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Yung Shue O, Sai Kung

Yung Shue O, Sai Kung

I will be leaving Lam Tsuen () and moving shortly to Yung Shue O so was prospecting my new patch this afternoon.  I took a short walk along the Pak Tam trail.

Blue Magpie 5
Red-tailed Robin 1
Red-flanked Bluetail 1
Asian Stubtail 5
Manchurian Bush Warbler 1
Mountain Tailorbird 1
Rufous-capped Babbler 6
Tristram's Bunting 1 female

Also several thrushes but in scrub and impossible to see.

It looks promising!

Dylan

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Saturday 21st December 2013

7.30-9.00 am

My first proper walk in daylight and not as long as I would like as I have still have a lot to do at home!  Initial impression is birdlife is certainly different here compared to Lam Tsuen, more of some things, less of others.  Less open space, more scrub and forest.  There seem to an awful lot of thrushes about.  A porcupine was an interesting experience for my dog last night.


Pak Tam Trail, HK-

3.0 kilometer(s)
Comments:     8C partly cloudy and light wind.  Nice to be out on proper daylight!

33 species

Black Kite   1
Spotted Dove   1
Scarlet Minivet   4
Long-tailed Shrike   1
Ashy Drongo   2
Common Magpie  2
Large-billed Crow   3
Cinereous Tit   4
Red-whiskered Bulbul   30
Chinese Bulbul  20
Chestnut Bulbul   10
Asian Stubtail   1
Manchurian Bush-Warbler   1
Pallas's Warbler   1
Yellow-browed Warbler   1
Common Tailorbird   6
Japanese White-eye   20
Rufous-capped Babbler   15
Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler   5
Chinese Hwamei   2
Black-throated Laughingthrush   4
Oriental Magpie-Robin   2
Daurian Redstart   2
Grey-backed Thrush   1 more heard
Japanese Thrush   1  several more heard but only actually saw one
Chinese Blackbird   8
Black-collared Starling   2
Red-billed Starling   8
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker   3
Fork-tailed Sunbird   1
Grey Wagtail   1
White/Pied Wagtail   2
Tree Sparrow   30

Dylan

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Interesting list, Dylan. I'm just over the hill on Chuk Yeung Road below the MacLehose trail. I've seen all of these here in 4 years except Asian Stubtail and Ashy Drongo. Here the numbers tend to be small and it's basically road birding, lots of hikers. I'd be happy to add Stubtail and Ashy Drongo to my list.

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I had record one Fujian Niltava on the road to Cheung Sheung on 19/12/2013.

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Thanks Andrew, I'm fortunate in that are a few good trails a short distance from my door.  I hope to do some proper walks soon.  I was pleased to see a Mountain Bulbul in the camphor tree when I was taking a break (from unpacking) up on the roof this afternoon.  I had been hearing it call and not realised what it was.

Dylan

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If you are close to a Camphor tree look out for this moth. They should be on the wing January - March I think. http://www.flickr.com/photos/29954808@N00/3279971835/. I believe camphor is the larval food plant.

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26 December 2013

Thanks, Andrew. Is this the species with the spectacular large green caterpillar?  I have seen some huge caterpillars under camphor before.  I found a mantis ootheca on our roof this morning which I keep an eye on.

I inadvertently walked up to Cheung Sheung this afternoon.  I was ill-shod and ill-equipped due to over extending a quick dog walk. Cheung Sheung is a great area, I will have to try and get there regularly, lots of open forest and grassy areas, swampy ground tramped over by cows and boar.  It looks like it should have good birds and there were a few unexpected species.

Grey Treepie 1 seen
Lesser Shortwing 1
Greater Necklaced Laughing Thrush 5
White's Thrush
Grey-backed Thrush
Forest Wagtail 1
Olive-backed Pipit 3

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 26/12/2013 18:46 ]

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Dylan, the larva is yellowish green with turquoise/green lines running along it.

I added Asian Stubtail to my Chuk Yeung Road list today. Also saw Chestnut-capped Babbler and Streak-breasted Scimitar-babbler. Your patch sounds excellent. Is there parking at YSO? I've heard cars are 'vulnerable'.

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Hi Andrew, YSO is reached via a closed road but it only seems to be closed during public holidays so far.  You need an AFCD permit to access if the road entry is manned.  There is no official government parking.  There seems to be parking available in the village as long as you don't take what is clearly someone's space, I was shouted at for parking in front of my own place in my own space.  All parties acted reasonably and it ended amicably!

I think it will take me a while to crack 100 species here (I'm on 61 just now) but it is all good so far!  

Dylan

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29 December 2013

I did a a bit of an "Allcock" today and had a nine hour hike through Sai Kung West Country Park:  Yung Shue O- Cheung Sheung- Pak Sha O, Sham Chung and back to Yung Shue O.

Cheung Sheung

Brown-headed Thrush
White's Thrush
Red-flanked Bluetail 3
Daurian Redstart
Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler 4
Orange-bellied Leafbird a pair (m/f) guarding a rodelia (spelling?) which was just starting to flower
Tristram's Bunting 5 male and female at the same tree

Pak Sha O

Emerald Dove
Rufous-tailed Robin
Asian Stubtail

Looked for the Piculet and Marten's Warbler with no joy.

Sham Chung- a very strange habitat for HK, lots of open space and grass, not very birdy though.

Osprey  1
White-bellied Sea Eagle 3
Stejneger's Stonechat 2
Richard's Pipit 3
Oriental Turtle Dove 2
Chinese Bulbul 200+ huge flock on shrubs at the mudflat

At least ten Pallas's Warbler seen/heard during the walk and a similar number of Yellow-browed.

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 30/12/2013 12:10 ]

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Great stuff Dylan

Looks like there is huge potential. I think you'll get 100 in no time at all

Cheers
Mike
Mike KilburnVice Chairman, HKBWSChairman, Conservation Committee

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It's always great to see your name getting into the vocabulary (or at least a spelling variation of it - can I make a plea for "doing an Allcock" instead!).

I've done that walk or something similar several times before. I agree that Cheung Sheung has real potential - the best I've managed there has been 3 Orange-headed Thrushes (together) but there should be more turning up. Look out for other wildlife as well as birds - there seems to be a lot of biodiversity in Jacob's Ladder and Cheung Sheung.

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Corrected, John, sorry!  No shortage of porcupines around the village, barking deer calling and signs of wild boar too.  

I saw a striated heron and a pale-legged leaf warbler this morning along the catchment which has brought me up to 73 species (I'm including Cheung Sheung in my patch which I may regret as it is a good climb!) inside a fortnight so maybe 100 isn't unreasonable.  I was very pleased with Osprey and the WBSE, clearly 3 Fathoms Cove is good for fish!  Haven't tracked down the Brown Fish Owl yet though.

Dylan

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The WBSEs fly from Sai Kung towards Kei Ling Ha Lo Wai late afternoons. At least that seems to be the direction on a map. I have seen WBSEs in KLHLW so I guess that's the territory. Close to you. They come from Yeung Chau, past our house. There is occasionally an Osprey below us too. I think you'll sail through 100 no problem. I have seen Bonelli's at Ho Chung and Lions Nature Education Centre so keep your eyes open but I've yet to see one from our house in 4 years.

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Thanks, Andrew.  It takes a while to build up an idea of where/when to look for things.  I am missing my big dead tree to find birds easily in, the forest around here is much harder work.


31 December 2013

YSO to Cheung Sheung

Crested Goshawk
Forest Wagtail- again at the campsite, very approachable- it walked up to me.
Orange-bellied Leafbird 2
Oriental Turtle Dove 2
Greater Necklaced Laughing Thrush 2 separate flocks 4/8 individuals
Pygmy Wren Babbler
Japanese Thrush 2
Grey-backed Thrush 5
Brown-headed Thrush 1- seen on walk down Jacob's Ladder this time.
White's Thrush 1


I suspect also Pale/ Eye-browed Thrush from the calls but couldn't get onto any.  

Dylan

[ Last edited by subbuteo at 31/12/2013 12:19 ]

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1 Jan- 6 Jan 2014

Recent sightings from Yung Shue O /Cheung Sheung

Birds in bold are new for me in YSO; now at 84 species in three weeks.

Osprey at the fish farms in Three Fathoms Cove
Grey Heron at the fish farms in Three Fathoms Cove
Striated Heronflushed out of the catchment before YSO
Woodcock
Forest Wagtail- again at the Cheung Sheung campsite, very approachable- it walked up to me.
Orange-bellied Leafbird 2 flyover at the Cheung Sheung campsite
Oriental Turtle Dove 2 at the Cheung Sheung campsite
Greater Necklaced Laughing Thrush at the Cheung Sheung campsite
Russet Bush Warbler - rough grassland behind the mangrove
Japanese Thrush
Grey-backed Thrush
White's Thrush

Dylan

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An update of all bird species seen at Yung Shue O (including Sham Chung and Cheung Sheung) since I moved there in December.  Birds are in order of recording so a bit of a mess.  I have now reached 91 species.  The Brown Fish Owl was a long time looked for but found unexpectedly along the road when driving home- a spectacular bird.

It has been rather quiet recently, the thrushes have all but disappeared, a few returning with the current cold weather.


Dylan


PS excuse species names and spelling, this is a direct cut and paste from eBird which differs from HKBWS standards.




  Row
  
  Species
  
  Count
  
  Location
  
  Date
  
  1
  
  Ashy Drongo - Dicrurus leucophaeus
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  02 Dec 2013
  
  2
  
  Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus
  
  4
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  02 Dec 2013
  
  3
  
  Asian Stubtail - Urosphena squameiceps
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  02 Dec 2013
  
  4
  
  Mountain Tailorbird - Phyllergates cucullatus
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  02 Dec 2013
  
  5
  
  Yellow-browed Warbler - Phylloscopus inornatus
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  02 Dec 2013
  
  6
  
  Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  02 Dec 2013
  
  7
  
  Black Kite - Milvus migrans
  
  4
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  8
  
  Red-billed Blue-Magpie - Urocissa erythrorhyncha
  
  5
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  9
  
  Japanese Tit - Parus minor
  
  2
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  10
  
  Light-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus sinensis
  
  2
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  11
  
  Chestnut Bulbul - Hemixos castanonotus
  
  20
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  12
  
  Manchurian Bush-Warbler - Horornis canturians
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  13
  
  Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius
  
  6
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  14
  
  Yellow-bellied Prinia - Prinia flaviventris
  
  2
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  15
  
  Japanese White-eye - Zosterops japonicus
  
  10
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  16
  
  Rufous-capped Babbler - Cyanoderma ruficeps
  
  6
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  17
  
  Chinese Hwamei - Garrulax canorus
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  18
  
  Black-throated Laughingthrush - Ianthocincla chinensis
  
  2
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  19
  
  Rufous-tailed Robin - Larvivora sibilans
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  20
  
  Blue Whistling-Thrush - Myophonus caeruleus
  
  2
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  21
  
  Siberian Rubythroat - Calliope calliope
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  22
  
  Red-flanked Bluetail - Tarsiger cyanurus
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  23
  
  Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker - Dicaeum cruentatum
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  24
  
  Fork-tailed Sunbird - Aethopyga christinae
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  25
  
  Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  26
  
  Tristram's Bunting - Emberiza tristrami
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  07 Dec 2013
  
  27
  
  Common Magpie - Pica pica
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  10 Dec 2013
  
  28
  
  Masked Laughingthrush - Garrulax perspicillatus
  
  4
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  10 Dec 2013
  
  29
  
  Blackbird - Turdus merula
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  16 Dec 2013
  
  30
  
  Eyebrowed Thrush - Turdus obscurus
  
  5
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  16 Dec 2013
  
  31
  
  Grey-backed Thrush - Turdus hortulorum
  
  3
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  17 Dec 2013
  
  32
  
  Pallas's Warbler - Phylloscopus proregulus
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  18 Dec 2013
  
  33
  
  Daurian Redstart - Phoenicurus auroreus
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  18 Dec 2013
  
  34
  
  Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O Road
  
  19 Dec 2013
  
  35
  
  Collared Scops-Owl - Otus lettia
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  19 Dec 2013
  
  36
  
  Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  20 Dec 2013
  
  37
  
  Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler - Pomatorhinus ruficollis
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  20 Dec 2013
  
  38
  
  Scarlet Minivet - Pericrocotus speciosus
  
  4
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  21 Dec 2013
  
  39
  
  Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos
  
  3
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  21 Dec 2013
  
  40
  
  Japanese Thrush - Turdus cardis
  
  1
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  21 Dec 2013
  
  41
  
  Black-collared Starling - Gracupica nigricollis
  
  2
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  21 Dec 2013
  
  42
  
  Red-billed Starling - Sturnus sericeus
  
  8
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  21 Dec 2013
  
  43
  
  Fire-breasted Flowerpecker - Dicaeum ignipectum
  
  3
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  21 Dec 2013
  
  44
  
  White/Pied Wagtail - Motacilla alba
  
  2
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  21 Dec 2013
  
  45
  
  Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus
  
  30
  
  Pak Tam Trail
  
  21 Dec 2013
  
  46
  
  Mountain Bulbul - Ixos mcclellandii
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  22 Dec 2013
  
  47
  
  Little Egret - Egretta garzetta
  
  2
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  48
  
  Besra - Accipiter virgatus
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  49
  
  Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  50
  
  Greater Coucal - Centropus sinensis
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  51
  
  Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler - Horornis fortipes
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  52
  
  Dusky Warbler - Phylloscopus fuscatus
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  53
  
