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Editorial Committee

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Kotagama and Upali Ekanayake (Sri Lanka), Per Alstrom (Sweden), Dr W. Suter

(Switzerland), Philip Round and Uthai Treesucon (Thailand), Dr Robert

Kennedy (U.S.A.).

The Oriental Bird Club has been established for ornithologists throughout

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in the region’s birds and wish to assist in their conservation.

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Cover photograph: Biddulph’s Ground Jay Podoces biddulphi , Xinjiang province, China (see Grimmett and Taylor, within).

Photo: H. Taylor.

BRITISH MUSEUM

TO A I

FORKTAIL

Number 7, June 1992

CONTENTS

1 3 JUL 1992

M. D. WILLIAMS, G. J. CAREY, D. G. DUFF and XU WEISHU.

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe, China, 1986-1990 . 3

F. A. CLEMENTS. Recent records of birds from Bhutan . 57

M. KATTI, P. SINGH, N. MANJREKAR, D. SHARMA and S.

MUKHERJEE. An ornithological survey in eastern Arunachal Pradesh,

India . 75

M. A. BRAZIL. The birds of Shuangtaizihekou National Nature Reserve,

Liaoning province, China . 91

N. S. SODHI. Food-niche relationships of five sympatric north Indian

herons . 125

ZHANG YIN-SUN, DING WEN-NING, BU HE and TIAN LU.

Breeding ecology of the Relict Gull Larus relictusan Ordos, Inner

Mongolia, China . 131

R. GRIMMETT and H. TAYLOR. Recent bird observations from

Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China, 16 June to 5 July 1988 . 139

C. Y. ANDERSEN, M. K. POULSEN, O. F. JACOBSEN and

M. HEEGAARD. Observations on the Luzon Water Redstart

Rhyacomis bicolor in the Mount Pulog National Park, Philippines . 147

Short communications

HE FEN-QI, ZHANG YIN-SUN, WU YONG and GAO TIE-JUN.

The distribution of the Relict Gull Lams relictus in Maowusu Desert,

Inner Mongolia, China . 151

E. MOLLER. Feeding technique of a White-browed Crake Porzana

cinerea . 154

HAN LIANXIAN. Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler Sphenocichla humei:

a new species for China . 1 55

D. OGLE. Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus: a new species for

Thailand . 156

Guidelines for contributors . 158

ISSN 0950-1746

© Oriental Bird Club 1992

Published for the Oriental Bird Club by

The Nature Conservation Bureau Limited,

36 Kingfisher Court, Hambridge Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5SJ, U.K.

Printed on recycled paper by Information Press, Oxford, U.K.

2

Forktail 7

This is the first issue of Forktail without Nigel Collar as an editor. He,

unfortunately, has had to resign through pressure from other commitments.

The quality of the content and style of the first six issues is largely due to

the high standards that he set, and then inspired others to follow. His

outstanding editorial abilities will be sorely missed by the Club.

This issue was planned to be out in December, 1991, and I apologise for

its delayed appearance.

Thanks are due to E. C. Dickinson and M. Kelsey for acting as referees

of certain contributions.

12 February 1992 T.P.I.

CORRECTION

to Forktail 2

On p. 1 3 the entry for Mountain Hawk-Eagle should be deleted. The birds

referred to weremisidentified Oriental Honey-Buzzards Pemis ptilorhynchus.

FORKTAIL 7 (1992): 3-55

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe,

China, 1986-1990

MARTIN D. WILLIAMS, GEOFFREY J. CAREY,

DANIEL G. DUFF and XU WEISHU

An account of autumn migration at Beidaihe, summarising the main habitats of the area;

recording methods; the timing of migrants in 1986; routes used by the different groups of migrant

birds; correlations between weather and migration, including accounts of days of spectacular

migration. Also details of 71 species of particular interest; these comprise 16 internationally

threatened species, including movements of substantial numbers of Oriental Storks Ciconia

(ciconia) boyciana and four species of cranes Grus; 33 species that have apparently undergone

significant population declines during this century (of which four are also internationally

threatened); 11 species that have apparently increased in numbers; the Pied Harrier Circus

melanoleucos, of which a substantial proportion of the world population passes Beidaihe; and 14

species for which the records are of local significance, including the following reported for the first

time from Hebei: Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus, Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus, Great

Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus, Black Tem Chlidonias niger, Brown Accentor Prunella

fulvescens and Chaffinch FringiUa coelebs. The population declines and increases are discussed,

suggesting some possible causes.

Beidaihe (strictly Beidaihe Haibin-North Dai River Beach: 39°47'N,

119°27'E), a seaside resort approximately 280 km east of Beijing, is one of

the world’s finest migration watchpoints. Until the mid-1980s, the migration

was mainly known from studies by Axel Hemmingsen from 1942-1945

(Hemmingsen 1951, Hemmingsen and Guildal 1968) and by John D. D. La

Touche at nearby Qinhuangdao from 1910-1917 (La Touche 1920, 1921),

together with occasional observations by others including H. W. Hubbard

(1923), G. D. Wilder and H. W. Hubbard (1924), Wilder (1924a, 1924b,

1925, 1940) and other papers cited by Hemmingsen, which showed that

many migrants, including substantial numbers of cranes and Oriental Storks

Ciconia (ciconia) boyciana passed through the area each year. Recent studies

began with a survey in spring 1985 (Williams 1986). This was highly

successful - the results included 652 Siberian Cranes Grus leucogeranus,

around 40% of the world population known at that time.

The 1985 study was followed by China Cranewatch 1986, a survey of the

autumn migration. This was also successful, and observations have since

been made each migration season, especially in the autumn. But though

some reports have been produced (e.g. Homskov 1988, Holt 1989), few of

the post- 1985 results have been published.

This paper summarises the results of autumn migration surveys at Beidaihe

from 1986 to 1990; a full report (including all species recorded) is in

preparation (Williams in prep.). For more information on crane migration at

Beidaihe, see Williams et al. (in press); for storks, see Williams et al. (1991).

Results are included from the following:

1986: China Cranewatch 1986 (led by MDW; eight members, some for

4

M. D. WILLIAMS ei al.

Forktail 7

less than the full period), 20 August to 20 November.

1987: observations from 18 August to 30N ovember; 12 people (most for

less than the full period) contributed to the log; data collection co-ordinated

by Jesper Homskov, Stig Jensen and John Palfery.

1988: observations from 8 September to 18 November by Jesper Homskov

(Homskov 1989); survey of late autumn migration by Earthwatch teams led

by MDW and XW (often helped by JH, though logs kept separately),

8 October to 16 November.

1989: survey of late autumn migration by Earthwatch teams led by MDW,

XW and GJC, 8 October to 16 November; includes observations by seven

visiting British birdwatchers present for much of this period.

1990: log kept by Jan Hjort Christensen from 19 August to 22 October,

after which JHC contributed to log kept by Earthwatch teams led by MDW,

XW and Steve Holloway, 23 October to 16 November.

HABITATS

There have been considerable changes to the area since spring 1985 (see

Holloway 1986 for a description of the habitats in spring 1985 and a

summary of changes from the time of Hemmingsen to spring 1985). These

largely result from the rapid expansion of Beidaihe and the creation of a new

town, Nandaihe (= ‘South [of the] Dai River’) between the Daihe (= Tai-Ho)

and the Yanghe (= Yang-Ho). [Note that in previous reports, including

Williams (1986), the Wade-Giles form of romanisation of Chinese names

was used for localities at Beidaihe. Here, we adopt the pinyin system in

which, e.g., Peking becomes Beijing and Peitaiho becomes Beidaihe.] The

changes were most marked between spring 1985 and autumn 1986; it

appears that the pace of development has slowed considerably since 1986

(partly, we believe, through tighter control of building in the area).

The following are among the localities affected by developments.

The Henghe (— Heng-Ho) reservoir [or Xinhe (New River) reservoir; it

seems locals do not know the name Henghe, though it was used by

Hemmingsen]. In 1987, work began on creating fish ponds and shrimp

ponds to the south of the reservoir. These are now in operation. Most of the

land they occupy was disused paddy fields in spring 1985; these were

productive for freshwater marsh birds such as bitterns Ixobrychus, crakes and

Locustella warblers. The ponds are not especially productive for birds. They

are classed as temporary, and are included in the area of a proposed

migratory birds reserve (Ounsted 1990): it is hoped that future landscaping

and management may make them more attractive to birds, perhaps while fish

and shrimp farming continue. More fish/shrimp ponds have been created in a

marshy area north of the reservoir (this area was relatively unproductive in

spring 1985).

Eagle Gully, a small gully to the south of Eagle Rock, is a very good place

for watching passerines such as buntings, warblers and thrushes. The

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

5

orchards at the upper part of the gully have been destroyed to make way for a

large building.

The fields near Fish-Hook Point were partly transformed into a hotel

compound during spring 1985. Much of the remainder of the land is now

occupied by buildings; there is also an excavation of an old summer retreat

for Chinese emperors. Trees have been planted above the shore, but most are

pines and do not hold numbers of birds for long.

The Daihe Pool (Tai-Ho Pool), which held good numbers of shorebirds in

spring 1985, has been transformed into a fish or shrimp pond, and latterly a

boating pond, which attracts few birds.

A road bridge has been built over the Yanghe estuary. This has increased

disturbance of the area, which was the best habitat for shorebirds in spring

1985. It does, however, enable easy access to the southern shore of the

estuary - notably to extensive fish and shrimp ponds, which offer good views

of the mouth of the river (where ducks and gulls may be seen in good

numbers).

A positive change, presumably resulting from the mosdy higher tides (and

increased siltload of rivers because of higher rainfall?) in summer, was the

much higher amount of silt on the Sandflats in early autumn than in spring

1985 (the silt layer was gone from most of the Sandflats by late autumn).

This made the area far more attractive to shorebirds than in spring 1985.

METHODS

The methods were similar to those of the 1985 survey (Williams 1986), with

observation (using binoculars and telescopes) providing the means of data

collection. The great majority of passing migrants noted during the surveys

were recorded during periods of prolonged observation from suitable vantage

points, notably the Lotus Hills. Daily counts were made of migrants present

at areas representing the various habitats in and around Beidaihe.

The 1986 and Earthwatch surveys placed special emphasis on recording

actively migrating birds, through maintaining near-continuous daytime

observations from vantage points at the Lotus Hills, at the western edge of

town. This was because the totals of passing migrants recorded at Beidaihe

can be significant, and comparison of results from different seasons is

relatively straightforward.

During the other survey periods, there was also good coverage from the

Lotus Hills watchpoints, though this was less systematic.

During the 1986 and Earthwatch surveys, birds passing localities in and

around Beidaihe were individually logged according to locality. Otherwise,

totals of birds present in or migrating over the Beidaihe area were recorded.

Methods used to record passing migrants

The main locality for recording passing migrants was the Lotus Hills. In

spring 1985, observations were made from the south-eastern hill. This is a

6

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forktail 7

little lower than the ‘main’ hill, to the north-west, and views to the west and

north-west are obscured. However, there are excellent views in other

directions. Soon after members of the 1986 team began observations here in

autumn 1986, soldiers said they could not stay at the watchpoint (it is near a

military area). Other sites on the main hill were tried, but none proved

satisfactory - trees obscured views and there were too many visitors, and a

rocky outcrop west of the main hill was chosen as the watchpoint for much of

the autumn. This is lower than the south-eastern hill, and views to the east

are poor as they are blocked by the main hill (most of Beidaihe cannot be

seen), but views over the plain are excellent.

This outcrop proved a good vantage point, but in 1986 most cranes passed

to the east of the Lotus Hills, with flocks disappearing behind the main hill

for long periods, or only located as they appeared over the southern slope of

the hill, often too distant for identification. Largely to obtain better views of

the cranes (and possibly record more, and identify a higher proportion),

observations were made from the south-eastern hill in late autumn 1987, and

during the Earthwatch surveys (there was no trouble from soldiers). The

rocky outcrop was regularly used as a watchpoint in 1987 until 20 October

and in 1988 to around mid-October, and occasionally thereafter; Homskov

(1989) considers it better than the south-east hill for recording migrating

small passerines. It is perhaps also better for recording the birds which mainly

pass over the plain, e.g. raptors and storks.

Greater care was taken with counts and estimates of numbers of birds in

flocks of cranes and storks than, say, Rooks Corvus frugilegus or Carrion

Crows C. corone. Thus flocks of Rooks or Carrion Crows were typically

‘counted’ by one observer, who might make a fairly quick estimate of, say, 60

birds (perhaps by counting ten birds, then estimating how many tens the

flock contained), which was entered in the log. Crane and stork flocks were

often counted by more than one observer, the figures only being announced

once all counts were complete. In some cases, perhaps after re-counts, the

figures agreed exactly and so gave the figure entered in the log. In others, a

‘best’ figure was chosen, or an average was entered. We found that counts

might produce the same figure for even the larger flocks of cranes, perhaps

with over 300 birds (the largest ‘flocks’ are usually groups of crane

formations, each of which can be counted separately). This suggests that

even the largest crane flocks can be counted accurately. Problems can arise,

however, on ‘wave’ days, when flocks may pass in quick succession, not

allowing time to repeat counts.

Whenever possible, flocks of birds which use thermals to gain height and so

minimise energy use during migration were not counted as they ‘thermalled’,

as the circling birds are probably impossible to count with any accuracy

(cranes, storks, raptors, swifts and crows all use thermals in this manner). If

the birds were in a thermal when they were located, we found it best to wait

until they began heading off from the top of the thermal (as raptors do), or

re-grouped into the flock formation (e.g. cranes) before we began counting.

To minimise over-recording of passing large birds such as storks, cranes

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

7

and raptors by entering records in the log for the same birds seen from more

than one locality, numbers of birds, flight paths and times were compared. If

it appeared that birds had been seen from more than one locality, only one

observation was entered in the log. For small birds, especially passerines, all

observations were logged as, for example, it was assumed that the great

majority of those seen from the Sandflats would be different to those seen

from the Lotus Hills.

During the 1986 and Earthwatch surveys, totals entered in the log were

simply the sums of all counts. In 1987 and 1988 (Homskov 1989) the totals

were rounded up or down somewhat arbitrarily if it was felt this better

reflected the true accuracy of the figure, which might be largely derived from

approximate counts, e.g. a total of 232 might be rounded down to 230.

Variations in the degree of daily coverage

The following factors influenced the degree of daily coverage:

Number of observers. The number of observers during the surveys fluctuated,

ranging from one to ten or more (typically three to seven). The main periods

with one observer were 8 September to 7 October 1988 and 19 August to

22 October 1990 (though, especially in 1990, there was some help from

birdwatchers who visited during these periods), and the last ten days of

November 1987.

Variation in weather and numbers of birds grounded or passing. As in spring

1985, the weather was rarely solely responsible for affecting the degree of

coverage of the area: there were a few days when heavy rain or snow

prompted observers to shelter in hotel rooms (considerable migration was

sometimes evident once the weather began clearing - i.e. a cold front was

moving away to the east).

In 1986, the Lotus Hills observations were made daily, weather permitting.

The watchpoint was manned on a rota basis, with rarely less than two

observers present; observation periods totalled 853.6 hours (2,624 man¬

hours) - an average of around 9.25 hours per day. Initially, observations

typically began by 07h30; the starting time became earlier as Pied Harriers

Circus melanoleucos could be passing in numbers soon after dawn, and several

watches in September began at 06h30 (Beijing summer time; just before

sunrise). The observations typically ended by 15h00-16h00 (rarely 12h00-

13h00 on very quiet days), once continuing to 18h40 (on 12 September, a

day of heavy migration). Later in the autumn, observations tended to start

and finish later (often 06h30-07h00 to 16h00-17h00, winter time). This was

because fewer birds were passing in the early morning, and cranes, especially,

were mainly seen in the afternoon. Again, observations were cut short if there

was very little passing, prolonged if there was heavy migration, and began

earlier than normal if the weather seemed promising.

Lotus Hill observations during the Earthwatch surveys roughly followed

this late autumn pattern, though were more likely to be abandoned if little

was passing and conditions were not promising, and there were no

8

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forktail 7

observations at Beidaihe on a few days when other localities were visited (on

all these days, the weather seemed poor for migration).

RESULTS

The timing of the migration in autumn 1986

The timing of the migration noted by each of the autumn surveys was

broadly similar. The following account is based on the autumn 1986 survey,

and indicates the birds seen as the autumn progressed.

During the initial part of the survey, in late August, the daily maximum

temperature remained at around 30°C (the range was 28.5-33°C), and

minimum temperatures were between 21.2 and 24°C. Shorebirds are among

the earliest autumn migrants at Beidaihe (the records of La Touche 1920,

1921 and Hemmingsen and Guildal 1968 suggest that the peak of autumn

shorebird migration at Beidaihe occurs around the end of July and early

August), and occurred in numbers, with over 2,000 individuals of 34 species

recorded on the 27th. White-winged Terns Chlidonias leucopterus were also

common, the maximum count being 900 on 30 August (Hemmingsen had

noted ‘countless numbers’ passing down the coast as early as the end of

June). Over 9,000 Fork-tailed Swifts Apus pacificus were logged between

20 August and the end of the month, almost half this total passing in just two

hours in the afternoon of the 30th. The survey’s first Relict Gull Larus relictus

- and the only adult of this species seen during the autumn - was at the

Sandflats on 23 August. Arctic Warblers Phylloscopus borealis, Yellow-rumped

Flycatchers Ficedula zanthopygia, Dark-sided Flycatchers Muscicapa sibirica,

Grey-streaked Flycatchers M. griseisticta and Asian Paradise-Flycatchers

Terpsiphone paradisi were among the early passerine migrants.

Counts of passing migrants were rewarding during the first half of

September, when notable totals included 2,874 Pied Harriers on 10th, and

2,978 Pied Harriers, 152 Japanese Sparrowhawks Accipiter gularis and 916

Oriental Pratincoles Glareola maldivamm on 12th. In the early mornings,

actively migrating passerines were evident, with counts including 483

Richard’s Pipits Anthus ( novaeseelandiae ) richardi on 13th, 1,438 Yellow

Wagtails Motacilla flava on 6th and 189 Yellow-billed Grosbeaks

Coccothraustes (Eophona) migratorius on 7 September.

The variety of passerines increased as September progressed, with the first

sightings of species such as Siberian Rubythroat Erithacus ( Luscinia ) calliope,

Orange-flanked Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus, Chestnut-eared Bunting

Emberiza fucata and Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala during the second

half of the month. There were two first-winter Relict Gulls at the Sandflats

on 8 September; sightings of first-winter birds were to continue to the end of

the survey.

For much of the period between mid-September and the second week of

October the weather was stable (anticyclonic) and observations from the

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

9

Lotus Hills were rather unproductive. Songbird movements continued, e.g.

238 Olive Tree-Pipits Anthus hodgsoni were logged on 24 September and 951

Chestnut-flanked White-eyes Zosterops erythropleurus headed south on

20 September, and there were good numbers of Bam Swallows Hirundo

rustica and Red-rumped Swallows H. daurica, with totals of over 950 and

2,700, respectively, on 4 October. However, the numbers of raptors were

generally disappointing, the highest tally being 500 Pied Harriers on

20 September. On 23 September, 3,504 Grey-headed Lapwings Vanellus

cinereus were recorded from the watchpoint.

A sizeable influx of Radde’s Warblers Phylloscopus schwarzi was noted on

28 September, when 159 were recorded. Though this was the main species

involved in the ‘fall’, there were good numbers of other grounded passerines,

including six Siberian Rubythroats, eight Bluethroats Erithacus (Luscinia)

svecicus, five Scaly Thrushes Zoothera dauma, 28 Lanceolated Warblers

Locustella lanceolata, 114 Inornate (Yellow-browed) Warblers Phylloscopus

inomatus, 21 Red-throated Flycatchers Ficedula parva and 209 Black-faced

Buntings. A cold front moved eastwards over Beidaihe late on 9 October,

and there was a flurry of migration the next day, when 146 Grey Herons

Ardea cinerea, 160 Purple Herons A. purpurea and 16 species of raptors -

including 56 Northern Goshawks Accipiter gentilis, 319 Common Buzzards

Buteo buteo and five Greater Spotted Eagles Aquila clanga - moved south.

From this date to the end of the survey period, the weather reverted to the

periodicity which appears typical of north-east China (Hemmingsen 1951),

and successive arrivals of northerly airstreams, usually preceded by cold

fronts, stimulated further ‘waves’ of migration. Cranes and geese began to

occur in some numbers, and Upland Buzzards Buteo hemilasius were fairly

common, the maximum count being 102 on 28 October. The first large

Oriental Stork flock - numbering ca. 280 birds (over one-quarter of the

known world population prior to the survey) - was seen at dusk on 29

October. The highest day totals of Common Cranes Grus grus and Hooded

Cranes G. monacha - 1,269 and 438, respectively - were logged on 5

November. The next day, Oriental Stork numbers peaked, with a total of 742

resulting from just three sightings (flocks of ca. 360 and ca. 380, and two).

The overall migration declined markedly in November, when most winter

visitors, including the Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula and the

Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella, became established. Late records

included a Red-throated Flycatcher on 1 7 November.

The Henghe Reservoir and the Sandflats were largely frozen over on

16 November, by which date there were relatively low numbers of passing

birds, even on days with apparently good migration weather. Common

Mergansers Mergus merganser were the last of the waterfowl to occur in

numbers; 400 were recorded from the Lotus Hills watchpoint in the last

week of the survey. Red-crowned Cranes Grus japonensis, which seem to be

the most cold tolerant of the genus, continued to occur in small numbers,

and the peak count of Great Bustards Otis tarda -70 birds - was made on

17 November.

10

M. D. WILLIAMS et at.

Forktail 7

The routes used by migrants observed passing Beidaihe

Most migrants observed passing Beidaihe followed the trend of the coast -

i.e. flew from the north-east towards the south-west (to avoid unnecessary

repetition, this has hereafter been simplified to ‘south’). Many overflew the

town, rather than fly around the roughly triangular headland Beidaihe

occupies.

La Touche (1914) also found that birds tended to follow the coast in the

autumn: ‘The birds when bound south appear generally to follow the coast

line, and many species may be observed by day, skirting the coast or passing

overhead, either over Chinwangtao [= Qinhuangdao] or not far inland.’

Wilder (1924a) observed smaller birds ‘coming across the gulf [of Bohai]’,

and suggests that: ‘Probably the migration route for them follows the China

coast only approximately, cutting off the gulf by flights across rather than

going around, as the waterfowl seem to do, so that their line of flight is

southwest.’ He says La Touche also found that smaller birds crossed the gulf,

yet it seems that La Touche only found this was the case in spring (La

Touche 1914). From our observations, it may be that the birds arriving from

across the gulf - which may include raptors, cranes and others, as well as

passerines- may have only taken a short cut from somewhere near

Shanhaiguan, over the sea to Beidaihe, rather than following the curve of the

coast. Radar studies should help with determining routes of birds passing

through the area - and show to what extent the migration is concentrated

over Beidaihe.

Waders and terns were good examples of birds taking the short cut over

Beidaihe. From observations at the Sandflats (few were seen from the Lotus

Hills, as they passed too far to the east); it appeared they tended to pass

down the coast to the Sandflats, then head over Beidaihe before continuing

on down the coast.

Cranes also mainly passed over Beidaihe, or even out over the sea. Some

3,091 (65%) of the 4,779 cranes for which routes were noted in 1986 passed

to the east of the Lotus Hills (much to the frustration of the observers, since

the highest Lotus Hill severely restricted views in this direction from the 1986

watchpoint). Though routes were not noted in later autumns, the majority of

cranes again passed to the east of the watchpoint. (This contrasts with the

spring, when it seems the tendency is for the birds to pass over the plain,

perhaps accounting for Hemmingsen’s autumn crane totals mostly well

exceeding his spring totals.) The larger flocks were especially prone to pass

over the town or sea, perhaps as they were led by birds well used to travelling

down the coast (smaller flocks, as they have fewer birds, are less likely to have

‘old hands’).

By contrast to the cranes, the majority of Oriental Storks passed over the

plain inland of Beidaihe: 1,565 (66%) of the 2,358 birds for which routes

were noted in 1986 passed to the west of the Lotus Hills, and most of the rest

passed over the hills themselves; 624 flew over the hills and just four flocks,

totalling 169 birds, passed to the east of the hills. The Black Storks Ciconia

nigra showed an even higher tendency to pass over the plain; several flocks

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

1 1

were seen well to the west of Beidaihe (appearing distant even through

telescopes): this may reflect the species’ liking for roosting in mountains as

well as in lowland fields and wetlands (which are probably the preferred

roosting habitats of the Oriental Stork).

Raptors also mainly passed over the plain, though their routes were perhaps

affected more by wind direction than those of the above species. North-west

winds were usually the most productive for raptors, suggesting that the birds

had been drifted eastwards from a more typical route to the west of Beidaihe.

Further evidence for a more westerly route is provided by occasional

observations at Shanhaiguan, ca. 30 km north of Beidaihe. Raptors, and

Black Storks, have been noted passing in fair numbers over the mountains

east of Shanhaiguan on days when little migration was evident at Beidaihe, or

the weather conditions were much as on very quiet days for migration at

Beidaihe. There was perhaps a tendency for raptors to pass over the town

and the Lotus Hills more in the morning than the afternoon, when the main

route was over the plain: e.g. on 1 1 October 1988, when ca. 1,100 Common

Buzzards were logged, birds passed over the town and Lotus Hills in the

morning, the route was roughly centred over the Lotus Hills by midday, and

birds seen in mid afternoon were mostly passing well to the west. This may

result from thermal developments during the day. So, presumably, does the

tendency for raptors to be lower during early morning than around mid-

morning to early afternoon, when Pied Harriers, especially, were sometimes

so high that they could only be detected with binoculars.

Small passerines migrated over a broad front, overflying Beidaihe (the

Sandflats was a good locality for recording early-moming passerine

movements) and the plain, though there were no records of any numbers

passing over the sea east of town. As with several other birds, it appeared

there was a tendency for them to arrive from over the sea to the east of town,

and fly westwards or south-westwards overland. This may reflect the use of

the Beidaihe headland, and especially the Lotus Hills, as landmarks in an

otherwise flat coastline. As noted above, the rocky outcrop at the Lotus Hills

may be a better watchpoint for recording actively-migrating small passerines

than the south-eastern hill. The passerine migration on a given day may not

be over a broad front, and there may be great differences in numbers

recorded at different localities. Good examples are 11 October 1988, when

2,715 Chinese Penduline-Tits Remiz (pendulinus) consobrinus were recorded

from Daihe, yet only 50 from the Lotus Hills, and 13 October 1988, when

4,500 Eurasian Skylarks Alauda arvensis were recorded from Daihe, and only

144 from the Lotus Hills. The wind was force 4-5 on both these days, north¬

west to west on 11th and westerly on 13 October, and the birds may have

been flying low as a result (substantial numbers of actively migrating small

passerines have been recorded from the Lotus Hills on other days).

Correlations between weather and migration

Hemmingsen (1951) notes that, in north China, weather variables such as

temperature and air pressure show periodic fluctuations, with typical intervals

12

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forktai! 7

between highs and lows of the variables of five to seven days. The numbers of

migrants seen at Beidaihe are strongly dependent on these fluctuations in

weather, and some birds, e.g. cranes, have apparently evolved migration

strategies which involve them waiting for optimum migration conditions

before undertaking the stage of their journey which passes Beidaihe.

These optimum conditions typically include winds with a northerly

component, especially after a cold front has passed east over the area, and

may lead to spectacular ‘waves’ of visible migration.

Thousands, or tens of thousands, of birds may also occur during ‘falls’ -

arrivals of grounded migrants, typically with very little visible migration.

These falls apparently mainly coincide with falling air pressure.

The periodic changes in weather thus serve to stimulate migration, and

migration waves and influxes are fairly frequent, though may differ strongly

in the numbers of birds involved. However, stable, anticyclonic weather can

result in little evident migration, even though skies are normally clear (i.e.

birds would not experience navigation problems) . It may be that this is partly

because winds are light and variable, and birds prefer to wait for a wind with

a more consistent northerly component (e.g. following a cold front); also, the

typically warm weather will help ensure that food is still available.

Weather stimulating migration waves. As mentioned, waves of visible migration

were sometimes noted after the passage of cold fronts - i.e. in classic autumn

migration weather (Elkins 1983). Typically, conditions become more hazy

prior to the arrival of a front, it may be warm, and there is little migration

(there may be good numbers of grounded birds; see below). The arrival of

the front is marked by the sky becoming overcast and, as the front passes

over, heavy rain or snow may fall, and the wind swings towards west to north,

and becomes fresh or strong. The rain or snow eventually eases, and the

visibility becomes good or very good, and the sky eventually clears

(sometimes, the wind may not freshen until the cloud has passed to the east).

An excellent example of a cold front which stimulated a migration wave

passed Beidaihe during 14 and 15 October 1989. The front arrived late on

14 October, and it was raining, with a fresh north wind, in the early morning

of 15 October. Observations from the Jin Shan Hotel, eastern Beidaihe,

produced over 200 unidentified ducks heading south over the sea, but few

other passing migrants while it was raining. However, as soon as the rain

eased at around 09h00, Grey Heron migration was evident; 1,417 were

recorded by observers at the east coast of Beidaihe from this time to 1 lh30.

Two White Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia and 135 Great Cormorants

Phalacrocorax carbo were also of note during the morning. There was

something of a lull around midday, but with the sky clearing and the wind

from the north (cold), the afternoon produced most of the day’s totals of 2 1

Black Storks, 26 Northern Sparrowhawks Accipiter nisus, 26 Northern

Goshawks, 427 Common Buzzards, 1,167 Daurian Jackdaws Corvus

dauuricus and 2,693 Rooks or Carrion Crows.

The following day, the wind remained northerly, fresh, in the early

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

13

morning (became light by 08h00, and westerly from mid-morning onwards),

the sky was clear, and the wave continued, with 52 Northern Sparrowhawks,

41 Northern Goshawks, 740 Common Buzzards, three Saker Falcons Falco

cherrug, 33 Great Bustards and 2,303 Rooks or Carrion Crows.

Another cold front arrived on 7/8 November 1990. It cleared Beidaihe by

dawn on 9 November; during the day, the sky was clear, the visibility

excellent, and the wind moderate north-north-east in the early morning,

becoming north-west by mid-morning, and westerly by mid-afternoon. The

day was especially notable for birds of prey, with 1 3 species including three

White-tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla, six Cinereous Vultures Aegypius

monachus (in a party, flying north), 190 Upland Buzzards, four Rough-legged

Buzzards Buteo lagopus, one Greater Spotted Eagle, one Steppe Eagle Aquila

nipalensis and one Imperial Eagle A. heliaca. There were also 135 Oriental

Storks, four Black Storks, 491 Common Cranes (441 were seen from 15h00-

17h00), ten Red-crowned Cranes and 14 Great Bustards.

The next day, the sky was again clear, and the wind north-north-east at

first. But the wind soon became light, and variable after lOhOO, becoming

southerly by midday, by which time only rather low numbers of migrants had

been seen; the only cranes were 20 Common and five which were

unidentified. But, soon after, 28 Common Cranes flew north, and a flock of

85 of the same species flying south at 12h40 marked the start of the best

crane passage in recent years (with all birds seen flying south). The day’s

crane totals were 2,728 Common, 328 Hooded, 135 Red-crowned, and 111

Siberian Cranes, six White-naped Cranes G. vipio and 396 unidentified

cranes.

A third example of a cold front stimulating migration is one which passed

Beidaihe over 13 November and 14 November 1986, clearing the area by the

morning of 14 November. The weather on 13 November was typical for the

approach of a cold front - the visibility was under 1 km in the morning

(reaching 4 km at best), the sky was clear and the wind was west, force 2-4.

Visible migration was at a virtual standstill: the only non-passerine noted

passing the LH watchpoint during 7.25 hours of observations was a Hen

Harrier Circus cyaneus. By 07h00 on 14 November, the cold front had passed

over - the cloud line was already lying to the east of Beidaihe, the visibility

was good (estimated at over 20 km), and the wind was north-east, force 3,

from mid-morning. Though rather late in the autumn, 14 November

produced a fair migration wave, with totals including 277 Oriental Storks,

43 Upland Buzzards, three White-tailed Eagles, 111 Common and 61 Red-

crowned Cranes, 31 Great Bustards, 344 Daurian Jackdaws and

1,042 Rooks or Carrion Crows.

Hemmingsen’s records indicate that he similarly observed migration waves

after cold fronts had passed, e.g. ‘the big goose climax in the autumn of 1943

[ca. 2,400 geese; also ca. 1,000 cranes] came after a strong East storm which

brought with it the temperature fall, but on the day of the maximum

migration the weather was calm and thus appeared mild’ (Hemmingsen

1951: 87).

14

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forktail 7

Fast moving cold fronts as on 14/15 October 1989, 7-9 November 1990

and 13/14 November 1986 mainly occur in late autumn, from mid-October

onwards (they may move from north-west China to the south-east of the

country in only two or three days). They are not the only weather features to

give rise to substantial migration wave conditions at Beidaihe, though it

appears waves mostly occur as the air pressure rises, i.e. on the eastern flanks

of high pressure cells, where winds have a northerly component (the opposite

of the case in spring, when migration waves are associated with the western

flanks of high pressure cells). An example is the wave on 12 September 1986,

when totals included 2,978 Pied Harriers, 152 Japanese Sparrowhawks and

916 Oriental Pratincoles. Though no active front was noted, weather

conditions were as for the arrival of a high pressure cell: the air pressure rose

from 11-12 September; the minimum temperature fell from 22°C over

10-11 September to 15°C over 11-12 September; visibility improved from

less than 8 km with increasing haze on 1 1 September to over 1 5 km on

12 September; and the sky was partly cloudy on 11 September, clear on

1 2 September. The wind on 1 2 September was north-westerly, force 2, in the

early morning and became westerly, force 2, for much of the day from mid-

morning onwards.

A wave similarly occurred with rising air pressure on 29 October 1986,

when totals included 359 Oriental Storks, 590 Bean Geese Anser fabalis, two

White-tailed Eagles, 412 Common, 35 Red-crowned, nine Hooded, two

White-naped and 49 Siberian Cranes and 13 Great Bustards. The wind was

north-west, force 2, in the early morning, becoming north-east, force 4, by

mid-morning, then east, force 4, by early afternoon, and south, force 4, by

mid-afternoon; the sky was clear, and visibility was good (estimated at over

1 5 km) . Though the weather remained fine the next day, the wind was light,

force 1 , from the west for much of the morning, becoming south-west, force

4-5 from midday; by then the visibility had fallen to perhaps 1 0 km and little

migration was evident: there were totals of just three Oriental Storks, three

Bean Geese and 1 1 Common Cranes (no White-tailed Eagles or cranes other

than Common). The weather synopsis for this day is much as for crane wave

days in spring, so the low numbers of migrants presumably reflect the strong

influence of wind direction on crane migration.

Often on wave days, the sky is clear or partly cloudy and there is no rain.

But waterfowl, especially, may pass in numbers during rain (they are better

insulated, and so experience less heat loss, than most land birds). The most

notable example was a wave of geese, ducks and waders on 29 October 1987,

when totals included 2,150 Bean Geese and 10,500 Northern Lapwings

Vanellus vanellus. It was overcast, calm in the early morning; there was a fresh

north-east wind from around 07h30 and rain began around 09h00, lasting

until 15h30. Though some migration was noted in the morning, it was not

until around 1 lhOO that birds began passing in numbers, with large flocks of

geese and Northern Lapwings heading towards the south-west over the

southern coast of Beidaihe (most were seen from the Diplomatic Personnel

Guest House).

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

15

Even with weather which may be far from optimum for migration, there

are usually some actively migrating birds to be seen. We have found that, as

on 30 October 1986, days with south-west winds produce little visible

migration. This agrees with the hawk trappers who told Hemmingsen (1951)

that few birds pass on days with south-west winds.

A hawk trapper we spoke to said north-west winds are best for raptor

migration at Beidaihe, in agreement with our observations. Such winds will

stimulate migration as they have a component in the migration direction; as

noted above, they may produce the highest raptor numbers at Beidaihe as the

west component drifts birds eastwards from a more westerly route. Our

observations indicate that cranes, and perhaps Oriental Storks, geese and

other birds, prefer north-east winds - i.e. winds close to, or exactly in, the

migration direction.

The weather which prompts visible migration may result in large ‘clearouts’

of migrants present in the area, which can be all the more obvious as there

may be falls as cold fronts approach (see below). A good example was

15 October 1989, when, although attention largely focussed on visible

migration, there were no records of Orange-flanked Bush-Robins (37 were

logged on 14 October), only one Black-browed Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus

bistrigiceps (26 on 14 October) and no Dusky Warblers Phylloscopus fuscatus

(13 on 14 October). Several species had been fairly common before this date,

but were recorded in far smaller numbers afterwards, e.g. Black-browed

Reed-Warbler, Radde’s Warbler, Red-throated Flycatcher and Chestnut-

flanked White-eye.

Weather leading to influxes. Influxes of migrants appear to mainly coincide

with falling, or low, air pressure (low pressure tends to inhibit migration:

Nisbet and Drury 1968), sometimes as a cold front approaches. Though it

may not rain, or even become cloudy, when the pressure falls, the visibility

falls as the air becomes increasingly hazy (humidity is inversely correlated

with air pressure).

There was a substantial fall as the 15 October 1989 cold front approached.

Numbers included 68 Orange-flanked Bush-Robins, 35 Black-browed Reed,

45 Dusky and 18 Radde’s Warblers and 395 Lemon-rumped (Pallas’s Leaf)

Warblers Phylloscopus proregulus on 13 October. Other falls associated with

low pressure in 1989 included 210 Orange-flanked Bush-Robins and 285

Pallas’s Reed Buntings Emberiza pallasi on 24 October and 80 Orange-

flanked Bush-Robins, 148 Dusky Thrushes Turdus naumanni eunomus, 302

Rustic Buntings Emberiza rustica and 290 Yellow-throated Buntings

E. elegans on 27 October.

Hemmingsen (1951) apparently also recorded falls of migrants as fronts

approached: ‘Days marked down as special “migration days” were e.g.

11 September and again 5 October 1942 and both these occurred

immediately before a storm from E or NE.’

The largest documented fall at Beidaihe was observed by Wilder and

Hubbard. Wilder (1924b) rather casually relates that ‘On September 10 the

16

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forktail 7

Siberian blue chat [= Siberian Blue Robin] ( Larvivore cyane [ -Erithacus

cyane ]) was in the fields and on the grassy hillside among small pines in

thousands, and the brown flycatcher ( Muscicapa latirostris ) in almost equal

numbers. The next morning the former but not the latter had all

disappeared, and other forms had come in on the wings of a rainy

northeaster.’ It may well be that this is another example of a fall as a cold

front (the ‘rainy northeaster’) approaches, and the passage of the front

prompted the departure of the Siberian Blue Robins.

An influx of ducks followed the passage of the front: ‘Green wing teal

[Common Teal Anas crecca ], pintail [A. acuta ] and other ducks were in great

numbers on the 12th at Peitaiho.’ The largest duck influx of recent autumns

coincided with the passage of a cold front. Sleet and snow fell as the front

moved over during the morning of 27 October 1986, and in the afternoon

ducks on the sea off Eagle Rock included 2,140 Common Teal, 222 Gadwall

Anas strepera, 25 Eurasian Wigeon A. penebpe and 90 Northern Shoveler

A. clypeata.

Species of interest

Around 345 species were recorded during the survey. Below, we give records

for species selected as being of particular interest. The list includes all species

recorded in recent autumns which are treated in Collar and Andrew (1988)

(annotated with an asterisk), others which are scarce or restricted in range

(e.g. the population of Black-headed Ibis Threskiomis melanocephalus breeding

in north-east Asia, Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis ), species for

which recent records indicate population changes during this century, or

might represent substantial proportions of the world population (Pied

Harrier), and species for which records in the area are evidently unusual.

Summaries of the autumn records of La Touche and Hemmingsen,

augmented where appropriate by records of other observers and by spring

records of La Touche and Hemmingsen, are given.

Note that survey periods and intensities differed, as discussed above. The

dates were: 1986 - 20 August to 20 November; 1987 - 18 August to

30 November; 1988 - 8 September to 18 November; 1989 - 8 October to

16 November; 1990 - 19 August to 16 November.

The 1987 data are from Palfery (1987); 1988 data are mainly from

Homskov (1989), sometimes together with records from the Earthwatch

survey from 8 October to 16 November; 1989 data to 22 October were

supplied by J.H. Christensen (in litt.); other data are from logs kept by

M. D. W. and G. J. C.

Abbreviations used are as follows:

References Ch - Cheng (1987); COE - Williams (1986); H - Hemmingsen

and Guildal (1968); Ho - Homskov (1989); LT - La Touche (1920, 1921);

P - Palfery (1987); Sh - Shaw (1936); WH - Wilder and Hubbard (1924,

1926).

Localities at Beidaihe LH - Lotus Hills; Re-Henghe reservoir; Se -

seafront along the southern coast of Beidaihe (from Legation Point west to

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

17

near the Lotus Hills); SF - Henghe Sandflats (an estuarine area on the

northern edge of town); YH - Yanghe estuary (ca. 5 km south of town).

CHINESE POND-HERON Ardeola bacchus LT, H - no records. WH - first

specimen shot about 1908, subsequently records (in Hebei) in five years of

no more than six birds in a day. COE - common, 22 April to 1 June;

breeding at Re. Ch - summers in Hebei.

1986: 147 bird-days were logged from 22 August to 16 October. The

maximum day count was 42 on 27 August, when the main passage

commenced, and this lasted until 6 September. During this period, 102 bird-

days were logged, including 10 coming in from over the sea on 6 September.

Most records were from Re, though birds were occasionally seen migrating

over SF.

1987 (P): 644 bird-days, beginning of survey to 27 September. The highest

day totals were 61 on 19th and 96 on 30 August, 55 on 1st, 50 on 7th and 70

on 1 6 September: most or all of these were counts of birds at Re at dusk.

1988 (Ho): 64 bird-days, 1 1 September to 5 October.

1990: 434 bird-days were logged before 23 October; highest day total 40

on 29 August.

*CHINESE EGRET Egretta eulophotes LT - no records. Wilder (1941) -

specimen collected, 5 September 1941. H - eight on 1 June 1944, one on 6

June 1945. COE - no records. Ch - no records from Hebei; status: very rare

elsewhere.

1987 (P): single birds at Re on 27 and 28 August and 12 September.

1990: one was at SF on 21 September.

GREAT EGRET Egretta alba LT - one record, 5 November. WH - once

very common in Hebei, but population greatly decreased as a result of plume

hunting. H - two certain records of E. a. alba - three on 3 1 March and one

on 22 October; one probable E. a. modesta on 4 August 1944. E. a. alba

records in China are in late autumn, winter or early spring; summer records

of Great Egrets are of E. a. modesta. COE - 14 birds, 9 April to 21 May. Ch

- occasionally recorded from Hebei.

1986 five individuals were recorded; all were seen from LH, flying south.

There were singles on 10 and 23 September and three on 17 September.

1987 (P): singles flew south on 20, 22 and 31 August, 2 September and

30 October.

1988 (Ho): 11 flew south, 7-17 November.

1988 (Earthwatch): ten birds seen in November, flying south: seven on

4th, two on 9th and one on 1 4th.

1989: singles flew south on 19 and 31 October.

1990: before 23 October, 32 bird-days were logged (20 individuals?); the

highest count was nine at SF on 5 September. From 23 October, nine were

recorded flying south: seven on 2nd and singles on 9 and 10 November.

It seems likely that birds seen in early autumn are E. a. modesta, late birds

are E. a. alba (Hemmingsen and Guildal 1968).

18

M. D. WILLIAMS el al.

Forktail 7

^ORIENTAL STORK Ciconia (ciconia) boyciana LT - four birds probably

this species, 20 November 1910. H - seen between 22 October and

16 November (possibly on 28 November). Autumn totals of 1,000-1,500

(1942), 687-887 (1943), at least 1,466 (1944) and 1,000-4,000 (1945). At

least 1,000 birds recorded on three days: 1,000-1,500 over 12-13 November

1942 (arrived in the evening at Grassy Sands, remained because of fog) and

1,000-4,000 on 12 November 1945. On the latter date, ‘one huge flock after

the other passed GS in the course of 4 hours in the morning without settling

for long, or some perhaps not settling at all.’ COE - 12 birds, mosdy in the

latter half of March. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: rare.

1986: about 2,729 individuals were recorded flying south, from 1 1 October

to 16 November. The main passage was from 28 October to 10 November;

2,395 birds (87.8% of the total) were recorded during this period. The

maximum day total was 742 (360, 380 and two) on 6 November; 359 on

29 October and 567 on 3 November were other notable day totals.

1987 (P): 1,531 were recorded flying south from 15 October to

21 November; highest day totals 300 on 30 October, 368 on 2 November

and 430 on 10 November.

1988 (Ho): 1,796 birds flew south, mid-October to 17 November.

1988 (Earthwatch): 1,789 birds were recorded flying south from

1 1 October to 1 3 November. Additionally, one was at YH on 20 October.

Six flew south before 26 October, when the main passage began. The highest

day total was 1,104 birds on 13 November; 156 on 29 October, 200 on

1 1 November and 136 on 12 November were other notable tallies.

1989: 1,113 flew south, 15 October to 13 November; 1,101 flew south

from 27 October to 1 1 November; highest day totals 329 on 7 November

and 480 (469 and 1 1) on 1 1 November.

1990: before 23 October, one was recorded on 15 October. From

23 October, 848 were recorded flying south from 2-14 November; the

highest day totals were 135 on 9th, 234 on 10th and 240 (one flock) on

1 1 November.

BLACK-HEADED IBIS Threskiomis melanocephalus LT - one on 5 October

1913. H - three flying west on 19 September 1943. COE - no records. Ch -

migrates through Hebei; status: very rare.

1987 (P): one flew south on 30 October.

1989: one flew south on 15 October.

BEAN GOOSE Anser fabalis LT - geese (mainly this species) pass from the

end of August or beginning of September to 5 or 6 November. H - more

common in autumn than in spring, 21 August to 23 November; totals of

3,913 (1942), 10,044 (1943), 2,438 (1944) and 3,196 (1945). COE - 2,607

birds, 1 5-3 1 March. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: fairly common.

1986: 1,904 birds were recorded flying south from 17 October to

16 November. The first record, of eight birds, was not followed until

26 October, when main passage began, lasting until 10 November. During

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

19

this period, 1,848 birds were recorded. The great majority of birds were seen

migrating past LH. The maximum day total was 590 on 29 October (when

three flocks were heard passing over the town after dusk); 395 on

4 November and 342 on 7 November were other notable tallies.

1987 (P): 3,588 flew south from 16 October to 16 November; 2,150 flew

south on 29 October.

1988 (Ho): at least 366 birds, 1 October to 15 November.

1988 (Earthwatch): 420 birds were recorded flying south, and two flying

north, from 28 October to 15 November. The highest day total was 105

birds on 10 November.

1989: 903 bird-days (900 flew south), 9 October to 13 November; highest

day totals 259 on 5 November and 128 on 6 November.

1990: 178 were recorded flying south, 24 October to 15 November;

highest day total 68 on 5 November. A bird with near white wing-tips was

seen on 9 November.

Even were all the unidentified geese (see below) this species, all the recent

autumn totals are less than half Hemmingsen’s highest total.

Unidentified geese Anser spp.

1986: 761 unidentified geese were recorded from 10 October to

14 November. Flocks of 35 on 10 October, 41 on 14 October and 40 on

21 October were the only records until the 26 October. A total of 642 birds

was then recorded during the main period of Bean Goose migration making

it likely that most of the unidentified geese were this species. Most birds were

seen from LH; the maximum day total was 281 on 29 October, the same

date as the peak of Bean Goose migration.

1987 (P): 692 were recorded flying south.

1988 (Ho): at least 157 were recorded.

1988 (Earthwatch): 247 were recorded flying south.

1989: 530 bird-days (519 flew south, 11 flew north), 15 October to

12 November; 357 flew south on 15 October.

1990: before 23 October, 185 were recorded flying south on 14 October.

From 23 October, 439 were recorded flying south, 3-11 November; highest

day totals 206 on 7 November and 74 on 9 November.

NORTHERN PINTAIL Anas acuta LT - perhaps the most abundant of the

larger ducks, mid-September to the end of October. Wilder (1924b) - in

great numbers, 12 September 1924. H - noticeably less common than in

spring; six dates in one autumn, 1 9 July and 23 September to 1 1 October.

COE - 1 67 bird-days, 1 6 March to 30 April. Ch - migrates through Hebei;

status: abundant on passage.

1986: 35 or 36 bird-days were logged from seven dates over

1-27 September. The first record was of 18 flying south past LH, and the

remaining 17/18 birds were recorded during the last ten days of the passage

period at SF, YH and Re.

1987 (P): one on 25 September and 137 flew south over 26-29 October

(including 133 on 29 October).

20

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forktail 7

1988 (Ho): 40 bird-days, 4-10 October; flock of 38 on 10 October.

1989: 51 bird-days, 15 October to 5 November; 45 flew south on

1 5 October.

1990: before 23 October, 53 bird-days, highest day total 43 on

29 September. From 23 October, 55 flew south on 8 November.

The recent studies do not support La Touche’s assertion that this may be

the most abundant of the larger ducks.

COMMON TEAL Anas crecca LT - very abundant, beginning of September

to the end of October. Wilder (1924b) - in great numbers, 12 September

1924. H - less common in autumn than in spring, 16 September to

25 October. COE - 1,175 bird-days, 19 March to 20 May. Ch - migrates

through Hebei; status: very common.

1986: a total of 2,161 bird-days was logged. The great majority were seen

on 27 October, when ca. 2,140 were on the sea off SF in the afternoon, after

a cold front had arrived. Otherwise, only single figures recorded on seven

days: one from LH on 1 September; at Re, one on 15 September, two on

21 September, four on 27 September, two on 29 September and seven on

6 October, also one at SF over 30-3 1 October.

1987 (P): 51 bird-days, 21 September to 1 November.

1988 (Ho): 14 bird-days, 7-12 October.

1989: 72 bird-days, 8 October to 1 November; 45 flew south on

15 October.

1990: before 23 October, 32 bird-days, highest day total 15 on

29 September. From 23 October, one was at SF on 3 November and three

flew south on 8 November.

^BAIKAL TEAL Anas formosa LT - extremely abundant on passage,

beginning of September to the end of October. WH - erratic spring migrant

in Hebei, less conspicuous in autumn by far. H - only one in autumn, but

dense flocks seen spring 1944. COE - five birds on 20 March. Ch - migrates

through Hebei; status: fairly common during migration and in winter.

1986: the only record was of a female or immature at Re on 15 September,

with a small flock of Common Teal and Falcated Duck.

1987 (P): singles on 13 and 16 September.

1988 (Ho): one flew south, 14 September.

1990: two records of a female (same bird?), at Re on 25 August and SF on

30 August.

The few recent records contrast markedly with earlier observations,

especially by La Touche, substantiating reports that there has been a marked

decline in the population of the Baikal Teal.

FALCATED TEAL Anas falcata LT - extremely abundant during the latter

half of September, remaining during October and occasionally until

November. H - only one autumn record, 23 September 1942. COE - 355

bird-days, 21 March to 31 May. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: fairly

common, declining in recent years.

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

21

1986: 32 bird-days were logged from 25 August to 16 October. Only seen

on 1 1 dates: at Re, singles on 25 and 27 August, nine on 14 September, two

on 21 September, four on 27 September, five on 29 September and one on

7 October; also one seen passing LH on 30 September, six at SF on

1 4 October and two at YH on 1 6 October.

1987 (P): 21 bird-days, beginning of survey to 25 October; 10 were

recorded flying south.

1988 (Ho): 24 bird-days, 10 September to 7 October.

1989: 14 were at Re on 15 October.

1990: 306 bird-days, highest day totals 39 on 15 September, 71 on

22 September and 45 on 29 September; all before 23 October, and mainly

recorded at Re.

*BAER’S POCHARD Aythya baeri LT - extremely abundant during the

latter half of September and beginning of October, remaining until the end of

October. H - four possibly seen, 30 April 1943. COE - ca. 20 individuals,

23 March to 1 June; a pair remained at Re to the end of the survey period.

Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: fairly common.

1986: recorded at Re on three dates: one on 1 October, 10 on 5 October

and one on 1 0 October.

1988 (Ho): five birds flew south and one was seen at Re on 24 September.

1990: two records at SF: six on 2 October and one on 14 October.

Only La Touche has found this species extremely abundant in the area -

more recent work has found it to be rather scarce, suggesting a substantial

decline since early this century.

MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericulata LT - one record, 17 April 1913. H - a

flock of 17 on 11 October 1944 was the only autumn record. COE - 22-23

individuals, 9 April to 3 May. Ch - migrant in Hebei; status: fairly common,

declining in recent years.

1986: 23 bird-days were logged from 9 September to 19 October. It

appears that 13-14 individuals were involved - a little over half as many as in

spring 1985. Records were as follows: a female or immature at LH on

9 September, 13 September and 17 September, one at Re on 28 September,

one at Re on 7 October, three at LH 7 October and 8 October, one at SF on

10 October, two at LH over 12-15 October, one at LH on 18 October and

three at Re on 19 October.

1987 (P): 11 bird-days (three birds?), 18 September to 18 October; two

birds were seen on five days,

1988 (Ho): four bird-days, first half of October.

1989: a pair on the sea off Temple Beach on 1 1 October.

1990: before 23 October, 47 bird-days; highest counts flocks of 18 on

8 October and 16 on 17 October, overflying LH (heading north-east). From

23 October, two records: a pair at Re on 23 October and one at LH on

2 November.

22

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forkiail 7

HARLEQUIN DUCK Histrionicus histrionicus LT, H - no records. COE -

immature male present from 6 April to 5 May. Ch - recorded at three

localities, in Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Shandong; status: very rare.

1989: a female was on the sea off Lighthouse Point on 4 November.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus senator LT - no records. H -

three records in November 1943; less common than in spring. COE - 372

bird-days, 1 6 March to 1 3 May. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: fairly

common along fresh-water courses and on lakes.

1986: 218 bird-days were logged from 30 September to 19 November.

There were 27 bird-days from seven dates to, and including, 25 October.

The main passage began on 27 October and lasted until 2 November: during

this period, 120 bird-days were logged, and the maximum day count - 47

birds - was made on 27 October. There were 56 bird-days over

8-13 November, followed by 15 on 18 November and the last record of one

flying north the following day. Just over half the records were from the sea

east of Lighthouse Point, and most of the remainder were from Se and the

sea off YH. Five birds were seen from LH.

1987 (P): 388 bird-days, 11 October to 29 November; 126 birds were

recorded flying south.

1988 (Ho): 12 bird-days, 14 October to 17 November.

1989: 184 bird-days (39 flew south), 10 October to 11 November; highest

day total 36 on 4 November.

1990: before 23 October, eight bird-days. From 23 October, 134 bird-days

(32 flew south), 29 October to 16 November; highest day totals 48 (22 at SF,

26 flying south offshore) on 31 October, 20 (at SF) on 3 November and 25

(at YH) on 1 5 November.

BLACK KITE Milvus migrans LT - ‘An important migration... especially in

the autumn... The autumn passage goes on throughout September and until

the middle of October. Numbers of these birds are taken at this season by the

hawk-catchers... A few summer here in suitable spots.’ WH - occurs in every

month of the year, least common in June, July and August. ‘At other times

they act as scavengers in the cities and gather in great “rookeries” in the

palace grounds for winter nights, going to the country through the day to

hunt.’ Sh - ‘This is a permanent resident. Mollendorfs (1877) statement

that it was the commonest bird of prey seems to be not quite true nowadays.

It is also a migrant which passes the plain from the end of February to April

and from September to October.’ H - common migrant, largest numbers last

part of September and first part of October, e.g. ‘in numbers passing over

LH from E to W 15. IX, 10.X 1944’. Some dates throughout the summer

months. Latest date 19 November. COE - 67 birds, 18 March to 17 May.

Ch - resident in Hebei; status: common.

1986: 74 birds were recorded from 20 August to 20 October, mosdy from

LH. Six were seen in August, and four more to 6 September. The main

passage was during 8-13 September, when 33 birds were seen and there was

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

23

the highest day total - 15 birds on 12 September; 19 were seen during the

rest of the month and a further 12 in October.

1987 (P): 68 bird days, 24 August to 5 November; highest day total 18 on

26 September. All but two were recorded flying south.

1988 (Ho): 28 bird-days, 13 September to 15 October.

1989: 14 flew south, 13-16 October.

1990: before 23 October, 43 bird-days, highest day totals nine on

17 September and 18 on 6 October. From 23 October, two were recorded

from LH, flying south, on 24 October.

As in spring 1985, the records hardly suggest an ‘important migration’ of

the species, as found by La Touche; nor did we see the species passing over

LH ‘in numbers’ as had Hemmingsen, or any birds which appeared to be

summer residents. It appears that there has been a considerable decline in the

species over the past forty years, a decline which has been far sharper than

that noted by Shaw, from late last century (when Mollendorf found this the

commonest bird of prey in Hebei) to around 1936.

* WHITE-TAILED EAGLE Haliaeetus albicilla LT - common spring and

autumn migrant; may winter in the area (specimens 6th or 7 March and from

near Great Wall towards the middle of December). ‘The local hawk-catchers

use this Eagle as a decoy, pegging the bird down at their nets. The owner of

two of these birds told me that he fed them in summer on fish and in winter

on puppy dogs!’ Sh - passing migrant, rare. H - three sea-eagles with white

tails seen and assumed to be this species: 4, 6 and 23 November 1943. COE

- an immature flew north on 31 March. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status:

uncommon.

1986: 15 were recorded from LH, flying south, from 26 October to

18 November. Five were seen from 26-29 October; five were seen during the

first ten days of November, and a further five were seen from

11-19 November, including three - the highest day total - on 14 November.

Of 14 birds aged, two were considered to be juveniles, one was immature,

two were first- or second-year birds, one was second-year, two were second-

or third-year, one was sub-adult and five were adults.

1987 (P): five flew south, 30 October to 21 November.

1988 (Ho): nine flew south, 2-17 November.

1989: four flew south: one on 26 October and three on 13 November.

1990: four were recorded from LH, flying south: three on 9 November and

one on 10 November. All were juvenile or immature.

SHORT-TOED EAGLE Circaetus gallicus LT, H, COE - no records. Sh,

Ch - twice recorded by David in Beijing municipality; otherwise only

recorded in China in Xinjiang Uygur Aut. Region, Gansu province and

Shaanxi province (Cheng). Goodwin (1987) recorded this species at Zhaohe,

Nei Mongol Autonomous Region, 29 May to 2 June 1987.

1987 (P): one flew south on 21 October.

1989: one flew south on 15 October.

24

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forktail 7

It appears that this species is a scarce migrant at Beidaihe; William S. Clark

(in litt. to M. D. W, 30 November 1991) reported one passing Beidaihe on

6 October 1991.

PIED HARRIER Circus melanoleucos LT - by far the most abundant of the

harriers, passing from the end of August to mid-October. H - recorded on 2 1

dates in four autumns, 1 1 August to 1 2 October. Mainly only certainly

identified adult males; noted that peak occurrences of these, 25 August to

18 September, coincided with peak occurrences of unidentified harriers.

Regarding unidentified harriers, notes that ‘I have never seen so many as on

4. IX 1944 when they almost swarmed, with tendency to WSW movement’.

COE - 504 birds, 1 April to 25 May. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status:

fairly common.

1986: 14,534 birds were recorded flying south from 20 August to

7 October. Occurrences in seven-day periods were as follows: 589 from

20-26 August, 2,151 from 27 August to 2 September, 2,662 from

3-9 September, 7,521 from 10-16 September, 1,360 from 17-23 September,

295 from 24-30 September and eight from 1-7 October. Over half the total -

7,371 birds - passed during 10-14 September. The highest day totals were

868 on 7 September, 2,874 on 10 September, 2,978 on 12 September and

703 on 13 September.

1987 (P): 2,240 bird-days, 21 August to 22 October; all but 11 were

recorded flying south; highest day totals 338 on 1st and 260 on 7 September;

only records after 8 October were one with a damaged wing on 20 and 2 1

October and two flying south on 22 October.

1988 (Ho): 4,738 bird-days, 8 September to 13 October; highest day total

2,033 on 12 September.

1989: two immature harriers at YH on 9 October may have been this

species.

1990: 1,917 bird-days, highest day totals 556 on 4 September, 238 on

13 September and 193 on 14 September; all before 23 October.

Rather unusually for a raptor, passed in numbers during early morning.

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo LT - passes abundantly in September

and October, probably also in November. H - noted on six dates,

5-26 October; also several on 5 December 1945, believed to be migrating

down the coast on account of the very severe winter. COE - approximately

85 birds, 16 March to 10 May. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status:

common generally.

1986: 1,119 bird-days were logged from 16 September to 19 November;

around 1,075 individuals were probably involved. The great majority were

seen from LH, flying south. Fourteen birds were seen during September, and

passage picked up at the beginning of October. The main passage was from

8 October to 1 November, when 966 bird-days were logged, with peak

counts of 321 on 10 September, 190 on 1 1 September and 98 on

26 October. During November, 127 bird-days were logged, though no

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

25

records after 15 November refer to birds flying south: up to four ‘local birds’

were seen at LH during this month, with two present on the 19 November,

the last day of the survey.

Four birds, which were either this species or Oriental Honey-Buzzards

Pemis ptilorhyncus were seen: two on each of 24 and 27 September.

1987 (P): 3,162 bird-days, 15 September to 27 November; all but 86 were

recorded flying south, 2,462 bird-days were logged from 12-21 October;

highest day totals 585 on 12 October, 992 on 14 October, 211 on

17 October and 224 on 20 October.

1988 (Ho): 1,861 bird-days, 20 September to 18 November; at least 1,100

flew south on 1 1 October.

1989: 1,534 bird-days (1,496 flew south), 8 October to 14 November;

highest day totals 427 and 740 flying south on 15 and 16 October,

respectively.

1990: before 23 October, 2,210 bird-days, highest day totals 1,048 on

6 October, 470 on 8 October and 459 on 9 October. From 23 October, 253

bird-days (233 were recorded flying south), 24 October to 15 November;

highest counts of birds flying south 44 on 24 October and 76 on 25 October,

35 on 6 November and 20 on 9 November; after latter date, only one

recorded flying south and up to two birds present.

The records suggest this species is common in autumn, not abundant as

reported by La Touche.

*IMPERIAL EAGLE Aquila heliaca LT, H, COE - no records. Sh - passing

migrant. Ch - migrant in Hebei; status: uncommon.

1986: ten birds were recorded from LH, flying south: two immatures on

15 September, an adult on 26 September, an immature (second-year?) on

10 October, and six juveniles (or immatures) on 28 October.

1987 (P): three flew south, 20 October to 4 November.

1988 (FI): five flew south, 1 1 October to 12 November.

1989: singles flew south on 16, 25 and 28 October.

1990: before 23 October, one was seen on 18 and 19 October (same bird).

From 23 October, single immatures flew south on 6th and 9 November.

* LESSER KESTREL Falco naumanni LT - no records. Sh - summer visitor.

H - a pair, 7 April 1943. COE - no records. Ch - breeds in northern and

central parts of Hebei; status: uncommon.

1986: 108 bird-days were logged from 20 August to 19 November, mainly

from LH. Five were recorded to 16 September, when the main passage

period began, with 61 birds seen during the second half of the month and the

highest day count - 23 birds - on 22 September. Ten were seen in the first

half of October and 15 in the second half, and there were a further 15 in

November (late for this species; at least some of the records may have been

misidentified Common Kestrels F. tinnunculus, though observers believed

themselves familiar with the two kestrel species, and logged 294 bird-days for

the Common Kestrel).

26

M. D. WILLIAMS ti al.

Forktail 7

1987 (P): 14 were recorded flying south, 7 September to 3 October;

highest day total seven on 25 September.

1988 (Ho): 20 bird-days, 21 September to 1 1 October.

1989: singles flew south on 28 October and 9 November.

1990: five were recorded before 23 October.

Unidentified kestrels Falco naumanni/F. tinnunculus

1986: 55 unidentified kestrels were recorded from 8 September to

3 November. Around half were seen during the latter half of September,

coinciding with the peak passage periods of the two kestrel species.

1987 (P): 57 bird-days, 8 September to 4 November.

1988 (Ho): at least two.

1990: four were recorded before 23 October.

AMUR FALCON Falco amurensis LT - very common summer visitor, seen

until the end of October. On 16 September 1915, saw ‘numbers travelling

along the seashore, hovering and feeding on the dunes as they passed by’. H

- a few seen throughout the summer; in the beginning of September of the

years 1942-1944, larger parties, evidently on migration, were seen, and ‘at

the end of September flocks of 10, 20, 30, in which only a few adult males

were seen, moved slowly in migration direction over GS [Grassy Sands] or

SF, often stopping to hover and hunt’. COE - 34 birds, 22 April to 20 May.

Ch - summer visitor to Hebei; status: fairly common.

1986: 465 bird-days were logged from 21 August to 26 October, involving

about 450 individuals. To the end of the first week of September 33 bird-

days were logged. Significant passage then began, and lasted until

2 1 October. The main sustained passage period lasted for three weeks, from

16 September to 6 October, with 72-79 bird-days logged each week, and the

highest day count - 41 birds - on 23 September. The week from

14-20 October saw heavier passage, with 83 bird-days logged and a high

count of 40 birds on 1 8 October.

1987 (P): 892 bird-days, 28 August to 29 October; highest day totals 243

on 3 October, 50 on 16 October and 106 on 17 October. All but 13 were

recorded flying south.

1988 (Ho): 343 bird-days, 9 September to 24 October; highest day total

116 on 11 October (99 passed before 07h00, presumably reflecting

continuation of passage from the previous day, when at least 79 had been

seen).

1989: 152 bird-days (128 flew south), 7-29 October; 40 flew south on

1 2 October.

1990: 95 bird-days, highest day totals 17 on 6 October and 33 on

1 5 October; all before 23 October.

Recent records suggest the species is no longer as common as reported by

Hemmingsen.

JAPANESE QUAIL Cotumix japonica LT - very abundant during October

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

27

and the early part of November; also passes August and September. H - seen

throughout the autumn, mainly in October. COE - 8 1 bird-days, 28 March

to 27 May. Ch — migrates through Hebei; status: fairly common.

1986: 48 bird-days were logged from 2 September to 31 October. Only

three were seen to 17 September, after which passage began to pick up and

12 bird-days were logged to the end of the month. Minor peak in passage

occurred during 3-11 October, when 2 1 bird-days were logged; a further 1 0

bird-days were logged during the second half of October. Records were

distributed through the area, with YH and LH being slightly the favoured

localities.

1987 (P): 84 bird-days, 8 September to 9 November; highest day total ten

on 23 October.

1988 (Ho): nine bird-days, 1 1 September to 23 October.

1989: 106 bird-days, 7 October to 5 November; 61 bird-days from

8- 1 4 October.

1990: before 23 October, 17 bird-days, highest day total four on

2 October. From 23 October, four were at Re on 29 October.

This species is now uncommon in autumn, not very abundant as reported

by La Touche.

COMMON CRANE Grus grus LT - immense flocks of cranes, believed to

be mainly this species, pass over during October. H - more common in

autumn than in spring; main autumn passage mid-October to early

November; totals of 3,059 (1943), 4,448 (1943), 4,228 (1944) and 8,404

(1945). Extreme dates 17 September to 24 November. COE - 4,409 birds,

15 March to 7 May. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: fairly common.

1986: 4,428 birds were recorded from 7 October to 18 November. All but

79 were seen from LH; 4,385 flew south, 43 flew north. Additionally, five

flocks were heard passing over Se after sunset: one on 29 October and four

on 5 November. The main passage was from 25 October to 10 November;

3,690 birds were recorded during this period. The highest day count was

1,263 on 5 November; other notable totals were 412 on 29 October, 680 on

1 November and 485 on 6 November. Of 871 birds aged, 733 (84.2%) were

adults, three (0.3%) were sub-adults and 135 (15.5%) were juveniles.

1987 (P): 4,678 were recorded flying south, 8 October to 21 November;

4,139 were recorded between 1 and 15 November; highest day totals 675

on 10 November, 1,466 on 1 1 November and 830 on 12 November.

1988 (Ho): 4,040 were recorded, 14 October to 18 November.

1988 (Earthwatch): 3,766 were recorded from 15 October to

16 November; 3,693 flew south, 73 flew north. The main passage was from

11-16 November, when 3,331 were recorded and there was the highest day

total - 2,578 birds on 14 November. Of 278 birds aged, 51 (18.3%) were

juveniles.

1989: 3,693 bird-days (3,559 flew south, 80 flew north), 15 October to

14 November; highest day totals were 1,125 on 4 November, 447 on

5 November, 458 on 9 November and 447 on 10 November; flocks heard

28

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forktail 7

passing after dusk on two days (at around 18h30 on 31 October and at

19h30 on 9 November). Of 324 birds aged, 267 were adults and 57 (17.6%)

were juveniles.

1990: before 23 October, 11 were recorded. After 23 October, 4,177 were

recorded flying south, and 122 north, 25 October to 16 November; highest

totals of birds flying south were 1 94 on 2 November, 167 on 7 November,

468 on 9 November, 2,695 on 10 November, 387 on 1 1 November and 146

on 14 November. Birds were still passing in numbers at dusk on

10 November, and judging by flocks heard a considerable number passed

after dark (these may well have included rarer cranes, which were also seen in

numbers on this date). Of 61 birds aged, 52 were adults and nine (14.8%)

were juveniles.

As discussed above, the autumn migration path tended to be over or near

the eastern part of Beidaihe, which may at least partly account for

Hemmingsen recording substantially more birds in autumn than in spring,

when (at least in 1985) the birds tend to pass to the west of the town.

See also ‘unidentified cranes’.

*HOODED CRANE Grus monacha LT - no records. Sh - seems to be very

rare, passes in October. WH - see under ‘White-naped Crane’. H - 155-185

birds over three autumns from 12 October to 7 November, plus about 115

more ‘possible’ or ‘probable’ Hooded Cranes. COE - 309 birds, 25 March to

20 April; 257 passed on 2 April. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status:

uncommon.

1986: 527 birds flew south from 11 October to 7 November. The first

record, of a single bird, was not followed until 29 October. The main passage

occurred over 5-7 November: 446 were recorded during this period, with

436 on 5 November. This marked concentration of passage into just one day

was also a notable feature of the species’ occurrence in spring 1985. Of 309

birds aged, 257 (83.2%) were adults and 52 (16.8%) were juveniles.

1987 (P): 45 were recorded flying south, 21 October to 16 November;

highest day totals 1 5 on 5 November and 1 1 on 9 November.

1988 (Ho): 92 were recorded, 29 October to 14 November.

1988 (Earthwatch): 94 were recorded flying south from 29 October to

14 November. The highest day total was 68 birds on 14 November,

coinciding with the peak numbers of Common and Red-crowned Cranes.

None was aged.

1989: 115 flew south, 26 October to 10 November; 86 flew south from

2-7 November; highest day total 51 on 5 November. Of 30 birds aged, 24

were adults and six (20%) were juveniles.

1990: 452 were recorded flying south: 59 on 2 November, 328 on

10 November, 56 on 1 1 November and nine on 15 November. Of nine birds

aged, seven were adults and two were juveniles.

COMMON x HOODED CRANE hybrid

1987 (P): one flew south on 12 November.

1989: one flew south on 23 October.

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

29

* RED-CROWNED CRANE Grus japonensis LT — only heard of two

captured in seven years; records of flocks seen probably refer at least partly to

the Siberian Crane as some were described as having black primaries. H -

considerably more common than in spring, from 22 October to

23 November; totals of six (1942), 151 (1943), 92 (1944) and 98 (1945).

COE - 244 birds, 15-31 March. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status:

formerly rare, steadily increasing in recent years.

1986: 501 birds were recorded from 13 October to 19 November, mostly

from LH, flying south. The main passage was from 5 November to the end

of the survey; 423 birds were recorded during this period. The maximum day

count was 180 on 7 November and the next highest 61 on 14 November. Of

206 birds aged, 158 (76.7%) were adults, 45 (21.8%) were juveniles; two

were considered to be second-winter and one sub-adult.

1987 (P): 320 were recorded flying south from 12 October to

21 November; 174 were recorded between 6 and 15 November; highest day

totals 53 on 10 November, 55 on 12 November and 44 on 13 November.

1988 (Ho): 281 were recorded from 25 October to 18 November.

Earthwatch 1988 (Ho): 256 were recorded flying south from 25 October to

16 November. The highest day totals were 69 on 29 October and 107 on

14 November, the latter coinciding with the peak numbers of Common and

Hooded Cranes. Of 149 birds aged, 133 were adults, six (4%) were juveniles

or immatures and 10 (6.7%) were juveniles.

1989: 630 flew south, 19 October to 14 November; highest day totals 119

on 4 November, 121 on 6 November, 90 on 7 November and 110 on

10 November. Of 273 birds aged, 212 were adults and 61 (22.3%) were

juveniles.

1990: before 23 October, 11 were recorded on 9 October. From

23 October, 542 were recorded flying south, 25 October to 14 November;

highest day totals were 74 on 7 November, 135 on 10 November, 102 on

11 November and 100 on 14 November. Of 99 birds aged, 74 were adults

and 15 (15.1%) were juveniles.

*WHf 1 E-NAPED CRANE Grus vipio LT - no records. Wilder (1924a)

records a flock passing 6-9 October 1923 (exact date not specified); identified

as this species by the snow white necks (‘easily visible in the sunlight, but

probably in shadow would not be noticed, and the birds would be easily

confused with the common grey crane. ’), and so could have been Hooded

Cranes (though these are less similar to Common Cranes) (Wilder 1924b).

Confusingly, Wilder and Hubbard (1924) report ‘Oct. 8th and 9th, at

Peitaiho (Beidaihe) flocks of from 20 to several hundreds were flying south.’

H - 46 birds very probably this species seen over three dates in four autumns,

25 October to 2 November, standing on Grassy Sands. COE - no records.

Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: uncommon.

1986: 152 flew south from 17 September to 6 November. The main

passage was from 25-29 October, when 29 birds passed. The early records

were widely spaced: 17 September (two), 28 September (five) and

30

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forktail 7

16-18 October (19). Of 25 birds aged, 21 (84%) were adults and 4 (16%)

were juveniles.

1987 (P): recorded on three days - three birds on 19 October, 53 on

20 October and seven on 22 October; all flew south.

1988 (Ho): 46 were recorded from 14 October to 9 November.

1988 (Earthwatch): 48 were recorded from 14 October to 1 1 November;

46 flew south, two flew north. The highest day total was 29 birds on

14 October. Four were aged, and were all adults.

1989: 17 bird-days (13 flew south, four flew north), 28 October to

10 November. Only two birds - both adults - were aged.

1990: before 23 October, three were recorded on 9th and 17 October.

From 23 October, 63 were recorded flying south, 26 October to

11 November; highest day totals 32 (one flock) on 3 November and 19 on

1 1 November. None was aged.

^SIBERIAN CRANE Grus leucogeranus LT - Specimen from Hsieh Chia

Ying marshes, some 15 miles south of Beidaihe. At least some of his records

under Red-crowned Crane refer to this species, judging by description of

plumage (white with black wings, or black wing tips) and call (shrill ‘coo-

kee’)- Notable dates were 12 October and 2 November 1913 and 30 March

1915. La Touche evidently realised his error, as he later (1925) noted that

the species passes in great numbers in October and November. Wilder

(1924a) recorded flocks of 100 with one grey crane (presumably Common)

and 40, including six presumed Common Cranes, passing south during

6-9 October 1923. Also notes that ‘the hunters at Ch’ang Li, a little further

from the sea, report having shot these white cranes and found them good

eating.’ H - autumn totals of 15 (1942), 227 (1943), 80 (1944) and 34

(1945), 12 October to 1 1 November. COE - 652 birds, 20 March to 1 April.

Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: uncommon.

1986: 192 birds were recorded flying south from 11 October to

10 November. Passage was somewhat irregular but was concentrated to a

certain extent during 29 October to 10 November, when 99 birds were seen.

Of 155 birds aged, 121 (78%) were adults and 34 (22%) were juveniles.

1987 (P): 143 were recorded flying south, 21 October to 12 November;

highest day totals 26 on 5 November, 43 on 7 November and 19 on

12 November.

1988 (Ho and Earthwatch): 344 birds were recorded flying south from

29 October to 12 November. The highest day totals were 208 on 29 October

and 97 on 3 November. Of 312 birds aged, 26 (8.3%) were juveniles.

1989: 181 flew south, 7 October to 12 November; first record - of a party

of eight birds - was not followed until 20 October; highest day totals were 77

on 4 November and 33 on 6 November. Of 167 birds aged, 137 were adults

and 30 (18%) were juveniles.

1990: 577 were recorded flying south, 26 October to 10 November;

highest day totals 30 on 26 October, 389 on 2 November and 141 on

10 November. Of 321 birds aged, 271 were adults and 50 (18.5%) were

juveniles.

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

31

DEMOISELLE CRANE Anthropoides virgo LT, H, COE - no records. Sh -

no definite records, but assumed to pass. Ch - migrant in Hebei; status: fairly

common in its breeding range.

1986: 14 birds flew south: one on 7 November, 12 on 14 November and

one on 1 5 November. Three birds were aged: two were adults and one was a

juvenile.

1989: a grey crane in a flock of Common Cranes on 8 November appeared

around half the size of the other birds in the flock, and may have been this

species.

Unidentified cranes Grus spp.

1986: 1,557 unidentified cranes were recorded from 1-18 November. Of

these, seven were considered to be Common or Demoiselle, 260 were

Common or White-naped and 478 were Common or Hooded (the last were

seen on 5 November, when both species were passing in numbers).

1987 (P): 364 unidentified cranes were recorded; 15 were considered to be

Common or White-naped Cranes.

1988 (Ho): 338 unidentified cranes were recorded.

1988 (Earthwatch): of 376 unidentified cranes recorded, 32 were

considered to be Common or White-naped, and 267 were considered to be

Common or Hooded.

1989: three Common or White-naped Cranes flew north on 1 November,

and three unidentified grey cranes flew south on 5 November.

1990: 521 were recorded flying south, and four north, 24 October to

11 November; highest day total of birds flying south 391 on 10 November

(mostly over sea, at dusk). It is likely that most were Common Cranes, and

the remainder mainly Hooded or White-naped.

BAILLON’S CRAKE Porzana pusilla LT - passes from the beginning of

August to the last week in October; extremely abundant during autumn.

Stresemann (1924) - on 5 August, near Beidaihe (in translation) ‘about two

dozen were in the single still damp, room-size reedbed.’ H - autumn

numbers similar to those in spring; 1 1 August to 1 6 October. COE - 98 bird-

days, 14 May to 1 June. Ch - breeds in Hebei; status: fairly common in most

places.

1986: 16 bird-days were logged from 2 September to 9 October; it may be

that 16 birds were involved. There were records on eight dates, and it

appeared that the main passage was from mid-September to the first week of

October. The first was one at Re; five more were seen at Re, and one at YH,

from 14-30 September, and a further eight were at YH and one at Re over 3,

4 and 9 October, with the highest day total - six birds at YH - on 4 October.

1987 (P): 13 bird-days; two on 20 August, the remainder from

24 September to 6 October.

1988 (Ho): ten bird-days, other than late bird 5 November, 19 September

to 15 October.

1989: singles at Re on 13 and 14 October and Daihe estuary on

17 October.

32

M. D. WILLIAMS a al.

Forktail 7

1990: 13 bird-days, highest day total four on 3 October; all at Re and

before 23 October.

The autumn surveys thus found the species less common than in spring

1985, in marked contrast to La Touche’s assertion that it is extremely

abundant in autumn, and disagreeing with Hemmingsen’s near parity of

spring and autumn records.

*SWTNHOE’S RAIL (Siberian Crake) Cotumicops exquisitus LT, H - no

records. COE - singles on 20 and 27 May. Ch - doubtful migrant in Hebei;

status: uncommon.

1987 (P): singles on 28 and 29 September and two on 30 September; one

or two on 2 October and singles on 6, 8, 9 and 14 October.

1990: singles were at Re on 2 and 7 October.

COMMON COOT Fulica atra LT - extremely abundant during most years

in September and October. WH - ‘Very common summer visitor, nesting in

the marshes on the plain’. H - no records but reported by hunters. COE - 24

bird-days, 9 May to 1 June. Ch - breeds in Hebei; status: fairly common.

1986: 59 bird-days were logged from 27 August to 8 October. All except

three birds were seen at Re. The first record was of a pair with four young

and about one-third of all records apparently involved family parties of from

three to six birds, with the last such group seen on 29 September. From

26 September to the end of the passage 32 bird-days were logged, making

this the period of main occurrence.

1987 (P): 63 bird-days, 10 October to 21 November (only two birds seen

in November); a flock of ca. 50 was on the sea on 29 October.

1989: one at Re on 13 October.

1990: seven bird-days, highest day total two on 15 and 30 September; all

before 23 October.

It appears the Common Coot is now rather scarce, not ‘extremely

abundant’ in autumn as reported by La Touche, or ‘very common’ in

summer as reported by Wilder and Hubbard. It may be that numbers had

fallen by the 1940s, as Hemmingsen did not see this species at Beidaihe.

GREAT BUSTARD Otis tarda LT - passes from October until about

10 November. ‘These Bustards fly in flocks which occasionally contain from

40 to 50 birds but, as a rule, 10 to 20 individuals is the usual number... The

natives shoot the Eastern Great Bustard on passage, by means of decoys,

both in spring and autumn after the crops have been cut. [Notes that he has

been told the birds are also taken with nets]... The Chinwangtao

[= Qinhuangdao] market is stocked with Bustards in spring and autumn, and

in winter many birds are brought from inland... Young birds are not bad

eating, but old males are very rank in flavour.’ H - over four autumns,

recorded on 17 dates in October and 31 in November. The largest flocks

seen flying numbered up to ca. 60 birds; the largest numbers were ‘more or

less scattered on the ground’ at Grassy Sands, e.g. 83 on 6 November 1942,

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

33

400-500 on 5 November and 377 on 6 November 1943. On 16 November

1 944 ‘numerous flocks migrated across GS mosdy without settling, and those

I counted on this occasion, amounted to a total of 324 birds.’ Mentions

hunting techniques as described by La Touche, also ‘On the vast plains (e.g.

near Tangku) they are shot from motor-cars... but this sort of “sport” is not

practicable at PTH [Beidaihe].’ COE - 132 birds, 17 March to 23 April. Ch

- migrates through Hebei; status: fairly common, decreasing in recent years.

1986: 452 birds were recorded flying south, from 19 October to 18

November; most birds were seen from LH. Twenty birds were seen during

19-22 October and 84 during 25-29 October. These, together with a further

two on 31 October, brought the October total to 106. The first eleven days of

November brought 185 birds and 161 were recorded from 14-18 November,

making this the period of most concentrated passage. The highest day totals

were 71 on 10 November and 63 on 17 November, and the largest flock

numbered 26 birds. It seems likely that more birds passed after our

departure.

1987 (P): 203 were recorded flying south, 19 October to 24 November;

the highest day totals were 26 on 21 October and 67 on 16 November.

1988 (Ho): 62 were recorded, 8 October to 18 November.

1988 (Earthwatch): 67 were recorded flying south from 27 October to

16 November. The highest day totals were 25 on 9 November and 15 on

16 November.

1989: 308 flew south, 15 October to 14 November; highest day totals 66

on 4 November and 41 on 9 November.

1990: 154 were recorded flying south, and five north, 24 October to

14 November; highest day totals 61 on 5 November and 37 (32 south, five

north) on 10 November.

LITTLE CURLEW Numemus minutus LT - extremely abundant on passage

during September. H - recorded on 16-18 dates, 13 August (or possibly as

early as 24 July) to 12 October; all but three of these dates in 1944. Largest

flock 51 on 21 August 1944. Favoured pools at the Grassy Sands. COE -

337 bird-days, 18 April to 19 May; 276 flew north and 30 were at YH on

6 May. Ch - rare migrant on east coast.

1986: ten were at SF on 27 August, and singles were seen on 14 and

18 September.

1987: singles were recorded on 20 and 28 September.

1988 (Ho): one on 23 September.

1989: no records.

1990: three were recorded on 1 September and one flew south on

21 September.

This species has been rare to scarce in recent autumns, not extremely

abundant as La Touche reported, nor as regular as Hemmingsen found

(though the Grassy Sands, where he mainly saw Little Curlews, is now not

suitable for the species as it has been covered by a plantation).

34

M. D. WILLIAMS el al.

Forktail 7

EASTERN CURLEW Numenius madagascariensis LT - ‘It is very probable

that the birds heard at night in summer are of this species. I have seen them

in September.’ Wilder (1925) - during visit to Beidaihe 12-30 June 1925, all

curlews seen were this species; mentions hearing curlews flying south on the

‘dark and rainy’ night of 20 June. H - perhaps heard 29 June; recorded on

15-17 dates from 1 1 July to 8 September. COE - 661 bird-days, 26 March to

16 May. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: uncommon.

1986: 558 bird-days, beginning of the survey to 8 November; high day

totals early in the period were 1 5 on 22 August, 1 5 (ten present, five flying

south) on 28 August and 17 on 31 August, after which day totals did not

exceed single figures until 25 September, when 28 were recorded. High day

totals after this date were 24 on 28 September, 30 on 3 October, 17 on

4 October, 28 on 25 October and 17 on 31 October. These mainly resulted

from high counts at YH, the favoured locality - 17 on 28 September, 24 on

3 October, 14 on 4 October, 22 on 25 October and 16 on 31 October; the

highest count at SF was 17 on 31 August. The only records in November

were singles at SF on 1 November and 2 November, and three on

8 November.

1987: 325 bird-days, beginning of the survey to 24 October. To the end of

August, 42 were recorded flying south (maximum 21 on 30 August). Only

nine bird-days for birds present to 27 August, after which more regularly

present and only eight were recorded flying south (five on 10 September,

three on 14 September); 178 bird-days were logged for birds present from

28 August to 25 September (highest day totals 14 on 1 September and

8 September), after which there were no more than four in a day until

13 October with 17 birds; there were 22 on 14 October, 16 on 15 October

and six on 16 October, after which there were four records of singles.

1988 (Ho): 110 bird-days, beginning of the survey until October/

November (last date uncertain; 2 October given in report is almost certainly

wrong); YH, the favoured locality, covered only erratically - high counts here

were 28 on 8 October and 25 on 17 October.

1989: five were at YH on 9 October.

1990: before 23 October, 115 bird-days, highest day totals 14 on

24 August, 1 2 on 3 1 August and 1 1 on 2 October. The only record thereafter

was one at SF on 23 October.

*NORD MANN’S GREENSHANK Tringa guttifer LT, H, COE - no

records. Ch - no records from Hebei; status: very rare.

1986: a juvenile was at SF over 4-6 September (Kennerley and Bakewell

1987).

1990: three birds were recorded at SF: two on 13 and 14 September, one

on 28 September.

GREY-TAILED TATTLER Heteroscelus brevipes LT - two grey sandpipers

which appeared to be this species seen on 13 September 1915. H - recorded

on 25 autumn dates, 19 July to 30 September; ‘Only in small numbers, 10 or

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

35

usually less, often 2 differing a little in size, prob. male and female’. COE -

39 bird-days, 10-26 May. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: fairly

common.

1986: 1,381 bird-days, beginning of the survey to 10 September; 1,270

bird-days were logged to 10 September, after which there were no more than

ten in a day. Mainly recorded at SF, where there were 100 or more on five

dates to 31 August (including 189 on 22 August, the highest day total), and

the highest count thereafter was 89 on 6 September. There were no more

than five in a day from 17 September; the only records in October were four

on 1st and singles at SF on 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 October.

1987: 1,066 bird-days, beginning of the survey to 8 October; 985 bird-days

to 14 September, after which there were no more than ten in a day. The

highest day totals were 51 on 19 August, 50 on 25 August, 58 on 27 August

and 54 on 30 August, 60 on 2 September, 57 on 3 and 6 September, and 59

on 9 September. There were 32 1 bird-days (no more than four in a day) in

October.

1988 (Ho): 117 bird-days, beginning of the survey to 17 October; highest

day total 1 2 on 19 September.

1989: one was at Daihe estuary on 10 October.

1990: 410 bird-days, highest day totals 40 on 21 August and 42 on

24 August.

The recent records show that this is a common migrant, if maybe

somewhat erratic in its occurrence, and numbers in 1986 and 1987,

especially, were well above those recorded by Hemmingsen.

*ASLAN DOWTTCHER Limnodromus semipalmatus LT, H - no records.

Wilder and Hubbard (1938) - specimen, 30 July 1923. COE - two on

18 April and one on 28 April. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: rare.

1987: single adults were seen over 22-24 August and on 10 September.

1990: one was at SF on 1 September.

SANDERLING Calidris alba LT - no autumn records. H - recorded on 46-

48 dates in autumn, 5 July to 1 6 November; ‘At the beginnning and end of

passages often in smaller numbers... end of Sept. -beg. Oct. I have found it

more numerous in flocks of, say, 30-100. It is then one of the more common

waders on SF’. COE - 28 bird-days, 5 April to 23 May. Ch - migrates

through Hebei; status: rather common along the coast.

1986: 28 bird-days, 22 August to 2 November; 17 bird-days were logged

from 22-27 August (highest day total five on 27 August), after which there

were two on 31 August and 1 September, two on 7 September, three on

24 September, one on 24 October and one on 2 November.

1987: 54 bird-days, beginning of the survey to 6 October. Records in

August were one on 18 August and three on 27, 30 and 31 August; 27 bird-

days were logged over 2-15 September (highest day total six on 5 and

10 September), after which there were singles on seven dates, eight on

29 September and two on 6 October.

36

M. D. WILLIAMS ti al.

Forktail 7

1988 (Ho): six bird-days, 12-23 September.

1989: no records.

1990: 17 bird-days, highest day total five on 24 September; all before

23 October.

This species has been scarce in recent years, not common as Hemmingsen

found; a similar reduction is evident in spring (Williams 1986, Williams and

Domer 1991).

PARASITIC JAEGER (Arctic Skua) Stercorarius parasiticus LT, H, COE -

no records. Not listed in Cheng (1987).

1990: a first-year bird was seen at SF on 3 October; apparently the first

record from the Chinese coast, though there have been reports offshore (e.g.

Hopkin 1990).

GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ichthyaetus LT, H, COE - no

records. Ch - breeds Qinghai and Inner Mongolia; migrates through western

half of the country; status: fairly common in breeding areas.

1986: a first-winter bird was at YH on 7 October. This is probably the first

record for the east coast of China (the species has been recorded as a vagrant

in Japan: Brazil 1991).

1987 (P): one, 13 October.

1989: a first-winter bird was seen at Daihe estuary on four dates from

9-17 October.

1990: eight individuals were recorded, 29 August to 1 October; two in

August, three in first half of September and three in first half of October; all

but a third-year on 6 and 7 September were first-year birds.

BROWN-HEADED GULL Larus bmnnicephalus H, LT, COE - no records.

Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: uncommon or rare. Previous records by

Wilder and Hubbard (1924) may be of Relict Gulls (see below).

1990: an adult was at SF on 22 October.

*RELICT GULL Larus relictus H, LT, COE - no records; though

Hemmingsen may have misidentified some as Common Gulls, as features he

noted on some ‘Common Gulls’ are characters of Relict (‘ narrow black tail

band... dark legs’). Ch - cites letter from Ben King telling of three specimens

in Leningrad, all from ‘Tangzing’ (Daku, Tanggu), southern Hebei coast;

singles collected 28 October 1934 and 8 and 9 April 1935. They had been

originally identified as Brown-headed Gulls Larus bmnnicephalus. Similarly,

two ‘Brown-headed Gull’ specimens in Academia Sinica, Beijing, have been

found to be this species; they were also collected at Daku (Duff et al. 1991).

These specimens, the westerly distribution of most certainly identified

Brown-headed Gulls in China, and drawings of ‘Brown-headed Gull’

specimens in Shaw (1935) - which appear to show Relict Gulls - strongly

suggest that many, perhaps all, literature references to Brown-headed Gulls

in Hebei actually refer to Relict Gulls. Shaw states that the ‘Brown-headed

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

37

Gull’ (= Relict?) is a regular passage migrant, and a summer visitor. ‘It comes

from the south in April, and remains to stay here until October.’ WH - a

‘Brown-headed Gull’ specimen taken, some 15 having been seen, 18 January

1923 (Hubbard 1923). On 21 April 1923, one was seen, but with some

doubts as to its identity.

1986: 112 bird-days were logged from 23 August to 20 November. All

were seen at SF and - apart from the first record, an adult moulting out of

summer plumage - all were first-winter birds. The first of these immatures

was seen on 8 September, and numbers peaked at seven birds on

25 September. The birds tended to linger in the area (a bird with its breast

stained, perhaps by oil, was seen from 19 October to at least 2 November)

and it could be that as few as 17 individuals were involved. Thirty-two bird-

days were logged over 12 dates in September. The first week of October

produced only one record, a single bird on 2 October, but records were again

frequent from 8 October, with 41 bird-days recorded over 16 dates to the

31 October (maximum five on 19 October). Four were seen on 1 and

2 November, one on 4 November, three on 9, 11, 13 and 18 November, two

on 19 November, and three on 20 November (Bakewell et al. 1989).

1987 (P): 92 bird-days, throughout the survey; 44 bird-days 27 September

to 21 October, not seen first half of November but eight bird-days (two

individuals?) 17-29 November. Highest day totals five on 1 October and

seven on 18 October (Bakewell et al. 1989).

1988 (Ho): 10 bird-days (four individuals), 19 September to 1 1 October.

1989: a first-winter bird was at SF on 20 October.

1990: before 23 October, 13 individuals, all but an adult on 14 September

were first-years; seen from 24 August, with highest count three on

21 September and 16 October, otherwise singles. From 23 October, three

first-year birds were seen: one at SF on 23 October, one recorded from

Lighthouse Point, flying south offshore, on 30 October and one at YH on 15

and 1 6 November.

For more information on Relict Gulls at Beidaihe in autumn see Bakewell

et al. (1989); Duff et al. (1991) present the most recent account of

distribution of the species.

*SAUNDERS’S GULL Larus saundersi LT, H - no records. Sh - not

common; passes April and September. COE - 10-19 birds, 2 April to

22 May.

1986: perhaps surprisingly, in view of the species’ occurrence in spring

1985, there was only one record: a first-winter bird at SF on 31 October.

1987 (P): singles on 15, 16 and 18 October, five on 21 October and two

on 31 October and one on 1 November.

1988 (Ho): one, 15 October.

1989: an adult in winter plumage was at SF on 20 October, and two

second-winter birds were on the shore at Grassy Sands on 23 October.

1990: four records at SF: single first-years on 30 September and

16 October, two first-winter birds on 25 October and an adult on

8 November.

38

M. D. WILLIAMS ei al.

Forkiail 7

BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla LT, H, COE - no

records. Ch - recorded in winter in Liaoning (Lushun), Hebei and Jiangsu

(Shaweishan Island) provinces; status: very rare.

1989: an immature flew past Lighthouse Point on 8 November.

1990: a first-winter bird was seen at SF on 31 October, when a large influx

of gulls was noted at this locality.

BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger LT, H, COE - no records. Ch - breeds in

Xinjiang Aut. Reg., stragglers recorded at Tianjin in June, Beijing in August,

and Hong Kong (though there are no certain Hong Kong records - the first

is insufficiently supported and the second appears to be a misidentification:

Chalmers 1986).

1989: one at Re on 4 October (Ben King, pers. comm.).

PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE Syrrhaptes paradoxus LT - of very irregular

occurrence at Qinhuangdao; believed it was seen in great numbers in the

winter of 1 905, but after that it was not apparendy recorded until the autumn

of 1912. In that year, on 10 November, ‘I met several flocks flying very

swiftly towards the north-east. . . During that month a great number appeared

to have passed, some from west to east, others in an opposite direction. . . Mr

C.B. Rickett wrote to me in the spring of 1913 that great numbers of Sand-

Grouse were imported that season into England from Russia, so that 1912-

13 must have been a great Sand-Grouse year.’ WH - influx to Hebei in

November 1922 due to heavy snowstorms in Mongolia ‘where they usually

winter’; recorded 8 November 1922 to 6 (not 8?) April 1923 at Beijing ‘in

enormous flocks’, and two flocks seen at Beidaihe on 8 May 1923 (Wilder

1923). H - commonly seen in the severe winter of 1944-45; ‘The flocks were

sometimes numbering from one hundred to several hundreds.’ COE - no

records. Ch - erratic in winter in Hebei.

1989: one circled over SF and headed towards Re on 2 November.

Though this species is of erratic occurrence at Beidaihe, its rarity in recent

years perhaps suggests that numbers have fallen - much as they have in the

western parts of its range.

LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus LT - very common migrant, ‘seen

throughout October and November.’ H - one autumn record. COE - 8-11

birds. Ch - migrant and winter visitor in Hebei; status: fairly common.

1986: 139 bird-days were logged from 7 October to 20 November. Most of

these derived from counts of birds leaving or returning to a roost in trees

beside our hotel building (there is a regular roost here in winter, according to

hotel staff). The roost may have been first established as early as 20 October;

numbers increased during the last week of the survey period and the highest

count made was 25 birds on 19 November. The total of 109 bird-days which

accrued on and after 9 November were derived solely from this roost, and it

may be that as few as 35 individuals were seen during the survey. Also seen at

LH and YH.

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

39

1987 (P): 57 bird-days, 15 October to the end of the survey; 50 bird-days

after 5 November (mainly/wholly birds using the roost at the Diplomatic

Personnel Guest House); highest day totals eight on 18 November and 20 on

21 November.

1988 (Ho): singles on 16 September and 13 November; the roost at the

hotel was not checked.

1989: ten bird-days, 12 October to 5 November; singles only; no records

from DP Guest House, even though there were observers staying here and

occasionally watching for roosting birds.

1990: before 23 October, one seen. From 23 October, singles at LH on

24, 26 and 31 October, and at the Daihe estuary on 4 November.

In recent years, this species has been uncommon, not a very common

migrant as reported by La Touche.

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia LT - passes in great numbers from about

10 August to early or mid-October. Most pass by mid-September. “Without

doubt, this bird breeds in the vicinity’. H - 11 dates in two autumns,

3-25 August, plus probable on 2 October; only noted commonly in autumn

1944, sometimes in flocks up to 20 but mostly only a few. COE - at least

2,097 birds, 30 March to 29 May. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: not

uncommon but sporadic.

1986: 730 bird-days were logged from 20 August to 31 October; the

number of individuals seen will have been only a little less than this total, as

most were recorded flying south. Eighty bird-days were logged to the end of

September. The maximum day total - 195 birds - was recorded on

8 September, which heralded the beginning of the main passage period. This

continued for two weeks and produced 542 bird-days. A further 96 bird-days

were logged to 5 October, and there were only two more records - singles on

9 and 31 October. Around 90% of the birds were recorded from the LH

watchpoint, flying south.

1987 (P): 891 bird-days, 19 August to 25 October; only seven bird-days

after 3 October; 860 were recorded flying south. Highest day totals 165 on

20 August and 430 on 28 August.

1988 (Ho): 157 bird-days, 8 September to 8 October.

