Trip Details
This report details the sightings of a birding tour to coastal China. The tour was hosted by Nathan Hentze, with logistics organized by ( Pacific Rim Travel) out of British Columbia, Canada, and their associates in China. Flights were arranged to/from Beijing with Air Canada (from Toronto, and for Canadian connections) and Korean Air (from Vancouver). In total 9 Canadian birders spent 12 days birding Beijing and Hebei Province, with at least several hours each day reserved for eating and sleeping. In addition to the driver and local guides, we had one national guide with us the whole trip, who was invaluable in making sure that all 9 birders who arrived in Beijing made it safely out of the country (no small feat in itself).
Introduction
This trip was a great introduction to the birds of East Asia. As most participants had never birded in China before, everyone got plenty of lifers, and a chance to work out those pesky fall buntings and warblers. The term ‘confusing fall warblers’ back in North America will seem a lot less daunting now. Some participants left with over 100 lifers, and probably as many stories. I don’t think anyone will soon forget the buttonquail incident or the nightjar-twitch fiasco. And naturally, China being China, there were the occasional surprises (like that unmarked, unscheduled road detour through back alleyways and the motorcycle family that finally led us out of the maze); but we all learned that it’s not a gong-show unless a real gong is actually involved (and in China, there’s a good chance of that too!). The greatest ‘negative’ experienced during this trip was seeing the number of dead and dying birds, and the great pressures put on them, especially from trapping. Numerous mist nests were found (and removed) containing corpses of birds from kingfishers to reed warblers, and sparrowhawks were found tethered upside-down to tree limbs. Furthermore, on Yuetuo Island (Moon Crescent Island) there was a small pen containing 30+ egrets of various species (mostly Little and Cattle), that were probably captured locally.
Fortunately, the birding experience of the group allowed for people to form smaller groups that communicated via hand-held radios. Not everybody saw every bird, and some birds were seen by a very select few, but in total 210 species were observed.
Schedule
18/19 Sept. – Arrival in Beijing
20 Sept. – Summer Palace, Old Summer Palace, Fragrant Hills
21 Sept. – Wild Duck (Yeyahu) Lake, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square
22 Sept. – Beijing to Beidaihe (Hanghe Estuary)
23 Sept. – Beidaihe (Hotel Grounds, Lighthouse Point, Dove Park, Dapo Estuary)
24 Sept. – Great Wall at Shanhaiguan, Old Peak
25 Sept. – Old Peak
26 Sept. – Beidaihe (Lotus Hills, Hanghe Estuary)
27 Sept. – Beidaihe to Yuetuo Island
28 & 29 Sept. – Yuetuo Island
30 Sept – Yuetuo Island, Magic Woods, Big Woods, Beidaihe
01 Oct. – Beidaihe to Beijing
02 Oct. – Depart Beijing
Sept 18 & 19
Thanks to the international dateline and long flights, most of us left on the morning of the 18th and arrived late on the 19th. Those on the Korean Air flight were treated to the first unidentifiable dishes of the trip. Unfortunately the random seafood stew left a couple participants queasy, and the bean curd with soy sauce wasn’t a smash hit either. The yaksik, which sounds like it looked, was probably the best item on the tray. We were also introduced to the flashing lights of Beijing at night, and the thick blanket of smog that surrounded the city.
Sept 20
With varying amounts of sleep-deprivation we grabbed a wonderful breakfast in our hotel and headed out for the Summer Palace for our first birds of the trip. Spotted Dove was literally the first bird spotted on our way out, followed closely by Rock (Feral) Pigeon and Large-billed Crow. Once at the gates to the Summer Palace we were inundated by the conspicuous but beautiful Azure-winged Magpies, and of course the omni-present Eurasian Tree Sparrow. Mere metres from the entrance gate we found a pair of Oriental Greenfinch that most managed at least a brief view of in the scope. Amazingly, these would be the only greenfinches seen on the entire trip (so much for being a “common resident”). Here we also saw our first push of raptors, including the trip’s only Black Kites and Lesser Kestrel. A brief stop at the Old Summer Palace yielded only Chinese Pond Heron. After a delicious lunch at the pearl market, we visited the Fragrant Hills. With fading light the group split up with most going via cable car to near the summit. This group saw White-browed Chinese (aka Chinese Hill) Warblers and Godlewski’s Bunting, while the lower group caught up with the first Plain Laughingthrush and Blue Magpies of the trip.
Sept. 21
We arrived at Wild Duck Lake in the morning to the calls of buntings and pipits overhead. Along the treed entranceway most people got good looks at our first Daurian Redstart, and an obliging Gray-faced Woodpecker that several of us missed the day before. Just moments after telling people to be on the lookout for them, several Olive-backed Pipits appeared in the low branches of trees. Due to some time constraints and hundreds of Little Buntings that kept vying for our attention, we never made it around the whole perimeter of the lake, but had many species along the lakeshore and fields including Chinese Gray Shrike, Yellow-throated Bunting, and Eastern Spot-billed Duck, and we flushed both Ring-necked Pheasant and Japanese Quail. Three Swan Geese appeared from over the mountains, circled the lake once and headed back whence they came. Though the penned in Whooper Swans and domesticated Greylag Geese on the lake may call into question the providence of the Swan Geese, there was nothing to suggest that the free-flying birds were anything but wild.
After lunch we lowered our bins (though kept them close at hand), while exploring the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The Forbidden City was the home of the Emperor and his household for nearly 500 years, and Tiananmen Square remains the world’s largest city square. Though busy soaking up the history and culture, we stopped to enjoy a stream of elegant Amur Falcons go past.
Sept. 22
The train trip between Beijing and Beidaihe was rather unproductive, but the anticipation of Beidaihe birds grew with each corn-lined roof that we passed. Shortly after checking in to the Jin Shan Hotel, the bird sightings started with a gorgeous adult male Siberian Rubythroat and Siberian Blue Robin. A post-lunch departure took us to the Sandflats (mudflats) and Reservoir where, despite plans to explore further afield, we found ourselves until nightfall. Unfortunately we were not allowed entry into the habitats of the reservoir area, but could scan one side of the main marsh from outside the inner fence. We were told the area had been closed off for 2 months. Highlights at the sandflats included flocks of Gray-headed Lapwing, Great Knot, and the trips only Broad-billed Sandpiper. We also had our first taste (though some might prefer the term ‘distaste’) of Asian gull identification, with numerous Black-tailed Gull, a lone heini Common (Mew) Gull, and a hundred Mongolian/Vega Gulls.
