Itinerary:
April 14th - Arrive in Shanghai. Overnight Jinjiang Hotel, Shanghai.
April 15th - Flight from Shanghai to Kunming. Afternoon birding at Kunming botanical gardens/evening flight to Baoshan. Overnight Lamdu Hotel, Baoshan.
April 16th - Early morning birding around Baoshan/drive to Baihaulin. Overnight Baihualin Guesthouse.
April 17th - Birding around Baihualin. Overnight Baihualin Guesthouse.
April 18th - Birding around Baihualin /drive back to Baoshan/flight back to Kunming. Overnight Harbor Plaza Hotel, Kunming.
April 19th - Flight to Xian/birding at Xian botanical gardens. Overnight Hyatt Regency Hotel, Xian.
April 20th - Visit to terra cotta soldiers/mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang/overnight train ride to Hanzhong. Overnight on train.
April 21st - Arrival in Hanzhong/drive to Yangxian. Overnight Yangxian Hotel.
April 22nd - Birding around Yangxian. Overnight Yangxian Hotel.
April 23rd - Birding around Yangxian. Overnight Yangxian Hotel.
April 24th - Drive from Yangxian/flight from Hanzhong to Beijing via Xian. Overnight Sino-Swiss Hotel, Beijing airport.
April 25th - Tour cancelled because of severity of SARS in Beijing area.
Bird list:
Sequence follows 'A Field Guide to the Birds of China' (MacKinnon & Phillipps) Oxford University Press, 2000) By Chris Cook, ABA birding leader/Siemer&Hand tour manager
1) Chinese Francolin (
Francolina pintadeanus) Birds heard calling from scrub-covered hillsides near Baihualin and along the Nu River on April 18.
2) Chinese Bamboo Partridge (
Bambusicola thoracica)
3) Golden Pheasant (
Chrysolophus pictus) At least two calling pheasants, thought to be of this species, heard at Bailu village near Yangxian on April 23. According to local villagers Reeve's Pheasant and possibly Lady Amherst's Pheasants also occur there.
4) Ruddy Shelduck (
Tadorna ferruginea) Six birds at Dahaizu Reservoir on the outskirts of Baoshan on April 16, and at least 10 at the Wei River between Xian airport and Xian city on April 20.
5) Mallard (
Anas platyrhynchos) Seen at Dahaizu Reservoir on April 16.
6) Spot-billed Duck (
Anas poecilorhyncha) Several birds seen at Dahaizu Reservoir near Baoshan on April 16.
7) Northern Shoveler (
Anas clypeata)
8) Eurasian Wigeon (
Anas penelope)
9) Gadwall
(Anas strepera)
10) Common Teal (
Anas crecca)
11) Garganey (
Anas querquedula) A pair on the Han River at Yangxian on April 23.
12) Tufted Duck (
Aythya fuligula)
13) Grey-headed Woodpecker (
Picus canus) At least two birds at Bailu village on April 23.
14) Great Barbet (
Megalaima virens) Birds heard in the forest around Baihualin.
15) Golden-throated Barbet (
Megalaima franklinii) Several birds heard or seen in the forest around Baihualin.
16) Common Kingfisher (
Alcedo atthis) One bird seen perched in a papaya tree beside a rice paddy en route to Baihualin on April 16, and another seen at close range on a small reservoir at Bailu village near Yangxian on April 23. Two birds seen inside the Crested Ibis breeding center near Yangxian on April 22.
17) White-throated Kingfisher (
Halcyon smyrnensis) A single bird perched on telegraph wires near the Nu River en route to Baihualin on April 16.
18) Crested Kingfisher (
Megaceryle lugubris) One bird watched fishing in a lake near Yuenjaie village, between Hanzhong and Yangxian, on April 22, and one seen at the Han River near Chungguo town on April 24.
19) Blue-tailed Bee-eater (
Merops philippinus) A flock of about 15 birds seen near the Nu River on April 16.
20) Common Hoopoe (
Upupa epops) One seen flying near the mausoleum of Qin Shihuang between Xian city and the terra cotta soldiers' site on April 21, and two birds seen at the Han River near Chungguo town, between Yangxian and Hanzhong, on April 24.
21) Asian Koel (
Eudynamys scolopacea) Birds heard calling near Baoshan on April 16 and at Baihualin on April 18.
22) Green-billed Malkoha (
Phaenicophaeus tristis) A single bird seen sunning itself in the early morning sunshine near Baihualin village on April 17.
23) Greater Coucal (
Centropus sinensis) A single seen briefly near Baihualin village on April 18.
