Two to “Swinhoe”

Mid-October would be the best time to witness the peak passerine migration. 18th October, i was out with Kevin Pickering and Len Kopka, a visiting birder from US. The earlier post showed the massive flock of Bramblings. We picked up the day’s first Bull-headed Shrike. Kevin picked up a first winter male Red-flanked Bluetail, that man has a built-in Swarovision, he also picked up the bird of the day later.

Juvenile Bull

The no. of Buntings has steadily increased compared to the last weekend, more Tristram’s and Black-faced Bunting. The togs have abandoned the Nanhui Car park and made Yangshan as their new studio with fake branches popping out everywhere. The action for the day started with a Common Kestrel pair hunting together, later a Kestrel turned to harass an Eastern Buzzard. We also got very initimate with a Japanese Paradise Flycatcher.

David vs Bigger David

The Lady of Japan

The temple side, as usual bustling with Flycatchers. Mugimaki Flycatchers definitely had the edge of the day.

Mugimaki “The Berry” catcher

Very Confiding Pipit

A female Bull-headed Shrike sent me puzzling as i have never seen an adult female before but this male was strikingly handsome.

The Male Bull

I love rocks n I hug ground but i don’t have “Sulphur” Belly

I was very much expecting to see some “variety” of raptors. No pigeon-headed raptor for us though. The cere, tail bands, flight feathers are more strong factors to ID the sex and age though, if the pigeon-head cannot be distinguished from a photo in hand, i could sign myself up to write a book. Neverthless, we did well without the Honey Buzzard. An osprey, Couple of Kestrels, Eastern Buzzard, the fastest flying machine “Peregrine Falcon” kept us happy.

Back at Nanhui, the car park loved its solitude as the togs have left for Yangshan, it was again like the good’ol days. A Swinhoe’s Robin (aka Rufous-tailed Robin) was out in the open and i was able to secure my first ever shot of this species without the courtesy of any meal worms. A Pale Thrush popped out of the undergrowth and stayed solidly in a spot for more than 15 minutes.

Swinhoe’s Robin

Love for Solitude

Near the old reserve road, we picked up few shorebirds, i scanned the big flock of Egrets and packed up. Kevin didn’t give up, his built in Swarovision and his Swaro Scope picked up the single  “Swinhoe’s Egret” from the mixed flock of Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets. I put the blame on bad light and enjoyed his great spotting. While the sun was going down fast with the help of ugly smog, we called it a day with delightful two “Swinhoe’s”.

Species List :