Sept. 23
Most were up before dawn to begin exploring the hotel grounds today. The beautiful Blue Magpies lost some of their allure as they turned out to be a conspicuous and noisy bird of parking lots along with their Eurasian counterparts. Warblers began testing our identification prowess with Dusky Warblers (by all accounts sounding like our more familiar junco) calling from every other bush, and Yellow-browed Warblers flitting overhead. We also caught up with a Rufous-bellied Woodpecker here near the coal-fired power station of the hotel. Post-breakfast we headed out to Lighthouse Point where the main bird of interest was a Richard’s Pipit that was unfortunately injured but provided views within a few feet. Despite its wound, it was a good introduction to the ID challenge of Richard’s vs. Blyth’s Pipits. Two Red-billed Starlings were another unexpected find along the roadway.
The afternoon saw us at Dove Park, which overlooks the sandflats from a different angle. Although it was a paid entry park, the admission paid for itself with the findings of an adult Relict Gull (a range-restricted and vulnerable species) and 2 Terek Sandpipers. An obliging Black-capped Kingfisher nicely rounded out our species list here. After Dove Park we headed south to explore some shrimp and crab ponds that were unfortunately devoid of birds, with the exception of another pair of Red-billed Starlings. On the advice of our bus driver our next stop was the Dapo Estuary. Though light was quickly fading, this was definitely an important site for birds. Most of us caught up with the enigmatic Eurasian Hoopoe, while an obliging Chinese Gray Shrike sat nicely for detailed scope views. A lone Far Eastern Curlew was a new species for nearly all, but unfortunately had been severely maimed; dragging one leg behind as it attempted to forage.
Sept. 24
Today was definitely a day of challenges. Thanks to a large group of people getting ready for the upcoming national holiday the hotel at Old Peak re-arranged our reservation forcing us to make the journey one day earlier than planned. We spent the first couple hours birding around the hotel grounds in Beidaihe before heading north. Continuing with our injured bird theme, a Eurasian Magpie in attack mode steered our first Yellow-legged Buttonquail straight into the broadside of a big white building. The sickening thud of the impact was loudly heard by all in the vicinity, and the buttonquail likely died on impact. At one point both a field guide and the buttonquail specimen were placed on the ground while viewing a Eurasian Wryneck perched on a branch. Seeing this, a hotel employee picked up the bird and then the guide, and started flipping through to identify it; a new birder in the making?
After breakfast we made a brief stop at the Great Wall at Shanhaiguan. Unfortunately we had ended up at a site relatively devoid of birds or habitat, but a few participants got looks at our only Manchurian Reed Warbler, and a Bluethroat was seen by all. Here we also found our first Eurasian Collared Doves of the trip. The Great Wall behind us we continued our journey up to Old Peak only to find our route blocked by road work. The detour, which was unmarked, proved to be a great challenge as most roads through the town were blocked by gates too low to allow a bus through. After negotiating through narrow alleyways for what seemed like hours, defeat seemed imminent. Luckily through the kindness of the local Chinese people, a family on motorbike agreed to lead us the many kilometres back to the main road, and refused to accept payment for their generosity. A beautiful male Meadow Bunting perched on a wire was the main avian highlight of the detour, but for many seeing the rural lifestyle of the people was equally, well almost, as interesting. The final challenge of the day came in discovering (by way of being pulled over by local authorities), that our bus wasn’t allowed on the road to Old Peak, and we had to arrange a hotel-owned shuttle to come down and pick us up. No problem, we passed our time birding until it arrived.
Though basic, and perhaps haunted (why did that door mysteriously open?!), we checked into the government-owned hotel, had lunch, and split up into smaller groups to explore the grounds. Chinese (Snowy-browed) Nuthatches were relatively abundant and set against some of the most beautiful scenery of the trip (though even here smog limited visibility). We searched here for the Koklass Pheasant, but heard only Ring-necked Pheasant including a couple calls unfamiliar to us.
Sept. 25
After spending the first few hours before breakfast searching in vain for a Koklass Pheasant, we took the shuttle to the higher gate near the mountain’s summit. Birding here was much more productive than at the lower elevations, and we were treated to Tristram’s and Godlewski’s Buntings, and several more Daurian Redstarts. Along one of the summit trails everybody eventually had good views of a flock of Vinous-throated Parrotbill, and many people also saw the trip’s only White-throated Needletails here as well. One lucky birder here also managed to see an adult male Pied Harrier while the rest of us were still enjoying the parrotbills. The walk back down to the hotel yielded a mixed flock of warblers and Yellow-bellied Tits, as well as brief sightings of Brambling and many Pallas’s Leaf-Warblers that had previously eluded us.
After lunch we had planned to bird the lower elevations down the mountain, but an intense rainstorm forced us under the limited cover of trees until the bus came to our rescue.
Sept. 26
We grabbed a boxed breakfast today and headed straight for the Lotus Hills. What started out as a good raptor watch point quickly turned into a rain shelter. When the rains momentarily subsided most of us took off to explore the park for any landed passerines. The rain had brought down a few good birds, and one individual caught up with several Eye-browed Thrush. Eventually over the radio most of us caught news of a roosting Gray Nightjar. The turn of events that followed must surely go down as one of the most comedic and poorly orchestrated “twitches” in history, but miraculously we somehow all managed to get on the bird. Minutes later the deluge started again, and we were forced into the closest shelters to wait it out – but not before a Yellow-browed Bunting was flushed from the ground. Several Lanceolated Warblers and a single Siberian Blue Robin were the main additions before lunch.
After lunch we returned to the sandflats, adjacent woodland, and the reservoir. The reservoir provided our only Mandarin Ducks of the trip; a family group of 8, while the woodlot had 2 Oriental Scops Owls. The sandflats held a couple of Far Eastern Curlew, as well as a group of 21 Black-winged Stilt. Near the hotel grounds before dark we flushed more Lanceolated Warblers, bringing the day’s count to 12, and also an obliging group of Chinese (Light-vented) Bulbuls that were settling in to roost at a residential corner. One lucky participant who went late for the bulbuls managed also to find a Eurasian Bullfinch, the only one that would be found.
