Weiyon-do, April 26

Bird News from Subhojit Chakladar

A day trip to Weiyon-do under overcast but unremarkable conditions. As expected, very few birds in evidence, perhaps partly due to multiple ongoing constructions. Hardly any birds worth mentioning for the first hour. Close to mid-day walking along the trail behind the ‘temple hill’, an extremely skulking warbler was encountered in the reeds/dwarf bamboos. Though no clear views were obtained, it was a small (size similar to a Dusky Warbler), rather plain buff overall (not much contrast on the upper part plumage), whiter underparts with a hint of yellowish on the flanks (based on fraction of second view as it flew through the vegetation). It stayed close to the ground, mostly walking on the dried vegetation in a ditch by the side of the trail. Its call was a high pitched monosyllabic ‘pick’ sound repeated a few time every few seconds. Expert opinion on possible ID is welcome.

2 Narcissus Flycatchers, 4 Blue-and-White Flycatchers (including a female without a tail!), half a dozen Eurasian Siskisn, similar number of Bramblings, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Asian Brown Flycatchers were also seen on the temple hill. There were about 2 dozen Olive-backed Pipits scattered over multiple locations and a Richards Pipit (which gave distant but good views) along with 3 Bull-headed Shrikes. There were 2 Chinese Grosbeaks, 1 Stejneger’s Stonechat. Buntings were represented by about 20 very vocal Little Buntings, 2 Yellow-throated Buntings, 1 Black-faced Bunting and 2 Yellow-browed Buntings (personal first of this spring). Only a few Pale Thrushes were observed. A few minutes before boarding the return ferry, a Eurasian Sparrowhawk being mobbed and chased by a mixed group of Barn Swallows and Buntings!

2 comments on “Weiyon-do, April 26

  1. Well, not expert opinion, but Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler utters a very distinctive “pink” call, a bit musical and is pretty terrestrial. Should be quite distinctive if seen though. Yellow-streaked warbler is very similar to Dusky in plumage and makes a Bunting-like “tick” call, not musical at all.

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