24) Large Hawk Cuckoo (
Hierococcyx sparveroides) Several birds heard calling around Baihualin village.
25) Oriental Cuckoo (
Cuculus saturatus)
26) Himalayan Swiftlet (
Collocalia brevirostris) Good numbers seen hawking insects in the valleys around Baihualin.
27) House Swift (
Apus affinis) Recorded at several localities including Baoshan and Xian.
28) Asian Barred Owlet (
Glaucidium cuculoides) Single birds seen at Yanja village and Bailu village near Yangxian on April 22 and 23.
29) Speckled Wood Pigeon (
Columba hodgsonii) A small flock of about 12 birds seen in trees near Baihualin on April 16.
30) Oriental Turtle Dove (
Streptopelia orientalis)
31) Spotted Dove (
Streptopelia chinensis)
32) Eurasian Woodcock (
Scolopax rusticola) Two birds flushed from beside the stream near Bailu village on April 23.
33) Grey-headed Lapwing (
Vanellus cinereus) Two birds seen on mudflats in the Wei River near Xian airport on April 20.
34) Common Greenshank (
Tringa nebularia) Three birds seen on the Han River, at Yangxian and Chungguo, between April 22-24.
35) Wood Sandpiper (
Tringa glareola) Two birds watched in a small stream near Yuenjaie village, between Hanzhong and Yangxian, on April 22.
36) Common Sandpiper (
Actitis hypoleucus) A few birds seen flying around at the Wei River near Xian airport on April 20.
37) Long-billed Plover (
Charadrius placidus) Recorded from the Han River on the outskirts of Yangxian on April 23.
38) Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)
39) Pied Avocet (
Recurvirostra avosetta) A single bird seen on a mud bar in the Wei River between Xian airport and Xian city on April 20.
40) Slender-billed Gull (
Larus genei) An adult seen with a small flock of Brown-headed Gulls at Dahaizu Reservoir near Baoshan on April 16.
41) Brown-headed Gull (
Larus brunnicephalus) Seven adults, all in summer plumage, at Dahaizu Reservoir near Baoshan on April 16.
42) Oriental Honey Buzzard (
Pernis ptilorhynchus) A single bird seen flying over the guest house at Baihualin on April 18 was presumably the same bird seen the previous day with a Black Eagle.
43) Brahminy Kite (
Haliastur indus) An immature bird seen soaring over the botanical gardens in Kunming on April 15.
44) Eurasian Sparrowhawk (
Accipiter nisus) A male seen at the Han River near Hanzhong on April 22 and a female seen hunting over the same river near Chongguo town on April 24.
45) Black Eagle (
Ictinaetus malayensis) A single bird seen at Baihualin on April 17.
46) Common Kestrel (
Falco tinnunculus) Three birds seen en route from Xian city to the terra cotta soldiers' site on April 21.
47) Little Grebe (
Tachybaptus ruficollis) Two birds seen at a small reservoir near Hanzhong on April 22.
48) Great Crested Grebe (
Podiceps cristatus) A single bird at Dahaizu Reservoir near Baoshan on April 16.
49) Great Cormorant (
Phalacrocorax carbo)
50) Little Egret (
Egretta garzetta)
51) Great White Egret (
Casmerodius albus)
52) Cattle Egret (
Bubulcus ibis)
53) Grey Heron (
Ardea cinerea)
54) Chinese Pond Heron (
Ardeola bacchus)
55) Black-crowned Night Heron (
Nycticorax nycticorax)
56) Crested Ibis (
Nipponia nippon) Five free-flying birds seen at the ibis breeding center near Yangxian on April 22. The following day a bird seen sat on a nest and another seen flying through the valley at a site southeast of Yangxian.
57) Long-tailed Shrike (
Lanius schach)
58) Grey-backed Shrike (
Lanius tephronotus) Two birds seen in an orchard near Baihualin village on April 17.
59) Eurasian Jay (
Garrulus glandarius) A small group seen at Bailu village on April 23.
60) Red-billed Blue Magpie (
Urocissa erythroryncha) Three birds seen near Baihualin village on April 17, and a single near Yuenjaie village on April 22.
61) Azure-winged Magpie (
Cyanopica cyanus) Seen only in the botanical gardens at Xian, where a flock of about 30 was recorded.
62) Grey Treepie (
Dendrocitta formosae) A single bird seen near Baihualin village on April 17.
63) Black-billed Magpie (
Pica pica) A single bird seen flying to roost at Capital Airport, Beijing, on April 24.