Sept. 27
This morning we would make our way south to “Happy” Island, after first re-checking some of yesterday’s Beidaihe locales. At the hotel the main excitement first thing was a highly skulking Rufous-tailed (Swinhoe’s) Robin, and an out of place Cinnamon Bittern that cornered itself on the lawn between several of the compound’s buildings and then mysteriously disappeared before the final group member had a chance to see it. Back at the sandflats 10 Pied Avocet, oddly floating offshore with the gulls, added themselves to the trip list. After a primer the night before on how to identify eclipse-plumaged ducks, we returned to the reservoir and were rewarded with 25 Falcated Ducks.
We then revisited the Dapo Estuary, where buntings and warblers abounded. We managed to pick out Reed, Yellow-browed, Yellow-breasted, and Black-faced Buntings, and one individual got looks at a Pallas’s Reed Bunting. Unfortunately not everybody got on every bunting, as the numerous Black-browed Reed Warblers were slightly distracting. Upon news that the last ferry to Happy Island was sooner than we had originally been told, we packed up our scopes and carried on.
Though already getting late when we arrived and checked-in to our stilted cabins it was obvious from the warbler and wagtail-lined trees and pathways that this would be an exciting place. Though we didn’t immediately realize it, we were actually on Yuetuo Island, and not the actual Happy Island (Chinese name Puti Island) of birding fame.
Sept. 28 and 29
We spent these two full days exploring Yuetuo Island. The south-western most point proved itself to be a fantastic location to watch visible migration, and the last patch of shrubs and small woodlot pulled in many birds along their way. This area was labelled Clam Beach. Colourful Beach further away also held much potential, but received less coverage. The Flower Garden in the middle of the island held a very small lagoon, but similarly proved itself as a good place for any number of species. Though the mudflats and channels surrounding the island were all good for gulls, terns, and shorebirds, the very low tides (and highest tides being in the middle of the night) made it impossible to get any good estimates of shorebird numbers. If one hits the tides right, this could be a very good site indeed.
Avian highlights here were many, but the bird of the trip as selected by the participants was undoubtedly the Yellow-legged Buttonquails that were found along the dykes allowing for excellent, if brief, views. One participant even found one sitting on the mud below his bungalow! The point of land past Clam Beach definitely held the most excitement with sightings of Long-eared Owl, over a dozen Oriental Scops Owls, Black Stork (on migration high overhead alongside raptors), Saunders’s Gulls, Yellow-bellied Tits, Dusky, Grey-backed, and Red-throated Thrushes.
Buntings abounded as well, though were less cooperative to the group, with only a couple people seeing each of Rustic Bunting, Chestnut-eared Bunting and Chestnut Bunting. A stunning adult male Pine Bunting (alongside female) was a nice break from the immature birds seen previously in the trip. Eurasian Hoopoe was seen semi-regularly here, as was Eurasian Wryneck. Out on the mudflats a single Chinese Egret was seen by a select few who made a marathon march past dykes and water channels to get to it. Those who made the trek enjoyed watching its strange “drunken” foraging method of running in a line, half-falling over to one side with its neck outstretched in a sideways manner.
This island was also a good, though sombre, location to see all the struggles that migratory birds here face. Feral cats did what they do best. Locals were involved in several capture techniques including lunging directly at birds on the path (thankfully a rather futile method), to nets, and the inexplicable (and inexcusable) practice of tying sparrowhawks to tree branches until their death. However, ultimately the grand development plans of the island to become a main tourist destination will probably be the greatest threat to the birds here.
Sept. 30
We spent the morning birding the island where the undoubted highlight was seeing Yellow Bittern and flushing Schrenck’s Bittern in the small channel in the Flower Garden. A good visible migration of raptors was noted on Yuetuo Island this morning including large numbers of the graceful Amur Falcon. After lunch we birded the Big Woods and Magic Woods, but both were fairly quiet. The best sighting was that of a Steppe Eagle flying past, but due to some technical difficulties with the radios, only a small group got on the bird. We returned to Beidaihe for our last night on the coast.
Oct. 1
Our last morning birding was also the quietest. No birds came in overnight and the birds that had been previously found near the hotel grounds all seemed to have vacated during our stay on Yuetuo Island. We again birded the sandflats and reservoir, but here too it was quiet. A flock of Reed Buntings was new for some, and large numbers (hundreds, if not thousands) of Sky Lark moved past. After lunch we boarded the train back to Beijing, where the city and government were busy celebrating the 60th anniversary of the political party’s ruling of China.
Oct. 2
As flights were staggered through the day we said goodbye to one another over breakfast (except for one keen individual who was off for another 2 weeks of birding in Taiwan) and to our terrific national guide, and headed home, tired, but with many great birds and memories to keep us going until the next trip.
Swan Goose – Anser cygnoides
Three individuals seen flying overheard at Wild Duck (Yeyahu) Lake on Sept. 21st.
Bean Goose Species - Anser fabalis / serrirostris
One individual was seen flying over Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th and was not identifiable to species.
Common Shelduck – Tadorna tadorna
Seen most days at the sandflats in Beidaihe and on Yuetuo Island. High count of 80 at sandflats on Sept. 23rd.
Mandarin Duck - Aix galericulata
8 seen on Sept. 26th at the Sandflats Reservoir in Beidaihe
Gadwall – Anas strepera
Small numbers seen within duck flocks at Wild Duck Lake and the Beidaihe reservoir (21st, 23rd, and 26th of Sept.)
Falcated Duck – Anas falcata
Present only at the sandflats reservoir with a high count of 25 on Sept. 27th, but present most days in that location.
Eurasian Wigeon – Anas penelope
Single-digit numbers with other ducks at the sandflats reservoir.
Mallard – Anas platyrhynchos
Seen most days with a high-count of 250 at Wild Duck Lake.
Eastern Spot-billed Duck – Anas zonorhyncha
Seen most days anywhere that ducks occurred. High count of 60 on Sept. 23rd.
Northern Shoveler – Anas clypeata
Small numbers seen. Most reliably located at the sandflats reservoir.
Northern Pintail – Anas acuta
Found on 3 occasions, 26th and 27th of Sept., and 1st October.
Garganey – Anas querquedula
Small numbers seen, several found on every visit to the sandflats reservoir.
Baikal Teal – Anas formosa
Being very elusive for us, this species was seen by only a couple birders on the Dapo Estuary and the sandflats reservoir on Sept. 27th.
Green-winged (Eurasian) Teal – Anas crecca crecca
Seen wherever ducks were found, with a high count of 100 tallied between Beidaihe and Yuetuo Island on Sept. 27th.
Japanese Quail – Coturnix japonica
The first quail was flushed in the fields at Wild Duck Lake, but seen on most visits to the sandflats estuary, and everyday on Yuetuo Island. High count of 21 on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 29th.
Ring-necked Pheasant – Phasianus colchicus
One bird was flushed at Wild Duck Lake, and 3 or more heard at Old Peak. High count of 9 birds seen between Beidaihe and Yuetuo Island, and encountered everyday on Yuetuo (where introduced).
Little Grebe – Tachybaptus ruficollis
Encountered everyday except the very first day and on Old Peak. High count of 15 counted on shrimp ponds between Beidaihe and Yuetuo Island on Sept. 27th.
Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus
Seen several times off the coast of Beidaihe, with a high count of 10 at the sandflats.
Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo
Seen regularly off the Beidaihe coast and Yuetuo Island. A day-roost of 100 was found on Yuetuo Island.
Japanese Cormorant - Phalacrocorax capillatus
Several individuals with the Great Cormorants on Yuetuo Island appeared to be this species.
Yellow Bittern - Ixobrychus sinensis
One was seen in the water channel in the Flower Garden on Yuetuo Island by a couple participants, and (presumably the same individual) was seen well by all the next day.
Schrenck's Bittern - Ixobrychus eurhythmus
One was seen in the same channel as the Yellow Bittern, though less cooperative it was seen by most only in flight on Oct. 1st.
Cinnamon Bittern - Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
An out-of-place bird was found on the Jin Shan hotel grounds in Beidaihe, and seen by most, on the morning of Sep. 27th.
Gray Heron - Ardea cinerea
Seen most days on the coast, a high count of 110 was found on Sep. 26th, aided by several flocks migrating over the Lotus Hills.
Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea
Individual birds seen on several occasions at the sandflats reservoir, and also the Dapo Estuary. A couple birds were found migrating over Yuetuo Island.
Great Egret - Ardea alba modesta
Low numbers encountered most days on the coast. A potential split from the European and North American Great Egrets.
Chinese Egret - Egretta eulophotes
A single bird was found on Yuetuo Island on the evening of Sep. 28th, and relocated in the same location the next evening.
Little Egret - Egretta garzetta
Relatively abundant, and seen almost everyday. 100 or more individuals seen on several days.
Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis coromandus
9 individuals were finally found along the roadside from the bus on Sep. 30th as we drove back to Beidaihe. The Asian Cattle Egrets are a potential split.
Chinese Pond-Heron - Ardeola bacchus
Encountered most days in low numbers. Highest numbers in the sandflats reservoir.
Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax
Encountered most days with an estimated 300 at the heronry in the Big Wood.
Eurasian Spoonbill - Platalea leucorodia
A single bird was seen flying in to the mudflats at Yuetuo Island near the cormorant roost on Sept. 29th.
Black Stork - Ciconia nigra
A single bird was seen migrating over the southwestern end of Yuetuo Island on Sept. 29th.
Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus
Migrants were frequently seen along the coast, though we had our first encounter with this species in the Summer Palace the first day of the tour.
Black (Black-eared) Kite - Milvus migrans lineatus
Several birds seen in the Summer Palace turned out to be our only sightings of this bird, sometimes considered specifically distinct.
Eurasian (Western) Marsh-Harrier - Circus aeruginosus
A single bird seen on the 28th, 29th and 30th of Sept. on Yuetuo Island was considered by some to be this species, though the identification is not endorsed by all within the group.
Eastern Marsh-Harrier - Circus spilonotus
Several were found at Wild Duck Lake on the 21st, and they were frequently encountered on Yuetuo Island.
Northern (Hen) Harrier - Circus cyaneus cyaneus
Single birds were seen on Sep. 22nd, and 30th.
Pied Harrier - Circus melanoleucos
Several were found migrating over near the summit of Old Peak and another was located migrating past the Lotus Hills.
Chinese Goshawk (Sparrowhawk) - Accipiter soloensis
Single birds were reported from Wild Duck Lake and again on two occasions from Yuetuo Island.
Japanese Sparrowhawk - Accipiter gularis
Single birds were found in many places, but everybody caught up with this species on Yuetuo Island where a high count of 8 was reached on Sep. 30th.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus
Seen every day of the tour, the high count was 13 on Yuetuo Island on Sep. 30th.
Northern Goshawk - Accipiter gentilis
A single bird was seen near the summit of Old Peak, and 1 and 2 birds respectively were found on our last two days on Yuetuo Island. These latter birds were observed preying upon Oriental Turtle Doves and even smaller sparrowhawks.
Eurasian Buzzard - Buteo buteo japonicus
Small numbers were observed on several days, with a high count of 15 on Sep. 29th on Yuetuo Island. Split by some authorities as “Eastern Buzzard”.
Steppe Eagle - Aquila nipalensis
A single bird was observed by several people in the Big Woods on Sep. 30th.
Lesser Kestrel – Falco naumanni
Several observers saw a single Lesser with other migrating raptors at the Summer Palace on Sept. 20th.
Eurasian Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus
The first foreign bird for about half the group, as a pair flew past the airport windows in Korea. Small numbers were seen the first 2 days of the trip, and everyday on Yuetuo Island with a high count of 12 on the 29th of September.
Amur Falcon - Falco amurensis
Seen most days of the tour. A high-count of 60 on Sep. 30th from Yuetuo Island, where a visible migration of this species and other raptors was occurring.
Eurasian Hobby - Falco subbuteo
Seen everyday, with a high count of 30 as part of the migration on Yuetuo Island on Sep. 30th.
Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus
Small numbers seen on 6 days over the course of the tour.
Yellow-legged Buttonquail - Turnix tanki
Voted Favourite Bird of the Trip. The first bird encountered at the Jin Shan Hotel on Sep. 24th unfortunately flew into a building and died. Living birds seen on the 27th, 29th and 30th of Sept. on Yuetuo Island, including several good views along the dykes. A high count of 3 birds on the 29th.
Common Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus
Found in most upper estuarine areas and larger ponds along the coast, and also at Wild Duck Lake and many days.
Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra
A high count of 9 birds at the Wild Duck Lake. Singles observed on the 23rd and 26th of Sept.
Gray-headed Lapwing - Vanellus cinereus
Encountered mainly at the sandflats and a single bird on Yuetuo Island. High count of 80 at the sandflats on Sept. 27th.
Pacific Golden-Plover - Pluvialis fulva
Encountered mainly at the sandflats where low numbers seen.
Lesser Sandplover - Charadrius mongolus
Individuals and small numbers recorded on the sandflats and at Yuetuo Island.
Snowy (Kentish) Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus
Hundreds of birds seen at the sandflats and Yuetuo Island, with a high count of 1900 on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th.
Common Ringed Plover - Charadrius hiaticula
One bird in a roadside pond en route between Yuetuo Island and Beidaihe was positively identified as this species by most of the group. Our only confirmed sighting of this regionally rare shorebird.
Little Ringed Plover - Charadrius dubius
Single birds encountered several times at coastal estuaries near Beidaihe and on Yuetuo Island.
Eurasian Oystercatcher - Haematopus ostralegus
Up to 15 seen on 2 consecutive days on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th and 29th.
Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus
Seen on several occasions at the sandflats wit a high count of 21. Also encountered on Yuetuo Island.
Pied Avocet - Recurvirostra avosetta
A single flock of 10 birds found swimming with a group of Black-headed Gulls at the sandflats.
Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus
Two birds seen at Dove Park on Sept. 23rd, and found on 3 dates on Yuetuo Island with a high count of 6 on Sept. 28th.
Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos
Small numbers seen in estuaries on most visits, especially near the bridge at the sandflats.
Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus
Seen along the Beidaihe coast, especially near the bridge at the sandflats where a high count of 12 was recorded on Sept. 22nd.
Gray-tailed Tattler - Tringa brevipes
Up to 2 birds were seen on three consecutive days on the mudflats of Yuetuo Island.
Spotted Redshank - Tringa erythropus
Seen on 3 occasions at the sandflats, with a high count of 24 on Oct. 1st.
Common Greenshank - Tringa nebularia
Usually found at the sandflats in Beidaihe and on Yuetuo Island with a high count of 50 on Sept. 27th.
Marsh Sandpiper - Tringa stagnatilis
Two birds were found in dredged channels alongside Common Greenshanks on Sept. 28th on Yuetuo Island.
Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola
Seven birds were found on our first visit to the mudflat near the bridge at the sandflats, with another few observations on Yuetuo Island.
Common Redshank - Tringa totanus
Two individuals found on our first visit and one present on our last visit to the sandflats, and single observations from Yuetuo Island.
Whimbrel (Siberian) - Numenius phaeopus variegatus
Single birds observed on most visits to the sandflats and the Dapo estuary. One also found on Yuetuo Island.
Far Eastern Curlew - Numenius madagascariensis
Small numbers were seen at the sandflats and Dapo estuary. Larger concentrations were recorded on Yuetuo Island, with a high count of 200 on Sep. 29th.
Eurasian Curlew - Numenius arquata orientalis
More numerous than their Far Eastern relatives, this species was frequently found in coastal areas with a high count of 800 on Yuetuo Island on Sep. 29th.
(Eastern) Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa melanuroides
2 and 3 birds seen at the sandflats on 3 separate occasions.
Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica baueri
Encountered most days along the Beidaihe coast and Yuetuo Island with a high count of 50 from Yuetuo Island.
Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres
Two fly-overs on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th.
Great Knot - Calidris tenuirostris
Seen most days along the Beidaihe coast and Yuetuo Island with a high count of 50.
Red Knot - Calidris canutus
Between 1 and 3 individuals associated with the Great Knot flocks at the sandflats.
Sanderling - Calidris alba
3 and 2 birds seen at the sandflats on the 22nd and 23rd of September respectively.
Red-necked Stint - Calidris ruficollis
Small numbers seen along the Beidaihe coast and Yuetuo Island.
Temminck's Stint - Calidris temminckii
Small numbers (but fewer then Red-necked Stint) seen at the sandflats, and Yuetuo Island.
Dunlin - Calidris alpina
Small numbers seen at the sandflats. Larger numbers on Yuetuo Island with a high count of 220 on Sept. 29th.
Broad-billed Sandpiper - Limicola falcinellus
A stunning juvenile was found at the sandflats on Sept. 22nd.
Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago
Small numbers found in coastal areas. A high count of 17 on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 30th.
Eurasian Woodcock - Scolopax rusticola
Three birds flying around Yuetuo Island at dusk were seen by several participants. Probable woodcocks were flushed from the woodlot near the sandflats and in the Big Wood.
Saunders's Gull - Saundersilarus saundersi
Found only on Yuetuo Island where relatively common. A high count of 48 on Sept. 28th.
Black-headed Gull - Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Commonly encountered around any waterbodies and seen most days of the tour.
Relict Gull - Ichthyaetus relictus
A single, adult bird was found from Dove Park in Beidaihe on Sept. 23rd and seen by most, and a group of 5 flying past the west end of Yuetuo Island were seen by one individual on Sept. 30th.
Black-tailed Gull - Larus crassirostris
Frequently encountered in all coastal areas.
Mew (Common) Gull - Larus canus heinei
This species was found in very low numbers on 4 dates in widely scattered locations.
Herring (Vega) Gull - Larus argentatus vegae
Moderate numbers of Larus gulls were found in most coastal locations, especially at the Beidaihe sandflats. Difficulty in separating this taxa from mongolicus (and the presence of “more exciting” species) prevented specific identification in many cases.
Caspian (Mongolian) Gull - Larus cachinnans mongolicus
As with the previous species, not all large gulls were identified to species. However, the paler, white-headed immatures seen along the coast were likely this taxa.
Slaty-backed Gull - Larus schistisagus
Small numbers of this gull were found on Yuetuo Island.
Little Tern - Sternula albifrons
A pair of Little Terns were seen flying past the west end of Yuetuo Island on Sept. 29th.
Gull-billed Tern - Gelochelidon nilotica
Seen only on Yuetuo Island where fairly common.
Caspian Tern - Hydroprogne caspia
Found only on Yuetuo Island where a high-count of 29 recorded.
Common Tern - Sterna hirundo longipennis
Seen on three dates in Beidaihe, with a high count of 14 on Sept. 23rd near the Dapo Estuary.
Rock (Feral) Pigeon - Columba livia
Common and conspicuous in inhabited areas.
Oriental Turtle-Dove - Streptopelia orientalis
Fairly common, especially near wooded areas. Highest numbers present on Yuetuo Island with a high of 50 there on Sept. 28th.
Eurasian Collared-Dove - Streptopelia decaocto
Two birds present at the Great Wall at Shanhaiguan, but seen by only a few participants, and an additional lone bird near the Jin Shan Hotel on Oct. 1st seen by most.
Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis
Some seen in the Beijing area the first birding day, but otherwise very low numbers around Beijing and Beidaihe.
Common/Oriental Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus/optatus
A single, juvenile cuckoo was seen well by all on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 29th, but due to identification difficulties could not be identified to species. A different unidentified cuckoo flew past the western point of the island earlier that same day.
Oriental Scops-Owl - Otus sunia
Two were found roosting in the woodlot near the sandflats on Sept. 26th. A total of 14 were found between the western point of Yuetuo Island and the Big Wood on Sept. 30th.
Long-eared Owl - Asio otus otus
A single bird was found roosting on the western point of Yuetuo Island on Sept. 29th.
Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus
A single bird was found on the mudflats at Yuetuo Island on Sept. 29th.
Gray Nightjar - Caprimulgus indicus
A roosting nightjar was found and seen by all at the Lotus Hills on Sept. 26th, and another bird was seen briefly on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 30th.
White-throated Needletail - Hirundapus caudacutus
Two birds were seen flying by at relatively close range from near the summit of Old Peak on Sept. 25th.
Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis
Encountered most days in low numbers where water was present.
Black-capped Kingfisher - Halcyon pileata
A single bird was found and seen by all at Dove Park in Beidaihe on Sept. 23rd.
Eurasian Hoopoe - Upupa epops
Small numbers seen on several occasions near Beidaihe, including every day on Yuetuo Island where a high of 8 was tallied.
Eurasian Wryneck - Jynx torquilla
Singles seen on multiple dates at the Jin Shan hotel, and most dates on Yuetuo Island with a high there of 4.
Gray-capped (Gray-capped Pygmy) Woodpecker - Dendrocopos canicapillus
Singles and low numbers seen on many dates in Beijing and Beidaihe.
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker - Dendrocopos hyperythrus
A single bird seen from the grounds of the Jin Shan Hotel on Sept. 23rd.
Great Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos major
The most common woodpecker we saw with observations frequent in the Beidaihe area.
Gray-faced (Gray-headed) Woodpecker - Picus canus
A single bird at the Fragrant Hills the first day were followed by a pair the next day at Wild Duck Lake.
Bull-headed Shrike - Lanius bucephalus
Two birds were sighted from the bus by one observer near the ferry dock to Yuetuo Island on Sept. 27th, and another couple birders found one the next day on Yuetuo Island.
Brown Shrike - Lanius isabellinus tsaidamensis
Up to 2 birds seen from the Jin Shan hotel on two occasions, with 3 birds sighted on each of two consecutive days from Yuetuo Island.
Chinese Gray Shrike - Lanius sphenocercus
Single birds were found on 5 dates at Wild Duck Lake, near Beidaihe, and on Yuetuo Island.
Ashy Minivet - Pericrocotus divaricatus
Several flocks totalling 25 birds were seen at the Great Wall on Sept. 24th, and small numbers seen on most days thereafter.
Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius
Totals of 13 and 8 seen at Old Peak on Sept. 24th and 25th respectively.
Azure-winged Magpie - Cyanopica cyanus
Common around the sites in Beijing we saw 100 on the first day, and additional birds on the 2nd and 3rd birding days. We never saw this species after that day, except for a couple in Beijing on the last day en route to the airport.
Blue Magpie - Urocissa erythrorhyncha
Nine birds were first encountered at the Fragrant Hills, but this species was also seen daily in Beidaihe, including in the parking lot of the Jin Shan Hotel.
Eurasian (Oriental) Magpie - Pica pica sericea
Seen everyday, usually about 50 per day.
Carrion Crow - Corvus corone
Only found at Old Peak where present both days, with a high of 35 recorded.
Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos
Found in Beijing the first day and at Old Peak.
Sky Lark (Asian) - Alauda arvensis [japonica Group]
Found in low numbers on most days, especially in coastal mudflats such as Yuetuo Island, and the Sandflats where 500 were recorded on the last birding day.
Bank Swallow (Sand Martin) - Riparia riparia
2 were seen on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 30th.
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica mandschurica
The most common swallow, seen almost everyday. Over 100 individuals seen on multiple days, with a high count of 700 on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 30th.
Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica
Relatively scarce compared to Barn Swallow, we detected Red-rumpeds on 6 days, including the each of the first four birding days. A high count of 58 on Sept. 26th in Beidaihe.
Marsh Tit - Poecile palustris
Found in low numbers on 4 days, with higher numbers (~30 individuals) both days at Old Peak.
Coal Tit - Periparus ater
3 birds seen by several birders at Old Peak on Sept. 25th were the only ones detected.
Yellow-bellied Tit - Pardaliparus venustulus
Seen on 3 occasions. 4 birds were first detected at Old Peak on Sept. 25th, a further 7 were seen migrating over from the west point on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 29th, and another individual was surprisingly found outside the Hollyear Hotel in Beijing on our last morning in the country.
(Eastern) Great Tit - Parus major minor
The most commonly detected tit, it was found on most days. This species was not recorded from Yuetuo Island.
Long-tailed Tit - Aegithalos caudatus vinaceus
Seen both days at Old Peak, with 5 and 7 seen on the 24th and 25th respectively.
Snowy-browed Nuthatch - Sitta villosa
Quite common at Old Peak where 25 and 20 seen on the 24th and 25th respectively.
Winter Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes
Only a single bird seen by one individual at Old Peak.
Light-vented (Chinese) Bulbul - Pycnonotus sinensis
A single bird seen by one individual in Beidaihe was followed two days later by a group of 15 birds seen by most. Also present every day on Yuetuo Island with a high count of 12. Though easy to locate on Yuetuo, this species could have easily been missed in Beidaihe.
Zitting Cisticola - Cisticola juncidis
Fifteen birds were seen near Wild Duck Lake on Sept. 21st, with an additional sighting on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th.
Asian Stubtail - Urosphena squameiceps
A single bird was seen by one birder in the woodlot near the Sandflats on Sept. 26th.
Spotted (Siberian) Bush-Warbler - Bradypterus thoracicus davidi
A single bird was seen thoughout the day at point-blank range by all. It was in company with both Chinese Bush-Warbler and Lanceolated Warbler in the shrubby vegetation along the dyke near our huts on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th.
Chinese Bush-Warbler - Bradypterus tacsanowskius
A single bird was seen thoughout the day at point-blank range by all. It was in company with both Spotted Bush-Warbler and Lanceolated Warbler in the shrubby vegetation along the dyke near our huts on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th.
Lanceolated Warbler - Locustella lanceolata
Seen on a total of 6 days this furtive warbler was difficult to get good looks at. An influx of them on Sept. 26th in Beidaihe allowed most birders to get at least satisfactory, and sometimes excellent views, of the 12 birds recorded that day.
Pallas's Warbler - Locustella certhiola
A single bird was seen by only a couple birders on Yuetuo Island, Sept. 28th.
Black-browed Reed-Warbler - Acrocephalus bistrigiceps
Locally common, this species was found on 6 dates with a high count of 35 on Oct. 1st.
Manchurian Reed-Warbler - Acrocephalus tangorum
A single bird identified as this species was seen by some on Sept. 24th near the Great Wall at Shanhaiguan.
Oriental Reed-Warbler - Acrocephalus orientalis
Four birds were found on 3 dates.
Thick-billed Warbler - Acrocephalus aedon
Single birds were found on 4 dates, though most seen by a single observer.
Dusky Warbler - Phylloscopus fuscatus
A common and conspicuous warbler seen virtually everyday of the trip with 100 or more birds detected on 3 of those dates.
Yellow-streaked Warbler - Phylloscopus armandii
Though probably under-recorded due to identification challenges with Radde’s Warbler, 2 unequivocal Yellow-streakeds were seen and heard well by multiple observers on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 29th.
Radde's Warbler - Phylloscopus schwarzi
Low numbers seen everyday from Sept. 29th onwards.
Pallas’s Leaf-Warbler - Phylloscopus proregulus
Absent the first several days of the trip, this species was present everyday from Sept. 24th onwards with a high count of 40 from Yuetuo Island on Sept. 29th.
Yellow-browed Warbler - Phylloscopus inornatus
A common and conspicuous warbler, seen almost everyday with over 100 individuals on several occasions.
Arctic Warbler - Phylloscopus borealis
Low numbers of this warbler were recorded from many localities, with a high count of 16 birds on Sept. 26th in Beidaihe.
(Two-barred) Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides plumbeitarsus
Five individuals were found on 4 dates, though it is possible this species was under-recorded due to difficulties of Phylloscopus identification.
Eastern Crowned Leaf-Warbler - Phylloscopus coronatus
Two birders found the only individual of this species on the trip on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th.
Dark-sided Flycatcher - Muscicapa sibirica
Several birders saw 2 of these at Old Peak on Sept. 25th.
Asian Brown Flycatcher - Muscicapa dauurica
Encountered in low numbers on most days.
Taiga Flycatcher - Ficedula albicilla
Encountered in low numbers on almost every day.
Rufous-tailed (Swinhoe’s) Robin - Luscinia sibilans
First located on the hotel grounds in Beidaihe on Sept. 27th, this species was also seen most days on Yuetuo Island, with a high count here of 6 birds on Sept. 29th.
Siberian Rubythroat - Luscinia calliope
This beautiful species was a highlight for many, and luckily seen on 9 days. The high count was 25 from Yuetuo Island on Sept. 29th, where sadly several birds had been injured or killed by collisions with windows and feral cat attacks.
Bluethroat - Luscinia svecica
Five birds seen on 4 dates. The first Bluethroat of the trip was spotted from the Great Wall at Shanhaiguan on Sept. 24th.
Siberian Blue Robin - Luscinia cyane
Rarely encountered we had only 3 individuals from the Jin Shan Hotel, Lotus Hills, and Yuetuo Island. Only the bird at the Lotus Hills was cooperative enough for most to get great views.
Red-flanked Bluetail - Tarsiger cyanurus
Present on several occasions in the woodlot near the Beidaihe Sandflats, this species was common on Yuetuo Island with a high count of 15 on Sept. 29th.
Daurian Redstart - Phoenicurus auroreus
Two birds were first located at Wild Duck Lake. At Old Peak this species was more numerous, and a count of 8 birds was the high for the trip. Daurian Redstarts were also encountered in low numbers on Yuetuo Island.
(Siberian) Stonechat - Saxicola torquatus
Treated as distinct by many authorities, Clements lumps these taxa with those from Europe. Regardless of taxonomy, this species was frequently encountered near reed beds or grassy fields, and seen most days.
White-throated Rock-Thrush - Monticola gularis
Several lucky birders managed to spot a single individual from Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th and Sept. 29th.
Scaly (White’s) Thrush - Zoothera dauma
This species was recorded usually in low numbers around Beidaihe (often near the tennis courts at the Jin Shan Hotel) and on Yuetuo Island. A high count of 14 from Beidaihe on Sept. 26th.
Gray-backed Thrush - Turdus hortulorum
A total of 4 birds were seen on Sept. 30th from the western point of Yuetuo Island.
Eyebrowed Thrush - Turdus obscurus
Low numbers were found on three dates at three separate locations. Between these sightings eventually everybody obtained views of this species. A high count of 5 from Beidaihe on Sept. 27th.
Red-throated Thrush - Turdus ruficollis
Recently split by Clements, but recognized as distinct previously by other authorities, this species was only found on Yuetuo Island where it was seen everyday, with a high count of 10 birds on Sept., 29th.
Dusky Thrush - Turdus eunomus
A couple birders had fleeting glimpses of this species in the woodlot near the Beidaihe Sandflats on Sept. 26th and 27th, and most of the group eventually got on the Yuetuo Island bird on Sept. 29th.
Pere David's (Plain) Laughingthrush - Garrulax davidi
Two birds seen by 2 birders at the Fragrant Hills the first day were followed by 5 birds each day at Old Peak. Not everyone saw this endemic, and birds seemed highly localized.
Chestnut-flanked White-eye - Zosterops erythropleurus
Common and conspicuous, this white-eye was seen everyday, with over 100 birds detected on many days. Despite attempts, no Japanese White-eyes were located on this trip.
White-browed Chinese (Chinese Hill) Warbler - Rhopophilus pekinensis
A couple birds seen on Sept. 20th near the summit of the Fragrant Hills.