1989: five at YH and one south past LH on 9 October, and singles south

on 19, 20 and 25 October.

1990: 69 bird-days, highest day totals 17 on 22 August and 15 on

1 7 September; all before 23 October.

Though the Sand Martin is common, it does not pass in ‘great numbers’ as

reported by La Touche.

LIGHT-VENTED BULBUL Pycnonotus sinensis LT, H, COE - no records.

Sh - one record, an adult female taken at Tanggu on 6 May 1935. Ch -

‘occasionally... to Hebei’.

1986: two were seen at YH on 25 October and one was at Se on 19 and

20 November.

40

M. D. WILLIAMS a al.

Forktail 7

1987 (P): two birds seen on 1 1 and 12 November.

1988 (Ho): one bird seen on four days, 14-18 November.

1989: 84 bird-days, 8 October to 16 November; highest count four until

27 October, when six at Se; numbers peaked at ten on 7 November; there

were nine on 3 November and eight on 1 1 November; at least three were

present on 1 6 November.

1990: before 23 October, eight bird-days. From 23 October, recorded at

Se on four dates: two on 30 and 31 October, heard (number not known) on

1 November, and eight birds on 4 November.

Our records suggest a northward extension of the species’ range, perhaps

resulting from milder winters.

BLACK DRONGO Dicrurus macrocercus LT - one on 24 August; extremely

abundant during September. ‘Sometimes it forms huge noisy parties on some

solitary tree in the fields... The birds when passing fly in very scattered order,

and appear to come from an easterly or north-easterly direction.’ Breeds in

mountains north of Qinhuangdao. H - recorded from 16 August to

18 September, no more than four to seven in a day, absent in autumn 1942.

‘It thus seems, that, like many other birds, the bulk of the drongos in autumn

passes toward W far N of PTH [Beidaihe], only a few, occasionally,

appearing there as in 1944 and 1945.’ COE - 77 bird-days, from 7 May. Ch

- breeds north-eastern provinces; status: common in eastern China.

1986: 464 bird-days were logged from 21 August to 12 October. Main

passage was from 6-17 September, when 442 bird-days were logged and

there were counts of 94 on 7 September, 65 on 10 September and 50 on

15 September. The only record after 21 September was of a late bird on

12 October. A total of 455 birds was recorded from LH, flying south.

1987 (P): 189 bird-days, 20 August to 23 September (155 flew south); the

highest day totals of birds flying south were 33 on 6 September, 43 on

7 September and 38 on 12 September; only seven bird-days were logged

after 16 September.

1988 (Ho): 90 bird-days, 9-13 September; highest day totals 51 on

9 September and 26 on 11 September.

1990: 365 bird-days, highest day totals 105 on 11 September, 53 on

14 September and 38 on 17 September; all before 23 October.

Hemmingsen had found this species more common in spring than in

autumn, the opposite of La Touche’s experience and the findings of the

spring 1985 and recent autumn surveys. This apparently largely results from

him not seeing actively migrating birds in autumn. Unlike La Touche, we did

not find the species extremely abundant, or see huge noisy parties. This may,

as Hemmingsen suggests, result from the bulk of the drongos heading

towards the west (inland) to the north of Beidaihe, or may indicate a

substantial decrease in numbers.

BLUE (RED-BILLED) MAGPIE Urocissa erythrorhyncha LT - common in

hilly parts near Qinhuangdao; breeds. Wilder (1940) had secondhand reports

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

41

of birds at Beidaihe in autumn and winter. H, COE — no records. Ch —

breeds in Hebei; status: fairly common, especially in hilly country.

1986: 48 bird-days were recorded from 8 September to 12 November. Ten

bird-days were logged from four dates to 4 October and 17 from 8-13

October. There were six more bird-days from three dates before the final

record and highest day total of 15 birds on 12 November. Most records were

from LH, and it is possible that birds were lingering in the area.

Hemmingsen made rather few observations at LH, and this may account for

his lack of records.

1987 (P): 87 bird-days, 16 September to 21 November; highest day totals

eight on 1 November, 1 1 on 5 November and ten on 10 November.

1988 (Ho): at least 73 bird-days, beginning of the survey to 15 November;

seen at LH and around D.P. Guest House; highest day total six birds.

1989: 177 bird-days, 8 October to 14 November; mainly at LH, where

highest count 14 on 11 October.

1990: before 23 October, 13 on 23 August (highest count in the early

autumn?). From 23 October, 96 bird-days, throughout the period; other than

two at Se on 4 November, all records from LH, where noted on 19 dates

(sometimes heard only), and highest counts 18 on 5 November and 15 on

6 November - otherwise eight or less seen.

This species has become regular at Beidaihe, suggesting a (local)

population increase.

ROOK Corvus frugilegns LT - passes in immense flocks, October and

November. Mentions large rookeries being established at Qinhuangdao. H -

‘Rookeries are common. . . From about the last third of July and throughout

the autumn flocks of some hundreds were often seen (and also the huge

cloud-like flocks of 10,000 or more were noted) both at dawn... and at

dusk... 2.XI 1945 toward evening I saw from ER [Eagle Rock] the largest

migrations of rooks and jackdaws I have ever seen, extending as a cloud-like

band across the whole bay of CHT [Qinhuangdao] apparently from long

inland back of CHT and past King’s Point at EC [East Cliff] . What looked

like young rooks passed ER for some time with slightly opened bills in

scattered formation. Later many adult rooks passed.’ COE - 11 birds

identified from 10 April to 1 May.

1986: 377 birds were identified from 29 August to 17 November. All

except the first bird, seen at Re, were recorded from LH, flying south. The

first record was not followed until 8 October; the highest counts were 103 on

3 November and 116 on 7 November. It seems likely that many of the

31,938 Rooks/Carrion Crows were this species (see below). However, even if

all were Rooks, our total would still seem considerably smaller than may be

expected on the basis of La Touche’s and Hemmingsen’s records; we did not

see any flocks which could be described as ‘cloud-like’. This evidence of a

considerable decline accords with the results of the 1985 study. Further,

neither this nor the 1985 study suggested birds were breeding in the area, yet

both La Touche and Hemmingsen reported rookeries.

42

M. D. WILLIAMS et al.

Forktail 7

1987 (P): 314 flew south, 8 October to 18 November; highest day totals 72

on 14 October and 75 on 30 October.

1988 (Ho): 425 bird-days, 13 October to 15 November; highest day total

1 1 0 on 13 October and 27 October.

1989: 1,195 flew south, 13 October to 12 November; highest day totals

173 on 17 October and 384 on 31 October.

1990: before 23 October, 175 bird-days. From 23 October, 1,121 were

recorded flying south, 23 October to 14 November; highest day totals 1 10 on

24 October, 392 on 25 October, 100 on 2 November and 313 on

9 November.

The increase in numbers during recent surveys is due to observers

distinguishing more Rooks and Carrion Crows.

See also Rook/Carrion Crow.

ROOK/CARRION CROW Corvus frugilegus/C. corone COE - 1,286 bird-

days, 1 6 March to 1 0 May.

1986: most of the Rooks/Carrion Crows recorded were not specifically

identified as the vast majority were seen in flocks passing south, and were

often rather distant: 31,946 bird-days were recorded from 10 October to

19 November; 709 were recorded on 10 October, 2,387 from 11-20

October, 9,238 (the peak day count) on 2 1 October and a further 24,623 to

5 November. All were recorded from LH; 31,931 passed south and 15 flew

north.

1987 (P): 6,148 flew south, 17 October to 14 November; highest day totals

3,000 on 30 October and 1,075 on 4 November.

1988 (Ho): 5,660 bird-days, 1 1 October to the end of the survey.

1989: 16,793 flew south, 8 October to 14 November; highest day totals

2,693 on 9 October, 2,303 on 16 October, 1,058 on 28 October and 4,613

on 31 October and 1,088 on 1 November.

1990: before 23 October, 856 bird-days. From 23 October, 4,998 bird-

days (all but seven were recorded flying south), throughout the period;

highest day totals of bird flying south 1,216 on 24 October, 550 on

26 October, 713 on 1 November and 992 on 9 November.

It is likely that the majority of the unidentified birds were Rooks. Both La

Touche and Hemmingsen reported this species to be abundant in autumn,

passing in large or immense flocks, whilst La Touche noted that the Carrion

Crow migrates in small parties. We also found that Carrion Crows were in

small scattered parties, less compact than the flocks of Rooks; when large

flocks passed nearby, it was generally Rooks that were heard calling (e.g. in

1986, largely because of calls heard from flocks passing overhead - which

numbered up to 900 or more, we felt that most of the 9,238 birds recorded

on 21 October were Rooks).

LONG-TAILED TTT Aegithabs caudatus LT - probably resident in wooded

parts. H - three birds in November 1943. COE - one A. c. caudatus ,

30 April. Ch - A. c. vinaceus resident and winter visitor in Hebei, A. c.

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

43

caudatus winter visitor to the province; status: fairly common.

1986: 104 bird-days were logged from 12 October to 16 November; all

except 17 birds were seen at LH, often in flocks of 5-11 birds. There was a

slight concentration of records during the last week of October and first week

of November. Birds of the subspecies A. c. vinaceus and A. c. caudatus were

seen, and several individuals showed intermediate characters.

1987 (P): 122 bird-days, 6 September to 17 November; only 12 bird-days

to 17 October, after which more regularly seen; highest day totals 12 on

21 October, 14 on 25 October and 12 on 3 November.

1988 (Ho): 39 bird-days, 20 October to 14 November.

1989: 258 bird-days, 9 October to 12 November; highest day total 41 on

16 October (birds seen well were all A. c. vinaceus).

1990: before 23 October, 167 bird-days (A. c. caudatus ), highest day total

39 on 15 October. From 23 October, 241 bird-days (again all A. c. caudatus ),

throughout the period; highest day totals 30 on 23 October, 29 on

24 October, 23 on 25 October, 22 on 26 October and 19 on 15 November.

These are the highest numbers of this race yet recorded at Beidaihe, perhaps

suggesting an irruption (interestingly, one was seen in Hong Kong in late

December - well south of the known range, and possibly an escape though it

showed no signs of this). The switch from all A. c. vinaceus in 1989 to all

A. c. caudatus in 1990 is curious (the races are readily separable).

The species has been fairly common at Beidaihe in recent years, suggesting

that the population has increased, perhaps as a result of mild winters.

CHINESE PENDULINE-T1T Remiz (pendulinus ) consobrinus LT - not

common; in autumn one on 25 October 191 1, a flock 5-7 or 8 October 1915

and a party on 16 October 1916. Wilder (1924a) - two small flocks,

6-9 October 1923; ‘These were the first I had ever noticed wild, though I had

bought them in the Peking market several times.’ H - once seen and twice

probably heard in spring, two or three seen 26 October 1944. COE - just

over 1,000 bird-days, 28 April to 28 May. Ch - migrates though Hebei;

status: uncommon in the north of China.

1986: 1,292 bird-days were logged from 24 September to 19 November.

There was significant passage throughout October, with the main passage

from 3-17 October when 1,051 bird-days were logged. Most passed south:

1,026 were recorded from LH, including the highest day count, 530 birds on

1 5 October.

1987 (P): 2,570 bird-days, 24 September to 9 November; 2,491 bird-days

from 7-26 October, including 2,158 birds recorded flying south; highest day

total 1,190 (1,150 flew south) on 13 October.

1988 (Ho): 4,187 bird-days, 30 September to 16 November; 2,715 were

recorded on 1 1 October, mainly/wholly passing south (recorded at Daihe

estuary; only 50 were recorded from LH on this day).

1989: 1,577 bird-days (1,431 flew south), 8 October to 16 November;

1,448 bird-days over 12-19 October; highest totals 321 flying south on

12 October and 707 flying south on 19 October.

44

M. D. WILLIAMS el al.

Forktail 7

1990: before 23 October, 245 bird-days, highest day total 130 on

13 October. From 23 October, 88 bird-days (60 were recorded flying south),

23 October to 5 November; highest day total 23 (all flying south) on

25 October.

As in spring 1985, the species was common to abundant at Beidaihe

during the autumn surveys, rather than uncommon as previously reported. It

thus seems that the population migrating through the area has substantially

increased in recent years.

YELLOW-BELLIED TIT Parus venustulus LT, H - no records. COE - 21

bird-days, 21 April to 19 May. Ch - resident Beijing Municipality, Hebei

(midpart); status: common locally.

1986: 74 bird-days were logged from 27 September to 20 November.

Twenty bird-days were logged to mid-October and seven in the second half

of the month. There were a further 1 1 bird-days from 1-6 November and 28

from 10-13 November, and another eight during the last five days of the

survey. Over half the records were from LH; seven were logged from the

watchpoint, flying south.

1987 (P): 377 bird-days, 1 September to the end of the survey; only three

bird-days to 5 October; on most days from late October to late November up

to 15 were present around the D.P. Guest House.

1988 (Ho): at least 57 bird-days, 18 September to 3 November.

1989: 103 bird-days, 12 October to 16 November; highest day totals 14 on

6 November, and ten on 27 October and 7 November.

1990: before 23 October, 13 bird-days, highest day total eight on

4 October. From 23 October, singles were at LH on 24 and 29 October.

It seems surprising that this species had not been recorded at Beidaihe

prior to spring 1985. Perhaps there has been a range expansion, with a

migratory population now breeding to the north of the range given by Cheng.

VINOUS-THROATED PARROTBILL Paradoxomis webbianus LT -

common in mountains. Wilder (1932) noted it on mountains north of

Beidaihe. H, COE - no records. Ch - resident in northern Hebei; status:

locally common.

1986: ten were at Re on 19 and 30 October, and 1 1 were seen at the same

locality on 13 November. The records may all refer to the same flock, which

could be surprisingly elusive.

1987 (P): 414 bird-days, 24 September to 24 November; total perhaps

results from two flocks being seen several times; highest day total 28 on

2 October.

1988 (Ho): a flock of 25 birds was seen at Re on eight dates from

1 6 September to 1 7 October.

1989: 574 bird-days, 8 October to 10 November; up to 20 at Re to

24 October, when 40 were present; 1 6 at Re, 25 at Lighthouse Point and one

at Study Gully the following day; one 28 October, 40 at Lighthouse Point

and 35 at Re; the highest day total was 105 (35 at Re, 20 at Lighthouse

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

45

Point, 30 at LH and 25 at EG) on 1 November, after which day totals did

not exceed 35.

1990: before 23 October, four bird-days. From 23 October, 15 were at Re

on 31 October and seven at Eagle Rock on 4 November.

The records suggest a local population increase, maybe as a result of lower

mortality during recent mild winters.

SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT Erithacus (Luscinia) calliope LT — very

abundant in autumn, passing from about 10 September to the end of

September. H - seen from 31 August to 5 October over three years; similar

numbers to spring. COE - 56 bird-days, 18 April to 24 May. Ch - migrates

through Hebei; status: common.

1986: 48 bird-days were logged from 21 September to 13 October.

Seventeen bird-days were logged during the first week of passage, 1 9 in the

second, and 12 in the last nine days. The highest day count was seven on

24 September. Seen at a wide variety of localities. Of 44 birds aged/sexed, 25

were adult males (with flame-red throats) and 19 females or immatures. The

comparable number of bird-days to spring 1985 accords with the pattern

recorded by Hemmingsen, though his spring and autumn figures are nearly

equal (15 bird-days in spring, 17 in autumn).

1987 (P): 117 bird-days, 18 September to 2 November; 103 bird-days

between 27 September and 1 1 October; highest day totals 25 on 7 October

and 24 on 8 October; only four records of single birds after 1 5 October.

1988 (Ho): ten bird-days, 12 September to 3 October.

1989: five bird-days, 8-24 October.

1990: 26 bird-days, highest day totals four on 18 September, five on 3

October and four on 5 October; all before 23 October.

Our records suggest that this species is now rather uncommon at Beidaihe,

not very abundant as reported by La Touche.

TWO-BARRED WARBLER PhyUoscopus (trochiloides) plumbeitarsus LT -

abundant, ‘generally travels with P. borealis [Arctic Warbler], but remains

much later in autumn.’; observed from the latter half of August to about

22 September - must remain later as one shot 4 October. ‘At the beginning

of September 1913 and 1914 this bird swarmed for a few days on some

jujube-bushes behind our house.’ H - none identified. COE - less than 69

bird-days (total includes some misidentified Arctic Warblers), 5 May to

June.

1986: 35 bird-days were logged from 24 August to 10 October. The main

passage followed that of the Arctic Warbler, with 20 bird-days logged from

26 September to 4 October. The highest day total was five on 4 October.

This species is very similar to the Arctic Warbler, and records of both may be

somewhat unreliable.

1987 (P): 30 bird-days, 5 September to 10 October; highest day total four

on 8 and 9 October.

1988 (Ho): five bird-days, 1 1 September to 3 October.

46

M. D. WILLIAMS el al.

Forkiail 7

1989: one was at LH on 9 October.

1990: four bird-days, highest day total four on 16 September; all before 23

October.

We found the Two-barred Warbler rather uncommon - not abundant as

reported by La Touche.

PADDYFIELD/BLUNT- WINGED WARBLER Acrocephalus agricola /

concinens LT - birds La Touche described as the North China Reed Warbler

A. langorum were very common in the millet fields around Qinhuangdo from

about 18 August to the latter half of September; only met with on a few

occasions in spring. ‘It is probable that this Reed-Warbler breeds in the

marshes of the district.’ (The taxonomy of this bird was discussed by Alstrom

et al. 1991, who considered it to be a race of A. agricola). Blunt-winged

Warbler evidently a rare migrant, as in seven years’ collecting only one

specimen, 10 June 1914. WH - Hebei records for Blunt-winged Warbler in

one year, 15-24 May; Hemmingsen cites Wilder and Hubbard as having

collected specimens of A. tangorum at Beidaihe on 30 August and

2 September, and that (like La Touche) they found it in millet fields. H - no

records. COE - two birds.

1986: a bird identified as Blunt- winged Warbler was seen on 2 October,

and singles identified as Paddyfield Warbler were seen on 4 and 1 5 October.

1987 (P): a Blunt-winged or Paddyfield Warbler was seen on

27 September, and a bird thought to be a Paddyfield Warbler on

29 September.

1989: three Paddyfield Warblers - one at Daihe on 12 and 13 October,

and two at Re on 14 October.

PALLAS’S WARBLER (Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler) Locustella certhiola

LT - very abundant, last week of August to mid-September. H - recorded in

one autumn, from 25 August to 22 September. COE - 42 bird-days, 7 May

to 1 June. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: more common on migration.

1986: 28 bird-days were logged from 28 August to 14 October. Only seven

birds were recorded to 1 7 September, when the main passage period began;

during the ensuing two weeks, 18 bird-days were logged. Singles on 1, 3 and

14 October were the last records. The main passage period seems to be later

than recorded by La Touche and Hemmingsen.

1987 (P): 52 bird-days, 5 September to 2 November; highest day total 12

on 27 September; only one - on 2 November - after 8 October.

1988 (Ho): 19 bird-days, 17 September to 5 October.

1989: 14 bird-days, 8-14 October; highest day total five birds on 13

October.

1990: 58 bird-days, highest day totals six on 19 September, eight on

22 September and nine on 27 September; before 23 October.

We found this species uncommon, not very abundant as reported by La

Touche.

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

47

LANCEOLATED WARBLER Locustella lanceolata LT - very abundant, last

10 days of August until October (last records 8th and 10 October). WH -

common during 3-12 September 1924. H — one doubtful autumn record.

COE - 292 bird-days, 9 May to 1 June. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status:

uncommon.

1986: 238 bird-days were logged from 29 August to 19 October; highest

day totals, 28 on 28 September and 36 on 29 September. Thirteen bird-days

were logged to 17 September, when significant passage began. The main

passage was during the two weeks beginning 24 September, when 179 bird-

days were logged. After 9 October, four were seen on 13 October and one on

19 October. As with the Pallas’s Warbler, the passage of this species was

rather later than noted by La Touche and Hemmingsen, with birds not

occurring in numbers until mid-September.

1987 (P): 251 bird-days, 22 August to 28 October; highest day totals 15 on

20 September, 35 on 27 September, 26 on 28 September and 30 on

29 September.

1988 (Ho): 38 bird-days, 11 September to 17 October.

1989: eight bird-days, 8-24 October; highest day total two birds on

14 October; only one bird after 16 October.

1990: 113 bird-days, highest day totals 25 on 10 September and 13 on

3 October; all before 23 October.

We found the Lanceolated Warbler was common, not very abundant as

reported by La Touche.

JAPANESE MARSH WARBLER (Japanese Marshbird) Megalurus pryeri LT

- one shot on 19 October 1911; on 18 October 1914, at marshes, ‘swarming

on the grassy banks and among the sedgy grass of the locality’. H, COE - no

records.

1989: four individuals were seen - singles at Re from 12 to 14 October, at

Lighthouse Point on 14 and 23 October and at Re on 24 October.

1990: one was at Fishhook Point on 31 October.

WHITE-BROWED CHINESE WARBLER Rhopophilus pekinensis LT -

very common in the mountains. H - no records. COE - five birds, 7 April to

19 May. Ch - resident on Xiao-Wutai Mt., Chengde, Hebei; status:

uncommon.

1986: there were six records of single birds: in September, at YH on

25 September and TH on 30 September, and in October at YH on

1 October, Se on 2 October, EG on 13 and 14 October, and Re on

19 October.

1987 (P): 70 bird-days, 24 August to 2 November; two on 24 August and

5 September; more frequent from 13 September; highest day total six on

6 October. Mainly recorded at Daihe estuary ATI.

1988 (Ho): nine bird-days, 8-18 October.

1989: 30 bird-days, 12 October to 15 November; five bird-days to

28 October; highest day total four on 30 October.

48

M. D. WILLIAMS el at.

Forktail 7

1990: one on 26 September.

It appears that records of this species earlier this century were only from

the mountains, and the numbers of birds recorded at Beidaihe in recent years

suggest a population increase, perhaps because of mild winters.

BROWN ACCENTOR Prunella fulvescens No previous records for Hebei.

Cheng maps the nearest area of occurrence as the north-western strip of Nei

Mongol Aut. Reg. (Inner Mongolia) during the summer.

1986: one was at the LH watchpoint on 21 October. This appears to be

the first record for Hebei.

YELLOW WAGTAIL MotaciUa flava LT - ‘immense flocks’ pass from the

latter half of August to late September. H - seen from 17th and 18 August to

13 October and 11 September during two years. COE - 1,502 bird-days,

8 April to 1 June. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: fairly common.

1986: 6,719 bird-days were logged from 20 August to 13 October. The

main passage was during the three-week period 27 August to 16 September,

when 2,368, 2,098 and 1,188 bird-days were logged in successive weeks,

making 5,654 bird-days in total. The peak day count was 1,438 on

6 September. Seventy-seven bird-days were logged during October. Most

birds were seen flying south, with about 53% of the records from the LH

watchpoint. Only eleven birds were racially identified. Of these, seven were

M. f. simillima - singles on 29 and 30 August, 8, 12, 15 and 24 September

and 2 and 3 October (same bird on last two dates); two were M. f. macronyx

- singles on 18th and 22 September, and one M. f. plexa was seen on

26 September.

1987 (P): 7,779 bird-days, beginning of the survey to 23 October; 7,294

were recorded flying south, including 6,389 from 18 August to

16 September. Highest day totals 910 on 30 August and 740 on

10 September.

1988 (Ho): 2,066 bird-days, 8 September to 18 October; 530 were

recorded on 1 2 September; only 7 1 bird-days in October.

1989: 35 bird-days (26 flew south, 8-26 October); highest day total 24 (all

flying south) on 1 2 October.

1990: 2,275 bird-days, highest day totals 382 on 24 August and 227 on

31 August; all before 23 October.

We did not see ‘immense flocks’ as La Touche reported passing

Qinhuangdao.

CHINESE GREY SHRIKE Lanius sphenocercus LT - ‘found sparingly in

spring, but much more commonly on the return passage, when it may be

seen from the beginning of September, throughout October, and in

November. A number winter in the district’. H - one record, 14 September

1944. COE - no records. Ch - migrates through Hebei; status: uncommon.

1986: there were seven records of singles at YH on 20 August (probably

adult), 25 September, 4, 7 (adult male) and 9 October and 17 November.

1992

Auiumn bird migration at Beidaihe

49

Another was seen flying south over Lighthouse Point on 5 September. It may

be that five individuals were involved. On 4 October, an impaled Eurasian

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus seen at Daihel Yanghe (Nandaihe) was

probably the prey of a Chinese Grey Shrike seen nearby.

1987 (P): two on 13 October, one on 24 October, one flew south on

8 November and one on 1 5 and 1 6 November.

1989: one at Re on 8 November.

1990: one was seen from 7-10 September.

It appears this species is scarcer than in La Touche’s time. However, it may

be that rather few land at Beidaihe; we have regularly found ones and twos

on late autumn visits to estuarine areas south of Beidaihe.

CHAFFINCH FnngiUa coelebs LT, H, COE — no records. Ch - only two

sites given for the species, with record(s) in winter in Xinjiang Uygur Aut.

Reg., and a female at Shenyang, Liaoning Province, on 16 December 1963.

1990: one was at LH on 14 October.

Four individuals were seen at Beidaihe from 22 March to 10 April 1989,

and two were seen around Beijing during the winter 1988/1989 (Holt 1989).

COMMON REDPOLL Carduelis flammea LT - common migrant, October

and November, seen in winter. H - one record, 16 November 1942 (a few).

COE - three birds on 2 May. Ch - migrant and winter visitor; status: fairly

common.

1986: 84 bird-days were logged from 28 October to 18 November. The

first record was of two at LH, 31 bird-days were logged in the week from

29 October and 24 in the following week. Twenty-seven bird-days were

logged during the last nine days of passage. Most records were from LH,

with 17 recorded flying south.

1987 (P): two on 7 October, and singles on 20 October and 9 November.

1988 (Ho): 58 bird-days, 25 October to the end of the survey.

1989: no records.

1990: one was at LH on 24 October.

Hie records suggest the species is rather erratic in occurrence, and rare to

uncommon, not a common migrant as reported by La Touche.

ASIAN ROSY-FINCH Leucosticte arctoa LT, H, COE - no records. Ch -

breeds in far north-east of China, perhaps winters south to Hebei; status:

uncommon.

1986: on 18 October, two birds arrived from the north, landed briefly at

the LH watchpoint, then flew off southwards.

LAPLAND LONGSPUR Calcanus lapponicus LT - appears in numbers in

late autumn and occurs on the plain in late winter and early spring in

immense flocks. H - in numbers in winter, e.g. ‘large flocks of hundreds

flying about GS [Grassy Sands]’ 16th and 18 November 1944; earliest

autumn date 22 October. COE - no records. Ch - migrant and winter visitor

to Hebei; status: rare.

50

M. D. WILLIAMS ei al.

Forktail 7

1986: 54 bird-days were logged from 20 October to 18 November. Four

were recorded before 30 October, from which date to 1 November nine bird-

days were logged. The highest day count was 17, recorded from LH, flying

south, on 7 November, and there was a flurry of records, totalling 18 bird-

days, from 14-18 November. Twenty-seven birds were recorded flying south,

at LH or SF.

1987 (P): 92 bird-days (88 were recorded flying south), 13 October to

24 November; highest day totals 19 on 23 and 28 October; only one bird

after 7 November.

1988 (Ho): eight bird-days, 18 October to the end of the survey.

1989: 199 bird-days, 19 October to 16 November (65 flew south); 56 flew

south over 31 October and 1 November; 100 were at YH on 16 November.

1990: the only record before 23 October was two on 18 October. From

23 October, 41 bird-days (28 were recorded flying south), throughout the

period; highest day totals eight flying south) on 8 November and 1 1 (at YH)

on 1 5 November.

This species has not been abundant in recent years, in contrast to the

observations of La Touche and Hemmingsen. This may be because recent

winters have been relatively mild.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The observations in 1986-1990 further demonstrate that Beidaihe is an

excellent migration watchpoint. Around 345 species were recorded, of which

perhaps only 14 are year-round rsidents at Beidaihe. For several species the

numbers are higher than recorded anywhere else - notably the total of 2,729

Oriental Storks in 1986, more than double the previous estimate of 900-

1,000 birds (Archibald and Luthin 1985) for the known world population.

A notable difference between spring and autumn at Beidaihe is that visible

migration is considerably heavier in autumn than in spring: 262,970 passing

migrants were recorded from the Lotus Hills watchpoint during the 1986

survey. Shorebird numbers are also substantially higher in autumn, and for

many species the autumn is generally similar to, or better than, the spring;

dabbling ducks are notable exceptions, being generally commoner in spring.

Population declines outnumber increases

One of our main aims in conducting the surveys was to provide data to help

show population changes, initially by comparisons with observations made

earlier this century. Such comparisons are not always easily made: difficulties

include differences in localities (La Touche studied birds at nearby

Qinhuangdao, Beidaihe has changed considerably since Hemmingsen’s

time); in numbers of observers and survey techniques; lack of data - e.g. for

scarcer species, and for passerines, which Hemmingsen gives few numbers

for (cf. his counts of Bean Geese and cranes). Also, La Touche seems rather

generous in describing birds as ‘common’ or ‘abundant’, and writing of

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

51

‘great’ or ‘enormous’ flocks, or ‘streams’ of birds; if he was conservative in his

use of these words, it would seem that the migration today is but a shadow of

the past.

Yet, even without guessing whether La Touche would differ from us in

describing abundances, it is clear that there have been some marked declines

during this century. Just from the drop in Rook numbers, the autumn

migration we have recorded is poorer by tens, even hundreds, of thousands of

migrants than the migration Hemmingsen knew. (The conclusion to the

spring 1985 survey - ‘it is heartening that the results indicate that the

populations of most of the species recorded seem to have changed little’:

Williams 1986 - now seems too rosy, though stemmed from initial fears that

the situation could be far worse than was found.)

Comparison of recent and past records suggests the following 33 species

have declined: Oriental Stork, Bean Goose, Northern Pintail, Common Teal,

Baikal Teal, Falcated Duck, Baer’s Pochard, Black Kite, White-tailed Eagle,

Common Buzzard, Amur Falcon, Japanese Quail, Common Crane, Baillon’s

Crake, Common Coot, Great Bustard, Little Curlew, Sanderling, Pallas’s

Sandgrouse, Long-eared Owl, Sand Martin, Black Drongo, Rook, Siberian

Rubythroat, Two-barred Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler, Pallas’s Warbler,

Lanceolated Warbler, Japanese Marsh Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Chinese

Grey Shrike, Common Redpoll and Lapland Longspur.

The following five species are residents in the area and may have increased

because of mild winters, perhaps resulting from the ‘greenhouse effect’:

Light-vented Bulbul, Blue Magpie, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, White-

browed Chinese Warbler, Long-tailed Tit and, perhaps, Yellow-bellied Tit

(though it may be that at least some of the latter which occur at Beidaihe are

migrants, which move south for winter). Professor Tu Qipu, Vice President

of the Nanjing Insitute of Meteorology, quoted in Anon. (1991), pointed out

that ‘In the last 100 years, there have been ten years with abnormally high

temperatures [in China] - four of them between 1981 and 1990 - and the

year 1990 was the warmest.’

It may be that the milder winters are responsible for recent downward

trends in the numbers of some late autumn migrants such as the Common

Goldeneye (Williams in prep.), the White-tailed Eagle, the Hen Harrier

(Williams in prep.) and the Great Bustard, and could be the reason for the

relative scarcity of the Lapland Longspur; maybe these birds are lingering,

and even wintering, further north than normal.

The Great Egret may have recovered a little from plume-hunting late last

century, but is still far from its past numbers. Recent records, especially in

spring, suggest a similar increase in the population of the Little Egret Egretta

garzetta, though again it is not common.

This leaves the following four species which have shown substantial

increases in numbers, but which are neither possible by-products of climatic

warming nor recoveries from slaughter: Chinese Pond-Heron, Red-breasted

Merganser, Grey-tailed Tattler and Chinese Penduline-Tit.

52

M. D. WILLIAMS el al.

Forktail 7

Environmental damage in China (see, e.g. Smil 1983, Vermeer 1984, Burton

1991) will have significantly contributed to the downward trend in numbers

of migrants. More specific reasons for declines include:

Wetland damage and destruction. Evidently a serious problem; 14 of the

species we suggest are scarcer are wetland birds (and the Sand Martin is

closely associated with freshwater). So also are three notable ‘absentees’ from

the autumn surveys: Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus, Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus and Streaked Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus sorghophilus.

The Dalmatian Pelican was ‘formerly common around Beijing’, but had

become rare by the 1930s (Shaw 1936; Hemmingsen and Guildal 1968

report ‘30 years ago breeding in Peking according to old residents’). The only

Beidaihe records are one (specimen?) and two to three reports by friends

(Wilder and Hubbard, cited in Hemmingsen and Guildal 1968).

Hemmingsen (Hemmingsen and Guildal 1968) recorded 2-13 Tundra

Swans on eight autumn dates. La Touche (1920) found the Streaked Reed-

Warbler was common from about 22 August to 7 September 1912 and 1913.

Spring records also suggest declines in the latter two species (Williams 1986,

Williams and Domer 1991).

Wetland drainage along the Yangtze valley, an important wintering area for

many waterfowl (e.g. Styan 1891) could have contributed to several declines.

But for the Baikal Teal, which has apparently suffered a population crash

throughout east Asia (Anon. 1990), the main problem may be on the

breeding grounds in the USSR (C. Poole in litt. July 1990). Similarly, for the

Streaked Reed-Warbler, the main reason for the apparent decline may lie

outside China - in this case in its winter haunts in the Philippines.

Destruction of tropical and sub-tropical forests in their Central and South

American wintering areas has been blamed for declines in several North

American songbirds (Terborgh 1989). A similar situation may be expected in

Asia, where there is also a large landmass in the north, and relatively little

land with already depleted tropical forests in the south. Perhaps this is the

reason for the reductions in the Siberian Blue Robin - suggested by spring

studies (Williams 1986, Williams and Domer 1991) - and in the Two-barred

Warbler.

The Black Kite and the Rook, which are usually very tolerant of man, may

have suffered from pesticides, which may be used with little care in China.

Other birds of prey, perhaps including the White-tailed Eagle and the

Common Buzzard, will probably have also been affected by pesticides.

Hunting and trapping will also contribute to declines. Hunting may be a

serious threat to the Great Bustard, which probably faces severe problems

just from shrinking habitat.

Plans for future work ; visitors welcome

With the survey results showing that the migration in Beidaihe is much

reduced, if still impressive, we are shifting the focus of our attentions from

study to conservation work.

1992

Autumn bird migration at Beidaihe

53

In autumn 1988, XW and MDW helped found the Beidaihe Bird

Conservation Society. Through the society’s efforts, the western part of the

Lotus Hills has been declared a reserve, and China’s first reserve for

migrating birds has been established beside the Henghe reservoir. There are

plans to transform this reserve into a lagoon overlooked by a visitor centre

(Ounsted 1990); however, funds for the work have not yet been found. The

society has organised talks to local schoolchildren, and a televised

competition on conservation.

Visits by birdwatchers have helped stimulate work at the town - Beidaihe is

probably the most visited (if not the best) of China’s destinations for eco-

tourism. Visiting birdwatchers are welcome; copies of any reports would be

appreciated (please send to MDW or XW).

Dr George Archibald and Jeffery Boswall have continued to encourage the work at Beidaihe.

The support of Earthwatch enabled surveys in late autumns 1988, 1989 and 1990, funded by

volunteers whose participation helped ensure good coverage from the Lotus Hills.

The efforts of all other observers who have contributed to the autumn surveys are greatly

appreciated:

1986: Ron Appleby, Dave Bakewell, Steve Holloway, Simon Stirrup and Simon Thompson.

1987: Pete Akers, Dave Allen, Jesper Homskov, Stig Jensen, Paul Noakes, Alan Parker, Ken

Simmons, Dave Suddaby, Tao Yu, Rob Tolk and Dennis Weir.

1988: Jesper Homskov, Tao Yu and Zheng Jimin.

1989: Simon Aspinall, Colin Bradshaw, Nick Dymond, Keith Fairclough, Eric Meek, Reg

Thorpe and Adrienne and Colin Wells.

1990: Jan Hjort Christensen, Jesper Homskov and Mike Kilbum.

Several observers also helped with collating data: Simon Thompson worked assiduously on the

Lotus Hills log in 1986, and was helped in this by his wife Pam as the task continued after the

survey; John Palfery summarised the 1987 log; Stig Jensen and Jesper Homskov co-ordinated data

collection in 1987, and Jesper produced a report on 1988 observations; and Jan Hjort Christensen

summarised 1990 observations prior to the Earthwatch survey in that autumn.

Though not a survey member, Jeanette Domer helped with proofreading the annotated species

list, and comparing past and recent records to show apparent population changes.

Tim Inskipp made useful comments on, and amendments to, an earlier draft of this paper.

Many thanks are due to the following for their assistance: Fagus Anstruther Memorial Trust,

Kyoko Archibald, the Asian Wetland Bureau, the Augustine Trust, the Nora Bendall Charitable

Trust, the Biological Council, British Birds, the British Ecological Society, the British

Ornithologists Union, the Cambridge Philosophical Society, the Cambridge University Explorers

and Travellers Club, Camera Care Systems Ltd, Cathay Pacific, Cluff Oil pic, Crane Ltd, Croom

Helm Ltd, the Diplomatic Personnel Guest House (Beidaihe), Dutch Birding, the Gilchrist

Educational Trust, Golden Wonder Ltd, David Hatton, Heffers Booksellers, the International

Council for Bird Preservation, Jessop of Leicester Ltd, the Jin Shan Hotel (Beidaihe), Merchant

Taylors’ School (Crosby), the Peter Nathan Cultural Trust, Pembroke College, Cambridge, the

Royal Insurance Co Ltd, the Scientific Exploration Society Ltd, the Percy Sladen Memorial

Fund, the John Swire Charitable Trust, David Tang and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

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cranes at Beidaihe beach, Hebei Province, China. Proceedings of International Crane Workshop,

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of Oriental White Storks Ciconia boyciana and Black Storks C. nigra at Beidaihe beach, China.

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District, Beijing, China.

FORKTAIL7 (1992): 57-73

Recent records of birds from Bhutan

F. A. CLEMENTS

Records are presented of birds seen during two recent trips to Bhutan, in March 1986 and

April/May 1990. A brief description of habitats visited is given. A total of 235 species was

recorded, of which 22 are believed to be newly published records for Bhutan. A record of Three-

banded Rosefinch Carpodacus irifasciatus is described, which is the first record for the Indian

subcontinent. The importance is discussed of extensive sub-tropical hill forest to species with few

other recent records in the Himalayas. Birdwatchers visiting Bhutan are encouraged to collect and

publish records to assist with the conservation of important forests.

Bhutan is a land-locked kingdom in the eastern Himalayas which has long

held a fascination for natural history explorers. A political mission led by R.

B. Pemberton collected some birds there in 1838, but, despite the statement

in Pemberton (1865): ‘Of the birds in Bootan a detailed account will be

hereafter given when a competent examination has been effected of the

collection made by the Mission during its progress through the country’, no

report was published and the surviving specimens carry no locality data (see

discussion in Ludlow and Kinnear 1937). No further work was carried out

until F. Ludlow and G. Sherriff studied the flora and birds in Bhutan on four

collecting trips they made in the 1930s (Ludlow and Kinnear 1937, 1944).

Salim Ali, S. D. Ripley and a team from the Zoological Survey of India made

six collecting trips to the country between 1966 and 1973. Ali (1977) stated

that ‘A comprehensive scientific report of the complete ornithological survey

of Bhutan is under preparation jointly by Dr S. Dillon Ripley, Dr Biswamoy

Biswas and myself. This will include the results of the series of recent

expeditions undertaken by all the three, jointly and severally, and will be

based on our combined collections and field notes’. Ripley (1973) made

some general comments about the diversity and numbers of birds

encountered, but the only other information so far published relates to

localities of the collected specimens (Abdulali 1969-1988) and the listing of

Bhutan in distributional information in Ali and Ripley (1983) and Ripley

(1982).

Birdwatchers visiting other parts of the Himalayas have leamt of the

increasing diversity one encounters when moving east, and of the fact that

Bhutan has kept its extremely rich forests substantially intact (Sargent 1985).

The difficulties over access which are only now easing have, over the years,

added to the allure of the country and the excitement of finding interesting

bird species. The potential for seeing species in Bhutan difficult to see in

other parts of the Himalayas, and of finding important populations of species

rare elsewhere has long been recognised. Even birdwatchers and botanists

visiting recently have tended to go to similar areas, so that the mid-altitudes

and particularly the valleys of Paro, Thimphu and Bumthang are better

known, while die east and lower altitudes remain relatively unexplored for

birds. Gaston (1989) visited Paro in the west and Chorten Koro in the east,

giving some details of species seen there.

58

F. A. CLEMENTS

Forktail 7

Once in Bhutan, birdwatching is relatively easy. Towns are very small and

surrounded closely by reasonable habitat, including primary forest. Although

roads are few there is so little traffic that they provide excellent walks through

the most beautiful examples of Himalayan forests. There are increasing

opportunities to trek, often in completely new areas.

I have been fortunate to visit Bhutan twice. In 1986 I accompanied Nicola

Bradbear between 4 and 29 March on her appointment to the Royal

Government to look at the potential for developing beekeeping. We were able

to travel extensively, and were particularly lucky to spend a few days in

central Bhutan on and around the road connecting Tongsa with Geylegphug

on the southern border (Figure). In 1990 I led the “Naturetrek” trip with

botanist Tony Schilling between 23 April and 1 1 May, which included a ten

day trek in the Bumthang valleys. While both trips have been in the spring,

the first was early enough to catch lingering winter visitors, notably Black¬

necked Crane Grus nigricollis (Clements and Bradbear 1986), and the second

trip was late enough for most summer visitors to have arrived. A total of 235

species was recorded.

Bhutan possesses a similar altitude range and habitat diversity to Nepal,

and is very compact. The narrow winding roads can take one from sub¬

tropical valleys to 3,500 m passes in half a day. The southern lowland strip is

even narrower than similar habitat in Nepal and has suffered equivalent

pressure from agricultural development. However, remnant areas of Sal

Shorea robusta forest even around the town of Geylegphug make it possible to

see specialist forest birds such as Great Hombill Buceros bicomis. Travelling

north and rising in altitude, the roads pass through rich sub-tropical forest of

which the area around Honey Rocks is a particularly good example. Here the

colonies of the Rock Bee Apis dorsata usually have attendant Yellow-rumped

Honeyguide Indicator xanthonotus, as they seem to commonly elsewhere in

Bhutan. If the birdwatcher chooses to enter the country by road, then the

journey from Phuntsholing in the south-west, gaining altitude towards Paro,

passes through excellent sub-tropical Schima/Castanopsis, and warm

temperate evergreen forest particularly between Gedu, where there is a wood¬

processing factory, and Bunakha. The east-west road runs through the mid¬

altitudes of the country, descending to 900 m at Wangdiphodrang, and

climbs to the three higher passes of the Dochhu La (3,116 m), Pele La

(3,390 m) and Yutong La (3,404 m). In the valleys, wide rivers provide

wintering habitat for Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii and Long-billed Plover

Charadrius placidus. On the passes are very good examples of cool temperate

evergreen forests dominated by conifers at the highest altitudes. The valleys

around Paro and Thimphu in the west are very dry and, at around 2,600 m,

are vegetated with Blue Pine Pinus wallichiana, usually as secondary growth.

Even these areas can be extremely rewarding for birds, for instance Brown

Parrotbill Paradoxomis unicolor and Maroon-backed Accentor Prunella

immaculata were both encountered in March less than half an hour’s walk

from the centre of the capital, Thimphu. Wetter glaciated valleys occur a

little higher, for instance around Gangtey Gonpa, and it is these areas which

1992

Recent records of birds from Bhutan

59

are favoured by the wintering Black-necked Cranes. The Bumthang valley

trek passes from drier, open slopes, where Black-billed Magpie Pica pica is

common, into excellent Himalayan Birch Betula utilis forest with thick

bamboo understorey where Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra can be seen. Up

to the higher passes the slopes are clothed with East Himalayan Fir Abies

densa forest, under which grow various Rhododendron species, some of them

rare. Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus is common here. On the Rudung La at

about 4,200 m one reaches the tree line where the vegetation is dominated by

luxuriant growth of dwarf rhododendrons. Open grassy slopes occur in the

vicinity of these more eastern passes, where Impeyan Pheasant Lophophorus

impejanus can usually be found feeding in the early morning. At higher

altitudes there are extensive alpine pastures seldom visited by western

ornithologists.

There follows an annotated list of the 56 most interesting species recorded

during the two visits. I have included records for Black-necked Crane, Wood

Snipe Gallinago nemoricola, Blyth’s Kingfisher Alcedo Hercules and Rufous¬

necked Hombill Aceros nipalensis which are listed by Collar and Andrew

(1988) in the ICBP World Checklist of Threatened Birds. A complete list of

the 235 species seen is included as an Appendix. The English and scientific

names of birds follow King et al. (1975), where possible. Dates in March

refer to 1986, and those in April/May refer to 1990.

ANNOTATED LIST OF SELECTED SPECIES

INDIAN POND HERON Ardeola grayii Singles at Phuntsholing on

1 1 March and at Geylegphug on 1 5 March are the first published records for

Bhutan, although the species has been seen by D. G. H. Mills (pers. comm.).

BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra Singles at Sarbhang on 15 March and

Geylegphug on 16 March. The only previous published records for Bhutan

are observations by P. Gole on the Manas and Sankosh Rivers (Scott 1989)

and at Bumdiling on 8 March 1991 (Chacko 1991).

COMMON PINTAIL Anas acuta One in the Paro valley on 21 March.

Previously recorded only by Pemberton (Ludlow and Kinnear 1937).

SPOT-BILLED DUCK A. poecilorhyncha One at Punakha on 7 March.

Apparently the first published record for Bhutan.

EURASIAN WIGEON A. penelope One at Punakha on 20 March.

Apparently the first published record for Bhutan.

COMMON MERGANSER Mergus merganser Three at Punakha and one at

Paro in March. The only previously published records for Bhutan are

observations by P. Gole at Bumdiling in February 1988, and on the Manas

and Sankosh Rivers (Scott 1989), although the species has been seen by

D. G. H. Mills (pers. comm.).

60

F. A. CLEMENTS

Forktail 7

ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD Pemis ptilorhyncus Singles at Geylegphug

on two dates in March. Apparently the first published record for Bhutan.

LESSER FISH-EAGLE Ichthyophaga humilis One near Geylegphug on

1 5 March. This appears to be the first published record for Bhutan.

LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo rufinus One near Paro (2,600 m) on

23 March, is the first definite record for Bhutan, although Baker (1922-

1930) mentions its occurrence in the country.

COLLARED FALCONET Microhierax caerulescens A pair seen copulating in

Sal forest near Geylegphug on 16 March. Previously mentioned for Bhutan

only by Blanford (1895), but the basis for this is not known.

NORTHERN HOBBY Falco subbuteo One at Ugyencholing on 5 May. The

first published record for Bhutan, although the species was seen in 1989 by

D. G. H. Mills (pers. comm.).

JAPANESE QUAIL Cotumix japonica A pair seen and heard calling at

Tangbi Lhakhang (2,800 m), Bumthang on 29 April; singles at Ugyencholing

(2,900 m) on 1 May and at Gangtey Gonpa (3,200 m) on 9 May; all

identified by voice. Ludlow and Kinnear (1937) found quail to be plentiful,

and breeding, but all, including a male collected at Damthang in the west,

were listed as Common Quail C. cotumix. Pemberton and Ludlow (in

Ludlow and Kinnear 1944) collected birds that were apparently intermediate

between the two species. The only previous record of C. japonica for Bhutan

is of one collected by F. M. Bailey on 5 July 1922. The records presented

here refer to birds in breeding habitat, although they could be migrants

returning to China.

SATYR TRAGOPAN Tragopan satyra Four males calling and a pair seen

below Phe-phe La (3,500 m) on 1 May; males calling at two sites in forest

between Ugyencholing and Phokphey (approx. 3,600 m) on 2 May. The

species extends east into Arunachal Pradesh (Ludlow and Kinnear 1944),

overlapping with Blyth’s Tragopan T. blythii in eastern Bhutan, contra

Gaston (1989).

IMPEYAN PHEASANT Lophophorus impejanus Common in forest and, in

the early morning, on grassy slopes around Phokphey (3,900 m) in May.

Records of this species, here found east of the Black Mountains, disagree

with information in Gaston (1989) that this mountain range separates

Impeyan Pheasant to the west from Sclater’s Monal Lophophorus sclateri in

the east. The latter species was mentioned by Ali (1977) as possibly

occurring in extreme eastern Bhutan. However, there are no definite records

for Bhutan.

BLACK-NECKED CRANE Grus nigricollis A flock of 77 on the valley floor

below Gangtey Gonpa (3,200 m) on 12 March; two at Jakar (2,800 m) on

14 March (Clements and Bradbear 1986). The subject of a number of other

studies (Saha 1980, Gole 1981a, 1981b and 1989, Khacher 1981, Dorji

1992

Recent records of birds from Bhutan

61

1987, Bishop 1989, Chacko 1991, Wollenhaupt 1991).

RED-WATTLED LAPWING Vanellus indicus Four at Sarbhang on

15 March, the first published record for Bhutan.

RIVER LAPWING V. duvaucelii Three at Wangdiphodrang on 12 March;

one at Geylegphug on 15 March; pair with chicks at Wangdiphodrang on

27 April and on 9 May. Regularly seen recently at Wangdiphodrang

(D. G. H. Mills pers. comm.) although the only previously published records

are observations by P. Gole on the Manas and Sankosh Rivers (Scott 1989)

and mention of its occurrence in Bhutan by Ali and Ripley (1983).