64) Black Drongo (
Dicrurus macrocercus)
65) Ashy Drongo (
Dicrurus leucophaeus) Birds seen at Baliu village were referable to the race salangensis.
66) Yellow-bellied Fantail (
Rhipidura hypoxantha) Two birds seen near Baihualin village on April 17.
67) White-throated Fantail (
Rhipidura albicollis) One seen in a small stand of trees below Baihualin village on April 18.
68) Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher (
Culicicapa ceylonensis) An estimated 10-12 birds seen after our arrival at Baihualin village on April 17. Fewer birds seen subsequently but still several present during the following two days.
69) Blue Rock Thrush (
Saxicola montanus) A male and two females seen beside a river in the valley below Baihualin on April 18.
70) Blue Whistling Thrush (
Myophonus caerulus) A single bird seen on a river bank below Baihualin village on April 18, and another bird seen flying near the Nu River, en route to Baoshan, the same day.
71) Eurasian Blackbird (
Turdus merula) Several birds at Xian botanical gardens on April 20.
72) Dusky Thrush (
Turdus naumanni) Several birds seen around the Yangxian area between April 22-24. Bird referable to the race naumanni.
73) Chinese Thrush (
Turdus mupinensis) A singing male seen in the botanical gardens in Kunming on April 15.
74) Siberian Rubythroat (
Luscinia calliope) A male heard singing, and seen briefly by some, in scrub below Baihualin village on April 18.
75) White-capped Water Redstart (
Chaimarrornis leucocephalus) A superb male seen, and also heard singing, beside a small reservoir near Bailu village on April 23.
76) Plumbeous Water Redstart (
Rhyacornis fuliginosus) First seen beside a small stream en route between Baihualin and Baoshan on April 18. Subsequently seen at several sites including a pair with four young near Bailu village on April 23.
77) Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (
Ficedula zanthopygia) A pair seen at Yaaja village near Yangxian on April 22 and a male seen near Bailu village the following day.
78) Red-throated Flycatcher (
Ficedula parva) Four birds seen at Kunming botanical gardens on April 15.
79) Snowy-browed Flycatcher (
Ficedula hyperythra) A single male seen at Baihualin village on April 16.
80) Ultramarine Flycatcher (
Ficedula superciliaris) A nice male seen several times around the guesthouse at Baihualin village between April 16-18.
81) Verditer Flycatcher (
Eumyias thalassina) A few birds seen around Baihualin village between April 16-18.
82) Oriental Magpie Robin (
Copsychus saularis)
83) White-crowned Forktail (
Enicurus leschenaulti) Two birds seen in the stream running through Bailu village on April 23.
84) Common Stonechat (
Saxicola torquata)
85) Grey Bushchat (
Saxicola ferrea) Recorded below Baihualin village on April 17 and 18.
86) Red-billed Starling (
Sturnus sericeus) Two pairs seen in different localities near Bailu village on April 23.
87) White-cheeked Starling (
Sturnus cinereus) A small flock of 8 birds seen at Xian botanical gardens on April 18.
88) Crested Myna (
Acridotheres cristatellus) Two birds seen from the bus while driving to Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai on April 15.
89) Great Tit (
Parus major)
90) Green-backed Tit (
Parus monticolus) One noted feeding in bushes nearby the pavilion atop the Western Hills in Kunming on April 18.
91) Yellow-cheeked Tit (
Parus spilonotus) One seen very briefly in a bird wave in the forest near Baihualin on April 17.
92) Long-tailed Tit (
Aegithalos caudatus) A party of about 10 birds noted near the Han River en route between Hanzhong and Yangxian on April 22.
93) Black-throated Tit (
Aegithalos concinnus) Especially common in the forests at Western Hills in Kunming on April 18. Birds also seen at several other locations.
94) Sand Martin (
Riparia riparia) Heard at the Wei River near Xian on April 20 and large numbers seen feeding over the Han River at Yangxian on April 23.
95) Plain Martin (
Riparia paludicola) A colony found nesting in a steep bank beside the road en route to Baihualin on April 16.
96) Barn Swallow (
Hirundo rustica)
97) Red-rumped Swallow (
Hirundo daurica) About six birds seen flying in the valley below Baihualin on April 18.
98) Asian House Martin (
Delichon dasypus) Feeding birds seen around Baihualin village between April 16-18.
99) Red-whiskered Bulbul (
Pycnonotus jocosus)
100) Brown-breasted Bulbul (
Pycnonotus xanthorrous)
101) Light-vented Bulbul (
Pycnonotus sinensis)
102) Collared Finchbill (
Spizixos semitorques) Seen around the Yangxian area between April 22-24.
103) Black Bulbul (
Hypsipetes leucocephalus) Small flocks of birds seen in the forest near Baihualin between April 17-19. Both the nominate and white-headed forms were seen.
104) Zitting Cisticola (
Cisticola juncidis) Displaying birds seen around the ibis breeding center near Yangxian between April 22-24.
105) Striated Prinia (
Prinia criniger)
106) Grey-breasted Prinia (
Prinia hodgsonii)
107) Japanese Bush Warbler (
Cettia diphone) Two males heard, and one seen singing, near Bailu village on April 23.
108) Eastern Crowned Warbler (
Phylloscopus coronatus) Several males heard singing near Bailu village on April 23.
109) Pallas' Leaf Warbler (
Phylloscopus proregulus)
110) Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler (
Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis) One bird seen near Baihualin village on April 17.
111) Yellow-eyed Babbler (
Chrysomma sinense) Seen only in Yunnan Province where birds were seen en route to Baihualin and below Baihualin village between April 16-18.
112) Blue-winged Minla
(Minla cyanouroptera) During a bird wave in the forest near Baihualin village on April 18, this was one of the commonest species. An estimated 20 birds were in the flock.
113) Red-tailed Minla (
Minla ignotincta) A single bird seen briefly two times during a bird wave in the forest near Baihualin on April 18.
114) Brown-cheeked Fulvetta (
Alcippe poioicephala)
115) Grey-cheeked Fulvetta (
Alcippe morrisonia) Four birds seen in shrubs near the entrance to the chairlift at Western Hills, Kunming, on April 18.
116) Spectacled Barwing (
Actinodura ramsayi)
117) Striated Yuhina (
Yuhina castaniceps)
118) White-naped Yuhina (
Yuhina bakeri) A single seen at the Western Hills, Kunming, on April 18.
119) Vinous-throated Parrotbill (
Paradoxornis webbianus)
120) Eurasian Skylark (
Alauda arvensis)
121) Chestnut-flanked White-eye (
Zosterops erythropleurus)
122) Oriental White-eye (
Zosterops palpebrosus)
123) White-rumped Munia (
Lonchura striata) A pair at a nest just outside the entrance of Yangxian Hotel on April 22 and 23 and a small flock on the roof of an outbuilding in Bailu village on the latter date.
124) Russet Sparrow (
Passer rutlians) A male on the pavilion at the Western Hills, Kunming, on April 19, and several birds seen around the Yangxian area between April 22-24.
125) Tree Sparrow (
Passer montanus)
126) White Wagtail
(Motacilla alba)
127) Citrine Wagtail (
Motacilla citreola) One found feeding beside the Han River on the outskirts of Yangxian on April 23.
128) Yellow Wagtail (
Motacilla flava)
129) Grey Wagtail
(Motacilla cinerea)
130) Richard's Pipit (
Anthus richardi) A bird in display flight over the Han River near Chungguo town, between Yangxian and Hanzhong, on April 24.
131) Olive-backed Pipit (
Anthus hodgsoni)
132) Buff-bellied Pipit (
Anthus rubescens)
133) Grey-capped Greenfinch (
Carduelis sinica)
134) Tibetan Siskin (
Carduelis thibetana) A flock of about 30 birds watched in the forest near Baihualin on April 18.
135) Dark-rumped Rosefinch (
Carpodacus edwardsii) A very dark female watched feeding on a path just below the pavilion at Western Hills, Kunming, on April 19.
136) Yellow-billed Grosbeak (
Eophona migratoria) Three birds - a male and two females -- found feeding in trees and on the ground at Xian botanical gardens on April 20.
137) Crested Bunting (
Melophus lathami) Several birds seen in the Baihualin area between April 16-18 and a male seen at Western Hills, Kunming, on April 19.
138) Godlewski's Bunting (
Emberiza godlewski) A single male seen and heard singing near the pavilion at Western Hills, Kunming, on April 19.
139) Meadow Bunting (
Emberiza cioides)
140) Little Bunting (
Emberiza pusilla) The commonest bunting around the Yangxian area with males seen singing in tree-tops near the ibis breeding center and also along the Han River between April 22-24.
Chris Cook,
The Japan Times,
Tokyo 108-0023.
e-mail:
puncknowle2000@hotmail.com
Siemer & Hand Travel,
750 Battery Street, Suite 300,
San Francisco, Ca. 94111.
U.S.A. Tel. 800-451-4321
