The star bird of today's trip to Cuu Thac Tu Son (Hoa Binh Province, 70 kms south-west of Hanoi) was without the shadow of a doubt,
1 Greater Rufous-headed Parrotbill.
Unfortunately Sebastién was too slow to take pictures :-) but John Parr and his family had good views, and so had I.
It was together with a flock of about 15 Collared Babblers and a small flock of Silver-eared Mesias who were more photogenic (they were closer, too).
Other birds recorded during our time at this lovely place included, Mountain Tailorbird, Plain Flowerpecker, Great Barbet, Golden-fronted Barbet, White-crowned Forktail, Maroon Oriole, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, White-tailed Flycatcher, White-bellied Erpornis amongst others.
Collared Babbler ssp. luciae (southern China, northern Indochina) with rufescent nape and
a very prominent dark hindcrown/collar
a very prominent dark hindcrown/collar
Spectacled Barwing (ssp. yunnanensis with rufous crown) photographed 2 weeks ago in the same valley
A quick stopover at FIPI Hanoi just near the trainline down south revealed not too many exciting birds (apart from a Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, a male White-rumped Shama, a Little Heron and a White-breasted Waterhen) but the habitat looked excellent for migrants!
Cheers,
Sebastién, John Parr and family, Falk
