This page shows historical news from Beijing up to 31 December 2019. For news from 1 January 2020, see this page.
31 December 2019
1 COMMON SANDPIPER and 10 JAPANESE WAXWING, Peking University (Mint Ren, Zhang Shen)
4 BARN SWALLOW, Wenyu River (Steve Bale)
1 unseasonal SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, Nanhaizi (Terry Townshend). Possibly the most northerly winter record in China?
30 December 2019
3 BOHEMIAN and 1 JAPANESE WAXWING, Peking University campus (Zong Zhuang)
9 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Gubeikou Great Wall, flying SW (Terry Townshend)
29 December 2019
1 CHAFFINCH and 6 JAPANESE WAXWING, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huairou (Karen Wei)
24 December 2019
4 JAPANESE WAXWING, Olympic Forest Park (Dahe).
3 immature GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, Summer Palace (Steve Bale). Plus 2 pairs of BLACK SWAN, one with four cygnets!
1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE and 5 HORNED LARK, Shisanling (anonymous)
21 December 2019
1 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, 1 CHINESE TAWNY OWL, 2 SAKER, 1 PEREGRINE, 2 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 17 (Brandt’s) HORNED LARK, 5 BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT, 250+ PINE BUNTING, 190+ LAPLAND BUNTING, Shisanling (CM)
16 JAPANESE WAXWING, Olympic Forest Park Southern Section (Yali Liang)
3 COMMON CHAFFINCH (2 male, 1 female), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, apparently present for “at least two months” (Yan Shen)
1 WALLCREEPER, Shidu. Plus 2 EURASIAN CRAG MARTIN (Ren Lipeng)
16 December 2019
1 COLLARED CROW, Sunhe (Tao Liu). First reported 30 November.
12 December 2019
1 SAKER, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 1 HEN HARRIER (ringtail), 1 BLACK STORK, 6 WHITE-WINGED (GULDENSTADT’S) REDSTART (4m, 2f), 2 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, 3 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH (prob all ssp lepidus), 2 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, 15+ SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 32 LAPLAND BUNTING and 20+ LITTLE BUNTING, Miaofengshan (CM)
8 December 2019
8 BROWN-EARED BULBUL, Nanhaizi (Tao Liu). Plus GREAT BITTERN.
1 RUSSET SPARROW and 5 CHAFFINCH, BaiHe Bay (Karen Wei)
2 December 2019
3 BROWN-EARED BULBUL, Nanhaizi (Su Liang)
1 December 2019
1 ORIENTAL STORK, Shahe Reservoir (Wang Xiaobo et al)
4 BAER’S POCHARD, Huairou Reservoir (Wang Xiaobo)
8 BROWN-EARED BULBUL, Nanhaizi (XiaoPT et al)
The EURASIAN TREECREEPER still in Chaoyang Park (Wang Xiaobo)
30 November 2019
1 unseasonal LONG-TAILED MINIVET, near Nanhaizi (Ren Lipeng). Plus 3 BROWN-EARED BULBUL.
1 COLLARED CROW, Sunhe (Tao Liu)
29 November 2019
1 EURASIAN TREECREEPER still in Chaoyang Park (Luo Jing)
10 JAPANESE WAXWING, Chaoyang Park (Sarah Johnson)
28 November 2019
40 JAPANESE WAXWING, Botanical Gardens (John Allcock)
27 November 2019
2 ORIENTAL STORK, Shahe. Only one remaining in the afternoon (“信天翁” via WeChat).
The EURASIAN TREECREEPER still in Chaoyang Park (Zhao Xiaojian)
26 November 2019
1 CRESTED LARK, Shisanling (Colm Moore). Plus 320 COMMON MERGANSER, 12 SMEW, 1 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 MANDARIN, 2 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 3 (first-winter) COMMON GULL, 6+ HILL PIGEON, 70+ NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 6+ RED-THROATED THRUSH, 6+ DUSKY THRUSH, 5 CHINESE NUTHATCH, 120+ PINE BUNTING and 2 LAPLAND BUNTING.
20 JAPANESE WAXWING, 2 RED-THROATED THRUSH, Botanical Gardens (John Allcock)
12 BOHEMIAN WAXWING, Chaoyang Park (Sarah Johnson)
24 November 2019
6 BAER’S POCHARD, Huairou Reservoir (“Dahe” via eBird)
1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE over the Summer Palace (黄明攀, Huang Mingpan). Also a GREAT BITTERN.
23 November 2019
1 EURASIAN TREECREEPER, Chaoyang Park (Zhang Shen and Mint Ren)
1 ORIENTAL STORK and 5 BROWN-EARED BULBUL, Nanhaizi (Jun Yang)
6 WHITE-WINGED (GULDENSTADT’S) REDSTART, 1 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH and 10 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, Lingshan (Zhen Niu)
25 BOHEMIAN WAXWING and 10 JAPANESE WAXWING, Botanical Gardens (XiaoPT)
22 November 2019
13 BOHEMIAN WAXWING, Huairou Reservoir (Jorgen Thomsen)
21 November 2019
27 BOHEMIAN and 1 JAPANESE WAXWING, 2 (female) WHITE-WINGED (GULDENSTADT’S) REDSTART, 220+ NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 15+ DUSKY THRUSH, 1 LONG-TAILED ROSEFUINCH (ssp lepidus) and 2 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, Miaofengshan (Colm Moore)
262 COMMON CRANE, 1 WHISKERED TERN (late), 1 PEREGRINE and 75 BEARDED TIT, Yeyahu (Thomas Brooks)
20 November 2019
1 EURASIAN TREECREEPER, Chaoyang Park (TT).
3 WHITE WAGTAIL ssp lugens, Tonghuihe between Baliqiao and Shuangqiao (Paul Holt)
26 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Ma Chang (Richard Fuller and Mint Ren). Plus a single MONGOLIAN LARK, 1 SHORT-EARED OWL and 220 COMMON CRANE.
19 November 2019
3 BROWN-EARED BULBUL, Nanhaizi (ChaCha Wan)
18 November 2019
1 STEPPE EAGLE, Nanhaizi (Zhong Zhenyu)
17 November 2019
1 EURASIAN TREECREEPER, Chaoyang Park (Tao Liu). Presumably the bird from 12 November.
2 CHAFFINCHES, Lingshan (Paul Holt). Plus 1 SAKER, 1 BLACK-THROATED THRUSH, 45 RED-THROATED THRUSH, 3 DUSKY THRUSH, 135 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 6 WHITE-WINGED REDSTART, 10 JAPANESE WAXWING, 2 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 1 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, 2 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH (1 ssp lepidus and 1 ssp ussuriensis) and 11 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH.
12 BOHEMIAN WAXWING, Botanical Gardens (Thomas Brooks)
16 November 2019
1 moulting juvenile MUTE SWAN, Ma Chang (PH). Plus 8 BEWICK’S SWAN, 24 WHOOPER SWAN, 161 SMEW, 7 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, 144 COMMON CRANE, 4 HEN HARRIER, 1 LITTLE OWL, 3 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK, 1 BEARDED TIT, 1 RICHARD’S PIPIT, 17 WATER PIPIT, 1 BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT, 1 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH, 8 COMMON REDPOLL and 3 JAPANESE REED BUNTING.
1 BOHEMIAN WAXWING and 13 JAPANESE WAXWING, Yuyuantan Park (Tao Liu)
15 November 2019
7 CINEREOUS VULTURE, 1 SPOTTED NUTCRACKER, 45 RED-THROATED THRUSH, 2 DUSKY THRUSH, 1 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 5 WHITE-WINGED REDSTART, 12 JAPANESE WAXWING, 4 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, 15 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH (3 ssp lepidus, 12 ssp ussuriensis) and 10 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, Lingshan (PH)
17 CINEREOUS VULTURE, 2 STEPPE EAGLE, 1 SAKER, 30 RED-THROATED THRUSH, 2 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 9 WHITE-WINGED REDSTART, 2 BOHEMIAN WAXWING, 8 ALPINE ACCENTOR, 12 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 3 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, 2 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH and 15 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, Lingshan (Wang Xiaobo, Dahe, XiaoPT et al)
14 November 2019
300+ PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE over Tongzhou Pear Garden (Dahao). Plus additional reports of 230+ over Shahe Reservoir (Wang Xiaobo), 100+ over HongLingJin Park (Chen Jingyun) and 60+ past Peking University (unknown observer via Chen Jingyun). Most heading north. Thanks to Dahao for collating the sightings.
An additional 1,050 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE over Changping District this morning (Wang Xiaobo)
200 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE over Shahe Reservoir in the afternoon (Jun Wang)
400 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Yeyahu (Ren Lipeng)
50 ASIAN ROSY FINCH, Lingshan (Richard Zhang and Chen Wenjia)
13 November 2019
50+ PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE over Yuanmingyuan this afternoon (Wang Xiaobo)
4 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Ma Chang (Zhao NanLi). Plus SHORT-EARED OWL.
The HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO still in Chaoyang Park (Catherine DONG et al)
12 November 2019
1 EURASIAN TREECREEPER, Chaoyang Park (Jun Yang). Possibly only the 7th record for Beijing. Also a late HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO.
30+ PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Shisanling (CM). Plus 200+ COMMON MERGANSER, 2 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 1 first-winter SIBERIAN GULL, 2 BLACK-NECKED GREBE, 2 MONGOLIAN LARK, 8 CHINESE NUTHATCH (including some singing and nest-building!), 65+ PINE BUNTING and 12+ RUSTIC BUNTING.
30 ASIAN ROSY FINCH, Lingshan (大牙齿 458 via eBird).
11 November 2019
280 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Shahe Reservoir (Jun Wang). Several groups, including one of 200+ flew west late morning.
10 November 2019
23 WHITE-WINGED REDSTART (14m, 9f), Lingshan (TT). Plus 1 MERLIN, 62 RED-THROATED THRUSH, 5 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 1 BLACK-THROATED THRUSH, 3 ALPINE ACCENTOR, 8 COMMON REDPOLL, 1 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH ssp ussuriensis, 6 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH and an unseasonal ZITTING CISTICOLA.
WHITE-THROATED ROCK THRUSH still at Temple of Heaven Park (Stefan Andrew)
9 November 2019
1 LONG-TAILED TIT, Laoyugou (XiaoPT). Plus 10 BOHEMIAN WAXWING and 35 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH.
1 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH (ssp ussuriensis), Tongzhou-Dayunhe Forest Park (PH). Plus a single JAPANESE WAXWING.
8 November 2019
1 STEPPE EAGLE, Lingshan (Frank Hawkins). Plus JAPANESE WAXWING, RED CROSSBILL, PALLAS’S, LONG-TAILED and CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, WHITE-WINGED REDSTART.
7 November 2019
2 BAER’S POCHARD, Yeyahu (Frank Hawkins). Plus a first-winter PALLAS’S GULL.
5 November 2019
1 first-winter LITTLE GULL, Shahe Reservoir (CM). Plus 5 BEWICK’S SWAN (2ads, 3 imms), 4 BAIKAL TEAL, 3 HEN HARRIER (all ringtails), 2 SHORT-EARED OWL, 5 SPOTTED REDSHANK, 21 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK, 6 BEARDED TIT, 7 RUSSET SPARROW, 12+ PINE BUNTING, 4 JAPANESE REED BUNTING, 45+ PALLAS’S REED BUNTING.
4 November 2019
5 JAPANESE WAXWING, Nanhaizi (Guo Geng)
1 JAPANESE WAXWING, Tongzhou-Dayunhe Forest Park (PH)
2 November 2019
1 first-winter MUTE SWAN, Ma Chang (XiaoPT et al). Plus a first-winter PALLAS’S GULL.
1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER (or PADDYFIELD WARBLER?), Binhe Park, Daxing District (Zhong Zhenyu)
1 November 2019
1 RED CROSSBILL, Tongzhou – Dayunhe Forest Park (PH)
31 October 2019
1 POMARINE SKUA (JAEGER), Wenyu River (SB). The second record for Beijing.
30 October 2019
1 first-winter WHITE-THROATED ROCK THRUSH, Temple of Heaven Park (via eBird). A late record.
27 October 2019
1 MUTE SWAN, Ma Chang (Zhu Haoqiang, Tao Liu et al) plus a late DUNLIN.
4 MUTE SWAN, Chaoyang Park (Stefan Andrew). A typical date but unusual location for this scarce migrant in Beijing.
1 EAGLE OWL, 1 BOHEMIAN WAXWING, 7 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 9 WHITE-WINGED (GULDENSTADT’S) REDSTART (7m, 2 f), 3 ALPINE ACCENTOR, 9 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 2 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, 9 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, Miaofengshan (CM)
26 October 2019
1 (male) LONG-TAILED DUCK, Summer Palace (Zhu Haoqiang et al)
23 October 2019
1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, Tongzhou-Dayunhe Forest Park (PH). Plus a single RED CROSSBILL and a COMMON REED BUNTING.
20 October 2019
2 GREY-BACKED THRUSH, Temple of Heaven Park (Jun Yang)
2 JAPANESE QUAIL, 1 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK (first site record), 19 PALLAS’S LEAF WARBLER, 2 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, 3 LANCEOLATED WARBLER, 2 SWINHOE’S WHITE-EYE, 3 TRISTRAM’S BUNTING and 5 YELLOW-BROWED BUNTING, Shunyi Patch (TT)
18 October 2019
12 BEWICK’S SWAN, 1 BLACK-NECKED GREBE, 1 GREY PLOVER, 1 SIBERIAN GULL, 3 SHORT-EARED OWL, 2 REED PARROTBILL, 15+ BEARDED REEDLING, 15+ CHINESE PENDULINE TIT, 1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, 5 COMMON STARLING, 5 PINE BUNTING, 2 COMMON REED BUNTING and 3 JAPANESE REED BUNTING, Shahe (CM)
17 October 2019
34 LONG-TAILED MINIVET, Tongzhou-Dayunhe Forest Park (PH)
16 October 2019
1 first-winter MUGUMAKI FLYCATCHER remaining in the Agricultural Exhibition Park (Ren Lipeng)
14 October 2019
The two first-winter MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHERS still at the Agricultural Exhibition Center Park (per eBird)
10 October 2019
Two first-winter MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER (one male, one female), Agricultural Exhibition Park (Zhen Niu et al via eBird). Apparently present for 3 days. Possibly only the 13th Beijing record. See https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60496288 Also a WHITE’S THRUSH.
6 October 2019
One probable STREAKED REED WARBLER, Shunyi Patch (TT).
Description: flushed from tall grass and seen in flight with the naked eye as it called once (a soft ‘tack’ similar to Black-browed but more monotone and less like two stones banging together). It flew around 10m in good light before dropping in to the base of the grass stems. Small size (similar to Black-browed Reed Warbler, but significantly paler with obvious dark streaking and a darker rump). Colouration similar to the grass seed heads. Waited patiently for almost an hour with no sign. Began to work my way around the edge of the habitat, just 2-3m away from where it went down but as I did so, the bird flew again from behind me, over my shoulder and, again, flew around 10m in front in good light before dropping into deep cover. Again, with the naked eye I could clearly see a small pale warbler with dark streaking on the upperparts. This time, after it went to ground, I could see some movement of the stems as it made its way to the east. I took a few steps to my right so that the light was behind me. It edged towards a gap and I had my camera ready but it never reached the gap, instead turned around and headed back from where it came. It called several times in the next few minutes. I did not have my sound recording equipment with me but tried to make a recording on my iPhone (not yet analysed). The call was not as loud as the Black-browed Reed Warblers occasionally calling in the same area and was less obviously like two stones banging together. One would need to be close to hear it at all. After a few minutes, the movement stopped and so did the vocalisations. I waited for another hour with no sign before walking towards the area where it had been. There was no sign and, reluctantly, I left the site around 1245 as I had an appointment. Given my experience of any potential confusion species (Black-browed Reed Warbler, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler) I can say with confidence that this bird was neither. I am confident that the bird I saw was a Streaked Reed Warbler, however without seeing the bird with binoculars and still, no photo or decent sound recording, I must describe it as a “probable”.
5 October 2019
1 BLYTH’S REED WARBLER, Shahe (CM). Sound-recorded. The second record for Beijing; another outstanding find by Colm Moore.
21 September 2019
2 GREAT BITTERN, 1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, 4 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 5 EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK, 12 HOBBY, 17 AMUR FALCON, 5 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE (adult), 1 NORTHERN OSPREY, 2 EASTERN MARSH HARRIER (juvs), 6 SPOTTED REDSHANK, 1 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER, 2 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 3 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 20+ RICHARD’S PIPIT, 3 BLYTH’S PIPIT, 5 RED-THROATED PIPIT, 60+ EURASIAN SKYLARK, 1 BLUETHROAT, 12 DUSKY WARBLER, 3 RADDE’S WARBLER, 1 EYEBROWED THRUSH, 400+ LITTLE BUNTING, 2 BLACK-FACED BUNTING, 3 MEADOW BUNTING, Shisanling (CM)
14 September 2019
1 juvenile RUFF, Ma Chang (XiaoPT, Zhang Shen , Splan tky et al). Plus 2 DUNLIN and 2 BLACK-WINGED KITE.
11 September 2019
1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER, Tongzhou (PH). Present for at least a week.
1 juvenile RUFF, Ma Chang. Plus 3 RUDDY SHELDUCK, at least 4 DUNLIN, 14 RED-NECKED STINT, 1 juv LITTLE STINT, 12 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 3 LONG-TOED STINT, 1 TURNSTONE, 3 SPOTTED REDSHANK, 7 PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, 3 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE, 1 juv BLACK-WINGED KITE, 1 moulting ad and 1 first-winter RELICT GULL, 10 MONGOLIAN GULL, 84 EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL, 42 WHITE WAGTAIL, at least 25 RED-THROATED PIPIT, 6 BLYTH’S PIPIT and 122 RICHARD’S PIPIT. Also 1 FAR EASTERN CURLEW at Yeyahu (TT, Tim Appleton, Gao Xiang)
8 September 2019
2 DUNLIN and 1 BLACK-WINGED KITE, Ma Chang (Zhen Niu et al)
7 September 2019
1 BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER, 1 DUNLIN and 1 BLACK-WINGED KITE, Ma Chang (Liu Chunhong et al)
6 September 2019
An unusual looking juvenile Calidris sp at Ma Chang by Colm Moore. Clearly strong RED KNOT influence but far from typical, including the pattern on the scapulars and wing coverts and the obviously pale rump. Possible hybrid? Comments welcome.
5 September 2019
2 BLACK-WINGED KITE (including one juvenile), Ma Chang (XiaoPT et al)
4 September 2019
1 BAER’S POCHARD, Yeyahu (XiaoPt et al)
3 September 2019
1 SIBERIAN THRUSH, Beijing Normal University campus (Xue Boning via eBird)
2 BLACK-WINGED KITE, Ma Chang (Wang Zikun)
1 September 2019
1 juvenile LITTLE CURLEW, Ma Chang (PH et al). Plus 2 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, 5 TEMMINCK’S and 20 RED-NECKED STINT, 2 RELICT GULL, 1 OSPREY, 1 PIED HARRIER, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 2 BEARDED TIT, 1 DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHER, 1 CITRINE WAGTAIL and 2 BLYTH’S PIPIT.
1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER, Ma Chang (Zheng Qiyuan and Yan Shen via eBird)
1 male BAER’S POCHARD at Yeyahu (Xing Chao et al)
31 August 2019
1 LESSER FRIGATEBIRD, Shahe Reservoir (presumably the Yeyahu bird from 30 August), photographed by Zhang Xiaoling et al.
1 COMMON RINGED PLOVER (heard only), Ma Chang (PH et al). Plus 1 FAR EASTERN CURLEW, 17 TEMMINCK’S, 29 RED-NECKED and 2 LONG-TOED STINT, 16 RELICT GULL, 1 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD, 1 SAKER, 2 RUSSET SPARROW, 280 EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL, 21 BLYTH’S PIPIT and 1 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING.
30 August 2019
LESSER WHITETHROAT at Ma Chang (PH et al). Plus 2 ORIENTAL STORK, 1 first-winter RELICT GULL, juvenile SANDERLING, 1 juvenile WHITE-WINGED TERN, 2 juvenile PIED HARRIER, 1 SYKE’S SHORT-TOED LARK and 2 BLYTH’S PIPITS.
1 juvenile LESSER FRIGATEBIRD, Yeyahu (7th Beijing record?). Plus 1 ad male BAER’S POCHARD and 55 FERRUGINOUS DUCK (PH et al)
28 August 2019
1 ORIENTAL PLOVER, Ma Chang (Zhang Xiaoling and He Fangbei). A rare autumn record.
27 August 2019
1 LITTLE CURLEW, Ma Chang (TT, MN). Possibly only the 12th record for the capital. Plus 1 FAR EASTERN CURLEW, 1 WHIMBREL, 1 juvenile/first-winter RELICT GULL, at least two juvenile LITTLE STINTS, 1 SANDERLING, 3 RUDDY TURNSTONE, 3 PEREGRINE, juvenile 2 PIED HARRIER and 2 BLYTH’S PIPIT.
25 August 2019
1 juvenile PIED HARRIER, 1 juvenile EASTERN MARSH HARRIER, PEREGRINE (poss ‘Shaheen’) 2 BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER, 10 RED-NECKED STINT, 1 SANDERLING, 3 RUDDY TURNSTONE, 2 DUNLIN, 2 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, 1 CASPIAN TERN, 2 BLYTH’S PIPIT Ma Chang (JM, TT, JS et al)
23 August 2019
1 BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER, Ma Chang (CM). Plus 3 RUDDY TURNSTONE, 7 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 27 RED-NECKED STINT, 5 LONG-TOED STINT, 2 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER, 3 MARSH SANDPIPER, 1 CASPIAN TERN, 1 2cy RELICT GULL, 1 juv PIED HARRIER, 1 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING.
21 August 2019
1 1cy LITTLE GULL, Shahe Reservoir (Ma Nan)
18 August 2019
2 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, Ma Chang (XiaoPT, Splan tky, Mint Ren and Zhang Shen via eBird). Plus 2 LONG-TOED STINTS, 4 RELICT GULLS, 4 CASPIAN TERNS, 18 BLYTH’S PIPITS and >300 EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAILS migrating south between 0700-0830.
1 LITTLE CURLEW, Ma Chang (Lou Fangzhou)
10 August 2019
1 GREATER PAINTED SNIPE, 1 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER and 116 RELICT GULLS, Ma Chang (XiaoPT and Splan tky via eBird)
3 August 2019
1 GREATER PAINTED SNIPE, Ma Chang. Plus 1 RELICT GULL (2cy) and 9 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPERS (XiaoPT and Liu Zhiheng via eBird)
2 July 2019
1 BROWN-RUMPED (SWINHOE’S) MINIVET and 3 AMUR PARADISE FLYCATCHERS, Beigoucun (“Fishing Cat” via eBird)
1 July 2019
1 BROWNISH-FLANKED BUSH WARBLER, Laoyugou (XiaoPT, Fan Jun)
30 June 2019
1 SLATY-BACKED FLYCATCHER, Lingshan (Zhen Niu)
25 June 2019
1 CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO, Lingshan (SB). Also 1 LESSER CUCKOO and GREY-WINGED BLACKBIRD (singing at c1200m asl) there.
23 June 2019
1 BROWNISH-FLANKED BUSH WARBLER, Lingshan (Splan tky via eBird)
15 June 2019
1 BROWNISH-FLANKED BUSH WARBLER, Xiaolongmen (Zhen Niu). Plus 4 ALSTRÖM’S WARBLERS.
11 June 2019
1 EURASIAN HOBBY, 1 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD, 1 NORTHERN BOOBOOK, 1 CHINESE TAWNY OWL, 1 CHINESE NUTHATCH, 2 EURASIAN NUTHATCH, 10+ MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 4 LONG-TAILED MINIVET, 4 HIMALAYAN CUCKOO, 4 LESSER CUCKOO, 1 GREY-SIDED THRUSH, 4 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN, 2 ZAPPEY’S FLYCATCHER, 1 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHER, 20+ YELLOW-BELLIED TIT, 18+ YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLER, 30+ CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER, 3 EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER, 12+ CHINESE LEAF WARBLER, 3+ ASIAN STUBTAIL. 10+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, Miaofengshan (CM)
2 KOKLASS PHEASANT, 1 ASIAN KOEL, 10 LARGE HAWK CUCKOO, 1 LESSER CUCKOO, 3 HIMALAYAN CUCKOO, 1 CHINESE TAWNY OWL, 1 LONG-TAILED MINIVET, 6 ASIAN STUBTAIL, 25 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 4 CHINESE LEAF WARBLER, 35 YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLER, 5 EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER, 40 CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER, 10 BEIJING BABBLER, 5 PLAIN LAUGHINGTHRUSH, 30 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN, 1 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHER, 1 CHINESE THRUSH and 3 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, Laoyugou (XiaoPT via eBird)
9 June 2019
1 SWINHOE’S MINIVET, Chaohe River at Gubeikou (Fishing Cat via eBird)
1 BROWN-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa muttui, 褐胸鹟, hè-xiōng wēng) was photographed at Xiaolongmen by Liang Zhijian, a member of the young birders’ group, “Beijing Feiyu”. This was the first documented record of this species for Beijing.
8 June 2019
4 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE, 1 BAILLON’S CRAKE, 1 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, 13 CASPIAN TERN, 10 GULL-BILLED TERN, 18 COMMON TERN, 3 BROWN SHRIKE, 1 AMUR FALCON, Shahe (CM)
5 June 2019
2 YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA at Xuanwu Park, Xicheng District (Zhu Yanning). The first record for Beijing.
3 June 2019
5 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE, 40+ COMMON TERN, 15 WHISKERED TERN, 5 WHITE-WINGED TERN, 1 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL, 2 AMUR FALCON, 5 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, 1 BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, 1 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
1 June 2019
1 CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO, Baiwangshan (Lu Wei)
1 CHINESE BUSH WARBLER, Binhe Forest Park (Yan Shen)
1 BLUE AND WHITE FLYCATCHER, Xiaolongmen (Fishing Cat via eBird)
15 RELICT GULL, Shahe (Zhu Haoqiang)
31 May 2019
1 BLACK-TAILED GULL (of unknown origin), Shahe Reservoir (Wang Xiaobo). The status of BT Gull in Beijing is unclear. There have been reports of free-flying birds in the grounds of the zoo, which may account for at least some of the records in the capital.
30 May 2019
A CHINESE BUSH WARBLER, Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace) (BW)
1 BROWN-HEADED GULL and a MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER, Shahe Reservoir (Jun Yang via eBird)
29 May 2019
2 CHINESE BUSH WARBLER, Dashihe (XiaoPT et al)
1 BLUE AND WHITE FLYCATCHER near Xiaolongmen (Xue Boning via eBird)
27 May 2019
A BLACK-WINGED KITE, Shahe Reservoir (CM). Plus 3 ASIAN KOEL, 6 BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE, 9 RICHARD’S PIPIT, 1 BLYTH’S PIPIT, 1 YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHER, 10 ARCTIC WARBLER, 2 TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLER, 3 DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHER and 1 COMMON ROSEFINCH.
26 May 2019
1 HIMALAYAN SWIFTLET, Shunyi Patch (TT). Seen very well for c2 minutes (1751-1753) as it hawked over trees and shrubs on the patch. The encounter coincided with an area of low cloud drifting over, the pressure dropped and it felt like rain. As soon as the heaviest cloud passed, I lost it to view behind some trees and couldn’t relocate it. Likely drifted north. The second record for Beijing.
1 PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA, Nanhaizi (Wang Libin via WeChat)
23 May 2019
1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER, Shahe (XiaoPT and Fishing Cat via eBird)
19 May 2019
2 PIN-TAILED SNIPE displaying before dawn at Ma Chang (PH). Plus 32 RELICT GULLS (all first summers)
1 CHINESE SPARROWHAWK, Shahe (CM). Plus 1 female WHITE-THROATED ROCK THRUSH, 2 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING, 1 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING, 3 LITTLE TERN, 19 GULL-BILLED TERN, 50+ RICHARD’S PIPIT, 6 + BLYTH’S PIPIT and 1 singing PALE-LEGGED LEAF WARBLER.
17 May 2019
1 NORTHERN HAWK CUCKOO heard pre-dawn, Badaling Forest Park (PH)
16 May 2019
1 PALE-LEGGED LEAF WARBLER, Xiaolongmen (XiaoPt et al)
15 May 2019
1 WHITE-THROATED ROCK THRUSH, Tsinghua University campus (via Birding Tsinghua WeChat group)
14 May 2019
1 male MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER, Shuangjing (AM)
1 SCHRENCK’S BITTERN, Peking University (Fishing Cat via eBird)
13 May 2019
A female SLATY-BLUE FLYCATCHER, Tsinghua University campus (BW). Astonishingly just 50m from the first Beijing record in 2015 found by the same observer.
A male HILL BLUE FLYCATCHER, Beijing Normal University campus (Xue Boning via eBird) of unknown origin. Apparently showed unusual feather wear, so possibly related to an escape/deliberate release.
11 May 2019
6 SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA, Shahe Reservoir (SB). Unknown origin.
10 May 2019
1 ASHY-THROATED WARBLER, Baihuashan (He Wenbo). An incredible record. Photographed well (see here)
1 TEREK SANDPIPER, Shahe Reservoir (CM). Plu 40+ WOOD SANDPIPER, 1 LONG-TOED STINT, 1 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 1 ‘SWINTAIL’ SNIPE, 2 AMUR FALCON, 2 PIED HARRIER, 30+ RICHARD’S PIPIT, 2 BLYTH’S PIPIT, 1 PECHORA PIPIT, 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, 1 INDIAN CUCKOO, 4 GULL-BILLED TERN and 4 CHINESE GROSBEAK.
8 May 2019
The PLAIN PRINIA still present. Plus a calling BIANCHI’S WARBLER (PH), remarkably another first record for Beijing.
1 DAURIAN STARLING, 1 YELLOW-BROWED BUNTING, 2 ASHY MINIVET, 1 PECHORA PIPIT and 1 BLYTH’S PIPIT, Wenyu River (SB)
7 May 2019
A PLAIN PRINIA along the Wenyu River, found by Wenyu patch birder, Steve Bale. The first record for Beijing.
5 May 2019
1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, Tsinghua University (BW). Also 2 TRISTRAM’S BUNTINGS and ‘several’ CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLERS.
4 May 2019
1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER (third Beijing record), 1 LITTLE STINT (Beijing’s 8th record), 1 TEREK SANDPIPER, c25 LONG-TOED STINT, 1 EASTERN ROOK, 12 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE, Ma Chang (BW, RD)
1 BAILLON’S CRAKE, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 1 WRYNECK, 1 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 1 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL, 8 BLUETHROAT, 3 PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, 1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, 1 CHINESE PENDULINE TIT and c100 STEJNEGER’S STONECHAT (BW, RD)
1 PIED HARRIER, Yeyahu (Ariel via WeChat)
3 SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA of unknown origin, Shahe Reservoir (Anon via eBird)
3 May 2019
3 AMUR FALCONS, 4 DAURIAN STARLINGS and 3 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
1 WHITE’S THRUSH and 1 DAURIAN STARLING, Tsinghua University (BW)
1 WOODCOCK, 1 WHITE-THROATED ROCK THRUSH, 1 CHINESE THRUSH, Tsinghua University (东缘 dong yuan via WeChat)
30 April 2019
1 TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, 1 TAIGA BEAN GOOSE, 5 OSPREY, 2 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 1 EASTERN MARSH HARRIER, 1 LESSER KESTREL, 1 GULL-BILLED TERN, 1 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL, 7 LONG-TAILED MINIVET, 5 BLYTH’S PIPIT, Shisanling (CM)
28 April 2019
9 WHITE-NAPED CRANE, 8 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 4 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 1 LITTLE STINT, 7 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE, 2 GULL-BILLED TERN, 5 COMMON TERN, 21 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, 1 OSPREY, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 4 BLACK KITE, 1 ZITTING CISTICOLA, 1 BLUETHROAT, 1 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, 70 EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL, 30 CITRINE WAGTAIL, 20 RED-THROATED PIPIT, 40 BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT, Shahe Reservoir (XiaoPT et al via eBird)
4 HIMALAYAN (CHINESE TAWNY) OWL, Badaling Forest Park (PH). Plus 2 KOKLASS PHEASANT, 1 LONG-TAILED MINIVET, 1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 8 HUME’S WARBLER, 17 PALLAS’S WARBLER, 9 CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER, 2 JAPANESE WHITE-EYE, 2 WHITE’S THRUSH, 1 CHINESE THRUSH and 1 GREY-SIDED THRUSH (PH via eBird)
27 April 2019
The LITTLE STINT still at Shahe Reservoir (Fishing Cat and Zhen Niu). Plus 1 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR (first found by Qin Xiaowei & Wei Chunzhi, the 5th record for Beijing). Also 18 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 10 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 5 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, 1 OSPREY, 1 WRYNECK, 20 CHINESE PENDULINE TIT, 1 BLUETHROAT, 50 STEJNEGER’S STONECHAT and 30 RED-THROATED PIPIT.
1 male BAER’S POCHARD, Ma Chang. Plus 11 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 2 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 11 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE. 6 RELICT GULL, 1 OSPREY, 1 LESSER KESTREL, 1 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK, 2 RICHARD’S PIPIT, 1 BLYTH’S PIPIT (PH via eBird)
26 April 2019
1 NORTHERN WHEATEAR (female), Shahe Reservoir (CM). Very rare in Beijing. Certainly the first record since 1987 and possibly the first documented record for the capital. Another great find by Colm Moore. Also present 1 WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN, 13+ TEMMINCK’S STINT, 2 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 1 WRYNECK, 55+ CITRINE WAGTAIL, 1 ‘eastern alba’ WHITE WAGTAIL, 3 RICHARD’S PIPITS, 30+ RED-THROATED PIPITS, 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING.
1 LITTLE STINT, Shahe Reservoir (李孟璇，Li Mengxuan). The 7th Beijing record.
1 MEADOW PIPIT, Ma Chang (PH). The 11th record for Beijing.
25 April 2019
1 ASHY MINIVET, 8 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, 3 PALLAS’S WARBLER, 1 CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER, 1 RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL and 4 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, Tsinghua University (Richard Davis et al)
3 RED-CRESTED POCHARD, 2 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 1 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 1 COMMON SNIPE, 1 MARSH SANDPIPER, 1 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE, 1 EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL, 30 CITRINE WAGTAIL, 4 RED-THROATED PIPIT and 10 BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT (Jun Yang)
20 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, 10 PALLAS’S LEAF WARBLER, 1 TAIGA FLYCATCHER, 1 DUSKY THRUSH, 7 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, 1 LITTLE BUNTING and 2 TRISTRAM’S BUNTING, Olympic Forest Park (XiaoPT)
1 GREY-FACED BUZZARD and 1 BLACK STORK, Yunfengshan, Miyun (TT)
24 April 2019
4 MANDARIN, 1 YELLOW-BELLIED TIT and 1 RED-THROATED THRUSH, Agricultural Exhibition Center (Zhen Niu)
23 April 2019
1 GREAT BUSTARD, 1 PEREGRINE, 1 OSPREY, 2 CITRINE WAGTAIL, 1 EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL and 1 RED-THROATED PIPIT, Xiyu Reservoir (茶 茶丸, Cháchá wán)
22 April 2019
3 BROWN-CHEEKED RAIL, 4 OSPREY, 1 male PIED HARRIER, 4 EASTERN MARSH HARRIER (2 male, 2 female), 2 COMMON KINGFISHER, 12 BEARDED TIT, 4 CHINESE PENDULINE TIT, Yeyahu (TT)
21 April 2019
2 ORIENTAL STORK and 5 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, Shahe Reservoir (Bin Bin via eBird). Plus one GREY-FACED BUZZARD at the same site (Splan tky)
20 April 2019
1 BULL-HEADED SHRIKE, Yanhecheng (Chen Yanxin)
24 BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Yuanmingyuan (XiaoMin via Birding Tsinghua WeChat group et al)
3 BLACK-NECKED GREBE and 1 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, Nanhaizi (Anon via eBird)
1 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 1 OSPREY, 1 male PIED HARRIER, 3 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, Yeyahu (Zhen Niu)
130+ CITRINE WAGTAIL, Ma Chang. Plus 1 GREY PLOVER, 2 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 2 LONG-BILLED PLOVER, 10 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 12 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE, 5 COMMON TERN, 1 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, 2 OSPREY, 1 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK, 2 RED-THROATED PIPIT and 2 HAWFINCH (XiaoPT et al)
6 PACIFIC SWIFT and 1 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, Lingshan (TT)
17 April 2019
1 WRYNECK, Tsinghua University (Ben Wielstra). Also the first ORIENTAL SCOPS OWLS arriving and YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS passing through.
16 April 2019
1 YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHER, Chaoyang Park (Diana Zorrilla and Ricardo Lopez Z via eBird). An early record.
15 April 2019
1 singing SWINHOE’S RAIL, Ma Chang (TT). Heard singing from a small inaccessible island at about 50m distance between 1630 and 1700. No sign the next morning at dawn. Sound recorded.
1 female BAER’S POCHARD, Shahe (CM). Plus 6+ pairs of GARGANEY, 15 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 30+ SYKE’S (MONGOLIAN) SHORT-TOED LARK, 3 ‘eastern alba’ WHITE WAGTAILS with 40+ ocularis, 5 CITRINE WAGTAIL and 40+ BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT.
14 April 2019
15 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, Ma Chang (Yan Shen). Plus 10 BEWICK’S SWANS and 2 WHITE-NAPED CRANES.
2 WHITE-BACKED WOODPECKERS, Lingshan (TT)
13 April 2019
c30 GREY-FACED BUZZARDS seen passing Baiwangshan, the traditional migration watchpoint (Catherine Dong)
10 APRIL 2019
9 BEIJING SWIFTS (Common Swift ssp pekinensis), Baiwangshan (小隼仙人). Birds beginning to arrive at traditional breeding sites in the capital and seen at migration watchpoints.
9 April 2019
The DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Shahe Reservoir. Plus 13 RELICT GULLS (Chen Wenjia)
1 BEIJING SWIFT (Common Swift ssp pekinensis), Peking University (Yang Hua)
8 April 2019
1 DALMATIAN PELICAN, Shahe Reservoir (XiaoPT)
1 PALLAS’S GULL, Shahe Reservoir (茶 茶丸, Cháchá wán)
7 April 2019
A GREY BUSHCHAT photographed near Yeyayu (Tian Shu). Only the second Beijing record since 1987.
A PIED WHEATEAR, Ma Chang (DaHao via XiaoPT)
3 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, Ma Chang (Zhang Weimin, Zhang Xiaoling et al)
20+ RELICT GULLS, Shahe Reservoir (Li Mengxuan)
6 April 2019
5 BEWICK’S SWANS, 1 WHOOPER SWAN, 4 GARGANEY, 18 FALCATED DUCK, 3 RED-CRESTED POCHARD, 1 BROWN-CHEEKED RAIL, 3 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, 2 GREY-HEADED LAPWINGS, 6 PURPLE HERONS, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 1 BLACK KITE, 4 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 4 BEARDED TITS, Yeyahu (David Mansfield, Nick Green and TT)
8 BEWICK’S SWANS, 2 WHOOPER SWANS, 1 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, 1 SIBERIAN GULL, 5 MONGOLIAN GULLS, 15 COMMON STARLINGS, 17 HAWFINCHES, 1 MEADOW PIPIT (10th record in Beijing), 23 BUFF-BELLIED PIPITS, 8 WATER PIPITS, 44 WHITE WAGTAILS (1 ‘eastern alba‘, 4 baicalensis, 8 ocularis and 31 leucopsis).
1 EURASIAN CURLEW, 1 OSPREY, 3 CITRINE WAGTAILS and 4 ‘eastern alba‘ WHITE WAGTAILS, Ma Chang (XiaoPT, Splan tky and Zhang Shen via eBird)
5 April 2019
1 (headless) ORIENTAL PLOVER found dead at Ma Chang (Catherine Dong).
1 GREATER SAND PLOVER, Ma Chang. Plus 3 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, MERLIN, 2 HEN HARRIERS and 15 SYKE’S SHORT-TOED LARKS (David Mansfield, Nick Green and TT)
3 April 2019
At least 3 ‘eastern alba’ WHITE WAGTAILS, Shisanling (XiaoPT)
2 April 2019
At least 3 ‘eastern alba’ WHITE WAGTAILS, Shahe (DaHao and Niu Zhen)
1 April 2019
1 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR, Ma Chang (Lou Fangzhou). The fourth record of this species for Beijing. Plus ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK.
The first BEIJING SWIFT (Common Swift ssp pekinensis) of the Spring was seen at the TongHuiHe (岳小鸮, Yuè xiǎo xiāo)
31 March 2019
1 NORTHERN GREAT TIT (Parus major), Wenyu River (SB).
An incredible record. Steve comments as follows:
“Following a flat tyre, I was pushing my bike along the road that runs parallel with the Wenyu river, just to the north of the private road to the Beijing Lafayette Hotel. About 400 yards past the entrance, I heard a loud and familiar “tea-cher” call (familiar, that is, when in the UK). I quickly located the bird and was delighted to see that it was what I thought it might be – a Great Tit. In the minute or so that it was in view, I noted the following: Rich yellow underparts with wide ‘central’ black band, extending from extensive black throat to the under tail coverts. Black cap, white cheeks, bordered by black necklace continuing to throat and upper breast. Prominent white-bar on greater coverts, contrasted with green mantle.
I waited in the area for 30 minutes or so, but no further sign of the bird after the initial sighting.”
1 ‘alba’ WHITE WAGTAIL, Shahe Reservoir (Lou Fangzhou).
2 ORIENTAL PLOVER, Ma Chang (TT, Xing Chao and James Phillips)
3 WHITE-NAPED CRANE, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 1 OSPREY and 1 PEREGRINE, Yeyahu (TT, Xing Chao and James Phillips)
30 March 2019
1 LESSER KESTREL, Guanting Reservoir, Hebei (XiaoPT and Niu Zhen). Plus an early CITRINE WAGTAIL at Ma Chang.
28 March 2019
1 pale morph BOOTED EAGLE, Baiwangshan (Lou Fangzhou).
4 NORTHERN LAPWINGS, 5 GREY-HEADED LAPWINGS, 3 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, 80 RELICT GULLS, 200 MONGOLIAN GULLS and 100 WHITE WAGTAILS, Shahe (Catherine Dong via eBird)
27 March 2019
2 BLACK KITES, 84 EASTERN BUZZARDS, 350 DAURIAN JACKDAWS, 1 EURASIAN CRAG MARTIN and 1 early TAIGA FLYCATCHER, Baiwangshan (Chen Wenjia via eBird)
25 March 2019
A minimum of 3 BAER’S POCHARDS at Yeyahu today (Lou Fangzhou).
24 March 2019
1 colour-ringed WHITE-NAPED CRANE, Yeyahu. First banded as a juvenile in August 2017 at Barkhlin Tsagaan Lake, near Khurkh, Mongolia (TT). Plus 1 PURPLE HERON, 1 3cy+ male EASTERN MARSH HARRIER
23 March 2019
Belated news of a male WHITE-THROATED REDSTART in the Botanical Gardens on 24 February ( 将文跃 Jiang Wenyue).
2 ORIENTAL STORKS and 1 PALLAS’S GULL, Shahe (Zhu Haoqiang via eBird)
1 male BAER’S POCHARD and 1 male GREATER SCAUP, Huairou Reservoir (TT). Plus 3cy+ female EASTERN MARSH HARRIER and 23 BARN SWALLOWS.
22 March 2019
2 ORIENTAL STORKS, 5 EURASIAN SPOONBILLS and 1 PALLAS’S GULL, Shahe Reservoir (Lou Fangzhou)
21 March 2019
1 imm WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 3 BLACK STORKS, Miyun Reservoir (SB, TT)
18 March 2019
5 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, 2 ORIENTAL STORKS, 1 MERLIN (male), 2 PALLAS’S GULLS, 4 SIBERIAN GULLS (1 2cy, 2 3cy and 1 adult), 2 COMMON GULLS and 10 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, Shahe Reservoir (CM).
Photos: (top) adult PALLAS’S GULL; (middle) 2cy SIBERIAN GULL; (bottom) two ORIENTAL STORKS. All by Colm Moore.
16 March 2019
2 ORIENTAL STORKS at Shahe Reservoir (Catherine Dong)
14 March 2019
2 PALLAS’S GULLS, a remarkable 745+ MONGOLIAN GULLS, 1 ORIENTAL WHITE STORK and a large eagle sp (probably GREATER SPOTTED) at Shahe Reservoir (XiaoPT, Song Jian and Niu Zhen)
13 March 2019
3 PALLAS’S GULLS, 1 ORIENTAL STORK, 1 TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, 1 TAIGA BEAN GOOSE middendorffi, 1 SWAN GOOSE and 1 EURASIAN CURLEW, Shahe Reservoir (娄方州 Lou Fangzhou et al)
11 March 2019
2 BLACK STORK, 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 9 WATER PIPIT, 1 LAPLAND BUNTING, 200+ EURASIAN SKYLARK, 10 SWAN GOOSE, 75+ TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, 4 COMMON CRANE, 4 SIBERIAN GULL (3 ads. and one 1st winter), 1 PALLAS’S GULL (1st winter) and 2 LONG-BILLED PLOVER, Shisanling (CM)
10 March 2019
The ORIENTAL STORK still at Shahe Reservoir (Steve Bale). Closest to northern shore but can be viewed from the southern shore.
9 March 2019
1 ORIENTAL STORK at Shahe Reservoir (Zhu Haoqiang).
8 March 2019
1 BAR-HEADED GOOSE, Shahe Reservoir (Bill Bu)
7 March 2019
1 BAR-HEADED GOOSE, Nanhaizi (Zhong Zhenyu). Plus the long-staying ORIENTAL STORK
At least 310 MONGOLIAN GULLS, Shahe Reservoir (XiaoPT)
One 3rd-winter (4cy) SIBERIAN GULL (taimyrensis), Shahe Reservoir (XiaoPT)
3 March 2019
An early EURASIAN SPOONBILL at Yizhuang Wetland (XiaoPT, Fishing Cat via eBird) Plus a single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE.
2 March 2019
A Beijing record 19 MUTE SWANS at Nanhaizi (Da He via eBird)
1 March 2019
1 BAR-HEADED GOOSE, Chongqing Reservoir (XiaoPT, Fishing Cat via eBird)
2 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (immatures), 3 LONG-BILLED PLOVER, 120+ MONGOLIAN GULL, 1 SIBERIAN GULL (adult), 4 FALCATED DUCK, 4 CHINESE NUTHATCH, 18+ WATER PIPIT, 1 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, 4 MEADOW BUNTING, 50+ PINE BUNTING, 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING, Shisanling (CM)
25 February 2019
2 WHITE-THROATED REDSTARTS (a male and a female), Lingshan (BW, SB, TT). Plus 20+ WHITE-WINGED REDSTARTS, 60+ RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 6+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 4+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES.
24 February 2019
3 WHOOPER SWANS, 38 TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, 4 WHITE-TAILED EAGLES (two adult-types and two immatures), 60+ MONGOLIAN GULLS, 1 SIBERIAN GULL (adult), 6+ WATER PIPIT, 60+ PINE BUNTINGS, Shisanling (CM)
4 WHOOPER SWAN, 232 COMMON MERGANSER, 26 SMEW, 26 GOLDENEYE, 130 MALLARD, 18 CHINESE SPOT-BILLED DUCK, 2 GADWALL, 2 PINTAIL, 9 FALCATED DUCK, 19 TUFTED DUCK, 21 COMMON POCHARD, 120 COOT and 1 PEREGRINE, Huairou (TT)
23 February 2019
1 immature MUTE SWAN, Taishitun (XiaoPt via eBird).
1 PALE THRUSH, Olympic Forest Park Southern Section (大牙齿 458 via eBird). Presumably the long-staying individual.
20 February 2019
1 COMMON SANDPIPER, Wenyu Rover (Steve Bale). A rare winter record.
15 February 2019
The MEADOW PIPIT still at Shidu (Zang Shaoping).
At least 2 ROOKS at Nanhaizi (per WeChat). Scarce in winter.
12 February 2019
100+ ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, Lingshan (Li Peimeng via eBird)
11 February 2019
At least 150 ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, Lingshan (DaHao)
10 February 2019
An incredible 3 WHITE-THROATED REDSTARTS (2 male, 1 female) at Lingshan (DaHao). All in the newly-discovered area of sea buckthorn.
The male BAIKAL TEAL still in the southern section of the Olympic Forest Park, just inside the gate on a patch of ice-free water, associating with the local MALLARDS.
The wintering GREAT BITTERN also still in the Olympic Forest Park (south section).
8 February 2019
1 male WHITE-THROATED REDSTART, Lingshan (Beijing side). First seen around 1430 in an area not previously visited by the finder with many sea buckthorn bushes laden with berries. The bird was loosely associating with 20+ WHITE-WINGED REDSTARTS. Remarkably this is the third sighting of this species in the mountains around Beijing this winter. The first was of a male on 14 November 2018 at Lingshan, just over the border in Hebei (Terry Townshend and Steve Bale), and the second, also a male, was on 5 December 2018 at Miaofengshan (Colm Moore), so this is the third overall and the second sighting within the boundary of Beijing Municipality (TT, XiaoPT, DaHao).
6 February 2019
1 female YELLOWHAMMER with a flock of 150+ PINE BUNTINGS, Yanqing (TT, ML). The 13th record of this species in Beijing. Photo by ML.
4 February 2019
210 RUSTIC BUNTINGS, Tongzhou (PH via eBird). A record Beijing count.
3 February 2019
The MEADOW PIPIT still at Shidu at bridge 6 (Qian Cheng via eBird)
1 February 2019
The EUROPEAN ROBIN still in the grounds of the Beijing Zoo (Li Peimeng via eBird)
1 NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE, Lingshan (Vincent Wang via eBird)
1 RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER still in Chaoyang Park (Cheng Qian via eBird)
28 January 2019
A spectacular 510+ COMMON MERGANSERS at Shisanling (CM). Also 10+ SMEW, 1 TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, 3 WHITE-TAILED EAGLES, 5 CHINESE NUTHATCHES, 3 COAL TITS, 8 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, 1 HAWFINCH and 30+ PINE BUNTINGS.
1 SWAN GOOSE, Wenyu River (SB via eBird). Also 1 EURASIAN WIGEON (the first winter record for the site), 1 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 16 SMEW, 1 EURASIAN COOT (only the 6th record for the site) and 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER.
27 January 2019
The MEADOW PIPIT remains at Shidu. Plus 1 WALLCREEPER, 2 BROWN DIPPERS and 2 BLACK STORKS (Steve Bale and David Mansfield)
The drake BAIKAL TEAL still in the southern section of the Olympic Forest Park (Zhu Haoqiang)
26 January 2019
The EURASIAN ROBIN still in the grounds of the Beijing Zoo (Zhang Shen et al)
26 ALPINE ACCENTORS, 4 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS and 2 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, Lingshan (XiaoPT and DaHao via eBird)
24 January 2019
The GREY-BACKED THRUSH still at Tsinghua University (BW).
A drake BAIKAL TEAL continues to show well in the southern section of the Olympic Forest Park.
22 January 2019
The RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER still at Chaoyang Park (Jun Yang via eBird)
Two immature MUTE SWANS, Shang Jinshan (SB)
A single NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE, 6 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES and 2 ALPINE ACCENTORS, G234 between Yunmengshan and Miyun (TT)
21 January 2019
1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 6 ALPINE ACCENTOR, 20+ SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 6 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES (including at least one lepidus), 8 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 60+ ORIENTAL GREENFINCHES and 80+ BRAMBLINGS, Miaofengshan (CM).
1 MEADOW PIPIT still at Shidu (TT, JM). Also 2 WHOOPER SWANS, 10 MANDARIN, 2 JAPANESE QUAIL, 4 BLACK STORKS, 2 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER, 1 WALLCREEPER, 2 BROWN DIPPERS (nest-building), 2 WATER PIPITS and 16 MEADOW BUNTINGS.
15 January 2019
The EUROPEAN ROBIN and BLACK-THROATED TIT still in the grounds of the Beijing Zoo and the RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER still in Chaoyang Park (BW).
14 January 2019
3 SWAN GEESE, 60+ RUDDY SHELDUCK, 315 COMMON MERGANSER, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 2 EURASIAN SPARROWHAWKS, 2 PEREGRINE, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 4 PALLAS’S BUNTING, 11+ RUSTIC BUNTING and 111+ PINE BUNTING, Shahe (CM)
12 January 2019
2 female CHAFFINCHES, Xiaqingshuicun (J-EN). Plus MERLIN, 4 BEIJING BABBLERS, 3 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS and 12 MEADOW BUNTINGS.
2 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 14 GULDENSTADT’S (WHITE-WINGED) REDSTARTS (12m, 2f), 6 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 1 BLACK-THROATED THRUSH, 5 WILLOW TITS, 12 SILVER-THROATED TITS, 8 BEIJING BABBLERS, 3 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 3 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 7 GODLEWSKI’S BUNTINGS and 8 MEADOW BUNTINGS, Lingshan (J-EN)
11 January 2019
The EUROPEAN ROBIN remains in the grounds of the Beijing Zoo. Also 4 COLLARED FINCHBILLS and 1 BLACK-THROATED TIT (of unknown origin).
9 January 2019
The EUROPEAN ROBIN still present in the grounds of Beijing Zoo. Possibly present for several weeks.
1 BLACK-THROATED TIT, Beijing Zoo (Chen Wenjia)
8 January 2019
The capital’s 3rd EUROPEAN ROBIN in the grounds of Beijing Zoo today (via XiaoPT).
6 January 2019
1 JAPANESE GROSBEAK, Tsinghua University (Zhen Niu).
1 BAR-HEADED GOOSE and an unseasonal ‘SWINTAIL SNIPE’, Dashihe (XiaoPT, Luo Qingqing and Lou Fangzhou).
1 RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER, Chaoyang Park (Zhen Niu). Presumably the bird from the Temple of Heaven relocating.
5 January 2019
1 MEADOW PIPIT, Shidu (Niao Pan). The bird first discovered on 30 December remains into 2019.
***A summary of the rare and scarce birds in Beijing in 2018 can be found here. Thank you to everyone who has submitted sightings, whether via eBird, WeChat, email or other means.***
30 December 2018
A MEADOW PIPIT was photographed at Shidu. The 9th record of this species in Beijing (via XiaoPT).
24 December 2018
7 WHOOPER SWANS, 85+ RUDDY SHELDUCK, 1 juv PEREGRINE, 1 SAKER, 600+ DAURIAN JACKDAWS, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 2 CHINESE GROSBEAKS, 18+ RUSTIC BUNTINGS and 30+ PALLAS’S BUNTINGS.
22 December 2018
1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, Peking University (Xing Chao et al)
19 December 2018
The REDWING still present at Tsinghua University campus (Beijing Feiyu).
18 December 2018
The REDWING still showing well at Tsinghua University campus (regularly coming down to drink)
16 December 2018
The REDWING still being seen on and off at Tsinghua University campus but few people looking. Also 1 PALE THRUSH in the Olympic Forest Park in the western part of the southern section (per WeChat).
15 December 2018
3 ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, Lingshan (J-EN). Also 5 GULDENSTADT’S (WHITE-WINGED) REDSTARTS and 9 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES.
12 December 2018
1 DEMOISELLE CRANE, Ma Chang (Tong Menxiu)
8 December 2018
One 1cy MUTE SWAN, Miyun Reservoir (XiaoPT et al)
6 December 2018
The REDWING and GREY-BACKED THRUSH still present at Tsinghua University campus (BW)
5 December 2018
REDWING, Tsinghua University campus (found by Steve Bale). The second record of this species in Beijing. Plus a male GREY-BACKED THRUSH.
30 November 2018
1 male WHITE-THROATED REDSTART, Miaofengshan (CM). The second record of the winter of this species in the mountains around Beijing and, given the Lingshan bird was 250m over the border in Hebei Province, this is the first Beijing record. Also 35+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES and 4+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES.
1 male GREY-BACKED THRUSH, Tsinghua University campus (Bu Xinchen via WeChat)
27 November 2018
1 1cy BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, Huairou Reservoir (SB). Plus 8 WHOOPER SWANS, 15 GADWALL, 30 COMMON POCHARD, 16 TUFTED DUCK, 30 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 1 SMEW, 120 COMMON MERGANSER, 1 COMMON GULL and 2 GREAT BITTERNS.
The 1cy female LONG-TAILED DUCK found dead at Peking University (per XiaoPT)
24 November 2018
The RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER still in Temple of Heaven Park (Chen Wenjia via eBird) and the LONG-TAILED DUCK still at Peking University (Wang Yishan via eBird).
21 November 2018
1 NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE, Lingshan (TT, SB, XiaoPT, TB). Plus 4 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 3 SPOTTED NUTCRACKERS, 5 WHITE-WINGED REDSTARTS (2m, 3f), 15 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 4 NAUMANN’S THRUSHES and 1 DUSKY x NAUMANN’S intergrade, 16 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, 2 HAWFINCHES and 5 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES.
20 November 2018
3 BAER’S POCHARDS, Huairou Reservoir (SB). Plus 4 WHOOPER SWANS, 1 MANDARIN, 8 FALCATED DUCK, 150 COMMON POCHARD, 7 FERRUGINOUS DUCK, 25 TUFTED DUCK, 30 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 10 SMEW, 20 COMMON MERGANSER, 1 HORNED GREBE, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 1 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 4 BRAMBLING, 8 YELLOW-THROATED BUNTINGS, 20 PALLAS’S REED BUNTINGS and 3 LITTLE BUNTINGS.
19 November 2018
1 RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER, Temple of Heaven Park (Zhang XiaoLing via WeChat). Also present on 18th. Possibly only the 6th record for the capital. Photos by Zhang XiaoLing.
1 first calendar year BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, Shahe (CM). Plus 1 juvenile WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, 1 WATER PIPIT, 1 PINE BUNTING, 2 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS and 2 LAPLAND BUNTINGS.
18 November 2018
4 PALLAS’S WARBLER with mixed tit flock, 1 NAUMANN’S THRUSH and c10 BRAMBLINGS, Olympic Forest Park (Jason Chapman and Nir Sapir)
17 November 2018
1 late COMMON ROSEFINCH, Olympic Forest Park (“Kevin STC” via WeChat)
14 November 2018
1 male WHITE-THROATED REDSTART, Lingshan (TT, SB). This bird was found in the Hebei Province part of Lingshan, just 250m from the border with Beijing. With one historical record from a park in coastal Hebei (PH via WeChat), this is only the second record for eastern China and >1,000km from its usual range.
1 possible HAZEL GROUSE, Lingshan (TT, SB). A single bird – the size of a partridge and with a short tail – flushed from birch forest in the Beijing part of Lingshan, it was seen in silhouette and heard calling once when flushed.
Note: The area of this sighting has been searched subsequently several times (TT) with no sign and there are no other modern records of this species in Beijing, so the observers believe the bird seen must have been a partridge or a young Koklass Pheasant and NOT a Hazel Grouse.
11 November 2018
1 WALLCREEPER, Shunyi (TT). The first Beijing record away from the mountains.
10 November 2018
1 CHIFFCHAFF, Yeyahu (Lou Fangzhou via WeChat). The 3rd or 4th record for Beijing.
9 November 2018
5 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 1 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH (ssp lepidus), 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 3 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 2 NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 20+ SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 10+ YELLOW-THROATED BUNTINGS, 2 HAWFINCHES and 15+ WILLOW TITS, Miaofengshan (CM)
7 November 2018
21 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Yuanmingyuan (娄方洲 via WeChat)
5 November 2018
1 HORNED GREBE, Shahe (CM). Plus 5 BEWICK’S and 3 WHOOPER SWANS (flew west), 2 BLACK-NECKED GREBES, 1 GREAT BUSTARD, 8 REED PARTROTBILLS, 1 BEARDED REEDLING, 22 COMMON STARLINGS, 1 COMMON ROSEFINCH, 15+ HAWFINCHES, 14 LAPLAND BUNTINGS, 5 PINE BUNTINGS and 2 COMMON REED BUNTINGS.
3 BAER’S POCHARDS (2m, 1 f), Yeyahu (TT et al). Plus 6 GREATER SCAUP, 1 1cy STEPPE EAGLE, 1 SAKER, 1 BLACK-WINGED KITE.
At Ma Chang, 23 WHOOPER SWANS, 813 GADWALL, 1 MANDARIN, 1 LITTLE EGRET and 1 WATER PIPIT.
3 November 2018
1 first calendar-year BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, Summer Palace. Plus the long-staying BLACK-THROATED DIVER still present (Zhang Jingkang).
2 WHITE-WINGED REDSTARTS, Miaofengshan (CM). Plus 5+ CHINESE NUTHATCHES, 50+ NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 1 DUSKY THRUSH, 1 CHINESE TAWNY OWL, 1 COAL TIT, 14+ SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 10 MEADOW BUNTINGS, 22+ YELLOW-THROATED BUNTINGS and 8+ PINE BUNTINGS.
2 November 2018
1 BEARDED REEDLING (flyover), 45 SILVER-THROATED TITS, 25 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 35 DUSKY or NAUMANN’S THRUSHES (just three confirmed Naumann’s, no confirmed pure Dusky and two apparent intergrades), 3 WHITE-WINGED REDSTARTS, 9 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 25 HAWFINCHES, 3 JAPANESE GROSBEAKS, 1 COMMON ROSEFINCH, 8 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES and 2 lepidus LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES, Lingshan (PH).
1 November 2018
1 HORNED GREBE, 1 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 3 DUSKY THRUSHES at Shahe Reservoir (William Jones, Jenny Dunn, Lisa Barrow and Emma Young)
31 October 2018
7 GREATER SCAUP, Yeyahu (PH)
30 October 2018
1 EAGLE OWL, 1 NUTCRACKER, 5 COLLARED FINCHBILLS and 20 HAWFINCH, Botanical Gardens (William Jones and Jenny Dunn)
29 October 2018
A whopping 136+ BEARDED REEDLINGS at Shahe (CM). Plus 31 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 6 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 2 GREAT BUSTARDS, 1 HEN HARRIER (ringtail), 1 PEREGRINE, 6+ REED PARROTBILLS, 1 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK, 19+ LAPLAND BUNTINGS and 1 COMMON REED BUNTING.
26 October 2018
1 PEREGRINE, 2 SAKERS, 320+ BRAMBLING, 2 PINE BUNTINGS, 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING and 70+ LAPLAND BUNTINGS, Shisanling (CM)
The BLACK-THROATED DIVER still at the Summer Palace (SB)
23 October 2018
1 WHITE-WINGED REDSTART, Shahe (local photographers via XiaoPT). Plus a juvenile MUTE SWAN (flyover).
The BLACK-THROATED DIVER still present at Summer Palace.
TIANIJIN: An extraordinary record of a WHITE-HEADED DUCK at Beidagang (PH and Mo Xunqiang)
21 October 2018
1 CHINESE THRUSH and 2 GREY-BACKED THRUSHES, Temple of Heaven Park (Geng Lin via eBird)
19 October 2018
1 BLACK-THROATED DIVER, Summer Palace (Denis Corbeil via eBird)
11 October 2018
c15 LONG-TAILED TITS (caudatus), Wenyu River (SB). Very rare in Beijing with perhaps fewer than 5 records.
8 October 2018
A MARSH GRASSBIRD at Shahe (XiaoPT et al).
Also 28+ CHINESE PENDULINE TITS, 2-4 BEARDED TITS, 1 REED PARROTBILL (now recorded at eight sites: Olympic Forest Park, Wanping Lake, Niukouyu Reservoir, Dashihe, Yuanmingyuan, Shahe, Yizhuang wetland and the Summer Palace), 1 juvenile PALLAS’S GULL, 2 COMMON GULLS (first winter), 1 PEREGRINE, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 950+ DAURIAN JACKDAWS and 2 AMUR FALCONS (CM)
3 October 2018
3 BAER’S POCHARDS, Yeyahu (TT, PH, BW). All males. Plus 1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE. 1 SAKER, 1 PEREGRINE and 1 MERLIN at Ma Chang.
Late news of a BLACK-WINGED CUCKOOSHRIKE in the Olympic Forest Park in ‘early September’ (XiaoPT via PH)
1 October 2018
1 SHORT-EARED OWL (first site record), 1 BEAN GOOSE, 1 dark juvenile ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD overhead and 1 LANCEOLATED WARBLER, Shunyi Patch (TT).
29 September 2018
1 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING, Wenyu River (SB)
26 September 2018
1 MARSH GRASSBIRD, Shahe (XiaoPT et al)
24 September 2018
1 BOOTED EAGLE (dark), Shahe Reservoir (CM). Also 2 INTERMEDIATE EGRETS, 6 AMUR FALCONS (juveniles), 2 HOBBY, 1 HEN HARRIER, 1 COMMON TERN (minnussensis), 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 6 LANCEOLATED WARBLERS, 6 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS, 6 BLUETHROATS, 1 RED-BILLED STARLING, 14 RICHARD’S PIPITS, 6 RED-THROATED PIPITS, 1 BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT, 1 PECHORA PIPIT, 70+ PALLAS’S REED BUNTINGS, 45+ LITTLE BUNTINGS and 1 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING.
22 September 2018
1 LITTLE GULL (adult), Ma Chang (PH and XiaoPT)
19 September 2018
2 GREATER PAINTED SNIPE and 1 first-winter RELICT GULL, Ma Chang (PH). Also, a first-winter BULL-HEADED SHRIKE and 175 AMUR FALCONS close to the entrance to Ma Chang, 82 BLACK KITES, 2 CHINESE LEAF WARBLERS, 11 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS and 10 LANCEOLATED WARBLERS.
15 September 2018
1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, 282 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS, 7 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWKS, 1 EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK, 1 CHINESE SPARROWHAWK, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 1 PIED HARRIER, 23 FALCATED DUCK, 2 BAIKAL TEAL, 2 THICK-BILLED WARBLERS, 8 BROWN SHRIKES, 3 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, 1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, 1 BLUETHROAT, 1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, 5 BLYTH’S PIPITS and 25+ RICHARD’S PIPITS, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
1 JAPANESE QUAIL, 3 ‘SWINTAIL’ and 8 COMMON SNIPE, 1 WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN, 1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 1 BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE, 1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, 2 FOREST WAGTAILS and 5 EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAILS, Shunyi Patch (TT)
14 September 2018
A bit of a red-letter day at Yeyahu Wetland for Paul Holt. Beijing firsts in the form of a WOOD WARBLER and a HIMALAYAN SWIFTLET plus a calling SWINHOE’S RAIL, all within an hour! (PH)
1 WHITE’S THRUSH, Tsinghua University (BW)
13 September 2018
9 COMMON SNIPE, 3 ‘SWINTAIL’ SNIPE, including one presumed SWINHOE’S SNIPE (spread tail seen well on landing), 3 INTERMEDIATE EGRETS, 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, 2 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, 1 HOBBY, 5 BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLERS, 3 ORIENTAL REED WARBLERS, 4 LANCEOLATED WARBLERS, 1 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN, 5 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS, 1 DAURIAN REDSTART, 3 EYEBROWED THRUSHES, 2 CHINESE BLACKBIRDS, 1 PECHORA PIPIT and 5 BLACK-FACED BUNTINGS, Shunyi Patch (TT, BW)
12 September 2018
2 INTERMEDIATE EGRETS, 1 YELLOW BITTERN, 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, 2 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, 1 BLUETHROAT, 6 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS, 1 PECHORA PIPIT and 1 RICHARD’S PIPIT on the Shunyi Patch (TT)
1 juv PALLAS’S GULL, 12 CASPIAN TERNS, 27 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS, Ma Chang (PH).
2 BAER’S POCHARDS, Yeyahu (PH)
50+ JAPANESE WHITE-EYES, Badaling Forest Park (PH)
24 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, 12 GREEN SANDPIPERS, 1 WOOD SANDPIPER, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, 2 GREAT CORMORANTS, 2 COMMON SNIPE, 1 EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL, 3 CHINESE BLACKBIRDS, 1 RADDE’S WARBLER, 1 BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLER, 1 BLACK-FACED BUNTING and 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, Wenyu River (SB)
11 September 2018
1 PIN-TAILED SNIPE, Tsinghua University (via XiaoPT on WeChat). Showed down to a few metres and the full tail seen. An unusual opportunity to positively identify one of the many “Swintail” Snipe seen in the capital in Spring and Autumn.
10 September 2018
2 CHINESE NUTHATCHES, Shahe (first site record). Plus 2 INTERMEDIATE EGRETS, 2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, 1 FOREST WAGTAIL, 1 BLYTH’S PIPIT, 2 RED-THROATED PIPITS, 4 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS, 1 juv EASTERN MARSH HARRIER, 3 juv PIED HARRIERS and 1 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK (CM)
1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, 1 BROWN SHRIKE, 1 BLUETHROAT, 1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, 10 DUSKY WARBLERS, 1 LANCEOLATED WARBLER, 1 THICK-BILLED WARBLER and 3 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, Shunyi Patch (TT)
8 September 2018
Single SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS reported from Olympic Forest Park, Tsinghua University and Shuangjing today (per WeChat).
2 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS, 8 DUSKY WARBLERS, 9 STONECHATS, 5 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 2 OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS, 2 WOOD SANDPIPERS, 5 GREAT WHITE EGRETS, Wenyu River (Xavier Rufray)
7 September 2018
3 CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLERS, Tsinghua University Campus (BW)
217 FALCATED DUCK, 9 BAIKAL TEAL, 7 RED-CRESTED POCHARD, 3 BAER’S POCHARD, 40 FERRUGINOUS DUCK, 3 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 1 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 2 PIED HARRIERS, 1 GULL-BILLED TERN, 1 SAKER, 1 BULL-HEADED SHRIKE, 1 WHITE’S THRUSH and 1 CHESTNUT BUNTING, Ma Chang/Yeyahu/Badaling Forest Park (PH, RD et al)
5 September 2018
1 BAND-BELLIED CRAKE on the Shunyi Patch this evening. Plus 5 INTERMEDIATE EGRETS and 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER (TT)
4 September 2018
1 JAPANESE QUAIL, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 2 GREAT EGRETS, 1 ‘Swintail’ SNIPE, 1 HOBBY, 5 BROWN SHRIKES, 3 BLACK DRONGOS, 1 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, 1 RADDE’S WARBLER, 6 DUSKY WARBLERS, 1 THICK-BILLED WARBLER, 2 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS, 1 LANCEOLATED WARBLER, 2 ZITTING CISTICOLAS, 5 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 6 STONECHATS, 3 OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS, 1 COMMON ROSEFINCH and 2 LITTLE BUNTINGS, Shunyi Patch (TT)
3 September 2018
3 BAER’S POCHARDS, Yeyahu (Jenny Fang and Zhen Niu via eBird).
25 August 2018
1 PIED KINGFISHER, Miyun Reservoir (no public access). Plus 15 ASIAN HOUSE MARTINS (XiaoPT and Splantky via eBird)
19 August 2018
3 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS, Shunyi (TT).
17 August 2018
31 BLACK-HEADED GULLS (a site record), Wenyu River (SB). Also 2 WOOD SANDPIPERS, 3 COMMON SANDPIPERS, 2 GREEN SANDPIPERS, 1 “Swintail” SNIPE, 2 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, 10 CHINESE POND HERONS, 2 YELLOW BITTERNS, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 2 BROWN SHRIKES (1 ad, 1 juv), 1 BROWN FLYCATCHER (juv), 1 BLACK DRONGO and 1 HOOPOE.
2+ CHUKARS, 11+ NORTHERN HOBBY, 5 SPOTTED NUTCRACKERS, 12+ CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLERS (some still singing), 10+ YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLERS, 4+ CHINESE LEAF WARBLERS, 4+ MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLERS, 10+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 1 YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHER, 5+ GREY-STREAKED FLYCATCHERS and 1 RUSSET SPARROW, Miaofengshan (CM, ZQ)
12 August 2018
1 juvenile FAR EASTERN CURLEW, 1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET and 1 PEREGRINE, Ma Chang (CM)
14 July 2018
1 BROWNISH-FLANKED BUSH WARBLER, YuDuShan (Splantky via eBird)
30 June 2018
Two GOLDEN EAGLES, at least 4 PACIFIC SWIFTS, 5 EURASIAN CRAG MARTINS and at least 5 BLUE ROCK THRUSHES, Youzhou Valley, Mentougou (TT and the Chevening Scholars/British Embassy).
28 June 2018
2 male and 2 female ASIAN KOELS, at least 5 INTERMEDIATE EGRETS (a record count for Beijing?), 2 male, 2 female plus one 1st summer AMUR FALCON, 1 PEREGRINE, 1 SAKER (unusual summer record), 3 HIMALAYAN CUCKOOS and 3 INDIAN CUCKOOS, Shisanling (CM).
24 June 2018
4 SWINHOE’S (BROWN-RUMPED) MINIVETS, Gubeikou (XiaoPT, Zhao Min and Splantky via eBird)
23 June 2018
1 SWINHOE’S (BROWN-RUMPED) MINIVET, Gubeikou (Jenny Fang via eBird).
20 June 2018
1 BAER’S POCHARD, Yeyahu (Beijing Feiyu). Plus a GREY-HEADED LAPWING and a EURASIAN CURLEW.
An unseasonal male SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, Olympic Forest Park (Bia Bia via eBird).
17 June 2018
INNER MONGOLIA: at least 4 SWINHOE’S RAILS calling at a single site near Wuerqihan (TT, ML, SA and DW). Photo by Steven An.
12 June 2018
Belated news of a CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO in the Botanical Gardens on 2 June (Li Tian via XiaoPT)
10 June 2018
DOLLARBIRD, Botanical Gardens (JD-C). Plus ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL.
***1 BROWNISH-FLANKED BUSH WARBLER*** (third consecutive summer at this site), Baihuashan (J-EN). Plus KOKLASS PHEASANT, 14 LARGE HAWK CUCKOOS, 5 HIMALAYAN CUCKOOS, 3 LONG-TAILED MINIVETS, 9 CHINESE SONG THRUSHES, 1 WHITE-BELLIED REDSTART, 2 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHERS, 31 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBINS, 96 CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLERS, 7 EASTERN CROWNED WARBLERS, 43 CHINESE LEAF WARBLERS, 27 HUME’S LEAF WARBLERS, 31 YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLERS, 6 ASIAN STUBTAILS, 11 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES and 9 GODLEWSKI’S BUNTINGS.
8 June 2018
1 WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN singing in the Olympic Forest Park in the evening. Plus RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE (TT).
7 June 2018
1 SLATY-BREASTED RAIL, Olympic Forest Park (Lou Fangzhou). Possibly only the third Beijing record.
3 June 2018
1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, Yeyahu (TT)
2 June 2018
1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 2 SAKER, 1 HOBBY, 14 RED-BILLED CHOUGH, 4 PACIFIC SWIFTS, at least 7 LARGE HAWK CUCKOOS, 6 HIMALAYAN CUCKOOS, 4 GREY NIGHTJARS, 2 CHINESE TAWNY OWLS, 5 LONG-TAILED MINIVETS, 4 GREY-SIDED THRUSHES, 7 CHINESE THRUSHES, 12 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBINS, 1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 1 CHINESE BUSH WARBLER, 5 WHITE-BELLIED REDSTARTS, 2 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHERS, 4 YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHERS, 8 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES and 6 RUSSET SPARROWS, Lingshan (TT)
31 May 2018
A singing CHINESE BUSH WARBLER on the Shunyi Patch this morning (TT). Singing constantly from 0430-0500 but only intermittently after that.
27 May 2018
2 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWLS, Botanical Gardens (Niao Pan via eBird)
25 May 2018
1 (singing) PALE-LEGGED LEAF WARBLER, Xinglong Park (J-EN).
1 PIED HARRIER, Yeyahu. Plus AMUR FALCON (Austin Gaertner).
23 May 2018
3 BAIKAL BUSH WARBLERS, Peking University (Chen Xi’er)
22 May 2018
1 SLATY-BACKED FLYCATCHER, Peking University. Possibly the first record for lowland Beijing. Plus 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, 1 RUFOUS-TAILED ROBIN, 2 DAURIAN STARLINGS and 2 BAIKAL BUSH WARBLERS (Chen Xi’er et al)
20 May 2018
5 SWINHOE’S MINIVETS, Gubeikou (XiaoPT and Zhen Niu via eBird). The 5th record of this species for Beijing.
1 ASIAN KOEL, 6 (4 male and 2 female) LARGE HAWK CUCKOOS, 2 LESSER CUCKOOS, 3 HIMALAYAN CUCKOOS, 6+ MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLERS, 5+ ARCTIC WARBLERS, 12+ EASTERN CROWNED WARBLERS, 6+ CLAUDIA’S WARBLERS, 1 TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLER, 9+ YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHERS, 2 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHERS, 2 GREY-SIDED THRUSHES, 1 CHINESE THRUSH and 1 WHITE-THROATED ROCK THRUSH, Miaofengshan (CM)
19 May 2018
1 RUFOUS-TAILED ROBIN, Tsinghua University (BW). Scarce migrant in Beijing.
18 May 2018
1 DOLLARBIRD, 3 DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHERS, 4 COMMON CUCKOOS, 5 CHINESE NUTHATCHES and 12+ TWO-BARRED WARBLERS, Summer Palace (Max Breckenridge)
3 COMMON SHELDUCK, 2 FALCATED DUCK and 25 WHITE-WINGED TERNS, Shahe Reservoir (Max Breckenridge)
1 singing ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL on the Shunyi Patch (TT)
17 May 2018
1 JAPANESE WAXWING and 1 THICK-BILLED WARBLER, Peking University (Max Breckenridge)
16 May 2018
2 EURASIAN SKYLARKS, EURASIAN WREN, 3 ZAPPEY’S FLYCATCHERS, 5 ‘GANSU’ RED-FLANKED BLUETAILS, 4 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHERS and 5 GREY-SIDED THRUSHES, Lingshan (Max Breckenridge)
At least 2 ASHY MINIVETS, Tsinghua University (WeChat). Plus at least 5 THICK-BILLED WARBLERS, a BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE and a female YELLOW-THROATED BUNTING (BW)
1 GREY NIGHTJAR, Shunyi Patch (TT)
15 May 2018
1 BLUE WHISTLING THRUSH, Temple of Heaven Park (Li Zhaonan).
2 DOLLARBIRDS, Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace). Presumably the returning breeding pair from 2017.
1 DOLLARBIRD, Peking University (XiaoPT)
13 May 2018
1 male MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER, Tsinghua University (BW). The 11th record for the capital.
9 May 2018
1 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN and 1 CHESTNUT BUNTING, Tsinghua University campus (Richard Davis)
6 May 2018
190+ ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS, 40+ EASTERN BUZZARDS, 15 GREY-FACED BUZZARDS, 5+ LARGE HAWK CUCKOOS, 5 DAURIAN STARLINGS, 5+ MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLERS, 5 YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLERS, 10+ CHINESE LEAF WARBLERS, 3+EASTERN CROWNED WARBLERS, 4+ PALLAS’S LEAF WARBLERS, 1 CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER, 5 RUSSET SPARROWS, 2 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES and 2 COMMON ROSEFINCHES, Miaofengshan (CM)
5 May 2018
1 HIMALAYAN CUCKOO, 1 LARGE HAWK CUCKOO, 1 BULL-HEADED SHRIKE and 1 PLAIN-TAILED WARBLER, Lingshan (Xiao PT et al via eBird).
1 May 2018
A LESSER FRIGATEBIRD photographed at Yeyahu by PAN Wenxin. The fifth record of this pelagic species in the capital.
1 GREY-BACKED THRUSH, 1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 1 singing EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER, Shunyi Patch (TT)
30 April 2018
14 COMMON SWIFTS, 1 COMMON KINGFISHER, 1 EURASIAN WRYNECK, 1 GREY-HEADED WOODPECKER, 2 EURASIAN CRAG MARTINS, 20 BARN SWALLOWS, 3 RED-RUMPED SWALLOWS, 2 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 2 RED-BILLED STARLINGS, Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (Stefan Andrew)
29 April 2018
1 EASTERN MARSH HARRIER, 13+ BLUETHROATS, 45+ STEJNEGER’S STONECHATS, 1 MONGOLIAN LARK, 1 JAPANESE GROSBEAK, 1 (singing) ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL, 15+ RED-THROATED PIPITS, 45+ YELLOW WAGTAILS and 11+ CITRINE WAGTAILS Shisanling (CM)
1 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, 1 PIED HARRIER (flying over from west to east), 1 COMMON MOORHEN, 20 COMMON SWIFTS, 1 COMMON KINGFISHER, 1 GREY-HEADED WOODPECKER, 2 RED-RUMPED SWALLOWS, 4 PALLAS’S WARBLERS, 2 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS, 2 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 4 STONECHATS, 5 RED-BILLED STARLINGS, 1 EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL, 1 BLACK-FACED BUNTING, Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (Stefan Andrew)
28 April 2018
Belated news of a breeding-plumaged SLAVONIAN GREBE at Nanhaizi (possibly present for two weeks). A rare spring record of this scarce grebe.
22 April 2018
1 GREY-BACKED THRUSH and 1 NORTHERN HOUSE MARTIN, Shisanling (CM). Plus 1 RED-NECKED STINT, 1 ORIENTAL WHITE STORK, 5 SAND MARTINS, 1 CRAG MARTIN, 11 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, 1800+ LITTLE BUNTINGS, 1 male JAPANESE REED BUNTING and 20+ RUSSET SPARROWS.
1 LITTLE STINT, Bulaotun (XiaoPT and Chen Wei).
18 April 2018
1 singing HUME’S WARBLER, Tsinghua University. Plus the MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER remains on site.
17 April 2018
1 singing CHESTNUT-CROWNED WARBLER, Ma Chang (PH). The second record for Beijing. Plus 41 CITRINE WAGTAILS. Also 11 BROWN-CHEEKED RAILS and 1 LONG-TAILED MINIVET, Yeyahu (PH).
16 April 2018
1 WHITE-NAPED CRANE, 1 suspected HOODED x COMMON CRANE and 3 BROWN-CHEEKED RAILS at Yeyahu (PH). Also 1 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 22 CITRINE WAGTAILS, 1 MEADOW PIPIT at Ma Chang (PH)
15 April 2018
3 RELICT GULLS, 2 SWAN GEESE, 1 TAIGA BEAN GOOSE, 4 GARGANEY, 1 (male) LESSER KESTREL, 1 (male) JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, Yeyahu (TT et al)
1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, Yeyahu (XiaoPT et al)
12 April 2018
1 MEADOW PIPIT at Ma Chang. Plus 34 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, 4 ‘alba’ WHITE WAGTAILS and 4 SWAN GEESE at Yeyahu, one of which wore a red neck collar “S00” (PH, BW, TT)
11 April 2018
3-4 LONG-TAILED MINIVETS, Agricultural Exhibiton Centre Park (DC)
10 April 2018
223 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, Ma Chang (PH). Plus a MEADOW PIPIT (8th record for Beijing), 2 RELICT GULLS and 1 GREATER SAND PLOVER.
8 April 2018
The ISABELLINE WHEATEAR still at Shisanling (CM, ZQ, XiaoPT)
Also 16 Waxwing sp, Tsinghua University (Richard Davis)
7 April 2018
*** 1 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR***, Shisanling (CM). The third record for Beijing.
Also, 3 PALLAS’S GULLS (2 ad), 28 COMMON GULLS, 6 SIBERIAN GULLS, 4 RELICT GULLS (ad), 4 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES, 37 EASTERN BUZZARDS, 1 UPLAND BUZZARD, 110+ BLACK-EARED KITES, 2 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 30 EURASIAN SPARROWHAWKS and 2 (male) PIED WHEATEARS (CM)
The MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER still present at Tsinghua University (Zhao Xiangyu)
2 April 2018
1 EURASIAN WOODCOCK, Yeyahu (Li Peimeng via eBird)
1 April 2018
1 WHITE WAGTAIL ssp personata, Shisanling (CM). The 6th Beijing record of this distinctive subspecies.
30 March 2018
1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, Tsinghua University (Zhao Xiangyu). An unusual, and early, record for lowland Beijing.
25 March 2018
1 ad PALLAS’S GULL, Shahe Reservoir (XiaoPT)
22 March 2018
TIANJIN: 3 GREATER FLAMINGOS and 1 DALMATIAN PELICAN, Beidagang (Jia Yife, Mo Xunqiang and Nyamayar Batbayar)
18 March 2018
2 TUNDRA SWANS, 1 WHOOPER SWAN, 30+ LITTLE GREBE, 6 GREAT EGRETS, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 6 HOOPOES, 1 DAURIAN REDSTART, 50+ BUFF-BELLIED PIPITS, GREY WAGTAILS, 32 WHITE WAGTAIL (30 x ssp leucopsis and 2 x ssp ocularis), 10 PALLAS’S BUNTINGS (Xavier Rufray)
15 March 2018
42 WHOOPER SWANS, 10 BEWICK’S SWANS, 7 SWAN GEESE, 2 BAER’S POCHARDS, 300+ COMMON and 2 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, **2 ORIENTAL STORKS**, 1 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, 2 WHITE-TAILED EAGLES, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 1 SAKER, 1 MERLIN, 20+ BEARDED REEDLINGS, 65 COMMON STARLINGS and 2 RUSTIC BUNTINGSYeyahu (TT, BW)
11 March 2018
6 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 PALLAS’S GULL, 120 MONGOLIAN GULLS, 6 SIBERIAN GULLS, 7 ‘EASTERN’ ROOKS, 166+ PINE BUNTINGS and 4 RUSTIC BUNTINGS, Shisanling (CM).
1 BARN SWALLOW, 6 MANDARIN, 2 LITTLE RINGED PLOVERS, 1 DAURIAN JACKDAW, 12 HOOPOES, 3 NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 4 WHITE WAGTAILS (all ssp leucopsis), 4 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS and 80+ RUSTIC BUNTINGS, Wenyu River (TT, BW)
9 March 2018
JILIN: 8 STELLER’S SEA EAGLES (7 adults), Hunchun (Jocko Hammar).
4 March 2018
2 BAER’S POCHARDS, DaShiHe (Chen Xi’er and Liang Shujie). A good early Spring record.
3 NORTHERN SHOVELER, 20 GADWALL, 4 FALCATED DUCK, 3 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 3 EURASIAN TEAL, 3 COMMON POCHARD, 1 TUFTED DUCK, 1 COMMON GOLDENEYE, 1 SMEW, 3 GREAT CRESTED GREBE, 1 EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK, 1 BROWN-CHEEKED RAIL, 7 COMMON MOORHEN, 5 EURASIAN COOT, 1 EURASIAN HOOPOE, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 30 DAURIAN JACKDAW, 1 COAL TIT, 1 JAPANESE TIT, 1 DAURIAN REDSTART and 7 LITTLE BUNTING, DaShiHe (Stefan Andrew)
3 March 2018
The JAPANESE THRUSH still in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (Stefan Andrew via eBird)
26 February 2018
1 PACIFIC SWIFT, Shuangjing (Andrew Morrissey). An exceptionally early migrant.
22 February 2018
4 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 SOLITARY SNIPE, 11 BLACK STORKS, 4 CRESTED LARKS and 150 PINE BUNTINGS, DaShiHe (Vincent Wang et al)
19 February 2018
1 PEREGRINE FALCON, 2 RED-BILLED BLUE MAGPIES, 19 YELLOW-BELLIED TITS, 3 GOLDCRESTS, 1 PALLAS’S WARBLER, 26 VINOUS-THROATED PARROTBILLS, 1 DAURIAN REDSTART, 2 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 1 WATER PIPIT, 10 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 40 JAPANESE WAXWINGS and 2 CHINESE GROSBEAKS, Olympic Forest Park (Stefan Andrew)
17 February 2018
44+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 34+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 20+ SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 8 ALPINE ACCENTORS, 3 GULDENSTADT’S (WHITE-WINGED) REDSTARTS (2 males and one female), 20+ COMMON REDPOLLS, Miaofengshan (CM, ZQ)
The MEADOW PIPIT still at DaShiHe. Also 7 REED PARROTBILLS, 9 BLACK STORKS and 2 CRESTED LARKS (TT)
15 February 2018
A male CHAFFINCH in the Botanical Gardens, in the Crabapple Garden area (Stefan Andrew).
13-14 February 2018
A single CHINESE TAWNY OWL, 3 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 3 SPOTTED NUTCRACKERS, 4 BEIJING BABBLERS, 5 WHITE-WINGED REDSTARTS (4m, 1f), 120+ BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 4+ JAPANESE WAXWINGS, 4 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES (3 ssp lepidus and 1 ssp ussuriensis) and 66 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES. Also an (AMUR) LEOPARD CAT crossed the road in front of the car at c1030pm during a night drive (TT).
13 February 2018
1 HOODED CRANE, 5 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, 5 HEN HARRIERS, 1 MERLIN, 45+ PALLAS’S BUNTINGS and 140+ PINE BUNTINGS, Ma Chang (CM, ZQ)
12 February 2018
***1 MEADOW PIPIT***, Dashihe (Huang Hanchen and Luo Qingqing). The 7th record for Beijing and the second winter record.
4 February 2018
5 JAPANESE WAXWINGS and 1 BOHEMIAN WAXWING, Beihai Park (Liu Chunhong)
3 February 2018
The JAPANESE THRUSH still in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (eBird)
27 January 2018
1 CHAFFINCH, Shisanling (CM). Plus a single (juv) WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 190+ COMMON MERGANSER, 2 PEREGRINE, 45+ LITTLE BUNTINGS, 12+ YELLOW-THROATED BUNTINGS, 7+ RUSTIC BUNTINGS, 2 RED-FLANKED BLUETAILS and 8+ SIBERIAN ACCENTORS.
1 CHINESE THRUSH, Botanical Gardens (唐博晖, Tang Bohui via WeChat). A rare winter record.
25 January 2018
4 BROWN-EARED BULBULS, Beihai Park (北京飞羽, Beijing Feiyu)
24 January 2018
2 BEARDED REEDLINGS, Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (DC). The JAPANESE THRUSH and the flock of 10+ BOHEMIAN and JAPANESE WAXWINGS remain.
23 January 2018
1 CHAFFINCH, Botanical Gardens (北京飞羽, Beijing Feiyu). Plus a single YELLOW-BROWED BUNTING.
Belated news of (AMUR) LEOPARD CAT kittens seen in Beijing (precise location withheld) in summer 2017. Photos by 李兆楠 (Li Zhaonan).
21 January 2018
At least 1 ARCTIC REDPOLL amongst a flock of at least 70 COMMON REDPOLLS, Miaofengshan (CM). Another great find by Colm Moore. The fourth record of ARCTIC REDPOLL for Beijing (one old record plus records from 13-25 January 2014 at least at Miyun Reservoir and 6 November 2014 at Lingshan). Also 8 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 18 ALPINE ACCENTORS, 49+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES and 40+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES. Colm describes the bird: “The features that were outstanding were a large square wholly unmarked white rump; even lateral tail coverts looked white. Greyish-black and white mantle. Greatly reduced streaking on underparts, faintly pinkish on breast and no marks on undertail-coverts. Red forehead really circumscribed and separated from bill by a marked white supercilium. Not one of the Common Redpolls had anything like this. Crown only very lightly streaked greyish.”
1 middendorffii (EASTERN) TAIGA BEAN GOOSE, Wenyu River (TT). Plus a single SWAN GOOSE, 247 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 2 drake FALCATED DUCK, 1 fem WIGEON, 1 SMEW, 138 COMMON MERGANSER, 82 LITTLE GREBE, 4 GREAT EGRET, 1 EASTERN BUZZARD, 1 COOT, 2 LONG-BILLED PLOVER, 4 GREEN SANDPIPER, an unseasonal COMMON SANDPIPER, 3 HOOPOE, 2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 3 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 1 DAURIAN REDSTART, 2 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 4 WATER PIPIT and 2 PALLAS’S BUNTING.
20 January 2018
1 COLLARED CROW still at DaShiHe area plus 5 CRESTED LARKS and 10 RUSTIC BUNTINGS (XiaoPT and Luo Qingqing via eBird)
19 January 2018
The JAPANESE THRUSH still in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park. Plus at least 10 JAPANESE WAXWINGS and 1 BOHEMIAN WAXWING.
1 BROWN-EARED BULBUL still Beihai Park (WeChat)
17 January 2018
The JAPANESE THRUSH still in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (Beijing Feiyue)
13 January 2018
A BROWN ACCENTOR at Yanhecheng, Mentougou (Li Zhaonan via WeChat).
The JAPANESE THRUSH still in the Agricultural Exhibition Park (Huang Hanchen)
2 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, Yeyahu (Chen Yanxin)
12-13 January 2018
1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 5 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 1 PEREGRINE, 4 HILL PIGEONS, 46 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 5 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, 8 BEIJING BABBLERS, 4 EURASIAN NUTHATCHES, 1 NUTCRACKER, 23 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 13 NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 1 BLACK-THROATED THRUSH, 4 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 5 GULDENSTADT’S (WHITE-WINGED) REDSTARTS (3m, 2f), 1 COMMON REDPOLL, 11 SISKINS, 5 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES (all ssp lepidus – 1 ad male, 1 first-winter male and 3 females), 37 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 1 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, 14 MEADOW BUNTINGS and 8 GODLEWSKI’S BUNTINGS, Lingshan (TT)
Download and listen to this sound recording of just after dawn at Lingshan including Bohemian Waxwings, Red-throated and Naumann’s Thrushes and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
10 January 2018
1 BROWN-EARED BULBUL still in Beihai Park (北京飞羽)
7 January 2018
1 CHAFFINCH (male) in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (Stefan Andrew). Also 1 RED-THROATED THRUSH, 1 RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL, 7 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, 6 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 1 WHITE WAGTAIL, 1 GREY-CAPPED PYGMY WOODPECKER, 1 GREY-HEADED WOODPECKER and 1 (unseasonal) YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER.
75+ WAXWINGS (most JAPANESE WAXWINGS) , Tsinghua University campus (BW)
6 January 2018
2 WALLCREEPERS and a single WHITE-CAPPED WATER REDSTART, Shidu (Guan Xueyan via eBird)
6-7 YELLOW-BROWED BUNTINGS, Summer Palace (via Huang Hanchen)
3 January 2018
1 BLACK-THROATED TIT, Tsinghua University campus (WeChat). Uncertain origin. Although this species is a candidate future colonist, records from mid-winter are most likely to be escapes or deliberate releases.
2 January 2018
JAPANESE THRUSH still in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (eBird)
5 COMMON MOORHENS, 1 GREY-HEADED WOODPECKER, 1 WATER PIPIT, 1 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 20 YELLOW-BELLIED TITS, 1 RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL, 2 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 20 BRAMBLINGS, 15 CHINESE GROSBEAKS, Olympic Forest Park (Xueping and Stephan Popp)
1 January 2018
Wishing a Happy New Year to everyone who follows the latest sightings page and a big big thank you to all who have contributed sightings!
The JAPANESE THRUSH still in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (eBird)
1 COLLARED CROW and 1 CHINESE THRUSH, Dajian Road area (west Beijing) (HH, LQ). Both unseasonal records.
21+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 1 BEIJING BABBLER, 2 GULDENSTADT’S (WHITE-WINGED) REDSTARTS, 1 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 2 RED-BILLED CHOUGH, a CINEREOUS VULTURE and 20 HILL PIGEONS, Lingshan (Oscar Campbell)
6 BEIJING BABBLERS, 1 GULDENSTADT’S (WHITE-WINGED) REDSTART, 5 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 1 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH, 8 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 4 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 15 GODLEWSKI’S BUNTINGS and 5 MEADOW BUNTINGS (Xueping and Stephan Popp)
31 December 2017
19 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (DC)
1 JAPANESE THRUSH, 10 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, 2 CHINESE GROSBEAKS and 45 MANDARIN, Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (Oscar Campbell)
10 REED PARROTBILLS, 6 BEARDED PARROTBILLS and 15 VINOUS-THROATED PARROTBILLS, Wan Ping Lake (Xueping and Stephan Popp)
5 BLACK STORKS, 2 BROWN DIPPERS, 1 EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK, 1 EASTERN BUZZARD, 1 COMMON KINGFISHER, 25 HILL PIGEONS, 1 WATER PIPIT and 4 PLUMBEOUS WATER REDSTARTS, Shidu (Xueping and Stephan Popp)
30 December 2017
26 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, 1 UPLAND BUZZARD and 1 CINEREOUS VULTURE, along the G109 road to Lingshan (Xueping and Stephan Popp)
1 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR and 5 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, Lingshan (Xueping and Stephan Popp)
29 December 2017
1 female BAIKAL TEAL with a male COMMON TEAL, Peking University campus (天蓝蓝)
1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 5 CHINESE NUTHATCHES, 4 NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 2 RED-FLANKED BLUETAILS, 3 PALLAS’S WARBLERS, Botanical Gardens (Oscar Campbell)
25 NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 1 RED-THROATED THRUSH, 1 GOLDENEYE, 50 COMMON MERGANSERS, 1 COMMON KINGFISHER, Summer Palace (Oscar Campbell)
6 CHINESE NUTHATCHES, 10+ NAUMANN’S THRUSHES and 2 RED-BILLED STARLINGS, Botanical Gardens (Xueping and Stephan Popp)
28 December 2017
The male JAPANESE THRUSH still in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park. Also, at least 9 JAPANESE WAXWINGS and 2 HOOPOES still present (DC). This is the third record of JAPANESE THRUSH in Beijing, with the most recent a long-stayer in the grounds of Peking University from mid-October 2013 to January 2014 at least.
An unusual winter record of a WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN, Peking University campus (BW). Apparently present since November (per 天蓝蓝, Tiān lán lán).
26 December 2017
A mixed flock of JAPANESE and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS at Tsinghua University campus (BW)
25 December 2017
2 HOOPOE, Peking University campus (Guillaume Blanchet). A nice city centre sighting of a surprisingly frequent winter bird in Beijing.
24 December 2017
1 JAPANESE THRUSH, Agricultural Exhibition Centre gardens (per eBird)
22 December 2017
1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 8 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, 1 CHINESE NUTHATCH, 8 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 50+ BRAMBLING, 22 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES and 11 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES (CM)
20 December 2017
10 Waxwing sp (at least 2 identified as Japanese), Tsinghua University campus between the SE and S gates (Richard Davis)
1 EAGLE OWL, Peking University campus (Liu Chunhong)
12 December 2017
This drake BAIKAL TEAL has been gracing Longtan Lake in Beijing this winter and, today, the light was perfect. These photos by Wu Qi.
