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China Birding Trip: September-16-30, 2013 |
Day 6 September 20 - River Birding
Bird of the day: Spotted Redshank
This morning, as the sun rose, to start the day, the early
birders walked over to the Friendship Hotel for a few hours of
birding before breakfast at 7:30am.
Quick flights of elusive warblers kept us busy checking bushes
and trees for ID views. We were able to identify Yellow-streaked
Warbler, and Arctic Warble (thanks, PJ) . We also saw another
Siberian Rubythroat and a Grey-headed Woodpecker
Back to our hotel via the back entrance – vegetable garden
with giant radishes - and breakfast. Dave and Liz compared
birding notes with some Australian birders. Soon we were off to
the Yang He River estuary in Nandaihe (south ribbon river)
county. June pointed out her college where she studied to become
a tourism guide – and learn English.
The beautiful estuary was polluted as there was a garbage dump
along side it. We hiked along the river, surprised to see men
fishing in a slimy green oozy section. We did see some water
birds - Little Grebe, Chinese Pond Heron, Common Moorhen. We also
saw Common, Whiskered and Gull-billed Terns. A notable land bird
was a Richard's Pipit
We shared the river shore with workers – they lived in small
cement buildings – a contrast with city apartments across
the river.
Kevin climbed into a grassy area surrounded by an old brick wall.
He pointed out a warbler to Barbara but we never did get a good
look at the quick little bird.
We left the estuary and headed back with one stop at a
pond/reservoir area. Here we saw a Purple Heron, a Black-crowned
Night-Heron (first adult) and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. A Common
Moorhen was running across the mossy pond surface.
On our return trip through Beidaihe, festival activities were
everywhere – the beaches were full, couples were having
wedding pictures taken – lots of smiles!
After lunch and a rest, Bill joined the group for more salt flats
birding. Besides the usual species, we noted Grey Tattler,
Spotted Redshank, Pacific Golden Plover, Kentish Plover,
Grey-headed Lapwing and Pied Avocet. We also spotted a
Long-billed Plover – good news as this was a secretive
species which are not easy to see. As well, it was one of the
three target species we were looking for north of Beijing on
Tuesday (one down).
As usual, we sat around our round table with a lazy susan for
dinner. Plates of vegetables, tofu, chicken and rice were
plentiful. Most of us ordered beer. A good way to end our day.
Russian signs of the day:
