Tam Dao, 31-8-2011, Grey Nightjar

Hi all,

No obvious migration yet around the lower reaches of TD but a Grey Nightjar hunting last night.
Also babblers (including Buff-breasted, Spot-necked and Streak-breasted Scimitar) more active these days.
Owls start calling again.

Cheers,
Falk

Hanoi (Gia Lam) Sunday 23rd August

Thought I would check out Sebastian's forest over in Gia Lam, for an early morning session. Were some cool birds around. Looks like will be a great holding spot during the migration.

• Cuckoo-Plaintive (many)


• Flycatcher-Yellow rumped (2+)


• Flycatcher-Unidentified (small, plain green wings, no wing bars, two pale stripes across top of head)


• Kingfisher-White throated (1)


• Shrike-brown (1)


• Tailorbird-Common (1)


• Wagtail-Forest (3-4)


• Warbler-Arctic (1+)


• White-eye-Japanese (lots)


• Other unidentified small warblers / flycatchers

Warbler-Arctic

Kingfisher-White throated

Wagtail-Forest

Wayne

Hanoi : passerine migration is underway !

Hi all,

A month or so ago I was looking at the Googlemap and noticed in Hanoi (Gia Lam area) a large area of vegetation with a big pond in the middle. I went and checked it out. It looks rather promising - 3-4 ha completely undisturbed - which is rare here !- and with a nice mix of vegetation.

Yesterday (22th August) I have started checking it in the hope of picking up some early migrants. I was very pleased when I found 1 Dark-sided Flycatcher, 1 Asian paradise-Flycatcher, 1 Phylloscopus non ID, 1 Forest Wagtail and 3-4 Yellow-rumped Flycatchers, among them a stunning male (picture) ; a nice view after the birdless days of the summer !

Where are you all ? Is there's still a birder in Hanoi, my god ?!

Sebastien

Falk's wedding in Hoi An

13th August 2011: Cham Islands near Hoi An

For Falk's wedding to Leanne we spent a few days near Hoi An. Birding highlight was a day trip to the Cham Islands. Although little was seen on the islands themselves, owing to high midday temperatures, a few terns were seen from the boat:
Bridled Tern 20
Black-naped Tern 40
Sooty Tern 1
Common Tern 2
Whiskered Tern 1
Little Tern 6

The next day at least 20 Whiskered Terns passed south off the beach.

Simon Mahood, Falk Wicker and friends.

Cuc Phuong NP, Van Long NR, 10 - 12/06/2011

Hi all,

A relatively productive weekend in Cuc Phuong produced the following species, amongst others:

- Eared Pitta (Loop Trail, heard only)
- Bar-bellied Pitta (1 heard, Loop Trail; 1 crossing the road between Bong and HQ)
- Malayan Night Heron (at least 2 seen well on Saturday morning along the road around "Early Man Cave", and again 2 ind. on Sunday)
- Maroon Oriole (Valley Trail)
- Silver-breasted Broadbill (Loop Trail)

plus good views of Red-headed Trogons, Rufous-throated Fulvettas, Grey-throated Babblers, Dollarbirds, Sultan Tit, Limestone Wren Babbler, Hainan Blue Flycatcher and White-tailed Flycatcher.

Van Long was a treat as usual, with excellent views of Delacour's Langurs. Avian delights included, Black Bittern, Cinnamon Bittern, Yellow Bittern, White-browed Crake, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, as well as a few White-shouldered Starlings.

Cheers,
Stephan, Daniel, Falk

Tam Dao, Water tank trail, 8-6-2011

Hi all,

After a long time, finally some news from Tam Dao (not a lot though):

- few flocks of Golden Babblers (no Short-tailed Parrotbills)
- Black-chinned Yuhinas
- Spot-necked Babblers
- White-browed Scimitar babbler (heard only)
- Streak-breasted Scimitar babbler (heard only)
- Treepie sp. (heard only)
- Grey Laughingthrush (heard only)
- Silver-eared Mesias
- Black Bulbuls
- Grey-cheeked Fulvettas

All in all, quite a few birds but nothing spectacular. Oh, and