LONG-BILLED PLOVER Charadrius placidus Three along river towards

Punakha on 26 April. Previously recorded only by Ludlow and Kinnear

(1937), in October.

WOOD SNIPE Gallinago nemoricola One on a forest stream below Dochhu

La (approx. 2,800 m) on 12 and 24 March. Previously collected on the Cheli

La on 26 June 1922 by F. M. Bailey (Ludlow and Kinnear 1944), and on the

Dib La on 10 September 1934 by Ludlow (Ludlow and Kinnear 1937).

Inskipp and Inskipp (1986) state that, in Nepal, it is less common than

previously.

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Many seen at Phuntsholing on

1 1 March, the first published record for Bhutan.

ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri Four at Phuntsholing on

1 1 March and at least ten at Geylegphug on 1 6 March, the first published

records for Bhutan.

COMMON HAWK-CUCKOO Cuculus varius Commonly heard between

Phuntsholing and Paro in May. Previously mentioned for Bhutan only by Ali

and Ripley (1983), although the species has been recorded commonly by

D. G. H. Mills (pers. comm.).

ASIAN PALM-SWIFT Cypsiurus balasiensis Many seen at Geylegphug on

1 5 and 1 6 March, the first published records for Bhutan.

BLYTH’S KINGFISHER Alcedo Hercules One below Honey Rocks (approx.

900 m) on 18 March. Listed as occurring in Bhutan by Ali and Ripley (1983)

and therefore presumably collected in the 1960s or 1970s. There are no

known recent records of this species anywhere else in the Himalayas, apart

from one bird seen in Nepal (Inskipp and Inskipp 1991). Inskipp (1989)

mentioned it as one of the few forest species at risk which, in Nepal, occurs

only outside protected areas.

RUFOUS-NECKED HORNBILL Aceros nipalensis Two above Honey

Rocks (approx. 1,200 m) on 17 March. The species is very poorly known in

the Himalayas; the only previous mentions for Bhutan are by Ripley (1982)

and Ali and Ripley (1983).

WREATHED HORNBILL Rhyticeros undulatus Two at Sarbhang on

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F. A. CLEMENTS

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15 March. Previously mentioned for Bhutan only by Ripley (1982) and Ali

and Ripley (1983).

INDIAN PIED HORNBILL Anthracoceros albirostris Male at nest near

Geylegphug on 15 and 16 March. Previously mentioned for Bhutan only by

Ripley (1982) and Ali and Ripley (1983).

COPPERSMITH BARBET Megalaima haemacephala One at Phuntsholing

on 11 March. Previously mentioned for Bhutan only by Ali and Ripley

(1983).

YELLOW-RUMPED HONEYGUIDE Indicator xanthonotus One east of

Wangdiphodrang, and one near Nobding on 12 March; at least five between

Jakar and Geylegphug on 14 March; two at Honey Rocks on 17 March; one

at Shemgang and four below Tongsa on 19 March; three between Tongsa

and Thimphu on 20 March. Surprisingly this species was not recorded by

Ludlow and Kinnear (1937), although it seems to be easier to see in Bhutan

than in Nepal (Inskipp and Inskipp 1986). It was studied at Honey Rocks by

Hussain and Ali (1984).

PLAIN MARTIN Riparia paludicola One at over 2,800 m above Chendebji

chorten on 8 May. Apparendy the first published record for Bhutan.

LARGE CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina novaehollandiae Two at Geylegphug

on 1 6 March, the first published record for Bhutan.

GOLDEN-FRONTED LEAFBIRD Chloropsis aurifrons Two in Sal forest

near Geylegphug on 10 March. This appears to be the first published record

for Bhutan (although it has been seen by D. G. H. Mills, pers. comm.), but

presumably the species will be found more commonly if more effort is made

to visit suitable habitat.

BLACK-HOODED ORIOLE Oriolus xanthomus Two at Geylegphug on

16 March. Previously mentioned for Bhutan only by Ali and Ripley (1983).

EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE O. oriolus One near Wangdiphodrang on

26 April. This appears to be the first published record for Bhutan although it

has been seen near this site previously by D. G. H. Mills (pers. comm.).

RUFOUS TREEPIE Dendrocitta vagabunda Four at Geylegphug on

1 5 March. Apparendy the first published record for Bhutan.

HOUSE CROW Corvus splendens A few seen at Phuntsholing in March.

Previously mentioned for Bhutan only by Ali and Ripley (1983).

WALLCREEPER Tichodroma muraria Frequent along mid-altitude river

beds, particularly between Thimphu and Paro, in March. Gaston (1989)

found this species abundant during the winter, but it was not recorded in

summer by Ludlow and Kinnear (1937).

WHI1 E-NAPED YUHINA Yuhina bakeri Two in forest near Gedu

(approx. 1,500 m) on 10 March. Only one previous record from Bhutan -

1992

Recent records of birds from Bhutan

63

from Batase, Shemgang district (Abdulali 1983). Apparently thinly

distributed through the sub-tropical hill forest zone of the eastern Himalayas,

and is mentioned by Inskipp (1989) as one of the few forest species at risk

which, in Nepal, occurs only outside protected areas.

INDIAN BLUE ROBIN Erithacus brunneus Frequent in lower parts of the

trek and at Motithang, Thimphu in May. Ludlow found the species on only

one occasion (Ludlow and Kinnear 1937).

BLACK-BACKED FORKTAIL Enicurus immaculatus One above

Geylegphug on 14 March. Mentioned for Bhutan only by Ripley (1982).

INDIAN ROBIN Saxicoloides fulicata One at Phuntsholing on 1 1 March.

This appears to be the first published record for Bhutan.

GREY-CHEEKED WARBLER Seicercus poliogenys One near Gangtey

Gonpa (3,400 m) on 9 May. Collected in various localities in Bhutan by

Ludlow (Ludlow and Kinnear 1937 and 1944) and Ali and Ripley (Abdulali

1986), but rarely recorded in Nepal (Inskipp and Inskipp 1991) or Sikkim

(Ali 1962).

YELLOW-BELLIED WARBLER Abroscopus superciliaris Two below Honey

Rocks (approx. 900 m) on 17 March. Only one previous record for Bhutan -

from Deothang in the east (Abdulali 1986).

ULTRAMARINE FLYCATCHER Ficedula superciliaris One near Bunakha

on 24 April and a few on trek especially near rivers in May. Described by

Ludlow and Kinnear (1937) as rather scarce, so it is probable that the fairly

good numbers seen in May, not always in forest, were migrants.

BLUE-THROATED FLYCATCHER Cyomis rubeculoides One below Gedu

(1,500 m) on 24 April. Few previous records for Bhutan, Ludlow and

Kinnear (1937) obtaining only two.

PYGMY BLUE FLYCATCHER Muscicapella hodgsoni One below Dochhu

La (approx. 2,400 m) on 24 March. Previously mentioned for Bhutan only

by Ali and Ripley (1983).

YELLOW-HOODED WAGTAIL Motacilla citreola Adult male of race

M.c.citreola at Ugyencholing (2,900 m), in wet grassland near river on 5 and

6 May. This is the first published record for Bhutan, but the species would be

expected to occur at lower elevations in winter.

BROWN SHRIKE Lamus cristatus Singles (probably the same individual) at

Thimphu on 5 and 6 March. Previously mentioned for Bhutan only by Ali

and Ripley (1983), although seen previously by D. G. H. Mills (pers.

comm.). A likely migrant, though there may be a wintering population.

CHESTNUT-TAILED START .TNG Stumus malabaricus At least ten seen

near Geylegphug on 16 March. Previously mentioned for Bhutan only by Ali

and Ripley (1983).

64

F. A. CLEMENTS

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ASIAN PIED STARLING S. contra Many at Phuntsholing and Geylegphug

in March, the first published records for Bhutan.

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla One at Ugyencholing (2,900 m) on

6 May. This represents a considerable eastwards extension of the species’

known wintering range in the Himalayas, and is the first record for Bhutan.

CRIMSON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus rubescens Two in forest near the

Yutong La (3,700 m) on 13 March. Ludlow and Kinnear (1937) describe

this species as rare in conifer and birch forests of eastern Bhutan. More

recently recorded by D. G. H. Mills (pers. comm.) in Bumthang.

THREE-BANDED ROSEFINCH C. trifasciatus Three at Jakar (2,800 m)

on 13 March. These are the first recorded for Bhutan, and for the Indian

subcontinent.

A small party of two females and one male was observed in fields by the

Chamka Chu river on the edge of Jakar village. A large rosefinch, the male

bright, with substantial amounts of white around head and on closed wing.

Females duller with no red, though white in wing noticeable, and bufiy-

orange underparts reminiscent of Brambling. Both sexes with white belly.

Male’s face and throat streaked and at a distance forming a pale patch

extending into white supercilium. Crown, nape and back crimson. Wings

dark but showing conspicuous pale edgings, particularly to the tertials. Broad

white band along edge of back. Pale buff supercilium noticed on one female,

and buff edgings to wing feathers. Both sexes showed heavy bill, noticeably

pale in male. Watched for about five minutes down to 30 m before they flew

off into mist and light rain.

It is possible that the species winters in small numbers either in Arunachal

Pradesh or in some of the higher, drier valleys of central and eastern Bhutan,

which are not very far from wintering areas in the Pome district of Xizang

province (Ali and Ripley 1983; Meyer de Schauensee, 1984).

GOLD-NAPED FINCH Pyrrhoplectes epauletta A single below the Yutong

La (approx. 3,600 m) on 8 May (R. Watson, pers. comm.).

GREY-HEADED BULLFINCH P. erythaca Six on the Dochhu La (3,000

m) on 10 May. There appear to be few other recent records of this species in

the Himalayas. Ludlow saw only three in eastern Bhutan, and describes their

real home as lying further east (Ludlow and Kinnear 1944).

GREY-NECKED BUNTING Emberiza buchanani One on very dry slopes

below Mesithang (approx. 2,700 m) on 7 May. This is the first published

record for Bhutan, and seems to relate to a wandering individual much

further east than is usual.

Remarkably, the above list includes 22 species for which this paper is the first

published record of their occurrence in Bhutan. In most cases this must be

more a reflection of the paucity of published records, even from recent visits

by birdwatchers, than an indication of the scarcity of the species. This is

1992

Recent records of birds from Bhutan

65

certainly so for the first group of seven species, Indian Pond Heron Ardeola

grayii. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus, Collared Dove Streptopelia

decaocto, Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri, Rufous Treepie

Dendrocitta vagabunda, Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata and Asian Pied

Starling Stumus contra which were all recorded in the narrow lowland strip of

southern Bhutan where western birdwatchers have seldom spent time. None

of these species requires primary habitat, occurring in agricultural land or

around habitation, and all are common and widespread in adjacent Assam.

Four lowland species which frequent lightly wooded country were recorded

for the first time: Oriental Honey Buzzard Pemis ptilorhyncus, Lesser Fish-

eagle Ichthyophaga humilis. Northern Hobby Falco subbuteo and Asian Palm-

swift Cypsiurus balasiensis. The swift was breeding in Areca palms planted

around fields, and the single fish-eagle was seen along a river on the edge of

remnant Sal forest. There are new records of two species which may be

expected in Sal forest itself; Large Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae

and Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons.

Two ducks which apparently have not before been recorded in Bhutan,

Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha and Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope, were

seen at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu rivers at Punakha in

March. Both are presumed to be migrants, as is the first Yellow-hooded

Wagtail Motacilla citreola in the Tang valley in May. Eurasian Golden Oriole

Oriolus oriolus was in a valley with great potential for migrants, but has been

seen there previously (D. G. H. Mills pers. comm.) and could breed. The

first Plain Martin Riparia paludicola to be recorded for Bhutan appears to be a

wandering individual since, at over 2,800 m, it was not in a suitable location

for breeding. First records for Brambling FringiUa montifringilla and Grey¬

necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani also presumably refer to wanderers, and

apparently extend eastwards the known non-breeding range of both species

in the Himalayas. It remains to be seen whether Three-banded Rosefinch

Carpodacus trifasciatus will be confirmed as a winter visitor to Bhutan, or

whether this record refers to vagrancy.

Four other species recorded bear further mention owing to their scarcity

elsewhere in the Himalayas. Sightings of significant numbers of wintering

Black-necked Cranes in 1986 rekindled study interest in this charismatic bird

(Chacko 1991), and from late October through to early March, this species is

easily accessible to visiting birdwatchers. The other three species. Rufous¬

necked Hombill Aceros nipalensis, White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri and

Blyth’s Kingfisher were found in subtropical hill forest, which has seldom

been visited by other observers. Interestingly, Golden Langurs Presbytis geei

are also readily seen in this habitat in central Bhutan. There are huge areas of

this species-rich forest type still remaining in Bhutan, and this author has

been able only to touch on its potential by spending very small amounts of

time in accessible parts close to roads. Inskipp and Inskipp (1986), and

Inskipp (1989) have drawn attention to the need to protect similar forest

types in Nepal, which are far less extensive there and which are severely

threatened. The first step in taking conservation measures to protect such a

66

F. A. CLEMENTS

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resource is to gain information on the species which occur there, and future

visitors to Bhutan are encouraged to spend time in sub-tropical hill forest,

and to make available their records of which species are seen.

Bhutan’s forests are spell-binding in their extent and diversity. If visiting

birdwatchers make an effort to go to little known areas and to publish records

of bird species found there, then they will be making a significant

contribution to Himalayan ornithology, and be assisting the Royal

Government of Bhutan in achieving its aims of conserving this rare resource.

I would like to thank the Royal Government of Bhutan firstly for requesting the services of my

wife, Nicola Bradbear, and for providing assistance with transport in 1 986, and secondly for their

friendly cooperation and great assistance given to visiting “Naturetrek” groups. Thanks go too to

David Mills and his company “Naturetrek” for using my services as a tour leader, and for sharing

his knowledge of Bhutan’s birds. Tim Inskipp has given me continual encouragement to produce

this paper, and enormous help with historical references and species status throughout its

preparation. I am grateful to Tony Schilling for his company and for helping me to learn a little of

the Himalayan flora, and to Nick Williams for reading and commenting on drafts of this paper.

Finally, I would like to thank Nicola without whom the first trip would not have been possible,

and certainly not as enjoyable, and for supporting my second visit alone when she would have

liked to come too.

REFERENCES

Abdulali, H. (1969, 1971-1976, 1980-1983, 1985-1988) A catalogue of the birds in the collection

of the Bombay Natural History Society. Parts 4, 9, 11-19, 22-33. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 66,

68-73, 77-80, 82-85.

Ali, S. (1962) The birds of Sikkim. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Ali, S. (1977) Field guide to the birds of the eastern Himalayas. Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1983) Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Compact edition.

Bombay: Oxford University Press.

Baker, E. C. S. (1922-1930) Fauna of British India: Birds. 2nd edition 8 vols. London: Taylor and

Francis.

Bishop, M.-A. (1989) Results of the first annual Black-necked Crane count in Bhutan, China and

Vietnam. Gainsville: Dept, of Wildlife and Range Sciences, University of Florida. Unpublished.

Blanford, W. T. (1895) The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Birds, 3. London:

Taylor and Francis.

Chacko, R. T. (1991) Blacknecked Cranes in Bhutan, winter study, February-March 1991.

Unpublished.

Cheng Tso-hsin (1987) A synopsis of the avifauna of China. Beijing: Science Press.

Clements, F. A. and Bradbear, N. J. (1986) Status of wintering Black-necked Crane Grus

nigricoUis in Bhutan. Forktail 2: 103-107.

Collar, N. J. and Andrew, P. (1988) Birds to watch: the ICBP world checklist of threatened birds.

ICBP Technical Publication No. 8.

Dorji, P. J. (1987) Bhutan’s black-necked cranes. Oryx 21: 71-72.

Gaston, A. J. (1989) Black-necked Cranes and other birds in Bhutan in winter. Bull. Oriental Bird

Club 10: 9-12.

Gole, P. (1981a) Crane study in Bhutan. WWF India Newsletter 37: 14.

Gole, P. (1981b) Status survey of the Blacknecked Crane wintering in Bhutan. Unpublished.

Gole, P. (1989) Cranes of the cloud kingdom; exploring an ideal man and bird relationship. Pune:

Ecological Society.

Hussain, S. A. and Ah, S. (1984) Some notes on the ecology and status of the Orangerumped

Honeyguide Indicator xanthonotus in the Himalayas. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 80: 564-574.

1992

Recent records of birds from Bhutan

67

Inskipp, C. (1989) Nepal’s forest birds: their status and conservation. ICBP Monograph No. 4.

Inskipp, C. and Inskipp, T. P. (1986) Some important birds and forests in Nepal. Forktail 1: 53-

64.

Inskipp, C. and Inskipp, T. P. (1991) A guide to the birds of Nepal. 2nd edition. London:

Christopher Helm.

Khacher, L. (1981) Conservation needs of Black-necked Cranes of Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh

and Ladakh. Pp. 204-211 in J. C. Lewis and H. Masatomi, eds., Crane research around the

world.

King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. W. (1975) A field guide to the birds of South-East

Asia. London: Collins.

Ludlow, F. and Kinnear, N. B. (1937) The birds of Bhutan and adjacent territories of Sikkim and

Tibet. Ibis 14(1): 1-46, 249-293, 467-504.

Ludlow, F. and Kinnear, N. B. (1944) The birds of south-eastern Tibet. Ibis 86: 43-86, 176-208,

348-389.

Meyer de Schauensee, R. (1984) The birds of China. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Pemberton, R. B. (1865) Report on Bootan. Pp. 1 51-273 in Political missions to Bootan.

Ripley, S. D. (1973) Some 600 species of birds abound in small Bhutan. Smithsonian 4(9): 80-87.

Ripley, S. D. (1982) Synopsis of the birds of India and Pakistan. Bombay: Bombay Natural History

Society.

Saha, S. S. (1980) Blacknecked Crane in Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh - a survey report for

January-February 1978. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 77: 326-328.

Sargent, C. (1985) The forests of Bhutan. Ambio 14: 75-80.

Scott, D. A. (1989) A directory of Asian wetlands. Gland: IUCN.

Wollenhaupt, H. (1991) Report of a field trip to the wintering area of the Black-necked Crane (Grus

nigricollis) in the Phobjika region. Field Doc. No. 15, FO.DP/BHU/85/016. Thimphu: Ministry

of Agriculture, Dept, of Forests and FAO.

Dr Andy Clements, English Nature South Region, Foxhold House, Crookham Common, Newbury, Berkshire

RG15 8EL

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Forktail 7

APPENDIX

COMPLETE LIST OF BIRD SPECIES RECORDED IN BHUTAN DURING

MARCH 1986 AND APRIL/MAY 1990

The first column of digits refers to the year in which the observations were made: 1986 or 1990 or

both. The next column of digits refers to locations which are numbered approximately from west

to east, and which appear as named locations in the accompanying map of Bhutan (see figure).

The passes (ending with La) usually include forested slopes on either side and may therefore

represent considerable altitude spread. Locations 10-12 were visited only in 1986, and the

trekking locations 15-18 only in 1990. The next column of capital letters refers to broad habitat

types and the final column gives some indication of abundance.

Locations:

1 Phuntsholing

2 Gedu - Bunakha

3 Paro valley, including T aksang

4 Thimphu valley

5 Dochhu La

6 Wangdiphodrang - Punakha

7 Popshika valley and Gangtey Gonpa

8 Pele La and Chendebji chorten

9 Tongsa

10 Tongsa - Shemgang

1 1 Honey Rocks

1 2 Geylegphug - Sarbhang

13 Yutong La

1 4 Gyetsa - Jakar (Bumthang)

15 Tangbi Lhakang - Nga Lhakang

1 6 Phe-phe La

1 7 Phokphey and Rudung La

1 8 Ugyenchoiing - Mesithang - Jakar

u Ubiquitous at favourable altitudes

Habitat:

A Forest; sub-tropical deciduous

B Forest; sub-tropical evergreen

C Forest; warm temperate evergreen

D Forest; cool temperate evergreen

E Forest; dry coniferous (often secondary)

F Farmland in sub-tropical areas

G Farmland in temperate areas

H Habitation

I Rivers

J Upland mire

Abundance:

i Abundant

ii Common

iii . Fairly common

iv Small numbers

v One sighting only

Figure. Bhutan, showing locations mentioned in text.

1992

Recent records of birds from Bhutan

69

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F. A. CLEMENTS

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1992

Recent records of birds from Bhutan

71

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F. A. CLEMENTS

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1992

Recent records of birds from Bhutan

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FORKTAIL 7 (1992j: 75-89

An Ornithological Survey in Eastern

Arunachal Pradesh, India

MADHUSUDAN KATTI, PRATAP SINGH,

NIMA MANJREKAR, DIWAKAR SHARMA

and SHOMITA MUKHERJEE

The rich avifauna of the eastern Himalayas of India has not been well studied. We present results

from a three month survey of three areas in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern India. 215

species were recorded and are listed in an Appendix. The general distributional patterns of the

avifauna are described. Finally, current human-induced threats to the forests and the conservation

oudook for birds are discussed.

The Eastern Himalayas are known to contain an extraordinary diversity of

bird species (Ali and Ripley 1983), but apart from a general summary (Ali

1978) there are very few detailed published accounts of its avifauna (Ali and

Ripley 1948, Ripley et al. 1991). From January to April 1990, we conducted

a wildlife survey in three eastern districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The survey,

conducted on behalf of the Wildlife Institute of India, was primarily aimed at

determining the distribution of Takin Budorcas taxicolor, and a more general

documentation of mammal and bird species occurring in the areas. The

survey covered several locations in and around three newly established

protected areas: Mouling National Park in Siang Valley, Mehao Wildlife

Sanctuary in Dibang Valley district and Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary in Lohit

district (Figure 1). Our survey represents one of the first attempts to

Figure 1. Map of Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern India, showing the routes taken by the

Wildlife Institute of India Survey January - April 1990.

76

M. KATTI ei al.

Forktail 7

document the diverse fauna of these areas. We found significant and

increasing pressures on these forests from logging interests as well as the

needs of indigenous tribal populations that are growing rapidly. A complete

account of the expedition and our findings are reported in Katti et al. (1990).

Here we present our ornithological observations.

METHODS

The three main survey areas are shown in detail in Figures 2a (Siang Valley),

2b (Mehao) and 2c (Kamlang). In Siang Valley, we followed the west bank

of the Siang river. The total survey time in each of the areas was as follows:

Siang Valley: 22 days

Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary: 20 days

Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary: 5 days

A more detailed description of the survey routes and procedures can be

found in Katti et al. (1990). Birds were observed during foot-transects along

regular paths or hunting trails. A daily log was maintained of all the birds

observed throughout the survey. This consisted primarily of a list of species

seen, the altitude and habitat in which the sighting was made, and an

abundance ranking. In addition, in Mehao W.L.S., we conducted mist-

netting at two localities, for a total of 177 mist-net hours. Four mist-nets

were opened from dawn till afternoon, when bird activity declined

considerably. Logistical problems, especially due to the frequent rainfall

precluded more extensive use of mist-netting. In this account we follow King

et al. (1975) and Ali and Ripley (1983) for nomenclature.

DISTRIBUTIONAL PATTERNS

We recorded a total of 215 species belonging to 46 families in the three

survey areas. These are listed in the Appendix. The family Timaliidae

appears to be the most dominant (44 species) followed by the Turdidae (20

species) and the Sylviidae (19 species).

We recorded 165 species in Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 16 in Siang Valley

and 1 02 in Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary. These differences include a bias due

to unequal sampling periods in each of the three areas. Yet, there are

substantial differences in species composition. The three regions cover rather

distinct geographical zones separated by major rivers, which mark

distributional boundaries for many species (Ali and Ripley 1983). Siang

Valley represents the area to the west of Siang river, Mehao lies in the

Mishmi hills between the Siang and Lohit rivers, while Kamlang lies south of

the Lohit river, and just north of Namdapha National Park (Ripley et al.

1991). In Siang Valley, the survey focussed on the interior valley, well away

from the outer ranges, and closer to the Tibetan plateau. Mehao Wildlife

1992

Ornithological survey in eastern Arunachal Pradesh

77

Figure 2. Maps of the three main

survey areas in eastern Arunachal

Pradesh.

a. Siang Valley;

b. Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary;

c. Kamleng Wildlife Sanctuary.

78

M. KATTI ei at.

Forktail 7

Sanctuary spans the outermost ridges of the Mishmi hills and extends to the

edge of the Assam plains. Both these areas lie north of the Brahmaputra

basin, in the part of the Himalayan range that runs in a general east-west

direction. In contrast, Kamlang lies along the south-east flank of the

Brahmaputra basin, and the mountain range here runs southwards into

Burma. These geographical differences lead to differences in the amount of

precipitation, with Kamlang receiving the greatest amount, followed by

Mehao, while interior Siang valley receives the least. Vegetational differences

between the three areas are yet to be quantified, but to our eyes they

appeared quite distinct. Only 55 of the species recorded occurred in all the

three areas, while a number of species were recorded in one area only: 21 in

Siang, 64 in Mehao and 17 in Kamlang. This suggests considerable species

diversity in the area as a whole, but the pattern needs to be substantiated

through more detailed studies.

An important factor affecting bird observation is the density of vegetation,

especially in the understorey, which reduces bird detectability considerably.

The brief amount of mist-netting that we were able to do (177 mist-net

hours) resulted in five new species being added to the list (marked with an *

in the Appendix), emphasizing the utility of mist-net sampling for

understorey species.

The altitudinal distribution of the avifauna is shown in Figure 3. There

appears to be a sharp decline in number of species as one goes up the

mountainside. Most species (174) occur below 1,000 m, and only 12 span

the entire altitudinal range. The mist-net samples at Mehao also show a

similar pattern: at Sally Lake (500 m), 75 mist-net-hours yielded 45 birds of

12 species, whereas at Mehao Lake (1,600 m), 102 mist-net-hours resulted

in a sample of only 10 birds of 3 species. The survey was carried out during

winter, when most of the birds move down to lower altitudes. We observed

snow at altitudes of 2,300 m and above. Many of the species recorded are

thought to breed at higher altitudes during the summer, while many others

Figure 3. Altitudinal distribution of bird species in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, India. January -

April 1990. This is the pattern during winters.

1992

Ornithological survey in eastern Arunachal Pradesh

79

Table 1. Distribution of bird species among the major habitat types in eastern Arunachal

Pradesh. January - April 1990.

Habitat Type Exclusive Species Total Species

migrate out of the area during the winter (Ali and Ripley 1983). Thus the

year-round avifaunal diversity is undoubtedly much higher than recorded in

this survey, and the summer distribution will likely be very different. These

results must therefore be viewed as preliminary.

A simple classification of habitat types allows a preliminary examination of

some of the ecological patterns in species distributions (Table 1). Mature (or

primary) tropical forest (103 species), and secondary forest or edge (111

species) show the greatest species diversity. These habitats are also in the

lower altitudinal zone (below 1,500 m). By contrast, temperate forest and the

higher altitude (over 2,000 m) rhododendron / bamboo scrub had the lowest

diversity (22 species each). Further, over half the observed species (120) were

seen in one habitat only, suggesting a high degree of specialization in the

avifauna. An additional 8 species were seen only in mature forest (tropical or

temperate). Thus, 76 species are restricted to primary, relatively undisturbed

habitats (1, 2, 4 and 6) only, while another 43 species tolerate some level of

disturbance, occurring also in secondary scrub. In contrast, only 1 1 species

occur in more than two distinct habitats. This suggests that the species

assemblages of forested versus deforested habitats are quite distinct, and the

latter species are expected to expand in range and abundance if current

deforestation trends continue.

A surprising feature was the absence of any green pigeons Treron and only

two sightings of frugivorous columbids: Mountain Imperial Pigeon Ducula

badia and Ashy Wood-pigeon Columba pidchricollis. The same holds true for

hombills: only two species were recorded in 5 sightings. This paucity of

fiugivores was perhaps due to the winter being a lean season for fruit, and

these fiugivores may have moved to other areas. The movements of these

birds is not very well known and many columbids are thought to be

“nomadic wanderers” (Ali and Ripley 1983).

Finally, we discuss two noteworthy records:

Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler Sphenocichla humei: This is one of the least

known Indian species, and has been collected only three times in this

century, in 1905 by Stevens (1914), in 1938 by lightfoot (1940) and in 1988

by Ripley et al. (1991). Ripley et al. (1991) state that their efforts to find free-

ranging birds in the forest failed. We observed two of these birds on

14 February 1990, on Abango ridge in Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary at an

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altitude of 1,200 m (see Figure 2b). They were foraging in bamboo

understorey of mature tropical forest (about 2 feet above the ground), as part

of a mixed flock with several Coral-billed Scimitar-Babblers Pomatorhinus

ferruginosus and a pair of Red-faced Liocichlas Liocichla phoenicea. The thick

conical bills and scaly appearance make this species quite distinctive and we

were also able to observe them for many minutes, allowing us to confirm

their identity.

White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus: We observed a single individual on

the bank of Siang river below Pango village (see Figure 2a), at an altitude of

400 m for three consecutive days. This is a new low altitude record for this

species in the Indian subcontinent, as it has never been recorded below

2,000 m (Ali and Ripley 1983).

CONSERVATION OUTLOOK

The two main pressures affecting bird populations in Arunachal Pradesh are

habitat destruction and hunting. This region has the highest forest cover of

any state in India, supposedly over 60% (F. S. I. 1989), yet, the pace of

logging (largely selective, but also some clear-cutting) is quite alarming.

Selective logging takes place both legally (in Reserve Forests) and illegally,

even inside Wildlife Sanctuaries. Logging is particularly severe in low altitude

areas close to roads. More inaccessible forests of higher altitudes are safe for

the moment, but with the high level of deforestation in the rest of India, and

the pace of development activities such as road construction in Arunachal

Pradesh, they may not remain so for long. Such development activities are

also bringing in people from outside the state who put additional pressure on

the forests through fuelwood collection and hunting.

A second factor of habitat destruction is native agriculture. The many tribal

populations that inhabit Arunachal’s forests subsist largely on shifting

cultivation (called jhum ) and hunting. As tribal populations have nearly

doubled in the last two decades, the intensity of forest clearing for jhuming

has increased even as the fallow period in the jhum cycle has reduced from 30

years to about 5 years (Ramakrishnan et al. 1981). Most of the tribal

populations in eastern Arunachal Pradesh are restricted to areas below

1,200 m. Thus, the activities of tribals affect the lower tropical forests most.

Many species of vertebrates are hunted for food in Arunachal Pradesh.

This hunting is largely by the native tribal populations and is perhaps not a

major threat for most birds. However, hunting pressures were found to be

particularly severe in foothill forests near villages, particularly with the

increase in non-tribal populations accompanying road and other construction

activities. Larger birds such as hombills, pigeons, pheasants and waterfowl

are the worst hit by hunting. This is at least part of the reason for the paucity

of larger ffugivores and pheasants in our observations.

All the above pressures are most intense in the forests below 1,000 m. We

have shown above that it is these very habitats that are the richest in bird

species diversity. The lower forests are also known to be very rich in

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81

mammalian, particularly primate (personal observations), and plant species

diversity (Rau 1974, Sahni 1981, Jain 1982). The richest habitats in

Arunachal are thus also the most threatened. Since the lower forests also

support many altitudinal migrants during the winter months, loss of these

habitats is likely to also severely threaten the higher altitude avifaunas.

Current conservation measures are quite inadequate in dealing with these

pressures, and there is every need to increase research and protection efforts

if loss of some species is to be prevented in the near future.

We are grateful to G. S. Thapliyal, Chief Wildlife Warden, Arunachal Pradesh and staff of the

Arunachal Forest Department for their cooperation and logistical assistance during the survey.

We are also grateful to H. S. Panwar, Director, Wildlife Institute of India for sponsoring the

survey and for institutional support. Finally, we thank A. J. T. Johnsingh, G. S. Rawat and

W. A. Rodgers of the Wildlife Institute of India for their encouragement and critical contribution

to the survey. Trevor Price made valuable comments on the manuscript.

REFERENCES

Ali, S. (1978) Field guide to the birds of the Eastern Himalayas. Bombay: Oxford University Press.

Ali, S. and Ripley, S.D. (1948) The birds of the Mishmi hills. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 48: 1-37.

Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D (1983) Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Compact edition

Bombay: Bombay Natural History Society and Oxford University Press.

Forest Survey of India (1989). The state of forests report. Dehradun: Forest Survey of India,

Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Jain, S. K. (1982) Botany of Eastern Himalayas, pp. 194-200. In G. S. Paliwal (ed.), The

vegetaiional wealth of the Himalayas. Delhi: Puja Publications.

Katti, M., Manjrekar, N., Mukherjee, S. and Sharma, D. (1990) A report on wildlife survey in

Arunachal Pradesh with special reference to Takin. Unpublished Report. Dehradun: Wildlife

Institute of India.

King, B. F., Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. W. (1975) A field guide to the birds of South-East

Asia. London: Collins.

Lightfoot, G. S. (1940) On the occurrence of Hume’s Wedge-billed Wren ( Spehocichla humei

Mandelli) in the Aka Hills, Assam. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 41: 418-420

Ramakrishnan, P. S., Toky, O. P., Mishra, B. K. and Saxena, K. G. (1981) Slash and bum

agriculture in north-eastern India. In H. A. Mooney, T. M. Bonnicksen, N. L. Christensen, J.

E. Lotan and W. A. Reiners, eds. Fire regimes and ecosystems. USDA Forest Service General

Technical Report WO - 26.

Rau , M. A. (1974) Vegetation and phytogeography of the Himalaya. Pp. 247-275 in M. S. Mani,

ed.. Ecology and biogeography in India. The Hague: Dr. W. Junk Publishers.

Ripley, S. D., Saha, S. S., and Beehler, B.M. (1991) Notes on birds from the Upper Noa Dihing,

Arunachal Pradesh, Northeastern India. Bull. Brit. Om. Club 1 1 1 (1): 19-28.

Sahni, K. C. (1981) Botanical panorama of the eastern Himalaya. Pp. 32-49 in J. S. Lall, and A.

D. Moddie, eds., The Himalaya - aspects of change. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Stevens, H. (1914) Notes on the birds of upper Assam. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 23:234-268.

Madhusudan Katti, Wildlife Institute of India, P. O. New Forest, Dehradun 248006 (U.P.), India .

Present address and address for correspondence: Department of Biology, 01 1 6, University of California,

San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093 USA.

Pratap Singh, C/O Chief Wildlife Warden, Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, Itanagar, Arunachal

Pradesh, India.

Nima Manjrekar, Diwakar Sharma and Shomita Mukherjee, Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. New

Forest, Dehradun 248006 (U.P.), India.

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APPENDIX

ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF BIRDS SEEN IN THREE

AREAS OF EASTERN ARUNACHAL PRADESH,

NORTH-EASTERN INDIA. January - April 1990.

ABUNDANCE RANKING ALTITUDE HABITAT

SPECIES SLANG MEHAO KAMLENG (metres) (see codes)

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86

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HABITAT CODES 1 - Primary forest, Tropical; 2 - Primary forest, Temperate; 3 - Secondary

forest / edge; 4 - Rhododendron / Bamboo scrub; 5 - Jhum / Agriculture / Habitation; 6 - Water

body.

ABUNDANCE RANKING (# sightings) 1 - one; 2 - two, three; 3 - four to ten; 4 - ten plus;

* - These species were recorded only through mist-netting. Altitude ranges are based on our observations.

FORKTAIL 7 (1992): 91-124

The Birds of

Shuangtaizihekou National Nature

Reserve, Liaoning Province, P.R. China

MARK A. BRAZIL

The Shuangtaizihekou NNR was established in 1985. Situated at the mouth of the River

Shuangtaizi, it covers some 80,000 ha and holds important populations of Red-crowned Crane

Grus japonensis, Saunders’s Gull Larus saundersi and Reed Parrotbill Paradoxomis heudei. This

paper describes the physical features of the reserve, discusses its ornithological importance and

provides an annotated checklist of the 241 species recorded to date.

INTRODUCTION

Location

The Shuangtaizihekou National Nature Reserve (SNNR) is an area, on

paper at least, of some 80,000 ha (approximately 38 km east to west and

39 km north to south). It straddles the mouth of the Shuangtaizihe (River

Shuangtaizi) (see Figure 1), and lies at the head of the Liaodong Bay,

approximately 40°52' to 41°03'N and 121°35' to 121°55'E (Melville 1991).

The reserve which is within the counties of Panshan and Dawa,

administratively part of Panjin City, is bounded by the Daliao River in the

east, the Dalin River in the west, the plain of the Liao River to the north and

the Gulf of Bohai to the south. The Shuangtaizi River is connected to the

Dalin, Raoyang, Fengtun, Panjin and Daliao Rivers forming a network which

deposits large volumes of silt at the head of the bay from the Longgang

Mountains in eastern Liaoning, the Yiwulyu Mountains in the west and the

Figure 1 . Location of the

Shuangtaizihekou National Nature

Reserve (SNNR)

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M. A. BRAZIL

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intensively farmed lowlands between these ranges and the sea. The region,

part of the Bo Hai depression, of the central plateau of north China,

continues to subside, but subsidence is made up at the same rate, historically

at least, by siltation. The area is flat, low lying and only 2-4 m above sea level

(Anon. 1989b).

Climate

The reserve lies in the semi-humid and monsoon region of the temperate

zone with very cold winters (minimum -29.3°C) during which the ground

freezes to a depth of about 100 mm, the sea freezes along the coast, and snow

is not infrequent, very hot summers (maximum 35.2°C), with 172-177 frost

free days, and an annual rainfall of 610 mm (Anon. 1989a). Typhoon-related

rainstorms bring extremely heavy rain falls, causing flooding from late June

onwards, and as the soil of the coastal area consists largely of medium and

heavy, sticky clay, dirt roads can become impassable during and after rain.

Winds are predominantly from the south or south-west during spring and

summer and from the north or north-east during autumn and winter. The

flatness of the region and the proximity to sea and river means that, especially

in spring, strong winds are a dominant feature of the reserve.

The considerable silt load carried by the rivers here leads to rapid accretion

of the coastal tidal flats, an essential habitat requirement, it seems, for the

endangered Saunders’s Gull Larus saundersi. While estimates vary

considerably (Melville (1991), for example, gives annual seaward advances of

up to 250 m/yr and the increase of tidal flats at 2,668 ha/yr, but this rate may

now have diminished), it seems that the average rate is measured at least in

tens of metres seaward per year at the river mouths. These tidal flats become

colonised at the upper part by Suaeda and inland, in progressively drier areas,

different species of Suaeda, Nitraria scobri and Phragmites australis rapidly take

over. In the past, the reserve would have consisted of extremely large areas of

tidal mudflats, saltmarshes dissected by creeks and drier areas all supporting

natural plant communities. The natural profile of mudflat and saltmarsh has,

however, been completely disrupted by the construction of seawalls during

the late 1980s; by the drainage of coastal land and by the development of

virtually all of the designated SNNR as part of an oil field (the Liaohe Oil

Field, China’s third largest), two commercial reed farms for paper

production, Zhao Quan River Reed Farm on the east reserve and Dong Duo

Reed Farm on the west reserve (together said to be the second largest in the

world), as rice fields, and shrimp ponds. Despite the apparently large size of

the SNNR on paper only a very small proportion of it, as a consequence of

this development, actually contains any natural, undisturbed or unreclaimed

habitat and that is the narrow region of mudflat outside the seawall on the

east side of the Shuangtaizi River and outside banks on the west side. As a

consequence of the types of agriculture and agricultural regimes being

practised, and of the further development of land within the seawall, the

inflow of human populace, and as a result of egg-collecting and hunting, the

populations of particularly the rarer birds occurring on the reserve, such as

1992

Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

93

the Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis, Saunders’s Gull and Reed Parrotbill

Paradoxomis heudei are under threat. Saunders’s Gull is a particular case in

point, as this site holds approximately half of the known world population

and is one of only three known breeding sites for the species.

History

The SNNR was established in 1985, as the Panjin City Shuangtai Hekou

Waterfowl Nature Reserve, in the same year that the nearby Panjin City was

founded. In January 1987 the reserve was upgraded by the Liaoning

Municipal Government to a Provincial level nature reserve, the Liaoning

Shuangtaizihekou Nature Reserve and then in June 1988, after recognition of

its national importance, the State Council approved the declaration of it as a

national nature reserve, as a wetland reserve for wildlife conservation,

especially for the protection of the Red-crowned Crane (Anon. 1989b). The

reserve holds a small breeding population of this species, the southernmost in

China. The reserve was and is, however, also the subject of various

improvement and development plans which are rapidly altering the habitats

on various parts of the reserve and threatening internationally significant bird

populations.

Previous ornithological work on the SNNR

It appears that the ornithological importance of the once vast wetlands at the

head of the Bohai Bay and their significance for both breeding and migratory

birds had been quite overlooked by the early British, Russian and Japanese

pioneers of ‘Manchurian’ ornithology during the nineteenth century and the

early part of the twentieth century.

The first survey of the area was in fact not made until surprisingly late, in

1982, when the Forestry Bureau of Liaoning Province ordered a census of

the fauna, but by that time the area must have already been heavily

developed and reclaimed. By 1986, when the survey was reported, 135 bird

species had been recorded and a breeding population of cranes found (Anon.

1989b). A subsequent survey of the Panjin wetland for the State Forestry

Department was carried out by the Liaoning Ornithological Research Centre

from July 1987 to May 1989 during which a total of 160 species was

recorded (Jin et al. 1989). In 1990, David Melville, during a brief study of the

reserve’s Saunders’s Gull population, from 27-30 May and again from

8-12 June, recorded 68 species, of which six (Eastern Marsh-Harrier Circus

(aeruginosus) spilonotus, Mongolian Plover Charadrius mongolus, Terek

Sandpiper Xenus cinereus. Rufous-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis, Brown

Hawk-Owl Ninox scutulata and Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus ) were

apparently new records for the reserve, or at least had not previously been

published (Melville 1991). Melville’s list, which was of more than a third of

the previous total in less than ten days’ field work, indicated that the previous

surveys had probably greatly under-recorded the number of species occurring

on the reserve, and particularly those passing through on migration.

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M. A. BRAZIL

Forkiail 7

The present study

During the spring and summer of 1991 I worked as consultant to the World

Wide Fund for Nature (Project #4527) on the Shuangtaizihekou National

Nature Reserve on the coast of Liaoning Province, P.R. China. While the

primary aims of the project were to make the first in-depth study of the

breeding biology of Saunders’s Gull throughout an entire breeding season,

and to draw up a management prescription for the conservation of the

reserve and the gull, daily fieldwork on the reserve also enabled me to collect

information on the occurrence of a wide range of other species during what is

probably the most exciting period of all, the spring migration. Many of those

species were new for the reserve and two of them at least, Reed Parrotbill and

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis, appear to have been new records for the

province. The work on Saunders’s Gulls, and also that on Reed Parrotbills,

will be described elsewhere in detail, and sound recordings made deposited at

the British Library of Wildlife Sound (BLOWS), London. In this paper,

therefore, I will concentrate on the bird species recorded so far from the

reserve, and particularly those added to the reserve list during my stay in

1991.

During the course of the project I stayed on the east reserve from Mondays

to Fridays in a field house situated at km 1 1 on the seawall. I visited the west

reserve on Saturdays and spent Sundays in Xinglongtai District, Panjin City.

Access to and from the reserve and around the west reserve was by jeep, and

around the east reserve by bicycle. Visits to areas of the east reserve were

made as research needs dictated, but birds observed while doing field work

were noted and, whenever time permitted, detours were made past the few

isolated clumps of trees, primarily those at Lao Tuo Dze, consisting of a

small ring of trees around a tiny spring-fed pool, and some adjacent bushes,

as well as to several very small isolated plantations aligned north to south, just

to the east of the farm (see Figure 2). On journeys from the east reserve back

to Panjin City detours were occasionally made through parts of the reserve

not visited by bicycle, particularly the route passing the crane ‘breeding

centre’. Visits were not often possible on consecutive dates to the same areas

or habitats and consequently numbers refer purely to those seen and may not

reflect the numbers actually present on the reserve. This will apply in

particular to shorebird numbers. On the west reserve circuits were made by

road to search out Saunders’s Gulls, cranes and parrotbills. As there were no

tree clumps suitable for migrants, passerine records are much fewer there.

This may help to explain why so many species, fairly common on the east

reserve, had not been recorded by Jin et al. (1989), who concentrated their

research efforts on the west reserve.

Diary of the project: I flew from Hong Kong to Shenyang on 1 8 April and

on 19 April travelled from Shenyang to Panjin. The following dates were

spent on the east reserve: 20, 22, 25-26 April, 29 April - 3 May, 6-10, 14-17,

20-24, 27-31 May, 3-6, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28 June, 1-5, 8-12, 15-19,

22-26 July, and finally on 30 July. The west reserve was visited on 21 and

27 April, 4, 1 1 and 18 May, 1,8, 15 and 22 June, 6 and 28 July. The 24 and

1992

Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

95

28 April, 5, 12, 19, and 25-26 May, 2, 7, 9, 16, 23 and 29 June, 7, 13-14,

20-21, 27 and 29 July were spent in Panjin City. The 13 May, 30 June and

3 1 July were spent travelling between Panjin and Shenyang.

It was expected that during a long, intensive field project, from mid April

until the end of July 1991, a number of new species would be recorded for

the reserve. In fact, I observed 190 species during this period, more than a

third of which (67) are newly published records for the reserve. The accounts

of those species form an important pan of this paper. During summer 1991

the reserve authorities printed a reserve leaflet (Anon. 1991) including a bird

list of 172 species, adding for the first time David Melville’s additional

species from summer 1990 (omitting however, presumably as an oversight,

D.M.’s Rufous-necked Stint and Bull-headed Shrike) and also Northern

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis , Little Buttonquail Tumix sylvatica, Demoiselle

Crane Anthropoides virgo, Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii,

Sanderling Ccdidris alba, Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata, Japanese

Reed-Bunting Emberiza yessoensis, and Meadow Bunting E. cioides. This

brought the reserve list to 174 species. My own additional 67 species brings

the reserve total to 241 now (see Appendix 1).

My own observations support and extend the statement made by Jin et al.

(1989) that one of the main characteristics of the avifauna of the Panjin

Figure 2. Sketch Map of Shuangtaizihekou National Nature Reserve (SNNR)

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M. A. BRAZIL

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wetland is that the majority of the birds recorded there are migratory. In fact,

only a very small proportion recorded by Jin et al. (1989) are resident, some

of which may no longer be so as their whereabouts were not known by

reserve staff. The migratory seasons are from March to May in spring (Jin et

al. 1989) with large numbers of waterfowl, storks and cranes passing through

in March and early April. All of the latter and the bulk of the waterfowl had

already passed on northwards by the time I arrived on the reserve on 20 April

1991. During late April and May considerable numbers of migrant

shorebirds and passerines were in evidence. Warblers, flycatchers and

buntings were especially noticeable, occurring conspicuously and often in

large numbers. Surprisingly though, the majority of these had previously been

unrecorded from the reserve. Peak migration during this study was deemed

to occur during the middle ten day period of May when 121 species were

recorded (see Figure 3), although numbers were in fact high (more than 100

species) throughout May. Species diversity declined rapidly after the end of

May, but appeared to be on the increase again during July as shorebirds and

even the first few passerine migrants re-appeared. According to Jin et al.

(1989), the autumn migration period is during September and October.

Given the increase in species observed during July, however, I imagine that

August too is a very important month particularly for shorebirds.

Jin et al. (1989) list just seven winter visitors: Chinese Grey Shrike Lanius

Figure 3. Cumulative total bird

species observed at

Shuangtaizihekou NNR, Panjin,

Liaoning Province, P.R. China:

20 April -31 July 1991.

Dat a

1992

Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

97

sphenocercus, Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis, Short-eared Owl Asio

flammeus, Long-tailed Rosefinch Uragus sibiricus, Hawfinch Coccothraustes

coccothraustes, Common Reed-Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus and Lapland

Longspur Calcarius lapponicus, and as residents they record: Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneus, Little Owl Athene noctua. Crested Lark Galerida cristata,

Black-billed Magpie Pica pica, Carrion Crow Corvus corone and Eurasian

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus. I was surprised that I did not see either Little

Owl or Crested Lark and that the field team were uncertain of where on the

reserve they occurred or their identification; and I only once saw a Carrion

Crow. Similarly, of the summer visitors mentioned by Jin et al. (1989) I was

surprised not to encounter Slavonian Grebe Podiceps auritus, Watercock

GaUicrex cinerea, Long-eared Owl Asio otus, Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskii

(though see comments in main text) or Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica

cyana.

The location of the SNNR, situated at the head of a major gulf, on the

major east Asian coastal flyway, makes it of great importance for migratory

birds on their way to and from north-east China and Siberia; and in theory at

least the reserve provides an important, protected, stop-over site for many

migrants, and moulting, breeding or wintering grounds for others. I cannot

agree, however, with Jin et al. (1989) that one of the attractive features of the

area is its low human population. The reserve already has a population of

more than 140,000 people and includes a number of towns and villages,

while seasonal labour is extensive - semi-permanent fishing dwellings were

increasing in number even during the period when I was resident, and during

winter extremely large numbers (thousands) of people are employed for the

hand-harvesting of the reed crop. Even the only area of natural habitat

remaining, outside the seawall, is regularly disturbed by fishermen setting

nets across the mudflats, and by very large numbers (several hundred men at

a time) harvesting small bivalves to be ground up for shrimp food. I also

disagree with Jin et al. (1989) when they suggest that the large numbers of

waterbirds on the reserve list are indicative of the pristine nature and stability

of the wetland ecosystem. It is fortunate that the reed farming which

dominates the reserve provides some suitable habitat for wetland birds, but it

is far from ideal or pristine. A considerable amount of oil pollution occurs,

and the virtually complete harvesting of the reed crop down to ground/water

surface levels during the winter, leaves little or no habitat suitable for cranes

to nest in the following spring, or for over-wintering Reed Parrotbills. The

fresh-water wetland ecosystem is, in fact, highly degraded and artificial, while

the salt-water ecosystem is so highly disturbed as to seriously and imminently

threaten the survival of the breeding population of the already rare

Saunders’s Gull.

Significance of the SNNR

The reserve owes its designation as a national nature reserve to the presence

of a small population of Red-crowned Cranes. The various authorities

involved disagreed, however, as to the numbers present or breeding, and

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M. A. BRAZIL

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numbers given to WWF and to the Wild Bird Society of Japan also differed.

The 50 or so I was told about could have been almost completely comprised

of migratory individuals pausing on their way northwards in late March or

early April. Certainly, during my stay, I was unable to ever find more than a

fifth of this total and the number of observations of pairs together during the

breeding season suggests that even of those remaining to summer, few are

breeding. The presence of a considerable proportion of the world’s

Saunders’s Gull (first discovered there in 1989) mainly on the east reserve,

and the presence of a newly discovered population of the Reed Parrotbill,

mainly on the west reserve, add further, and greatly, to the biological

significance of the reserve. In addition, it is clearly an extremely important

and vital stopover for a wide range of migratory species, especially shorebirds.

The SNNR then is of extreme importance. It holds important breeding

populations of three rare, even endangered, bird species and attracts

numerous migrants. As a consequence, it deserves far greater attention and

protection, and to this end a joint project was undertaken between WWF and

the Ministry of Forestry, Beijing to draw up a management prescription for

the reserve which, it is hoped, will help to encourage and facilitate the future

conservation of this important area.

Background to the annotated list

As no information was available to me on the species recorded from the

reserve prior to my arrival in Hong Kong in early April 1991 I established a

predicted list by examining the distribution maps in Wild Bird Society of

Japan (WBSJ) (1982) and Japan Association for the Preservation of Birds

(JAPB) (1988) (the maps cover eastern Asia), which show those species that

should be resident, or regular summer and winter visitors to the region, and

from which it is also possible to predict roughly which species should migrate

through the region. These two references, however, do have many

inaccuracies in their distribution maps and so this list could only be

hypothetical. In addition I have drawn on my own knowledge of certain

species expanding their ranges northwards and or eastwards in eastern Asia

(Brazil 1991). This exercise provided an overall list of species quite a large

proportion of which, inevitably, it transpired, had already been recorded by

Jin et al. (1989), a copy of which I did not see until I reached Hong Kong.

Many more species, however, additional to Jin et al. (1989) were predicted to

occur, and found during my stay, and such species are given the superscript

P in the annotated list, while the remaining predicted species which I did not

find but which are very likely to occur, perhaps at other seasons, are included

for completeness in Appendix 2).

The 160 species recorded by Jin et al. (1989) are given superscript J (and

the number given in Jin et al. (1989)). Additional species included in the

Shuangtaizihekou NNR bird list, (a single sheet leaflet) which included 172

species by July 1991 (Anon. 1991), are given superscript R (and the number

given in Anon. (1991)). The 67 species observed during the period which are

newly published records for the reserve are marked *. As the reserve is

1992

Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

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located on a major migration route, and as both the Bo Hai Bay and the

Shuangtaizihekou itself act as a funnel, the likelihood of more species being

recorded there is extremely high. A number of species previously on the

reserve list were not recorded, mainly because they occur at different seasons,

but the number of additional species, recorded essentially incidentally while

conducting research on Saunders’s Gull, suggests that the reserve has been

greatly underwatched.

A selected annotated species list for the SNNR including recent additions, species of

international importance and birds known to or presumed to breed

Species in upper case were observed during the present study, although those

in square brackets refer to birds not in the wild. Species in lower case are

those recorded during previous studies but not this one and are included so

as to provide a complete checklist for the reserve. Species order follows Brazil

(1991), with names following recent OBC standards.

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus (— Podiceps) ruficollis 1001 Presumably a fairly

common summer visitor and breeder at pools amongst reed fields, primarily

on the west reserve but also at the northern part of the east reserve. One was

heard ‘singing’ on the west reserve on 21 April, and by 27 April, 50 had

arrived there and birds were seen regularly throughout the period.

BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis (caspicus) 1002 A summer

visitor to areas of reeds and marsh according to Jin et al. (1989), and

presumably on this basis a breeder, but not seen during this study.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus J003 A summer visitor,

occurring in small numbers at pools and flooded areas on the west reserve

where it is presumed to breed. Four were seen on 27 April, two pairs on

4 May, 15+ on 11 and 18 May, two on 8 June and one on 28 July.

GREAT BITTERN Botaurus steUaris J01° A fairly common summer visitor to

the extensive fields of the reed farm. The first birds, two, were seen on the

west reserve on 27 April, and up to five were subsequently recorded

throughout the summer with one still calling on the east reserve on 25 July.

YELLOW BITTERN Ixobrychus sinensis J008 A late arriving, common

summer visitor to the reed farm areas where it is assumed to breed. None was

seen during May, but then suddenly on 1 June, 40+ were seen at widespread

localities on the west reserve with many males in display flights following

females. Thereafter 10-30 were seen on each visit, and smaller numbers on

the east reserve.

SCHRENCK’S BITTERN Ixobrychus eurhythmus 1009 As with the previous

species this is a late arriving summer visitor which is assumed to breed, but

very different in that many migrants were seen in dry areas. The first bird was

flushed from the edge of the farm trees on 20 May. There was a major fall on

28 May when 65+ were found along the line of the farm trees, but otherwise

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M. A. BRAZIL

Forktai! 7

a few pairs were seen throughout the summer on both the east and west

reserve.

*LITTLE HERON Butorides striatus p A new species for the reserve list seen

first on 6 May, when one flew in to the northwest comer of the ‘reservoir’

area. On 28 May one was at LTD and another at the southern farm trees,

and on 5 June one was beside the seawall and one over the farm trees.

CHINESE EGRET Egretta eulophotes J007 A rare migrant to areas of reeds and

marsh according to Jin et al. (1989), but not seen during this study.

*LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta An out of range addition to the reserve

list, found on the west reserve on 1 June.

*INTERMEDIATE (PLUMED) EGRET Egretta intermedia An out of range

addition to the reserve list. One was on the west reserve on 1 5 June.

PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea J005 A common summer visitor, primarily

to the reed fields of the reed farms. It was first seen on 20 April when one

was on the east reserve, and subsequently found in increasing numbers

sometimes in excess of 50 during April and May with slightly smaller

numbers remaining throughout June and July, particularly on the west

reserve.

ORIENTAL (WHITE) STORK Ciconia (ciconia) boyciana Jon A rare

migrant according to Jin et al. (1989), not seen during this study.

COMMON SHELDUCK Tadoma tadoma J020 Presumed to be a late winter

and early spring migrant. It was first seen on 21 April when c30 were on the

west reserve. Flocks of up to 120+ were seen regularly on the east reserve

during May, and on the west reserve a pair was present during May and

June. The presence of some birds throughout the summer suggests that

breeding might possibly occur.

MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericidata J033 A rare migrant according to Jin et

al. (1989), not seen during this study.

SPOT-BILLED DUCK Anas poecilorhyncha J025 A not uncommon late

winter/spring migrant especially on the west reserve during April and May,

with a few pairs remaining to breed mainly on the east reserve, and with

small flocks being seen from early July onwards.

BAER’S POCHARD Aythya baeri J031 An uncommon summer visitor (?) seen

only on the western part of the reserve at or over pools amongst areas of reed.

The first observation, on 4 May, was of a flock of 29 birds. A flock, this time

of 1 5 birds, was seen at the very same place on the 1 1 May. Thereafter only

much smaller numbers were observed (presumably because birds had either

moved off completely or dispersed to breeding sites): a pair on the 18 May

and 1 June, and two males and one female on the 8 June. None at all was

recorded after that date and chicks were not seen. It is possible that birds left

the reserve entirely in early June or that they become much more secretive

during the breeding season.

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Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

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^ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD Pemis (apivorusO ptilorhyncus p A new

species for the reserve, first seen on 8 May when one flew north over the

Saunders’s Gull colony west of the ‘reservoir’ road. On 1 1 May three were

over the west reserve, then on 16 May at least 25 were moving north over the

seawall at km 1 1 on the east reserve, with several only just above sea level.

The last record was on 8 June, when one was over the west reserve being

mobbed by Lapwings.

PIED HARRIER Circus melanoleucos ,039 A fairly common migrant and

summer visitor to both the east and west reserves, first seen on 26 April on

the east reserve and subsequendy seen throughout the season with displays

seen on several dates during May. They were frequentiy mobbed by

Saunders’s Gull and presumably they may predate gull nests.

EASTERN MARSH-HARRIER Circus (aeruginosus) spilonotus R41

Surprisingly overlooked by Jin et al. (1989) and added to the reserve list by

Anon. (1991), seemingly on the basis of Melville’s records from summer

1990 (Melville 1991). It is probably both a migrant and a breeding summer

visitor in small numbers as birds were seen throughout the period. My first

record was on the west reserve on 2 1 April when 4 males and a female were

seen. Thereafter up to ten were seen in late April and during May with

smaller numbers seen during June and July on the west reserve. Also

observed being mobbed by Saunders’s Gull and presumably they may

predate gull nests.

*JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK Accipiter gularis p An addition to the reserve

list, first seen on 14 May, when two males were seen chasing passerine

migrants amongst the trees at LTD. Singles were then seen on 15 and

23 May and three on 24 May. This is presumably a regular migrant in small

numbers through the region which had previously been overlooked.

*NORTHERN SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus p Another new small

raptor for the reserve list first seen on 25 April when a female was observed

being mobbed by Saunders’s Gulls on the east reserve. Subsequendy,

another was observed on 2 May, and on 4 May two were seen on the west

reserve.

*AMUR FALCON Falco amurensis p A new species for the reserve list, first

seen on 27 April, when a female was on the west reserve. On 10 May a male

was on wires near the north end of the ‘reservoir’ road, and a female was seen

flying north along the reservoir road shortly afterwards. The last record was

of a male on the west reserve on 1 8 May.

*MERLIN Falco columbarius p An addition to the reserve list which probably

passes through on migration. Singles were seen on the west reserve on

21 April, and on the east reserve on 22 April.

JAPANESE QUAIL Cotumix japonica 1042 Quite common, particularly in the

drier areas of the east reserve and presumed to breed, though obviously far

more often heard than seen. The first record was of two on 27 April seen on

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M. A. BRAZIL

Forktail 7

the west reserve, and two were subsequently heard there on 4 May; thereafter

up to six were heard during May and birds were flushed quite frequently.

During June only one was encountered, flushed from damp Suaeda out

beyond the seawall, on 5 June, and none was heard. The very last record was

of one on 23 July, which was calling north of the oil field road in the early

morning and again in the afternoon, the first heard for nearly two months.

COMMON PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus 1043 Presumably resident on the

reserve, though not recorded as such by Jin et al. (1989). Males were heard

on 28 May, and 19 June, and one seen on 31 May, all on the east reserve.

COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus 1049 Given the amount of wet

reedbed habitat available, especially on the west reserve, a surprisingly

uncommon summer visitor, though presumably it breeds. First seen on the

west reserve on 1 1 May, no more than 25, and usualy many fewer, were seen

on any one day thereafter.

WATERCOCK GaRicrex cinerea 1048 A summer visitor, and presumably

therefore a breeder, to areas of reeds and marshes according to Jin et al.

(1989); however, I was unable to locate any during this study.

COMMON COOT Fulica atra 1050 Apart from two seen on the east reserve

on 10 May, this species was only encountered on the west reserve where it

frequented wet reed fields. It was first recorded on 21 April when 25+ were

seen. The largest total was of 250+ on 27 April, and subsequently recorded

regularly in smaller numbers throughout May and June. On 6 July a pair was

seen with well-grown chicks, and on 28 July a single immature was seen.

RED-CROWNED CRANE Grus japonensis J045 Varying information was

given on the population of this species on the reserve, though apparently

none of it based on research. The estimates of 50 or more probably relate to

migrants passing through. Though the southernmost breeding site known,

few pairs seem to be breeding, probably as a result of the lack of suitable

nesting habitat for them in early spring. My first record was of three near the

crane centre on the east reserve on 20 April; however, as they flew in to a

whistle they were probably free-living ex-captives. Subsequent records on the

east reserve were: two pairs and a single north-east of the sluice at km 6 on

2 May, a pair on 9 May, one on 10 May, two flew across the oil field road

heading north on 19 May. None was then seen until 12 July when two flew

in from the southwest landing near the farm before continuing northwards.

On 16 July a pair was foraging out on the, now flooded, main Saunders’s

Gull colony area, and on 25 July four were in the same area.

On the west reserve, three singles were observed on 21 April , and on 27

April seven were seen (five singles and a pair; the largest total I was able to

observe), on 4 May there were five (two pairs and a singleton), on 1 1 May

two singles, and on 18 May one pair was on the west reserve.

Based on experience from crane breeding grounds in Hokkaido, Japan, the

regular observation of pairs of individuals together during the breeding

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Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

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season suggests that breeding was not successful. No chicks were observed at

all during the period.

[SIBERIAN CRANE Grus leucogeranus 1046 A weak immature was captured

by farmers and delivered to the crane centre on the east reserve on 25 April,

where I first saw it on 26 April. I was told that it would be looked after until

fit, but it was still in captivity at the end of July and seems destined to remain

so now.]

COMMON OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus 1051 A summer

visitor and breeder to the reserve, first seen on the east reserve on 20 April,

and on the west reserve on 21 April. Small numbers, ranging from 2-10+,

were found throughout the period on both sections of the reserve and several

nests with eggs were found. On 10 and 11 July 50+ were seen on the east

reserve, with the largest total of all, 100+, seen there on 24 July.

BLACK- WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus 1077 A common migrant

and a small number remaining to summer, and breed (one nest seen on the

west reserve). It was first seen on the east reserve on 20 April, when 10-15

were at roadside pools. More than 200+ were present on the west reserve on

2 1 April with flocks in excess of 1 00 seen into early May, thereafter numbers

dwindled to no more than 20 during June and July.

PLED AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta ]078 An uncommon migrant and

perhaps a breeder in small numbers (on the west reserve where it seemed to

be present throughout the summer).

ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE Glareola maldivarum J079 Up to six birds were

seen a number of times on both the east and west reserve between 29 April

and 22 July, but only at drier areas or foraging over flooded areas. Although

possibly breeding neither nests nor chicks were seen.

KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus 1057 A very common and

widespread migrant and summer visitor first seen on 20 April. Birds were

seen on just about every day in the field with numbers seen usually estimated

to be around 10-50, although the total population was no doubt considerably

larger. The largest total, of 300-400, was on the east reserve on 25 April. On

the west reserve it was generally less common resulting from less available

suitable habitat. The first nest was found, complete with three eggs, on

10 May. Thereafter several nests and chicks were seen.

GREY-HEADED LAPWING Vanellus cinereus J053 An infrequently seen

summer visitor, but which may have been a very locally distributed breeder.

It was first encountered on 20 April when one was over crane centre on the

east reserve. On 4 May two individuals were seen on the west reserve, one of

which was mobbing a Northern Lapwing; on 1 0 May one was near the crane

centre again where it was seen mobbing a farm worker and may have been

nesting nearby. On 1 1 May one was on the west reserve.

NORTHERN LAPWING Vanellus vanellus 1052 An uncommon migrant and

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M. A. BRAZIL

Forkiail 7

summer visitor presumably breeding in small numbers. The first bird was

seen on the east reserve on 20 April, subsequently no more than 25+, usually

fewer, were seen throughout the season mainly on the west reserve.

*GREAT KNOT Calidris tenuirostris p A new record for the reserve, with a

distant flock of 60 over the mudflats on the east reserve followed by six very

close on 3 May. Birds were found on a number of occasions during May,

June and July, the largest totals being: on 6 July a flock of 98 were at roost at

the edge of the flooded Saunders’s Gull colony on the west reserve; on

1 6 July 200 were roosting out near a flooded area of the ‘reservoir’; and on

24 July 1,140 were counted flying to roost.

*RED KNOT Calidris canutus p A new species for the reserve. Most records

were from the east reserve where it was first seen on 17 May, when four

separate individuals all in summer plumage were found along the tide edge at

km 9.5. On 22 May 225 were out on the mudflats, on 29 May 6-10 were

amongst a Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola flock roosting at the ‘reservoir’; on

15 June 25+ were on the west reserve, and on 24 July three were seen

amongst Great Knot on the east reserve.

* LONG-TOED STINT Calidris subminuta p A new species for the reserve,

only recorded on 23 July, when 5 were seen amongst a flock of Sharp-tailed

Sandpipers C. acuminata on the east reserve.

* BROAD-BIT .1 .ED SANDPIPER Limicola falcinellus p A new species for the

reserve list first seen when small groups totalling 50 were seen throughout the

day on 22 May. Small numbers were then seen on several dates in late May

and on 1 1 July, all on the east reserve.

*PINTAIL SNIPE Gallinago stenura p Added to the reserve list on 10 May

when two were near the crane centre with Common Snipe G. gallinago, and

three birds, probably of this species, were seen on 14 May.

* ASIAN DOWITCHER Limnodromus semipalmatus p An addition to the

reserve list, first seen when one was amongst a flock of Grey Plovers roosting

at the southwest comer of the ‘reservoir’ on the east reserve on 29 May. On

24 July three flew over the seawall at km 14, also on the east reserve.

*EURASIAN WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola p A new species, flushed on

the east reserve on 22 April.

COMMON REDSHANK Tringa totanus 1065 A common migrant and

breeding summer visitor widespread on both eastern and western reserves.

First seen on 20 April. Subsequently numbers ranging up to 75+ were seen

almost daily until late June when numbers began to increase. For example

500+ were at a high tide roost on 1 1 July, and 200+ on 24 July on the east

reserve. Aerial display flights were seen for the first time on 26 April, and the

first nest was found on 8 May complete with four eggs, west of the reservoir

road.

*GREY-TAILED TATTLER Heteroscelus brevipes p An addition to the

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Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

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reserve list seen only on 31 May, when 8 birds flew north calling over the

mudflat off km 9.

SAUNDERS’S GULL Lams saundersi J083 Already one of the rarest of the

world’s gulls, only three breeding sites have been reported two of which

(Yancheng in Jiangsu and Panjin in Liaoning) hold approximately 1,000

birds each, whilst at the third (in Nei Mongol) only six nests have been

reported (Shi et al. 1988). It is a specialist, occurring only along coastal

saltmarshes and estuaries and perhaps at similar sites at major inland waters,

where it feeds primarily on crabs, but also on small fish and worms obtained

from mudflats. It nests above the high tide line along the saltmarsh edge, but

below the level of permanent dry land vegetation (Brazil and Melville 1991).

At least 100 birds were already present on the east reserve when I arrived on

20 April, and about 30 were on the west reserve on 21 April. Numbers

recorded daily varied enormously depending on the state of the tide and the

sector of the reserve I was working in. Generally, however, numbers seen at

any one area ranged from 50-260 on the east reserve with up to 100 on the

west reserve. Two small colonies and one large extensive colony were located

in early May and on 6 May the first nest was found and several birds

observed incubating for the first time.

On 1 June, 90+ were discovered over a new small colony on the west

reserve where 14 birds were seen incubating; this colony was however later

destroyed when the area was flooded for fish ponds.

On 19 June, 510-520 were counted over the main colony representing the

largest single count inland. On 3 July the first flying immatures of the year

were seen and subsequently more and more were found as they moved

towards the mudflats.

A series of counts made from the seawall on 1 1 and 24 July by the field

team, combined with the numbers known to be on the west reserve and an

average of the numbers usually over the main colony suggested that this year

the reserve held 1,000-1,200 adults and a minimum of 370 young were

reared to the flying stage by 24 July. This total represents approximately half

of the known world population.

The results of the detailed field research into the behaviour, ecology and

breeding biology of Saunders’s Gull done during spring and summer 1991

will be described in full detail elsewhere.

*MEW GULL Lams canus p New for the reserve list but only seen on

27 April, when two adults and an immature were seen on the west reserve.

*GLAUCOUS GULL Lams hyperboreus An unexpected new record for the

reserve when an adult was seen out on the mudflat off Km 7, on 2 May.

GULL-BILLED TERN Gelochelidon nilotica J086 A quite common migrant

and summer visitor with some breeding amongst Saunders’s Gulls on the

east reserve and a colony found on the west reserve, although this was

destroyed by flooding for fish ponds.

It was first observed on the west reserve on 21 April. During May mostly

small numbers were observed except over the west reserve colony which had

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M. A. BRAZIL

Forktail 7

attracted 100+ birds by 22 June and these had built 40 nests. By 6 July, when

100 were seen again, their colony had been partially flooded, and many of the

nests washed away; the colony had been abandoned by 28 July. Several nests

were found on the east reserve during June and one flightless chick was found

at the edge of the Saunders’s Gull colony on 8 July.

COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo 1088 A fairly common migrant and summer

visitor with small numbers breeding, particularly amongst a Gull-billed Tern

colony on the west reserve. It was first recorded on 27 April, and

subsequently seen throughout the season. Birds regularly joined mobbing

Saunders’s Gulls over colonies. On 22 June 30 birds with 12 nests were

found amongst the Gull-billed Tern colony on the west reserve; one

individual clearly had an orange rather than a black bill, suggesting that it was

of a different subspecies from the others. By 28 July, when the nesting colony

had been flooded out, only three were seen on the west reserve. Although no

nests were found on the east reserve, breeding was assumed to have occurred

there also, because on 15 July an immature bird was seen there flying out

over the seawall.

LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrons J089 A fairly common migrant and summer

visitor with at least one nesting colony (50+ birds) on the west reserve,

although this was completely destroyed by floods. First seen on 25 April,

then from 10-50 seen throughout the season,

WHISKERED TERN Chlidonias hybridus J084 A very common migrant and

summer visitor, presumed to breed on the reserve. Nest material was seen

being collected, but no nests were found. It was seen first on 21 April and

subsequently seen throughout the season with the largest total of 650, of

which 600 were in a single loose flock, foraging over an area of flooded reed

fields, on the west reserve on 1 1 May. Several hundred were also present

throughout June, though numbers were rather smaller during July.

*ROCK PIGEON/FERAL PIGEON Columba livia Surprisingly uncommon

and only recorded on 10 July when two appeared at the house at dusk.

Apparently not recorded previously on the reserve.

*HODGSON’S HAWK-CUCKOO Cuculus fugax p A new species for the

reserve, seen only on 24 May, when one was flushed twice from the north

farm trees.

^INDIAN CUCKOO Cuculus micropterus pAn addition to the reserve list,

first seen on 23 May, when one was found amongst the north farm trees.

Presumably the same individual was still present on 24 May, and one was at

the southern farm trees on 28 May.

COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus J091 A common migrant and summer

visitor, clearly taking advantage of the sizeable population of Oriental Reed

Warblers Acrocephalus orientalis breeding on the reserve. The first record was

on 14 May, then by 1 June hundreds were seen everywhere on roadside

wires, posts and bushes. Obviously a sudden major arrival had occurred, but

1992

Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

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numbers dwindled quickly and the largest totals during the remainder of the

summer were 50+ on 8 June and on 6 July. It seems likely that the extremely

high densities estimated by Melville (1991), 22/ha, were a consequence of

surveying during the peak of the spring passage and not entirely indicative of

the size of the breeding population.

* ORIENTAL CUCKOO Cuculus saturatus p New for the reserve. A bird

possibly of this species was seen on 1 4 May, at the southern farm trees, then

on 5 June one was seen and heard singing at LTD.

* LESSER CUCKOO Cuculus poliocephalus p New for the reserve, first seen

on 2 1 May, when a probable female was at the farm trees, and a male was at

the trees north of the oil field road. On 5 June a brown phase female was at

the north farm trees.

*ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL Otus (scops) sunia pNew for the reserve, with

records on 20 May, when one was found amongst the northern farm trees,

and on 23 May when one was found dead at LTD.

* WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL Hirundapus caudacutus p New for

the reserve on 16 May, when one flew in low over a small Saunders’s Gull

colony on the east reserve. On 18 May, two were seen moving east along the

Shuangtaizi river from the west reserve, and on 22 May one flew in east over

the seawall on the east reserve.

*FORK-T AILED SWIFT Apus pacificus p New for the reserve on 1 May. It

seems, however, to have been overlooked in the past as it proved to be a fairly

common migrant with the main movement occurring in early and mid June.

The largest single total was of 50+ on 17 June, but birds continued moving

northwards all that afternoon and probably totalled several hundreds. The

last records were on 1 1 and 22 July.

*DOLLARBIRD Eurystomus orientalis p New for the reserve on 28 May,

when two, possibly three, were seen being mobbed by Saunders’s Gulls; later

the same day one was at LTD and two were at the north farm trees.

*RI JFOI JS-RF.1 .1 .TED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos (Picoides) hyperythrus

New for the reserve when a female was seen at LTD on 14 May.

Subsequently a female was at the farm trees and a male at LTD on 20 May.

On 24 May a male was at LTD, and on 28 May there were two males there

and a female at the southern farm trees. The last record was of a female at

the south farm trees on 5 June.

ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK Calandrella cheleensis 1102 A fairly common

summer visitor. A single bird was first seen on the west reserve on 2 1 April,

and on the east reserve on 25 April. Thereafter from 5-20+ were seen on

virtually all dates spent on the reserve, and it was presumed to breed.

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica J106 A common migrant and summer

visitor mainly to villages and towns where they occurred in much larger

numbers, but first seen on 21 April when one was on the west reserve, and

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M. A. BRAZIL

Forktail 7

on 22 April when two were on the east reserve. Thereafter they appeared in

increasing numbers and 5-50+ were seen on the reserve on most days. The

largest total over the reserve was of 250+ moving north over the west reserve

on 18 May. Two pairs built nests in and around the field house.

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Hirundo daurica J107 A fairly common summer

visitor, which probably breeds around villages on the reserve. The first ones

were seen on 3 May, thereafter small numbers were seen regularly with a

maximum of 50+ on 1 8 May.

* AS IAN HOUSE-MARTIN Delichon dasypus p A new species for the reserve,

seen only on 22 May, when one flew north over the mudflats.

RICHARD’S PIPIT Anthus novaeseelandiae J1“ A widespread summer visitor

in small numbers to drier habitats. Commoner on the east than on the west

reserve because of the availability of habitat. First seen on 30 April. It was

subsequently seen on many dates when numbers ranged mostly from 2-5,

although on 9 May 10-15 flew north over the mudflats during the morning.

From late June onwards I noted slightly larger numbers up to 10-15 per day

perhaps reflecting the fledging of young on the reserve.

* RED-THROATED PIPIT Anthus cervinus p A new record for the reserve,

first seen on 4 May, when two were flushed on the west reserve, and

subsequendy one was seen nearby on 1 1 May.

*BI JFF-RF.T .1 TF.D PIPIT Anthus (spinoletta) rubescens p Although new for the

reserve, it is presumably a fairly common early spring migrant. I observed it

only once, on 22 April, when seven were on the east reserve.

*FOREST WAGTAIL Dendronanthus indicus p New for the reserve on

14 May, when one was found along the western margin of the ‘reservoir’.

YELLOW WAGTAIL MotaciUa flava 1108 A fairly common migrant with

small numbers remaining on the reserve to breed. The first record was on the

west reserve on 2 1 April, and it was subsequendy seen most often on the west

reserve throughout the season, with food carrying seen on 8 June.

*ASHY MINIVET Pericrocotus divaricatus pNew for the reserve on 14 May

when 1 5 flew over very high calling.

*RUFOUS-TAILED ROBIN Luscinia (Erithacus) sibilans p New for the

reserve list, but probably a regular migrant in small numbers, first seen on

14 May when one was at LTD, and then regularly during May and early

June. On 28 May there was an appreciable fall with one at LTD, 18+ at the

south farm trees (one of which was singing), and 16-17 at the mid and north

farm trees. The last records, four birds, were on 5 June.

*SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT Luscinia (Erithacus) calliope p A new record

for the reserve, added on 4 May, when two males and a female were found

on the west reserve. It was subsequendy found, however, to be a common

migrant throughout May, with up to 20 or more on some dates. The last

record was on 30 May.

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Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNB

109

*BLUETHROAT Luscinia (Erithacus) svecica p A new record for the reserve

added on 4 May, when a red-spotted male was found on the west reserve. On

8 May, two or three were on the east reserve, and on 28 May one was there.

*DAURIAN REDSTART Phoenicurus auroreus p A new species for the

reserve; a female was observed at LTD on 10 May.

*PIED WHEATEAR Oenanthe pleschanka pNew for the reserve, first seen on

26 April when a female was found on the east reserve. A second female was

found on 8 May.

* WHITE-THROATED ROCK-THRUSH Monticola gularis p Although a

new species for the reserve list, it proved surprisingly common. It was first

seen on 14 May when three males were at the middle and northern farm

trees. Up to five birds were seen on several dates during May, and the last

record was of a female at the southern farm trees on 5 June.

^SIBERIAN THRUSH Zoothera sibirica p A new bird for the reserve, first

recorded on 23 May when a male was at LTD and three males were amngst

the farm trees. It was subsequently seen on 28 May when a female was at

LTD, a male was at the southern farm trees, and two were at the northern

farm trees. The last record was of a male at LTD on 5 June.

*EYEBROWED THRUSH Turdus obscurus p A new reserve record first

found on 4 May. It proved to be a fairly frequently encountered, though

uncommon, migrant during May and early June, with up to 20 birds on any

one date. The last record was of one at the north farm trees on 10 June.

* MANCHURIAN BUSH-WARBLER Cettia anturians p A new species for

the reserve, first seen on 23 May, when two were at LTD and one was at the

farm trees.

*Z11T1NG CISTICOLA Cisticola juncidis An unexpected addition to the

reserve list, and seemingly a new record for Liaoning Province (It was not

recorded by Cheng (1987) for the province, or Zhao (1988) for northeast

China). One was found in song flight display on 1 1 May, along the western

edge of the west reserve.

* PALLAS’S WARBLER Locustella certhiola p New for the reserve, though

probably a regular though very uncommon late migrant, with the first record

on 5 June, when four were seen. The only other record was of one near the

farm on 14 June.

*GRAY’S WARBLER Locustella fasciolata p Although new for the reserve, it

has no doubt been overlooked previously because of its skulking behaviour. It

was first seen on 28 May and again on 30 May. On 5 June three were seen,

and finally one was present on 10 June.

BLACK-BROWED REED-WARBLER Acrocephalus bistrigiceps J136 A far less

common migrant and summer visitor than the Oriental Reed-Warbler. It was

first seen on 14 May then up to ten were recorded regularly throughout the

season.

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M. A. BRAZIL

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* PADDY hi KT D WARBLER Acrocephalus agricola A very unexpected

addition to the reserve list; one was caught in mist nets on 28 July, on the

west reserve, and attributed to subspecies A. a. tangorum by D. S. Melville (in

litt.).

ORIENTAL REED-WARBLER Acrocephalus orientalis J135 A common late

arriving summer visitor, and an even commoner (super-abundant) migrant.

Probably not as abundant, however, as suggested by Melville (1991) since his

estimates of 22/ha (and perhaps up to half a million on the reserve) were

based on surveys done during what appears to be the peak of the spring

migration period. None was seen until 18 May, but then more than 100 were

on the west reserve, after seemingly a sudden arrival of large numbers which

had begun to sing and set up territories. On 1 June hundreds, possibly

thousands, were singing on the west reserve, yet by 8 June only 50+ were

there, reflecting the passing of the peak of migration.

* EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER Phylloscopus coronatus pNew for the

reserve, first seen on 14 May. A second bird was seen on 23 May.

*PALE-LEGGED LEAF-WARBLER Phylloscopus tenellipes An unexpected

new species for the reserve, first found on 4 May when one was on the west

reserve. However, on 23 May there was something of a fall with 10-15 at

LTD, although only one remained there on 24 May. On 28 May one was

found at LTD and another at the southern farm trees, and on 5 June one was

at LTD.

^GREENISH WARBLER Phylloscopus trochUoides An unexpected new bird

for the reserve list seen in roadside scrub on the east reserve on 28 May.

*LEMON-RUMPED WARBLER Phylloscopus proregulus p A new record for

the reserve, and one that proved surprisingly common given that it had not

been seen by Jin et al. (1989). It was first seen on 29 April. It was found

frequently during May usually in small numbers, however, on 14 May a

major fall occurred and 30-40 were at LTD. The final records were on

5 June.

*RADDE’S WARBLER Phylloscopus schwarzi? A new species for the reserve,

first found during a major fall of Phylloscopus warblers on 14 May, when one

was seen along the track to LTD, three or four were amongst the trees at

LTD and two or three were among the farm trees. One was seen on 1 5 May,

and three on 5 June.

*DUSKY WARBLER Phylloscopus fuscatus p A new species for the reserve,

found on the west side on 1 8 May.

* DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa sibirica p A new bird for the

reserve, found on 20 May, when 2-3 were amongst the southern farm trees.

Then one was at LTD, and 4-5 were amongst the farm trees on 23 May. On

28 May singles were near the tower and at the south farm trees. On 30 May

one was near the northern farm trees, and finally on 5 June one was at LTD

and three were at the south farm trees.

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Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

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* ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER Muscicapa latirostris p A new species for

the reserve, and one that was not uncommon during May, but only on the

east reserve. It was first seen on 7th, and then regularly, with up to seven

birds, throughout May. The last record was of one on 5 June.

* RED-THROATED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva p A new reserve

record, but one that it was surprising that Jin et al. (1989) had missed, given

the frequency with which I encountered it. The first bird, a male, was found

amongst low vegetation around the trees at LTD on 30 April. Then

subsequently up to seven birds were found during May, the last on 22 May.

*MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER Ficedula mugimaki PA new record for the

reserve first seen on 14 May, when two males were found. On 15 May they

still remained, and on 20 May a female was amongst the southern farm trees.

All records were from the east reserve.

* ASIAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER Terpsiphone paradisi An unexpected

new bird for the reserve seen on 28 May.

*REED PARROTBILL Paradoxomis heudei An unexpected discovery. Not

only the first for the reserve but also for Liaoning Province, although it seems

quite likely that this species had been misidentified as Long-tailed Tit by Jin

et al. (1989), who only had access to WBSJ (1982) and hence had no

illustrations of this species. It was first seen on 21 April, when three were

found on the west reserve. Four were found on 27 April, and on 4 May, by

which time I had obtained recordings, 25 responded to play-back. The

species was recorded on the east reserve for the first, and only, time on

10 May, when three responded to tapes 0.5 to 2 km west of the crane centre.

Twenty plus on 1 1 May, 23 on 18 May, 25 on 1 June, ten on 15 June, four

were seen on the west reserve on 22 June, and on 28 July, one male and one

female were caught in mist nets set for the purpose on the west reserve.

Further details of population surveys and behavioural observations will be

published elsewhere.

*EURASIAN PENDULINE-' llT Remiz pendulinus p Although predicted to

occur on the reserve, and in fact an old nest, presumably taken from the

reserve, was kept in the reserve office in Panjin, there seem to have been no

sight records from the reserve until 27 April, when two were on the west

reserve. Subsequently, on 4 May 20 were on the west reserve, six were at

LTD on 8 May and on 1 1 May four were on the west reserve.

*TIGER SHRIKE Lanius tigrinus pNew for the reserve, first seen on 20 May,

when a female was found at the southern farm trees. Up to six were seen

thereafter on several dates during May with a fall of 19 on 28 May. The last

records were on 5 June when five were at LTD and six were at the farm trees.

BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE Pica pica J122 It seems that it is most likely to be

a resident (although it was not recorded as such by Jin et al. (1989)) with

small numbers along the western border of the west reserve and some at the

north-eastern comer of the east reserve. Up to 20 birds were seen throughout

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M. A. BRAZIL

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the summer, and several nests observed on concrete power poles and metal

pylons. It is known locally, apparently, as a ‘bird of danger’ because wet nests

bridging wires sometimes cause short-outs!

EURASIAN TREE SPARROW Passer montanus J146 Not particularly

common on the reserve except around villages and buildings. It was first seen

on 20 April, when clO were seen on the east reserve, and subsequently

numbers ranging from 2-50+ were seen regularly on both the east and west

reserves. Numbers appeared to suddenly increase in late June and early July,

for example on 8 July a flock of about 1 00 birds, many of them young, was

near the northwest comer of the reservoir.

* COMMON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus erythrinus pNew for the reserve on

14 May, when two males and four females were found on the east reserve.

Up to six birds were found on a number of dates during May and on 20 May

several were found in cages at Dawa county street market. The last record

was of a female on 30 May.

*JAPANESE GROSBEAK Eophona ( Coccothraustes ) personata pNew for the

reserve on 14 May. One was seen again on 20 May, and several were found

for sale at the Dawa county street market.

^BLACK-FACED BUNTING Emberiza spodocephala p A very predictable

new reserve record, but one that proved to be so common that it was

surprising that it had been overlooked by Jin et al. (1989). The first record

was on 29 April when 3-4 were around the LTD trees, including one which

sang briefly, and thereafter up to six were seen on a number of dates during

May. Three were on the west reserve on 1 June, then none was seen until

3 and 4 July when a male was at the roadside near the field house.

*CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING Emberiza fucata p A new reserve record,

first seen on 29 April when a male was in roadside scrub north of the LTD

trees on the east reserve. On 4 May, a female, and on 18 May a male were on

the west reserve, while on the east reserve a male was 1 km east of the house

on 10 May, one was near the tower and one was along the ‘reservoir’ road on

29 May, and on 5 June one was along the seawall.

*YELLOW- BROWED BUNTING Emberiza chrysophrys p New for the

reserve; a poorly marked male was on the west side on 1 8 May.

^TRISTRAM’S BUNTING Emberiza tristrami p A new reserve record. The

first, a male, was seen on 29 April. On 3 May, a male and female, with a

male Little Bunting E. Pusilla, flew in to Suaeda just outside the seawall at

km 10.5. On 10 and 23 May a male was at LTD, and on 23 May one was

also at the north farm trees, where there was a female on 28 May.

^CHESTNUT BUNTING Emberiza rutila p New for the reserve, first seen

on 15 May, when a male was found on the east reserve. On 18 May, two

males were seen flying over the west reserve with Yellow-breasted Buntings,

then a pair were seen on the ground. On 20 May 30+ were found to be on

sale at the Dawa county street market indicating that large numbers were

1992

Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

113

migrating. On 23 May a male was at the north farm trees, and finally two

females were at LTD on 5 June also on the east reserve.

*PAI J AS’S REED-BUNTING Emberiza pallasi p Although new for the

reserve list, it proved surprisingly common. It seems likely that this species

had been overlooked in confusion with Common Reed-Bunting (a winter

visitor) by Jin et al. (1989). It was first seen on 21 April when three, possibly

more, were on the west reserve, several times more during April, then on

several dates during May when much larger numbers were present. The

highest total was on 4 May when 200-300, possibly more, were on the west

reserve. The last records were on 1 1 May, when one male was seen, and one

was picked up dead on the west reserve.

The field work during which these observations were made was supported by the World Wide

Fund for Nature (Project #4527). I would like to thank David Melville of WWF Hong Kong, for

promoting this project, for making my involvement in it possible, and for his support and advice

during it. The project was part of a co-operative conservation initiative between WWF and the

Ministry of Forestry, Beijing, at the national level and carried out in co-operation with the forestry

bureau of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, and Panjin, and the staff of the Shuangtaizihekou NNR.

I would like to thank in particular Director Liu and Vice-Director Wei of the SNNR for

facilitating the logistical aspects of the project and for assembling a team of co-workers to assist

me in the field. I especially thank the field team, Sui Fengren, Li Yu Xiang (both of the SNNR),

and Liang Yu (seconded from the Liaoning Ornithological Research Centre for the duration of

the field work) for their assistance and companionship throughout the project, and Susanne

Holschuh and ‘Fox’ Wong for joining me in June.

REFERENCES

Anon. (1989a) [Survey report of vegetation of Shuangtaizihekou National Nature Reserve of Liaoning .)

Shenyang: Liaoning Forestry Survey and Planning Institute. (In Chinese)

Anon. (1989b) [ Report of the investigation of vertebrates in Liaoning Shuangtai Hekou National

Nature Reserve.) Shenyang: Liaoning Forestry Survey and Planning Institute. (In Chinese)

Anon. (1991) [Liaoning Shuangtai River National Nature Reserve.) Panjin City: Shuangtaizihekou

NNR. (In Chinese)

Brazil, M. A. (1991) The Birds of Japan. Christopher Helm: London.

Brazil, M. A. and Melville, D. S. (1991) An immediate short-term management strategy for Saunders’

Gull Larus saundersi. Hong Kong: WWF.

Cheng Tso-hsin. (1987) Synopsis of the avifauna of China. Beijing: Science Press.

Japan Association for the Preservation of Birds. (1988) A guide for bird lovers. Tokyo: JAPB.

Jin, L., Liang, Y., Zhang, Y., Hu, Y., Wang, J., Wei, H., and Sui, F. (1989) [A survey of birds in

Panjin Wetland, Liaoning Province.] Transactions of Liaoning Zoological Society 7 (1): 21-38. (In

Chinese)

Melville, D. S. (1991) Notes on birds of Shuangtaizihekou National Nature Reserve, Liaoning

Province, China. Hong Kong Bird Report 1990.

Shi, Z. R., Thouless, C. R. & Melville, D. S. (1988) Discovery of the breeding grounds of

Saunders’s Gull Larus saundersi. Ibis 130: 445-446.

Wild Bird Society of Japan. (1982) A field guide to the birds of Japan. Tokyo: Wild Bird Society of

Japan.

Zhao, Z. (ed) (1988) [The birds of northeast China.) Shenyang: Liaoning Science and Technology

Press. (In Chinese)

Mark A. Brazil B.A., Ph.D., The Japan Times, 5-4 Shibaura 4-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108

Japan, and Worldwide Features, 27 Colville Road, Melton Constable, Norfolk NR24 2DD, UK.

1 14

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APPENDIX 1

A COMPLETE LIST OF BIRDS RECORDED SO FAR FROM THE

SHUANGTAIZIHEKOU NNR

Species added to the reserve list during this study are marked * with those predicted as likely to

occur also marked p. Those recorded by Jin et al. (1989) are marked J, those added in the recent

reserve list (Anon. 1991) are marked R, and those by Melville (1991) M.

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus (Podiceps) ruficollis IRM A fairly common summer visitor and

presumed breeder (MAB).

SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus 1 R A summer visitor, but not seen during this study.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus , R M An uncommon summer visitor and possible

breeder (MAB) .

GREAT BITTERN Botaurus stellaris J R M A fairly common summer visitor and presumed to

breed (MAB).

YELLOW BITTERN Ixobrychus sinensis 1 R M A common summer visitor and presumed to breed

(MAB).

SCHRENCK’S BITTERN Ixobrychus eurhythmns 1 R M A common migrant and uncommon

summer visitor (MAB).

* LITTLE HERON Butorides striatus p

CHINESE EGRET Egretta enlophotes 1 R A rare migrant not seen during this study.

* LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta

* INTERMEDIATE EGRET Egretta intermedia

GREAT EGRET Egretta alba 1 R M An uncommon spring migrant (MAB) .

GREY HERON Ardea cinerea , R M A summer visitor in small numbers, probably non-breeders

(MAB).

PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea ,RM A common summer visitor and presumed breeder

(MAB).

BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra , R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

ORIENTAL (WHITE) STORK Ciconia (ciconia) boyciana 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during

this study.

BLACK-HEADED IBIS Threskiomis melanocephalus 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this

study.

WHITE SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia J R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus 1 R Possibly a common early spring migrant, but seen only

once in May (MAB).

SWAN GOOSE Atiser cygnoides J R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

BEAN GOOSE Anser fabalis , R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED Goose Anser albifrons 1 R A flock of 1 1 was on the west reserve

on 27 April (MAB).

RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadoma ferruginea 1 R A flock of 1 1 was seen on the west reserve on 27

April.

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Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

115

COMMON SHELDUCK Tadoma tadoma IR MA fairly common late winter/early spring

migrant (MAB).

MANDARIN DUCK Aix galericidata ] R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

EURASIAN WIGEON Anas penelope J R Probably a common early spring migrant, few in late

spring (MAB).

FALCATED TEAL/l«as falcata 1 R A very uncommon migrant (MAB).

GAD WALL Anas strepera ,R A very uncommon migrant (MAB) .

COMMON TEAL Anas crecca 1 R Probably a common migrant in early spring, rare in late spring

(MAB).

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos 1 R Rare in late spring; only seen twice (MAB).

SPOT-BILLED DUCK Anas poecilorhyncha J R M A not uncommon late winter/spring migrant,

with a few pairs remaining to breed (MAB).

NORTHERN PINTAIL Anas acuta J- R Probably a common migrant in early spring, but very

uncommon in late spring (MAB).

GARGANEY Anas querquedula 1 R M A very common early spring migrant (MAB).

NORTHERN SHOVELER Anas clypeata 1 R Presumably an early spring migrant, with only small

numbers present into May and early June (MAB).

COMMON POCHARD Aythya ferina 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

BAER’S POCHARD Aythya baeri 1 R M An uncommon summer visitor and possibly rare breeder

(MAB).

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula 1 R A rare migrant according to Jin et al. (1989), not seen

during this study.

COMMON GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula , R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

SMEW Mergus albellus 1 R Seen once in late April (MAB).

COMMON MERGANSER Mergus merganser 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

‘ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD Pemis (apivorus) ptilorhyncus p

HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus 1 R Although reportedly a resident Qin et al. 1989) I found it

surprisingly uncommon with only three sightings, all in April (MAB).

PEED HARRIER Circus melanoleucos -A fairly common migrant and summer visitor and breeder

(MAB).

EASTERN MARSH- HARRIER Circus (aeruginosus) spilonotus R M Overlooked by Jin et al.

(1989), added to the reserve list by Anon. (1991) on the basis of Melville (1991). Probably

both a migrant and a breeding summer visitor in small numbers (MAB).

‘JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK Accipiter gularis p

‘NORTHERN SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus p

NORTHERN GOSHAWK Accifnter genttlts RA rare migrant, not seen during this study.

UPLAND BUZZARD Buteo hemilasius 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

EURASIAN KESTREL Falco tinnunculus , R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

‘AMUR FALCON Falco amurensis p

‘MERLIN Falco columbarius p

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M. A. BRAZIL

Forkiail 7

NORTHERN HOBBY Falco subbuteo 1 R M An uncommon spring migrant (MAB).

JAPANESE QUAIL Cotumix japonica 1 R A quite common summer visitor and presumed breeder

(MAB).

COMMON PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus 1 R Presumably resident, though not recorded as so

by Jin et al. (1989). Males heard in May and June (MAB).

LITTLE BUTTONQUAIL Tumix sylvatica R A rare migrant (Anon. 1991), not seen during this

study. I was unable to establish the validity of this record, and criteria for its identification

seemed not to be known by the reserve staff.

BAILLON’S CRAKE Porzana pusilla 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus ,R M A surprisingly uncommon summer visitor

given the amount of habitat available, presumably breeding (MAB).

WATERCOCK Gallicrex cinerea 1 R A summer visitor (Jin et al. 1989); however, I was unable to

locate any during this study (MAB).

COMMON COOT Fulica atra 1 R A very common summer visitor and fairly common breeder

(MAB).

COMMON CRANE Grus grus , R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

RED-CROWNED CRANE Grus japonensis 1 R M An uncommon migrant and a breeding summer

visitor in small numbers (MAB).

[SIBERIAN CRANE Grus leucogeranus 1 R A rare migrant, one injured bird was captive on the

reserve (MAB)]

[DEMOISELLE CRANE Anthropoides virgo R A free-walking adult at the crane centre on the east

reserve throughout the study, presumably once an injured bird it has been tamed to be on show

for visitors.]

COMMON OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus 1 R M A summer visitor and breeder in

small numbers (MAB) .

BLACK- WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus 1 R M A common migrant and small numbers

remaining to summer, and breed (MAB).

PIED AVOCET Recurvirosira avosetta , R M An uncommon migrant and perhaps a breeder in

small numbers (MAB).

ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE Glareola maldivarum 1 R An uncommon summer visitor possibly

breeding (MAB).

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius 1 R A very uncommon migrant (MAB).

KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus 1 R M A very common and widespread migrant and

summer visitor (MAB) .

MONGOLIAN PLOVER Charadrius mongolus R M A fairly common spring migrant and returning

quite early in the autumn, overlooked by Jin et al. (1989), and added to the reserve list (Anon.

1 99 1 ) on the basis of Melville (1991) (MAB) .

GREATER SAND PLOVER Charadrius leschenaultii R63 Although this species was added in the

recent reserve list (Anon. 1991), reserve staff were unclear of its separation in the field from

Mongolian Plover and could provide no information on this record.

PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis (dominica) fulva 1 R M A fairly common migrant, though

less common than expected given the large numbers which migrate through the Japanese

archipelago (Brazil 1991) (MAB).

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Birds of Shuangiaizihekou NNR

117

GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squaiarola ,R MA common migrant particularly during May, though

some remained throughout the summer and migrants began to increase again during July

(MAB).

GREY-HEADED LAPWING Vanellus cinereus J R M An infrequently seen summer visitor, but

which may have been a very locally distributed breeder (MAB).

NORTHERN LAPWING Vanellus vanellus J R M An uncommon migrant and summer visitor

presumably breeding in small numbers (MAB).

*GREAT KNOT Calidris tenuirostris p

*RED KNOT Calidris canutus r

SANDERLING Calidris alba RA single bird on 17 May was probably the second reserve record

(MAB).

RUFOUS-NECKED STINT Calidris ruficollis p M First added to the reserve list in June 1990

(Melville 1991). I subsequently found it to be an uncommon migrant during April and May

and again in July (MAB).

TEMMINCK’S STINT Calidris temminckii IR A single bird was seen on the west reserve on 4

May.

* LONG-TOED STINT Calidris subminuta p

SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER Calidris acuminata J R M An uncommon migrant (MAB).

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea , R M A very uncommon migrant in small numbers

(MAB).

DUNLIN Calidris alpina 1 R M A fairly common migrant during April and May, and again in July

(MAB).

‘BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER Limicola falcinellus p

COMMON SNIPE Gallinago gallinago 1 R An uncommon migrant during April and May (MAB).

‘PINTAIL SNIPE Gallinago stenura p

‘ASIAN DOWITCHER Limnodromus semipalmatus p

‘EURASIAN WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola p

BLACK-TAILED GOD WTT Limosa limosa 1 R M An uncommon migrant in April to June, but an

early returning migrant in July (MAB).

BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica 1 R Somewhat commoner than the previous species,

but also returning early in July (MAB).

LITTLE CURLEW Numenius minutus 1 R An uncommon, perhaps rare migrant during May

(MAB).

WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus 1 R M A common migrant occuring widely (MAB) .

EURASIAN CURLEW Numenius arquata 1 R M A fairly common migrant, though fewer in

number than the following species (MAB).

EASTERN CURLEW Numenius madagascariensis J R A common migrant with very large

numbers (up to 700) returning early in July, presumably to moult (MAB).

SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus 1 R A common early migrant, and returning by early

July (MAB).

COMMON REDSHANK Tringa tetanus 1 R A common migrant and breeding summer visitor

(MAB).

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M. A. BRAZIL

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MARSH SANDPIPER Tringa stagnatilis , R M A common migrant (MAB).

COMMON GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia 1 R M An uncommon migrant with only very small

numbers until July when large numbers began to gather, presumably to moult (MAB).

GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus 1 R An uncommon migrant (MAB).

WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola IR MA fairly common migrant and one which returns very

early in July (MAB) .

TEREK SANDPIPER Xenus cirtereus R M A surprisingly common migrant given that it was not

recorded at all by Jin et al. (1989) and had been added to the reserve list on the basis of just one

record by Melville (1991) (MAB).

COMMON SANDPIPER Aciitis hypoleucos J R M An uncommon migrant (MAB).

*GREY-T AILED TATTLER Heteroscelus brevipes p

RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres 1 R M An uncommon migrant during May (MAB).

SAUNDERS’S GULL Larus saundersi 1 R M A colonial breeder, the reserve currently supports

approximately half of the world population (MAB).

COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus 1 R M A common migrant and with quite

large numbers of non-breeders, mostly sub-adults, remaining to summer on the reserve

(MAB).

BLACK-TAILED GULL Larus crassirvstris 1 R M Small numbers, mainly of immatures, seem to

summer on the Shuangtaizi River, with larger ( 150+ ) numbers at the mouth of the river

during July (MAB).

*MEW GULL Larus canus p

HERRING GULL Larus argentatus 1 R M Small numbers of immatures and occasional adults

during April, May, and then from late July (MAB).

*GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus

GULL-BILLED TERN Gelochelidon nilolica 1 R M A quite common migrant and summer visitor

with some breeding (MAB) .

COMMON TERN Sterna himndo 1 R M A fairly common migrant and summer visitor with small

numbers breeding (MAB).

LITTLE TERN Sterna albifrvns J R M A fairly common migrant and summer visitor with at least

one nesting colony on the west reserve, although this was completely destroyed by floods

(MAB).

WHISKERED TERN Chlidonias hybridus 1 R M A very common migrant and summer visitor

presumed to breed. Nest material was seen being collected, but no nests were found. The

largest numbers encountered were of about 600 in a single loose flock in May (MAB) .

WHITE- WINGED TERN Chlidonias leucopterus J- R M A very common, even abundant migrant

and summer visitor. Breeding may well occur but was not proven (MAB).

*ROCK PIGEON/FERAL PIGEON Columba lima

ORIENTAL TURTLE-DOVE Streptopelia orientalis * R M A fairly common migrant (MAB) .

‘HODGSON’S HAWK-CUCKOO Cuculus fugax r

♦INDIAN CUCKOO Cuculus micropterus p

COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus 1 R 1091 A common migrant and summer visitor (MAB).

♦ORIENTAL CUCKOO Cuculus saturatus p M

1992

Birds of Shuangiaizihekou NNR

1 19

*LESSER CUCKOO Cuculus poliocephalus p

* ORIENTAL SCOPS-OWL Otus (scops) sunia p

NORTHERN EAGLE-OWL Bubo bubo 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

BROWN HAWK-OWL Ninox scutulata R MA rare migrant first seen in 1990 (Melville 1991).

The second and third records for the reserve were in late May (MAB).

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua I R A resident around villages, farms and grasslands (Jin et al. 1 989),

however reserve staff were not aware of its occurrence and I was unable to locate it during this

study (MAB).

LONG-EARED OWL Asia otus ,R A summer visitor, not seen during this study.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus 1 R A very uncommon migrant in late April and early May

(MAB).

GREY NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus indicus ,R A fairly common migrant during May and early June

(MAB).

* WHITE-THROATED NEEDLET AIL Hirundapus caudacutus p

‘FORK-TAILED SWIFT Apus pacificus p

COMMON KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis 1 R M An uncommon summer visitor.

*DOI .1 ARBIRD Eurystomus orientalis p

HOOPOE Upupa epops 1 R M A not uncommon migrant from April to late July (MAB).

EURASIAN WRYNECK Jynx torquilla 1 R An uncommon migrant during April and early/mid

May (MAB).

GREY-HEADED WOODPECKER Picus canus ,R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos (Picoides) major , R A rare migrant, not seen

during this study.

*RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos (Picoides) hyperythrus

ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK Calandrella cheleensis IR A fairly common summer visitor (MAB).

CRESTED LARK Galerida cristata 1 R Although listed as a resident by Jin et al. (1989), I was

unable to find any individuals nor were my co-workers (MAB).

COMMON SKYLARK Alauda arvensis 1 R Reported by Jin et al. (1989) only as a winter visitor

and all were presumed to have departed by the time of my arrival as I recorded none at all

(MAB).

SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia 1 R A very common migrant during May and July (MAB) .

BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica ,R MA common migrant and breeding summer visitor

(MAB).

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Hirundo daurica I R M A fairly common summer visitor (MAB).

♦ASIAN HOUSE MARTIN Delichon dasypus p

RICHARD’S PIPIT Anthus novaeseelandiae 1 R M A widepsread summer visitor in small numbers

(MAB).

BLYTH’S PIPIT Anthus godlewskii , R A summer visitor according to Jin et al. (1989); however,

on range it seems unlikely, except perhaps as an uncommon migrant (Cheng, 1987, who

regards it as a race of A. campestris includes it as a migrant through Liaoning Province). It may

have originally been added to the reserve list on the basis of a specimen record. Reserve staff

were unclear as to its separation from Richard’s Pipit, and as all the calls I noted given by large

120

M. A. BRAZIL

Forktail 7

pipits were strong “schreep” calls typical of Richard’s Pipit, all were assumed to be of that

species, and thus Blyth’s Pipit was not recorded during this study.

OLIVE TREE-PIPIT Anthus hodgsoni 1 R An uncommon migrant (MAB).

* RED-THROATED PIPIT Anthus cervinus p

*BUFF-BELUED PIPIT Anthus rubescens p

‘FOREST WAGTAIL Dendronanthus indicus p

YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava 1 11 M A fairly common migrant with small numbers

remaining on the reserve, and presumably breeding, throughout the summer (MAB).

GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea J R An uncommon migrant, seen twice in early May (MAB).

WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba J R A surprisingly uncommon migrant (MAB).

*ASHY MINTVET Pericrocotus divaricatus p

SIBERIAN ACCENTOR Prunella montanella , R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

‘RUFOUS-TAILED ROBIN Luscinia (Erithacus) sibilans p

‘SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT Luscinia (Erithacus) calliope p

‘BLUETHROAT Luscinia (Erithacus) svecica p

SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN Luscinia (Erithacus) cyane 1 R A very common migrant during May

(MAB).

ORANGE- FLANKED BUSH-ROBIN Tarsiger cyanurus 1 R A fairly common migrant during late

April and throughout May (MAB).

‘DAURIAN REDSTART Phoenicurus auroreus p

STONECHAT Saxicola torquata J R A very common migrant during late April and May (MAB).

‘PIED WHEATEAR Oenanthe pleschanka p

BLUE ROCK-THRUSH Monticola solitarius 1 R A very uncommon migrant (MAB).

‘WHITE-THROATED ROCK-THRUSH Monticola gulans p

SCALY THRUSH Zoothera dauma J R An uncommon migrant (MAB).

‘SIBERIAN THRUSH Zoothera sibinca p

GREY-BACKED THRUSH Turdus hortulorum 1 R An uncommon migrant occurring in very

small numbers (MAB).

PALE THRUSH Turdus pallidus 1 R A single bird was seen on the west reserve on the 4 May.

‘EYEBROWED THRUSH Turdus obscurus p

DUSKY THRUSH Turdus naumanni 1 R Presumably only an uncommon spring migrant, as

Cheng (1987) includes it as wintering north only to the region of the Yangtze. I observed rather

fewer than I had expected during late April and early May (MAB).

‘MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER Cettia canturians p

‘Zl lTlNG CISTICOLA Cisticola juncidis

‘PALLAS’S WARBLER Locustella certhiola p

LAN CEOLA LED WARBLER Locustella lanceolata R An uncommon migrant during May

(MAB).

‘GRAY’S WARBLER Locustella fasciolata p

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Birds of Shuangiaizihekou NNR

121

JAPANESE MARSH WARBLER Megalurus pryeri ,R A rare migrant (Jin et al. 1989), but

according to reserve staff Japanese ornithologists had found it in small numbers on the west

reserve during the summer; however, it was not found during this study.

BLACK-BROWED REED-WARBLER Acrocephalus bistrigiceps 1 R- M A common migrant and

breeding summer visitor (MAB).

* PAD D YFIELD WARBLER Acrocephalus agricola

ORIENTAL REED-WARBLER Acrocephalus orientalis | RM A common summer visitor, and an

even commoner migrant (MAB).

THICK-BILLED WARBLER Acrocephalus aedon ,R A very common migrant from mid May to

early June on the east reserve (MAB).

* EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER PhyUoscopus coronatus p

* PALE-LEGGED LEAF-WARBLER PhyUoscopus leneUipes

♦GREENISH WARBLER PhyUoscopus trochiloides

ARCTIC WARBLER PhyUoscopus borealis ! R An uncommon migrant (MAB).

♦LEMON-RUMPED WARBLER PhyUoscopus proregulus p

INORNATE WARBLER PhyUoscopus inomatus 1 R A quite common spring migrant (MAB).

♦RADDE’S WARBLER PhyUoscopus schwarzi p

♦DUSKY WARBLER PhyUoscopus fuscatus p

GOLDCREST Regulus regulus 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

♦DARK-SIDED FLY CATCHER Muscicapa sibirica p

♦ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER Muscicapa latirostris p

♦RED-THROATED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva p

♦MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER Ficedula mugimaki p

YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHER Ficedula zanthopygia ,R A fairly common late spring

migrant (MAB).

♦ASIAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER Terpsiphone paradisi

♦REED PARROTBTT .1 . Paradoxomis heudei A fairly common resident (MAB).

LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

GREAT TIT Parus major ,R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

EURASIAN NUTHATCH Sitta europaea JR A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

* EURASIAN PENDULINE-TTT Remiz pendulinus p

CHESTNUT-FLANKED WHITE-EYE Zosterops erythropleurus 1 R A fairly common late spring

migrant (MAB).

BLACK DRONGO Dicrurus macrocercus 1 R A rare migrant, seen twice in June (MAB).

BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE Oriolus chinensis , RM A rare migrant seen twice in May and once in

June (MAB).

♦TIGER SHRIKE Lanius tignnus p

BROWN SHRIKE Lanius cristatus 1 R M A common migrant from late April until early June

(MAB).

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M. A. BRAZIL

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BULI^HEADED SHRIKE Lanius bucephalus “ Added to the reserve list by Melville (1991).

GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor ! R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

CHINESE GREY SHRIKE Lanius sphenocercus 1 R A winter visitor, not seen during this study.

AZURE- WINGED MAGPIE Cyanopica cyana 1 R A summer visitor, not found during this study.

BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE Pica pica 1 R M Presumed to be resident, in small numbers (MAB).

CARRION CROW Corvus corone 1 R Although supposedly a resident, only seen once, in May

(MAB).

LARGE-BILLED CROW Corvus macrorhynchos 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

PURPLE-BACKED STARLING Stumus stuminus 1 R A very uncommon migrant in late May

(MAB).

WHITE-CHEEKED START .TNG Stumus cineraceus , R A very uncommon migrant, but larger

numbers, mainly of immatures, during July (MAB) .

EURASIAN TREE SPARROW Passer montanus 1 R M Not particularly common on the reserve

until a sudden increase in late June and early July (MAB).

B RAMBLING FringiUa montifringilla 1 R An uncommon migrant (MAB).

GREY-CAPPED GREENFINCH Carduelis sinica JR A surprisingly uncommon migrant, seen

only twice during May (MAB).

EURASIAN SISKIN Carduelis spinus ,R A very uncommon migrant. Local trapping for the cage-

bird markets could perhaps explain the small numbers of certain hardbilled species seen in the

wild (MAB).

COMMON REDPOLL Carduelis flammea 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

* COMMON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus erythrinus p

PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH Carpodacus roseus 1 R A rare migrant, not seen during this study.

LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH Uragus sibiricus 1 R A winter visitor, not seen during this study.

YELLOW-BELLED GROSBEAK Eophona (Coccothrauste) migratoria 1 R A very uncommon

migrant (MAB).

‘JAPANESE GROSBEAK Eophona (Coccothraustes) personata p

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes ,R A not uncommon migrant during May (MAB).

LAPLAND LONGSPUR Calcarius lapponicus , R A winter visitor, not seen during this study.

‘BLACK-FACED BUNTING Emberiza spodocephala p

MEADOW BUNTING Emberiza cioides A rare visitor (Anon. 1991), not seen during this study.

‘CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING Embenza fucata p

YELLOW-THROATED BUNTING Emberiza elegans J R A rare migrant (MAB).

‘YELLOW-BROWED BUNTING Embenza chrysophrys p

‘TRISTRAM’S BUN TING Emberiza tristrami p

RUSTIC BUNTING Emberiza rustica 1 R A winter visitor, not seen during this study.

LITTLE BUN TING Emberiza pusilla , R A common migrant (MAB).

‘CHESTNUT BUNTING Emberiza rutila p

YELLOW-BREASTED BUN TING Emberiza aureola , R- A common migrant (MAB).

1992

Birds of Shuangtaizihekou NNR

123

COMMON REED-BUN' 1 ING Emberiza schoeniclus ) R A winter visitor, seen once during this

study (MAB).

♦PALLAS’S REED-BUNTING Emberiza pallasi p

JAPANESE REED-BUNTING Emberiza yessoensis A rare visitor (Anon. 1991), not seen during

this study.

APPENDIX 2

ADDITIONAL SPECIES PREDICTED AS LIKELY TO OCCUR

ON THE SHUANGTAIZIHEKOU NNR, BUT NOT YET

RECORDED, AND NOT SEEN DURING SPRING AND

SUMMER 1991

RED-THROATED DIVER Gama siellata

BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gama arctica

PACIFIC DIVER Gama paafica

RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps gnsegena

BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricoUis

STREAKED SHEARWATER Calonectns leucomelas

GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo

CINNAMON BITTERN Ixobrychus cmnamomeus

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON Nycncorax nycncorax

CHINESE POND-HERON Ardeola bacchus

BLACK-FACED SPOONBILL Platcdea minor

TUNDRA SWAN Cygnus columbianus

LESSER WHITE- FRONTED GOOSE Anser eryihropus

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser

BRENT GOOSE Branta bemicla

GREATER SCAUP Aythya mania

HARLEQUIN DUCK Histnonicus histnomcus

LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalxs

VELVET SCOTER Melamaa fuica

OSPREY Pandion hahactus

BLACK KITE Mdvus mi grans

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE Hcdiaeetus albtctUa

STELLER’S SEA EAGLE Hcdiaeetus pelagicus

GREY-FACED BUZZARD Butastur tndicus

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo lagopus

GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE Aquila clanga

GOLDEN EAGLE Aquila chrysaetos

LESSER KESTREL Falco naumanm

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregnnus

WATER RAIL RaJIus aqua tic us

RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE Porzana fusca

SWINHOE’S YELLOW RAIL Coturmcops exquisilus

HOODED CRANE Grus monacha

GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE Rostratula benghalensis

LONG-BILLED PLOVER Charadnus placuius

ORIENTAL PLOVER Charadnus veredus

SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPER Eurynorhynchus pygmeus

RUFF Philomachus pugnax

SWINHOE’S SNIPE Galhnago megala

SOLITARY SNIPE Galhnago solitana

NORD MANN’S GREENSHANK Tnnga guttifer

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Phalaropus lobatus

SLATY-BACKED GULL Lams schistisagus

PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE Syrrhaptes paradoxus

COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto

RED TURTLE-DOVE Streptopelia tranquebanca

COLLARED SCOPS-OWL Otus bakkamoena

URAL OWL Strix urcdensis

BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER Halcyon pdeata

CRESTED KINGFISHER Ceryle lugubns

WHITE-BACKED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos (Picoides) leucotos

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos (Picoides) minor

JAPANESE PYGMY WOODPECKER Dendrocopos (Picoides) ktzukt

HORNED LARK Eremophila alpestns

YELLOW- HOODED (CITRINE) WAGTAIL Motacilla citreola

JAPANESE WAXWING Bombycdla japomca

BOHEMIAN WAXWING Bombycdla gamdus

BROWN DIPPER Cinclus pallasn

NORTHERN WREN Troglodytes troglodytes

BLUE- AND- WHITE FLYCATCHER Cyanoptila cyanomelana

GREY-STREAKED FLYCATCHER Musctcapa gnseisticta

BEARDED TIT Panurus btarmicus

VINOUS-THROATED PARROTBILL Paradoxomis webbtanus

MARSH TIT Pams palusms

WILLOW 1 1 1 Parus montanus

COAL 1 1 1 Parus ater

COMMON TREECREEPER Cenhia familians

DAURIAN JACKDAW Corvus dauuncus

ROOK Corvus fmgilegus

TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Loxia leucoptera

RED CROSSBILL Loxia curmrostra

124

ASIAN ROSY FINCH Leucosiicte arcioa

COMMON BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula

M. A. BRAZIL

SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis

PINE BUNTING Embenza leucocephalos

Forktail 7

FORKTAIL7 (1992): 125-130

Food-niche relationships of five

sympatric north Indian herons

N. S. SODHI

In a study in Northern India, the pivotal prey groups for Catde Egret were flies (by number) and

toads (by biomass), for Little Egret fishes (both by number and by biomass), for Indian Pond-

Heron frogs (by number) and fishes (by biomass), for Intermediate Egret bugs (by number) and

fishes (by biomass), and for Black-crowned Night-Heron fishes (both by number and biomass).

Low overlaps in number of prey categories consumed by the herons were found. However, there

were high overlaps in shared prey categories, suggesting such prey may not be limited in nature.

Indian Pond-Heron had the highest niche width and Cattle Egret the lowest. The size of a heron

was not considered with mean langth of the prey consumed.

There has been extensive documentation of the feeding habits of various

herons, but such studies on herons from the Oriental region remain meagre.

Here I report food resources utilized, food-niche width and overlap in food

used by five sympatric north Indian herons, the Black-crowned Night-Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax, Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia, Indian Pond-

Heron Ardeola grayii, Little Egret Egretta garzetta, and Cattle Egret Bubulcus

ibis.

METHODS

Food samples were obtained from and around Chandigarh (30°42'N

76°54’E), India, between March 1984 and March 1985. Two methods were

used to obtain food samples, collecting adults in the field and gathering

regurgitated food samples from heronries. Both samples were lumped in

analyses because adult herons deliver the same size and composition of prey

to nestlings that they have themselves consumed (Kushlan 1978: 271).

For comparison. I used high levels of prey identification as suggested by

Greene and Jaksic (1983). Such food analyses of these species have been

reported elsewhere (Sodhi 1985, 1986, 1989, Sodhi and Khera 1986, Singh

et al. 1988). Food samples of Black-crowned Night-Heron were obtained

only during the breeding sensor and of Intermediate Egret during March (2)

and September (1). Data on these species were compared with samples

collected from other species during that period.

Overlaps in prey categories were calculated as:- Number of common prey

categories consumed by both species/total number of prey categories

consumed by both species X 100. Overlap among common prey categories

(see Appendix) of any two species was calculated by Horn’s measure

(2Xp, q/p2. + q2;), where p( is the frequency of a given prey and qi is the

frequency of the same prey in the second species. (This formula renders

values between 0 to 1, signifying null to complete overlap.)

126

N. S. SODHI

Forktail 7

Food-niche width, i.e. diet diversity, was computed as: B = H(p2)/2> where

p_ is the relative occurrence of prey i in a given specie’s diet. (This index gives

values between 1 to n; see Levins 1968 for explanation.) Further, to remove

differential sample-size bias, I calculated the standardized version of food-

niche width as proposed by Colwell and Futuyama (1971):

B = (B . - B )/(B -B ). Where B . is the observed niche width,

B is the minimum niche width possible (=1), and B is the maximum

width possible (=n, which is the number of prey categories actually taken by a

given species). Bsta ranges between 0 and 1.

Weight, bill length, tarsus length, and wing length of herons were obtained

from Cramp and Simmons (1977). Usually, mean values were given

separately for sexes but I combined them into a single figure for each species.

I calculated weight ratios between neighbouring species along an increasing

axis, the weight of the lightest species in any pair was in the denominator

Table 1. Major prey categories consumed by five species of herons. Data given as percentage of

number. + = values less than 0.1%; * signifies adults and young

1992

Food-niche relationships of five north Indian herons

127

Table 2. Major prey categories consumed by five species of herons. Data presented as percentage

of biomass (wet weight). + = Values less than 0.1%; * signifies adults and young

(Hutchinson 1959, Diamond 1975, Jaksic and Braker 1983).

I performed correlation analyses using Spearman’s rho correlation

coefficient (Sokal and Rohlf 1969).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Tables 1 and 2 show that the most important prey groups for Cattle Egret

were flies (by number) and toads (by biomass), for Little Egret fishes (both

by number and biomass), for Indian Pond-Heron frogs (by number) and

fishes (by biomass), for Intermediate Egret bugs (by number) and fishes (by

biomass) and for Black-crowned Night-Heron fishes (both by number and

biomass). It has been postulated that prey selection in herons may be

dependent upon four factors (Sodhi 1988): (a) prey availability, (b) prey

vulnerability, (c) physiological stimuli of the predator, and (d) competition

for food resources among sympatric herons.

128

N. S. SODHI

Forktail 7

There were no high overlaps in the number of prey categories consumed by

the herons (Table 3). This supports the expectation that values of overlaps

should be low as a consequence of past competitive interactions that have led

the consumer species to differ in their pattern of resource utilization (Lawlor

and Maynard-Smith 1976, Lawlor 1980). But overlaps in prey categories

that were common to any pair of species were high (76-99%), particularly

among aquatic herons (Tables 4 and 5), suggesting that those prey categories

may not be limited in availability. Such overlaps of aquatic herons with the

only terrestrial heron - Cattle Egret - were low, perhaps due to differential

habitat utilization.

Table 3. Overlaps in prey categories consumed by the herons (values range between 0 and 100).

Table 4. Overlaps in common prey categories consumed by the herons.

Table 5. Feeding-niche dimensions of five herons. See Hancock and Kushlan (1984) for

description of feeding behaviours.

1992

Food-niche relationships of five north Indian herons

129

Table 6. Weight ratios between herons.

Table 7. Morphological variables (calculated from Cramp and Simmons 1977) and food length

(in mm) of the herons.

The white-plumaged herons (Intermediate Egret, Little Egret, Cattle

Egret), usually feed in flocks (Table 5). This supports Kushlan’s (1978)

hypothesis that white plumage acts as a social stimulus for flock-feeding in

herons.

The anticipation that minimum weight ratios between adjacent-sized

coexisting species should fall between 2.2 (Hutchinson 1959, MacArthur

1972) and 3.2 (Diamond 1975), was not met by my results (Table 6; see

Wiens and Rotenberry 1980, Jaksic and Braker 1983, for similar results). The

correlation between weight ratios and corresponding food-niche overlaps

(common prey) was negative, though insignificant (r = - 0.200, p>0.05).

The expected tradeoff between body size and overlap in diet, documented for

mammals (Brown 1975, Fuentes and Jaksic 1979), which is assumed to be

the outcome of competitive interactions, is thus not supported.

No statistically significant relationships exist between different

morphological variables and length of food items consumed by the herons

(Table 7), i.e., wing length (rs = 0.800, p>0.05), tarsus length (rs = 0.600,

p>0.05), and bill length (r, = 0.600, p>0.05). This suggests that length of

prey items consumed may be dependent upon length of available prey rather

than on a heron’s morphology.

I thank the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for financing this research, and S. S. Sodhi,

Navdeep Singh, and S. Khera for their help.

REFERENCES

Brown, J. H. (1975) Geographical ecology of desert rodents. Pp. 315-341 in M. L. Cody, and J.

M. Diamond, eds. Ecology and evolution of communities. Cambridge: Belknap Press.

Colwell, R. K. and Futuyama, D. J. (1971) On measurement of niche breadth and overlap.

Ecology 52: 567-576.

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N. S. SODHI

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Cramp, S. and Simmons, K. E. L. (1977) The birds of the western Palearctic, 1. Oxford: Oxford

University Press.

Diamond, J. M. (1975) Assembly of species communities. Pp. 324-444 in: M. L. Cody and J. M.

Diamond, eds. Ecology and evolution of communities. Cambridge: Belknap Press.

Fuentes, E. R. and Jaksic, F. M. (1979) Latitudinal size variation of Chilean foxes: tests of

alternate hypotheses. Ecology 60: 43-47.

Greene, H. W. and Jaksic, F. M. (1983) Food-niche relationships among sympatric predators:

effects of level of prey identification. Oikos 40: 151-154.

Hancock, J. and Kushlan, J. (1984) The herons handbook. London: London Editions Ltd.

Hutchinson, G. E. (1959) Homage to Santa Rosalia, or why are there so many different kinds of

animals? Amer. Nat. 93: 145-159.

Jaksic, F. M. and Braker, H. E. (1983) Food-niche relationships and guild structure of diurnal

birds of prey: competition versus opportunism. Can. J. Zool. 61: 2230-2241.

Kushlan, J. A. (1978) Feeding ecology of wading birds. Wading Birds 7: 249-297.

Lawlor, L. R. (1980) Overlap, similarity, and competition coefficients. Ecology 61: 245-251.

Lawlor, L. R. and Maynard-Smith, J. (1976) The coevolution and stability of competing species.

Amer. Nat. 110: 79-99

Levins, R. (1968) Evolution in changing environments. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

MacArthur, R. H. (1972) Geographical ecology: patterns in the distribution of species. New York:

Harper and Row.

Singh, N., Sodhi, N. S. and Khera, S. (1988) Biology of the Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis coromandus

(Boddaert). Rec. Zool. Surv. India, Occ. Pap. 104: 1-143.

Sodhi, N. S. (1985) Food of the Black-crowned Night Heron nestlings. Pavo 23: 47-52.

Sodhi, N. S. (1986) Feeding ecology of Indian Pond Heron and its comparison with that of Little

Egret. Pavo 24: 97-112.

Sodhi, N. S. (1989) Monthly variations in the diet of the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) in and

around Chandigarh. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 86: 440-443.

Sodhi, N. S. and Khera, S. (1986) Feeding habits of the Median Egret. Res. Bull. Panjab Univ.

37: 9-12.

Sokal, R. R. and Rohlf, F. J. (1969) Biometry. San Francisco: Freeman.

Wiens, J. A. and Rotenberry, J. T. (1980) Patterns of morphology and ecology in grassland and

shrubsteppe bird populations. Ecol. Monogr. 50: 287-308.

Navjot S. Sodhi, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,

Saskatchewan S7N OWO, Canada.

APPENDIX

Prey categories shared by different herons.

Indian Pond-Heron - Little Egret: Naiads of dragonflies, Crocothemus sp., Trithemis sp.,

Ischnura sp., Acheta sp., Hedotettix sp., Cybister sp., Erestes sp., Hydrophilus sp., Mydea sp.,

Sphaerodema sp., Ranatra elongata, Lycosa sp., Rana sp., Barilius sp., Nemacheilus sp.

Little Egret - Cattle Egret: Naiads of dragonflies, Crocothemus sp., Trithemis sp., Ischnura sp.,

Acheta sp., Mydea sp., Laxenera sp., Anomala sp., Calosoma sp., Lycosa sp., Rana sp., Rat.

Indian Pond-Heron - Cattle Egret: Pheretima sp., Naiads of dragonflies, Crocothemus sp.,

Trithemis sp., Ischnura sp., Gryllotalpa fossor, Tetragonoderus sp., Onthophagus sp., Episyrphus

balteatus, Mydea sp.. Caterpillars, Athalia proximo, Lycosa sp., Rana sp.

Black-crowned Night-Heron - Indian Pond Heron: Pheretima sp., Barilius sp., Nemacheilus sp.,

Ophiocephalus sp.

Black-crowned Night-Heron - Little Egret: Palaemonetes sp., Barilius sp., Nemacheilus sp.,

Barbus sp., Labeo sp., Lepidocephalus sp.

Black-crowned Night-Heron - Cattle Egret: Pheretima sp.

Intermediate Egret - Indian Pond-Heron: Sphaerodema sp., Acheta sp., Cybister sp.

Intermediate Egret - Little Egret Sphaerodema sp., Acheta sp., Cybister sp., Barbus sp.

Intermediate Egret - Cattle Egret: Acheta sp.

FORKTAIL7 (1992): 131-137

Breeding ecology of the Relict Gull Larus

relictus in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China

ZHANG YIN-SUN, DING WEN-NING, BU HE and TIAN LU

Details are given of a large breeding population at Taolimiao-Alashan Nur, discovered in spring

1990, including a description of the site; attendance of the birds; breeding ecology, including

descriptions of the nests, eggs, incubation period and hatching success; also population density

and feeding behaviour. The site is considered to be inherently unstable because of the variable

rainfall of the region.

In 1985-1988, during the course of fieldwork on the avifauna of western

Inner Mongolia, we found four new sites for the Relict Gull Larus relictus in

Ordos: at Alashan, Bayandror, and Yeekzhao, and concluded that it might

breed in the area (Zhang Yin-sun et al. 1991). Then in spring 1990 we

discovered the largest known breeding population of the gull at Taolimiao-

Alashan Nur, central Ordos. Observations were carried out there in May-

June, 1990 as well as some short-term surveys in April, July and August in

surrounding areas.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BREEDING SITE

The Taolimiao-Alashan Nur (Nur in Mongolian language means small lake

or pond usually with salt water) is located at the junction of the Koobuchi

and Mausu deserts in central Ordos, 109°35'E and 39°48rN. The weather

there is quite dry with much wind and sandy dust; 130-139 frost-free days a

year; 35.8°C the highest and -32.6°C the lowest temperature; plenty of

sunshine and the rainfall concentrated in June-August with 325 mm a year

on average.

The lake is at an elevation of 1,368 m at the north-west end, rising to

1,392 m at the south-east end. The surroundings are mostly stabilised sand

dunes with a poor vegetation of typical eremophytes such as Nitraria

roporowskii, Oxytropis psammocharis, Artemisia ordosica, Achnatherum splendens,

Euphorbia kozlowi, Pycnostelma lateriflorum, Carex duriuscula and the artificial

windbreak woods of Salix cheilophila and Caragana korshinskii.

The lake is about 10 km2, 6 km long from east to west and 2.5 km the

maximum width, and contains hydrophytes such as Potamogeton filiformis,

P. natans, Cladophora, Mougeotia and Ulothrix.

OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION AT THE BREEDING SITE

In 1990, the first flock of the Relict Gull arrived at the site on 6 April and all

had gone by 28-29 August.

132

ZHANG YIN-SUN el al.

Forktail 7

Figure 1. Distribution of the Relict Gull ( Larus reliclus ) in Ordos.

During the breeding season we also found some other small flocks and/or

pairs at other sites i.e. 12 individuals on 30 April at Morenhe Reservoir,

about 20 individuals on 2-3 May at Balahai, two pairs on 18 May at Hardato

Nur, 12 birds on 18 May at Chigai Nur, 22 birds on 19 May at Ulan Nur,

and one pair on 1 9 May at Howtonchagan Nur, but there was no indication

of breeding at any of these sites.

Although the departure of all the birds from Taolimiao-Alashan Nur in late

August coincided with a sudden storm, it seems likely that they were moving

elsewhere in Ordos rather than migrating south for the winter since, on

6 November 1989, a flock of more than 100 birds was seen at Hongjian Nur,

southern Ordos (Zhang Yin-sun et al. 1991).

BREEDING ECOLOGY

The Relict Gull is a gregarious bird, usually gathering in flocks when feeding,

roosting and nesting, but keeping apart from other species of gulls. During

the breeding season, the gulls usually feed in an area of 2. 5-3.0 km radius,

roosting initially either on islets or on the lake shore and then, at the

commencement of incubation, entirely on the islets.

Our observations of 19-25 May showed that the daily rhythm of the gull

flock was as follows: at 04h00 some individuals started calling; 04h20, the

1992

Relict Gull in Ordos

133

flock called noisily; 04h30 a few birds flew to the southern beach; after 05h40

the birds that were not incubating flew off to feed; during the day, small

flocks of 10-30 birds could be seen feeding/resting along the lake shore while

100 or more fed amongst the sand dunes; about 18h30 the gulls returned to

the lake and the islets and, after 1 9h30 most birds actively fed on the water;

after dark, calling was heard from the lake and by 21h00 all the birds had

returned to the islets.

The breeding season of the gull lasts about two months from early May to

early July. During the fieldwork a total of 581 nests was found in eight

colonies on the three islets in the lake, The incubation period was 24-26

days. A random examination of 50 nests from different colonies showed that

the hatch rate was 1 00%.

Sexual behaviour occurred only in the region of the nest. The gulls started

mating when they were choosing a nest site and continued until the last egg

had been laid. Mating occurred through the day but was more concentrated

from 19hl0 to 19h50. In one couple the shortest interval between two bouts

of mating was 9 mins 29 secs.

All the nests were built near the southern beach, on the three islets, which

were 1,958 m2, 183 m2 and 11,625 m2 respectively. The distance between

the colonies averaged 21.4 (10-40) m while 0.5 m was the shortest distance

between nests.

Figure 2. Distribution of nest colonies of the Relict Gull Larus relictus and the Gull-billed Tern

Gelochelidon nUotica on islets .

134

ZHANG YIN-SUN et al.

Forktail 7

Figure 3. Increase in numbers of

nests of the Relict Gull, May-June

1990.

The first colony of six nests appeared on 8 May, and, after 24 May the

number of nests increased rapidly until 4 June.

Another main resident on the islets was the Gull-billed Tem Gelochelidon

nilotica, of which 77 nests were found; also found were a few nests of Black¬

winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus and Pied Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta.

The nest of the Relict Gull is simple: the female collects some small stones

to shape the base, and then deposits some small branches in it. The light nest

materials are dipped in the water first, to lessen the chance of them blowing

away in the wind. Some males often stole materials from other nests.

Measurements of 12 nests were 278 (230-320) mm outer diameter,

167 (140-190) mm inner diameter, 45 (30-70) mm high and 40.5

(30-55) mm deep.

The Relict Gull lays an egg every other day; of the 581 nests 20% had one

egg only, 41.3% two eggs, 38.6% three eggs, and there was one nest with

four eggs. Egg loss was caused either by sudden flights from the nest when

eggs were kicked and broken, or by males stamping on eggs after failing to

mate.

Most eggs are dark green with irregular black, brown or light chestnut

spots, but the colour of some eggs varied remarkably; two pure white ones

were the most extreme.

1992

Relict Gull in Ordos

135

Measurements of 12 eggs were 58.7 (54-66) g in weight and

60.9 (55.6-65.1) x 42.6 (40.3-44.3) mm in size.

In the Relict Gull, the incubation commences when the first egg has been

laid and the first young bird noted was on 2 June. Observations during

incubation of 12 marked nests throughout one day revealed that the male

and female change over on the nest 4-6 times and turn the eggs an average of

17 times. On 4-9 June we checked 50 nests at random in the seven colonies

and found a 100% hatching rate.

The newly hatched birds weigh 35-43 g and have light grey down. The

back and rump have tiny grey spots; the underparts are almost white; the iris

is blackish brown; the bill is black with a silvery nail; the legs are grey with a

very light violet tinge and the webs are also grey; the claws are blackish-

brown.

The death rate of the young birds is relatively high, mostly due to external

injury, cold and starvation. On several occasions males were noted pecking

brutally at young birds from other nests.

POPULATION DENSITY

Five censuses were carried out, all at the same time of day (19h30-20h40)

when the gulls were most concentrated on the lake or islets. The following

numbers were counted : 120 birds on 6 May, 319 on 10 May, 528 on

12 May, 1,034 on 2 June and 1,158 on 4 June, the last more or less

according with the 581 nests counted.

There were very few potential predators in the breeding area. Amur

Falcons Falco amurensis and Black Kites Milvus migrans were noted, but they

were not seen to attack either the adults or the young birds. Some carnivores,

Table . Nest density of the Relict Gull

136

ZHANG YIN-SUN el al.

Forktail 7

such as the Kitt Fox Vulpes corsac, Yellow Weasel Mustela sibirica and

Masked Polecat Mustela eversmanni, seem likely to be predators because

eaten remains of Garganey Anas querquedula and Whimbrel Numenius

phaeopus were found on the beach.

Bad weather conditions may severely affect the species: on 10 April more

than 20 adults were killed in a hailstorm.

FEEDING BEHAVIOUR

During the day the gulls fed on the lake shore, sand dunes and between the

windbreak woods, whilst in the evening they largely moved to the lake.

In the breeding season, the gulls feed mainly on invertebrates, more than

90% of which are midge larvae, with small numbers of damselfly nymphs and

beetles of the families Cicindelidae and Carabidae. Plant food includes algae,

the tender leaves of Nitraria roporowskii and Caragana korshinskii.

DISCUSSION

The Relict Gull is numerically the most important of 50 species of waterbirds

occurring at Taolimiao-Alashan Nur in the summer. Other Laridae present

were 240 Common Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus, 22 White-winged

Terns Chlidonias leucopterus, six Common Terns Sterna hirundo, two Little

Terns Sterna albifrons and 166 Gull-billed Terns.

There are other similar, large lakes in the Mausu and Koobuchi deserts,

such as Barhan Nur, Hardatu Nur, Chigai Nur and Ulan Nur, with

apparently suitable islets, but without breeding Relict Gulls. The Taolimiao-

Alashan Nur is a desert lake, fed only by rainfall and therefore inherendy

unstable. If there is too much rain, the islets would not provide enough area

for the nest colonies, and, if there is too little rain, the food resources would

be quickly depleted. The reproductive success of the Relict Gull in 1990 at

Taolimiao-Alashan Nur suggests that the species may well spread to other

lakes. Other gulls and terns were not noted to compete with the Relict Gull

for food resources, but there is clearly some overlap in colony site selection

because the Relict Gull was often noted taking over nests of the Gull-billed

Tern.

The Relict Gull arrived at Taolimiao-Alashan Nur over a period of nearly

two months from 6 April to 3 June. The birds that arrived early spent several

days (or even weeks) before mating, while the birds that arrived later

immediately got down to breeding; each colony usually consisted of birds

arriving as a flock. It is possible, therefore, that the flocks might come from

different wintering sites; however, the wintering places of the species are still

uncertain.

We would like particularly to express our gratitude to Mr He Fen-qi of the Institute of Zoology,

1992

Relict Gull in Ordos

137

Academica Sinica and the Endangered Species Scientific Commission (CITES-China) for his

kind advice and his translation of the whole paper into English.

REFERENCE

Zhang Yin-sun, Liu Chang-jiang, Tian Lu and Bu He (1991) Recent records of the Relict Gull

Larus relictus in western Nei Mongol autonomous region, China. Forktail 6: 66-67.

Zhang Yin-sun and Ding Wen-ning, Institute of Zoology, Academica Sinica, 19 Zhongguancun Lu,

Haitien, Beijing, China.

Bu He and Tian Lu, The Inner Mongolia Forestry Institute, China.

FORKTAIL7 (1992): 139-146

Recent observations from Xinjiang

Autonomous Region,

China, 16 June to 5 July 1988

RICHARD GRIMMETT and HELEN TAYLOR

The birds seen in Xinjiang (Sinkiang) Autonomous Region, China, between 16 June and 5 July,

1988 are documented, including the first records for China of Collared Pratincole Glareola

pratincola and Savi’s Warbler LocusteUa luscinioides, and the second record for China of Eurasian

Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus stirpaceus.

From the 16 June to 5 July 1988 the authors visited, as tourists, the Xinjiang

Autonomous Region of western China. Time was spent mainly in the plains

along the northern rim of the Tarim Basin and in the vicinity of Bosten Lake.

There is very little published information on the birds of this area.

W. L. Abbott visited the northern Tarim Basin in the autumn of 1893

(Richmond 1895) and F. Ludlow collected in the northern basin between

Kashi (Kashgar) and Jam near Aksu between 17 November 1929 and

13 April 1930, and again from 15 to 29 September 1930, and also

documented the observations and collections of G. Sherriff (Ludlow and

Kinnear 1933-1934). Cheng (1987) has summarised other relevant

information. Of particular interest, and providing considerable motivation for

the visit, was the presence in this part of China of two species of ground jay

Podoces, namely Henderson’s P. hendersoni and Biddulph’s P. biddulphi.

LOCALITIES VISITED

The following were the main localities visited with a brief description of the

habitats found.

Where possible, place names used in the text follow the spelling in the

Times atlas of the world (6th edition), with the names used by Ludlow and

Kinnear (1933-1934) in parentheses.

1. Kashi (Kashgar) Oasis; 18-23 June.

This is an extensive and fertile oasis, up to 120 km wide. Birdwatching

was concentrated in the following areas:

(i) Agricultural land west of the city, typical of the oasis with fields mainly

of wheat lined by rows of tall poplars Populus.

(ii) A tributary of the Kashi River (the first river that bisects the oasis to

the south-west of the city) flanked mainly by rice paddies and grazing

pasture. Of particular interest was the northern bank, down-river from

140

R. GRIMMETT and H. TAYLOR

Forktail 7

the main Kashi to Sufu road, where there is a large area of reed- and

sedge-beds (some on abandoned rice paddies) with cultivated and

fallow paddies lined with rows of willow Salix. The river is fast¬

flowing, broken by gravel- and sand-banks.

(iii) An area of stony desert with sparse low vegetation and low bare hills

at Wupah, approximately 50 km south-west of Kashi. This area was

visited because it was believed to be Opel, where Sherriff collected

Henderson’s Ground Jay Podoces hendersoni in 1930 (Ludlow and

Kinnear 1933-1934).

(iv) An area of stony desert, tamarisk scrub, dry cultivation, and paddy

fields, marshes and grazing pastures along a small river, west of Sufu

and approximately 30 km south-west of Kashi.

(v) An area of stony desert with low scrub and dry cultivation around the

abandoned town of Hanoi, on the eastern edge of the Kashi oasis.

2. Aqal Oasis and surrounding desert; 25-27 June.

An elongated oasis west of Aksu; less intensively cultivated than large parts

of the Kashi Oasis with many fallow and overgrown fields. To the north of

the oasis is a stretch of the piedmont gravel zone (that forms a continuous

band between the sandy Taklimakan Desert and the barren foothills of the

Tian Shan), where Henderson’s Ground Jay was searched for. To the

south, is sandy desert that in parts is quite densely vegetated with shrubs

including tamarisk Tamarix and in other parts is very degraded due to

grazing by camels and the removal of vegetation for firewood and fodder.

3. Bosten Lake; 1-3 July.

One of China’s largest freshwater lakes. There are extensive reedbeds,

particularly on the western side where there are numerous small lakes and

meandering canals. The reedbeds provide the raw material for a large

paper-making industry in Korla. At the edge of the reedbeds there are

cattle-grazing marshes. Time was spent in the south-western comer,

staying at the western pumping station, where there is a large fish-rearing

pond.

4. Puhui Oasis and surrounding desert; 4-5 July.

A new and rapidly expanding state farm on the outskirts of the main Korla

Oasis (52 km from the city). Time was spent at a small salt lake

surrounded by freshwater marshes to the west of the village; at a desert

poplar forest (apparently a protected area) along the Kongi (Peacock)

River with freshwater pools and marshes and a large freshwater reservoir,

and in the sandy desert between Puhui and the Korla Oasis. The desert

west of Puhui is heavily exploited for firewood and camel grazing.

1992

Bird observations for Xinjiang

141

Plate 1. Poplar Populus sp. forest, Puhui (breeding habitat of Saxual Sparrow). Photo: Helen Taylor.

Plate 2. Severely degraded desert, Puhui. Photo: Helen Taylor.

Plate 3. Vegetated desert, Puhui. Ground Jay habitat. Photo: Helen Taylor.

142

R. GR1MMETT and H. TAYLOR

Forktail 7

OBSERVATIONS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST

COLLARED PRATINCOLE Glareola pratincola Two birds were seen in an

area of paddy fields, c.30 km south-west of Kashi on 21 June. The birds were

in full breeding plumage. They were seen well and showed red under wing-

coverts (eliminating Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni ), and dull-

brown breast (not peachy-orange) and the tail-streamers extended back as far

as the folded wing-tips (thus eliminating Oriental Pratincole G. maldivarum).

This species is not listed in Cheng (1987) and this record would seem to

constitute the first for China.

SAVES WARBLER Locustella luscinioides At least four birds were found

singing in the Phragmites beds along a tributary of the Kashi River, south¬

west of Kashi city, between 18 and 23 June. One bird was seen very well and

tape-recorded. It was olive-brown above, with creamy-white throat and

supercilium and brownish-buff on the underparts, with darker undertail

coverts and faint paler fringes to under tail-covert feathers. The song was a

low monotonous insect-like trill, characteristic of the species. A further one to

two birds were heard singing at Bosten Lake on 2 July.

This species is not listed in Cheng (1987), but is mentioned as a species

recorded by Sudilovskaya in the Tien Shan, although not confirmed for

China, by Cheng (1976), and these would seem to constitute the first

documented records for China. The species was recorded at the same locality

at Kashi by H. Dissing, S. Jensen and M. F. Jorgensen in July 1989 (Dissing

etal. 1990).

EURASIAN REED-WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus At least eight birds

were seen or heard singing in the Phragmites beds along a tributary of the

Kashi River south of Kashi between 1 8 and 23 June. Several birds were seen

well and tape-recorded. One bird was seen feeding a recently fledged juvenile

on 19th. The adults were dull grey-brown above including rump, without

any obvious rufous, olive or greenish tones, and greyish-white on the

underparts; legs were grey; primary projection appeared as long as the length

of exposed tertials. The rambling and scratching song was characteristic of

the species, and the tape-recording has been compared with the recorded

songs of other Acrocephalus warblers to eliminate similar species. A further

two birds were heard singing at Bosten Lake on 2 July.

This species is listed by Cheng (1987) as a vagrant on the basis of a record

for Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province on 9 October 1921 (Kolthoff 1932). These

observations would seem to constitute the only other records for China and

the first breeding record for the country. The species was recorded at the

same locality at Kashi by H. Dissing et al. in July 1989 (Dissing et al. 1990).

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

A full list of species recorded in Xinjiang between 16 June and 5 July 1988 is

1992

Bird observations for Xinjiang

143

given in the appendix. Of special interest are the records of Little Bittern

Ixobrychus minutus, Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus and Houbara Bustard

Chlamydotis undulata, which are described as very rare in China (Cheng

1987), and White-winged Woodpecker Picoides leucopterus, Saxaul Sparrow

Passer ammodendri and Biddulph’s Ground Jay Podoces biddulphi, which are

central Asian specialities. Despite searching in what was thought to be

suitable habitat, there were no sightings of Henderson’s Ground Jay Podoces

hendersoni.

The authors are grateful to Tim Inskipp and Craig Robson for providing copies of relevant papers

and their encouragement, and to Professor Tan Yao-Kuang for access to skins held at the

Institute of Zoology, Beijing and for drawing our attention to the note referring to Savi’s Warbler

in Cheng (1976).

REFERENCES

Cheng Tso-hsin (1976) [Distributional list of Chinese birds.] Beijing: Peking Institute of Zoology.

(In Chinese).

Cheng Tso-hsin (1987) A synopsis of the avifauna of China. Beijing: Science Press.

Dissing, H., Jensen, S. and Jorgensen, M. F. (1990) Pakistan and Xinjiang. Copenhagen: Dansk

Omitologisk Forening.

Grimmett, R. (1991) Little-known Oriental bird: Biddulph’s Ground Jay. Oriental Bird Club Bull.

13: 26-29.

Kolthoff, K. (1932) Studies on birds in the Chinese provinces of Kiangsu and Anwhei, 1921-

1922. Goteborgs Kungl. Vetenak. Vitterh. Samh-Handl. 5 Foljden, ser. B. 3: 1-190.

Ludlow, F. and Kinnear. N. B. (1933-1934). A contribution to the ornithology of Chinese

Turkestan. Ibis (13)3: 240-259, 440-473, 658-694; (13)4: 95-125.

