Birds in central HK

Birding is, unsurprisingly, pretty slow in Hong Kong in August. With daytime temperatures in the mid 30s and pretty grim humidity, it's no wonder that the birds keep low. However, there are normally a few bulbuls calling away along with the odd Myna or Black-collared Starling. In the skies, Black Kites are the major players.

All the rage in the early 21st century...

I've also managed to walk round a few of the parks, as well as The Peak, and Black-throated and Masked Laughingthrushes seem to be relatively easy to see. Also quite a lot of Common Tailorbirds and Japanese White-eyes, but that's about it in the way of small passerines; obviously in wintertime the place would be full of Sibes.

Masked Laughingthrush

Also, alongside a few captive birds, at Kowloon Park a few Black-crowned Night Herons show well and are easy to photograph.

juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

And just to round the HK leg of the trip off before tomorrow's flight to Surabaya, a couple more from Mai Po: -

Chinese Pond Herons

It's a shame that we don't have Pond Herons in the UK, except for the odd vagrant Squacco. I must say that wherever I go on in SE Asia, I always look forward to seeing them - whether they're Chinese Pond, Indian Pond or Javan Pond; to complete the genus Ardeola there are a further two in Africa (Madagascar Pond and Rufous-bellied Heron) plus Squacco.

Chinese Pond Heron - a bit peckish and ready for aerial assault

Ok, so this post is two fold. Firstly in WRP Bourne style, one for those bird behaviour folk. I've never seen a heron fishing from the air in such Osprey-like, talismanic fashion. Look at this masterclass from an adult Chinese Pond Heron that I took at Mai Po: -

Got it!

Secondly, is CPH one for the UK someday? Personally, I still quite like the adult back in 2004 (on the back of a Rufous-tailed Robin and Chestnut-eared Bunting) but, back to my HK experience, I was actually taken aback at how noticeably different non-breeding/1st-winter Chinese Pond Herons are compared to Squaccos. And that'll be the plumage you want for a pucker UK October/November record. You're obviously seeing these birds below in fresh plumage given the time of year, but look at the strong black streaking on the ear-coverts, crown and nape. The flight shots also show the large breast streaks that are clearly demarcated onto a white belly. Also, just a little like Indian Pond, the yellow lores are bordered at the top by a nice horizontal black line. The mantle too appears relatively dark in colour. Reckon we wouldn't mess one of these boys up in Britain? Hang on... Amur Falcon. Perhaps we would.

Hong Kong - first evening

After a really smooth flight and early arrival, I managed to squeeze in an hour or so of birding at The Peak this evening. Nice to see a few exotic species including Silver-eared Mesia and Black-throated Laughingthrush as well as some of the usual Asian species such as Oriental Magpie Robin and Red-whiskered Bulbul. Other species seen included Japanese White-eye, Light-vented Bulbul, Black-eared Kite, Common Tailorbird, Little Swift and Great Tit. Off to Mai Po tomorrow so hope to have something to report.

Red-whiskered Bulbul

juvenile Oriental Magpie Robin

Light-vented Bulbul

looking north from The Peak over HK harbour at dusk