 15/11/2011 09:35 ]

brendank

14 Nov 2011 - am

1 Amur Falcon (late)
3 Eurasian Skylark
5 Chestnut-eared Bunting
2 Black-browed Reed Warbler
1 Brown Shrike

amurLV.JPG (37.1 KB)

14/11/2011 21:55

[ Last edited by brendank at 14/11/2011 21:55 ]

iherman

Add 2 Chinese Penduline Tits