|
China Birding Trip: September-16-30, 2013 |
Day 8 September 22 - Mount
Zushan
Bird of the day: Golden Eagle (no
photo)
The morning started with another hike to Lighthouse Point.
Birding was quiet except for the usual suspects. We had a few
warblers and a Chinese Sparrowhawk fly over. Dave decided we
should return to our hotel and bird the grounds where we spotted
yet another Siberian Rubythroat and the tits and common warblers
we had seen before.
Today we were off on an adventurous trip up, up and up Mount
Zushan - many switchbacks on a narrow cement road. We would stay
at a lodge near the top (4,000 ft.) overnight. We had to travel
lightly, as weight is an issue for buses travelling up. We left
most of our luggage behind in Kevin’s room at our hotel in
Beidaihe. As well, we had to switch to a smaller bus near the top
and others left some items on our bus, as was our custom. Some of
us forgot to bring key items – like rain gear - so we
borrowed and shared. Dave would wear Barbara’s little rain
cape! Hugh borrowed an umbrella. The cool wet weather was a
contrast from the sunny warm coast.
On our trip to the mountain, we checked a little stream for the
elusive target species, Ibisbill. We tried very hard, scrambling
over loose rocks to get close to the water. No luck.
At our bus changing point, we had time for a little birding with
PJ and had brief sightings of Godlewski's Bunting, one of Dave's
important targets.
Then, more switchbacks to reach our lodge. The other residents
were mountain bikers from Germany. We settled in and walked to
another building for a delicious Chinese lunch. In the garden we
heard a Large-billed Crow calling, then saw several.
After lunch we ascended, by bus, to the top of Old Peak/Mount
Zushan. This was an area known as the Gate Guard with four large
columns resembling guards. There were magnificent views all
around. Dave and Hugh spotted numbers of raptors - a Saker
Falcon, a kettle of Common Buzzards and several Pied Harriers.
Ian almost stepped on a snake on the side of the road. Sharon
identified it as a type of rat snake.
As we hiked a trail we noticed the change in colour of the leaves
– fall had arrived here. Near the top of a steep climb, we
flushed a Golden Eagle and had great but quick views. We stayed
until the sun was setting (earlier here in the mountains) and
returned to our lodge for dinner. The rooms were cool and some
tried out the electric blankets.
English signs of the day:
