Weiyon Island May 7 – 15

Bird News from Robin Newlin

First off the boat on the 7th, the island seemed pretty birdy (also many many bird photographers). A list to augment (before and after) Tim Edelsten’s.

One Bluethroat in the pond. Also in the pond, several Red-throated Pipits, a few Pallas’ Reed Buntings, a Black-winged Stilt, a Long-toed Stint, 2 Marsh Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpipers. and (for brief interludes) a White-bellied Waterhen. The Orange-headed Thrush discovered and photographed by Dr. Nial Moores was still present and much visited by many pilgrims.

Near the (other) temple, one White’s Thrush and several Pale Thrushes.

Chinese Nuthatch (May 8) and a Northern Hawk Cuckoo (the latter mostly heard only) made for an interesting juxtaposition.

Much anticipated rain was followed by heavy fog: and very small numbers of new arrivals. A Long-tailed Shrikeappeared to be fresh in on a slope near the ocean: the bird worked its way toward town and pond during the next several days.

Curlew Sandpiper appeared first on harbor concrete and then near the vegetable garden puddles, where it feasted on enormous earthworms.

As on Gageo, encouraging numbers of Siskins. A small flock of Bramblings.

Also: one Forest Wagtail, small numbers of MugimakiNarcissusYellow-rumpedStreaked, and Brown Flycatchers.

Good numbers (c. 25) of Rufous-tailed Robin.

The same for Tristram’s Bunting and (to a lesser degree: maybe 10) Yellow-browed Bunting. Woodpecker holes in the old trees near the temple presaged 2 Greater Spotted Woodpeckers.

Very few Chestnut Buntings. A small flock of Little Buntings.

During the slow days of alternating fog and sun, a few additions, e.g. a cracking Yellow Bittern, a crackingerCommon Kingfisher, several Chinese Grosbeak and 2 Hawfinches. Some raptor movement as described by T.E.

 
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus, © Robin Newlin

 
Male Pallas’s Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi, © Robin Newlin
 

Female Pallas’s Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi, © Robin Newlin
 

Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina, © Robin Newlin
 

Chinese Nuthatch Sitta villosa, © Robin Newlin
 

Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach, © Robin Newlin
 

 

Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus, © Robin Newlin

 

Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris, © Robin Newlin
 

Rufous-tailed Robin Luscinia sibilans, © Robin Newlin
 

Tristram’s Bunting Emberiza tristrami, © Robin Newlin

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