10 December 2017
***MEGA***: A FIELDFARE photographed by Zhang Bing at Lingshan today. The first record of this species in Beijing.
9 December 2017
11 JAPANESE WAXWINGS at Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park. Plus 20 MANDARIN (David Consineo via WeChat).
3 December 2017
1 juv GOLDEN EAGLE (1st site record), 2 WHITE-TAILED EAGLES, 1 UPLAND BUZZARD, 1 SAKER, 1 PEREGRINE, 1 MERLIN, 1600+ DAURIAN JACKDAWS, 24+ RUSTIC BUNTINGS, 5 WATER PIPITS, Shahe (CM)
29 November 2017
MEGA: late news of a male CHESTNUT THRUSH in the Olympic Forest Park on 19 November. The first record of this species in Beijing. Photo at Birdnet.cn
26 November 2017
1 SOLITARY SNIPE, Dajian Road area (XiaoPT)
6 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (David Consineo via WeChat)
c12 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Botanical Gardens.
At least 3 BROWN-EARED BULBULS still at Beihai Park (WeChat)
These beautiful photos of BROWN-EARED BULBUL by Zhang XiaoLing.
25 November 2017
2 CHUKAR, 1 CHINESE TAWNY OWL, 1 GULDENSTADT’S (WHITE-WINGED) REDSTART (fem/1w), 20+ SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 14 + ALPINE ACCENTORS, 6 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 14 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 25+ WILLOW TITS, 1 MARSH TIT, 1+ GOLDCREST, Miaofengshan (CM)
24 November 2017
4 BROWN-EARED BULBULS, Beihai Park (per WeChat).
23 November 2017
8 REED PARROTBILLS, ShiDi Road (Zhang Shen via eBird). The long-staying birds still present.
22 November 2017
2 BROWN-EARED BULBULS, Olympic Forest Park (per WeChat). There are still fewer than 10 records of this scarce winter visitor in the capital and the OFP birds are the first since a modest arrival of at least 6 birds in the winter of 2014/2015.
21 November 2017
30 LITTLE GREBES, 4 GOLDENEYE, 4 SMEW (redheads), 1 CHINESE BLACKBIRD, 50+ ORIENTAL GREENFINCHES, Summer Palace (PhA)
19 November 2017
4 MUTE SWANS (possibly a pair with two young), Yeyahu (per Zhang Weimin).
1 NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE, Lingshan (HH)
18 November 2017
10 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 2 GOLDEN EAGLES, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 6 RED-BILLED CHOUGH, 14 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 10 GULDENSTADT’S (WHITE-WINGED) REDSTARTS, 40 RED-THROATED, 6 DUSKY and 3 NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 25+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 1 COAL TIT, 3 lepidus LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES, 2 REDPOLL sp and 3 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, Lingshan (TT, PhA)
11 November 2017
2 GOLDEN EAGLES, 1 HEN HARRIER, 1 BOHEMIAN WAXWING, 35+ NAUMANN’S THRUSHES (of which 25+ DUSKY-types), 3 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 1 BLACK-THROATED THRUSH (1st winter), 12+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 6 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 1 ASIAN ROSY FINCH (only 3rd site record), 2 LITTLE BUNTINGS and 1 PINE BUNTING, Miaofengshan (CM)
10 November 2017
An EAGLE OWL over Peking University this morning. Photograph by Yang Hua.
4-5 November 2017
1 ‘sibiricus‘ NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE, 1 ASIAN ROSY FINCH, at least 4 WHITE-WINGED REDSTARTS, at least 12 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 286+ thrushes of which the vast majority RED-THROATED, at least 12 NAUMANN’S and 8 DUSKY-types, 16 fly-by waxwing sp, 8 JAPANESE WAXWINGS and 1 BOHEMIAN WAXWING, 30+ COMMON REDPOLLS, at least 3 ‘lepidus‘ LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES, 6 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES and 30+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, Lingshan (TT, ML)
29 October 2017
2 SAKER FALCONS, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 3 GOLDEN EAGLES, 4 ALPINE ACCENTORS, 5 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 5 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 15+ NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 25+ DUSKY THRUSHES, 26 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 20+ WILLOW TITS, 40+ SILVER-THROATED TITS and 1 fem/imm WHITE-WINGED (GULDENSTADT’S) REDSTART, Miaofengshan (CM).
2 CRESTED LARKS, Dashi He (Huang Hanchen)
24 October 2017
13 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, 2 WATER PIPITS, 2 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS and 23 WHITE WAGTAILS (including 9 ssp lugens), Tonguihe (between Baliqiao, Tongzhou and Shuangqiao, Chaoyang) (PH)
1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING, Shunyi Patch (TT)
22 October 2017
2 BAER’S POCHARDS, Yeyahu (TT et al). Plus 3 GREYLAG GEESE, 1 middendorffi BEAN GOOSE, 9 SMEW, 18 FERRUGINOUS DUCK, 6 TUFTED DUCK, 1 FALCATED DUCK, 2 WIGEON, 4 BLACK-NECKED GREBES, 1 GREAT BITTERN, 16 SPOTTED REDSHANK, 1 HEN HARRIER, 1 AMUR FALCON, 1 PEREGRINE and 8+ BEARDED REEDLINGS.
1 BROWN-CHEEKED RAIL, Agricultural Exhibition Centre (DC)
21 October 2017
7 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 1 COMMON REDPOLL, 1 HAWFINCH, 1 SHORT-EARED OWL, 1 WATER PIPIT, 1 YELLOW-BROWED BUNTING and 1 PINE BUNTING, Shahe (CM).
20 October 2017
Flappy McFlapperson, the Beijing Cuckoo, is over the Arabian Sea on her way to Africa! See her page for more details of her incredible journey.
19 October 2017
2 BAER’S POCHARDS, Yeyahu (Zhang Yong). Photo below of one of the two by kind permission.
16 October 2017
1 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, Yeyahu (per nature reserve staff)
14 October 2017
1 first-winter male BAER’S POCHARD, Shahe (CM). Also 6 BAIKAL TEAL, 26 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER, 11 BEARDED REEDLINGS,
50+ CHINESE PENDULINE TITS, 2 COMMON ROSEFINCHES and 1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT.
8 October 2017
2 GREAT BITTERNS, 1 BROWN-CHEEKED RAIL, 2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, 250+ LITTLE BUNTINGS, 50+ BLACK-FACED BUNTINGS, 1 TRISTRAM’S BUNTING, 1 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING and 1 BLUE ROCK THRUSH (rare in lowland Beijing on passage), Shahe (CM)
7 October 2017
***1 MONGOLIAN FINCH*** photographed at Baiwangshan, the first modern day record for Beijing (Ding Deyong).
1 MEADOW PIPIT, Ma Chang (TT, DF, BE and RB). The first autumn record in Beijing. Also 37 BLACK KITES, 3 COMMON BUZZARDS, 189 AMUR FALCONS, 15 RED-CRESTED POCHARDS, 4 COMMON POCHARDS, 16 FERRUGINOUS DUCKS, 4 TUFTED DUCKS, 18 FALCATED DUCKS, 12 PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVERS, 1 BROWN-CHEEKED RAIL, 2 MONGOLIAN GULLS, 1 COMMON GULL, 2 CASPIAN TERNS, at least 10 CHINESE PENDULINE TITS and 8 BEARDED TITS.
1 October 2017
1 female BULL-HEADED SHRIKE, 2 CRESTED KINGFISHERS, 2 MONGOLIAN GULLS, 7 GREEN SANDPIPERS, 1 LONG-BILLED PLOVER, 1 RED-THROATED PIPIT, 15 OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS, 2 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 3 DUSKY WARBLERS, 5 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS, 1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, 3 BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLERS, 1 COMMON ROSEFINCH, 10 LITTLE BUNTINGS and 20+ CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTINGS, Wenyu River (Xavier Rufray)
24 September 2017
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE still at Yuanmingyuan (ML).
1 GREY PLOVER, 1 OSPREY, 3 BAIKAL TEAL, 3 INTERMEDIATE EGRETS, 13 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, 2 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS, 20+ YELLOW-BELLIED TITS, 9+ RED-THROATED PIPITS, 7+ CHINESE PENDULINE TITS, 20+ WHITE-EYE sp, 1 GREY NIGHTJAR, 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER and 2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, Shahe (CM)
1 YELLOWHAMMER, Ma Chang (PH). The 12th record for Beijing and the earliest by some margin.
23 September 2017
1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 1 BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLER, 2 WHITE’S THRUSHES and 7 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLERS, Olympic Forest Park (Jason Chapman and Phil Gould)
22 September 2017
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE still at Yuanmingyuan (per Tom Stidham).
21 September 2017
COTTON PYGMY GOOSE still present at Yuanmingyuan (per WeChat).
20 September 2017
1 male COTTON PYGMY GOOSE, Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace), per Zhang Weimin via WeChat. A rare visitor and the first autumn record.
17 September 2017
168 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS, 2 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHERS, 200 OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS, 20 RED-THROATED PIPITS, 1 PECHORA PIPIT and 400 LITTLE BUNTINGS, Shahe (CM)
1 EURASIAN BITTERN, 1,000+ LITTLE BUNTINGS, 100s of OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS, 3 BLYTH’S PIPITS and 1 RICHARD’S PIPIT, 1 BRAMBLING, 5 LONG-TAILED MINIVETS, 11 NUTCRACKERS and a CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, Lingshan (PH)
520 AMUR FALCONS over the maize fields near Ma Chang, Yanqing (PH)
11 September 2017
1 EYEBROWED THRUSH, 66 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS, 23 AMUR FALCONS, 2 HOBBY, 1 juv. PIED HARRIER, 1 EASTERN MARSH HARRIER, 2 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWKS, 1 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 2 BLYTH’S PIPITS, 10+ RICHARD’S PIPITS, 1 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, 10+ COMMON ROSEFINCHES and 1 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING, Shisanling (CM)
9 September 2017
1 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 3 GREYLAG GEESE, 2 MANDARIN, 26 FALCATED DUCK, 1 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 4 GARGANEY, 1 FERRUGINOUS DUCK, 1 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, 1 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD, 3 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 4 PIED HARRIERS, 10 PIED AVOCET, 1 BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER, 1 TEREK SANDPIPER, 5 TEMMINCK’S STINTS, 3 LONG-TOED STINTS, 2 CHINESE GREY SHRIKES, 3 CITRINE WAGTAILS, 4 RED-THROATED PIPITS and 2 COMMON ROSEFINCHES, Ma Chang/Yeyahu (TT, ML, BW)
5 September 2017
3 juv EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 1 juv PEREGRINE, 5 HOBBY, 1 juv WHISKERED TERN, 1 WRYNECK, 1 LONG-TAILED and 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 5 BLACK DRONGOS, 1 PALLAS’S LEAF, 3 YELLOW-BROWED and 2 ARCTIC WARBLERS, 3 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 12 RICHARD’S PIPITS, 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT and 2 RED-THROATED PIPITS, Yeyahu (TT, BR & LR)
1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, Agricultural Exhibition Centre Gardens (DC)
30 August 2017
1 STRIATED HERON, 1 SHRENCK’S BITTERN, 2 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, 1 ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER, 1 DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHER, 2 TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLERS, 3 THICK-BILLED WARBLERS and 5 COMMON STONECHATS (ssp stejnegeri) (SB)
29 August 2017
7 BROWN SHRIKES, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 1 THICK-BILLED WARBLER, 1 TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLER, 1 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, 3 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 1 SWINHOE’S ROBIN, 2 BLYTH’S PIPITS and 1 COMMON ROSEFINCH, Shunyi Patch (TT)
1 STRIATED HERON (new site record), 1 SCHRENCK’S BITTERN, 17 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, 1 AMUR FALCON, 5 BROWN SHRIKES, 1 SWINHOE’S ROBIN, 6 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBINS, 9 DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHERS, 1 ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER, 16 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 1 YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHER, Wenyu He (SB)
1 PIN-TAILED SNIPE picked up dead (predated) at Tsinghua University (BW)
28 August 2017
2 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS, Shunyi Patch (TT, BW). Plus 2 juv PIED HARRIERS, 7 BROWN SHRIKES, 2 BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLERS, 5 THICK-BILLED WARBLERS, 1 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, 1 FOREST WAGTAIL, 3 BLYTH’S PIPITS, 2 ASIAN BROWN and 1 DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHER.
26 August 2017
1 juvenile LITTLE GULL, Shisanling (CM). Plus 1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, 1 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER, 1 RED-NECKED STINT, 9 AMUR FALCON, 2 HOBBY, 6 ARCTIC WARBLERS, 2 TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLERS, 1 EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER, 6 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 12 CITRINE WAGTAILS, 11 BLYTH’S PIPITS and 30+ RICHARD’S PIPITS.
Intermediate Egret (left) with Great Egret, Shisanling (Colm Moore).
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Shisanling (Colm Moore)
2 DAVID’S BUSH WARBLERS on the Shunyi Patch this evening (the 131st species recorded since May 2015).
21 August 2017
HEBEI: 7 BAER’S POCHARDS (5m, 2f) at Hengshui Hu (TT, TB). Also 1 BLACK STORK, 1 CATTLE EGRET, 1 juv PIED HARRIER, 1 juv EASTERN MARSH HARRIER, 1 fem AMUR FALCON, 5 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, 12 REED PARROTBILLS and 220 SAND MARTINS.
11 August 2017
41+ RICHARD’S PIPITS, 13+ BROWN SHRIKES, 2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, 1 ASIAN KOEL, 1 THICK-BILLED WARBLER, 4 AMUR FALCONS, 3 LONG-TOED STINTS, 2 WOOD SANDPIPERS, 1 INTERMDIATE EGRET and 3 STRIATED HERONS, Shisanling (CM)
5 August 2017
HEBEI: The LESSER CRESTED TERN again at Jingtanggang at 0900 (per WeChat)
29 July 2017
HEBEI: The LESSER CRESTED TERN at Jingtanggang, Hebei at 1525 for 1 minute only (Shen Yan). Photos below by Shen Yan.
28 July 2017
HEBEI: the first Provincial, and only China’s 3rd, record of LESSER CRESTED TERN at Jingtanggang (near Happy Island). Found and photographed by by Que Pinjia and Yuqi Wang on 26 July c1715 and still present on 28th when came into bathe and roost with Common Terns around 1208h (PH).
Correction: a previous record of Lesser Crested Tern in Hebei has come to light. One was photographed on 8 August 2013 at Shanhaiguan, Qinhuangdao by a local photographer nicknamed “Qinghuangniao”. Thanks to Huang Hanchen and Paul Holt for information about previous records. This bird is therefore Hebei’s 2nd and China’s 4th record of this species.
25 July 2017
1 male BAER’S POCHARD, Wanping Hu (PH, HH). Plus 2 REED PARROTBILLS, 1 EURASIAN and 8+ YELLOW BITTERNS.
5 July 2017
3 CHINESE NUTHATCH, 1 LESSER CUCKOO, 1 LARGE HAWK CUCKOO, 1 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHER, 10+ MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 20+ CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER, 5+ CHINESE LEAF WARBLER, 6 YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLER, 1 EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER, 2 ASIAN STUBTAIL, 14+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, Miaofengshan (CM, ZQ)
4 July 2017
INNER MONGOLIA: at least 6 singing ***SWINHOE’S RAILS*** near Hailar (PH).
27 June 2017
A pair of SWINHOE’S MINIVETS, Huairou Reservoir (PH, BW, GD). The fourth record for Beijing following one at the Summer Palace on 7 June 2015 by Jesper Hornskov, 1 at Gubeikou, Miyun on 1 August 2015 (Qingyu Ge) and 1 at Peking University campus on 29 April 2016 (Chengdu Wei and Chen Xi’er via Huang Hanchen).
26 June 2017
1 SAKER, 1 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 3 LARGE HAWK CUCKOO, 7 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 25 CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER, 10+ YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLER, 4 CHINESE LEAF WARBLER, 10+ YELLOW-BELLIED TIT, 3 WILLOW TIT, 2 YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHER and 22+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, Miaofengshan (CM, ZQ)
11 June 2017
1 BLACK-FACED SPOONBILL, Miyun Reservoir (Zhang Weimin). Apparently present since 7 May. The first photo-documented record for Beijing.
7 June 2017
1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, 2 SCHRENCK’S BITTERNS, 2 CINNAMON BITTERNS, 1 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE, 1 MARSH GRASSBIRD (singing), 4 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS, 4 ASIAN KOELS, 1 LARGE HAWK CUCKOO, 4 AMUR FALCONS, 1 NORTHERN HOBBY and 1 PEREGRINE, Shisanling (CM)
6-7 June 2017
HEBEI: 2 ASIAN HOUSE MARTINS, 1 ASIAN KOEL, 1 CHINESE SPARROWHAWK, 4 HOBBY, 5 WHITE-BACKED and 4 JAPANESE PYGMY WOODPECKERS, 12 GREY-SIDED THRUSH, 5 CHINESE THRUSH, 1 WHITE-THROATED ROCK THRUSH, 38 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN, 23 WHITE-BELLIED REDSTART, 12 LONG-TAILED MINIVET, 5 GREEN-BACKED and 2 ZAPPEY’S FLYCATCHER, 1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER plus good numbers of the breeding phylloscopus warblers including CHINESE LEAF, CLAUDIA’S, EASTERN CROWNED, HUME’S and YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLERS, Wulingshan (TT, DN, RobinJ, RobertJ)
4 June 2017
1 CHINESE SONG THRUSH, 5 LARGE HAWK CUCKOOS, 4 HIMALAYAN CUCKOOS, 1 AMUR FALCON, 1 EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER, 15+ CHINESE LEAF WARBLER, 15+ YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLER, 7+ MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 1 HUME’S WARBLER, 3 CLAUDIA’S WARBLER, 3 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH and 1 YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHER, Miaofengshan (CM)
3-4 June 2017
2 LESSER COUCAL, 3 BLUE WHISTLING THRUSH, 1 BROWNISH-FLANKED BUSH WARBLER, 1 CHINESE BUSH WARBLER, 2 LARGE-BILLED LEAF WARBLER, 1 GREY-SIDED THRUSH, 2 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHER, 1 ZAPPEY’S FLYCATCHER, 22 ASIAN HOUSE MARTIN, 2 WHITE-BELLIED REDSTART, Lingshan (J-EN)
3 June 2017
1 ASIAN KOEL, Yeyahu (TT)
30 May 2017
1 DOLLARBIRD, Yeyahu (RJ, JJ, DN, LK, TT et al)
27 May 2017
1+ MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER, 1 BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, 1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 1 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING, 9+ ASIAN KOEL, 9 RICHARD’S PIPITS and 8 AMUR FALCONS, Shisanling (CM)
At least 3 singing male GREY-WINGED BLACKBIRDS at Lingshan (TT, ML, LK). Plus 12 ASIAN HOUSE MARTIN, 2 SPOTTED NUTCRACKER, 27 RED-BILLED CHOUGH, 2 HIMALAYAN CUCKOO, 1 LARGE HAWK CUCKOO, 12 CHINESE LEAF WARBLER, 8 CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER, 9 EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER, 6 YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLER, 5 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN, 1 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHER, 1 ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER, 2 RUSSET SPARROWS and a single female COMMON ROSEFINCH.
1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, 31 CRAG MARTINS, 6 PACIFIC SWIFTS, 2 BLUE ROCK THRUSHES, 5 RUSSET SPARROWS, Youzhou Valley (TT, ML, LK)
25 May 2017
1 (female) YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING, Shunyi patch (TT, LK)
24 May 2017
1 RUFOUS-TAILED ROBIN, Shunyi Patch (Terry Townshend)
22 May 2017
1 singing RADDE’S WARBLER, Shunyi, in heavy rain (TT)
21 May 2017
1 PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, 2 BLACK STORKS, 5+ ASIAN KOEL, 3+ LARGE HAWK CUCKOOS, 1+ BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, 2 AMUR FALCONS, 6 COMMON ROSEFINCHES, 3 FOREST WAGTAILS, 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, 8+ PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS, 1 DAURIAN STARLING, 2 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTINGS and 10+ BROWN SHRIKES, Shisanling (CM)
9 FERRUGINOUS DUCK, 7 RED-CRESTED POCHARD (6 males), 1 WIGEON (male), 2 MANDARIN, 8 CATTLE EGRETS, 3 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 6 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS, 5 AMUR FALCONS, 1 PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, 21 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLES, 46 BLACK-WINGED STILTS, 2 ‘Swintail SNIPE, 4 LITTLE TERNS, 10 BEARDED TITS, 1 SCHRENCK’S BITTERN, 7 BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLERS, 1 TWO-BARRED WARBLER, 3 ARCTIC WARBLERS, 1 EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER, 3 DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHERS, 8 RICHARD’S PIPITS and 6 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTINGS, Yeyahu (TT, WL, LK)
18 May 2017
1 singing male SIBERIAN THRUSH, Shunyi patch (TT). Only the second time I have seen this species in the capital.
17 May 2017
1 RED-BILLED BLUE MAGPIE, 1 YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER, 1 VINOUS-THROATED PARROTBILL, 1 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT and 1 ORIENTAL GREENFINCH, Olympic Forest Park (Helmut Bähr)
16 May 2017
1 COTTON PYGMY GOOSE, Summer Palace (张瑜 －Zhang Yu －per WeChat).
15 May 2017
1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 3 BROWN SHRIKES, 1 AMUR FALCON, 2 OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS, 1 (singing) RADDE’S WARBLER, 1 late BRAMBLING, 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING and 1 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING, Shunyi patch (TT). Plus an AMUR HEDGEHOG.
2 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 1 ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER, 2 BROWN SHRIKES, 1 RADDE’S WARBLER, 3+ OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS and, in the evening, 4 singing RADDE’S WARBLERS near Manali Park (Helmut Bähr)
14 May 2017
1 dark morph BOOTED EAGLE at Yeyahu (TT, EcoAction Youth Birding Group). Also Osprey, 82 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS, 3 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 8 AMUR FALCONS, 1 HOBBY, 1 SAKER, 348 PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, 1 CURLEW SANDPIPER, 78 WOOD SANDPIPER, 550 SAND/PALE MARTINS, 2 CHINESE GREY SHRIKES and 1 CITRINE WAGTAIL.
13 May 2017
3 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS, Miyun Reservoir (Zhao Min and Huang Hanchen). Plus GREY-FACED BUZZARD.
202+ ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS, 51+ AMUR FALCONS, 1 SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE, 15 LONG-TOED STINTS, 45+ WOOD SANDPIPER, 2 INTERMEDIATE EGRETS, 1 BULL-HEADED SHRIKE, 1 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING, 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING, 1 HIMALAYAN CUCKOO, 1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 2 BLACK DRONGOS, 1 BROWN SHRIKE, 1 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE, 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER, 1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, 1 BLUETHROAT, 40+ CHINESE PENDULINE TITS, 4 EASTERN CATTLE EGRETS and 6+ tytleri BARN SWALLOWS, Shisanling (CM)
2 EURASIAN WOODCOCK and 1 CHESTNUT BUNTING, Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace), Zheng Ping via eBird
1 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN, Peking University (Liu Zhiheng via eBird).
1 EYEBROWED THRUSH, Beijing Forestry University (Awing Qian via eBird)
3 TRISTRAM’S BUNTINGS, Peking University (Chen Xier via eBird)
2 YELLOW-BROWED BUNTINGS, Shahe Reservoir (Liu Jianguo via eBird)
1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, 1 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN, 1 BLUETHROAT, 3 BLYTH’S PIPITS, 3 RICHARD’S PIPITS and 1 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING, Shunyi patch (TT)
12 May 2017
1 GREY NIGHTJAR, 1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER and 1 CHINESE THRUSH, Tsinghua University (Liu Zhiheng via eBird)
10 May 2017
1 INDIAN CUCKOO (first of the spring), Peking University (per WeChat)
7 May 2017
1 LONG-TOED STINT, Shahe (Liu Zhiheng via eBird), 1 MARSH SANDPIPER, Shahe (Li Boyang via eBird).
10 CHINESE BLACKBIRDS, 9 RED-BILLED STARLINGS, 1 BLACK-COLLARED STARLING (presumed escape) and 1 TRISTRAM’S BUNTING, Tsinghua University (Richard Davis)
2 May 2017
1 EURASIAN WRYNECK, Tsinghua University (Richard Davis vis eBird)
28 April 2017
1 NORTHERN HOUSE MARTIN, Shisanling (CM, ZQ). Both Asian House Martin and Northern House Martin are difficult to see in Beijing with the former being a scarce breeder in the mountains (e.g. at Lingshan) and the latter a rare passage migrant.
Also 42+ RICHARD’S PIPITS, 11+ BLYTH’S PIPITS, 3 ROSY PIPITS, 11 RED-THROATED PIPITS, 380+ GREATER SHORT-TOED LARKS, 2 GREAT BITTERNS, 1 CATTLE EGRET, 2 ‘EASTERN’ ROOKS, 12 BLACK-NECKED GREBES and 80+ LITTLE BUNTINGS, Shisanling (CM, ZQ)
27 April 2017
1 male GREY-BACKED THRUSH, Peking University (Hu Wei per We Chat)
23 April 2017
1 BOOTED EAGLE, Baiwangshan (per WeChat)
1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, Yeyahu. Plus 1 male PIED HARRIER, 4 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLES, 1 GREAT BITTERN and 6 PURPLE HERONS (EcoAction Youth Birding Club).
21 April 2017
1 male BAER’S POCHARD, Yeyahu. Plus 2 GREY-HEADED LAPWINGS, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 1 alba WHITE WAGTAIL among 160 ocularis WHITE WAGTAILS and 67 CITRINE WAGTAILS (TT, WS and TA)
19 April 2017
1 EURASIAN BULLFINCH, Olympic Forest Park (Andrew Thornton via eBird).
1 CHINESE THRUSH, Peking University, also present on 18th. (Chen Xi’er via WeChat).
15 April 2017
15 OSPREY, 9 GREY-FACED BUZZARD, 3 LESSER KESTREL, 14 GREAT BUSTARDS, 2 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 4 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 1 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL, 55 COMMON SWIFT, 11 CITRINE WAGTAIL, 3 RED-THROATED PIPIT, Shisanling (CM)
9 April 2017
1 BAER’S POCHARD (male), Yeyahu (Xing Chao)
1 GREAT BUSTARD over the Olympic Forest Park (Richard Davis via WeChat)
1 CHINESE LEAF WARBLER (singing), Zhaoling Tomb (CM). The earliest record of CLW in Beijing by 17 days (previous 26 April 2015 by Steve Bale). Thanks to Paul Holt for the records.
8 April 2017
1 DALMATIAN PELICAN, 1 GREAT BUSTARD, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 2 OSPREYS, 3 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 1 ORIENTAL WHITE STORK, 3 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, 1 GREYLAG GOOSE, 3 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 3 BLACK-TAILED GODWITS, 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER and 1 CITRINE WAGTAIL, Yeyahu (report from “Common Swift Cup” bird race via WeChat)
11 RELICT GULLS and 1 COLLARED CROW, Shahe (Huang Hanchen via WeChat)
1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 1 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 1 GREAT BITTERN, 1 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 1 CITRINE WAGTAIL, 14 SIBERIAN GULLS and 1 RELICT GULL, Shisanling (CM).
HEBEI: 1 ad GLAUCOUS GULL, Nanpu (@Jima via Tong Mu on WeChat)
7 April 2017
1 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL seen and heard at Tsinghua University campus (Andrew Zhi and Zhang Junduo via Huang Hanchen)
5 April 2017
A SULPHUR-BREASTED WARBLER (Phylloscopus ricketti, 黑眉柳莺) photographed at the Deer Park, Nanhaizi (南海子麋鹿苑), by Mr Guo Geng, the Vice Director of the Park. Although there are two previous reports of this species from the Temple of Heaven Park (per Li Zhaonan), Mr. Guo’s is the first documented record in Beijing.
2 April 2017
A first-winter BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE at Ma Chang (TT, RF). Also 5 ssp of WHITE WAGTAIL including leucopsis, ocularis, baicalensis, the 5th Beijing record of personata and the 6th Beijing record of alba. Video of the personata and alba below.
At Yeyahu, a pale phase BOOTED EAGLE (RF) was the standout bird. Also present 3 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, 2 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 40+ BEARDED TITS and 2 GREY-HEADED LAPWINGS.
1 April 2017
1 ad male PIED WHEATEAR, Lingshan (TT, RF, ML). Also 6 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS and 6 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES. At nearby Youzhou Valley, 4 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 2 GOLDEN EAGLES, 5 CRAG MARTINS, 6 MANDARIN, 1 RED-THROATED and 1 DUSKY THRUSH.
2 GREAT BITTERNS, 1 EAGLE OWL, 1 PALLAS’S GULL, 2 RELICT GULLS, 3 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 400+ ‘eastern’ ROOKS, 1100+ DAURIAN JACKDAWS, 12 GREY-HEADED LAPWINGS and 2 BLACK STORKS, Shisanling (CM).
26 March 2017
3 LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE among 360 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE, Shisanling. Also 17+ TAIGA BEAN GEESE, 16 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 1 BLACK STORK, 160+ DAURIAN JACKDAWS, 140+ ‘Eastern’ ROOKS, 44 CARRION CROWS, 20+ NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 9+ RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 8 DUSKY THRUSHES, 2 GREY-HEADED LAPWINGS, 1 BARN SWALLOW, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE (ad) and 1 2cy PALLAS’S GULL (CM, ZQ)
25 March 2017
At least 8 JANKOWSKI’S BUNTINGS, Miyun Reservoir (Beijing Birdwatching Society during waterbird survey). Note: general access still prohibited – special permission given for annual survey.
23 March 2017
1 GREATER SCAUP (male), Huairou Reservoir (PH). Plus 29 FALCATED DUCK.
1 male lugens WHITE WAGTAIL still at the Tonghuihe at Baliqiao, Tongzhou (PH).
22 March 2017
2 EAGLE OWLS, 1 CHINESE TAWNY OWL and a pair of lepidus LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES, Lingshan (PH).
19 March 2017
2 PALLAS’S GULLS, 11 SIBERIAN GULLS, incl. 6 x 2cy birds, 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER, 55+ NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 8 RED-THROATD THRUSHES, 6 DUSKY THRUSHES, 1 BLACK-THROATED THRUSH, 8 JAPANESE QUAIL, 6 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS, 1 BLACK-EARED KITE, Shisanling (CM & ZQ)
17 March 2017
1 EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK, 40+ NAUMANN’S THRUSHES and up to 5 DUSKY THRUSHES, plus 20+BRAMBLINGS, Olympic Forest Park (Matthias Bechtolsheim)
16 March 2017
29+ MANDARIN, 4 COMMON MERGANSER, 30+ NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 20+ DARK-THROATED THRUSHES (Red- or Black-throated) and c30 CHINESE GROSBEAKS, Beihai Park (Matthias Bechtolsheim)
12 March 2017
6 BAER’S POCHARDS (3 pairs), Huairou Reservoir (TT, BW). Also 14 WHOOPER SWAN, 1 SWAN GOOSE, 1 TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, 4 FERRUGINOUS DUCK, 2 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 8 FALCATED DUCK, 2 WIGEON, 35 TUFTED DUCK, 18 SMEW, 47 COMMON MERGANSER, 1 ‘booming’ GREAT BITTERN, 5 LONG-BILLED PLOVER, 1 EASTERN WATER RAIL, 2 CRESTED KINGFISHER, 15 ROOK and 1 BARN SWALLOW.
1 GREAT BUSTARD, 20 TUNDRA SWANS, 30 WHOOPER SWANS, 8 SWAN GEESE, 2 GREYLAG GEESE, 5 WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLES, 1 MERLIN, 21 WHITE-NAPED CRANES and 91 COMMON CRANES, Ma Chang (Zhao Min, Huang Hanchen, Richard Davis et al).
4 WHITE-TAILED EAGLES, 25 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, 1 HOODED CRANE and 31 COMMON STARLINGS, Ma Chang (CM, ZQ)
11 March 2017
1 2cy PALLAS’S GULL, Shisanling (CM). Also 140+ MONGOLIAN GULLS and 6 SIBERIAN GULLS.
8 March 2017
A minimum 308 BAER’S POCHARDS counted at Hengshui Hu. A site record (TT).
7 March 2017
At least 42 BAER’S POCHARDS back at the breeding site, Hengshui Hu, in Hebei Province (TT)
5 March 2017
The first-winter female HARLEQUIN still present near Anzhenmen (per WeChat).
1 SAKER, 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 2 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and at least 22 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, Ma Chang (CM, ZQ).
4 March 2017
4 GOLDEN EAGLES (2 displaying ads and 2 2cy birds), Youzhou. Plus 5 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 2 MANDARIN, 18 CHUKAR, 7 RED-THROATED and 1 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 4 WHITE-WINGED REDSTARTS (3m, 1 f), 8 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 1 lepidus LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH and 6 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES (TT, ML, John MacKinnon and Hugh Lansdown)
Also a hybrid duck (Mallard x Spot-billed Duck) at Youzhou.
24 February 2017
The HARLEQUIN still present near Anzhenmen (per eBird).
19 February 2017
The HARLEQUIN still present at Anzhenmen (BW). Also 65 WHITE WAGTAILS along the Tonghuihe near Shuangqiao, including 8 ssp lugens (PH). Plus 21 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS.
18 February 2017
1 ‘Japanese’ BLACK-FACED BUNTING (Emberiza spodocephala personata), Beizhuang (Cai Zhenbo and Li Weiying, identified by Paul Holt). A rare sighting of this form, records of which are few and far between not only in Beijing but in all of China.
14 February 2017
The HARLEQUIN still present at Anzhenmen (per WeChat group).
10 February 2017
***MEGA***: 1 HARLEQUIN (female), Anzhenmen. Found by photographer Hou Jinsheng. Thanks to Huang Hanchen for passing on the information. According to locals, present for “more than 20 days”. The first record for Beijing.
9 February 2017
1 male CHAFFINCH, Botanical Gardens (Cheng Zheng via WeChat)
6 February 2017
1 LESSER WHITETHROAT, Olympic Forest Park (via PH).
5 February 2017
1 female LONG-TAILED DUCK, Dashihe, Fangshan District (Xiao Hong Cao Xinhua via PH).
28 January 2017
19 CHUKAR, Youzhou Valley. Plus 3 GOLDEN EAGLES and 9 CINEREOUS VULTURES.
3 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES ssp lepidus, Lingshan (TT, ML). Plus 3 WHITE-WINGED REDSTARTS.
27 January 2017
2 middendorffi TAIGA BEAN GEESE, Wenyu River (TT). Plus 1 3cy male HEN HARRIER.
24 January 2017
1 GREY-BACKED THRUSH and 1 PALLAS’S WARBLER, Peking University Campus (Zhang Yong). Photos reproduced with kind permission.
21 January 2017
4 GREAT BUSTARDS, Miyun. Plus 30 BEAN GEESE, 2 BLACK STORKS, 9 COMMON CRANES, 1 UPLAND BUZZARD, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 1 MERLIN, 1 PEREGRINE, 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER, 48 LITTLE BUNTINGS, 4 YELLOW-THROATED BUNTINGS and 1 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH (TT, ML)
20 January 2017
2 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Agricultural Exhibition Park (David Consineo via WeChat). Accessed via Line 10 on the metro.
15 January 2017
2 SAKERS, 1 MERLIN, SHORT-EARED OWL and 2 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS, Bulaotun (Zhao Min, Huang Hanchen, Shen Yan et al). Shen Yan captured this series of images of an interaction between a SHORT-EARED OWL and a SAKER, reproduced here with his kind permission.
13 January 2017
1 GREY-BACKED THRUSH still at Peking University (Dave GUO via eBird).
11 January 2017
***MEGA***: Belated news of at least 10 SNOW BUNTINGS, Bulaotun, on Saturday 7 January. Found and photographed by 曲利军 (Qu Lijun). The first documented record for Beijing. Thanks again to Huang Hanchen for the tip-off.
10 January 2017
Great news about the discovery of 6-7 CRESTED LARKS (now very difficult to see in Beijing) at Dashihe, Fangshan District, on 8 January. Images here reproduced with kind permission of the photographer, 孙琰 ,SUN Yan. Her original post can be found here. Thank you to Huang Hanchen for the tip-off.
8 January 2017
1 female CHAFFINCH, Shisanling (HH, ZM et al). Also 1 juv WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 2 PEREGRINE, 85 YELLOW-BELLIED TITS and 160+ PINE BUNTINGS (CM, ZQ).
1 juv WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 1 EASTERN BUZZARD, 1 PEREGRINE, 1 LONG-EARED OWL, 43 LITTLE BUNTINGS, 4 YELLOW-THROATED BUNTINGS and 6 PALLAS’S BUNTINGS, Shunyi Patch (TT)
Two of the PALLAS’S BUNTINGS on the local patch in Shunyi, 8 January 2017.
5 January 2017
The first-winter female PIED WHEATEAR still in the Olympic Forest Park. Plus a drake MANDARIN (TT).
2 January 2017
1 CHAFFINCH (female), 5 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, 1 imm WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING and 160+ PINE BUNTINGS, Shisanling (CM).
7 CHUKAR, 1 KOKLASS PHEASANT, 19 MANDARIN, 4 CINEREOUS VULTURES and 4 GOLDEN EAGLES, Youzhou Valley (TT et al)
1 CINEREOUS VULTURE, 1 HEN HARRIER, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 1 NUTCRACKER, 3 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 1 ALPINE ACCENTOR, 4 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES (ssp lepidus), 8 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES and 18 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, Lingshan (TT et al)
A PALE THRUSH photographed at Daxing Binhe Park (south Beijing) by Zhong Zhenyu.
1 January 2017
A first-winter female PIED WHEATEAR in the Olympic Forest Park (per Beijing Birdwatching Society WeChat group).
30 December 2016
At least 15 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Peking University (照尔 via Birding Beijing WeChat group).
29 December 2016
1 SOLITARY SNIPE still in the Baihe Valley (per eBird)
28 December 2016
1 GREY-BACKED THRUSH, Peking University (Chen Wei per Birding Beijing WeChat Group).
25 December 2016
Late report of a BLACK-THROATED DIVER at Dayunhe Forest Park, Tongzhou, on 14 November 2016. Thanks to Huang Hanchen for the tip-off.
24 December 2016
1 SOLITARY SNIPE, Baihe Valley (Zhao Min et al).
23 December 2016
1 KOKLASS PHEASANT, 2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 1 SAKER, 17 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES and 2 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES (CM)
13 December 2016
***MEGA*** 1 male SCALY-SIDED MERGANSER, Huairou (PH).
12 December 2016
***MEGA***: 1 juvenile LAMMERGEIER, Lingshan (TT, PH). The second record for Beijing following one in February 2008 at Shidu.
Also 5 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 1 ad NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 1 EURASIAN WOODCOCK, 1 GREAT GREY SHRIKE ssp sibiricus, 1 SPOTTED NUTCRACKER, 6 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 1 WHITE-WINGED REDSTART, 3 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 20 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 11 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES ssp lepidus and 22 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES.
10 December 2016
6 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 1 imm/fem LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH ssp lepidus, 1 UPLAND BUZZARD, 1 CHINESE NUTHATCH and 10 RED-BILLED CHOUGH, Miaofengshan (CM).
1 unseasonal COMMON SANDPIPER at the Wenyu River (TT). Plus 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 6 LITTLE BUNTINGS and 8 PALLAS’S BUNTINGS.
8 December 2016
HEBEI: A record count of 290 BAER’S POCHARDS at Hengshui Hu (78% males) plus at least 5 apparent Baer’s x Ferruginous hybrids. Also a first-winter BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE. (PH, LQ)
4 December 2016
The REED PARROTBILLS (up to 30 present) still at Wanping Hu. Popular with the local bird photographers! Also at least 4 BEARDED TITS, 2 CHINESE PENDULINE TITS and 5 WATER PIPITS.
3 December 2016
1 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, Summer Palace (ZM et al via Birding Beijing WeChat group).
6 WHITE-WINGED REDSTARTS, 6 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES (including one adult male), 6 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES (ssp lepidus), 9 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 10 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 5 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 1 PINE BUNTING and 1 LAPLAND BUNTING, Lingshan (TT, BS)
2 December 2016
The REED PARROTBILLS still present at Wanping Hu (RD via Birding Beijing WeChat group)
1 December 2016
A flock of 10+ REED PARROTBILLS at Wanping Hu, near the Lugou Bridge in southwest Beijing. Although relatively common on the coast and further south in Hebei Province, this constitutes the first credible record of this species in Beijing Municipality. Photo by Mr Su. Apparently present since 24 November (first seen by Mr Xu).
27 November 2016
1 imm WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 2 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARDS, 2 UPLAND BUZZARDS, 1 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 3 HEN HARRIERS, 1 SAKER, 10 JAPANESE QUAILS, 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING, Miyun (TT, JH et al)
18 November 2016
1 PALE THRUSH, Temple of Heaven Park (Zhang Weimin).
13 November 2016
1 first-winter BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE still at Shahe (CM). Also 12 BEARDED REEDLINGS, 10 CHINESE PENDULINE TITS, 4 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, 1 EURASIAN STARLING, 1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER (rare in winter).
4 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES (ssp lepidus), Lingshan (HH, ZM et al). Plus 4 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 4 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS and 3 GOLDEN EAGLES.
12 November 2016
***MEGA*** 1 BLACK-THROATED DIVER, Yeyahu (TT, Zhao Min, Magnus Aurivillius et al). Also 1 LONG-TAILED DUCK.
4 GREAT BUSTARDS, Miyun Reservoir (Chen Yanxin). Plus 1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 2 UPLAND BUZZARDS and a MERLIN.
11 November 2016
1 UPLAND BUZZARD, Shunyi (TT)
7 November 2016
1 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, Shahe (Zhang Weimin). A first-winter (also present on 6th November).
6 November 2016
3 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, Miaofengshan (CM). Plus 2 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 5 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 1 CINEREOUS VULTURE, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 1 SAKER and 1 EURASIAN CRAG MARTIN.
3 BAER’S POCHARDS, Yeyahu (TT, RB). Also 23 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 60 COMMON CRANES, 1 ad PALLAS’S GULL, 4 SIBERIAN GULLS, 12 COMMON GULLS, 5 MONGOLIAN GULLS, 7 MUTE SWANS, 7 BEWICK’S SWANS, 1 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, 1 CINEREOUS VULTURE (with satellite tag), MERLIN, 1 SHORT-EARED OWL, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 3 CHINESE GREY SHRIKES, 2 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 28 PALLAS’S and 1 COMMON REED BUNTING.
1 LONG-TAILED DUCK, Yeyahu (Zhang Weimin et al).
5 November 2016
1 BLACK REDSTART, Lingshan (TT, ML). Plus 3 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, 1 BROWN EARED PHEASANT (heard only), 3 ‘lepidus’ LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES, 1 ‘ussuriensis’ LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH, 5 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 2 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 2 NUTCRACKERS, 12 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 4 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 2 DUSKY THRUSHES, 1 NAUMANN’S THRUSH and 1 LAPLAND BUNTING.
2 GREAT BUSTARDS, Miyun (per WeChat)
2 November 2016
The POMARINE SKUA still present at Yanqing (per WeChat)
1 November 2016
***MEGA*** 1 first-winter POMARINE SKUA, Yanqing (TT et al). The bird reported on 30 and 31 October still present. The first record for Beijing.
29 October 2016
***MEGA*** 1 HOODED CROW flying SSE close to Beijing Capital International Airport (JH). The first record for Beijing and possibly NE China.
4 BAER’S POCHARDS, Yeyahu NR, viewed from the Tower Hide (JT, HH, ZM)
1 STEJNEGER’S SCOTER, Shahe (CM). Plus 7 GREAT BITTERNS, CATTLE EGRET, 1 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (1cy), 3 SIBERIAN GULLS (1cy), 1 RELICT GULL (1cy), 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 8 HORNED LARKS and 2 WATER PIPITS.
28 October 2016
2 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, Shunyi (TT). Plus a late COMMON ROSEFINCH, 2 RUSTIC BUNTINGS, 5 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS and 5 SILVER-THROATED TITS.
27 October 2016
1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE over the Olympic Park, Beijing. Photo by Yin Lijian.
26 October 2016
4 BAER’S POCHARDS at Yeyahu today (TT, ZM, HH et al). Also 2 BAR-HEADED GEESE, 210 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 1 BROWN-CHEEKED RAIL, 1 CASPIAN TERN, 1 UPLAND BUZZARD, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, at least 30 BEARDED TITS and an apparent RED-THROATED THRUSH x BLACK-THROATED THRUSH intergrade.
1 GREY-BACKED THRUSH, Temple of Heaven Park (per Birding Beijing WeChat group)
25 October 2016
3 BAER’S POCHARDS, Yeyahu (TT, BE, RH). Also 1 SLAVONIAN GREBE, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, at least 28 BEARDED TITS, 30 COMMON STARLINGS and 2 COMMON CRANES.
22 October 2016
***MEGA***: 1 SWINHOE’S RAIL, Shahe (CM). Seen very well in flight.
A male GREY-BACKED THRUSH and a SWINHOE’S (RUFOUS-TAILED) ROBIN in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre (David Consineo).
16 October 2016
220+ YELLOW-BELLIED TITS (in two flocks), Shahe (CM). Plus a single PINE BUNTING, 14 COMMON STARLINGS, a single HUME’S WARBLER and 4 HEN HARRIERS.
8 October 2016
66 EURASIAN SPOONBILLS over northern Beijing (Yin Lijian).
1 BAIKAL TEAL, Shahe (CM). Plus 3 GREAT BITTERNS, 3 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES, 1 MERLIN, 1 SIBERIAN GULL and 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER.
HEBEI: 142 BAER’S POCHARDS (112 males, 29 females) at the breeding site (PH).
6 October 2016
2 SANDERLINGS (juvs), Ma Chang (PH). Possibly only the second record for the capital. Plus 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 3 BROWN-CHEEKED (EASTERN WATER) RAILS, 1 BAIKAL BUSH WARBLER, 18 ASHY MINIVETS and 210 BUFF-BELLIED PIPITS.
1 October 2016
1 BULL-HEADED SHRIKE, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 3 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHERS, 1 WHITE’S THRUSH, 7 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS and a YELLOW-BROWED BUNTING, Shahe (CM)
29 September 2016
MEGA: 1 SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF, Yeyahu NR (PH). The second documented record for Beijing.
28 September 2016
A BROWN-CHEEKED RAIL (EASTERN WATER RAIL), Shunyi Patch (TT). This was TT’s 50th visit to his local patch – an area of scrub near his apartment – and the rail was the 121st species to be recorded there.
24 September 2016
HOBBY, 2 AMUR FALCONS, 2 BROWN SHRIKES, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 13 BLUETHROATS, 3 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS, 3 THICK-BILLED WARBLERS, 1 BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLER, 3 RICHARD’S PIPITS and 2 COMMON ROSEFINCHES on the Shunyi patch (TT, ML)
23 September 2016
1 LESSER WHITETHROAT in the Botanical Gardens (James Pender).
1 BROWN SHRIKE, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 1 WHITE’S THRUSH, 11 BLUETHROATS, 1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, 1 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING and 3 PALLAS’S BUNTINGS, Shunyi patch (TT)
19 September 2016
1 BLACK-WINGED KITE, Yeyahu (TT, PS). Also 2 BEARDED TITS, 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 31 BLACK KITES and 30 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS.
18 September 2016
1 JAPANESE QUAIL, 1 PURPLE HERON, 2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, 2 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS, 1 BLACK KITE, 1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, 4 PIED HARRIERS, 4 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 2 EAGLE OWLS, 6 BLUETHROATS, 1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT and 14 RED-THROATED PIPITS, Miyun (TT, ML)
17 September 2016
8 BAIKAL TEAL, Shahe (CM). Plus 14 GARGANEY, 2 GREAT BITTERN, 3 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, 6 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 3 BROWN SHRIKE,
1 RED-THROATED PIPIT, 2 PECHORA PIPIT, 130+ COMMON ROSEFINCH, 2 LONG-TAILED MINIVET, 9 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARD, 37+ AMUR FALCON, 2 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING, 1 MARSH GRASSBIRD, 2 PIED HARRIER and 1 EYEBROWED THRUSH.
8 September 2016
1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 3 BROWN SHRIKES, 1 CHINESE PENDULINE TIT, 6 STONECHATS, 2 RED-THROATED PIPITS, 4 RICHARD’S PIPITS, 2 (singing) THICK-BILLED WARBLERS, 2 DUSKY WARBLERS, 1 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER, 2 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS, 1 CHESTNUT BUNTING, 3 LITTLE BUNTINGS and 2 PALLAS’S BUNTINGS, Shunyi (TT)
4 September 2016
2 FALCATED DUCK, Shahe (CM). Plus 2 LONG-TOED STINT, 2 AMUR FALCON, 1 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 1 singing BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE and 1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET.
2 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, Shunyi (TT). Plus BLACK-NAPED ORIOLE, 2 DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHERS, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 3 BROWN SHRIKES, 1 BLYTH’S PIPIT and 4 RICHARD’S PIPITS.
2 September 2016
1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, Shunyi (TT). Plus 1 JAPANESE QUAIL, 3 BROWN SHRIKES, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 2 ARCTIC WARBLERS, 2 THICK-BILLED WARBLERS, 1 BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLER, 1 DUSKY WARBLER, 2 RICHARD’S PIPITS, 1 TAIGA FLYCATCHER and 2 PALLAS’S BUNTINGS.
28 August 2016
1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, Wenyu He (TT, CB). Plus 3 MANDARIN, 1 SHOVELER, 2 GREAT CORMORANTS, 4 ‘Swintail’ SNIPE, 1 TEMMINCK’S STINT, 2 CRESTED KINGFISHERS, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 1 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 1 LARGE HAWK-CUCKOO, 2 WRYNECKS.
26 August 2016
1 singing BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, Shahe (CM). Plus 1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, 1 CATTLE EGRET, 11 AMUR FALCONS, 6 HOBBY, 5 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 4 MARSH SANDPIPERS, 2 GREY-STREAKED FLYCATCHERS, 8 DARK-SIDED FLYCATCHERS, 5 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 1 ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER, 2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, 5 ARCTIC WARBLERS, 6 TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLERS, 2 CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLERS, 2 EASTERN CROWNED WARBLERS, 2 THICK-BILLED WARBLERS and 1 GREY NIGHTJAR.
5 BLYTH’S PIPITS, Shunyi (TT). Plus 1 YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHER, 8 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 4 BROWN SHRIKES, 4 ARCTIC WARBLERS and 11 BLACK DRONGOS.
24 August 2016
1 BLYTH’S PIPIT, Shunyi (TT). Plus 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 5 BROWN SHRIKES, 2 ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHERS and 1 ARCTIC WARBLER.
13 August 2016
1 ad. RELICT GULL, Shahe (CM). Plus 3 INTERMEDIATE EGRETS, 2 early PALLAS’S BUNTINGS, 2 BLYTH’S PIPITS, 3 GULL-BILLED TERNS, 1 GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK, 5 SIBERIAN (Dark-sided) FLYCATCHERS, 5 GREY-STREAKED FLYCATCHERS, 2 YELLOW-RUMPED FLYCATCHERS, 1 ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER, 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER, 2 MARSH SANDPIPERS, 3 CUCKOO sp, 7 BROWN SHRIKES and 3 (almost certainly escaped) BAR-HEADED GEESE.
6 August 2016
HEBEI: A superb count of 203 ASIAN DOWITCHERS (J-EN). Plus 5,980 BLACK-WINGED STILT, 4,620 BLACK-TAILED GODWIT, 3,865 KENTISH PLOVER, 860 AVOCET, 465 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER, 420 MARSH SANDPIPER and 4,100 WHITE-WINGED TERN.
2 August 2016
1 ad TIGER SHRIKE, near the International Exhibition Centre, Shunyi (TT).
30 July 2016
The SCHRENCK’S BITTERN family still showing well in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park (PH).
27-28 July 2016
HEBEI: 1 NORDMANN’S GREENSHANK in breeding plumage, Nanpu (PH, ML, TT). Plus 30+ ASIAN DOWITCHER, including 5 juveniles, 6605 BLACK-WINGED STILT, 23 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 120 FAR EASTERN CURLEW, 7 GREY-TAILED TATTLER, 32 TEREK SANDPIPER, 455 GREAT KNOT, 80 RED KNOT, 81 RED-NECKED STINT, 2900 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER, 5 SAUNDERS’S GULL, 42 RELICT GULL, at least 2 BEARDED TITS and 1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER.
23 July 2016
Three young SCHRENCK’S BITTERNS have fledged from Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park in central Beijing (DC). Also breeding YELLOW BITTERN and CINNAMON BITTERN at the same location.
4 July 2016
At least 1 singing GREY-WINGED BLACKBIRD, Lingshan (TT, WL, DW). Plus at least 6 singing ‘GANSU’ RED-FLANKED BLUETAILS, at least 4 singing GREENISH-type WARBLERS, at least 10 ASIAN HOUSE MARTINS, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 3 BLUE WHISTLING THRUSHES, 1 ZAPPEY’S, 1 YELLOW-RUMPED, 3 GREEN-BACKED and 2 SLATY-BACKED FLYCATCHERS, 2 CHINESE THRUSHES, 8 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBINS, 1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 2 ASIAN STUBTAILS, 3 WHITE-BELLIED REDSTARTS and 5 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES.
3 July 2016
HEBEI: A female BAER’S POCHARD with 5 ducklings at the breeding site in Hebei Province. Plus at least 7 separate adults. Also 5 SCHRENCK’S BITTERNS and at least 3 BLUNT-WINGED WARBLERS (TT, WL, DW)
26 June 2016
SCHRENCK’S BITTERN, Agricultural Exhibition Centre. Possibly breeding (per WeChat)
25 June 2016
1 HIMALAYAN CUCKOO, Miaofengshan (CM). Also 2 LARGE HAWK CUCKOOS, 12 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLERS, 12 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES.
24 June 2016
At least 3 singing male GREY-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, Lingshan (TT, PH). The presence of multiple birds suggests that this find is most likely the discovery of a previously unknown breeding population, more than 1500km from the nearest known breeding grounds. See here.
23 June 2016
At least 2 singing GREY-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, Lingshan (TT, PH).
MEGA: a singing male SLATY-BLUE FLYCATCHER, Lingshan (PH). The second record for Beijing.
18 June 2016
MEGA: a singing male GREY-WINGED BLACKBIRD at Lingshan (TT). A bizarre record of a largely Himalayan species, so unexpected that the possibility of an escape must be seriously considered.
2 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKES, Shahe (CM). Plus 1 LONG-TOED STINT, 1 RED TURTLE DOVE, 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER and 2 singing PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS.
17 June 2016
At least 4 GREENISH-type WARBLERS at Lingshan (TT). Plus 6 ‘GANSU’ BLUETAILS, 4 GREY-SIDED and 3 CHINESE THRUSHES, GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHER, NUTCRACKER, GREY NIGHTJAR, SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN, CLAUDIA’S, HUME’S, YELLOW-STREAKED and CHINESE LEAF WARBLERS, MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER and 7 WHITE-BELLIED REDSTARTS.
12 June 2016
3 WHITE-BREASTED WATERHENS, Shahe (CM). Plus 1 SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE, 1 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE, 2 YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAIL, 1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER and 1 GULL-BILLED TERN.
10 June 2016
A singing BROWNISH-FLANKED BUSH WARBLER, Baihuashan (J-EN). Sound recorded. Possibly the first confirmed record for Beijing.
7 June 2016
A PALLAS’S FISH EAGLE photographed at Yeyahu by local warden Fang Chun. The first modern-day record. Seen in the area for several days.
5 June 2016
2k+ GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, Summer Palace (Klas Rådberg). Plus imm male AMUR FALCON.
4 June 2016
1 singing DAVID’S BUSH WARBLER, Shahe (CM). Plus PECHORA PIPIT, INTERMEDIATE EGRET, a male SCHRENCK’S BITTERN, at least 3 ASIAN KOELS and several singing PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS.
29 May 2016
1 PECHORA PIPIT, Olympic Forest Park (ZS, MR et al). Plus 5 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS, 1 DAVID’S BUSH WARBLER and 1 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING.
1 singing BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER still, Shahe (CM). Plus DOLLARBIRD, 5 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS and 6 GULL-BILLED TERNS.
27 May 2016
At least 3 singing MARSH GRASSBIRDS, Yeyahu. Plus a singing BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER and a single GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE (RJ, DN, TT et al)
26 May 2016
At least 3 singing MARSH GRASSBIRDS, Yeyahu (RJ, DN, TT et al)
23 May 2016
2 NORTHERN BOOBOOKS, Summer Palace (per Birdnet.cn)
22 May 2016
MEGA: a singing CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO at the Botanical Gardens, just west of Wofosi (JH).
MEGA: a GREY-HEADED CANARY-FLYCATCHER, Lingshan (SA, DN, JJ, LK et al). The second record for Beijing.
21 May 2016
1 singing CHINESE LEAF WARBLER, Summer Palace (JJ, CH, DN, TT)
A singing BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, Shahe (CM). Plus YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAIL, 2 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, 4 ASIAN KOELS, 1 GREY NIGHTJAR, 1 singing CHINESE LEAF WARBLER and 3 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS.
18 May 2016
1 CHINESE SPARROWHAWK, Summer Palace. Plus DOLLARBIRD, BLYTH’S PIPIT and DAURIAN STARLING (JH)
17 May 2016
1 female SLATY BUNTING, Summer Palace (JH). The first record for Beijing.
2 DAURIAN STARLINGS, Olympic Forest Park (Clive Harris via eBird)
15 May 2016
1 ASIAN KOEL, Wenyu River (TT, NM).
14 May 2016
92 COMMON ROSEFINCH, Shahe (CM). Plus 32+ LONG-TOED STINT, 2 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 2 CASPIAN and 5 GULL-BILLED TERN, a single JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 1 CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER and 1 FOREST WAGTAIL.
1 singing BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, Yeyahu (TT et al). Plus 1 EASTERN WATER (BROWN-CHEEKED) RAIL, 1 YELLOW BITTERN, 5 EASTERN MARSH and 1 PIED HARRIER, 1 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK and 12 CHINESE PENDULINE TIT.
13 May 2016
A RUFOUS-TAILED ROBIN, Shunyi (TT). Surprisingly very scarce in Beijing with fewer than 10 records.
A singing CLAUDIA’S WARBLER, Summer Palace (JH).
12 May 2016
1 ASIAN KOEL, Summer Palace (JH). Also 6 AMUR FALCONS, 11 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS, 1 RED-BILLED STARLING and 2 TRISTRAM’S BUNTINGS.
2 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHERS, Temple of Heaven Park (Zhang Weimin). Plus FOREST WAGTAIL and 2 EASTERN CROWNED WARBLERS.
10 May 2016
A male NARCISSUS FLYCATCHER, Wenyu River (Jian Guohao). Very rare in Beijing. Possibly only the second record.
A single RED TURTLE DOVE and 2 DAURIAN STARLINGS, Summer Palace (JH)
7 May 2016
A CHINESE SPARROWHAWK at Shahe (CM). Plus ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL and the first spring records of BLACK DRONGO and INDIAN CUCKOO.
6 May 2016
Belated news of Beijing’s first LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER at Yeyahu on 19 October 2009 (Yan Xiaoqin). The only record of this species in Beijing. See here.
5 May 2016
1 male GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHER, Olympic Forest Park (see http://www.birdnet.cn/thread-1368708-1-1.html)
1 May 2016
14 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Yanqing (TT, ML). Plus 7 BLYTH’S PIPITS.
28 April 2016
HEBEI: a SULPHUR-BREASTED WARBLER, Nanpu town park (Adrian Boyle, Chris Hassall, Jason Loghry et al). The 4th record for Hebei, three of which (involving at least two birds) have been at the same site this spring!
26 April 2016
14 LITTLE CURLEWS, Shahe (CM). Easily a Beijing record, with only around 10 previous records in total! Plus 3 WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN, 2 ASHY MINIVET, 2 LONG-TOED STINT, 1 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 3 BLUETHROAT and 1 COMMON ROSEFINCH.
24 April 2016
1 BAR-HEADED GOOSE, Shahe (per Birding Beijing WeChat group).
23 April 2016
MEGA: 1 BESRA, Baiwangshan (Du Songhan et al). Very rare in Beijing with possibly only one previous record.
8 GREATER SHORT-TOED LARKS, Wenyu He (TT, ML). Also 5 MANDARIN, 19 CITRINE WAGTAILS, a single JAPANESE QUAIL, 1 ‘SWINTAIL’ SNIPE, 2 DUSKY THRUSHES, 1 NAUMANN’S THRUSH and a DUSKY x NAUMANN’S intergrade.
22 April 2016
2 HUME’S WARBLERS, Summer Palace (JH). Plus a GREAT BITTERN.
21 April 2016
A male PIED WHEATEAR at Shudu (per Birdnet). See here.
20 April 2016
1 NORTHERN HOUSE MARTIN, Summer Palace (JH).
16 April 2016
At Shahe, a WHITE WAGTAIL ssp alba (CM). The 3rd record of this ssp in Beijing. Plus a single ASIAN HOUSE MARTIN (rare in lowland Beijing), 17 OSPREY, 19 EASTERN MARSH HARRIER, 6 GREY-FACED BUZZARD and 60 GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK.
At Ma Chang, a single MEADOW PIPIT (TT, ML, PH). The 5th Beijing record.
Also at Ma Chang, 2 WHITE WAGTAILS ssp alba. The 4th and 5th records of this ssp for Beijing.
14 April 2016
The REDWING still in the southern Botanical Gardens (PH).
11 April 2016
Belated news of a REDWING in the Botanical Gardens on 6 April 2016. The first record for Beijing and very rare in all of China. Photos can be seen here and here. Thanks to Jesper Hornskov for the tip-off.
10 April 2016
1 WHITE WAGTAIL ssp personata (first summer), Ma Chang. The fourth record of this subspecies in Beijing. Also 2 GARGANEY, 14 FERRUGINOUS DUCK, 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 41 GREATER SHORT-TOED LARKS, 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING.
9 April 2016
6 BAER’S POCHARDS, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN). Observer then ejected from the site by police.
1 MEADOW PIPIT, Ma Chang (TT, JK, LQ). Only the 4th Beijing record.
5 GREAT BUSTARDS over the Baiwangshan raptor watchpoint (Alex et al via Birding Beijing WeChat group).
8 April 2016
1 BAR-HEADED GOOSE, Biawangshan (via WeChat Group). 1 ORIENTAL STORK, Summer Palace (JH).
2 April 2016
374 RELICT GULLS, Shahe (CM). A Beijing record count. Also a single ORIENTAL PLOVER, 4 SHORT-EARED OWLS and 5 BAIKAL TEAL.
27 March 2016
1100 EASTERN ROOK and 500 DAURIAN JACKDAW north, Shahe (CM). Plus 27 WHITE-NAPED CRANE, 61 SWAN GOOSE (including one with neck band S23), 2 COMMON CRANE, 3 NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 59 EASTERN BUZZARD, 1 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK, 26 COMMON STARLING, 20 GARGANEY, 1 RED-BILLED STARLING, 5 SIBERIAN GULL, 3 CRAG MARTIN.
A neck-collared SWAN GOOSE at Shahe (photo by Colm Moore).
20 March 2016
1 pair BAER’S POCHARD, Summer Palace (JH).
1 pair BAER’S POCHARD, Miyun Reservoir (TT, WL, JY, LY))
At least 4 JANKOWSKI’S BUNTINGS remain at Miyun (TT, WL, JY LY)
19 March 2016
55 BEWICK’S SWANS, 6 WHOOPER SWANS, 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, 1 GREATER SAND PLOVER, 3 ROSY PIPITS, 2 SIBERIAN GULLS and 80 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARKS, Shahe (CM).
13 March 2016
81 WHOOPER SWAN, 9 TUNDRA SWAN, 17 SWAN GOOSE, 9 GREYLAG GOOSE, 880 TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, 8 TAIGA BEAN GOOSE, 190 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 22 FALCATED DUCK, 170 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 SHORT-EARED OWL, 42 COMMON CRANE, 5 EURASIAN CURLEW, 2 LONG-BILLED PLOVER, 1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 2 HEN HARRIER, 1 GOSHAWK, 1 EASTERN BUZZARD, 5 UPLAND BUZZARD, 2 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 1 PEREGRINE, 45 COMMON STARLING, 2 BEARDED REEDLING, 70 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK, 52 PALLAS’S REED BUNTING, 2 JAPANESE REED BUNTING, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
85 TUNDRA BEAN GEESE, Shahe (CM). Plus 57 SWAN GEESE, 1 imm SIBERIAN GULL, 127 MONGOLIAN GULL, 1650+ BLACK-HEADED GULL, 47+ COMMON STARLING, 2 BAIKAL TEAL.
12 March 2016
11 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES (8 males, 3 females), Miaofengshan (CM). Plus 6 lepidus LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES, 7 RED-BILLED CHOUGHS, 15 ALPINE ACCENTORS and 4 CHUKAR.
9 March 2016
A male CHAFFINCH at Jixiang Si (TT, GD, FH ). Also 7 JAPANESE QUAIL, 480 BEAN GEESE, 1 SWAN GOOSE, 28 WHOOPER SWANS, 120 BAIKAL TEAL, 6 FALCATED DUCK, 32 COMMON CRANE, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 3 UPLAND and 1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 1 MERLIN, 1 EAGLE OWL, 1 SHORT-EARED OWL, 1 LONG-EARED OWLS, 510 DAURIAN JACKDAWS, 2 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARKS and 24 LAPLAND BUNTINGS, Miyun Reservoir.
8 March 2016
1 JAPANESE GROSBEAK, Olympic Forest Park (JH)
7 March 2016
At least 29 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, Miyun (TT, CH). Plus 2 BAIKAL TEAL, 2 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, 240 BEAN GEESE and 6 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS
6 March 2016
42 MONGOLIAN GULLS nw over Shidu (TT, ML, JM). Plus 2 BROWN DIPPERS, 2 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, 6 PLUMBEOUS REDSTARTS.
5 March 2016
20 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, Miyun Reservoir (TT, RB, ST). Plus 1, possibly 2, GREAT BUSTARD, 3 ROUGH-LEGGED and 3 UPLAND BUZZARDS.
1 March 2016
The long-staying RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER – the 5th record for the capital – is still in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre Park.
27 February 2016
At least 10 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, Lingshan (TT, AL). Also 15 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 10 CINEREOUS VULTURES and 5 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS.
22 February 2016
1 EURASIAN CHAFFINCH, Jixiang Si (TT).
At least 12 JANKOWSKI’S BUNTINGS, Miyun Reservoir.
20 February 2016
2 JAPANESE QUAIL, 4 SMEW, 78 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 1 PINTAIL, 2 LONG-BILLED PLOVER, 3 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 9 ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE and 17 PALLAS’S BUNTING, Wenyu River (TT, ML)
19 February 2016
1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD and 1 HEN HARRIER, Shunyi (TT). Plus 1 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR and 1 WATER PIPIT.
6 February 2016
At least 6 JANKOWSKI’S BUNTINGS still at Miyun Reservoir (TT, ML). Plus 4 UPLAND BUZZARD, 3 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 1 MERLIN, 1 LONG-EARED and 5 SHORT-EARED OWL, 4 JAPANESE REED BUNTING.
5 February 2016
1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD still at Shunyi (TT)
31 January 2016
1 first-winter/female YELLOWHAMMER, Miaofengshan (CM). The tenth record of this species for Beijing. Plus 350 PINE BUNTING, 25 ALPINE ACCENTORS and 1 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH.
1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, Shunyi (TT)
30 January 2016
2 EASTERN WATER RAILS, Guihe, Yanqing. Also 150+ PINE BUNTINGS.
25 January 2016
1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, Shunyi (TT)
24 January 2016
At least 5 JANKOWSKI’S BUNTINGS still at Miyun Reservoir (Chen Liang). Plus SAKER, UPLAND BUZZARD, ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD.
18 January 2016
1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, Shunyi (TT).
17 January 2016
9 JANKOWSKI’S BUNTINGS still at Miyun Reservoir (PH, GD)
16 January 2016
9 JANKOWSKI’S BUNTINGS at Miyun Reservoir (PH, GD).
14 January 2016
***MEGA*** At least 7 JANKOWSKI’S BUNTINGS, Miyun Reservoir (TT, BW, XC, HM). An astonishing occurrence and illustrating some rarely seen and undescribed plumages. Huge thanks to brilliant young birders, Xing Chao and Huang Mujiao, for the find and for leading TT and Ben Wielstra to the site.
10 January 2016
1 BAER’S POCHARD, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
9 January 2016
***MEGA***: 1 JANKOWSKI’S BUNTING, Miyun Reservoir (Xing Chao and Huang Mujiao). An outstanding find. The second record for Beijing and the first since two specimens were collected near the Summer Palace in 1941! Thanks to Paul Holt for the information about the previous Beijing record.
4 January 2015
One RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER, Agricultural Exhibition Centre (per Birdnet.cn)
30 December 2015
A first winter GREATER FLAMINGO at Shahe Reservoir today (CM). The Wenyu River bird relocating? Plus 1 male RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 1 CINEREOUS VULTURE and 1 GREAT BUSTARD.
26 December 2015
7 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, 3 ASIAN ROSY FINCH, 4 ALPINE ACCENTOR, 66 PINE BUNTING and 80+ LAPLAND BUNTING, Miaofengshan (CM)
24 December 2015
A single CINEREOUS VULTURE, Shahe (CM). Also 3 PEREGRINE, 2 GOSHAWK, 1 fem RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and 5 LAPLAND BUNTING.
20 December 2015
1 unseasonal CHINESE POND HERON 1cy, Olympic Forest Park (JH). Also a single BEARDED REEDLING, 11 CHINESE PENDULINE TIT, 1 EASTERN WATER RAIL, 1 RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL and 1 BLACK-FACED BUNTING.
19 December 2015
1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 6 WHOOPER SWAN, 3 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 8 HAWFINCH and 75+ LAPLAND BUNTING, Shahe (CM)
11 December 2015
The GREATER FLAMINGO still on the Wenyu River near Sunhe (per WeChat).
2 GREAT GREY SHRIKE ssp sibiricus, Lingshan (PH). Plus 18 JAPANESE WAXWING, 70+ RED-THROATED THRUSH, 1 BLACK-THROATED THRUSH, 2 NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 6 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, 1 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, 9 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTART, 4 HORNED LARK, 1 LAPLAND BUNTING and 6 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR.
8 December 2015
***MEGA***: a first-winter GREATER FLAMINGO, Wenyu He (per Wu Lan). First seen on 7th. The first record of this species in Beijing.
6 December 2015
3 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, 3 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, 38 HORNED LARK (ssp brandti), 2 BLACK-THROATED, 65 RED-THROATED and 6 NAUMANN’S THRUSHES, 1 RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL, 19 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTART, 5 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 5 PINE BUNTING and 40 LAPLAND BUNTING, Lingshan (TT, PH et al).
7 ASIAN ROSY FINCH, Miaofengshan (CM). Rare away from Lingshan. Also 3 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 1 UPLAND BUZZARD, 210 HORNED LARK (ssp brandti) and 350 LAPLAND BUNTING.
5 December 2015
1600 TUNDRA BEAN GOOSE, 170 WHOOPER SWAN, 580 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 350 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 BLACK STORK, 6 CINEREOUS VULTURE, 3 juv WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 6 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 9 UPLAND BUZZARD, 3 EASTERN BUZZARD, 2 MERLIN, 37 BEARDED REEDLING, 3 MONGOLIAN LARK, 62 HORNED LARK, 8 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 1 BUFF-BELLIED and 6 WATER PIPIT, 40 PALLAS’S and 3 JAPANESE REED BUNTING, Miyun Reservoir (PH)
5 MUTE SWAN, Shahe (CM). Plus 1 BLACK STORK, 270+ LAPLAND BUNTING, 5 HORNED LARK, 2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE and 1 LONG-BILLED PLOVER.
3 December 2015
1 caudatus LONG-TAILED TIT, Olympic Forest Park (PH, QW).
30 November 2015
1 ***YELLOWHAMMER*** (possibly the 9th Beijing record, and the first to be fully documented) in a flock of 465 PINE BUNTING (the latter a Beijing record count), Miyun Reservoir (TT, PH, BW and GD). Plus 9 MUTE SWAN (12th Beijing record), 1 juv GOLDEN EAGLE, 11 HEN HARRIER, 2 juv WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 8 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD (a record Beijing count), 12 UPLAND BUZZARD, 1 GREAT BUSTARD, 20 HORNED LARK, 15 MONGOLIAN LARK and 5,600 LAPLAND BUNTING (a record Beijing count).
However, for sheer spectacle, the ‘super-flock’ of LAPLAND BUNTINGS stole the show..
28 November 2015
6 HORNED LARKS ssp brandti, Wenyu He (TT, ML). Plus 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, 238 LAPLAND BUNTINGS and 4 PINE BUNTINGS.
1 imm WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 1 GREAT BITTERN, 1 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER and a very late BARN SWALLOW, Shahe (CM).
26 November 2015
1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, Shunyi (TT, ML). Plus 8 LAPLAND BUNTINGS.
22 November 2015
1 MUTE SWAN, Yizhuang Park (Luo Qingqing)
140+ RUSTIC BUNTINGS, Shahe (CM). A staggering count.
14 November 2015
38 BEARDED REEDLINGS at Shahe (CM). Plus a very late 1st winter WHISKERED TERN.
9 November 2015
1 GREAT GREY SHRIKE ssp sibiricus, Lingshan (TT). Plus 2 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES ssp lepidus (Central China race), 13 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, 300+ thrushes, including at least 290 RED-THROATED, 3 NAUMANN’S, 2 DUSKY, 1 DUSKY x NAUMANN’S intergrade, 1 adult BLACK-THROATED and an adult presumed RED-THROATED x BLACK-THROATED. Also 2 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 1 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCH, PEREGRINE, 19 REDPOLL, 2 SISKIN, 2 HAWFINCHES, 2 LAPLAND BUNTINGS, 83 PINE BUNTINGS and 120 BEAN GEESE migrating south over the peak at 1450. Bird of the day was a mammal – a small weasel sp (either MOUNTAIN or LEAST WEASEL) – both very rare in Beijing. Views on ID welcome!
8 November 2015
*** 3 BAER’S POCHARDS*** (2 male, 1 female), Miyun Reservoir (Guan Xiangyu). Plus 1,050 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE and 9 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS (J-EN)
7 November 2015
1 PALE THRUSH with 200+ DUSKY/NAUMANN’S THRUSHES at Mutianyu Great Wall (JH)
4 November 2015
***4 BAER’S POCHARDS*** (3m, 1f), Yeyahu NR (JH). Plus 14 FERRUGINOUS DUCKS.
2 November 2015
1 RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER, Tongzhou (PH). The fifth record for Beijing. Also 1 JAPANESE WAXWING.
31 October 2015
1 GREAT GREY SHRIKE 1w ssp sibiricus, Lingshan (TT, ML). Plus 10 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, 2 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES and 3 CINEREOUS VULTURES.
3 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, Miaofengshan (CM). The first record for this site. Also 3 GOLDEN EAGLES, 1 BLACK STORK, 15+ ALPINE ACCENTORS, 1 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, 1 CRAG MARTIN and 1 RED CROSSBILL.
29 October 2015
5 GULDENSTADT’S (WHITE-WINGED) REDSTARTS, Lingshan (TT). Plus 3 GOLDEN EAGLES (2 x 1cy and 1 x 2cy+), 1 UPLAND BUZZARD, 1 COMMON ‘EASTERN’ BUZZARD, 1 MERLIN, 15 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 3 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES (1 male, 2 fem/1cy), 17 RED-THROATED THRUSHES, 2 BLACK-THROATED THRUSHES, 1 DUSKY x NAUMANN’S THRUSH, 7 PINE BUNTINGS.
28 October 2015
A report of a flock of 40 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE over Chaoyang Park, central Beijing. (eBird)
25 October 2015
A very late HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO, Shahe (CM). Plus 1 SHORT-EARED OWL, 1 BAIKAL TEAL and 7 FERRUGINOUS DUCKS.
24 October 2015
1 juvenile LITTLE GULL and 1 male BAER’S POCHARD, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN).
***1 BLACK REDSTART***, Miaofengshan (CM). Only 5 previous records in Beijing. Plus 2 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 5 CHUKAR and 2 RED-BILLED CHOUGH.
20 October 2015
10,300 BRAMBLING migrating at Huairou Reservoir this morning, including 8,020 between 1300-1340 (TT, PH). Also 1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, 1 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 3 COMMON CRANE, 2 GREAT BITTERNS, 1 EASTERN WATER RAIL and 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE.
18 October 2015
2 BAER’S POCHARDS, Shahe (CM). Plus 7 HORNED LARKS, 100 ‘EASTERN’ ROOK, 1900 DAURIAN JACKDAW and 29+ COMMON STARLING (scarce in Beijing).
1 GREAT BUSTARD, Yeyahu NR (TT et al). Plus 1 male BEARDED REEDLING, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE and 3 COMMON REED BUNTINGS.
17 October 2015
1 GREAT BUSTARD, Miyun (Birding Beijing group). Plus an EAGLE OWL seen taking a SHORT-EARED OWL at dawn (PH), 1 EASTERN WATER RAIL and 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING.
13 October 2015
1 WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 1 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 3 UPLAND BUZZARD, 3 EASTERN WATER RAIL, 13 AMUR FALCON, SAKER, 1 LANCEOLATED WARBLER, 3 BLUETHROAT, 15 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 2 RICHARD’S and 1 RED-THROATED PIPITS and 27 PINE BUNTINGS, Miyun (PH)
10 October 2015
2 PECHORA PIPITS, SHAHE (CM). Plus 2 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES, 2 EASTERN WATER RAILS, 4 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES and 10 GREAT BITTERNS.
6 October 2015
1 male BAER’S POCHARD, Yeyahu NR (TT, RB). Plus 7 GREYLAG GEESE, LESSER KESTREL, SHORT-TOED EAGLE, 58 ‘EASTERN’ BUZZARD, 1 GREY-HEADED LAPWING, 1 BEARDED TIT and 1 COMMON STARLING.
5 October 2015
1 BULL-HEADED SHRIKE, Miyun (TT, RB). Plus 4 RELICT GULLS (1 ad, 3 first winter), 8 JAPANESE QUAIL, at least 6 HEN HARRIERS, 3 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 3 MERLIN, 3 BLUETHROAT, 1 LANCEOLATED WARBLER and 1 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING.
4 October 2015
1 MARSH GRASSBIRD and 3 BAIKAL TEAL, Shahe (CM). Plus 3 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, 4 BITTERN and 3 LONG-EARED OWLS.
3 October 2015
13 RELICT GULLS, Miyun (TT, ML, BW and GD). Also 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 13 HEN HARRIERS, 1 OSPREY, 2 BLACK KITE, 1 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 3 GOSHAWK, 17 ‘EASTERN’ BUZZARD, 19 AMUR FALCON, 1 MERLIN, 1 PEREGRINE, 48 BAIKAL TEAL, 27 DAURIAN JACKDAW, 14 ROOK, 23 CHINESE PENDULINE TIT, 6 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARK, 5 BLUETHROAT, 1 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR, 4 PINE BUNTING, 1 CHESTNUT BUNTING, 4 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING.
2 October 2015
1 SAKER, 1 PINE BUNTING, 2 ALPINE ACCENTORS, 1 PIED HARRIER and 3 ASIAN HOUSE MARTINS, Miaofengshan (CM).
4 PECHORA PIPITS on the local patch at Shunyi (TT).
1 October 2015
1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, Shahe (CM). Plus 5 GREAT BITTERNS, 3 ‘tytleri‘ BARN SWALLOWS, LANCEOLATED WARBLER and SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT.
1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER found for sale in one of Beijing’s wild bird markets. Bought by a birder and will be released locally. Photo courtesy of Ren Yueheng.
23 September 2015
RARE MAMMAL SIGHTING: 1 LEOPARD CAT at Miyun Reservoir (PH). Seen well on the reservoir edge. Comment: Although Leopard Cat is probably not rare in Beijing, sightings certainly are. This constitutes only the third sighting from Miyun Reservoir that I am aware of.
Also, 2 BAER’S POCHARDS, 3 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 1 juvenile PALLAS’S GULL, 1 juvenile RELICT GULL and 1 BLYTH’S PIPIT.
21 September 2015
***MEGA***: A single BLYTH’S REED WARBLER at Miyun Reservoir (PH). Sound-recorded. The first record for Beijing.
19 September 2015
One immature IMPERIAL EAGLE, Shahe (CM). Plus 35+ BAIKAL TEAL, 2+ LONG-TAILED MINIVETS and 7 RUSSET SPARROWS.
11 species of raptor among a day total of 101 at Miyun Reservoir, including at least 3 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 7 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWKS, 3 juv GOSHAWKS, HEN, PIED and EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 4 BLACK KITES and 69 AMUR FALCONS. Also 38 FALCATED DUCK, 25 BAIKAL TEAL, 35 WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAILS, 200 OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS, 22 RED-THROATED PIPITS and 3 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS (PH, WQ, TT, ML, BW, Sisi, Grace and Alex).
17 September 2015
***MEGA*** An ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Ma Chang (per Zhu Lei in Birding Beijing WeChat group). The second record for Beijing.
1 GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHER, Dayunhe Forest Park, Tongzhou (PH). Plus a RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, 4 THICK-BILLED WARBLERS, 1 BLYTH’S and 18 RICHARD’S PIPITS.
15 September 2015
A single male GREEN-BACKED FLYCATCHER at Tsinghua University campus (BW). Also a CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER there.
14 September 2015
A hawking GREY NIGHTJAR at dusk near the International Exhibition Center, Shunyi (TT)
13 September 2015
HEBEI PROVINCE: one HIMALAYAN SWIFTLET, Nanpu (J-EN). Plus 104 PIED HARRIERS and 2 STEPPE EAGLES.
12 September 2015
804 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS, Shahe (CM). Plus a single PECHORA PIPIT and 6 BAIKAL TEAL.
No sign of the SLATY-BLUE FLYCATCHER at Tsinghua University.
11 September 2015
***MEGA*** 1 SLATY-BLUE FLYCATCHER, Tsinghua University Campus (Ben Wielstra). The first record for Beijing. Congratulations Ben!
9 September 2015
***MEGA***: 1 ad SLENDER-BILLED GULL, Miyun Reservoir (PH). The second record for Beijing. The first was on 3 September 2014.
8 September 2015
2 FALCATED DUCK, 1 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 juv SCHRENCK’S BITTERN, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, a singing CHINESE BUSH WARBLER, 16 LANCEOLATED WARBLERS, 1 EYE-BROWED THRUSH, 13 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROATS and 14 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS, Miyun Reservoir (PH)
6 September 2015
1 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 1 WRYNECK, 4 GARGANEY, 1 EURASIAN BITTERN, 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, 4 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES,
1 BLYTH’S PIPIT and 7 THICK-BILLED WARBLERS, Shahe (CM)
3 September 2015
***MEGA*** 1 JAPANESE PYGMY WOODPECKER, Lingshan (PH). The first record for Beijing.
6 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES (until this year a major rarity in Beijing), 3 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHERS, 1 ASIAN KOEL, 15 BROWN SHRIKES, 1 CHINESE GREY SHRIKE, 5 PALLAS’S REED BUNTINGS, 1 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING, 1 BAILLON’S CRAKE and 1 BLACK STORK (CM)
30 August 2015
1 ASIAN PARADISE FLYCATCHER, 1 MARSH GRASSBIRD, 1 HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO and 1 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER, Shahe (CM)
4 EASTERN MARSH and 5 juv PIED HARRIERS, 1 EASTERN WATER RAIL, 3 YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAIL, 1 ‘Shaheen’ PEREGRINE, 11 LANCEOLATED and 2 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS, 140 EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAILS, 23 RICHARD’S and 1 BLYTH’S PIPIT, 23 COMMON ROSEFINCHES, 2 CHESTNUT-EARED, 29 YELLOW-BREASTED and 14 PALLAS’S REED BUNTINGS (PH, TT, TB)
3 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS plus 1 BLACK-CAPPED and 1 CRESTED KINGFISHER, bridge over the Chao He near Taishitun (PH, TT, TB)
26 August 2015
1 2nd summer LITTLE GULL, Miyun (PH). Plus 5 SHORT-TOED EAGLES.
23 August 2015
17 WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAILS, Miaofengshan (CM). Plus 1 GREY-SIDED THRUSH and 1 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH.
15 August 2015
***1 COUCAL SP*** (probably LESSER COUCAL – if confirmed, will be the 4th record for Beijing), Shahe (CM). Plus 3 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHERS, 2 BLYTH’S PIPITS, 9 RICHARD’S PIPITS, 1 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING, 3 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES and 2 BROWN SHRIKES.
16 YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAILS, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN). Plus 15 JAPANESE QUAILS, 1 TEREK SANDPIPER, 1 LONG-TOED STINT, 1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, 1 PIED HARRIER and a SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA.
13 August 2015
7 GREY-SIDED THRUSHES, Baicaopan (per Birding Beijing WeChat Group)
8 August 2015
5 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, Shahe Reservoir (CM). Plus 2 BLACK STORKS, 2 DAURIAN STARLINGS and 1 (still singing!) BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER.
6 August 2015
15 singing YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAILS and 24 singing JAPANESE QUAILS at Miyun Reservoir (PH). Plus 4 PIN-TAILED or SWINHOE’S SNIPE, 3 AMUR FALCONS, 1 HOBBY, 37 ZITTING CISTICOLAS and 5 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS.
5 August 2015
1 WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL south at Miyun Reservoir (PH). Plus 2 juvenile CHINESE SPARROWHAWKS migrating south at Huairou Reservoir, one LONG-TAILED SHRIKE and 1 ASIAN KOEL.
27 July 2015
LESSER COUCAL still present at Miyun (PH). Plus a single singing MARSH GRASSBIRD, 2 YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAILS and a LONG-TAILED SHRIKE.
26 July 2015
A singing CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING at Miyun (an unprecedented mid-summer record).
25 July 2015
One LESSER COUCAL, Miyun Reservoir (PH). The third record for Beijing.
19 July 2015
At least 5 singing YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAILS at Miyun. Plus one ASIAN DOWITCHER, one TEREK SANDPIPER, 2 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPERS, 4 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLES, 1 GULL-BILLED TERN, 11 EURASIAN SPOONBILLS, 1 ASIAN KOEL and 2 PEREGRINES (TT)
14 July 2015
1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, Shahe (CM). Plus 2 CASPIAN TERNS, 4 GULL-BILLED TERNS, an unseasonal 1st cy RUDDY SHELDUCK, 2 WHITE-BREASTED WATERHENS and an ASIAN KOEL.
7 July 2015
2 ‘singing’ YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAILS, Miyun Reservoir (TT). Plus 1 CASPIAN TERN, 1 LONG-TOED STINT and 2 CURLEW SANDPIPERS.
6 July 2015
5 ASIAN HOUSE MARTINS, Baihe Canyon (TT). Only the second mid-summer record in Beijing.
3 July 2015
A great turnout for the latest Beijing Birders’ Meet-up at The Bookworm! Thanks to everyone for coming!
1 July 2015
A single CASPIAN TERN, Shahe Reservoir (CM). Plus an INTERMEDIATE EGRET and singing BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER.
1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, Miyun Reservoir (Gerd Wichers)
30 June 2015
A singing YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLER in the ‘garden’ at Shunyi (TT). A remarkable midsummer lowland Beijing record.
24 June 2015
1 singing male SLATY-BACKED FLYCATCHER, Lingshan (TT, PH). The second record for Beijing, the first from June 2005 at the same site. Also at least 4 RED-FLANKED BLUETAILS, 7 ALSTROM’S WARBLERS, 16 ASIAN HOUSE MARTINS, 21 PACIFIC SWIFTS, 3 ZAPPEY’S FLYCATCHERS, 2 SAKER (the first June records for Beijing – possibly breeding?).
23 June 2015
At least 4 singing GREENISH WARBLERS (obscuratus) in high forest at Lingshan (> 2,000m). Sound-recorded and photographed. The first record for Beijing.
20 June 2015
1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, Shahe (CM). Plus 3 ASIAN KOELS, 1 male SCHRENCK’S BITTERN and one female AMUR FALCON
13 June 2015
1 singing male SCHRENCK’S BITTERN, 1 BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, 1 singing (and wing-flicking) CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER (rare away from the mountains), 3 YELLOW BITTERNS, 3 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 1 male AMUR FALCON, 15 PURPLE HERONS and a pair of CHINESE GREY SHRIKES feeding 2 fledged young (a rare breeding record in the capital), Yeyahu NR
1 singing BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, Shahe (CM). Plus CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING, 3 WHITE-BREASTED WATERHENS and RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE.
11 June 2015
1 SWINHOE’S MINIVET, Summer Palace (JH). The first record for Beijing!
6-7 June 2015
1 ALSTROM’S WARBLER, 1 RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL, 1 KOKLASS PHEASANT, 1 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL, 9 LARGE HAWK CUCKOOS, 5 HIMALAYAN CUCKOOS, 3 GREY NIGHTJARS, 18 HILL PIGEONS, 68 RED-BILLED CHOUGH, 2 LONG-TAILED MINIVETS, 6 CHINESE SONG THRUSHES, 2 ELISAE’S FLYCATCHERS, 10 SIBERIAN BLUE ROBINS, 6 ASIAN HOUSE MARTINS, 5 ASIAN STUBTAILS, 2 SIBERIAN (DAVID’S) BUSH WARBLERS, 1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER plus CHINESE LEAF, CLAUDIA’S LEAF, EASTERN CROWNED, HUME’S and YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLERS, Lingshan (J-EN)
6 June 2015
12 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS, 2 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTINGS, 3 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKES, 1 SCHRENCK’S BITTERN and 2 RED TURTLE DOVES, Shahe (CM)
5 June 2015
1 BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, Summer Palace (JH)
30 May 2015
3 GULL-BILLED TERNS, 1 RED-BILLED STARLING, 1 SCHRENCK’S BITTERN,
1 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE, 4 DAURIAN STARLINGS, Shahe (CM)
25 May 2015
3 GREY-SIDED THRUSHES, WHITE-BELLIED REDSTART, HUME’S, CLAUDIA’S LEAF, YELLOW-STREAKED, CHINESE LEAF and EASTERN CROWNED WARBLERS, Haituoshan (TT, Dick Newell, Lyndon and Hilde Kearsley, Rob Jolliffe)
24 May 2015
2 WHITE-BREASTED WATERHENS, 2 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKES, 1 male WATERCOCK, 1 PECHORA PIPIT, 1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER and 6 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS, Shahe (CM)
21 May 2015
1 (singing) ORIENTAL CUCKOO, Xinlong Park (J-EN)
1 singing LANCEOLATED, 2 PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER and 3 singing BAIKAL BUSH WARBLERS, Huairou (PH)
18 May 2015
1 male SIBERIAN THRUSH at Baliqiao Musical Park, Tongzhou (PH).
1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, Wenyu River (SB)
16 May 2015
1 YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAIL, Shahe (CM). Plus 1 PECHORA PIPIT, 8 RELICT GULLS (all 2cy), 2 BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHERS and a .YELLOW-STREAKED WARBLER.
1 GREY-SIDED THRUSH, Temple of Heaven Park (Zhang Weimin)
15 May 2015
2 ASIAN DOWITCHERS, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN). Plus at least 5 LITTLE GULLS (J-EN and TT). Also 2 BAR-HEADED GEESE, SHORT-TOED EAGLE, 3 BLUETHROATS and 2 YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTINGS.
11 May 2015
More than 2,000 (!) ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS seen from the Baiwangshan raptor watchpoint in Beijing.
3 BAR-HEADED GEESE, Miyun. Plus 2 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES, 3 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 63 AMUR FALCONS, 1 GREY-FACED BUZZARD, 32 LONG-TOED STINTS, 580 WOOD SANDPIPERS, 12 GREATER SANDPLOVERS, 22 SPOONBILLS, 4 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 4 BLUETHROATS, 2 BLYTH’S PIPITS and 339 YELLOW WAGTAILS (TT)
10 May 2015
4 BAR-HEADED GEESE, Miyun Reservoir (BirdFinders)
9 May 2015
2 COLLARED FINCHBILLS, Botanical Gardens (BirdFinders).
3 BAR-HEADED GEESE at Miyun (per WeChat group).
1 BAR-HEADED GOOSE (with a SWAN GOOSE) at Shahe (CM). Plus 13 (!) CASPIAN TERNS, 1 BAILLON’S CRAKE, 7 GREATER SANDPLOVERS and one singing CLAUDIA’S LEAF WARBLER.
8 May 2015
3 BAILLON’S CRAKES, Yeyahu (TT). Plus 3 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES, 1 male PIED HARRIER, 5 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 12 AMUR FALCONS, 2 BLUETHROATS, 65 STEJNEGER’S STONECHATS, 48 TAIGA FLYCATCHERS, 1 HUME’S WARBLER, 6 CITRINE WAGTAILS, 350 LITTLE BUNTINGS and 12 PALLAS’S REED BUNTINGS.
2 LITTLE CURLEWS at Miyun (BirdFinders). Plus a single GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE.
6 May 2015
One BLACK BULBUL (of unknown origin), Summer Palace (JH). Possibly a genuine vagrant?
4 May 2015
1 BAR-HEADED GOOSE, Houbajiazhuang, Miyun (Grace on WeChat group)
3 May 2015
1,500 LITTLE BUNTINGS migrating over the Summer Palace (JH).
2 May 2015
2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 2 PIED HARRIERS, 3 LESSER KESTRELS, 32 AMUR FALCONS, 6 BLACK STORKS, 2 LONG-TOED STINTS, 2 GREY-HEADED LAPWINGS, 45 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLES, 1 RELICT GULL (2cy), 5 CHINESE PENDULINE TITS, 4 CITRINE WAGTAILS, 30 RICHARD’S PIPITS, 10 OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS, 2 RED-THROATED PIPITS and 21 BUFF-BELLIED PIPITS, Miyun (J-EN)
1 May 2015
28 (!) 2cy RELICT GULLS, Summer Palace (JH). Plus a WHITE’S THRUSH.
28 April 2015
1 singing HUME’S WARBLER, Shahe (CM). Although almost abundant in the mountains above 1,700m, it is rare to encounter singing birds in lowland Beijing.
25 April 2015
1 LITTLE CURLEW, Yeyahu (TT et al). Flew past the tower hide twice in quick succession at around 1815.
23 April 2015
4 SHORT-TOED EAGLES at Miyun (TT, JL, MH). Plus 1 BROWN-HEADED GULL, 4 OSPREYS, 2 PIED HARRIERS, 1 AMUR FALCON, 35 EURASIAN SPOONBILLS, 78 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLES, 17 TEMMINCK’S STINTS, 1 CASPIAN TERN and 2 CITRINE WAGTAILS.
4 PIED HARRIERS, 4 CASPIAN TERNS, 2 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWLS and 12 LONG-TAILED MINIVETS at the Summer Palace (JH)
19 April 2015
1 DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Shahe. Plus another flyover (CM). Plus 2 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, 6 CASPIAN TERNS and 6 BEARDED TITS.
1 WHITE WAGTAIL ssp lugens, Miyun Reservoir. Plus 5 CITRINE WAGTAILS, 1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, 6 PIED HARRIERS, 5 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 3 AMUR FALCONS, 1 HOODED CRANE, 11 BLACK STORKS and 22 EURASIAN SPOONBILLS.
18 April 2015
1 DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Shahe (per WeChat group)
17 April 2015
1 DALMATIAN PELICAN, Shahe (Chen Yanxin).
2 ORIENTAL STORKS, 6 BLACK STORKS, 1 HOODED CRANE, 3 LESSER KESTRELS, 1 AMUR FALCON, 2 OSPREYS and 28 ORIENTAL PRATINCOLES, Miyun Reservoir (TT, NG)
16 April 2015
RAPTOR WATCH AT BAIWANGSHAN: 36 GREY-FACED BUZZARDS, 24 EURASIAN SPARROWHAWKS, 1 JAPANESE SPARROWHAWK, 1 OSPREY, 2 EASTERN MARSH HARRIERS, 1 PIED HARRIER, 49 COMMON BUZZARDS (ssp japonicus), 2 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES, 1 SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE, 1 COMMON KESTREL and 1 BLACK-EARED KITE (per WeChat group)
15 April 2015
4 GREAT BUSTARDS, Shahe (CM). Plus a single CASPIAN TERN (a scarce migrant in Beijing).
14 April 2015
The LESSER WHITETHROAT still in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre (TT, LQ)
12 April 2015
1 RUFOUS-GORGETED FLYCATCHER (of unknown origin), Liuyin Park (per WeChat Group). There are no previous records from Beijing. However, although there have been records from Beidaihe in Spring, this bird is considered most likely an escape given the early date and location (a small urban park known for cagebirds).
1 BAER’S POCHARD (female), Shahe (CM). Plus 40+ GREY-FACED BUZZARDS, 400+ COMMON and 100+ PACIFIC SWIFTS and 6 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS.
11 April 2015
At least 62 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, Miyun Reservoir. Plus 1 SAKER, 1 HOODED, 5 COMMON and 6 WHITE-NAPED CRANES (TT, J-EN, JN)
6 April 2015
MEGA: 1 MEADOW PIPIT, Wenyu River (SB). The third record for the capital (following the first two in January and April 2014). Coincidentally, the second record was at Ma Chang on the identical date of 6 April!
MEGA: 1 WHITE WAGTAIL ssp alba, Ma Chang (Cheng Dong). The second record for Beijing just 8 days after the first!
1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, Miyun (Nemo, JY)
1 BLACK-NECKED GREBE (in breeding plumage), Summer Palace (per WeChat)
5 April 2015
1 LESSER WHITETHROAT again in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre park (ZM, LQ)
1 SAKER and 1 LESSER KESTREL, Shahe (CM). Plus 440+ ‘EASTERN’ ROOKS.
4 April 2015
2 BAER’S POCHARDS at Shahe Reservoir (CM). Plus 1 BAR-HEADED GOOSE and 14 RELICT GULLS.
3 April 2015
MEGA: Another ‘MASKED WAGTAIL‘ (ssp personata) at the Wenyu River, this time a female (SB). The third for Beijing just 5 days after the second record.
29 March 2015
MEGA: 1 WHITE WAGTAIL ssp alba, near Tongzhou (Luo Qingqing). The first record of this subspecies in Beijing and, we think, eastern China!
MEGA: 1 ‘MASKED’ WAGTAIL (WHITE WAGTAIL ssp personata) at the Wenyu River (SB). Only the 2nd record for Beijing of this subspecies. Photo by Steve Bale.
1 male PIED WHEATEAR in the Olympic Forest Park (per Birdnet.cn). See here.
2 BAER’S POCHARDS, Summer Palace (JH).
1 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH, Ma Chang (per WeChat)
28 March 2015
JILIN: At least 2 immature STELLER’S SEA EAGLES, Hunchun. Also 1 adult seen on 27th according to locals (Leighton et al)
Photos by Leighton.
4 BAER’S POCHARDS (3 drakes and one female), Shahe Reservoir (Colm Moore). Plus ORIENTAL WHITE STORK, 3 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE and 1 PALLAS’S GULL.
2 SWAN GEESE, 1 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, 15 FALCATED DUCK, 1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, 1 UPLAND BUZZARD, 1 BLACK KITE, 26 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, 1 HOODED CRANE, 4 ORIENTAL STORKS, 19 EURASIAN SPOONBILLS, 3 RUFF, 1 LONG-BILLED PLOVER, 1 RELICT GULL, 3 COMMON STARLINGS, 1 MONGOLIAN LARK and 2 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS, Miyun (Jan-Erik Nilsen)
26 March 2015
TIANJIN: 10,000 RELICT GULLS, Hangu, Tianjin (possibly up to 80% of the world population).
15 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, Ma Chang (WeChat Group)
24 March 2015
18 SIBERIAN CRANES, Miyun Reservoir (PH). Plus the remaining single RED-CROWNED CRANE. Also 2 RUFF.
23 March 2015
MEGA: 1 displaying RED-CROWNED CRANE at Miyun Reservoir (PH)
1 male BAER’S POCHARD at the Summer Palace (JH).
22 March 2015
2 male BAER’S POCHARDS at Huairou Reservoir (TT, PH et al). Plus 1 GREYLAG GOOSE, 1 SWAN GOOSE, 4 TAIGA BEAN GEESE, 1 booming GREAT BITTERN and 1 BROWN-CHEEKED (EASTERN WATER) RAIL.
1 LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN). Plus 13 BAIKAL TEAL, 1 UPLAND BUZZARD, 1 SAKER, 1 LESSER KESTREL, 9 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, 1 HOODED CRANE, 4 BLACK STORKS and 15 MONGOLIAN LARKS.
21 March 2015
20 COMMON, 6 WHITE-NAPED and 1 HOODED CRANE at Miyun Reservoir. Plus 2 EURASIAN SPOONBILL and 30 SWAN GEESE (JY).
TIANJIN: 42 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, Beidagang (Nemo)
20 March 2015
TIANJIN: 18 BAER’S POCHARDS (17 male and one female) at Beidagang, Tianjin (Nemo).
19 March 2015
1 BAER’S POCHARD (fem), Dayunhe (PH, WQ). First record of the Spring of this now Critically Endangered aythya.
18 March 2015
1 CRESTED KINGFISHER, Wenyu He (SB). Uncommon in the city.
15 March 2015
226 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, 403 WHOOPER SWANS, 8 TUNDRA SWANS, 59 SWAN GEESE, 390 BEAN GEESE, 1150 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 1 EURASIAN SPOONBILL, 1 RUFF, 1 EAGLE OWL, 1 MONGOLIAN LARK and 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
12 March 2015
2 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS, 9 NORTHERN LAPWING, 1 ROOK, 6 SHOVELER, 5 WHITE WAGTAIL (ssp leucopsis), 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, Wenyu He (TT, SB). Early dates for some spring migrants.
10 March 2015
1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 1 UPLAND BUZZARD, 1 BLACK KITE, 1 SAKER, 2 MERLIN, 1 LITTLE OWL, 20+ BEARDED TITS, 4 BLACK STORKS, 4 MONGOLIAN GULLS, 60+ COMMON CRANES and 4 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS, Miyun Reservoir (TT et al). Signs of spring! Note that, apart from two historical winter records (when it was much more common), the BLACK KITE was the earliest Spring record in Beijing!
9 March 2015
28 BEWICK’S SWANS, Summer Palace, Beijing (Zhang Weimin)
27 February 2015
2 JACK SNIPE at Houbajiazhuang, Miyun (TT). Plus 3 GREATER SCAUP, 28 BEARDED TITS, 4 SAKER, 3 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, 1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 1 LITTLE OWL, 97 WHOOPER SWAN, 124 COMMON CRANE, 3 FALCATED DUCK, 18 SIBERIAN ACCENTOR (including 7 in one bush!) and 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING.
24 February 2015
2 EASTERN WATER RAILS still in the Olympic Forest Park. Plus one MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER (QQ)
23 February 2015
6 WHITE-TAILED EAGLES, Miyun Reservoir (Da Hao per QQ). Plus UPLAND BUZZARD.
21 February 2015
At least 8 LONG-EARED OWLS, Nanhaizi (TT, ML)
16 February 2015
4 EASTERN WATER (BROWN-CHEEKED) RAILS, Olympic Forest Park (JH). Plus one MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER still.
7 February 2015
One YELLOWHAMMER, Chao He Bridge, near Taishitun (J-EN). The ninth record for Beijing.
4 February 2015
The LESSER WHITETHROAT is still in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre (Zhang Weimin).
Also the 2 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLERS are continuing to come to meal worms in the Olympic Forest Park (JH)
1 February 2015
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS still at Shahe (CM). Plus a single BAIKAL TEAL, 210+ LAPLAND BUNTINGS, 23 BOHEMIAN and 3 JAPANESE WAXWINGS and 97+ MONGOLIAN LARKS.
2 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLERS, Olympic Forest Park (SB). Plus EASTERN WATER RAIL.
31 January 2015
One immature WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, Ma Chang (Chen Yanxin)
25 January 2015
Two MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLERS still in the Olympic Forest Park (Zhang Weimin)
17 January 2015
Two MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLERS in the Olympic Forest Park. This photo by Da Hao.
16 January 2015
No sign of the LESSER WHITETHROAT at the Agricultural Exhibition Centre this morning. But a first winter male WHITE WAGTAIL ssp lugens. This subspecies is a scarce winter visitor to Beijing.
Also, the MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER still present in the Olympic Forest Park (JH)
And a mixed flock of 81+ BOHEMIAN and JAPANESE WAXWINGS at Shahe Reservoir (Chen Yanxin)
14 January 2015
LESSER WHITETHROAT again in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre park (TT and JL). Photos by Jennifer Leung.
11 January 2015
A mixed flock of JAPANESE and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, south side of Shahe Resevoir on berry bushes (Chen Yanxin)
10 January 2015
One LESSER WHITETHROAT in the Agricultural Exhibition Centre grounds (WeChat Group).
8 January 2015
One MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER in the Olympic Forest Park (JH). Plus one EUROPEAN WATER RAIL with a single ‘EASTERN’ WATER RAIL (BROWN-CHEEKED RAIL).
4 January 2015
4 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, 60+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, c50 ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, 13+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 3 CINEREOUS VULTURES and 1 SIBERIAN ROE DEER at Lingshan (TT et al)
3 January 2015
6 BROWN-EARED BULBULS, Jingshan Park.
2 ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, 54+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 4+ CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES and 23+ ALPINE ACCENTORS at Miaofengshan (CM).
1 January 2015
1 BROWN-EARED BULBUL in the Olympic Forest Park (PH). Plus 2 EASTERN WATER RAILS and 2 BEARDED REEDLINGS.
30 December 2014
***MEGA***: 1 LONG-TAILED TIT (caudatus) in the Olympic Forest Park. Plus female CHAFFINCH, MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER and 2 EASTERN (BROWN-CHEEKED) WATER RAILS.
Also 5 BROWN-EARED BULBULS in Jingshan Park (PH) and 1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, 2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, 7 MONGOLIAN LARKS and 1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE at Shahe (CM)
29 December 2014
3 PRZEWALSKI’S (ALASHAN) REDSTARTS at Lingshan today (Guan Xiangyu et al).
Photo by Guan Xiangyu
Also the MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER still at Temple of Heaven Park.
28 December 2014
One MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER in the Olympic Forest Park. Also 2 BEARDED REEDLINGS there.
One CHAFFINCH in the grounds of Beijing Zoo.
26 December 2014
MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER again in Temple of Heaven Park (per WeChat).
14 December 2014
1 NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE, Maofengshan (CM).
13 December 2014
8 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, 35+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 6 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, 6 ALPINE ACCENTORS, 8 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 47 RED-BILLED CHOUGH and 4 CHUKAR at Lingshan and Yongdinghe valley (TT, BW, QQ and ZM)
9 December 2014
EUROPEAN ROBIN still present at Temple of Heaven Park plus MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER again (per photographers on site)
6 December 2014
3 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, Shahe (CM). Plus a very late HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO, a female CHAFFINCH and 2 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS.
5 MUTE SWANS at Miyun Reservoir. Plus 2 ORIENTAL STORKS (J-EN)
EUROPEAN ROBIN still at Temple of Heaven Park (per Birding Beijing WeChat Group)
AMUR LEOPARD CAT at Lingshan (TM)
3 December 2014
No sign of MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER at Temple of Heaven Park. But EUROPEAN ROBIN still present.
Also 2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS at Miyun Reservoir (possibly the same 2 recently seen at Shahe Reservoir, which is now frozen).
2 December 2014
MUGIMAKI FLYCATCHER, Temple of Heaven Park (same location as the EUROPEAN ROBIN, which is still present). Only about the 10th record in Beijing and a very late date.
1 December 2014
EUROPEAN ROBIN and EURASIAN BULLFINCH still at Temple of Heaven Park (PH)
30 November 2014
EUROPEAN ROBIN and EURASIAN BULLFINCH still at Temple of Heaven Park (per Birding Beijing WeChat Group).
29 November 2014
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS still at Shahe (Birding Beijing WeChat Group). Plus 12 JAPANESE WAXWINGS.
28 November 2014
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS still at Shahe Reservoir (per http://www.birdnet.cn)
27 November 2014
EUROPEAN ROBIN again in Temple of Heaven Park (per Birding Beijing WeChat group)
25 and 26 November 2014
No sign of the reported PRZEWALSKI’S REDSTART at Lingshan in a 2-day extensive search.
22 November 2014
No sign of the male PRZEWALSKI’S (ALASHAN) REDSTART at Lingshan (at least 6 birders on site for most of the day). But 4 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 200+ ASIAN ROSY FINCHES and at least 8 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS.
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS still at Shahe Reservoir.
EUROPEAN ROBIN and EURASIAN BULLFINCH still at Temple of Heaven Park.
20 November 2014
1 male PRZEWALSKI’S REDSTART reported from Lingshan by visiting Belgian birder, Breght Vandenberghe. Congratulations, Breght. It’s back!
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS still at Shahe (TT) and EUROPEAN ROBIN and EURASIAN BULLFINCH still at Temple of Heaven Park (per WeChat group).
19 November 2014
2 LONG-TAILED DUCKS, Shahe Reservoir (per WeChat group). Plus EUROPEAN ROBIN and EURASIAN BULLFINCH still present at the Temple of Heaven Park.
18 November 2014
MEGA: LONG-TAILED DUCK, Shahe Reservoir (Chen Yanxin). Also the EUROPEAN ROBIN and EURASIAN BULLFINCH still at Temple of Heaven Park.
16 November 2014
EURASIAN ROBIN and EURASIAN BULLFINCH still present, Temple of Heaven Park (per Birding Beijing WeChat Group).
4 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, 2 WHITE-TAILED EAGLES, Miyun Reservoir (TT)
15 November 2014
EURASIAN ROBIN still present in Temple of Heaven Park. Plus female EURASIAN BULLFINCH (possibly only the 2nd record for Beijing).
1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, Miyun Reservoir. Plus SAKER (TT).
12 November 2014
EUROPEAN ROBIN still at Temple of Heaven Park.
11 November 2014
EUROPEAN ROBIN still at Temple of Heaven.
10 November 2014
***MEGA***: 1 EUROPEAN ROBIN, Temple of Heaven (per Huang Hanchen on the Birding Beijing WeChat group). The second record for Beijing.
9 November 2014
***MEGA***: 1 BLACK REDSTART, Lingshan (TT, LP). Possibly the fifth record for Beijing. Also c85 ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, 3 LONG-TAILED, 8 PALLAS’S and 5 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, c30 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, STEPPE EAGLE and 5 CINEREOUS VULTURES.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER at Shahe (CM). Plus CHINESE HILL BABBLER (a good city record).
6 November 2014
***MEGA***: LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER at Lingshan. Plus at least 2 ARCTIC REDPOLLS, 100+ ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, 25+ GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, 15 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 4 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCHES and 6 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES (TT, BW).
3 November 2014
1 BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE, 15 BEARDED TITS, 2 LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and one SWAN GOOSE among the 1,203 BEAN GEESE, 36 WHOOPER SWANS, 19 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, 10 BLACK STORKS, 2 UPLAND BUZZARDS and SAKER (TT, BW). Plus IBISBILL at the Chao He bridge near Taishitun.
2 November 2014
1 BROWN-EARED BULBUL still in Yuanmingyuan Park (BW, TT et al). The third record for Beijing.
1 RED-THROATED LOON and 16 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, Miyun Reservoir (CL, GX et al)
2 WHITE-TAILED EAGLES, 1 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 5 BEARDED TITS and one RED CROSSBILL, Shahe (CM)
2 COMMON SANDPIPERS, Wenyu He (SJ)
1 November 2014
1 first winter BAER’S POCHARD, Shahe (CM). Plus juvenile SIBERIAN GULL and immature WHITE-TAILED EAGLE.
1 RED-THROATED LOON, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN). Plus EAGLE OWL, SIBERIAN GULL, 1,400 BEAN GEESE, 28 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, 1 HOODED CRANE, 55 BLACK-NECKED GREBES and a late adult WHISKERED TERN.
31 October 2014
Report of 3+ BROWN-EARED BULBULS, Yuanmingyuan Park (“Daozi” via Birding Beijing WeChat Group). 3rd record for Beijing.
29 October 2014
1 apparent ad male VERDITER FLYCATCHER (of unknown origin), Botanical Gardens (per LX).
27 October 2014
GREAT WHITE PELICAN, Miyun Reservoir until 0905 only when flew strongly north and no further sign by 1700 (TT et al). Also 1 ROUGH-LEGGED and 2 UPLAND BUZZARDS.
22 October 2014
MEGA: 1 RED-THROATED LOON, Miyun Reservoir (TT, PH, SB, BW et al). The first confirmed record since 1933!
MEGA: BLACK-WINGED KITE, Miyun Reservoir (BW, TT, PH). Also, GREAT WHITE PELICAN still present. Plus at least 38 LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, GREATER SCAUP, 7 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS.
21 October 2014
5 BAER’S POCHARDS at Huairou Reservoir. Plus a 1st winter BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE and a LONG-TAILED SHRIKE (PH)
42 LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (!) and 1 first winter PALLAS’S GULL, Miyun (PH).
19 October 2014
1 GREAT WHITE PELICAN still at Miyun (per Zhang Weimin).
18 October 2014
1 GREAT WHITE PELICAN, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN, Zhang Shen et al). Plus 1 female BAER’S POCHARD.
1 BROWN-HEADED GULL, Shahe (CM).
15 October 2014
1 ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD (not quite annual in Beijing), Miyun Reservoir. Plus 6,500+ HORNED LARKS (!) – easily a Beijing record – plus 1,744 MONGOLIAN LARKS (a Beijing record) and 2 SIBERIAN (HEUGLIN’S) GULLS.
14 October 2014
1 BAER’S POCHARD, Huairou Reservoir (PH).
12 October 2014
MEGA: 1 juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER, Miyun Reservoir (PH, TT, J-EN). Plus 1 BAER’S POCHARD, 1 LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, at least 4 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, 4 SIBERIAN (HEUGLIN’S) GULLS, 2 ORIENTAL STORKS, SAKER and 300 BAIKAL TEAL.
Also 4 SIBERIAN GULLS (1 adult and 3 juveniles) at Shahe Reservoir (CM). Plus 36+ LONG-TAILED MINIVETS, 60 BAIKAL TEAL and 140 ‘EASTERN’ BUZZARDS.
11 October 2014
MEGA: 1 SWINHOE’S (ASIAN YELLOW) RAIL, Temple of Heaven (per Birdnet.cn). The first record for Beijing. Photos here.
7 October 2014
6 BAER’S POCHARDS, Miyun. Plus 1 LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and 4 SHORT-TOED EAGLES (J-EN). Also 6 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, (PH, LM, J-EN), 5 HORNED LARKS, 1 MONGOLIAN LARK and a EURASIAN EAGLE OWL.
6 October 2014
3 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, Miyun Reservoir (PH). One drake BAER’S POCHARD at Nanhaizi (per LX)
5 October 2014
1 PELICAN sp, Miyun Reservoir (TT). Seen only briefly and unfortunately not seen in flight. Also 3+ SAKERS, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, 10 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, 300+ BAIKAL TEAL.
EDIT: Now confirmed as Beijing’s 3rd GREAT WHITE PELICAN.
Also 17 RUSSET SPARROWS at Shahe (CM) plus 1 juvenile SIBERIAN (HEUGLIN’S) GULL (very rare in Beijing), SHORT-TOED EAGLE, a first winter RELICT GULL and 270 ‘EASTERN’ BUZZARDS.
1 October 2014
1 GREY PHALAROPE, Tonguihe, Tongzhou (PH). The 3rd record for Beijing and hot on the heels of the 2nd on 19 September.
30 September 2014
1 BAER’S POCHARD (female or first winter male) briefly at Shahe Reservoir (CM). Arrived, and associated with, 15 COMMON POCHARD.
29 September 2014
1 SIBERIAN (HEUGLIN’S) GULL, Miyun Reservoir (PH). Very rare inland.
28 September 2014
2 BAER’S POCHARDS, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN).
24 September 2014
***MEGA*** 1 STREAKED REED WARBLER (adult), Da Yunhe Forest Park, Tongzhou, Beijing. Found by Paul Holt. First seen (and heard) around 1130 and subsequently seen twice between 1130 and 1300 but not since. TT was on site for 5.5 hours in the afternoon/evening with only a brief frustrating glimpse of a ‘yellowish’ acro. Three people (PH, JL and JH) on site the following day (25th) but no sign up to 1500 at least. No photographs. PH described the call as “very similar to Black-browed Reed Warbler but possibly a little softer”.
20 September 2014
***MEGA***: 1 juvenile BLACK BITTERN, Fangshan. The second record for Beijing. Still present on 21st (via Zhang Weimin)
19 September 2014
***MEGA***: 1 juvenile GREY PHALAROPE, Miyun Reservoir (TT, PH). The second record for Beijing and possibly fewer than 10 records in China. Also 3 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 2 SAKER, 3 BLYTH’S PIPITS, 8 TAIGA BEAN GEESE, 1 BLACK-NECKED GREBE.
13 September 2014
1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, Miyun (TT). Plus 2 juvenile RUFF (rare in Beijing) and a first calendar year RELICT GULL.
More than 400 ORIENTAL HONEY BUZZARDS from the raptor watchpoint at Wang Jing Lou, NW Beijing (per Grace from Beijing Birdwatching Society).
8 September 2014
1 GREY-TAILED TATTLER, Shahe (CM). Only the 3rd Beijing record. Also 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES and 2 WHITE’S THRUSHES.
4 September 2014
***MEGA***: 1 juvenile ARCTIC SKUA, Ma Chang (per Chen Liang). The first record for Beijing!
3 September 2014
***MEGA*** 1 adult SLENDER-BILLED GULL, Miyun Reservoir. The first record for Beijing. Found by PH and seen by TT and JL. Still present on 4 September. Also 1 INTERMEDIATE EGRET, Huairou Reservoir (PH).
31 August 2014
No sign of the LESSER FRIGATEBIRD at Miyun (last seen on Friday 29 August). However, 3 FAR EASTERN CURLEW, 1 RED KNOT, 1 LITTLE CURLEW, 2 first winter RELICT GULLS, 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES and a single SAKER (TT, PH, ZM and WL)
26 August 2014
LESSER FRIGATEBIRD still at Miyun Reservoir (Huang Hanchen). The third record for Beijing and the first to stay longer than one day.
20 August 2014
***MEGA***: 1 LESSER FRIGATEBIRD, Miyun Reservoir (Henning Lege, Fu Jianping et al).
16 August 2014
1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER, Shahe (CM). Plus 3 RED COLLARED DOVES and singles of LONG-TAILED SHRIKE and YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING.
10 August 2014
1 SCHRENCK’S BITTERN (prob juv), Shahe Reservoir. Plus a female WATERCOCK and a LONG-TAILED SHRIKE (CM)
26 July 2014
At least one juvenile BAER’S POCHARD at the breeding site in Hebei Province. A total of at least 7 BPs seen. Plus at least 4 SCHRENCK’S BITTERNS, including 3 adult males and 22+ REED PARROTBILLS
28 June 2014
***MEGA: a singing BROWN-BREASTED JUNGLE FLYCATCHER***, near Yanqing (Li Haitao). The first record for Beijing. Also, a singing MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER at Lingshan (TT).
22 June 2014
Single pairs of GREEN-BACKED (ELISAE’S) FLYCATCHERS and RUSSET SPARROWS at Badaling Forest Park (TT)
2 Ruddy-breasted Crakes, Shahe (CM). Plus an immature Eurasian Spoonbill.
15 June 2014
***MEGA*** 1 STREAKED REED WARBLER, Yanqing (Li Haitou per Chen Liang). Seen briefly on 15th. Looked for unsuccessfully on 17th and 18th.
13 June 2014
1 CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO and 1 KOEL, Botanical Gardens (JH)
7 June 2014
1 SCHRENCK’S BITTERN, 1 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE and 3 late Goosanders, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
5 June 2014
1 YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAIL, Wenyu River (Will Baxter-Bray)
1 June 2014
1 BAILLON’S CRAKE and 2 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKES, Shahe (CM)
31 May 2014
*1 RED COLLARED DOVE*, 2 WATERCOCKS and a WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN, Shahe (CM)
1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, Wenyu River (AM)
1 BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER and 1 CINNAMON BITTERN, Olympic Forest Park (JH)
25 May 2014
***MEGA***: 1 JAPANESE NIGHT HERON, Temple of Heaven (per LX). The first record for Beijing.
***MEGA***: 49 (!) GREY-TAILED TATTLERS, Shahe (CM). Only the second record in Beijing of this species!
20 May 2014
1 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE, Wenyu He (TT)
18 May 2014
1 2cy BROWN-HEADED GULL, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
1 PECHORA PIPIT, Wenyu He (SB)
4 May 2014
MEGA: A STREAK-THROATED SWALLOW, Shahe Reservoir (Colm Moore). The first record for Beijing and for China! See here for details.
3 May 2014
The BLACK BRANT still at Huairou Reservoir (TT, PH, DM)
1 DALMATIAN PELICAN, Miyun Reservoir (TT, PH, DM)
2 YELLOW-BROWED BUNTINGS and 3 SWAN GEESE, Wenyu River (Will Baxter-Bray)
1 May 2014
1 BLACK-WINGED KITE, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN). Rare in Beijing.
***Also, at least 26 BAER’S POCHARDS at the breeding site in Hebei Province***
24 April 2014
MEGA: ***1 BLACK BRANT***, Huairou Reservoir (Hou Xiaoyu). The first record for Beijing. Still there on 30th.
20 April 2014
At least 6 DALMATIAN PELICANS, Shahe Reservoir (Colm Moore and Chen Yanxin).
ASIAN HOUSE MARTIN, Wenyu River (Shi Jin)
19 April 2014
2 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, Ma Chang and 2 BEARDED REEDLINGS at Yeyahu NR (Will Baxter-Bray)
17 April 2014
1 PIED WHEATEAR, Lianshihu Forest park. Rare in the capital (LX per http://www.birdnet.cn)
13 April 2014
1 FAR EASTERN CURLEW, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN). Very rare inland and possibly only the third record for Beijing (two on 18 and 19 September 2004 and one on 10 April 2005, both at Yeyahu).
12 April 2014
1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, 1 EASTERN WATER RAIL, Yeyahu NR (TT et al)
11 April 2014
1 LESSER SAND PLOVER (a Beijing MEGA!), Ma Chang (J-EN)
6 April 2014
1 MEADOW PIPIT, Ma Chang (PA, ZM and TT). The second record for Beijing. Plus 21 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, 2 GREATER SPOTTED and one SHORT-TOED EAGLE, SAKER, 90+ BAIKAL TEAL.
5 April 2014
1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE and SAKER at Miyun Reservoir. Plus 1,400 GREAT CORMORANTS (possibly a record Beijing count). (J-EN)
2 GREATER SAND PLOVERS, Shahe (annual but scarce in Beijing).
30 March 2014
1 BLACK-WINGED KITE, Shahe (Chen Yanxing). Rare in Beijing.
1 JACK SNIPE at Shahe (CM) – very rare in Beijing (possibly only the 7th record); plus LESSER KESTREL and 3 RED-BILLED STARLINGS.
Early migrants at Miyun included one PURPLE HERON, 8 GREY-HEADED LAPWINGS, 1 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER and 7 BARN SWALLOWS (TT et al)
29 March 2014
1 PIED KINGFISHER at Miyun Reservoir (very rare in Beijing – researching previous records). Plus 7 LESSER KESTRELS and 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE (TT et al)
1 ORIENTAL PLOVER, Ma Chang (first of the spring) per Wu Lan.
16 March 2014
2 imm/fem RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS at Shahe Reservoir (CM) plus an early AVOCET (scarce in Beijing).
15 March 2014
Over 1,000 WHITE-NAPED CRANES at Miyun Reservoir (J-EN). Plus a single GREAT BUSTARD.
13 March 2014
1 COMMON STARLING, Wenyu River (Zhou Xi Bale). Still there on 15th (Shi Jin). A scarce winter and passage visitor to Beijing.
8 March 2014
Male PRZEVALSKI’S REDSTART still at Lingshan. And now joined by a female! Also 7+ GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, 50+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, c30 ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, 2 GOLDEN EAGLES, 1 CINEREOUS VULTURE and BROWN EARED PHEASANT (heard only) (TT, WL)
2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES and 23 CHINESE PENDULINE TITS, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
23 February 2014
The male PRZEVALSKI’S REDSTART still at Lingshan. Plus 400+ ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, 10+ GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS and 5+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES (TT et al)
19 February 2014
The male PRZEVALSKI’S REDSTART still present on Lingshan. Plus 300+ ASIAN ROSY FINCHES (ZY).
16 February 2014
The male PRZEVALSKI’S REDSTART still at Lingshan (per J-EN). Plus GREAT GREY SHRIKE (rare in Beijing), 30+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 9+ GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, 3 ALPINE ACCENTORS.
15 February 2014
***MEGA*** 1 male PRZEVALSKI’S REDSTART, Lingshan (TT, AH, LX et al). Possibly only the second record for Beijing and the first for at least 20 years. Plus 250+ ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, 12+ GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS and 10+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES.
10 February 2014
At least 30 ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, Lingshan (TT). With at least 60 ALPINE ACCENTORS and 30 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES.
9 February 2014
1 EURASIAN SISKIN (uncommon winter visitor in Beijing), Wenyu River (Will Baxter-Bray)
2 February 2014
1 JACK SNIPE again at the Wenyu River (LX).
1 February 2014
A report of 14 GREAT BUSTARDS at Bulaotun, Miyun Reservoir (per Chen Liang). Plus MEADOW PIPIT again at Houbajiazhuang.
30 January 2014
1 JACK SNIPE (姬鹬) again at the Wenyu He. Seen where the stream running alongside the stables meets the river.
29 January 2014
1 GREATER SCAUP (female), Houbajiazhuang, Miyun Reservoir. But no sign of the MEADOW PIPIT or any REDPOLLS (TT, JH, LX)
25 January 2014
CHIFFCHAFF still in the Olympic Forest Park (ZS)
1 ARCTIC REDPOLL, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
9 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS (7m, 2f) at Lingshan. Plus 40+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, 7 HORNED LARKS (ssp brandti), 2 GOLDEN EAGLES, at least 3 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 4 NUTCRACKERS and, arguably the sighting of the day on the journey home, 2 SIBERIAN ROE DEER (TT, JH, LX, CW)
23 January 2014
CHIFFCHAFF still in Olympic Forest Park in wetland in southern section (JH)
22 January 2014
1 SANDHILL CRANE still at Miyun Reservoir with 1,200 COMMON CRANES, 1 WHITE-NAPED CRANE and at least 2 HOODED CRANES (plus 2 presumed HOODED x COMMON CRANE hybrids). Also EAGLE OWL (TT)
1 MEADOW PIPIT still at Houbajiazhuang, Miyun Reservoir (first record for Beijing) (TT)
19 January 2014
1 ASIAN ROSY FINCH, Lingshan. Plus a single flock of over 200 REDPOLLS. (ZS et al)
18 January 2014
1 JACK SNIPE, Wenyu He (SB). Possibly only the 6th record for Beijing.
1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE still at Shahe Reservoir (CM)
17 January 2014
The SANDHILL CRANE still present at Miyun Reservoir. Plus one WHITE-NAPED CRANE and 4 HOODED CRANES (QP). Also the MEADOW PIPIT still at Houbajiazhuang (CL)
CHIFFCHAFF still present in the wetland area of the southern section of the Olympic Forest Park (JH)
10+ JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Daguanyuan (JL)
16 January 2014
SANDHILL CRANE still at Miyun Reservoir (QP)
15 January 2014
The SANDHILL CRANE and MEADOW PIPIT still present at Miyun Reservoir (PH and TT)
14 January 2014
1 SANDHILL CRANE still at Miyun Reservoir at Bulaotun (PH).
***MEGA***: 1 MEADOW PIPIT, Miyun Reservoir (Houbajiazhuang). First for Beijing and very rare outside Xinjiang in far NW China (PH)
13 January 2014
At least one, possibly two ARCTIC REDPOLLS (2nd record for Beijing and first for more than 50 years), Miyun Reservoir (PH)
13 January 2014
Unconfirmed report of 2 PIED KINGFISHERS, Wenyu River, seen on 12 January (per Li Xiaomai). ***This report is now thought to be erroneous***
12 January 2014
1 SOLITARY SNIPE, 1 WALLCREEPER, 4 CINEREOUS VULTURES, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, 2 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, 2 BROWN DIPPERS and 2 BLACK STORKS, Shidu (TT, PH, KC, GC)
1 SOLITARY SNIPE and 1 GOLDEN EAGLE, Shisanling (CM)
20+ CHUKAR, Yanghecheng (JL)
7 January 2014
***MEGA*** 1 CHIFFCHAFF (ssp tristis), Olympic Forest Park. Identified by Li Xiaomai from a Chinese bird photography website. Seen today by TT, JL, PH et al. Originally thought to be the first record for Beijing but subsequently I have heard one was seen at Baiwangshan in February 2008 (not documented). So this is the 2nd record for the capital.
6 January 2014
1 SANDHILL CRANE again with over 1200 COMMON CRANES, Bulaotun, Miyun Resrvoir (PH)
5 January 2014
1 BAER’S POCHARD (female), Chao He River, Miyun (PH). Plus 1 IBISBILL.
2 January 2014
1 JAPANESE THRUSH, Peking University (PH). First seen in mid-October and still present. The second record for Beijing after one in October 2012 at the Temple of Heaven. Uncertain origin.
1 January 2014
At least 8 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, 30+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES and 1 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH, Lingshan (TT, PH, WL, LX, RY)
29 December 2013
1 SANDHILL CRANE with 1200 COMMON CRANES, Miyun Reservoir (PH)
28 December 2013
1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, Huairou Reservoir. Plus 300+ BAIKAL TEAL, Miyun Reservoir (PH)
21 December 2013
2 CHAFFINCHES (scarce in Beijing), 1 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, 2 ALPINE ACCENTORS, 11 JAPANESE WAXWINGS and 1 KOKLASS PHEASANT, Shisanling (CM)
15 December 2013
1 SANDHILL CRANE and 1 DEMOISELLE CRANE with c600 COMMON CRANES, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
14 December 2013
1 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH plus 1 imm WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
11 December 2013
The JAPANESE THRUSH is still at Peking University. First seen in mid-October. Wild? Who knows…?
8 December 2013
***MEGA*** 1 SANDHILL CRANE***, Miyun Reservoir (first record for Beijing). Also 1 DEMOISELLE CRANE (exceptionally good record, especially in winter) with around 500 COMMON CRANES. (ZL et al).
2 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, Shahe (CM). A good inner city record. Plus 9 PINE BUNTINGS.
7 December 2013
At least 10 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS at Lingshan. Plus 15+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES. Also, 14 JAPANESE WAXWINGS seen at Qingshui (close to Lingshan). (TT, WL)
1 December 2013
At least 4 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS, UPLAND BUZZARD, SAKER, MERLIN, 1800+ BEAN GEESE, 420+ COMMON CRANES, 4 HOODED CRANES, Miyun Reservoir (TT, JH, WL and LX). Plus IBISBILL at the Chao He river.
30 November 2013
At least 6 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS at Lingshan. Plus 18+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, CINEREOUS VULTURE and 30+ DARK-THROATED THRUSHES (mostly RED-THROATED). (TT)
23 November 2013
1 WALLCREEPER at Shidu. Plus CINEREOUS VULTURE, BROWN DIPPER, CRESTED KINGFISHER, PLUMBEOUS REDSTART and BLACK STORK.
22 November 2013
***1 (AMUR) LEOPARD CAT *** (!) at Miyun Reservoir. Plus 4 HOODED CRANES, 250 COMMON CRANES, 450 BEAN GEESE, 1 JAPANESE REED BUNTING (TT, MLN)
10 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Botanical Gardens (BW)
17 November 2013
500+ PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Yeyahu NR (TT, JH et al). Plus 6 CINEREOUS VULTURES and 550 BAIKAL TEAL.
1 juv RED-CROWNED CRANE (3rd record for Beijing), 5 HOODED CRANES, 8 GREAT BUSTARDS, 40 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
2 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Botanical Gardens (per JL)
16 November 2013
5 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN, JL et al). Plus imm WHITE-TAILED EAGLE and 1 HOODED CRANE (with 450 COMMON CRANES).
***1 JAPANESE THRUSH***, Peking University (per LX)
9 November 2013
380+ PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Shahe Reservoir (CM). Plus 2 HORNED LARKS.
7 November 2013
3 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE at Miyun Reservoir. Plus a first winter BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (4th record for Beijing), a first winter LITTLE GULL and 4 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS (TT, BW, JL)
3 November 2013
200+ PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE north over central Beijing today (BBWS).
At least 5 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE seen at Yeyahu NR (TT, BW, EC, WL) plus 3 distant flocks totalling 200+ probably this species; also 2 first calendar year RELICT GULLS, 53 SHORE LARKS a single MONGOLIAN LARK and 5 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS.
2 November 2013
1 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE (adult), Shahe Reservoir (CM). The third record for Beijing and the first adult. Previous records: a first-winter was collected at Lilihe, Liangxiang on 15 February 1962 (Cai 1989) & Paul Holt saw and photographed another first-winter at Hou Ba Jia Zhuang, Miyun reservoir on 3 Nov. 2010.
26 October 2013
1 BAER’S POCHARD, Yeyahu NR (ZS); 2 first winter RELICT GULLS, Ma Chang (JL); 1 first winter RELICT GULL, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
20 October 2013
2 GREAT BUSTARDS, 42 MONGOLIAN LARKS, 56 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARKS and a SAKER, Yongdingheqiao (CM)
19 October 2013
5 (!) SAKERS, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN, PA, LM). Plus 37+ BAIKAL TEAL, single BLACK-NECKED and SLAVONIAN GREBES.
1 IBISBILL, Chao He River (J-EN, PA, LM)
18 October 2013
1 RED-CROWNED, 13 WHITE-NAPED and 2 COMMON CRANES, Miyun Reservoir. Plus MONGOLIAN LARK, GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE and 25 PINE BUNTINGS (TT, PH, BW, JL)
16 October 2013
1 RED-CROWNED CRANE still at Miyun Reservoir. Plus 2 BAER’S POCHARDS, GREAT BUSTARD and 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES (PH)
15 October 2013
2 drake BAER’S POCHARDS, Huairou Reservoir by the space observatory (PH). Plus RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and PALLAS’S GULL
1 RED-CROWNED CRANE, Miyun Reservoir (PH). Probably only the second record for Beijing! Plus SLAVONIAN GREBE, GREAT BUSTARD, SAKER and GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE.
13 October 2013
1 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, Shahe Reservoir (CM). Possibly only the 16th record for Beijing.
12 October 2013
***2 BAER’S POCHARDS***, 2 juvenile STEPPE EAGLES, 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES and 23 MONGOLIAN LARKS at Wild Duck Lake (TT, JH, BW)
16 RED-BILLED STARLINGS, 166 GREATER SHORT-TOED LARKS (a scarce autumn record) and 1 1st cal yr GOLDEN EAGLE, Shisanling (CM)
HEBEI PROVINCE: 9,900 COMMON SHELDUCK, Nanpu (J-EN). A record China count!!!
8 October 2013
1 GREEN-BACKED (CHINESE) FLYCATCHER, Tsinghua University (BW)
7 October 2013
600+ raptors past Baiwangshan, including 8 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES (per JH)
3 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, 1 SAKER, 13 BLACK STORKS and 5 BLYTH’S PIPITS, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
6 October 2013
1 MARSH GRASSBIRD (JAPANESE SWAMP WARBLER), Shahe (CM). The fifth confirmed for Beijing, almost immediately after the fourth at the same location and by the same observer!
4 October 2013
100 LONG-TAILED MINIVETS in a single flock (an amazing record!). Plus one GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, Shisanling (CM)
30 September 2013
2 MARSH GRASSBIRDS (JAPANESE SWAMP WARBLER) at Shahe Reservoir (CM). Only the 4th confirmed record for Beijing!
24 September 2013
STOP PRESS Liaoning Province: juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING, Laotieshan (PH)
21 September 2013
1 first cal yr GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, Shisanling (CM)
20 September 2013
3 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 1 dark phase BOOTED EAGLE, 1 SAKER and 1 first calendar year BROWN-HEADED GULL, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
15 September 2013
1 SPANGLED (HAIR-CRESTED) DRONGO, Olympic Forest Park (per PA)
2 LONG-TAILED SHRIKES, 1 BAILLON’S CRAKE and 14 BAIKAL TEAL, Shahe (CM). Comment: Baikal Teal are clearly beginning to come through. 7 also seen at Wild Duck Lake on Saturday 14th.
14 September 2013
1 dark phase BOOTED EAGLE, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
3 SHORT-TOED EAGLES plus a good movement of pipits, including more than 700 OLIVE-BACKED and 14 BLYTH’S. Plus 7 BAIKAL TEAL.
12 September 2013
1 SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT, 1 WHITE’S THRUSH and 1 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, UK Ambassador’s garden (TT). Also 2 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, Ritan Park (JL)
11 September 2013
1 WHITE’S THRUSH plus 2 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, UK Ambassador’s garden (TT)
10 September 2013
4 RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, UK Ambassador’s garden (TT). Plus DAURIAN STARLING
9 September 2013
1 DAURIAN STARLING, Tongzhou (PH)
8 September 2013
1 LONG-TAILED SHRIKE, Shahe (CM). Possibly only the 6th record for the capital. Another great find by Colm Moore.
1 September 2013
4 WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAILS, Shisanling (CM)
2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, 1 LITTLE CURLEW, 6 PIED HARRIERS, ASIAN KOEL, Miyun Reservoir (PH, TB, TT)
30 August 2013
3 BLYTH’S PIPITS, Ma Chang (PH, TT)
1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, Yeyahu NR (PH, TT)
26 August 2013
1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, Yeyahu NR. Possibly the first August record for the capital.
24 August 2013
1 juv BROWN-HEADED GULL, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
1 BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, 2 SCHRENCK’S BITTERNS, 1 juv TIGER SHRIKE at Yeyahu NR (TT, SM)
21 August 2013
HEBEI: At least 71 ASIAN DOWITCHERS at Nanpu, near Tangshan (TT, PA, LM); huge numbers of shorebirds present (we estimated 70-80,000 birds and saw 33 different wader species). Colour-flagged birds included a RED KNOT, 3 RED-NECKED STINTS and 2 BAR-TAILED GODWITS.
18 August 2013
The first SIBERIAN STONECHAT of the autumn at the Wenyu River (TT). Plus a BROWN FLYCATCHER sp briefly at the Summer Palace (JH). Passerine migration begins…!
4 August 2013
1 ASIAN KOEL, Shahe Reservoir (CM). A very good year for this species in Beijing with almost 20 records so far (especially as the first record for Beijing was as recent as 1983).
27 July 2013
1 LESSER COUCAL (second record for Beijing), Miyun Reservoir. Also 1 ASIAN KOEL and 2 YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAILS (PH and TT)
1 ASIAN KOEL, Botanical Gardens (JH)
22 June 2013
1 near-adult LONG-TAILED SKUA, Shahe Reservoir (Colm Moore). The first documented record of a skua, of any description, in Beijing (!) and, as far as we know, the first skua seen by an Irishman anywhere in China! An exceptional record. Plus 7 BAR-TAILED GODWITS (only Beijing’s 2nd record of this species following the first seen by Jan-Erik Nilsen at Miyun on 14 March this year). Both sightings coincided with the beginning of heavy rain from 0500-1400.
15 June 2013
1 female WATERCOCK and 2 WHITE-BREASTED WATERHENS, Shahe (CM)
13 June 2013
1 COTTON PYGMY GOOSE, Hengshui Hu, Hebei Province (ZL)
11 June 2013
1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER still at Miyun Reservoir (singing for 10th day at least) (PH)
5 June 2013
2 NORTHERN BOOBOKs and 1 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL, central Beijing (TT, PH, AC)
2 June 2013
1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER, Miyun Reservoir (PH)
1 June 2013
1 CHINESE BUSH WARBLER, 1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER, 1 ASIAN KOEL and 1 WATERCOCK, Huairou Reservoir (PH and TT)
2 BAR-HEADED GEESE, 1 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER (an unusual inland record), 1 CASPIAN TERN, 1 DEMOISELLE CRANE, 40+ ORIENTAL PRATINCOLES, Miyun Reservoir (PH and TT)
25 May 2013
1 CHINESE BUSH WARBLER, 2 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLERS, 2 ASIAN KOELS and 1 RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE, Huairou Reservoir (PH and CG)
23 May 2013
1 BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, Ma Chang (Zhu Lei)
22 May 2013
1 PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA (the first in Beijing for c40 years!), 1 ASIAN KOEL, 1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER, 1 JAPANESE WAXWING, 1 LITTLE CURLEW, 5 BLYTH’S PIPITS and a SHORT-TOED EAGLE, Huairou Reservoir (PH)
16 May 2013
1 SCHRENCK’S BITTERN and 1 MANCHURIAN REED WARBLER, Wenyu River (Steve Bale)
HEBEI PROVINCE: 14 BAER’S POCHARDS at the breeding site. Plus singing BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER, 2 PHEASANT-TAILED JACANAS and 5 REED PARROTBILLS (TT, RH, JP)
13 May 2013
1 TREE PIPIT, UK Ambassador’s garden (TT) – first for Beijing and only the fourth Chinese record outside the far northwestern province of Xinjiang.
1 WESTERN (“BLACK-HEADED”) YELLOW WAGTAIL ssp feldeggi, Shahe Reservoir (CM) – first for Beijing and probably the first for China outside Xinjiang Province.
12 May 2013
3 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS (ssp stegnegeri) at Shahe Reservoir (CM). A superb inland record.
27 April 2013
1 LITTLE CURLEW, 1 LONG-TOED STINT, 1 GREY-BACKED THRUSH, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
20 April 2013
1 DALMATIAN PELICAN (2cy) at Shahe Reservoir (CM and J-EN)
21 LONG-TAILED MINIVETS, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
16 April 2013
1 ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL, Peking University (Zhang Shen via Birdtalker)
14 April 2013
2 displaying drake BAER’S POCHARDS still at Ma Chang (AM, PA, SJ)
13 April 2013
1 BAR-TAILED GODWIT, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN). Possibly the first record for Beijing of this predominantly coastal migrant.
1 BOOTED EAGLE, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN). Plus 400+ FALCATED DUCK (a Beijing record)
12 April 2013
2 BAER’S POCHARDS at Ma Chang. Plus BOOTED EAGLE, EASTERN IMPERIAL EAGLE, 2 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and 60+ ORIENTAL PLOVERS (TT, JL, JY)
7 April 2013
1 BAER’S POCHARD, 55 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, 1 LESSER KESTREL, 225 FALCATED DUCK, Ma Chang (TT)
6 April 2013
17 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, 50+ FALCATED DUCK, 1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE and 75 SWAN GEESE, Ma Chang (JH)
4 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Ritan Park (TT)
5 April 2013
1 BAER’S POCHARD (male), Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (ZL)
29 March 2013
6 ORIENTAL PLOVERS, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT, ED, AC)
3 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT, ED, AC)
14 BAIKAL TEAL, Yeyahu NR (TT, ED, AC)
1 SAKER, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT, ED, AC)
41 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, Ma Chang (TT, ED, AC)
40+ COMMON STARLINGS, Ma Chang (TT, ED, AC)
1 BARN SWALLOW, Yeyahu NR (TT, ED, AC) – my first in Beijing this spring
27 March 2013
2 SIBERIAN CRANES, Yeyahu NR (AY)
24 March 2013
1 LESSER KESTREL and 1 SAKER, Miyun Reservoir plus >500 WHITE-NAPED CRANES still (per Birdtalker)
1 RELICT GULL, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
13 EURASIAN CRAG MARTINS, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
19 COMMON STARLINGS, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
23 March 2013
1 ORIENTAL PLOVER, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (per Birdtalker)
22 March 2013
1020 (!) WHITE-NAPED CRANES and 10 GREAT BUSTARDS at Miyun today (per Weibo)
18 March 2013
1 LESSER KESTREL, Hanshiqiao, Shunyi (SJ) – a good city record and early. One also seen at Miyun on Saturday (see below).
1 BEARDED TIT, Yuyuantan Park (per www.birdnet.cn) – a scarce passage migrant in the capital and a good central Beijing record.
16 March 2013
3 BAIKAL TEAL + 2 GARGANEY, Wenyu River (SJ) – see photos here.
1 RED CROSSBILL (male), Botanical Gardens (JL)
1 COLLARED FINCHBILL, Grand Millennium Hotel (for second day)
645 WHITE-NAPED CRANES at Miyun. Plus 5 GREAT BUSTARDS (J-EN)
1 LESSER KESTREL, Miyun (per Birdtalker) – an early record.
4 WHITE-NAPED CRANES and 700+ COMMON CRANES, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake. Plus 600+ BEAN GEESE, 5 BEARDED TITS, 3 CHINESE GREY SHRIKES, 2 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARKS and 3 COMMON STARLINGS
14 March 2013
2 ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, Lingshan. Plus at least 19 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS (news of their departure premature, it seems!), CINEREOUS VULTURE and NUTCRACKER.
13 March 2013
3 SIBERIAN CRANES, Beidagang, Tianjin (AM)
11 March 2013
1 SIBERIAN CRANE, Miyun Reservoir (天天小夜猫子 on Weibo)
10 March 2013
40+ ASIAN ROSY FINCHES, Lingshan (J-EN)
2 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, Lingshan (J-EN) – number much reduced from last week..
1500 COMMON CRANES plus 235 WHITE-NAPED CRANES and 7 HOODED CRANES at Miyun Reservoir (Li Ming)
450+ COMMON CRANES, 3 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, Wild Duck Lake (TT, RM, JL) – some open areas of water on the main reservoir
2 BAIKAL TEAL, 650+ BEAN GEESE (ssp serrirostris), 230+ WHOOPER SWANS, 58 SWAN GEESE, Wild Duck Lake (TT, RM, JL)
3 March 2013
11 GREAT BUSTARDS, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
1 ORIENTAL STORK, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
2 LONG-BILLED PLOVERS, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
1 HOODED CRANE, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
1 EAGLE OWL, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
2 March 2013
At least 30 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS (White-winged Redstart) at Lingshan (TT, PA, JL)
60+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, Lingshan (TT, PA, JL)
3 CINEREOUS VULTURES, Lingshan (TT, PA, JL)
1 GOLDEN EAGLE, Lingshan (AM)
26 February 2013
17 GULDENSTADT’S REDSTARTS, Lingshan (TT, JL)
6 GOLDEN EAGLES, Lingshan (TT, JL)
12+ CINEREOUS VULTURES, Lingshan (TT, JL)
1 BROWN ACCENTOR, Yanhecheng (Hebei side, 150m from border with Beijing) (TT, JL)
23 February 2013
1 BROWN ACCENTOR, Yanhecheng (Zhang Shen)
23 February 2013
50+ PINE BUNTINGS, Wenyu He. Plus the probably aberrant BEWICK’S SWAN (with BEWICK’S SWAN), 4 JAPANESE REED BUNTINGS, CRESTED KINGFISHER and a singing YELLOW-THROATED BUNTING (TT).
21 February 2013
1 SOLITARY SNIPE seen near Mangshan, Ming Tombs (CM). Also probably seen nearby on 23rd February). Plus 5 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES and a CHAFFINCH (scarce in Beijing).
19 February 2013
1 RED CROSSBILL, Botanical Gardens (via Birdtalker)
17 February 2013
Still at least 40 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES on the ridge above the Botanical Gardens. (TT, PA, JL, BW). The excellent winter for this species continues, but for how much longer? Also 6 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, 4 CHINESE HILL BABBLERS, 10 PERE DAVID’S LAUGHINGTHRUSHES and a CHINESE NUTHATCH.
1 February 2013
1 VARIED TIT, Nirvana Hotel, Daoxianghu, NW Beijing (TT, PH, JL). Apparently present for “around 15 days”. Note that there were no records from the capital before this winter. Jesper Hornskov found Beijing’s first two birds in October 2012 and one has been seen in the Botanical Gardens off and on since then. This bird represents the 3rd Beijing record.
100+ Mongolian Larks, Ma Chang (TT, PH, JL)
500+ Lapland Buntings, Ma Chang (TT, PH, JL)
500+ Asian Short-toed Larks, Ma Chang (TT, PH, JL)
26 January 2013
A flock of 290+ PINE BUNTINGS at Shahe (CM)
25 January 2013
1 WALLCREEPER, Shidu (TT, JL)
3 ALPINE ACCENTORS, Shidu (TT, JL)
7+ CINEREOUS VULTURES, Shidu (TT, JL)
1 EURASIAN CRAG MARTIN, Shidu (TT, JL)
5 BLACK STORKS, Shidu (TT, JL)
19 January 2013
67+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, ridge behind the Botanical Gardens (JH). An incredible winter for this species in Beijing. Usually a very difficult bird to see.
17 January 2013
1 EURASIAN BULLFINCH, Botanical Gardens (Zhou Xi as per Shi Jin). Probably the same individual seen a few weeks ago at the same site. Before this winter there were no documented records of this species from the capital.
13 January 2013
22 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES and 2 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCHES, Mangshan (CM)
5 January 2013
34+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, ridge above Botanical Gardens (TT, JH, JL, ZL and MM)
7 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Xiang Shan (TT, JH, JL, ZL and MM)
plus
9 SIBERIAN ACCENTORS, ridge above Botanical Gardens (TT, JH, JL, ZL and MM)
14 CHINESE HILL WARBLERS, ridge above Botanical Gardens (TT, JH, JL, ZL and MM)
34 PERE DAVID’S LAUGHINGTHRUSH, ridge above Botanical Gardens (TT, JH, JL, ZL and MM)
4 January 2013
1 CHINESE BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH, Mangshan (CM)
11 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, Mangshan (CM)
1 January 2013
24 BOHEMIAN and 2 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Agricultural Exhibition Centre (CM)
30 December 2012
14+ PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, the ridge above the Botanical Gardens (JH)
2 WHITE WAGTAILS ssp lugens, Tonghuihe (PH)
16 December 2012
1 JAPANESE GROSBEAK, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
13 December 2012
1 JAPANESE GROSBEAK, Shunyi (PA) – seen from kitchen window whilst doing the dishes..!
11 December 2012
1 putative WHISTLING SWAN (Cygnus columbianus), Wenyu He. If confirmed, it will be the first record of this race in China. Present since 25 November (Shi Jin).
9 December 2012
1 EURASIAN BULLFINCH, Botanical Gardens (per http://www.birdnet.cn). Possibly the first documented record in Beijing.
8 December 2012
1 GOLDEN EAGLE first winter, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT, JL)
1 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT, JL)
1,000+ LAPLAND BUNTINGS, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake. A record Beijing count and, possibly, a record China count (TT, JL)
1 GREAT BUSTARD, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT, JL)
1 December 2012
1 LONG-TAILED ROSEFINCH (male), Shahe Reservoir (in reedbed on north side) (CM)
30 November 2012
1 WHITE-CAPPED WATER REDSTART, Tongzhou, SE Beijing (an unusual inner city record) (PH)
27 November 2012
LIAONING: 1 BAER’S POCHARD, Jinshitan, Dalian (TB). Photos here.
26 November 2012
1 JAPANESE ROBIN still at Lianhua Chi Park (PA) – (last seen Tuesday 27 November)
25 November 2012
4 GREAT BUSTARDS at Miyun Reservoir (TT, JL, ZL et al)
10+ SHORE LARKS, Miyun Reservoir (TT, JL, ZL et al)
3 MONGOLIAN LARKS, Miyun Reservoir (TT, JL, ZL et al)
24 November 2012
12 GREAT BUSTARDS, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (CM)
2 WHITE-NAPED CRANES, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (CM)
4 SHORE LARKS, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (CM)
165+ MONGOLIAN LARKS, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (CM)
23 November 2012
MEGA: 1 JAPANESE ROBIN at Lianhua Chi Park, near Beijing West Railway Station (per Zhu Lei). Photos here.
At least 17 JAPANESE WAXWINGS in the Botanical Gardens still.
18 November 2012
6 SHORE LARKS, Shisanling Reservoir (CM)
17 November
10 PALLAS’S SANDGROUSE, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
2 SHORE LARKS, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
8 MONGOLIAN LARKS, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
22 MONGOLIAN LARKS, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
22 ASIAN SHORT-TOED LARKS, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
15 November 2012
5 MONGOLIAN LARKS, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT)
2 BEARDED TITS, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT’s first in Beijing)
3 MUTE SWANS, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT’s first in Beijing)
11 November 2012
14+ JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Botanical Gardens (TT)
1 RED-BILLED STARLING, Botanical Gardens (TT)
3+ Chinese Nuthatches (TT)
No sign of any VARIED TITS.
10 November 2012
5 SCALY-BREASTED MUNIAS and 2 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, Shahe (CM)
8 November 2012
At least 1 BAER’S POCHARD still at Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (JH)
5 November 2012
1 VARIED TIT, Botanical Gardens (in conifer plantation) (per JH)
3 November 2012
1 CHAFFINCH (first winter/female), Shahe Reservoir (CM)
1 November 2012
1 VARIED TIT, Botanical Gardens (per Birdtalker)
30 October 2012
LIAONING PROVINCE: 1 EURASIAN BULLFINCH, Laotieshan (per Tom Beeke). Never been recorded in Beijing.
29 October 2012
4 BAER’S POCHARDS, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT)
12 JAPANESE WAXWINGS, Yeyahu NR (TT)
1 GREAT BUSTARD, Yeyahu NR (TT)
2 PALLAS’S ROSEFINCHES, Olympic Forest Park (per Zhu Lei)
27-28 October 2012
1 MANCHURIAN BUSH WARBLER, Beijing University Campus (per Zhu Lei)
27 October 2012
9 BEARDED REEDLINGS, Shisanling (CM)
17 October 2012
4 BAER’S POCHARDS (2 male, 2 female), Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT)
14 October 2012
3 JAPANESE GROSBEAKS, Beidegang Reservoir, Tianjin (AM)
13 October 2012
A belated report of a (prob first year male) GREY BUNTING from Nanpu, Hebei Province on 3 and 4 October (J-EN)
1 SAKER, Yeyahu NR (TT)
1 SHORT-TOED EAGLE, Yeyahu NR (TT)
29 HAWFINCHES, Yeyahu NR (TT) – migrating west
11 October 2012
1 JAPANESE SWAMP WARBLER (MARSH GRASSBIRD), Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT). Only the 2nd or 3rd record for Beijing.
1 SAKER, Yeyahu NR (TT)
1 SWAN GOOSE, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT) – the first of the autumn/winter.
1 RED CROSSBILL, Botanical Gardens (JH)
7 October 2012
1 VARIED TIT in the Botanical Gardens (heard only) (JH)
10 RED-BILLED STARLINGS, Botanical Gardens (JH) – could be a record count for the capital
2 SCALY-BREASTED MUNIAS, Botanical Gardens (JH)
2 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
1 SAKER, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
4 October 2012
2 VARIED TITs migrating west along the ridge above the Botanical Gardens (JH). First records for Beijing and part of an ‘irruption’ that has seen birds along the east coast of China from Shandong (also first record), near Shanghai and Hong Kong.
1 October 2012
2 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES, Shisanling Reservoir (CM)
11 SCALY-BREASTED MUNIAS, Shisanling Reservoir (CM) – possibly wild birds? A pair also seen in the Olympic Forest Park in August.
29 September 2012
4 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
2 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLES, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
1 SAKER, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, Yeyahu NR (TT)
1 SAKER, Yeyahu NR (TT)
6 BEAN GEESE (ssp serrirostris), Yeyahu NR (TT) – an early record
23 September 2012
1 ORIENTAL STORK, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
2 SAKER, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
1 GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE, Miyun Reservoir (J-EN)
15 September 2012
1 SAKER and 2 SHORT-TOED EAGLES, Shisanling Reservoir (CM)
14 September 2012
1 BLYTH’S PIPIT in TT’s garden at Central Park (TT)
12 September 2012
1 GREY-TAILED TATTLER, Wenyu He (PA, SB and TT)
8 September 2012
1 BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER (singing), Yeyahu NR (TT)
1 possible RED-NECKED GREBE, Yeyahu NR (seen in flight only) (TT)
29 August 2012
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Asian Paradise Flycatcher (PH), Asian Brown and Taiga Flycatchers, Siberian Blue Robin, Thick-billed, Arctic, Eastern Crowned and Yellow-browed Warblers at Temple of Heaven (TT)
19 August 2012
1 Large Hawk Cuckoo, Olympic Forest Park (a rare Beijing autumn record) (TT, PH, WQ)
2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Olympic Forest Park (very early records) (TT, PH, WQ)
1 Amur Falcon, Olympic Forest Park (early autumn migrant) (TT, PH, WQ)
18 August
1 immature/female Watercock, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
1 juvenile Red-billed Starling, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
15 August 2012
1 Narcissus Flycatcher (male) reported from grounds of Xiyuan Hotel, Beijing (via Tong Menxiu). Extremely rare in Beijing if genuinely narcissus and not elisae.
1 Little Curlew, on waste ground at the Summer Palace (via Tong Menxiu)
9 August 2012
2 Hair-crested Drongos (adult and juvenile), Wenyu He (TT)
3 August 2012
1 ASIAN KOEL, Botanical Gardens, Beijing (JH)
Chinese Nuthatches, Botanical Gardens, Beijing (JH)
15 July 2012
3 IBISBILLS on the Bai He (Bai River), 2 hours north of Beijing (TT)
14 July 2012
12 Beautiful Rosefinches, 4 Rosy Pipits, Lingshan, Hebei Province (west of Beijing) (J-EN)
July 2012
Report of at least 4 pairs of breeding BAER’S POCHARD just 3 hours from Beijing in Hebei Province.
3 June 2012
2 EUROPEAN GOLDFINCHES, Wu Ling Shan, Hebei Province (AM). First record for eastern China if accepted.
31 May 2012
2 Schrenck’s Bitterns, Wenyu River (TT)
1 Pechora Pipit, Wenyu River (TT)
1 White-breasted Waterhen (TT)
28 May 2012
1 White-breasted Waterhen, Wenyu River (TT)
1 Yellow-legged Buttonquail, Wenyu River (TT)
26 May 2012
1 Short-toed Eagle, Yeyahu NR (TT)
1 Greater Spotted Eagle, Yeyahu NR (TT)
1 Saker, Yeyahu NR (TT)
21 May 2012
2 Von Schrenck’s Bitterns and possible Latham’s Snipe, Wenyu River (SB)
20 May 2012
LIAONING: 3 SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPERS, Donggang, Dandong (BQ)
2 Red-billed Choughs nestbuilding, Yunmengshan (TT)
4 Blue Rock Thrushes, Yunmengshan (TT)
19 May 2012
LIAONING: 2 SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPERS at Donggang, Dandong (BQ)
HEBEI: 1 SPOON-BILLED SANDPIPER at Nanpu, Tangshan (J-EN)
19 May 2012
1 Cinnamon Bittern, Olympic Forest Park Southern Section (TT)
14 May 2012
1 Grey-sided Thrush, Tsinghua University Campus (Birdtalker)
13 May 2012
LIAONING: At least 24 NORDMANN’S GREENSHANKS at Dandong, Liaoning Province, including a group of 17 together (TT, PH and BQ)
12 May 2012
LIAONING: KAMCHATKA LEAF WARBLER (Phylloscopus examinandus), Dandong. One of the Arctic Warbler splits. Identified on call by Paul Holt. First record for Liaoning and, we think, first record for mainland China! (PH and TT)
12 May 2012
1 White-breasted Waterhen, Shahe Reservoir (CM)
1 Pectoral Sandpiper, Shahe Reservoir (Birdtalker)
8 May 2012
1 COMMON RINGED PLOVER, Wenyu River (Steve Bale). The second Beijing record.
7 May 2012
2 Ibisbills, Baihe (Bai River) Valley (MA)
5 May 2012
3 Greater Spotted Eagles, Yeyahu NR (TT)
1 Oriental Stork, Yeyahu NR (TT)
1 May 2012
1 COLLARED CROW, Miyun Reservoir (TT and PH)
5 White-naped Cranes, Miyun Reservoir (TT and PH)
10+ Blyth’s Pipits, Miyun Reservoir (TT and PH)
700+ Little Buntings, Miyun Reservoir (TT and PH)
29 April 2012
1 COLLARED CROW, Shisanling Reservoir, Ming Tombs (TT)
2 Oriental Scops Owls in the Botanical Gardens (plus Chinese Blackbird nest-building)
27 April 2012
2 Oriental Plovers, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT, BW, JG)
5 Greater Sand Plovers, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT, BW, JG)
6 Spoonbill sp, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT, BW, JG)
1 Mongolian Lark, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT, BW, JG)
1 Greater Spotted Eagle, Yeyahu NR (TT, BW, JG)
1 Short-toed Eagle, Yeyahu NR (TT, BW, JG)
1 Bull-headed Shrike, Yeyahu NR (TT, BW, JG)
1 Collared Crow, Shisanling Reservoir (CM)
1 Pied Wheatear, Shisanling Reservoir (CM)
24 April 2012
2 Great Bustards migrating over the Summer Palace (JH)
23 April 2012
At least 4 Oriental Scops Owls calling in the university quarter this evening (BW)
22 April 2012
1 SIBERIAN CRANE (immature), Miyun Reservoir (BW, AW, TT, ND, ES, SG, JG). With 4 White-naped and 3 Common Cranes.
1 Short-toed Eagle, Miyun Reservoir (BW, AW, TT, ND, ES, SG, JG)
1 Oriental Scops Owl calling in the grounds of Renmin University (Birdtalker)
1 Oriental Plover, Shahe Reservoir (Birdtalker)
17 April 2012
3 Greater Spotted Eagles, Wild Duck Lake (JH)
1 Brown-headed Gull, Wild Duck Lake (JH)
15 April 2012
1 Siberian Crane, Miyun Reservoir, with 17 White-naped Cranes (TT)
1 Short-toed Eagle, Miyun Reservoir (TT)
1 Saker, Miyun Reservoir (TT)
19 Spoonbill sp, Miyun Reservoir (TT)
14 April 2012
31 Oriental Plovers, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (TT and JH)
1 White Wagtail ssp personata, Ma Chang, Wild Duck Lake (first record for Beijing of this subspecies) (TT and JH)
1 Short-toed Eagle, Yeyahu NR (TT and JH)
9 April 2012
1 Two-barred Crossbill (female), Jingshan Park (TT)
2 Red-billed Starlings, Jingshan Park (TT)
8 April 2012
1 Common Ringed Plover at Sha He Reservoir, Beijing (Jan-Erik Nilsen). First Beijing record.
2 Two-barred Crossbills, Jingshan Park
7 April 2012
1 Dalmatian Pelican, Sha He reservoir (CM)
5 April 2012
1 DESERT WHEATEAR, Wild Duck Lake (2nd Beijing record) (TT). Thanks to Killian Mullarney, this bird was re-identified as a female Isabelline Wheatear, the first record for Beijing.
19 Oriental Plovers, Wild Duck Lake (TT)
1 Mongolian Lark, Wild Duck Lake (TT)
2 Avocets, Wild Duck Lake (TT)
4 April 2012
11 Oriental Plovers at Wild Duck Lake, Beijing (TT)
27 Eurasian Spoonbills, Miyun Reservoir, Beijing (TT)
3 April 2012
Miyun Reservoir (Jan-Erik Nilsen)
3 Siberian Cranes
66 White-naped Cranes
1 Greater Spotted Eagle
Summer Palace
1 Greater Spotted Eagle migrating (JH)