Richmond, C. W. (1895) Catalogue of a collection of birds made by Dr. W. L. Abbott in eastern

Turkestan, the Thian-Shan Mountains, and Tagdumbash Pamir, Central Asia, with notes on

some of the species. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 18 (1083): 569-591.

Richard Grimmett and Helen Taylor, 3 Madras Road, Cambridge, CB1 3PX, U.K.

144

R. GR1MMETT and H. TAYLOR

Forkiail 7

APPENDIX

LIST OF BIRDS RECORDED IN XINJIANG AUTONOMOUS

REGION, CHINA, 16 JUNE-5 JULY 1988

Species

Black-necked Grebe

Podiceps nigricollis

Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cnstatus

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Great Bittern

Botaurus stellans

Little Bittern

Ixobrychus minutus

1

Great Egret

Egretia alba

Grey Heron

Ardea ctnerea

Black Stork

Ciconia nigra

Ruddy Shelduck

Tadoma ferruginea

Common Shelduck

Tadoma tadoma

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Gadwall

Anas strepera

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta

Garganey

Anas querquedula

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufina

Ferruginous Pochard

Aythya nyroca

Black Kite

Miivus mi grans

Western Marsh Harrier

Circus aeruginosus

Common Buzzard

Buteo buteo

Long-legged Buzzard

Buteo rufinus

Booted Eagle

Hieraaetus pennatus

Eurasian Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Northern Hobby

Falco subbuteo

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Houbara Bustard

Chlamydotxs undulata

Water Rail

Rallus aquaticus

Common Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

Locality Remarks

2 3 4

* 5+ at the salt lake, Puhui. Described as rare in China (Cheng 1987).

* * 30+ at Bosten Lake, some with young; pair with young at Puhui.

3 sightings plus another two booming’ at Bosten Lake.

1 female along River Kashi; 7 seen at Bosten Lake and probably fairly

common at this site and most likely breeding. Described as very rare in

China, as a migrant and winter visitor to Xinjiang Aut. Reg. (Cheng

1987).

* At least 5 at Puhui and frequently seen soaring over the poplar forest

which is suitable breeding habitat. Described as rare in China (Cheng

1987).

* 100+, including many juveniles on the salt lake at Puhui.

* 40+, including many flightless young on the salt lake at Puhui.

* * *

Commonest duck at Bosten Lake.

* 2 displaying over the desert at Puhui.

* At least two birds over the main Kashi Oasis. Two birds at Puhui, one

displaying and calling over the poplar forest. Described as very rare in

China, breeding only in Xinjiang Region (Cheng 1987).

Male and female with at least one chick.

Seen well, about 10 km south into the sandy desert from Aqal Described

as very rare in China (Cheng 1987).

1992

Bird observations for Xinjiang

145

146

R. GRIMMETT and H. TAYLOR

Forktail 7

Species

Locality

12 3 4

Remarks

Yellow-hooded Wagtail

Motacilla citreola

White Wagtail

Motacilla alba

Isabelline Shrike

Lamus isabeliinus

Great Grey Shrike

Lamus excubitor

Bluethroat

Erithacus svecicus

Desert Wheatear

Oenanihe deserti

Isabelline Wheatear

Oenanihe isabellina

Bearded Tit

Panurus biarmicus

Savi’s Warbler

Locustella luscinioides

Eurasian Reed-Warbler

Acrocephalus scxrpaceus

Paddyfield Warbler

Acrocephalus agncola

Great Reed Warbler

Acrocephalus arundinaceus

Booted Warbler

Hippolais ccdigata

Barred Warbler

Sylvia nisoria

Desert Lesser Whitethroat

Sylvia curruca minula

Desen Warbler

Sylvia nana

Chinese Hill Warbler

Rhopophilus pekinensis

Red-headed Bunting

Emberiza bruniceps

Common Reed-Bunting

Emberiza schoenidus

Desert Finch

Rhodopechys obsoleta

Saxaul Sparrow

Passer ammodendn

Spanish Sparrow

Passer hispaniolensis

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus

Common Starling

Stumus vulgaris

Eurasian Golden-Oriole

Oriolus oriolus

Black-billed Magpie

Pica pica

Biddulph’s Ground Jay

Podoces biddulphi

Carrion Crow

Corvus corone

* * *

Very common at Bosten Lake, many with young.

Juveniles at Kashi, Aqal, and Bosten Lake.

Recently fledged juveniles at Kashi; many singing at Bosten Lake.

Recendy fledged juveniles at Kashi.

Recendy fledged juveniles at Kashi.

Common at Bosten Lake, including many juveniles,

see main text,

see main text.

5+ males holding territory in a poplar grove in Aqal town. Described as

rare in China (Cheng 1987).

Common at Puhui. Described as rare in China (Cheng 1987).

4+ males holding territory in the gravel desert to north of Aqal.

Common in the agricultural land between Korla and Puhui; otherwise

single males at Kashi and Aqal. Described as rare in China (Cheng

1987).

Single bird at Hanoi, Kashi on 22.6.88; 7 in the desert south of Aqal;

common in the desert poplar forest and surrounding desen at Puhui

where a pair was seen feeding young with black berries from a desen

shrub, in hole about 2m up in a desen poplar.

Family party of at least 6 in the desert between Korla and Puhui. For

further information see Grimmett (1991).

Key

Locality 1 = Kashi Oasis and surrounding desert; Locality 2

Lake; Locality 4 = Puhui Oasis and surrounding desert.

Aqal Oasis and surrounding desert; Locality 3 = Bosten

= recorded

FORKTAIL7 (1992): 147-150

Observations on the Luzon Water

Redstart Rhyacomis bicolor in the

Mount Pulog National Park,

Philippines

C. YDING ANDERSEN, M. K0IE POULSEN, O. F. JACOBSEN

and M. HEEGARD

The Luzon Water Redstart Rhyacomis bicolor is endemic to the Philippines, and is only found

along streams in the mountainous regions of the island of Luzon. There have been only a few

records of this bird, and information about its distribution, habitat and biology is very limited.

Observations of the species in the Mount Pulog National Park are reported. A total of nine birds

was observed in several different locations. One male was mist-netted and released after

measurements and a blood sample for DNA analysis had been taken. The Mount Pulog National

Park still contains enough habitat to sustain a considerable number of birds and the park currently

represents a stronghold of this species.

The International Council for Bird Preservation is currently carrying out a

biodiversity project, part of which has involved collecting all available

information on a large number of Philippine species. However, little has

emerged concerning the Luzon Water Redstart. The species was first

described by Ogilvie Grant (1894a), after the collection of one male by

J. Whitehead in Benguet sub-province. Two other papers by Ogilvie Grant

(1894b, 1895) and one by Whitehead (1899) give very little extra

information. McGregor (1910) collected one immature male, at about

1,000 m in early July 1908, at Lutab, Benguet sub-province. The only other

mention of the species in the literature is by Dickinson et al. (1991), who

state that it is known south to Dalton Pass (specimen in Delaware Museum

of Natural History) and east to the Sierra Madre Mountains in Quirino sub¬

province (sight record by R. S. Kennedy). An increase in ornithological

activity in the 1980s has resulted in the discovery of a new locality near

Banaue, Ifugao province, where it has been observed several times (ICBP

Biodiversity Project), and there are unpublished observations from Isabella

province in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

An expedition by the Danish Ornithological Society and ICBP stayed for

more than a month in the Mount Pulog National Park during December

1990 and January 1991. Several Luzon Water Redstarts were observed.

LOCATION

The Mount Pulog National Park is situated in Benguet sub-province in the

mountainous region of central Luzon (16°35'N 120°56'E). The park

surrounds the highest mountain on Luzon, Mount Pulog (2,930 m) and

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C.Y. ANDERSEN ei al.

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covers an area of 11,500 ha. The mountain range Cordillera Central runs

through the park in a north-south direction. The park stretches down to an

altitude of 1,200-1,800 m on each side of the mountain range. The park

contains three main habitat types, the most prominent being the mossy

forest, which is found from 1,500-2,600 m. This habitat contains mainly

oaks, rhododendrons and ferns, indicating an acid soil. At lower elevations

pine forest and tropical montane forest are also found. The sources of several

streams and rivers are on each side of the mountain range and some of these

have become quite powerful by the time they run out of the park. The

streams contained clear, potable water, with no signs of suspended earth and

mud. The earthquake in July 1990 destroyed roads leading to the park,

making it difficult to transport cultivated crops. There was no cultivation at

the time of this study but it was evident that previously cultivated areas had

been treated with large amounts of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides.

OBSERVATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

The redstart was found on both sides of the Cordillera Central. A total of

nine birds was observed, with five on the western side and four on the eastern

side. Observations were made in the subtropical zone at an altitudinal range

of 1,200-1,900 m. The total observation time was more than two hours. The

male is distinctly patterned in three colours. The head, back, throat and

breast are intense dark slate-blue, while the rump, tail, belly and undertail

coverts are bright chestnut and the wings are sooty-black. The female is

much duller, chestnut and dark brownish-black with a slight metallic sheen.

By placing a mist-net across the river at Atapuan near the western border

of the park one male was caught on 17 December 1990. The following

biometrics were taken:- bill: 14 mm (measured from the feathers at the base

of the culmen to the tip of the upper mandible); wing: 81 mm (measured

from the bend of the flattened wing to the longest primary tip); tail: 60 mm

(measured from the base of the longest feather to the distal end); tarsus

30 mm. Furthermore, a tiny blood-sample was taken, puncturing the wing-

vein before the bird was released (for technique see Arctander 1988). The

blood sample is now included in the DNA collections of the Zoological

Museum of Copenhagen.

The redstart was only found along fast-flowing mountain streams, several

metres wide and with an estimated waterflow of more than 1 5 m3 per minute.

The banks were rocky, and the surrounding habitat was either tropical

montane forest or pine forest. Birds were mainly seen on rocks in, or nearby,

streams, although one bird was observed in a bush by a stream. The male

and female were seen together on several occasions. The birds moved quickly

around from boulder to boulder, feeding on insects either in the water or in

the air. The birds never went completely into the water, but caught aquatic

insects while standing on the edge of a stream. Occasionally, birds were seen

flying up to 1 m in the air to catch insects, in the same manner as a

flycatcher.

1992

Luzon Water Redstart

149

One pair of birds was followed along a stream and it was noted that from

the upper to the lower turning point was an estimated distance of 500 m;

probably the length of their territory.

When the birds became excited the tail was moved up and down in the

same manner as that of a wagtail Motacilla.

Two distinct calls were heard. The one heard most frequendy was a high-

pitched ‘iiiih-iiiih’ sound. This call has also given the bird its local filipino

name, king-king. The second call was only heard once, when the captured

male was released and met the female. The call was relatively weak, of

approximately one second duration and was composed of several (6-8)

different high-pitched tones.

LOCAL INFORMATION

Interviews with several local people in different parts of the park suggested

that the Luzon Water Redstart is well-known and found along all streams

inside the park. The people said that the nest is made below rocks next to

streams, and is often made from pine-needles. The nest contains from two to

four eggs, usually three. The eggs are white with red spots. The breeding

season is said to be June - August.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The data obtained in the Mount Pulog National Park add to previously

published information about the Luzon Water Redstart. The park is still a

stronghold for the species, but its long term survival here is threatened.

Clearings and establishment of new cultivated areas inside the mossy forest of

the Mount Pulog National Park occur at an alarming rate. If these clearings

continue, erosion will start to occur. This will influence water quality, and the

increased use of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides by the new farmers will

lead to deterioration in the water quality and may diminish the food supply of

the redstart.

Clear water arising from acid soil usually harbours an oligotrophic milieu,

which favours a rich fauna of heterometabolous insect larvae (Ephemeroptera

and Plecoptera). Such insect larvae may be an important constituent of the

food supply of the redstart. Factors like these will inevitably have a negative

effect on the population of the Luzon Water Redstart.

However, a strong effort from the “WWF debt for nature swap program” is

now being enforced in an attempt to save the forest of the Mount Pulog

National Park.

The Aage V. Jensen Foundation is thanked for financial support to carry out the Finn

Salomonsen’s Memorial Expedition. The ICBP, Cambridge, UK, Department of Environment

and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines, branches in Manila and Baguio, and the Zoological

Musuem of Copenhagen are all thanked for help in planning and carrying out this expedition.

150

C.Y. ANDERSEN et al.

Forktail 7

Special thanks to the rangers and personnel of the Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau in Baguio,

who accompanied us in the field and made this work possible.

REFERENCES

Arctander, P. (1988) Comparative studies of avian DNA by restriction fragment length

polymorphism: convenient procedures based on blood samples from birds. J. Om. 129: 205-

216.

Dickinson, E. C., Kennedy, R. S. and Parkes, K. C. (1991) The birds of the Philippines. B.O.U.

Check-list No. 12. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union.

International Council for Bird Preservation (1991) Biodiversity Project Progress Report No. 4.

Cambridge, UK.

McGregor, R. C. (1910) Birds from Pauai and Mount Pulog, subprovince of Benguet, Luzon.

Phil. J. Science 5D: 135-138.

Ogilvie Grant, W. R. (1894) On the birds of the Philippine Islands, Part II. The highlands of

north Luzon, 5000 feet. Ibis 6(6): 501-522.

Ogilvie Grant, W. R. (1894) Description of new birds from northern Luzon. Bull. Bnt. Om. Club

3: 49-51.

Ogilvie Grant, W. R. (1895) On the birds of the Philippine Islands, Part V. The highlands of the

province of Lepanto, north Luzon. Ibis 7(1): 433-472.

Whitehead, J. (1899) Field-notes on birds collected in the Philippine Islands in 1893-6. Part II.

Ibis 7(5): 210-246.

C. Yding Andersen, M. Kme Poulsen, O. Frode Jacobsen, and M. Heegaard, Danish Ornithological

Society, Vesterbrogade 140, DK-1640 Copenhagen V, Denmark.

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The distribution of the Relict Gull

Lams relictus in Maowusu Desert,

Inner Mongolia, China

HE FEN-QI, ZHANG YIN-SUN, WU YONG and GAO TIE-JUN

A large breeding colony of the Relict Gull Lams relictus was found at

Taolimiao-Alashan Nur in 1990; then in 1991 a larger breeding colony of

624 nests, a flock of about 420 non-breeding birds and some other scattered

individuals at other localities were discovered, making a total of more than

2,730 individuals in Ordos in 1991.

During a study of the breeding ecology of the Relict Gull Larus relictus,

from 3 May to 25 June 1991, information was collected on the distribution of

the species, as well as on its population in Maowusu desert in Ordos. The

region surveyed was approximately within the limits 38°35'-39°55N and

108°45'-1 10°00'E, with an area of about 18,020 km2, and included 21 lakes

of different sizes, at some of which the species had been noted in 1990.

The species was recorded at ten localities, including two sites with breeding

colonies and one site with a large flock of non-breeding individuals

(Figure 1).

At Taolimiao-Alashan Nur, the breeding site found in Ordos in 1990

(Zhang Yin-sun et al. this issue), a total of 491 nests had been found by 3

June compared with 581 by 4 June 1990. However, the gulls laid 1,236 eggs,

with an average of 2.52 eggs/nest in 1991, compared with 1,272 eggs and

2.19 eggs/nest in 1990.

A new breeding site of the Relict Gull was discovered at Aubai Nur, which

is the furthest south-west that the species has so far been found breeding, and

this is also the largest known colony.

Aubai Nur is an isolated lake in the hinterland of Maowusu desert,

38°55N and 108°48'E, about 155 km south-west of Taolimiao-Alashan Nur,

and is surrounded by mobile or semi-stabilised sand dunes. The lake is at an

elevation of 1,314-1,321 m, highest in the north-west and lowest in the

south-east, and has a water surface of about 5.5 km2. The water is rather

alkaline (pH 9.0).

Aubai Nur is still relatively undisturbed by human economic activities.

There are four islets in the middle of the lake, designated A, B, C, D from

north to south. Islet A is the largest, and is about two-thirds covered by reeds.

The islets were visited on 17 June from 09h00 to 18h30 to count nests. A

total of 624 nests was counted on the four islets: 518, 48, 6 and 52 on islets

A, B, C and D respectively. Newly hatched young totalled between 1,000

and 1,100.

Another resident of the lake was the Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica,

with more than 680 nests found. About 200 nests were on the islets and there

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Figure 1. Distribution and

numbers of Relict Gulls

Lams relictus in Maowusu desert,

Ordos in 1990 and 1991.

were two colonies on the lake shore consisting of 432 and 46 nests

respectively.

There were also some Pied Avocets Recuruirostra avosetta nesting on the

sandbank.

No small or medium-sized carnivores were noted in the area. Black Kites

Milvus migrans were twice seen preying on young Relict Gulls.

The flock of non-breeding birds at Hadato Nur appeared to consist entirely

of adult plumaged birds. According to local shepherds, the highest numbers

of the gull occur in July and August but some remained until late September,

usually departing in early October.

The total number of Relict Gulls in Maowusu desert in 1991 was at least

2,730 individuals, including 1,115 breeding pairs. There are some lakes and

other wetlands in the Maowusu desert still unexplored which might be

suitable for the species, and it is possible that it also occurs in the Kubuchi

desert north of the Maowusu and along the Yellow River; the total number of

Relict Gulls in Ordos might therefore be higher than the currently known

figure.

Zhang Yin-sun (1991) suggested that the Relict Gull overlaps with the

Brown-headed Gull L. brunnicephalus in western Inner Mongolia. Recently,

Duan Wen-rui found one nest of the Brown-headed Gull at Chagan Nur,

Xilinguole League, eastern Inner Mongolia, indicating that the two species

overlap quite extensively.

1. Boerjiang Nur: 48 birds (13 May 1991), 8 birds (17 May 1991).

2. Taolimiao-Alashan Nur: 491 nests (3 June 1991), 581 nests (4 June 1990).

3. Hojia Nur: 36 birds (1 1 May 1991), 15 birds (12 June 1991).

4. North Hadato Nur: 48 birds (15 June 1991).

5. Chigai Nur: no birds (15 June 1991), 12 birds (19 May 1990).

6. Hadato Nur: 426 birds (16 June 1991), 4 birds (19 May 1990).

7. Ulan Nur: 2 birds (15 June 1991), 22 birds (19 May 1990).

8. Quitz Nur: 5 birds (16 June 1991), no birds (19 May 1990).

9. Haotongchagan Nur: 1 bird (16 June 1991), 2 birds (19 May 1990).

10. Aubai Nur: 624 nests (17 June 1991).

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It has been suggested that the Relict Gull was once widely distributed in

most parts of central and eastern Asia, but has now been reduced to limited,

disjunct colonies (Auezov 1971). If this supposition is correct it is difficult to

explain the fluctuation in populations of the species at Ala Lake (Auezov

1975, Knystautas 1987) and at Torey Lake (Potapov 1971, Il’ichyev and

Zubakin 1988) and the apparently recent appearance at Wuliangsu Hai

(Xing Lianlian et al. 1988, Zhang Yin-sun et al. 1991).

The Relict Gull is a desert species inhabiting inland lakes (Zhang Yin-sun

et al 1991 and this issue). In Ordos the gulls usually frequent the saltwater

lakes with a pH of 8.5+ and at an altitude of 1,200-1,500 m. The breeding

site at Taolimiao-Alashan Nur is apparently long-established; according to

the lake- watchman Mr Ge Ming-liang, in 1953 when his family moved to the

lake shore, numerous gulls were nesting on islets in the lake and have been

noted every year since.

Knowledge of the avifauna of Ordos has, until very recendy, been poor -

Seys and Licent (1933) described some birds collected in Ordos and a few

other birds have been collected (Zhang Yong-rang et al. 1983) - but it was

not until 1987 that a more comprehensive survey was carried out, providing

more information on the birds of the area. It seems likely that the Relict Gull

may be discovered in new localities in Ordos in the near future.

The main wintering range and habitat, as well as the migration routes of

the Relict Gull are still uncertain. At Taolimiao-Alashan Nur it was noticed

that almost all of the gull flocks, usually consisting of 20-30 individuals,

arrived and departed due north and south respectively. It seems quite

possible that the Relict Gull migrates overland, and perhaps even winters

inland in flocks.

Some other waterbirds which breed in the highlands of Inner Mongolia,

such as Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricoUis, Greylag Goose Anser anser,

Ruddy Shelduck Tadoma ferruginea, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina and

Common Pochard Aythya ferina are often found wintering in the highlands of

south-western China, and it may be that the Relict Gull is also found there in

winter.

We would like particularly to express our sincere gratitude to the Oriental Bird Club for the

honourable decision that they made of granting us their Forktail-Leica Award 1990 which

provided us an opportunity to continue our fieldwork, leading to the results set out in this paper.

REFERENCES

Auezov, E. M. (1971) [Taxonomic evaluation and systematic status of Lams relictus.] Zool. J.

Acad Set. Moscow 50: 235-242. (In Russian.)

Auezov, E. M. (1975) [ Larus relictus at Lake Alakol’.] Pp. 58-59 in [Colonies of waterbirds and their

protection .] Moscow. (In Russian.)

Il’ichyev, V. D. and Zubakin, V. A. (1988) [Birds of the U.S.S.R.: seabirds.] Moscow: Izdatyelstvo

Nauk [Publishers of Science]. (In Russian.)

Knystautas, A. (1987) The natural history of the U.S.S.R. London: Century.

Potapov, R. L. (1971) [A find at the Torey lakes.] Priroda 5: 77-81. (In Russian.)

Seys, G. and Licent, E. (1933) La collection d’oiseaux du Musee Hoangho Paiho de Tien Tsin.

Publ. Mus. Hoangho Paiho Tien Tsin 19.

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Xing Lianlian (1988) [Studies of faunal and ecological distribution of birds in the Wuliangsuhai

region, Nei Mongol.] Acta Sci. Nat. Univ. Intramong. 19: 524-534. (In Chinese.)

Zhang Yin-sun (1991) [New finding of a breeding population of the Relict Gull in Ordos.]

Chinese J. Zool. 26(3): 32-33. (In Chinese.)

Zhang Yin-sun, Liu Chang-jiang, Tian Lu and Bu He (1991) Recent records of the Relict Gull

Larus relictus in western Nei Mongol autonomous region, China. Forktail 6: 66-67.

Zhang Yong-rang (1983) [A preliminary study of birds on the Ordos plateau of Inner Mongolia,

China.] Acta Sci. Nat. Univ. Intramong. 14: 46-53. (In Chinese.)

He Fen-qi and Zhang Ym-sun, Institute of Zoology, Academica Sinica, 1 9 Zhongguancun Lu, Haitien,

Beijing, China.

Wu Yong and Gao Tie-jun, Forestry Department of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China.

Feeding technique of a White-browed

Crake Porzana cinerea

ECKHARD MOLLER

On 29 December 1990 in a marsh area just outside the western border of

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Thailand, we (a group of German and

Swiss birdwatchers) observed a White-browed Crake Porzana cinerea feeding

at a distance of 30-50 m. During a period of about ten minutes the bird

appeared out of the reeds for about 30 seconds to one minute at a time,

before entering the dense vegetation again. It was feeding whilst walking over

floating vegetation in a ditch (about 3 m broad) that was covered with the

leaves of water-lilies Nymphaeaceae. Scattered stems of bulrush Typha gave

enough cover for the bird. On several occasions the crake, while standing on

a floating leaf, trampled vigorously, alternating from one foot to the other for

periods of one to two seconds, causing the leaf to become submerged. After

each bout of activity the crake started to pick intensively after prey items that

appeared in the swirling water above the submerged leaf. We watched this

behaviour several times before the bird was lost to sight.

The foot-trampling movements reminded me of the similar behaviour of

Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula and Little Ringed Plover

C. dubius in sandy or muddy habitats (Glutz von Blotzheim et al. 1975), but I

found no reference to it in the literature referring to other Porzana species

(Glutz von Blotzheim et al. 1973, Cramp 1980, Urban et al. 1986). Referring

to P. cinerea, Rand and Gilliard (1967) mention that ‘S. D. Ripley records

seeing birds running freely over water-lily pads and floating lake vegetation

almost as easily as jacanas’. Glutz von Blotzheim et al. (1973) admit that

there is not much known about the feeding habits of European Porzana

species.

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My explanation for this behaviour is that the rapid foot-movements, which

cause the leaves to flood, aid the crake in obtaining more food items from the

surface of the water. This feeding method is used as an alternative to feeding

from the still water surface between the reed stems. Khobkhet (1984)

describes the White-browed Crake as an ‘omnivorous feeder, feeding mainly

on vegetation and insects’.

I would like to thank George Pilkington for aiding me with the English text.

REFERENCES

Cramp, S., ed. (1980) Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, 2. Oxford:

Oxford University Press.

Glutz von Blotzheim, U., Bauer, K. M. and Bezzel, E. (1973) Handbuch der Vogel Mitteleuropas, 5.

Frankfurt: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft.

Glutz von Blotzheim, U., Bauer, K. M. and Bezzel, E. (1975) Handbuch der Vogel Mitteleuropas, 6.

Wiesbaden: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft.

Khobkhet, O. (1984) Ecology of jacanas and some rallids in Thailand. Pp. 113-120 in Z. Coto

and E. A. Sumardja, eds. Wildlife ecology in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian Regional Center for

Tropical Biology (Biotrop Special Publication No. 21).

Rand, A. R. and Gilliard, E. T. (1967) Handbook of New Guinea birds. London: Weidenfeld and

Nicholson.

Urban, E. K., Fry, C. H. and Keith, S. (1986) The birds of Africa, 2. London: Academic Press.

E. Moller, Parkstr. 13, 4900 Herford, Germany.

Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler

Sphenocichla humei: a new species for

China

HANLIANXIAN

In the autumn of 1990 I surveyed the avifauna in the Dulong river valley in

north-west Yunnan province, China. A bird captured in the undergrowth of

evergreen broadleaf forest, at an altitude of 2,010 m, on 12 November, was

identified as a Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler Sphenocichla humei. According to

the literature, this species only occurs in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,

Nagaland, Manipur and northern Myanmar. This was, therefore, the first

record of the species for China.

Measurements of the specimen were as follows:- total length: 179 mm;

bill: 27.5 mm; wing: 71 mm; tail: 65 mm; tarsus: 28.3 mm; weight: 35 g.

The bird had a stout, heavy-looking body with powerful legs and feet, and

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a pointed, conical bill. Its forehead and crown were dark golden-brown with

black hinges to the feathers. The upperparts from nape to tail-coverts were

dark golden-brown with white subterminal bars and black fringes to the

feathers. The wings and tail were similarly coloured but barred with black. A

conspicuous pale stripe behind the eye extended down the side of the neck.

The throat and breast were white with black feather shafts and fringes,

changing gradually to dark golden-brown on the belly and flanks, the latter

being richer in colour. The iris was brownish-red; the upper mandible was

blackish-brown and the lower mandible was horn-grey at the tip and

blackish-brown at the base.

The species comprises two subspecies (Ali and Ripley 1983): S. h. humei in

Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, and S', h. roberti in Nagaland, Manipur and

northern Burma. The subspecies differ in the colour of the throat and breast;

in the nominate these areas are black with pale feather shafts, whereas in

roberti they are ashy brown with black margins and white submarginal marks

on the feathers. The Chinese specimen could not be assigned positively to

either of these subspecies.

REFERENCE

*

Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1983) Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Compact edition.

Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Han Liawcian, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Kunming, Yunnan, China.

Oriental Plover Charadrins veredus:

a new species for Thailand

DAVID OGLE

On 15 March 1991 at 17h30 I was walking over a large expanse of dry

grazing land at about five metres above sea level near the the town of

Chanthaburi in south-east Thailand (12°37'N 102°04'E). I was hoping to see

some Pacific Golden Plovers Pluvialis fulva which I thought may have begun

to arrive on their annual spring passage through the area. Oriental Pratincoles

Glareola maldivarum, Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus and Oriental

Skylarks Alauda gulgula were present in some numbers along with the

occasional Bluethroat Erithacus svecicus. I eventually heard the call of a Pacific

Golden Plover and located two birds in non-breeding plumage in a field

which recently had been burned leaving short, blackened turf. They were

close to a wide hollow still containing some water. Between the two birds was

a third which appeared slimmer and slightly smaller. It was facing away from

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me and presented brown, unmarked upperparts. When it turned towards me,

however, I was amazed to see orange and brown markings on its breast and

knew I was looking at a male Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus in full

breeding plumage. The following description was taken: the crown of the

head, back and tail were all a uniform brown. The hind nape was pale grey.

The facial area, neck and throat were very pale and almost white. The upper

breast was yellowish grading to light orange then dark orange. This was

bordered by a very dark brown line across the lower breast. The underparts

were pure white, the bill dark and the legs brownish-yellow. On a subsequent

visit, a thin off-white wing bar could be seen when the bird was in flight.

The bird was very active when feeding, making quick runs then stopping

for a few seconds before moving off again. The nearby Pacific Golden

Plovers, on the other hand, remained still the whole time, apparently

roosting. Two weeks later, on 29 March, there were six Oriental Plovers

present. Five of these were in the plumage of breeding males while the sixth

individual was in non-breeding plumage. There were still three birds present

on 2 April.

The Oriental Plover is a long distance migrant, breeding in north China

and Mongolia, and wintering in Indonesia and northern Australia (Hayman

et al. 1986). Its migration route follows the eastern seaboard of the Asian

continent, although there are records of a single individual collected in the

Andaman Islands in the last century (Ali and Ripley 1983) and of birds

found in the Coco Islands and Malaya. It is quite possible that Oriental

Plovers are annual passage migrants in Thailand but have been overlooked

through the lack of observers. There have been unconfirmed reports of

sightings in Khao Sam Roi Yot (P. Round in litt.) and in Chanthaburi in

1975 (pers. obs.), and this species had been expected to appear in the

country before long (Lekagul and Round 1991). This record of the

Chanthaburi birds in 1991 is, therefore, the first documented evidence of the

Oriental Plover in Thailand.

REFERENCES

Ali, S. and Ripley, S.D. (1983) Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Compact Edition.

Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Hayman, P., Marchant, J. and Prater, T. (1986) Shorebirds: An identification guide to the waders of

the world. London: Croom Helm.

Lekagul B. and Round, P. D. (1991) A guide to the birds of Thailand. Bangkok: Saha Bhaet Co.,

Ltd.

David Ogle, 83 Carr Lane East, Liverpool Lll 4SG, U.K..

158

Forktai! 7

Guidelines for contributors

Forktail publishes original papers in the English language (also, in certain cases, English

translations of papers in Oriental languages) treating any aspect of the ornithology (e.g.

distribution, biology, conservation, identification) of the Oriental region, i.e. the region bounded

by the Indus River to the west, Lydekker’s Line to the east (i.e. the eastern boundary of

Wallacea), the Chang Jiang (Yangtze Kiang) basin to the north and the Chagos Archipelago,

Lesser Sundas, Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands to the south; the Japanese Nansei

Shoto (islands south-west of Kyushu) are included, and indeed material concerning any part of

China or Pakistan may be published. Submissions are considered on the understanding that they

are being offered solely for publication by the Oriental Bird Club, which will retain copyright.

Referees are used where appropriate; all submissions are reviewed by the Forktail Editorial

Committee, and those accepted are normally published in order of receipt. (Some further

indication of the type of material appropriate for the journal is provided in the inaugural editorial,

‘The scope of ForktaiT, Forktail 1: 3-5.)

Submissions should be in one of the following ways: a) in duplicate, typewritten on one side of

the paper only, and double-spaced; or b) a single double-spaced typescript, accompanied by a

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and other word-processing packages are acceptable, but in such cases two files should be sent, one

in the original word-processed format and one converted into an ASCII text file. The approximate

position of figures and tables should be' indicated in the margin of the typescript. Papers should be

concise and factual, take full account of previous relevant literature but avoid repetition of

established information as much as possible; opinions expressed should be based on adequate

evidence. Tides of papers must be accurate and concise, and (for the benefit of abstraction

services) include any relevant scientific (taxonomic) name.

Whenever possible, authors should consult an issue of Forktail for style and layout. Spelling

follows The shorter Oxford English dictionary, except that external features of birds are spelt and

hyphenated in accordance with the entry under ‘Topography’ in A dictionary of birds (1985).

Spelling of place-names accords (unless another source is specified) with the most recent edition

(currendy seventh, 1985) of The Times atlas of the world ; we use ‘South-East Asia’ and “Viet Nam’.

Localities with well-known other spellings or older names should have these placed in parentheses

after their first mention. For localities too small to be in the Times atlas a source of the spelling

adopted should preferably be indicated and the precise geographical coordinates provided (these

should be double-checked where possible). It is appreciated that authors will not always have

access to the above sources; in such cases the editor will seek to introduce conformity.

English and scientific names of birds should preferably follow those provided by Sibley and

Monroe (1990) Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. On first mention of a bird both

English and scientific name should be given, thereafter only one, preferably the English. Scientific

trinomials need be used only if subspecific nomenclature is relevant to the topic under discussion.

These recommendations also apply for any other animal or plant species mentioned.

Underlining (=italics) is used for all words of foreign languages, including generic and specific

scientific names. Metric units and their international symbols should be used; if it is necessary to

cite other systems of measurement, these can be added in parentheses. Temperatures should be

given in the Centigrade (Celsius) scale. Numbers one to ten are written in full except when linked

with a measurement abbreviation or higher number, thus ‘five birds’ but ‘5 km’ and ‘5-12 birds’;

numerals are used for all numbers above ten, four-figure numbers and above using the comma

thus: ‘1,234’, ‘12,345’. Details of experimental technique, extensive tabulations of results, etc., are

best presented as appendices. Authors of papers containing statistical analysis should observe the

provisions of the relevant section of ‘Notice to contributors’ in a recent Ibis. Dates should be

written 1 January 1985, times of day as 08h30, 17h55 (24-hour clock;), etc. When citing a

conversation (‘verbally’) or letter (‘in litt.’), the contact’s name and initials should be included,

preferably with the year of communication. A full-length paper must include a summary not

exceeding 5% of the total length.

1992

159

Any figure, diagram, line-drawing or map should preferably be in black ink on strong white or

translucent paper, it should be called a Figure, numbered appropriately, and fully captioned.

Maps must be marked with a scale and north arrow. Lettering on figures should be very neat,

although the publishers will re-draw figure and typeset lettering. Good photographs are also

considered. Captions for figures and photographs should be typed on a separate sheet.

Authors of papers are encouraged to offer their work to one or more ornithologist or biologist

for critical assessment prior to submission to Forktail. Such help as is received should naturally be

mentioned in an acknowledgement section before the full references are presented.

References in the text should follow the form ‘Campbell and Lack 1985)’ and King et al.

(1975) suggest...’. More than one within the same parentheses should be chronologically listed,

alphabetically if of the same year. Publications by the same authors in the same year may be

distinguished by ‘a’, ‘b’, etc., after the date. Full references must be listed alphabetically at the end

in the form:

Campbell, B. and Lack, E. eds. (1985) A dictionary of birds. Calton (Staffordshire, U.K.): T.

and A. D. Poyser.

King, B. F. Dickinson, E. C. and Woodcock, M. W. (1975) A field guide to the birds of South-

East Asia. London: Collins.

Kuroda, Nh., ed. (1984) Ketteiban seibutsa daizukan; chorui [ Illustrations of animals and plants:

birds], Tokyo: Sekai Bunkasha. (In Japanese.)

Roslyakov, G. E. (1985) [‘Information on the distribution and number of Ais galericulata and

Mergus squamatus over Khabarovsk Territory.’] Pp. 101-102 in N. M. Litvinenko, ed. Rare and

endangered birds of the Far East. Vladivostok: Far East Science Center, Academy of Sciences of the

USSR. (In Russian.)

Sien Yao-hua, Kuan Kuan-Hsiin and Zheng Zuoxin (1964) [‘An avifaunal survey of the

Chinghai province.’] Acta Zool. Sinica 16: 690-709. (In Chinese.)

Smythics, B. E. (1981) The birds of Borneo. Third edition. Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur:

The Sabah Society and the Malayan Nature Society.

Somadikarta, S. (1986) Collocalia linchi Horsfield & Moore - a revision. Bull. Brit. Om. Club

106: 32-40.

White. C. M. N. and Bruce, M. D. (1986) The birds of Wallacea (Sulawesi, the Moluccas and

Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia): an annotated check-list. London: British Ornithologists’ Union

(Check-list no. 7).

It will be noted from these examples that references to non-Roman scripts need to be

transliterated and/or translated (or even, with more recondite sources, both); either the

transliterated title may be left as it is, or a translation of it can be substituted in square brackets

(but where an abstract provides it own English tide, this may be cited in inverted commas within

square brackets), and the language involved should follow the reference, in parentheses.

The author’s name and postal address should appear in italics at the end of the article.

Authors will receive proofs for checking which they are required to return within one week of

receipt (not more than four weeks can be allowed between posting out and taking return of

proofs). All joint communications must indicate the name and full postal address of the author to

whom proofs should be sent. Textual changes in proof cannot normally be countenanced. Twenty

reprints of full length articles, and ten of short communications, will be made available irrespective

of number of authors, and sent to the senior author.

Pisces

PUBLICATIONS

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Cover photograph: Black-and-rufous Flycatcher Ficedula mgrorufa, Ootacamund, India (sec Zacharias and Gaston

within). Photo: T. Baker

1993

1

FORKTAIL

Number 8, February 1993

CONTENTS

BRITISH MUSEUM

(NATtlHAl HISTORY)

1 9 APR 1993

PRi&£NTED

THING LIBRARY

R. C. BANKS.

The generic name of the Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata . 3

W. S. CLARK and N. J. SCHMITT.

Field identification of the Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii . 7

V. J. ZACHARIAS and A. J. GASTON.

The birds of Wynaad, southern India . 11

C. R. ROBSON, J. C. EAMES, NGUYEN CU and TRUONG VAN LA.

Further records of birds from Viet Nam . 25

Y. R. TYMSTRA.

Some bird observations from the lower Apsuwa River, east Nepal . 53

A. J. GREEN.

The biology of the White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata . 65

B. VAN BALEN, I. S. SUWELO, D. S. HADI, D. SOEPOMO, R. M. ARLON and

MUTIARINA.

The decline of the Brahminy Kite Haliastur Indus on Java . 83

T. D. EVANS, P. MAGSALAY, G. C. L. DUTSON and T. M. BROOKS.

The conservation status of the forest birds of Siquijor, Philippines . 89

C. INSKIPP and T. P. INSKIPP.

Birds recorded during a visit to Bhutan in autumn 1991 . 97

M. A. BRAZIL and N. MOORES.

The importance of Japanese wetlands as wintering grounds for the endangered

Saunders’s Gull Larus saundersi . 113

N. REDMAN.

Two new species of birds for the Philippines and other notable records . 119

ZHANG YIN-SUN and HE FEN-QI.

A study of the breeding ecology of the Relict Gull Larus relictus in Ordos,

Inner Mongolia, China . 125

K. SANKAR, D. MOHAN and S. PANDEY.

Birds of Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India . 133

Short communications

M. INDRAW AN, W. LAWLER, W. WIDODO and SUTANDI.

Notes on a feeding behaviour of Milky Storks Mycteria cinerea on the coast of Indramayu,

west Java . 143

G. DUTSON.

A sighting of Ficedula (crypta) disposita in Luzon, Philippines . 144

R. KANNAN.

Rediscovery of the Oriental Bay-Owl Phodilus badius in peninsular India . 148

G. V. WATTOLA.

Black-billed Magpie Pica pica : a new species for Thailand . 149

P. CUEREL and SOMSRI THONGSATJA.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos: a new species for Thailand . . 151

J. T. KNOWLER.

Collared Grosbeak Mycerobas affinis : a new species for Thailand . 152

2

Forktail 8

C. F. MANN and D. A. DISKIN.

Northern Shrike Lanius excubitor. a new species for Borneo and South-East Asia . 153

J. A. ELKIN.

Japanese Night-Heron Gorsachius goisagi: a new species for Borneo . 154

J. A. ELKIN, C. F. MANN and C. OZOG.

Black-collared Starling Stumus nigricollis: a new species for Borneo . 155

D. SHOWLER.

Long-billed Partridge Rhizolhera longirostris: a new species for Sabah . 156

Guidelines for contributors . 157

ISSN 0950-1746

© Oriental Bird Club 1993

Published for the Oriental Bird Club by

Rubythroat Publications

6 Corinthian Close, Basingstoke

Hampshire RG22 4TN U.K.

Printed on recycled paper by Soloprint, Eaton Socon, U.K.

1993

FORKTAIL 8 (1993): 3 - 6

3

The generic name of the Crested Argus

Rheinardia ocellata

RICHARD C. BANKS

The Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata , a pheasant native to South-East Asia,

is listed among the species on Appendix I of the Convention on International

Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). For any

species that is rare, endangered or threatened by trade, and thus subject to

permit regulations, it is imperative that its nomenclatorial as well as population

status be understood, to avoid confusion or oversight. In the authoritative

literature, the generic and specific names of this pheasant are variously

treated as either masculine or feminine, and the generic name is often spelled

with a subterminal ‘t’ rather than a ‘d’. Several English names in addition to

the one used are available (see Sibley and Monroe 1 990 for examples) . This

note traces the history of the spellings of the generic name and attempts to

stabilize it in its original form.

Elliot (1871) described a new species of pheasant, Argus ocellatus, based on

four feathers in the Paris Museum. These feathers, later illustrated by Elliot

(1872), had been mentioned in the literature previously and the specific

name had been used, in the combination Argusianus ocellatus , based on a

Verreaux manuscript, but not in such a way as to constitute a valid

description (Elliot 1871, 1909).

In 1879 or 1880, a Captain Rheinard mentioned some long decorative

feathers from the Tonkin region of what is now Viet Nam to A. Boucard and

Anatole Maingonnat (Boucard 1892). Boucard was given the feathers and

soon recognized them as being of the species that Elliot had described.

Boucard urged Rheinard to obtain specimens of the bird. In early 1882,

Captain Rheinard gave one specimen to Maingonnat, who exhibited it at a

meeting of the Zoological Society of France and gave it the name Argus

rheinardi. The published proceedings (Anon. 1 882) of that meeting, held 1 3

June 1882, report Maingonnat’s remarks in sufficient detail to constitute a

valid description. It is clear, however, that Maingonnat intended rheinardi to

be a substitute name for ‘ ocellata ’, which he attributed to Bonaparte (Anon.

1882: xxv).

When Boucard saw the specimen he recognized that it was not an Argus,

and suggested that it be placed in a new genus honouring the collector.

Maingonnat immediately followed this suggestion, and published the name

of the new genus with the combination Rheinardia ocellata (Maingonnat

1882, not seen ;fide Boucard 1892) in La Science pour tous for July 1882.

4

R. C. BANKS

Forktail 8

Oustalet (1882a, 1882b) gave expanded, detailed descriptions of the bird

that Maingonnat had named, justifying the establishment of a distinct genus

for it. Although he credited Maingonnat with the name, he (Oustalet 1 882b)

used the terms ‘nov. gen . ’ and ‘ nov . sp . ’ Further, he changed the gender of

the original Rheinardia to the masculine Rheinardius because ‘la plupart des

noms de genres des Phasianides etant masculins’ (Oustalet 1 882b: 3) . Later,

Oustalet (1882c) said that Maingonnat’s specimen was from Buih Dinh, ‘a

100 lieus au sud de Hue’.

Sclater and Saunders (1883: 107) credited Oustalet (1882a) for the

generic name Rheinhardius [sic], Reichenow and Schalow (1883: 408) also

noted the new genus in a compilation of recently described taxa, citing it as

Rheinardius and attributing it to Oustalet (1882b). Oustalet (1885: 258) later

said that the name of the collector of the bird Maingonnat described was

‘Rheinart, qui se termine par un t’ and changed the spelling of the generic

name accordingly to Rheinartius.

Boucard (1892) summarized his and Maingonnat’s involvement with the

discovery and naming of this pheasant and the later obtaining of additional

specimens. Boucard (1892) described one of the new specimens, in the

Rothschild collection, under the name ‘ Rheinardius ocellatus, V err phoenix}'

and suggested that the proper name of the species should be ‘ Rheinardius

phoenix' because of its similarity (in his opinion, identity!) to that fabled bird

as depicted in Chinese art (see Jabouille 1930). Boucard (1892) either

overlooked or ignored Oustalet’s (1885) correction of the spelling of the

collector’s name.

Ogilvie-Grant (1893: 366) included the genus and species in the Catalogue

of birds in the British Museum as Rheinardtius [sic] ocellatus , with no citation for

the new spelling. The generic synonymy includes three other spellings, but

no citation of Maingonnat. The synonymy of the species incorrectly credits

the spelling Rheinartius to Oustalet (1882b), and the spelling of the species

name as rheinardti to Maingonnat in 1882.

Later, Oustalet (1898: 258) spelled the generic name Rheinardtins [sic],

and first Elliot (1909), then Delacour and Jabouille (1925), used the ‘</r’

spelling without comment. Jabouille (1930: 221, 222) twice cited the

collector as ‘commandant Rheinardt’ but agreed that Rheinardia was the

correct generic name.

Delacour (1929) listed this pheasant under the name Rheinardia ocellata,

attributing the name to Verreaux, and used the English name ‘Rheinart’s

Pheasant’. In a footnote he stated that the generic name was first provided

by ‘Maingounat’ in ‘ Science pour tous' published on 8 July 1882. He noted

the change of the name to the masculine ending and then to the spelling with

a Y rather than ‘cT by Oustalet (without references) because the collector of

the first complete example was ‘Commandant Rheinart’. Delacour (p. 203)

concluded that ‘Perhaps under these circumstances it is best to retain the

original spelling’.

1993

Generic name of the Crested Argus

5

Beebe (1922: 100) also spelled the generic name with a ‘ d ’ but used the

masculine ending and repeated the name of the collector with a ‘t\ He also

detailed the source of the type as ‘about twenty kilometres west of Hue... at

the foot of the Laos Mountains’. Subsequently, Beebe (1931 : 166), in a long

quotation from a communication from Delacour, spelled the generic name

‘ Rheinardtius ’.

Peters (1934) followed Delacour’s conclusion, even to the misspelling of

the name of the author of the genus. Chasen (1935) used Rheinartia and

noted that ‘ Rheinardia and Maingounat are misprints’, repeating Delacour’s

statement of the name of the original collector. Delacour (1947, 1951)

reversed his conclusion of 1 929 and amended the generic name to Rheinartia.

Nine books — field guides and world lists — published in the period 1974-

1 990 uniformly use the feminine ending for the genus, but are split 5 to 4 in

favour of ‘<f over ‘f .

Whether the original collector’s name was Rheinard, Rheinart, or Rheinardt

cannot now be determined. There is no firm basis for accepting an

emendation and, as suggested by Delacour (1929) and Jabouille (1930), the

original spelling of the generic name as proposed by Maingonnat (1882)

must stand. Maingonnat indicated that he was naming the genus Rheinardia

in honour of Captain Rheinard, with whom he and Boucard (1892) were

personally acquainted. Even if he misspelled the Captain’s name, and

therefore the generic name, there is no evidence in the original publication

of an inadvertent error in formation of the generic name, which is required

by Article 32 (c) (ii) of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature

to emend an incorrect original spelling.

I thank Charles Dane for inadvertently bringing this matter to my attention, and M. Ralph Browning

for considerable help in obtaining the necessary references. Browning and B. L. Monroe, Jr., offered

comments on the manuscript.

REFERENCES

Anon. (1882) Extrait des proces-verbaux de la Societe Zoologique de France. Bull. Soc. Zool. France

7: i-xxxv.

Beebe, [C.] W. (1922) A monograph of the pheasants, 4. London: Witherby.

Beebe, [C.] W. (1931) Pheasants, their lives and homes. 2 vols. Garden City, New York: Doubleday,

Doran and Company.

Boucard, A. (1892) Notes on the rare pheasant, Rheinardius ocellatus, Verr. The Humming Bird 2: 9-12.

Chasen, F. N. (1935) A handlist of Malaysian birds. Bull. Raffles Mus. 1 1.

Delacour, J. (1929) On the birds collected during the fourth expedition to French Indo-China. Ibis

(12)5: 193-220.

Delacour, J. (1947) The birds of Malaysia. New York: Macmillan.

Delacour, J. (1951) The pheasants of the world. London: Country Life.

Delacour, J. and Jabouille, P. (1925) Douze oiseaux nouveaux de l’lndochine frangaise et notes sur

quelques phasianides de Annam. L’Oiseau 6: 25-38.

Elliot, D. G. ( 1 87 1) Description of an apparently new species of pheasant belonging to the genus Argus.

Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4)8: 119-120.

6

R. C. BANKS

Forktail 8

Elliot, D. G. (1872) A monograph of the Phasianidae or family of the pheasants, 1. New York: published

by the author.

Elliot, D. G. (1909) Remarks on the species of the genus Rheinardtius. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8)4: 242-

243.

Jabouille, P. (1930) Le phoenix fabuleux de la Chine et le faisan ocelle d’Annam ( Rheinardia ocellata

Verreaux). Revue d’Histoire Naturelle 11: 1-13.

Ogilvie-Grant, W.R. (1893) Catalogue of the game birds (Pterocletes, Galltnae, Opisthocomi, Hemipodii) in

the collection of the British Museum. London: British Museum (Natural History).

Oustalet, E. (1882a) Description d’un type peu connue de l’ordre des Gallinaces. Bull, hebdomaire de

I’Association Scientifique de France (2)5: 242-245.

Oustalet, E. (1882b) Description du Rheinardius ocellatus Gallinace voisin des Argus. Ann. Sci. Nat.

(Zool.) (6)13, art. 12: 1-6.

Oustalet, E. (1882c) Notes d’Omithologie. Bull. Soc. Philomathique de Paris (7)6: 254-271.

Oustalet, E. (1885) Description du Rheinartius ocellatus, espece peu connue de l’ordre des Gallinaces,

et Catalogue d’une collection d’oiseaux formee dan l’empire d’Annam. Nouv. Arch. Mus. Hist. Nat.

