Tam Dao - Ferruginous Flycatcher/14-10-2011

Hi all,

I bumped into this guy at the extremity south of Tam Dao, 8km north from Dai Lai Lake (hồ Đại Lải), during a short trek to the Bats Cave (of course there is not a single bat there, just rubbish).


I also heard the alarm call of a Forktail sp. along the rocky stream which the trail follows, but can not - as usual - see it, and spotted a noisy Striped Tit Babbler family with the youngs still fed by parents.

Sebastien Delonglee






Some pics of Tam Dao for those who don't know the place or those who are nostalgic for it...

Tam Dao is an island of biodiversity completely surrounded by agricultural plains with a high population density. A kind of miracle...

Woodcock in the Botanical Garden

Yesterday, short stroll in the Botanical Garden 1 hour after Simon.

When I was admiring the Ferruginous Fycatcher I saw something big landing at about 40 meters. A Woodcock ! Being disturbed by people, it took off again and flew directly in my direction, and landed at around 5 meters ! It walked quickly to hide itself under the shrubs along the wall. I approached a little, it flushed again and disappeared between the trees.

15 minutes later, an another one - or maybe the same bird which had discreetly came back ?- flushed from those shrubs . When I moved out of the park (south gate), I saw it again flying above... the bia hoi restaurants. Assuredly this park is not a good rest area for Woodcocks.



The Ferruginous Flycatcher juvenile

In the Lenin Park : Ferruginous Flycatcher still there (and have diversified a lot its perches network !), Hainan Blue Fly, Siberian Blue Robin. No Thrushes...

And again a bird trapper, trying to catch Red-whiskered Bulbuls with a captive bird.

Sebastien

Another Ferruginous Flycatcher!

Today I took a stroll at lunch in the botanical gardens where I found another Ferruginous Flycatcher! This juvenile was much scalier, especially on the mantle, than the one in Lenin Park.

Also about were 1 Black-naped Monarch, 1 Seicercus warbler sp., 1 Orange-headed Thrush, 3 Arctic Warblers and 5 Yellow-browed Warblers.

Simon

14/10/2010

Ferruginous Flycatcher - video

Ferruginous Flycatcher superstar

Hi all,

Below some pics of the star bird of yesterday.

It was perching very low, using the same perch making quick raids from there to catch insects in the air. Have no fear of humans and very approachable.

and the Blue Whistling Thrush was still hanging around, seems to be less and less shy...

Ferruginous Flycatcher in Lenin Park!

This morning I met Sebastian in Lenin Park, when I arrived he was already photographing a Ferruginous Flycatcher - a second record for East Tonkin! The bird was hanging out behind the toilets. Photos and video will follow...watch this space!

Also about were an Orange-headed Thrush, Hill Blue Flycatcher, Asian Stubtail, Dusky Warbler and Siberian Blue Robin.

Simon

Also, in the Botanical Gardens at lunch were 3 Orange-headed Thrushes, lucionensis Brown Shrike, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, 1 Pale-legged Warbler and plenty of Spangled Drongos.

12/10/10

P.S. Ferruginous Flycatcher seems to have found its favorite spot - until 12.30 pm always behind the toilets!
Other birds of note that add up to the list were at least 1 Blue Whistling Thrush and 1 Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher (near the 'starling tree').
Cheers
Falk