  Fan-tailed Warbler - Cisticola juncidis
  
  3
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  54
  
  Scaly Thrush - Zoothera dauma
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  55
  
  Olive-backed Pipit - Anthus hodgsoni
  
  4
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  56
  
  Black-faced Bunting - Emberiza spodocephala
  
  4
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  57
  
  Nutmeg Mannikin - Lonchura punctulata
  
  3
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Dec 2013
  
  58
  
  Grey Treepie - Dendrocitta formosae
  
  1
  
  Cheung Sheung
  
  26 Dec 2013
  
  59
  
  Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush - Ianthocincla pectoralis
  
  5
  
  Cheung Sheung
  
  26 Dec 2013
  
  60
  
  Lesser Shortwing - Brachypteryx leucophrys
  
  1
  
  Cheung Sheung
  
  26 Dec 2013
  
  61
  
  Forest Wagtail - Dendronanthus indicus
  
  1
  
  Cheung Sheung
  
  26 Dec 2013
  
  62
  
  Emerald Dove - Chalcophaps indica
  
  1
  
  Cheung Sheung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  63
  
  Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler - Phylloscopus tenellipes
  
  1
  
  Cheung Sheung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  64
  
  Brown-headed Thrush - Turdus chrysolaus
  
  1
  
  Cheung Sheung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  65
  
  Orange-bellied Leafbird - Chloropsis hardwickii
  
  2
  
  Cheung Sheung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  66
  
  Great Egret - Ardea alba
  
  22
  
  Sham Chung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  67
  
  Osprey - Pandion haliaetus
  
  1
  
  Sham Chung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  68
  
  White-bellied Sea-Eagle - Haliaeetus leucogaster
  
  3
  
  Sham Chung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  69
  
  Oriental Turtle-Dove - Streptopelia orientalis
  
  2
  
  Sham Chung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  70
  
  White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis
  
  1
  
  Sham Chung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  71
  
  Collared Crow - Corvus torquatus
  
  2
  
  Sham Chung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  72
  
  Siberian Stonechat - Saxicola maurus
  
  2
  
  Sham Chung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  73
  
  Richard's Pipit - Anthus richardi
  
  3
  
  Sham Chung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  74
  
  Little Bunting - Emberiza pusilla
  
  2
  
  Sham Chung
  
  29 Dec 2013
  
  75
  
  Striated Heron - Butorides striata
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  30 Dec 2013
  
  76
  
  Pygmy Cupwing - Pnoepyga pusilla
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  31 Dec 2013
  
  77
  
  Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  31 Dec 2013
  
  78
  
  Crested Goshawk - Accipiter trivirgatus
  
  1
  
  Cheung Sheung
  
  31 Dec 2013
  
  79
  
  Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  31 Dec 2013
  
  80
  
  House Swift - Apus nipalensis
  
  24
  
  Sham Chung
  
  01 Jan 2014
  
  81
  
  Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis
  
  1
  
  Sham Chung
  
  01 Jan 2014
  
  82
  
  Black Drongo - Dicrurus macrocercus
  
  1
  
  Sham Chung
  
  01 Jan 2014
  
  83
  
  Russet Bush-Warbler - Locustella mandelli
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  02 Jan 2014
  
  84
  
  Eurasian Woodcock - Scolopax rusticola
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  06 Jan 2014
  
  85
  
  Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  23 Jan 2014
  
  86
  
  Pin-tailed Snipe - Gallinago stenura
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  29 Jan 2014
  
  87
  
  White-rumped Munia - Lonchura striata
  
  4
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  29 Jan 2014
  
  88
  
  Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  01 Feb 2014
  
  89
  
  Taiga Flycatcher - Ficedula albicilla
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  04 Feb 2014
  
  90
  
  Brown Fish-Owl - Ketupa zeylonensis
  
  1
  
  Yung Shue O
  
  05 Feb 2014
  
  91
  
  Black-capped Kingfisher - Halcyon pileata
  
  1
  
  Sham Chung
  
  08 Feb 2014
  


Apologies for the way this has pasted.

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A few nice birds about today, Hartert's Warbler at the start of the Cheung Sheung (Jacob's Ladder) trail.  Also, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler and Mountain Tailorbird.  I had a look for the dark faced Black-throated Laughing Thrush but only saw the normal form.  I have been puzzled by these birds!  

Grey Treepie have been around the village all day but only heard.  This afternoon I discovered a female Grey Bushchat at the front of the village calling above a marshy area of yams, ferns and water spinach.  I haven't been looking at this location but will from now on.  A Rufous-tailed Robin was scrabbling around in leaf litter and popped up when I pished. Osprey was perched on rocks out in the bay.

Dylan

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