Bird news from Tim Edelsten
My survey continued on foot this afternoon, in sweltering summer heat that has not yet been broken by rain. June is definitely the quietest month birdwise in this country, and today only 35 species, although including a couple of noteworthy surprises:
Western Reservoir area, © Tim EdelstenCommon Pheasant Phasianus colchicus. A male calling near Wangsan.
Gadwall Anas strepera. A pair on the western reservoir. There are very few previous summer records of this species.
Gadwall Anas strepera, © Tim EdelstenFalcated Duck Anas falcata. Four males in breeding plumage. There are less than ten previous summer records of this species.
Falcated Duck Anas falcata, © Tim EdelstenEastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha. About 50 adults, and a creche with 12 ducklings on the western reservoir.
Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor. Three on the mudflat at Yongyudo.
Striated Heron Butorides striata. One at Wangsan, one on the western res., and two at Yongyu.
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus. Two, frequently flying to and from trees on the hillside, suggestive of breeding. This species is rare in summer and has only scarcely and irregularly been noted breeding.
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus. Two in rice fields at Yongyu.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea. Probably 80 in total at all areas visited.
Great Egret Ardea alba. Common on all types of wetland.
Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia. Six hunting on the mudflat, other individuals on the shrimp ponds and elsewhere.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta. Several on the mudflat and elsewhere. Estuary would appear to be the preferred habitat for all types of egret.
Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes. At least five on the mudflat at Yongyu.
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Over 70 roosting on the western reservoir.
Temminck’s Cormorant Phalacrocorax capillatus. Two or three on the reservoir-which is adjacent to open sea- identified by more extensive white cheek-patches.
Eurasian “Far Eastern” Oystercatcher Haemotopus ostralegus. A pair with two chicks on the reservoir.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius. Six or seven on the saltpans at Yongyu, including two juveniles.
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus. A pair on the shrimp ponds and another adult showing territorial breeding behaviour near the reservoir.
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris. Several hundred. No apparent fledglings yet.
Little Tern Sternula albifrons. Several frequenting the reservoir.
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis. Several.
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major. One drumming and calling at Yongyu.
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis. Several.
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandiarus. One bathing at Yongyu.
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica. Several.
Carrion Crow Corvus corone. One with short chatty “kra-kra-kra-kra” calls.
Eastern Great Tit Parus minor. Several. Parents appear to emit a low “seeeuw” call when returning to feed fledglings.
Eurasian/ “Far Eastern” Skylark Alauda arvensis/ japonica. One or two apparently breeding on the bare ground beside the reservoir.
Brown-eared Bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis. Commonplace.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. Surprisingly scarce. One over the reservoir and two at Yongyu-do.
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus. One at Wangsan.
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis. Two in reeds near the reservoir.
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthera webbiana. Two or three at Wangsan.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus. Several.
Grey-capped Greenfinch Carduelis sinica. A pair at Yongyu.