A Black-headed Bunting visits Hanoi

Some nice winter visitors seen recently in fallow fields along the Red River, HANOI:

Little Bunting, photographed on a very rare sunny winter day!

Not an uncommon wintor visitor in the Hanoi area (cultivation, fallow fields, scrubs).

Generally in small flocks, but 100-200 individuals seen few days ago.

Amongst a flock of Little Buntings I spotted briefly an another Bunting, larger, with a warm pale brown overall color pattern and no obvious streaking. I failed to clinch the ID but fortunately, I managed to get some distant shots before it disappeared.

The pale buff underparts showed a light yellowish wash and no obvious streaking. The underparts were a bit darker and showed a light streaking on the mantle and crown, obvious buff fringing to the median and greater coverts. The bill was long and relatively heavy.

All of these features strongly suggest that this bird was a Black-headed Bunting - in any case that is the only one which match in my Robson (2005).

A scarce vagrant in Vietnam with just a handful of sightings (1st record in 2006, at Hanoi also).

1st winter Pied Harrier - I saw it catch a large grasshopper.

Black Drongo enjoying its Deluxe perch ! Perfect for winter.

Red River Island, 12/03

Hi all,

This morning proved to be quite successful with a good variety of interesting species - spring has obviously arrived.
Most notable birds were:

- 5-10 Little Buntings
- at least 3 Black-faced Buntings
- around 30 Grey-capped Greenfinches
- 5-10 Citrine Wagtails
- many Red-throated and Olive-backed Pipits
- couple of Bluethroats
- around 5 Stonechats
- 2 Scaly Thrushes
- ca. 5 Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
- 1 female Grey Bushchat
- 1 Thick-billed Warbler
- 1 Yellow-legged Buttonquail
- a flock of around 25 Oriental Turtle Doves
- a few Red Collared Doves
- 1 Common Buzzard
- Common Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite and Pied Harrier (both male and female)
- Wood and Common Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plovers
- Little Grebe

Plus one mysterious songster in the little woodland which could have been a White-bellied Redstart (or a good mimicker)!
Cheers,

Simon and Falk

I (Sebastien) add some pics taken the same day, same place, but during the afternoon...
Little Buntings

Male Citrine Wagtail in transition to breeding plumage. The black nuchal band appear, the greyish crown disappear

Citrine Wagtail and Red-throated Pipit

I also spotted this female Eastern Marsh Harrier and a second male Pied Harrier with one leg hanging down and some broken primaries...

Red River island - Hanoi 8/03

Today, at noon, short visit at the same patch than last Sunday.
Spotted some new guests :

- 2 Little Buntings perched on dried corn plants
- 1 bulky Peregrine Falcon flying at low altitude and disappearing behind the “forest”
A flock of 15 Red-throated Pipits too. Possible Richard’s Pipit (harsh “tchriiipp” flight call, more strident than Paddyfield) ; but I have 0 experience of this species, need to send an expert to confirm !

The male Pied Harrier exploit a lot this patch, especially the dried corn field. I saw it resting on a ploughed parcel. Perched on a tall bush too. Difficult cohabitation with the local pair of Black-shouldered Kites which don’t tolerate the intrusion.
Really a wonderful bird, and good opportunities of nice photos.

Crap pic of the Buntings, taken from a long distance. Please don't zoom in ;-)

Sebastien