Hot just about describes the weather lately, the worst kind of heat where it is also very humid, so it is not the most comfortable being outside. Tai Mo Shan being slightly higher in elevation does provide some relief for the heat, where it is often a few degrees lower. Just so happen that lately I had a few tours specifically trying for the Chinese Grassbird, still nice to see them every single time, and they have been incredibly kind to me, as I've been able to connect with them every time we head up to the summit area.
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| Chinese Grassbird |
Chinese Francolins have been very vocal lately, but not that they are any easier to photograph, either they disappear once you try to approach them, or the mist is too heavy for me to take any usable photos.
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| Chinese Francolin |
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| Francolin habitat |
Chinese Hwameis are much more approachable, especially when they are in song. I encountered this very friendly one during one of my visits, while a common species I still enjoy seeing them well as they are usually quite skulking.
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| Chinese Hwamei |
Brown-flanked Bush Warblers are calling in good numbers, however the usual haunts of Russet Bush Warblers have been almost all but empty, I have heard at best one or two birds past the summit towards Sze Fong Shan. Whether they are just recovering from an unsuccessful year of breeding or something is stopping them from coming here to breed I am not sure, but I know this is definitely not normal. I have also noticed a drop in Vinous-throated Parrotbills, which previously I would almost certainly see every single time I go up.
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| Brown-flanked Bush Warbler |
Down a bit lower, Lesser Cuckoos are now very active and there were quite a few of them around. This relatively friendly individual finally allowed me to get a half decent shot of this usually shy species.
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| Lesser Cuckoo |
The Pale Blue Flycatcher is still around, singing its heart out as always. I also came across a lovely looking male Fire-breasted Flowerpecker in the area, a real treat to see as always! Great Barbets can be seen around the area as well, the previously very vocal Chinese Barbets have now all gone silent, presumably all paired up and breeding somewhere?
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| Pale Blue Flycatcher - male |
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| Fire-breasted Flowerpecker - male |
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| Great Barbet |
Even further down around Kap Lung, I had a pair of Indochinese Yuhinas carrying food for their young, while fairly common in winter, not many stay around to breed in Hong Kong. Hainan Blue Flycatchers can still be heard singing, such as this lovely male displaying in its territory.
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| Indochinese Yuhina |
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| Hainan Blue Flycatcher - male |
Other local birds I encountered were two Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers and a family group of Yellow-cheeked Tits that consisted of ten individuals! Some of which came in close and gave nice views.
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| Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler |
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| Yellow-cheeked Tit - male |
There's been quite a lot of Neolucanus sinicus championi around all over the place, this impressive looking stag beetle is slightly less common than the Prosopocoilus biplagiatus.
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| Neolucanus sinicus championi |
Other wildlife encounter includes this massive Chinese Softshell Turtle which was crossing the road, while they are commonly sold as food in local wet markets, I don't actually often see them in the wild, probably because they are mostly aquatic and rarely seen outside of water.
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| Chinese Softshell Turtle |
Finally, a Brown Fish Owl I encountered during an evening excursion after dinner, certainly a widespread species in Hong Kong but still a lovely owl to see as always.
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| Brown Fish Owl |