(2)8: 256-300.

Oustalet, E. (1898) Nonce sur une espece, probablement nouvelle, de faisan de l’Annam. Bull. Mus.

Hist. Nat., Paris 6: 258-261.

Peters, J. L. (1934) Check-list of birds of the world, 2. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard Univ. Press.

Reichenow, A. and Schalow, H. (1883) Compendium der neu beschriebenen Gattungen und Arten. J.

Om. 31: 399-424.

Sclater, P. L. and Saunders, H. (1883) Notices of recent ornithological publications. Ibis (5) 1 : 97-1 18.

Sibley, C.G. and Monroe, Jr., B. L. (1990) Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven:

Yale Univ. Press.

Richard C. Banks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC

20560, U.S. A.

1993

FORKTAIL 8 (1993): 7 -9

7

Field Identification of the Rufous-bellied

Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii

WILLIAM S. CLARK and N. JOHN SCHMITT

The Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii is a fairly common resident of

humid evergreen forests of India and South-East India, including Malaysia,

Indonesia and the Philippines. Very little has been written about this eagle’s

behaviour and field identification. From our field experience in India, we find

it a distinctive raptor that is easily recognised whether perched or flying. Field

marks are presented that will facilitate identification of this small eagle,

particularly of distant flying birds.

The Rufous-bellied Eagle shares the aerial hunting habits of its congeners:

African Hawk-Eagle H. spilogaster, Bonelli’s Eagle H. fasciatus , Booted Eagle

H. pennatus and Little Eagle H. morphnoides. In flight, however, the wing and

tail shape and pattern of Rufous-bellied Eagle are more like those of buzzards

(especially Common Buzzard Buteo buteo ) (Figure 1), and are quite unlike

that of the other species in the genus. We are unaware of any field guide in

which its wing shape has been correctly depicted.

Adult and juvenile plumages are quite different (Figure 1) and are

described below. Transitional birds can show a variety of intermediate

plumages.

Flying adults appear mostly black, grey and white below when seen from

a distance (Figure 1); the white breast and face pattern is suggestive of

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus. The rufous colour of the adult’s underparts

is usually seen only on close birds under good light conditions. Perched

adults show a short crest and distinctive black, white and rufous coloration.

Flying juveniles appear mostly white below, with distinctive black marks on

the face, sides of the upper breast and on the flanks. Viewed head-on, the

leading edge of the inner wing appears white. The secondaries of distant

flying birds appear somewhat darker than the rest of the underwing. Perched

juveniles show a face pattern like that of an Osprey Pandion haliaetus, and

white underparts with dark marks on the sides of the upper breast and on the

flanks.

Adults and juveniles in flight appear uniformly dark above except for

distinctive pale primary patches and strong black and white head patterns.

Rufous-bellied Eagles spend much time in the air, hunting (gliding or

soaring), usually 50-100 m above the forest, but sometimes lower and

occasionally much higher. Upon sighting prey, they fold their wings (forming

8

W. S. CLARK and N. J. SCHMITT

Forktail 8

a tear-drop shape) and stoop rapidly into the forest canopy. When they are

present in an area, thay can usually be readily seen soaring or gliding during

periods of strong thermal activity.

We found Rufous-bellied Eagles to be fairly common in forested areas of

south-western India (Western Ghats) and the central and eastern Himalayan

foothills, after we became familiar with their buzzard-like appearance and

other relevant field marks.

The illustrations were prepared to help teach raptor identification to personnel of the Bombay Natural

History Society’s raptor ecology project; a collaborative project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service’s Special Foreign Currency Program in India. We thank David Ferguson of the Office of

International Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for arranging our visits to India, and the Bombay

Natural History Society, especially V. Prakash, J. C. Daniel and R. Grubh, for support in India. Our field

companion, Rishad Naoroji, is thanked for leading us to these eagles. B. Beehler, R. Kennedy, B. King

and C. Wilds made helpful comments on earler drafts of this paper.

W. S. Clark, 4554 Shetland Green Road, Alexandria, VA 22312, U.S. A.

N. J. Schmitt, 1 1609 Alburtis Ave., Norwalk, CA 90650, U.S. A.

Plate 2. Adult Rufous-bellied Eagle

Hieraaelus kienerii in flight.

Photo: W. S. Clark

Plate 1. Adult Rufous-bellied Eagle

Hieraaetus kienerii.

Photo: W. S. Clark

Plate 3. Juvenile Rufous-bellied

Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii in flight.

Photo: W. S. Clark

1993

Field identification of the Rufous-bellied Eagle

9

Plate 4. Rufous-bellied Eagles Hieraaetus kienerii. N. J. Schmitt

1 - 3 adults, 4-5 transitional, 6-10 juveniles, 11-13 adults.

1993

FORKTAIL 8 (1993): 11- 23

11

The birds of Wynaad, southern India

V. J. ZACHARIAS and A.J. GASTON

A survey of birds of the Wynaad district of Kerala was conducted from June 1 985 to September 1988.

A total of 275 species was recorded, including 1 5 which had not previously been recorded in the state

of Kerala. Records of 30 other species that have occurred in Wynaad were located in the published

literature. Nine of the species are endemic to the Western Ghats and several others have disjunct

distributions in the Indian subcontinent. Of the resident species 4 1 were confined to evergreen and semi¬

evergreen biotopes and 66 occurred only in deciduous biotopes. A total of 1 50 species showed evidence

of breeding, including the rarely recorded Ceylon Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger. Nineteen

species had not previously been recorded as breeding in Kerala, including the Asian Brown Flycatcher

Muscicapa dauurica, a species previously believed to be only a winter visitor. Evidence of decline in

numbers of some species is presented; comparison with the results of the only previous survey (Davison

1883) indicates that 20 resident species have undergone a considerable decline and 17 resident species

were not observed at all.

INTRODUCTION

Little information is available on the avifauna of Wynaad. William Davison

(1883) carried out a survey from 23 March to 3 1 May 1881 (and subsequently

collected some further specimens which were reported on by Whistler and

Kinnear (1930-1937); these studies highlighted the presence of an interesting

avifauna in Wynaad. Subsequently, J. Darling collected eggs and some

specimens of birds in the 1880s (Hume 1890, Whistler and Kinnear 1930-

1937), and A. M. Primrose (1904) provided information on 1 1 species of

raptors from the area. Salim Ali’s surveys in Kerala (Ali 1969) did not

adequately cover Wynaad, even though it is perhaps the richest area

faunistically in Kerala and he appears to have overlooked 1 1 species recorded

in Wynaad which are additional to the species included in The birds of Kerala.

Wynaad is an elevated plateau in the Western Ghats, between 1 1°58’N and

11°30’N and 75°45’E and 76°28’E (Figure 1). It is an extension of the

Deccan plateau to the west, bounded by Coorg and Mysore in the north and

east, Nilgiri in the south and Malappuram and Calicut in the south-west.

The Ghat section is separated by the Brahmagiri Dindimal ranges, running

at right angles to the Western Ghats, with the Nilgiri Kunda ranges forming

the south-eastern limit, and the eastern portion merging into the Karnataka

table land. Formerly Wynaad consisted of South-East Wynaad (Nilgiri

Wynaad), South Wynaad and North Wynaad. South-East Wynaad was

transferred to Tamil Nadu, leaving the other two regions to form the current

Wynaad district with an area of 2,125 km2. The average altitude of the

plateau is 700 m, but many peaks exceed 1,500 m. The only river, the

Kabani, originates in the Western Ghats and flows east.

12

V. J. ZACHARIAS and A. J. GASTON

Forktail 8

The climate on the plateau is quite different from that of the plains. The

temperature of the former ranges from 13°-33°C, whereas at the foot of the

Ghats the range is from 21°-38°C. From November to January mist is

common and, following a few showers in April and May, the South-West

Monsoon brings 75% of the annual rainfall from June to August. There is

a rainfall gradient from west to east, a fact that is reflected in the vegetation.

On the plateau moist deciduous forest is the characteristic vegetation,

whereas the slopes of the Western Ghats and of the Dindimal and Brahmagiri

ranges are clothed in evergreen forest. Deciduous forest occupies a zone

extending from the north through the east to the south. The forest quality

gradually deteriorates as one moves eastwards from the Ghats, leading to

stunted trees on the eastern border.

Modern forestry operations and plantations began in Wynaad at the time

of the Forest Act of 1 882 . Selective felling and indiscriminate destruction of

forest have increased in the post-independence period and the large-scale

migration of agriculturists from central Kerala from the 1950s onwards

sealed the fate of the pristine forest in the region. Much of the vast forest has

been reduced to a precarious fringe along the south-eastern border and in

central areas there are now vast expanses of gardens and plantations. Even

the remaining forests, including the evergreen/semi-evergreen portion at

Tirunelly in the Brahmagiris and those at Periya are being destroyed by

commercial felling and tribal rehabilitation programmes. The Forest

Department are now planting Eucalyptus and other exotic trees in the

grasslands above the shola forest, thereby threatening the entire ecosystem.

Wynaad Wildlife Sanctuary

The Wynaad Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 344.44 km2 in the east and

south-east of Wynaad. There are two isolated segments: Tholpetty Wildlife

Range in the north and the Kurchiyat, Sultan’s Battery and Muthanga

wildlife Ranges in the south. The two segments are separated by a wide area

of cultivation. There are extensive plantations and several cultivated

enclosures within the sanctuary which constitute the major portion of the

reserve.

METHODS OF STUDY

Birds were observed in 12 localities in Wynaad, from July 1 985 to September

1988. These localities were selected on the basis of topography, vegetation

and land use. Observations, which included notes on climate, topography,

altitude and vegetation, were conducted from 07h00 to 15h00 and each

locality was visited once every three months. The number of bird species in

different habitats and information on food and nesting behaviour was

1993

The birds of Wynaad, southern India

13

Figure.

14

V. J. ZACHARIAS and A. J. GASTON

Forktail 8

recorded. Evidence of breeding and egg-laying dates were determined by

noting the following: birds carrying nesting materials or food for the young,

or feeding recently fledged young; in the case of hole-nesting species

observations of birds entering suitable holes was considered adequate.

RESULTS

A total of 27 5 species was observed during the survey in Wynaad and a search

of the relevant literature revealed another 30 species that have been recorded

previously (Appendix) . Of the resident species 4 1 were confined to evergreen/

semi-evergreen biotopes and 66 to the deciduous biotopes. Some intermediate

zone (moist deciduous) species were found in both evergreen and deciduous

biotopes; species such as Brown-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus ,

Y ellow-browed Bulbul dole indica, Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps ,

Rufous Babbler Turdoides subrufus, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe

poioicephala, Tickell’s Blue-Flycatcher Cyomis tickelliae, Black-naped Monarch

Hypothymis azurea, White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus, Black-

lored Tit Pams xanthogenys, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis and

Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus were generally more common in the

moist deciduous biotope; they have been treated as species of this zone in this

paper. There are differences in the numbers of species found in evergreen

forests and in deciduous forests. The largest numbers of both birds and

species were observed in the semi-evergreen forests at Tirunelly and in the

moist deciduous forests at Muthanga and Kupadi respectively. The forest

around Lakkidi and Vyittiri had a rich avifauna, mostly represented by

passerine species. There is evidence of a steady decline in bird populations

in this area over the last decade, mostly due to developmental projects and

forest destruction.

Species endemic to south-west India or with disjunct distributions

Nine species of the evergreen/semi-evergreen biotope are endemic to the

Western Ghats: Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides, Nilgiri Wood-

Pigeon Columba elphinstonii, Black-and-rufous Flycatcher Ficedula nigromfa,

White-bellied Blue-Flycatcher Cyomis pallipes, Wynaad Laughingthrush

Garrulax delesserti , Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush G. cachinnans, Grey¬

breasted Laughingthrush G. jerdoni , Hill Swallow Himndo domicola and

Nilgiri Pipit Anthus nilghiriensis . Several other species occur in the Western

Ghats and elsewhere in the Indian subcontinent, but discontinuously, either

in Sri Lanka or in the eastern Himalayas: Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni ,

Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraeetus kienerii, Ceylon Frogmouth Batrachostomus

moniliger, Malabar Trogon Harpactes fasciatus, Blue-bearded Bee-eater

Nyctyomis athertoni, Dollarbird Eurystornus orientalis, Great Hornbill Buceros

bicomis.

1993

The birds of Wynaad, southern India

15

Altitudinal distribution of birds

Most of the recorded species occur below 1 ,400 m; above this altitude there

is a much smaller number of species. The Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus

is usually found only above 900 m (200 m above the average altitude of the

plateau) and is most numerous above 1,000 m. A few species, such as the

White-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx major and Golden-headed Cisticola

Cisticola exilis are found only above 1,200m. The Indian Swiftlet Collocalia

unicolor was found at a wide range of altitudes but the largest numbers

observed were those roosting above 1 ,400 m in rocky caves on the Brahmigiris.

Winter visitors

Fifty-nine species of winter visitors were recorded, with the largest numbers

of wintering birds occurring from November to February. In nearby Coorg,

Betts (1950), reported that winter visitors began to arrive at the end of

August, and that they began to leave at the end of February, with some

remaining until the end of April.

Breeding behaviour

A total of 150 species showed evidence of breeding, including nineteen

species for which the breeding records were apparently the first for Kerala;

these are annotated in the Appendix with’#’. A large colony of breeding

herons was found near the Panamaram bridge on the Kalpetta-Manantavadi

road, containing Little Egrets Egretta garzetta, Great Egrets Casrnerodius

albus, Intermediate Egrets Mesophoyx intermedia, Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis,

Indian Pond-Herons Ardeola grayii, Black-crowned Night-Herons Nycticorax

nycticorax and also Little Cormorants Phalacrocorax niger. A pair of Black

Bitterns Ixobrychus flavicollis was nesting in a nearby bush in June. The birds

in this colony were hunted by various people, some of whom travelled from

some distance. In addition to the newly recorded breeding species the rarely

recorded Ceylon Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger was found breeding.

Apparent population declines since 1881

Of the resident species recorded in Wynaad, 20 have apparently declined

since 1881, being considered ‘common’ by Davison but found only

occasionally or rarely during this survey. A further 17 resident species were

not found at all in the current survey - some of these are unobtrusive species

that may have been overlooked, but others have clearly declined. The Red-

naped Ibis Pseudibis papillosa was found in noisy flocks at Manantavadi by

Davison in April 1881, but has now disappeared. Waterbirds, raptors and

gamebirds have apparently declined in numbers generally since Davison’s

survey. These declines are most probably due to habitat destruction and

hunting.

16

V. J. ZACHARIAS and A. J. GASTON

Forktail 8

New sight records for Kerala

Fifteen species were recorded for the first time in Kerala. These are

annotated in the Appendix with an asterisk. The most significant of these are

the White-winged Tit Pams nuchalis (previously recorded only very locally in

Gujarat, south-central Rajasthan, one locality in the Eastern Ghats, Bangalore

and the Biligirangan Hills) and the Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush (recorded

previously only in the Nilgiris).

The study received financial assistance from the State Department of Science, Technology and

Environment, Government of Kerala. Discussions with the late Dr Salim Ali, Dr Philip Gaddis

(U.S.A.), who visited Wynaad in 1982, and the late Prof. K. K. Neelakantan are gratefully acknowledged.

Mr P. U. Antony, Dr Ignatius Konikkara and Mr P. V. Balakrishnan helped in the survey.

REFERENCES

Ali, S. (1969) Birds of Kerala. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.

Baker, E. C. S. ( 1 924) The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Birds, 2. Second edition.

London: Taylor and Francis.

Baker, H. R. and Inglis, C. M. (1930) The birds of southern India, including Madras, Malabar, Travancore,

Cochin, Coorg and Mysore. Madras: Government Press.

Betts, F. N. (1951) Birds of Coorg. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 50: 20-63, 224-263, 667-684.

Blanford, W. T. (1893) On the scientific name of a Himalayan cuckoo. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1893:

315-319.

Davison, W. (1883) Notes on some birds collected on the Nilgiris and parts of Wynaad and southern

Mysore. Stray Feathers 10: 329-419.

Ditmas, J. W. (1883) (Letter about Gallinago nemoricola.) Stray Feathers 10: 173-174.

Hume, A. O. (1877) (Note about Vivia innominata collected by J. Darling in Wynaad.) Stray Feathers

5: 351.

Hume, A. O. (1878) (Note about Bazajerdoni collected by J. Darling in Wynaad.) Stray Feathers 7 : 151.

Hume, A. O. (1890) The nest and eggs of Indian birds. 3 volumes. London: R. H. Porter.

Jerdon, T. C. (1 839- 1 840) Catalogue of the birds of the peninsula of India, arranged according to the

modem system of classification; with brief notes on their habits and geographical distribution, and

description of new, doubtful and imperfectly described species. Madras J. Lit. Sci. 10: 60-91, 234-

269; 11: 1-38, 207-239; 12: 1-15, 193-227.

Jerdon, T. C. (1844) Second supplement to the catalogue of the birds of southern India. Madras J. Lit.

Sci. 14: 116-144.

Neelakantan, K. K. (1990) Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinensis in Kerala. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.

87: 302.

Phythian Adams, E. G. (1928) Snipe and Woodcock in S. India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 32: 606-607.

Phythian Adams, E. G. (1948) Snipe in south India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 47: 745-746.

Primrose, A. M. (1904) Birds observed in Nilgiris and Wynaad. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34: 163-166.

Whistler, H. and Kinnear, N. B. (1930-1937) The Vernay Survey of the Eastern Ghats. J. Bombay Nat.

Hist. Soc. 34: 386-403; 35: 505-524, 737-760; 36: 67-93, 334-352, 561-590, 832-844; 37: 96-105,

281-297, 515-528, 751-763; 38; 26-40, 232-240, 418-437, 672-698; 39: 246-263, 447-463.

V. J. Zacharias, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady 685 436, India.

A. J. Gaston, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa K1A OH3, Canada.

1993

The birds of Wynaad, southern India

17

APPENDIX

BIRD SPECIES RECORDED IN WYNAAD

18

V. J. ZACHARIAS and A. J. GASTON

Forktail 8

Davison This Others Habitat Status

(1883) survey

LITTLE GREEN BEE-EATER Merops orientalis C C

BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER Merops philippinus x R

CHESTNUT-HEADED BEE-EATER Merops leschenauln O C

PIED CUCKOO Oxylophus jacobinus O

* LARGE HAWK-CUCKOO Cuculus sparverioides - O

COMMON HAWK-CUCKOO Cuculus varius C O

INDIAN CUCKOO Cuculus micropterus O R

COMMON CUCKOO Cuculus canorus - O

[ORIENTAL CUCKOO Cuculus saturaius ?

discredited

Davison’s record

1993

The birds of Wynaad, southern India

19

20

V. J. ZACHARIAS and A. J. GASTON

Forktail 8

1993

The birds of Wynaad, southern India

21

since 1979)

22

V. J. ZACHARIAS and A. J. GASTON

Forktail 8

1993

The birds of Wynaad, southern India

23

Key:

* = new records for Kerala

# = new breeding records for Kerala

H = species recorded from Kerala prior to 1969 but omitted in error by Ali (1969)

[ ] = doubtfully recorded species

Occurrence: C - common; O = occasional; R = rare

Other references: B = Baker (1924); Ba = Baker and Inglis (1930); Di = Ditmas (1883); H = Hume

(1877); Hu = Hume (1890); J = Jerdon (1839-1840); Jd = Jerdon (1844); Je =

Jerdon (1862); P = Primrose (1904); Ph1 = Phythian Adams (1928); Ph2 =

Phythian Adams (1948); Wh = Whistler and Kinnear (1930-1937)

Habitat: E = evergreen; SE = semi-evergreen; MD = moist deciduous; D = deciduous; G

— grassland; We = wetland

Status: RE = resident; RE+ = resident and evidence of breeding noted; W = winter visitor

1993

FORKTAIL 8 (1993): 25 - 52

25

Further recent records of birds from

Viet Nam

C. R. ROBSON, J. C. EAMES, NGUYEN CU and

TRUONG VAN LA

Between December 1989 and March 1990, surveys of forest birds were undertaken at a selection of sites,

including proposed protected areas, in Viet Nam. These surveys, forming part of the Viet Nam Forest

Project of ICBP, aimed to provide information on the status and distribution of globally threatened and

endemic species, especially Galliformes. Information was obtained on Imperial Pheasant Lophura

imperialis, Vietnamese Pheasant L. hatinhensis, Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron germaini.

Green Peafowl Pavo muticus , White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata, Blyth’s Kingfisher Alcedo hercttles.

Yellow-billed Nuthatch Sitta solangiae, Collared Laughingthrush Garrulax yersini and Vietnamese

Greenfinch Carduelis monguilloli.

From 9 December 1989 to 10 March 1990 we carried-out surveys for

globally threatened and endemic forest birds in Viet Nam. These surveys

formed part of the Viet Nam Forest Project and were jointly implemented by

the International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP) and the Forest Birds

Working Group of the Centre for Natural Resources Management and

Environmental Studies (CRES) and the Institute of Ecology and Biological

Resources, Hanoi.

The main aims of this fieldwork were to undertake surveys for two globally

threatened pheasants: Edwards’s Pheasant Lophura edwardsi and Vietnamese

Pheasant L. hatinhensis and to identify core areas for their protection.

Further objectives were to prepare inventories of birds in Bach Ma and Nam

Bai Cat Tien National Parks and to carry-out preliminary surveys of endemic

birds on the Da Lat Plateau. For a full account of the results of these surveys

see Robson et al. (1991).

During this fieldwork new distributional data were obtained on Vietnamese

birds which are presented in this paper. Notable was the rediscovery of

Imperial Pheasant L. imperialis and the discovery of a population ofVietnamese

Pheasant at the same locality. Information was obtained on the status of a

number of other globally threatened species including Germain’s Peacock-

Pheasant Polyplectron germaini , Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata, Green

Peafowl Pavo muticus , White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata , Red-collared

Woodpecker Picus rabieri, Blyth’s KingfisherH/cedo hercules, Bar-bellied Pitta

Pitta elliotii, Yellow-billed Nuthatch Sitta solangiae , Short-tailed Scimitar-

Babbler Jabouilleia danjoui , Collared Laughingthrush Garrulax yersini and

eight near- threatened species: Red-vented Barbet Megalaima lagrandieri,

Coral-billed Ground-Cuckoo Carpococcyx renauldi , Yellow-vented Green-

26

C. R. ROBSON et al.

Forktail 8

Pigeon Treron seimundi, White-winged Magpie Urocissa whiteheadi, Ratchet¬

tailed Treepie Temnurus temnurus, White-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax

vassali, Grey-faced Tit-Babbler Macronous kelleyi and Rufous-throated

Fulvetta Alcippe rufogularis (Collar and Andrew 1988).

ORNITHOLOGICAL REGIONS OF VIET NAM

Various authors have split Viet Nam into ornithological regions based on a

combination of zoogeographical and former colonial provincial boundaries.

King et al. (1975) used the old French colonial divisions for Viet Nam of

Tonkin, Annam and Cochinchina, further sub-dividing Annam into three

regions. These sub-divisions were modified by Vo Quy (1983) to follow

stricter zoogeographical boundaries with the division of both Tonkin and

Annam into two regions. As in our previous paper (Robson et al. 1989) we

follow the sub-divisions of Annam proposed by King et al. (1975) which

make it easier to determine the expansion of a species’s range. We also follow

the division of Tonkin into East and West proposed by Vo Quy (1983).

ABBREVIATIONS

ha = hectares, mm - millimetres, m = metres above sea level, max =

maximum, min - minimum, NP = national park.

ITINERARY

1993

Further records of birds from Viet Nam

27

Figure 1. Viet Nam, showing locations mentioned in text.

28

C. R. ROBSON et al.

Forktail 8

MAIN LOCALITIES VISITED

1. Nam Bai Cat Tien National Park (1 1°27’N 107°18’E)

Nam Bai Cat Tien National Park covers an area of 36,500 ha in Dong Nai

Province (Cochinchina).

The western half of the park is occupied by a range of well forested low hills

(150-350 m) which are covered by semi-evergreen and deciduous forest.

The eastern half is mostly level lowland (120-150 m) with a mosaic of logged

and secondary evergreen forest, grassy clearings and areas of bamboo. An

area of seasonal swamp forest and seasonally flooded grassland flanked by

other riparian habitats, is situated in the centre of the park (Robson et al.

1991). Forest in the park has been classified generally as Lowland Semi-

Evergreen (MacKinnon and MacKinnon 1986) or Closed Broadleaved

Tropical Evergreen Seasonal Lowland (mostly dominated by

Dipterocarpaceae, Fabaceae, Meliaceae and Sapindaceae) with Closed

Bamboo Tropical Lowland and Sub-Montane (CVRER 1985).

Areas of forest within the park were affected by herbicide spraying during

the Viet Nam War. Following the war some army units remained in the park

and cleared areas of forest where rice and sugar-cane are now cultivated.

Logging operations were carried-out until 1978 when the site was proposed

as a national park (Robson et al. 1991).

2. Mount Lang Bian (12°02’N 108°26’E)

Mount Lang Bian (2,267 m) is the second highest peak on the Da Lat

Plateau, situated to the north of Da Lat, Lam Dong Province (South

Annam) .

All the land below 1 ,500 m is now under cultivation or has been deforested.

Forests of Pinus insularis, with little or no understorey are found on the lower

slopes of the mountain, reaching an altitude of 1,850-1,900 m on south

facing slopes. This forest may represent a natural forest type or may have

evolved as a fire climax. Patches of degraded broadleaved forest occur in the

well-watered gullies. Much of the pine forest on the south-west of the

mountain has been cleared and is now covered by grassland (Robson et al.

1991). Above 1,650 m (generally) the mountain is covered in Tropical

Montane Evergreen forest (MacKinnon and MacKinnon 1986). This forest

covers an area of 300 ha and is dominated by Fagaceae. On the summit ridge

above 2,000 m Rhododendron langbianense and R. fleuryi were recorded. A

large area of scrub covers the north-facing slope of the south-western part of

the mountain (1,700-1,850 m) where the broadleaved forest has recently

been cleared.

In the evergreen forest there is intense in situ charcoal production, firewood

collection and timber extraction. Many of the trees in the pine forest are

1993

Further records of birds from Viet Nam

29

tapped for their resin and the grasslands and pine forest are subject to grazing

by cattle (Robson et al. 1991).

3. Bach Ma National Park (16° l l’N 107°50’E)

This national park covers an area of 18,900 ha in Thua Thien Province

(Central Annam).

The terrain is steep and mountainous with elevation ranging from sea level

to 1,450 m at the summit of Mount Bach Ma. The reserve protects one of

the few remaining examples of ‘everwet’ forest in Viet Nam. Forest types in

the park have been classified as follows: Lowland Evergreen (MacKinnon

and MacKinnon 1986) also described as Closed Broadleaved Ombrophilous

Lowland (CVRER 1985) and “Everwet” (Vo Quy 1985); Lowland Semi-

Evergreen (MacKinnon and MacKinnon 1986) or Closed Broadleaved

Tropical Evergreen Seasonal Lowland dominated by Dipterocarpaceae,

Fabaceae, Meliaceae and Sapindaceae (CVRER 1985) and T ropical Montane

Evergreen (MacKinnon and MacKinnon 1986).

Much of the forest was damaged by herbicide spraying during the Viet

Nam War and logging which only ceased in 1989 (Robson et al. 1991).

Mount Bach Ma is one of a number of small “islands” of habitat in Central

and North Annam that form a link between the montane fauna and flora of

West Tonkin and South Annam.

4. Cat Bin-Ho Ke Go ( 1&05’N 106'02’E, Cat Bin)

Ho Ke Go reservoir and the settlement of Cat Bin to the south-east are

situated within the Cam Ky Forestry Enterprise in south-east Cam Xuyen

District, Nghe Tinh Province (North Annam).

The terrain is gently undulating (40-200 m) and intersected by numerous

streams and rivers. There are a few isolated low hills reaching a maximum

height of 450 m. The area is still largely forested, although this is logged or

consists of secondary forest formations (Robson et al. 1991). Forest types

in the area have been classified as Lowland Semi-Evergreen (MacKinnon

and MacKinnon 1986) or Closed Broadleaved Tropical Evergreen Seasonal

Lowland dominated by Dipterocarpaceae, Fabaceae, Meliaceae and

Sapindaceae (CVRER 1985).

Large areas of forest have been replaced by plantations of the native tree

Manglietia glauca. The older plantations often have a well-developed

understorey and provide habitat for some forest bird species. Although

authorized logging ceased in 1978, the area is under great pressure from

wood-cutters (Robson et al. 1991).

30

C. R. ROBSON etal.

Forktail 8

RECORDS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST

SCALY-BREASTED PARTRIDGE Arborophila chloropus Common in

Nam Bai Cat Tien NP (140 m).

Not recorded for many years. In Viet Nam, the species only occurs below

600 m and we consider it to be a lowland forest specialist. The subspecies

involved, coqnacqi, has not been recorded for many years.

ANNAM PARTRIDGE A rborophila merlini Common in Bach Ma NP (90-

600 m).

Not recorded for many years. Only occurs below 600 m and we consider

it to be a lowland forest specialist. It is, therefore, threatened by lowland

deforestation. Probably best regarded as conspecific with A. chloropus.

SILVER PHEASANT Lophura nycthemera Observed on three occasions in

Bach Ma NP (500-1,000 m), from 28 January-6 February.

The subspecies involved, beli, is a restricted range Vietnamese endemic,

which is now probably threatened by deforestation.

IMPERIAL PHEASANT Lophura imperialis A live immature male was

brought to us by a group of rattan collectors at Cat Bin, on 28 February.

Unfortunately the bird had not been fed properly for at least three days and,

despite considerable efforts to save it, died the following morning. The

specimen was preserved and is now held in Hanoi. It was trapped in

secondary lowland forest (50-100 m), 12 km west of Cat Bin. Two adult

male Vietnamese Pheasants were reported to have been trapped in the same

snare line. The measurements of the bird were as follows: wing (max. cord,

flattened and straightened) 252 mm; wing point 6=7; tail 303 mm; bill

(exposed culmen) 33 mm, (exposed culmen from distal point of nostril) 19

mm; tarsus (and joint with tibia) 1 03 mm; central toe (max. with nail) 64 mm;

spur (max.) 1 2 mm; crest (max.) 70 mm. Soft parts: iris olive ochre-colored;

bill pale whitish or greyish-horn; facial skin scarlet; legs and feet pinkish-red;

toe-nails and spurs whitish. The testes measured 13x5 mm and 12x4 mm

and were both uniformly dark grey. For further details see Robson et al.

(1991). This species was previously only known from a pair sent alive to J.

Delacour in 1 923 by two missionaries. They were apparently trapped on the

border of the old provinces of Donghoi and Quangtri, Central Annam

(Delacour and Jabouille 1931). Our record constitutes a considerable

northward range extension of this globally threatened species (Collar and

Andrew 1988). Several authors, including Collar and Andrew (1988),

Delacour and Jabouille (1931) and King etal. (1975) state that the species

occurs in Central Laos. The record in question (David-Beaulieu 1 949) is not

supported by a specimen and was, in fact, based on a vague description of a

bird given by local hunters. David-Beaulieu did not observe the bird himself

and simply presumed that it was L. imperialis. Few details are mentioned,

other than that the birds apparently had a black crest. If this record is

1993

Further records of birds from Viet Nam

31

discounted as unreliable, then the species is only known from Viet Nam. The

sympatric occurrence of this species with the closely related Vietnamese

Pheasant warrants further investigation.

VIETNAMESE PHEASANT Lophura hatinhensis At Cat Bin, at least 1 1

males and two females were reported to have been trapped between the start

of the Vietnamese New Year (27 January) and 28 February.

Information was gathered on this species from rattan collectors and

hunters, who had snared birds in forest up to 12 km west of Cat Bin (see

Robson etal. 1991). All the males were described as having white crests and

central tail feathers. The records of females should be considered with

caution, as confusion is possible with female Imperial Pheasant. The legs and

featherless heads of two males were retrieved, and one set was photographed

beside a measuring scale, and the other set was deposited at the British

Museum (Natural History), Tring. Several bundles offeathers were examined.

Birds were also reported to be present, and often trapped, in areas of

secondary forest and plantations to the north-west and north-east of Cat Bin.

As a result of the survey, we believe it is probably well distributed throughout

the south-east part of the Cam Ky Forestry Enterprise, which surrounds Ho

Ke Go (50-200 m). The species was found in level or gently sloping terrain

covered by secondary and logged lowland evergreen forest with a well

developed understorey of palmate palms and rattans interspersed with

patches of bamboo. Birds were reported as having been trapped close to

streams, where vegetation is often denser, providing safe cover (Robson et al.

1991). Endemic to Viet Nam, this species was only discovered in 1964 and

was considered globally threatened by Collar and Andrew (1988) . It is a very

poorly known species, the female having remained undescribed until April

1990 (Rozendaal etal. 1991). Single specimens were collected from Ky Son

(1964) and Ky Thuong or Ky Son (1974), Ky Anh, Nghe Tinh Province,

North Annam. Four live birds (two pairs) were purchased by the Hanoi

Zoological Garden in 1990 and were said to have originated in Minh Hoa

District, Quang Binh, North/Central Annam (Rozendaal et al. 1991). One

of the females died subsequently.

SIAMESE FIREBACK Lophura diardi A single female was seen in Nam Bai

Cat Tien NP, on 31 December.

This species was considered globally threatened by Collar and Andrew

(1988).

GERMAIN’S PEACOCK-PHEASANT Polyplectron germaini Recorded

almost daily in Nam Bai Cat Tien NP (140 m).

Birds were found in thorny bamboo brakes as well as logged and secondary

forest. The call of the male is easily distinguishable from that of Grey

Peacock-Pheasant P. bicalcaratum. It consists of a series of low, purring

rattles (two to four seconds in duration each) repeated at three to eleven

second intervals; the intervals decreasing in time when the bird is alarmed or

32

C. R. ROBSON el al.

Forktail 8

responding to a rival bird. This species is endemic to southern Viet Nam,

apparently occurring as far north as Qhinhon in southern Central Annam

(Delacour and Jabouille 1931) and was considered globally threatened by

Collar and Andrew (1988). The only other recent record is of some feathers

collected by G. E. Morris during a visit to Nam Bai Cat Tien NP in winter

1986/87 (Morris 1987).

CRESTED ARGUS Rheinardia ocellata During survey work in Bach Ma NP

(100-1 ,000 m), at least 75 birds were recorded calling and a single male seen.

The species was uncommon in the Cat Bin area, where 20-25 birds were

heard calling, mostly on hills (150-300 m).

Birds were recorded in primary, logged and secondary evergreen forest. At

Bach Ma NP, calling was mostly recorded between 1 00 and 700 m (Robson

et al. 1991). It is subject to intense hunting pressure at Cat Bin (Robson et

al. 1991). The latest records support our 1988 findings (Robson etal. 1989),

that the species is still widespread, but more localized than in the past due to

habitat loss. It was considered globally threatened by Collar and Andrew

(1988).

GREEN PEAFOWL Pavo muticus In Nam Bai Cat Tien NP (140 m), 17

calling males were located. A single male was observed just outside the

boundary of Bach Ma NP ( 1 50 m), on 24 January and two or three females

reported to be present in the same area by local hunters (Robson etal. 1991).

In Nam Bai Cat Tien NP, birds were recorded in level forest edge

bordering freshwater marsh and in dryer areas of swamp forest. The birds

at Bach Ma were in scrub and open country. This species was formerly

widespread in open and secondary forest up to 900 m and considered to be

one of the commonest pheasants in Indochina (Delacour and Jabouille

1931). It was considered globally threatened by Collar and Andrew (1988).

WHITE-WINGED DUCK Cairina scutulata A single individual was

observed flying low over swamp forest in Nam Bai Cat Tien NP, on 4

January.

This is the first record of this globally threatened species (Collar and

Andrew 1988) in Viet Nam since 1931 (Green 1992).

RED-COLLARED WOODPECKER Picus rabieri Two seen in Bach Ma

NP, on 29 January and two or three in the Cat Bin area, on 17 February.

Observed in secondary evergreen forest. This little known species, which

is restricted almost exclusively to Viet Nam and Laos, was considered

globally threatened by Collar and Andrew (1988).

GREAT SLATY WOODPECKER Mulleripicus pulverulentus This species

was heard calling and drumming in the Cat Bin area, on 1 6 and 1 9 February.

Not recorded for North Annam by King et al. (1975).

RED-VENTED BARBET Megalaima lagrandieri Fairly common in Nam

Bai Cat Tien NP (140 m), from 23 December-5 January; a single bird on

1993

Further records of birds from Viet Nam

33

Mount Lang Bian (1,900 m), on 10 January; one at Da Tan La (1,350 m),

South Annam, on 12 January; uncommon inBachMaNP (100-700 m) and

common around Cat Bin (50-200 m), from 14-24 February.

Birds were recorded in primary, logged and secondary evergreen forests.

Considered a near-threatened species by Collar and Andrew (1988).

BLACK-BROWED BARBET Megalaima oorti Several birds seen in Bach

Ma NP (225-1,300 m), from 31 January-4 February.

King et al. (1975) and Vo Quy (1983) recorded it only from South Annam

in Viet Nam. The former authors stated that it occurs only from 900-1,500

m.

RED-HEADED TROGON Harpactes erythrocephalus Recorded as low as

250 m in Bach Ma NP and common around Cat Bin (50-200 m).

The species is generally found above 600 m in South-East Asia but

sometimes lower in Myanmar (King et al. 1975).

BLYTH’S KINGFISHER Alcedo Hercules At least three pairs were found in

the Cat Bin area (50-100 m).

Birds were found frequenting larger forest streams in secondary lowland

forest and scrub. A nest hole under excavation, was found in a sandy

riverbank near Cat Bin. The entrance to the nest hole was circular, its width

70 mm and length from top to bottom 80 mm. The presumably incomplete

burrow was 220 mm long. The nest hole was located 650 mm from the top

of the bank which was overhung by bamboo and 2,460 mm above the river.

The explosive flight call, hoarser than that of Common Kingfisher A. atthis,

and more reminiscent of a loud Blue-eared Kingfisher A meninting , was often

heard. One bird was trapped and photographed in the hand (Long et al.

1992). In Viet Nam, King et al. (1975) and Vo Quy (1983) recorded it only

from Tonkin. However, it was listed by Stepanyan et al. (1983) for Central

Annam. It was considered a globally threatened species by Collar and

Andrew (1988).

HODGSON’S HAWK-CUCKOO Cuculus fugax A single bird seen, and

another heard calling, at Kon Cha Rang Nature Reserve, Central Annam,

from 12-17 May 1988.

These records, which were omitted from Robson etal. (1989), are the first

for Central Annam, since King et al. (1975) did not list it from that region.

CORAL-BILLED GROUND-CUCKOO Carpococcyx renauldi At least six

were recorded in Bach Ma NP (400-700 m), from 27 January-8 February;

common in the Cat Bin area (50-250 m), from 15 February-3 March.

Birds were found in primary and secondary evergreen forest. The species

was considered near-threatened by Collar and Andrew (1988).

MOUNTAIN SCOPS-OWL Otus spilocephalus A single bird was heard

calling in Nam Bai Cat Tien NP, on 26 and 29 December.

The species was not recorded from Cochinchina by King et al. (1975).

34

C. R. ROBSON et al.

Forktail 8

COLLARED SCOPS-OWL Otus lempiji One calling at Cat Bin, from 14-

21 February.

The occurrence of this species in North Annam was considered questionable

by King et al. (1975).

COLLARED OWLET Glaucidium brodiei A single bird was heard calling at

Cong Troi, South Annam, on 1 1 January.

Not recorded from South Annam by King et al. (1975).

ROCK PIGEON Columba livia Feral birds of this species were regularly

recorded in urban areas throughout Viet Nam.

The occurrence of the species in Viet Nam was considered questionable by

King et al. (1975), and it was not listed by Vo Quy (1983).

BARRED CUCKOO-DOVE Macropygia unchall Found in large flocks

gleaning rice from paddy stubble in Nam Bai Cat Tien NP ( 1 40 m), from 23-

27 December. The largest number recorded was 1 50 on the 23 December.

The occurrence of this species in Cochinchina was considered questionable

by King et al. (1975), who also stated that it only occurs above 300 m.

YELLOW-VENTED GREEN-PIGEON Treron seimundi A mounted

specimen was examined at the headquarters of Bach Ma NP in January. The

bird was collected along the road to Mount Bach Ma during July-November

1989.

The species was considered near-threatened by Collar and Andrew (1988).

SLATY-LEGGED CRAKE Rallina eurizonoides A single bird was observed

in Bach Ma NP (450 m), on 19 January.

This is only the third record for Viet Nam and Indochina. The previous

records were from Quangtri and Thualuu (Delacour and Jabouille 1931).

COMMON COOT Fulica atra Three at the Cua Gianh ferry, North Annam,

on 17 December.

Not recorded from North Annam by King et al. (1975).

MARSH SANDPIPER Tringa stagnatilis At least 60 on salt pans south of Ba

Ngoi, Cam Ranh Bay, South Annam on 1 9 December; ten on salt pans north

of Phan Thiet, South Annam, also on 19 December.

Not recorded from South Annam by King et al. (1975) or from southern

Annam by Vo Quy (1983).

RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Three birds on salt pans north

of Phan Thiet, South Annam on 19 December.

Not recorded from South Annam by King et al. (1975) or from southern

Annam by Vo Quy (1983).

LONG-TOED STINT Calidris subminuta At least 60 on salt pans south of

Ba Ngoi, Cam Ranh Bay, South Annam on 19 December; five on salt pans

north of Phan Thiet, South Annam, also on 19 December.

Not recorded from South Annam by King et al. (1975) or from southern

1993

Further records of birds from Viet Nam

35

Annam by Vo Quy (1983). However, it was said to occur throughout South

Vietnam by Wildash (1968).

NORTHERN LAPWING Vanellusvanellus Flocks were recorded as follows:

at least 50 north of Thanh Hoa, East Tonkin; 20 between 20 km and 56 km

north of Vinh, North Annam, and 20 at Ky Anh, North Annam, all on 17

December.

Not recorded from Viet Nam by King et al. (1975). However, it has

subsequently occurred in East Tonkin according to Vo Quy (1981, 1983).

GREY-HEADED LAPWING Vanellus cinereus A total of at least 517 were

recorded between 40 km north of Ha Tinh and 19 km south of Ha Tinh,

North Annam, and along the road to Ho Ke Go, on 17 December, 11-13

February and 5 March. The largest flocks recorded were 130+ birds 17 km

south of Ha Tinh, on 17 December, 80 birds 40 km north of Ha Tinh, on 13

February and up to 80 birds 16 km south of Ha Tinh on 17 December and

13 February.

North Annam may be an important wintering area for this species, which

is rarely recorded anywhere in large numbers.

JERDON’S BAZA Aviceda jerdoni A single bird was observed hunting on

Mount Lang Bian (2,100 m) on 10 January.

King et al. (1975) and Vo Quy (1983) were not aware of any records from

Viet Nam. However, there are recent reports of this species from East T onkin

(Ratajszczak 1987), northern Viet Nam (Stepanyan 1987) and Cochinchina

(Morris 1986). This is the first record for South Annam.

GREY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus At least eight

sightings in various wetlands within Nam Bai Cat Tien NP, from 25

December-5 January. A single bird was recorded over the south-east corner

of Ho Ke Go, on 14 February.

This scarce species was considered a lowland forest specialist by Round

(1988).

COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo One dark phase bird near Ky Anh,

North Annam, on 1 1 February, one between Ha Tinh and Vinh, North

Annam and another between Vinh and Thanh Hoa, North Annam, both on

5 March.

Not recorded from North Annam by King et al. (1975).

RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE Hieraeetus kienerii One over the headquarters

of Nam Bai Cat Tien NP, on 29 January.

Not recorded from Cochinchina by King et al. (1975).

COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Single birds were recorded

between 20 km and 56 km north of Vinh, North Annam, on 17 December

and between Ky Anh and Ha Tinh, North Annam, on 1 7 December and 1 1

February.

Not recorded from North Annam by King et al. (1975).

■36

C. R. ROBSON et al.

Forktail 8

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus Single birds were observed 16 km

north of Ha Tinh, North Annam and 55 km south of Ky Anh, North Annam,

on 17 December.

Not recorded from North Annam by King et al. (1975).

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus mficollis Four in Nam Bai Cat Tien NP, on

3 January.

Not recorded from Cochinchina by King et al. (1975).

CHINESE POND-HERON Ardeola bacchus A minimum of 1,178 Ardeola

sp. were recorded in Nam Bai Cat Tien NP, from 24 December-6 January.

As no pond-herons were recorded at this locality during a visit in June

1 99 1 , it seems probable that these records refer to over- wintering A bacchus.

King et al. (1975) give its status in Cochinchina as uncertain.

PAINTED STORK Mycteria leucocephala An estimated maximum of 28-35

birds were recorded in Nam Bai Cat Tien NP from 24 December-5 January.

WOOLLY-NECKED STORK Ciconia episcopus An estimated 12-17 birds

were recorded, singly or in pairs, at various locations in Nam Bai Cat Tien

NP, from 24 December-6 January.

LESSER ADJUTANT Leptoptilos javanicus An estimated 16-19 birds were

recorded at various locations in Nam Bai Cat Tien NP, from 24 December-

5 January, with a maximum of eight on the 31 December.

Nam Bai Cat Tien NP is the only known breeding locality in Viet Nam for

this globally threatened species (Collar and Andrew 1988; Morris 1988;

Scott 1989).

BAR-BELLIED PITTA Pitta elliotii At least three birds in Nam Bai Cat Tien

NP, on 31 December; common in Bach Ma NP and the Cat Bin area.

Although considered globally threatened by Collar and Andrew (1988),

these records present further evidence that the species is widespread in Viet

Nam, occurring in secondary and logged forest, and even in scrub.

ORANGE-BELLIED LEAFBIRD Chloropsis hardwickii Several individuals

recorded on Mount Lang Bian (1,800-2,100 m), from 8-13 January.

Not recorded from South Annam by King et al. (1975).

WHITE- WINGED MAGPIE Urocissa whiteheadi Uncommon in Bach Ma

NP (200-1,400 m), from 21-3 1 January but common in the Cat Bin area (50-

200 m), from 17-25 February.

In Bach Ma NP, it was recorded in logged and secondary evergreen forest;

at Cat Bin it also occurred in plantations of Manglietia glauca. This species

was considered near-threatened by Collar and Andrew (1988). King et al.

(1975) stated that it only occurs on mountains.

RATCHET-T AILED TREEPIE Temnurus temnurus Common in Bach Ma

NP (100-1,150 m) and in the Cat Bin area (50-200 m).

It was recorded in primary, logged and secondary evergreen forest and even

in scrub. The species was considered near-threatened by Collar and Andrew

1993

Further records of birds from Viet Nam

37

(1988). King et al. (1975) stated that it only occurs at low altitudes.

SLENDER-BILLED ORIOLE Oriolus tenuirostris Recorded up to 1,850 m

on Mount Lang Bian.

According to King et al. (1975) this species only occurs up to 1,525 m in

South-East Asia.

MAROON ORIOLE Oriolus traillii Several birds were recorded as low as 1 00

m in the Cat Bin area.

Only found above 600 m in South-East Asia according to King et al.

(1975).

LESSER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO Dicrurus remifer Two birds in

Nam Bai Cat Tien NP (140 m), on 28 December.

Not recorded from Cochinchina by King et al. (1975).

WHITE-THROATED ROCK-THRUSH Monticola gularis A single female

in Bach Ma NP (225 m), on 4 February.

Not recorded from Central Annam by King et al. ( 1 975), or from northern

Annam by Vo Quy (1983).

BLUE WHISTLING-THRUSH Myiophonus caeruleus Two seen in Nam

Bai Cat Tien NP, on 25 January.

Not recorded from Cochinchina by King et al. (1975).

ORANGE-HEADED THRUSH Zoothera citrina One seen in Nam Bai Cat

Tien NP, on 28 December and several birds in the Cat Bin area, from 24

February- 1 March.

Not recorded from Cochinchina or North Annam by King et al. (1975).

SIBERIAN THRUSH Zoothera sibirica Common in Bach Ma NP.

Not recorded from Central Annam by King et al. (1975) or from northern

Annam by Vo Quy (1983).

JAPANESE THRUSH Turdus cardis Fairly common in flocks, associating

with Z. sibirica , in Bach Ma NP.

In Viet Nam, King et al. (1975) recorded it only from Tonkin and North

Annam; Vo Quy (1983) only lists the species for Tonkin.

DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa sibirica A single bird in Bach

Ma NP, on 8 February.

Not recorded from Central Annam by King etal. (1975), or from northern

Annam by Vo Quy (1983).

MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER Ficedula mugimaki A single bird was seen in

Bach Ma NP (1,250 m), on 31 January.

Not recorded from Central Annam by King etal. (1975), or from northern

Annam by Vo Quy (1983).

WHITE-TAILED BLUE-FLYCATCHER Cyomis concretus At least three

pairs were recorded in the Cat Bin area (100-150 m).

In Viet Nam, King etal. (1975) and Vo Quy (1983) recorded it only from

38

C. R. ROBSON et al.

Forktail 8

Tonkin. However, it was recorded in Central Annam in 1 988 (Robson et al.

1989). King et al. (1975) stated that it only occurs above 900 m in South-

East Asia.

SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT Luscinia calliope One male in Nam Bai Cat

Tien NP, on 1 January.

Not recorded from Cochinchina by King et al. (1975).

BLUETHROAT Luscinia svecica At least three birds, including a male

singing, in Nam Bai Cat Tien NP on 3 January, and a single male at Bach Ma

NP on 2 February.

King et al. (1975) did not record this species for Cochinchina or Central

Annam.