Vinous-throated Parrotbill - Paradoxornis webbianus
The first detection was near the summit of Old Peak where 20 birds were found and subsequently seen by all birders on Sept. 25th. A further 10 were found at the reed edge near the Sandflats in Beidaihe on Sept. 27th.
Black-naped Oriole - Oriolus chinensis
Individual birds seen on 3 days in Beidaihe, but present everyday on Yuetuo Island with a high of 5 individuals.
Black Drongo - Dicrurus macrocercus
Two birds seen the first evening on Yuetuo Island would be the only drongos of the trip.
Red-billed Starling - Sturnus sericeus
Two pairs were found in widely scattered location in Beidaihe on Sept.23rd. The first pair was on the road in a residential area near Lighthouse Point, and the second were in a rural area further south, near crab/shrimp ponds.
White-cheeked Starling - Sturnus cineraceus
After initial concern that we would miss this species, they were finally located on Yuetuo Island with a high of 12 on Sept. 29th.
Western Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava
There remains debate as to the species limits of many subspecies within the Yellow Wagtail complex. 6 individuals seen on 4 dates would fall under the Western Yellow bin by many authorities. An additional bird of subspecies “taivana” is placed within Western by Clements, but treated as Eastern by some (i.e., Brazil’s field guide), and as a distinct species by others. This “Eastern” Yellow was found on Sept. 30th in a roadside pond en route between Yuetuo Island and Beidaihe.
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea
Five sightings were had on 4 days, with one usually present at the Sandflats reservoir.
White Wagtail - Motacilla alba lugens
Seen most days, this species was most observable on Yuetuo Island, where up to 40 birds regularly roosted in trees lining the walking path to our huts.
Richard's Pipit - Anthus richardi
Individual birds seen on 4 separate dates. An injured bird with a gaping wound to the vent was unfortunate, but allowed for detailed, prolonged views, and aided in the sometimes difficult separation of this species from Blyth’s Pipit.
Blyth's Pipit - Anthus godlewskii
A single bird seen by one individual on Sept. 28th at Yuetuo Island.
Olive-backed Pipit - Anthus hodgsoni
Seen on 9 dates with a high count of 15 at Wild Duck Lake on Sept. 21st and another 15 on Sept. 27th.
Pechora Pipit - Anthus gustavi
A single observer sighting on the Beidaihe Sandflats on Sept. 22nd.
Red-throated Pipit - Anthus cervinus
Present everyday in low numbers on Yuetuo Island, including one that liked to perch on the roofs of the sleeping huts. A high count of 12 from Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th.
American Pipit (Siberian) - Anthus rubescens japonicus
Not many participants got to see this species, which at present is still considered conspecific with North America’s “Buff-bellied” Pipit Anthus rubescens rubescens. It was seen on two dates at the Beidaihe Sandflats, Sept. 22nd and Oct. 1st.
Waxwing spp. - Bombycilla spp.
A single, silhouetted waxwing flew high overhead providing brief views at Old Peak on Sept. 25th.
Pine Bunting - Emberiza leucocephalos
An immature bird was found in the woodlot near the Beidaihe Sandflats on Sept. 26th, and possibly the same individual the next day. A gorgeous adult male and adult female were found on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th, with one individual seen on the island the following day.
Godlewski's Bunting - Emberiza godlewskii
A single bird was seen by a couple observers near the summit of the Fragrant Hills, and 4 birds were later seen by more observers from Old Peak.
Meadow Bunting - Emberiza cioides
A single adult male was spotted from the bus en route to Old Peak on Sept. 24th, and we were able to stop on the road just long enough for everybody to see it
Tristram's Bunting - Emberiza tristrami
This species was only found on Old Peak, with a high of 10 birds on Sept. 25th.
Chestnut-eared Bunting - Emberiza fucata
A couple birders saw 2 individuals on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 28th.
Little Bunting - Emberiza pusilla
The most common bunting. A steady stream of buntings was migrating past on Sept. 21st at Wild Duck Lake, with at least some resting in vegetation for excellent views by all. This species was only found in low numbers after that date, with greatest numbers aside from Wild Duck Lake, being found on Yuetuo Island.
Yellow-browed Bunting - Emberiza chrysophrys
Seen on four dates, the best views obtained were on Yuetuo Island.
Rustic Bunting - Emberiza rustica
Only 2 birders were fortunate enough to find this species, with a single bird on Yuetuo Island the first evening of our arrival.
Yellow-throated (Elegant) Bunting - Emberiza elegans
First found at Wild Duck Lake, this bunting was also located both days at Old Peak, and most days at Yuetuo Island, in low numbers.
Yellow-breasted Bunting - Emberiza aureola
A single bird was seen well but briefly at the Dapo Estuary near Beidaih on Sept. 27th by a couple birders, with an additional 2 birds on Sept. 30th.
Chestnut Bunting - Emberiza rutila
A single bird was seen well by two observers on Yuetuo Island on Sept. 30th.
Black-faced Bunting - Emberiza spodocephala
Seen on 6 dates, it was found near the Beidaihe Sandflats and the Dapo Estuary, and was relatively common on Yuetuo Island with a high count of 50 birds on Sept. 29th.
Pallas's Bunting - Emberiza pallasi
A single bird was sighted by one birder on Sept. 27th from the Dapo Estuary.
(Common) Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus
Low numbers were seen at the Dapo Estuary on two dates, and a high count of 25 was tallied from the reeds at the Beidaihe Sandflats on Oct. 1st.
Brambling - Fringilla montifringilla
A total of 9 birds were seen by several birders at Old Peak on Sept. 25th.
Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus
Found only on Yuetuo Island where 3 birds were present each day from Sept. 28th to 30th.
Oriental Greenfinch - Carduelis sinica
Two birds seen the very first morning at the Summer Palace would be the only ones seen during the tour.
Eurasian Bullfinch - Pyrrhula pyrrhula
A single observer sighting in Beidaihe near the Jin Shan Hotel on Sept. 26th.
Yellow-billed (Chinese) Grosbeak - Eophona migratoria
Two birds were seen well by a few birders on Sept. 29th on Yuetuo Island, and were likely the identification of the Eophona spp. seen flying around earlier that morning.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus
One of the most common and conspicuous birds of the tour, this species was seen virtually everyday with between 100 and 500 individuals recorded most of those days.