Shanghai-area Autumn & Winter Birding, 2015–16

by Craig Brelsford and Elaine Du
Founders, shanghaibirding.com

“Shanghai-area Autumn & Winter Birding, 2015–16” is part of a series on birding in the Shanghai region. Other reports in the series:

Shanghai-area Springtime Birding, 2016
Shanghai-area Springtime Birding, 2015
Shanghai-area Autumn & Winter Birding, 2014–15

To return to the Reports page, please click here. For reports on birding destinations outside Shanghai, visit the Explorations page.

INTRODUCTION

This report covers 150 days, from 11 Sept. 2015 to 8 Feb. 2016. Elaine Du and Craig Brelsford birded 48 of those days in the Shanghai region. We noted 268 species. Our goal was to present a thorough look at birding around the world’s largest city in the period between the end of summer and the beginning of the spring migration. Our explorations centered around Shanghai but also included the Jiangsu coast as far north as Yancheng and the Tianmu Mountains in Zhejiang.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Among the threatened species recorded in this report are the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, noted 27 Sept. at Yangkou, and the endangered Nordmann’s Greenshank, a flock of 718 of which was found 28 Sept. at Dongtai. Endangered Black-faced Spoonbill was noted on seven occasions at three sites, with a high count of 62 at Cape Nanhui on 31 Oct. Endangered Far Eastern Curlew was seen at three sites on five days, all in September. Endangered Oriental Stork and Red-crowned Crane were noted at Yancheng, endangered Great Knot and near-threatened Eurasian Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Red Knot were noted at Dongtai, and near-threatened Cinereous Vulture and vulnerable Hooded Crane were noted on Chongming. Near-threatened Eurasian Curlew was noted 13 times at five locations, with 1500 at Dongtai on 28 Sept. and 445 on Chongming on 23 Jan. Near-threatened Black-tailed Godwit and Grey-tailed Tattler and vulnerable Dalmatian Pelican and Saunders’s Gull were noted at two sites each. Kentish Plover, believed to be increasingly scarce along the Chinese coast, was noted in each month covered by this report, with a high count of 800 at Cape Nanhui on 28 Nov. Among passerines, near-threatened Japanese Paradise Flycatcher was noted at two sites, near-threatened Reed Parrotbill at three, and endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting at four.

• Among the unusual records were Himalayan Swiftlet at Yangkou; Lapland Longspur on Chongming; Chestnut-cheeked Starling and Brown-eared Bulbul on Lesser Yangshan; Verditer Flycatcher and Common Starling on Hengsha; Mute Swan, Rufous Hawk-Cuckoo, Chinese Thrush, and Green-backed Flycatcher at Dongtai; Japanese Grosbeak at Century Park and on Lesser Yangshan; Mandarin Duck on Hengsha and at Cape Nanhui; Smew at Yancheng and Dongtai; Brown-cheeked Rail at Yangkou and Nanhui; Greater Scaup and Red-breasted Merganser at Dongtai and Nanhui; and at Nanhui, Common Goldeneye, Horned Grebe, Red-throated Loon, Long-billed Dowitcher, Mew Gull, Japanese Scops Owl, Long-eared Owl, White-bellied Green Pigeon, Rook, and Brown-headed Thrush.

• We noted several large concentrations of goose and duck, among them 3200 Falcated Duck and 2625 Gadwall on Hengsha; 400 Tundra Bean Goose and 1250 Common Merganser at Yancheng; 305 Mallard and 300 Common Pochard at Dongtai; and 600 Common Shelduck, 185 Eurasian Wigeon, 1000 Eastern Spot-billed Duck, and 440 Tufted Duck at Nanhui.

• On our second trip to the Tianmu Mountains 250 km (155 mi.) southwest of Shanghai, we noted several south China species near the northern edge of their range, among them Collared Owlet, Grey-chinned Minivet, Grey-headed Parrotbill, White-crowned Forktail, and Little Forktail. Koklass Pheasant appear to be common at the well-run West Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve.

Simple List of Species of Bird Noted Around Shanghai, China, 11 Sept. 2015 to 8 Feb. 2016 (268 species)

For the Systematic List, see below.

Tundra Bean Goose
Greylag Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose
Mute Swan
Tundra Swan
Common Shelduck
Ruddy Shelduck
Mandarin Duck
Falcated Duck
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
Mallard
Eastern Spot-billed Duck
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Eurasian Teal
Common Pochard
Tufted Duck
Greater Scaup
Common Goldeneye
Smew
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Japanese Quail
Chinese Bamboo Partridge
Koklass Pheasant
Common Pheasant
Red-throated Loon
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Horned Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Oriental Stork
Eurasian Spoonbill
Black-faced Spoonbill
Eurasian Bittern
Black-crowned Night Heron
Striated Heron
Chinese Pond Heron
Eastern Cattle Egret
Grey Heron
Purple Heron
Great Egret
Intermediate Egret
Little Egret
Dalmatian Pelican
Great Cormorant
Osprey
Black-winged Kite
Cinereous Vulture
Chinese Sparrowhawk
Japanese Sparrowhawk
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Northern Goshawk
Eastern Marsh Harrier
Hen Harrier
Pied Harrier
Black Kite
Eastern Buzzard
Brown-cheeked Rail
White-breasted Waterhen
Common Moorhen
Eurasian Coot
Red-crowned Crane
Common Crane
Hooded Crane
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Black-winged Stilt
Pied Avocet
Northern Lapwing
Grey-headed Lapwing
Grey Plover
Little Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Lesser Sand Plover
Eurasian Woodcock
Jack Snipe
Pin-tailed/Swinhoe’s Snipe
Common Snipe
Long-billed Dowitcher
Black-tailed Godwit
Bar-tailed Godwit
Eurasian Whimbrel
Eurasian Curlew
Far Eastern Curlew
Spotted Redshank
Common Redshank
Marsh Sandpiper
Common Greenshank
Nordmann’s Greenshank
Green Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Grey-tailed Tattler
Terek Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone
Great Knot
Red Knot
Sanderling
Red-necked Stint
Temminck’s Stint
Long-toed Stint
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Dunlin
Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Oriental Pratincole
Black-headed Gull
Saunders’s Gull
Black-tailed Gull
Mew Gull
Vega Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Caspian Tern
Little Tern
Whiskered Tern
White-winged Tern
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove)
Oriental Turtle Dove
Red Collared Dove
Spotted Dove
White-bellied Green Pigeon
Lesser Coucal
Rufous Hawk-Cuckoo
Cuculus sp.
Japanese Scops Owl
Oriental Scops Owl
Collared Owlet
Northern Boobook
Long-eared Owl
Grey Nightjar
Himalayan Swiftlet
Oriental Dollarbird
Common Kingfisher
Eurasian Hoopoe
Eurasian Wryneck
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Grey-headed Woodpecker
Common Kestrel
Amur Falcon
Merlin
Eurasian Hobby
Peregrine Falcon
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Ashy Minivet
Grey-chinned Minivet
Bull-headed Shrike
Brown Shrike
Long-tailed Shrike
Chinese Grey Shrike
Black-naped Oriole
Black Drongo
Ashy Drongo
Hair-crested Drongo
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher
Eurasian Jay
Azure-winged Magpie
Red-billed Blue Magpie
Grey Treepie
Oriental Magpie
Rook
Large-billed Crow
Yellow-bellied Tit
Japanese Tit
Chinese Penduline Tit
Eurasian Skylark
Collared Finchbill
Light-vented Bulbul
Brown-eared Bulbul
Sand Martin
Barn Swallow
Asian House Martin
Red-rumped Swallow
Rufous-faced Warbler
Japanese/Manchurian Bush Warbler
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler
Asian Stubtail
Black-throated Bushtit
Dusky Warbler
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler
Yellow-browed Warbler
Arctic-type leaf warbler
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler
Eastern Crowned Warbler
Oriental Reed Warbler
Black-browed Reed Warbler
Zitting Cisticola
Plain Prinia
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler
Rufous-capped Babbler
Huet’s Fulvetta
Chinese Hwamei
Red-billed Leiothrix
Vinous-throated Parrotbill
Grey-headed Parrotbill
Reed Parrotbill
Indochinese Yuhina
Japanese White-eye
Goldcrest
Crested Myna
Red-billed Starling
White-cheeked Starling
Chestnut-cheeked Starling
Common Starling
Siberian Thrush
White’s Thrush
Grey-backed Thrush
Japanese Thrush
Chinese Blackbird
Eyebrowed Thrush
Pale Thrush
Brown-headed Thrush
Red-throated Thrush
Naumann’s Thrush
Dusky Thrush
Chinese Thrush
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Grey-streaked Flycatcher
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Blue-and-white Flycatcher
Verditer Flycatcher
Siberian Blue Robin
Rufous-tailed Robin
Siberian Rubythroat
Red-flanked Bluetail
Little Forktail
White-crowned Forktail
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher
Green-backed Flycatcher
Mugimaki Flycatcher
Taiga Flycatcher
Daurian Redstart
Plumbeous Water Redstart
Blue Rock Thrush
White-throated Rock Thrush
Amur Stonechat
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
White-rumped Munia
Scaly-breasted Munia
Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
White Wagtail
Richard’s Pipit
Olive-backed Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
Buff-bellied Pipit
Water Pipit
Brambling
Hawfinch
Japanese Grosbeak
Chinese Grosbeak
Grey-capped Greenfinch
Eurasian Siskin
Meadow Bunting
Tristram’s Bunting
Chestnut-eared Bunting
Little Bunting
Yellow-browed Bunting
Rustic Bunting
Yellow-throated Bunting
Yellow-breasted Bunting
Chestnut Bunting
Black-faced Bunting
Pallas’s Reed Bunting
Lapland Longspur

Itinerary
For more information on places visited, see “List of Place Names” at end of this report.

11 Sept. 2015 Lesser Yangshan
12 Sept. 2015 Chongming & Dongtai
13 Sept. 2015 Yangkou & Dongtai

17 Sept. 2015 Chongming & Dongtai
18 Sept. 2015 Yangkou
19 Sept. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui
20 Sept. 2015 Zhongshan Park

24 Sept. 2015 Century Park

26 Sept. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui
27 Sept. 2015 Yangkou
28 Sept. 2015 Dongtai
29 Sept. 2015 Yangkou

17 Oct. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui

20 Oct. 2015 Gongqing Forest Park

23 Oct. 2015 Century Park
24 Oct. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui
25 Oct. 2015 Hengsha

30 Oct. 2015 Century Park
31 Oct. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui
01 Nov. 2015 Chongming

06 Nov. 2015 Binjiang Forest Park
07 Nov. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Cape Nanhui

11 Nov. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Sijiao Island
12 Nov. 2015 Sijiao Island
13 Nov. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Cape Nanhui
14 Nov. 2015 Dongtai
15 Nov. 2015 Yangkou & Chongming

18 Nov. 2015 Zhongshan Park

20 Nov. 2015 West Tianmu Mountain
21 Nov. 2015 West Tianmu Mountain
22 Nov. 2015 West Tianmu Mountain

28 Nov. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Cape Nanhui
29 Nov. 2015 Hengsha

04 Dec. 2015 Zhongshan Park
05 Dec. 2015 Hengsha
06 Dec. 2015 Cape Nanhui

12 Dec. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Cape Nanhui
13 Dec. 2015 Century Park

26 Dec. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Cape Nanhui

09 Jan. 2016 Yancheng & Dongtai
10 Jan. 2016 Dongtai & Yangkou

16 Jan. 2016 Cape Nanhui

23 Jan. 2016 Chongming
24 Jan. 2016 Cape Nanhui

30 Jan. 2016 Cape Nanhui
31 Jan. 2016 Hengsha & Chongming

05 Feb. 2016 Cape Nanhui

08 Feb. 2016 Cape Nanhui

The Trip

Fri. 11 Sept. 2015 Lesser Yangshan Island
Sat. 12 Sept. 2015 Chongming & Dongtai
Sun. 13 Sept. 2015 Yangkou & Dongtai

Elaine and I noted 103 species on a three-day weekend that took us to Lesser Yangshan, Chongming Island, Yangkou, and Dongtai. Among our highlights were Himalayan Swiftlet in Yangkou and Black-faced Spoonbill at Dongtai. Dongtai served up a wader all-star team, with Great Knot leading the way, backed up by Eurasian Curlew, Red Knot, Grey-tailed Tattler, Broad-billed Sandpiper, and Eurasian Oystercatcher. Other highlights: Black-winged Kite at Yangkou and Dongtai; Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Siberian Blue Robin, and Oriental Dollarbird on Lesser Yangshan; Siberian Thrush at Yangkou and on Chongming; Black-winged Cuckooshrike in Yangkou; Western Osprey and Lesser Black-backed Gull (heuglini) at Dongtai; and Oriental Pratincole on Chongming. Locally common Saunders’s Gull were present in their hundreds at Dongtai. Eastern Crowned Warbler were predominant on Lesser Yangshan but little noted elsewhere, while Yellow-browed Warbler began to trickle through. The clicking call of Asian Brown Flycatcher and Grey-streaked Flycatcher was a common sound. Other flycatchers: Dark-sided Flycatcher, Blue-and-white Flycatcher, Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, and Taiga Flycatcher.

Elaine and I birded Lesser Yangshan alone; on Saturday and Sunday, veteran birder Michael Grunwell joined us. Michael has decades of birding experience and an infectious enthusiasm about birding. We had the pleasure of showing Michael Dongtai for the first time. Michael was like a kid at Christmas. “This is clearly better than Yangkou,” Michael said. Michael’s and our enthusiasm was dampened by the billboards we found near the SE corner of the Great Dongtai Surf ’n’ Turf Birding Trail. The big signs describe in minute detail the plan to destroy the mudflats with another sea wall several kilometers out. “Every square inch of mudflat that we’ve birded these past two days will be gone,” Michael sighed.

Right now, birders have to drive 200 km N of Shanghai just to get a taste of the great mudflat birding for which this part of China should be famous. Yangkou is steadily going under. After Dongtai is destroyed, birders will be forced to drive even further. I believe in development, but in a sane system, environmental protection is a component of development. Around here, environmental concerns get next to no hearing. There are models of coastal development that mainland China could be following; Taiwan, for example, has a densely populated coast and a good system of coastal wetland reserves. How can these models be ignored, especially inasmuch as China is a party to many international environmental agreements? Future generations of Chinese are going to regret the poor environmental decisions being made on their precious, muddy coast.

List 1 of 1 for Fri. 11 Sept. 2015 (28 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), & Temple Mount (30.639945, 122.048277). Warm & dry, visibility ca. 25 km; Nanhui visible from Lesser Yangshan & vice versa. High 28° C. FRI 11 SEP 2015 09:30-14:30. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 1
Cuculus sp. 3 juv.
Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis 1
Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla 1
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 10
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 7
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 1
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata 5
Japanese Tit Parus minor 8
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 15
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 1
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 1
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler P. tenellipes/P. borealoides 11
Eastern Crowned Warbler P. coronatus 21
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 4
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 1 on Donghai Bridge
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta 3
Dark-sided Flycatcher M. sibirica 6
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 5
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 8
Siberian Blue Robin Larvivora cyane 3
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia 1
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 20
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 24 tschutschensis
Grey Wagtail M. cinerea 4
White Wagtail M. alba 5 leucopsis

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 12 Sept. 2015 (45 species). Around Chongming Dongtan National Bird Sanctuary and Nature Reserve (Chóngmíng Dōngtān Niǎolèi Guójiājí Zìrán Bǎohùqū [崇明东滩鸟类国家级自然保护区]), Chongming Island, Shanghai, China (31.510109, 121.961955). Rainy and cool. 16° C. SAT 12 SEP 2015 07:20-11:30. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 4
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 2
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus ca. 90
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 1
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 5
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 30
Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus 1
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 30
Eurasian Curlew N. arquata 10
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 20
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 7
Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum 4
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 10
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 10
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 3
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 20
Cuculus sp. 6
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 2
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 10
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 7
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 3
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 5
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 20
Arctic-type leaf warbler Phylloscopus borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 3
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 2
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 3
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 20
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 15
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 1
Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica 1
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 1
Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica 1
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 8
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 400
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 24 tschutschensis
White Wagtail M. alba 1 leucopsis
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 1
Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria 2

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 12 Sept. 2015 (59 species). Great Dongtai Surf ’n’ Turf Birding Trail, a 40-km loop on coast of Dongtai (Dōngtái [东台]), a county-level city in Jiangsu, China. Important points on Trail are N entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (Dōngtái Hǎidī [东台海堤], 32.868218, 120.912340), T-junction on Dongtai Levee Road (32.855576, 120.896557), viewing area on W side of lagoons (32.850988, 120.958103), S entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (32.759765, 120.928722), SE corner of sea wall (32.759499, 120.962893), & NE corner of sea wall (32.872444, 120.951522). Partly cloudy, 24° C. SAT 12 SEP 2015 14:30-18:15. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 2
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1
Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor 5
bittern sp. 1
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 4
Striated Heron Butorides striata 4
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 4
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 20
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 21
Great Egret A. alba 1
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 3
Little Egret Egretta garzetta ca. 100
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 1
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 12
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 7
Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus 1
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola ca. 80
Kentish Plover C. alexandrinus 10
Gallinago sp. 1
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 2
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 20
Eurasian Curlew N. arquata 20
Common Redshank Tringa totanus 1
Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis 10
Common Greenshank T. nebularia ca. 50
Grey-tailed Tattler T. brevipes 1
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 20
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 3
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 17
Red Knot C. canutus 18
Sanderling C. alba 10
Red-necked Stint C. ruficollis 30
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper C. acuminata 7
Dunlin C. alpina ca. 200
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 2
Saunders’s Gull C. saundersi ca. 150
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 40
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 4
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 10
Cuculus sp. 3
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 3
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 7
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 3
Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla 1
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 7
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 8
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 5
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 5
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 100
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 3
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler P. tenellipes/P. borealoides 1
Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica 4
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 7
Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla 1
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 15
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis ca. 100 tschutschensis
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 11

List 1 of 2 for Sun. 13 Sept. 2015 (46 species). Yangkou (Yángkǒu [洋口]), fishing town in Rudong County (Rúdōng Xiàn [如东县]), Jiangsu, China (32.537730, 121.017746). Among areas visited: Haiyin Temple (Hǎiyìn Sì [海印寺], 32.558756, 121.044740), Little Temple (32.595616, 120.971194), unpaved road N of Haiyin Temple (32.570807, 121.015638), & forest near G328 W of town (32.558057, 120.975076). Sunny, warm. SUN 13 SEP 2015 07:15-11:35. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 2
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 7
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 10
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 20
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 2
Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus 2
Gallinago sp. 1
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 1
Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 1
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 8
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 3
Red Turtle Dove S. tranquebarica 2
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 5
Cuculus sp. 5
Himalayan Swiftlet Aerodramus brevirostris 2
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 3
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 6
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 1
Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos 1
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 12
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 12
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 15
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 6
Japanese Tit Parus minor 4
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 200
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 2
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 5
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 1
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler P. tenellipes/P. borealoides 4
Eastern Crowned Warbler P. coronatus 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 3
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 5
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 10
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 15
Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica 6
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 1
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta 2
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 16
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 8
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia 2
Taiga Flycatcher F. albicilla 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 50
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1
White Wagtail M. alba 2 leucopsis
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 2

List 2 of 2 for Sun. 13 Sept. 2015 (44 species). Great Dongtai Surf ’n’ Turf Birding Trail, a 40-km loop on coast of Dongtai (Dōngtái [东台]), a county-level city in Jiangsu, China. Important points on Trail are N entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (Dōngtái Hǎidī [东台海堤], 32.868218, 120.912340), T-junction on Dongtai Levee Road (32.855576, 120.896557), viewing area on W side of lagoons (32.850988, 120.958103), S entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (32.759765, 120.928722), SE corner of sea wall (32.759499, 120.962893), & NE corner of sea wall (32.872444, 120.951522). Sunny, warm. SUN 13 SEP 2015 12:00-15:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 2
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 10
Great Egret A. alba 2
Little Egret Egretta garzetta ca. 50
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 6
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 3
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola ca. 100
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 40
Lesser Sand Plover C. mongolus ca. 50
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 15
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 20
Eurasian Curlew N. arquata 150
Common Redshank Tringa totanus 10
Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis 30
Common Greenshank T. nebularia ca. 50
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 20
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 20
Red Knot C. canutus 4
Red-necked Stint C. ruficollis ca. 100
Dunlin C. alpina ca. 50
Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus 30
Saunders’s Gull Chroicocephalus saundersi ca. 150
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 2
Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus heuglini 3
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica ca. 80
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus ca. 800
Red Turtle Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica 3
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 5
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 6
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 6
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 8
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis 2
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 2
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 100
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 3
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 5
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 1
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta 1
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 2
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 15
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 5 tschutschensis
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 18

Thurs. 17 Sept. 2015 Chongming & Dongtai
Fri. 18 Sept. 2015 Yangkou
Sat. 19 Sept. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui
Sun. 20 Sept. 2015 Zhongshan Park

Elaine and I noted 109 species on another three-day jaunt plus quick walk through Zhongshan Park. Highlights: 290 Nordmann’s Greenshank at Dongtai, Long-billed Dowitcher at Nanhui, and Chestnut-cheeked Starling on Lesser Yangshan. Also at Dongtai: 600 Eurasian Curlew, a gorgeous flock of 120 Eurasian Oystercatcher, 600 Grey Plover, 800 Dunlin, and 1500 Red-necked Stint. At Chongming we noted our season’s first Far Eastern Curlew and Chinese Grey Shrike. Yangkou offered another look at Himalayan Swiftlet, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, and Siberian Thrush and season’s first White’s Thrush. Asian Stubtail showed well on Lesser Yangshan, and our team dug out views of Brown-flanked Bush Warbler. Eastern Crowned Warbler maintained their strong numbers on Lesser Yangshan. At Nanhui Grey-tailed Tattler was seen clinging to the sea wall at high tide, and Siberian Blue Robin were noted in the micro-forest just inside the sea wall.

Dongtai is clearly an important passage site for Tringa guttifer on the China coast, as evidenced by other observers’ reports as well as my own observations, and underlined 17 Sept. by the presence of a large portion of the world population of this endangered species. The Dongtai mudflats are slated for destruction, as the nearby billboards spell out in chillingly clear words and pictures. After the backhoes and bulldozers do their work, where will Nordmann’s Greenshank go to rest? The longer one watches Nordmann’s, the better one appreciates the only superficial resemblance they bear to Common Greenshank T. nebularia. “Spotted Greenshank” (alternative English name for T. guttifer) is stockier and bigger-headed than, and moves and sounds much differently from, T. nebularia. A species to cherish! Truly, the destroyers of the Chinese coast are denying their children and children’s children a magnificent inheritance.

The co-birds of the day for 19 Sept. were Chestnut-cheeked Starling and Long-billed Dowitcher. Finding, photographing, and ID-ing the starling was a complete team effort that involved the original spot by veteran birder Michael Grunwell and a quick decision by German birder Stephan Popp to let me take the photo using Stephan’s Nikon D4S and 500 mm lens. (I had gone camera-less that day.) After a search, I found the starling again and got off some shots. Because the starling was clearly on the move, and owing to everyone’s unfamiliarity with the species, the photos we got were crucial to our research. Examining the photos, we soon determined that we had found Agropsar philippensis, a Japanese breeder and rare migrant along the China coast. Without the visual record, we might have been left guessing as to what we had seen.

The Long-billed Dowitcher and other shorebirds at the spot in Nanhui (30.920507, 121.973159) were under considerable pressure, foraging literally in the shadows of the dump trucks and bulldozers that will soon flatten the area in which they were feeding. The shorebirds were using that noisy, dusty, doomed place because there was no other suitable area in the vicinity.

At Chongming, Dongtai, and Yangkou, Elaine and I birded with German birder Kai Pflug. Our team for Yangshan and Nanhui included not only Michael and Stephan but also Stephan’s wife, Xueping. Excellent company all, and we look forward to birding again with you.

List 1 of 2 for Thurs. 17 Sept. 2015 (39 species). Around Chongming Dongtan National Bird Sanctuary and Nature Reserve (Chóngmíng Dōngtān Niǎolèi Guójiājí Zìrán Bǎohùqū [崇明东滩鸟类国家级自然保护区]), Chongming Island, Shanghai, China (31.510109, 121.961955). Partly cloudy and warm, with little wind. 18°-27° C. THU 17 SEP 2015 07:20-11:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Kai Pflug.

Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha 1
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 2
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1
Circus sp. 1
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 3
Striated Heron Butorides striata 1
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 3
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus ca. 50
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 15
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 20
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 2
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 30
Eurasian Curlew N. arquata 3
Far Eastern Curlew N. madagascariensis 3
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 5
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 40
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 10
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 15
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 4
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 15
Chinese Grey Shrike L. sphenocercus sphenocercus 1
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 10
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 5
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 200
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 2
Oriental Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 20
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 5
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 20
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris 6
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 200
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 20
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2

List 2 of 2 for Thurs. 17 Sept. 2015 (43 species). Around SE corner of Great Dongtai Surf ’n’ Turf Birding Trail, a 40-km loop on coast of Dongtai (Dōngtái [东台]), a county-level city in Jiangsu, China. SE corner of sea wall: 32.759499, 120.962893. Warm, sunny. High 26° C. THU 17 SEP 2015 13:50-17:50. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Kai Pflug.

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 7
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 1
Striated Heron Butorides striata 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 4
Great Egret A. alba 3
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 20
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 120
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 2
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 12
Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus 4
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola ca. 600
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 2
Kentish Plover C. alexandrinus ca. 100
Greater/Lesser Sand Plover C. leschenaultii/C. mongolus ca. 150
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 1
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata ca. 600
Far Eastern Curlew N. madagascariensis 1
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 3
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 20
Nordmann’s Greenshank T. guttifer 290
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus ca. 50
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 1
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 12
Red Knot C. canutus 1
Sanderling C. alba 15
Red-necked Stint C. ruficollis ca. 1500
Dunlin C. alpina ca. 800
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 15
Saunders’s Gull C. saundersi 5
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 8
Vega Gull L. vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 10
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica ca. 50
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 1
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 3
White-winged Tern C. leucopterus ca. 70
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 3
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 25
Zosterops sp. 50 (flock)
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 2
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 5
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 1

List 1 of 1 for Fri. 18 Sept. 2015 (37 species). Yangkou (Yángkǒu [洋口]), a fishing town in Rudong County (Rúdōng Xiàn [如东县]), Jiangsu, China (32.537730, 121.017746). At Yangkou, visited Haiyin Temple (Hǎiyìn Sì [海印寺], 32.558756, 121.044740). List includes observations from Sānmíncūn (三民村), a village ca. 40 km S of Yangkou, where we visited Rural Road 204 (32.406815, 121.359077 [junction of Rural Road 204 and S221]). Partly cloudy and warm. 18°-27° C. FRI 18 SEP 2015 06:50-13:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Kai Pflug.

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 10
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 12
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 1
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 21
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 10
Cuculus sp. 5
owl sp. 1
Himalayan Swiftlet Aerodramus brevirostris 1
Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 3
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Eurasian Hobby F. subbuteo 1
Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos 1
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Brown Shrike L. cristatus 3
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 5
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis 3
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 15
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 8
Japanese Tit Parus minor 4
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 8
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 50
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 5
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 2
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 2
Red-billed Starling Spodiopsar sericeus 7
White-cheeked Starling S. cineraceus 3
Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica 1
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 4
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 1
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris 12
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 6
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia 1

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 19 Sept. 2015 (33 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), Xiǎoyánglíng Cove (30.642243, 122.066940), Temple Mount (30.639945, 122.048277), & reclaimed land near Baodaozui Island (30.610881, 122.134499). SAT 19 SEP 2015 07:20-12:40. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 17
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 2
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 18
Pin-tailed/Swinhoe’s Snipe Gallinago stenura/G. megala 1
Cuculus sp. 1
Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 2
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
falcon sp. 1
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 4
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 10
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata 2
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos 5
Japanese Tit Parus minor 1
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 40
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 2
Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps 1
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 2
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 8
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler P. tenellipes/P. borealoides 2
Eastern Crowned Warbler P. coronatus 13
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 3
Chestnut-cheeked Starling Agropsar philippensis 1
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta 3
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 30
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 12
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 9
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 30
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 1 tschutschensis
White Wagtail M. alba 1 leucopsis
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 1
Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria 6
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 2 juv.

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 19 Sept. 2015 (32 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782). SAT 19 SEP 2015 13:20-15:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 3
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 6
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 20
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 4
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 1
Kentish Plover C. alexandrinus 20
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus 1
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 2
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 3
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 3
Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 2
Grey-tailed Tattler T. brevipes 1
Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 30
Temminck’s Stint C. temminckii 2
Long-toed Stint C. subminuta 6
Dunlin C. alpina 30
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 8
Little Tern Sternula albifrons 4
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 2
White-winged Tern C. leucopterus 5
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 10
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata 1
Arctic-type leaf warbler Phylloscopus borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 2
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler P. tenellipes/P. borealoides 9
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 6
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris 10
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 8
Siberian Blue Robin Larvivora cyane 2
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 1
Grey Wagtail M. cinerea 1

Thurs. 24 Sept. 2015
Century Park

Elaine and I got our exercise at Century Park. With only 23 species to note, we did not have much to do, until we came upon a minor bird wave. There, Elaine and I brushed up on basic birding skills, such as distinguishing between Grey-streaked Flycatcher, Dark-sided Flycatcher, and Asian Brown Flycatcher. Through the din of the park I noted the metallic tink of Sakhalin/Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, I found a member of the Arctic Warbler Complex with two weak bars, and I saw Eastern Crowned Warbler. White’s Thrush made our list, and we had a first-winter Blue-and-white Flycatcher.

List 1 of 1 for Thurs. 24 Sept. 2015 (23 species). Century Park (Shìjì Gōngyuán [世纪公园]), Pudong New Area (Pǔdōng Xīn Qū [浦东新区]), Shanghai, China (31.219361, 121.551900). Mostly cloudy, warm. 19°-26° C. THU 24 SEP 2015 09:35-12:15. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 30
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 2
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus ca. 50
Japanese Tit Parus minor 4
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 30
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 1
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler P. tenellipes/P. borealoides 1
Eastern Crowned Warbler P. coronatus 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 15
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 1
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 30
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta 2
Dark-sided Flycatcher M. sibirica 2
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 2
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 20
Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria 15
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2 leucopsis

Sat. 26 Sept. 2015 Lesser Yangshan Island & Nanhui
Sun. 27 Sept. 2015 Yangkou
Mon. 28 Sept. 2015 Dongtai
Tues. 29 Sept. 2015 Yangkou

A four-day coastal trip netted 126 species. Highlight was 718 Nordmann’s Greenshank at Dongtai, 3 Spoon-billed Sandpiper at Yangkou, and Yellow-breasted Bunting on Lesser Yangshan. The most rewarding day was Monday at Dongtai. There, we noted 77 species, among them 1 Black-necked Grebe with Little Grebe, a good catch by Michael Grunwell and proof that it pays to carefully study even common species. I found and photographed Green-backed Flycatcher and glimpsed a juvenile Rufous Hawk-Cuckoo. A pair of Dalmatian Pelican livened up the morning, and a Black Swan proved that almost anything can show up at Dongtai. Other highlights from Dongtai: Eurasian Woodcock, Chinese Thrush, Black-winged Kite, ca. 1500 Eurasian Curlew passing in front of us like a rushing river, 300 Eurasian Oystercatcher, 500 Grey Plover, and 400 Saunders’s Gull. Among the highlights at Yangkou on Sunday were Northern Boobook, Oriental Scops Owl, 44 White’s Thrush, 17 Mugimaki Flycatcher, 13 Asian Stubtail, 500 Kentish Plover, and season’s first Ashy Drongo, Grey-backed Thrush, Eyebrowed Thrush, Rufous-tailed Robin, White-throated Rock Thrush, and Yellow-browed Bunting. On Saturday at Nanhui we noted 200 Oriental Pratincole.

Elaine and I birded with Michael Grunwell all four days. Stephan Popp and his wife Xueping joined the three of us on Saturday. At Yangkou and Dongtai we met researchers studying Spoon-billed Sandpiper and Nordmann’s Greenshank. Peter Crighton from Australia gave us the good idea of taping empty soda bottles to the feet of a tripod to keep it clean and make it more stable on the sandy mudflats. On Monday at Dongtai, British birder Richard Mundy joined Michael and me on a walk through the bushes on the landward side of the sea wall. This very productive exercise helped us view migrants hiding in the brush, among them Grey Nightjar.

The 718 Nordmann’s were in a single roosting flock in the mudflats near the SE corner of the sea wall at Dongtai (32.759499, 120.962893). The Spoon-billed Sandpiper were found inside the sea wall at Yangkou at 32.525253, 121.136150. At Yangkou, areas suitable for high-tide roosts continue to diminish, and invasive Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) continues its southward expansion across the mudflats.

The 200 Oriental Pratincole were found in a few groups around the entrance to the “nature reserve” at 30.920507, 121.973159. The pratincoles were clearly under pressure from the full-bore development going on at Nanhui. Lacking a quiet place to roost, dozens of pratincoles alighted on a moonscape of overturned earth and bulldozer tracks.

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 26 Sept. 2015 (42 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), Xiǎoyánglíng Cove (30.642243, 122.066940), Temple Mount (30.639945, 122.048277), & Baodaozui Island (30.610881, 122.134499). Sunny, high 27° C. SAT 26 SEP 2015 07:20-13:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

duck sp. 10
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 20
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 12
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 1
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 2
Cuculus sp. 3
Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia 1
Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos 2
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Brown Shrike L. cristatus 8
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 6
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis 1
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 2
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos 1
Japanese Tit Parus minor 2
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 15
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 50
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 1
Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps 1
Black-throated Bushtit Aegithalos concinnus 12 (flock)
Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus 1
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 2
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 2
Eastern Crowned Warbler P. coronatus 3
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 2
Zosterops sp. 1
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 1
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta 6
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 7
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 3
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 9
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 5
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 10 tschutschensis
Grey Wagtail M. cinerea 2
White Wagtail M. alba 3
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 4
Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria 3
Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola 1

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 26 Sept. 2015 (43 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782). Sunny, high 27° C. SAT 26 SEP 2015 13:50-16:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha 1
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 3
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 3
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 8
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 9
Accipiter sp. 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 1
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 10
Gallinago sp. 1
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 10
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 10
Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 1
Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis 50
Temminck’s Stint C. temminckii 2
Long-toed Stint C. subminuta 3
Dunlin C. alpina 7
Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum ca. 200
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 2
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 2
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 6
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis 1
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata 2
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 200
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 1
Eastern Crowned Warbler P. coronatus 1
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 1
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 5
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 1
Grey-streaked Flycatcher Muscicapa griseisticta 3
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 10
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 7
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 2
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 10
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis ca. 50 tschutschensis
White Wagtail M. alba 1

List 1 of 1 for Sun. 27 Sept. 2015 (63 species). Yangkou (Yángkǒu [洋口]), fishing town in Rudong County (Rúdōng Xiàn [如东县]), Jiangsu, China (32.537730, 121.017746). Among areas visited: Haiyin Temple (Hǎiyìn Sì [海印寺], 32.558756, 121.044740), unpaved road N of Haiyin Temple (32.570807, 121.015638), & forest near G328 W of town (32.558057, 120.975076). Sunny, high 27° C. Northeasterly wind. SUN 27 SEP 2015 08:30-17:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 3
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 27
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 8
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 4
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 1
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 5
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 10
Little Egret Egretta garzetta ca. 50
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 2
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 10
Kentish Plover C. alexandrinus ca. 500
Lesser Sand Plover C. mongolus 20
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 2
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 20
Far Eastern Curlew N. madagascariensis 1
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia ca. 50
Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 2
Sanderling Calidris alba 20
Red-necked Stint C. ruficollis 30
Dunlin C. alpina ca. 50
Spoon-billed Sandpiper C. pygmea 3
Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum 45
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 20
Saunders’s Gull C. saundersi 120
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 2
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 23
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 7
Cuculus sp. 3
Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia 1
Northern Boobook Ninox japonica 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 2
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 1
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Brown Shrike L. cristatus 10
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 20
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis 3
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 1
Ashy Drongo D. leucophaeus 1
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 5
Japanese Tit Parus minor 5
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 100
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 1
Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps 13
Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus 1
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 1
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 1
Pale-legged/Sakhalin Leaf Warbler P. tenellipes/P. borealoides 1
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 2
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 4
Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica 2
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 44
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 4
Chinese Blackbird T. mandarinus 3
Eyebrowed Thrush T. obscurus 1
Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica 8
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 18
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 12
Rufous-tailed Robin Larvivora sibilans 5
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia 2
Mugimaki Flycatcher F. mugimaki 17
White-throated Rock Thrush Monticola gularis 8
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 100
Yellow-browed Bunting Emberiza chrysophrys 1

List 1 of 1 for Mon. 28 Sept. 2015 (76 species). Great Dongtai Surf ’n’ Turf Birding Trail, a 40-km loop on coast of Dongtai (Dōngtái [东台]), a county-level city in Jiangsu, China. Important points on Trail are N entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (Dōngtái Hǎidī [东台海堤], 32.868218, 120.912340), T-junction on Dongtai Levee Road (32.855576, 120.896557), viewing area on W side of lagoons (32.850988, 120.958103), S entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (32.759765, 120.928722), SE corner of sea wall (32.759499, 120.962893), & NE corner of sea wall (32.872444, 120.951522). Sunny, high 28° C. Northeasterly wind. MON 28 SEP 2015 08:20-17:30. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 2
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 45
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 12
Black-necked Grebe P. nigricollis 1
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 10
Striated Heron Butorides striata 5
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 3
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 30
Great Egret A. alba 1
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 2
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 30
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus 2 (pair)
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 1
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 5
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus ca. 300
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 80
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola ca. 500
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus ca. 100
Lesser Sand Plover C. mongolus 10
Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 1
Pin-tailed/Swinhoe’s Snipe Gallinago stenura/G. megala 1
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 20
Bar-tailed Godwit L. lapponica 20
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 10
Eurasian Curlew N. arquata ca. 1500
Far Eastern Curlew N. madagascariensis 8
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 20
Common Redshank T. totanus 10
Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis 30
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 60
Nordmann’s Greenshank T. guttifer 718
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 50
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris 10
Red-necked Stint C. ruficollis ca. 1000
Dunlin C. alpina ca. 200
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 5
Saunders’s Gull C. saundersi ca. 400
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 3
Vega Gull L. vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 3
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica ca. 50
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 10
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 10
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 4
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 2
Rufous Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx hyperythrus 1
Cuculus sp. 8
Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 12
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 3
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 1
Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus 1
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 2
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Brown Shrike L. cristatus 4
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 10
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 2
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 10
Japanese Tit Parus minor 4
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 30
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 80
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 4
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 4
Zosterops sp. 2
Chinese Thrush Turdus mupinensis 1
Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica 2
Asian Brown Flycatcher M. latirostris 8
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 2
Rufous-tailed Robin Larvivora sibilans 1
Green-backed Flycatcher Ficedula elisae 1
Mugimaki Flycatcher F. mugimaki 1
Taiga Flycatcher F. albicilla 1
White-throated Rock Thrush Monticola gularis 1
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 1
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 4
Anthus sp. 1
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 2

List 1 of 1 for Tues. 29 Sept. 2015 (38 species). Yangkou (Yángkǒu [洋口]), fishing town in Rudong County (Rúdōng Xiàn [如东县]), Jiangsu, China (32.537730, 121.017746). Among areas visited: Haiyin Temple (Hǎiyìn Sì [海印寺], 32.558756, 121.044740), turf farm W of town (32.571074, 120.962909), & forest near G328 W of town (32.558057, 120.975076). Cloudy. High 23° C. Southeasterly wind. TUE 29 SEP 2015 06:30-10:50. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha 15
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 8
Striated Heron Butorides striata 1
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 5
raptor sp. 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 2
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 5
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 8
Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis 1
Saunders’s Gull Chroicocephalus saundersi 8
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 4
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 3
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 1
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 2
Red Turtle Dove S. tranquebarica 2
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 3
Cuculus sp. 3
Northern Boobook Ninox japonica 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2
Eurasian Hobby F. subbuteo 2
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 2
Brown Shrike L. cristatus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 5
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 5
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus 8
Asian Stubtail Urosphena squameiceps 1
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 2
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 1
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris 4
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 4
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 2
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 2
Grey Wagtail M. cinerea 3
White Wagtail M. alba 3
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 5

Sat. 17 Oct. 2015
Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui

After Elaine’s and my big trip to Beijing-Hebei, we resumed birding in Shanghai with Michael Grunwell and Stephan Popp and wife Xueping. We noted 56 species. Among our many firsts-of-season were Japanese Grosbeak, an uncommon migrant through the Shanghai region. The transition to late-autumn was apparent. Among the expected October arrivals were Daurian Redstart, Pale Thrush, and Brambling as well as several species of bunting, among them Chestnut Bunting. Numbers of Mugimaki Flycatcher, a later migrant, were higher than those of Asian Brown Flycatcher and Blue-and-white Flycatcher. Elaine and I had our first Japanese Thrush and Red-flanked Bluetail of the season, and I had a memorable photographic moment with a certain common but elusive goatsucker.

This year I have been focusing less on photographing birds and more on classic birdwatching. I have learned birds more quickly but sometimes miss the creativity that comes with photography. At Xiǎoyánglíng Cove on Lesser Yangshan, I returned to photography with a Grey Nightjar.

I was walking alone toward the tunnel that connects the quiet cove to Garbage Dump Gully. I noticed the nightjar resting on a bamboo pole and went to work. I crawled with difficulty through brush to within 6.5 m of the bird. The goatsucker took little notice of me, never moving except to open its eye a little.

The moments with the nightjar filled me with pleasure. I loved the beautiful, quiet setting–for those 20 minutes while I took the shots, there was nothing else in the world except this usually mysterious and elusive, now completely accessible and photographable, nightjar. I admired the beauty of the nightjar and the efficiency of its design. This Caprimulgid is a flying piece of bark and leaf litter, a creature designed to hide by day, relying on its near-perfect camouflage, and at dusk devour flying insects. The long bristles around its tiny bill are the tools it uses to feed.

We had plenty of laughs with our birding “dream team,” and we all rejoiced with Michael at the sight of the Japanese Grosbeak–a lifer for Mr. Grunwell. I worked on my German with Xueping, who speaks native-level German after living many years in Germany. (Stephan’s German isn’t bad, either!) Elaine kept the records and called out the names of the birds she was finding.

While Stephan drove, the five of us discussed the Arctic-type warbler we saw–why was it flicking its wings less than the more typical Arctic-type warblers we were seeing a month ago? Why were many of the Arctic-type warblers we were seeing in September calling freely, while those we saw at Nanhui were silent? Could it be that most of the Arctic-type warblers we were seeing in September were Phylloscopus borealis, and could it be that the two very similar warblers we saw today were P. examinandus (Kamchatka Leaf Warbler) or P. xanthodryas (Japanese Leaf Warbler)?

Why are our wader numbers on the Nanhui list so small? With the continuing destruction and compaction of the wetlands inside the sea wall, we decided not to focus on the dwindling numbers of shorebirds but to spend our time in the micro-forests. There, we ran into a few dozen photographers, all of them having a good time. After days of constant feeding by the photographers, Rufous-tailed Robin were so tame that we feared stepping on them.

Falcons were represented by Common Kestrel and Amur Falcon on Yangshan and Peregrine Falcon at Nanhui. We had 2 Japanese Sparrowhawk on Lesser Yangshan.

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 17 Oct. 2015 (41 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), Xiǎoyánglíng Cove (30.642243, 122.066940), & Temple Mount (30.639945, 122.048277). Warm & dry, visibility ca. 25 km; Nanhui visible from Lesser Yangshan & vice versa. High 25° C. SAT 17 OCT 2015 07:00-12:20. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1
Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis 2
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 2
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 1
Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia 1
Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka 1
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Amur Falcon F. amurensis 2
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 2
Brown Shrike L. cristatus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 3
Japanese Tit Parus minor 2
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 15
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 15
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 2
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 6
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 4
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 2
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus 3
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 2
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 2
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris 3
Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana 1
Rufous-tailed Robin Larvivora sibilans 3
Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope 3
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 5
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 4
Taiga Flycatcher F. albicilla 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 15
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 1
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 5 (incl. 1 ocularis)
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 30
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 3
Japanese Grosbeak Eophona personata 6
Chinese Grosbeak E. migratoria 3
Grey-capped Greenfinch Chloris sinica 4
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 1
Tristram’s Bunting E. tristrami 1
Chestnut Bunting E. rutila 1

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 17 Oct. 2015 (27 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782). Warm & dry, visibility ca. 25 km; Nanhui visible from Lesser Yangshan & vice versa. SAT 17 OCT 2015 12:45-15:50. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 21
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 6
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 4
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 20
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 12
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 30
Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 1
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1
Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus 2
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 1
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 15
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 2
Zosterops sp. 2
Siberian Thrush Geokichla sibirica 2
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 3
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 5
Japanese Thrush T. cardis 1
Eyebrowed Thrush T. obscurus 1
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 1
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris 4
Rufous-tailed Robin Larvivora sibilans 3
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 5
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 15
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 10
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 20
Tristram’s Bunting Emberiza tristrami 1
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 1

Tues. 20 Oct. 2015
Gongqing Forest Park

Elaine and I found Northern Goshawk at Gongqing Forest Park. The goshawk, a juvenile, had netting wrapped around its right leg but was operating normally. The imposing Accipiter was among 20 species noted, all of them except the goshawk run-of-the-mill. We had passage migrants such as Yellow-browed Warbler and Mugimaki Flycatcher and winter visitors such as Yellow-bellied Tit, White’s Thrush, and Daurian Redstart.

The goshawk was seen in the heavily wooded area along the park wall by the south entrance. We flushed it inadvertently, and it perched on a nearby branch. It preened its feathers but did not touch the turquoise netting attached to its leg. The bird was probably healthy. We watched the goshawk for more than 10 minutes. For most of that time, the goshawk was facing us, and we were able to appreciate its barrel chest, streaked underparts, and yellow-green eye.

List 1 of 1 for Tues. 20 Oct. 2015 (20 species). Gongqing National Forest Park (Gòngqīng Guójiā Sēnlín Gōngyuán [共青国家森林公园]), Shanghai, China (31.320540, 121.546220). TUE 20 OCT 2015 13:15-17:10. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 3
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 1 juv.
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 20
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus 20
Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus 5
Japanese Tit Parus minor 8
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 3
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 7
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 4
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus ca. 80
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 3
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 40
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 1
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 3
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 2

Fri. 23 Oct. 2015
Century Park

A 7 km stroll at Century Park this morning netted 24 species, with 3 Japanese Grosbeak leading the list. 2 Black-browed Reed Warbler were in the reedy fringe of the pond near Gate 7. Winter visitors Dusky Thrush and Yellow-bellied Tit were present. Black-faced Bunting was the sole representative of Emberiza.

The Japanese Grosbeak that we saw most clearly was an adult. It was readily separable from Chinese Grosbeak by its larger size, simpler wing coloration (black primaries with large white patch in middle), and less-extensive black cap.

Elaine and I closely watched Black-browed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps. Both birds were making their characteristic harsh churr; one was warbling softly. Watching the reed warblers was not only enjoyable, but also necessary to eliminate the similar Speckled Reed Warbler A. sorghophilus, a bird I have yet to tick. Birders will do well to scrutinize A. bistrigiceps, a common species usually found in the same reedy habitats as A. sorghophilus, an endangered and poorly known species that with luck just might be discoverable in the Shanghai area.

I’m thinking buntings are a bit late this year; could warmer weather be causing them to move more leisurely southward?

List 1 of 1 for Fri. 23 Oct. 2015 (24 species). Century Park (Shìjì Gōngyuán [世纪公园]), Pudong New Area (Pǔdōng Xīn Qū [浦东新区]), Shanghai, China (31.219361, 121.551900). High 26° C. FRI 23 OCT 2015 07:40-10:45. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 3
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 3
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 2
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 6
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 5
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 2
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus ca. 50
Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus 8
Japanese Tit Parus minor 5
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 35
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 6
Black-browed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps 2
Red-billed Starling Spodiopsar sericeus 4
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 25
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 5
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 4
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 1 leucopsis
Japanese Grosbeak Eophona personata 2
Chinese Grosbeak E. migratoria 4
Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala 1

Sat. 24 Oct. 2015
Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui

Elaine and I noted 53 species. The most notable birds on Lesser Yangshan were Eurasian Wryneck, Hair-crested Drongo, and Hawfinch. We saw a “flock” of 3 Northern Boobook. At Nanhui, Eurasian Woodcock was found in the microforests along the sea wall. Brown-headed Thrush and Red-throated Thrush are uncommon passage migrants in the Shanghai region.

Once again, our team consisted of Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp and wife Xueping, and Elaine and me. The moment with the woodcock was team birding at its best. Walking along the road atop the sea wall, I stumbled upon the woodcock. It exploded from cover and left the forest. I immediately knew I had scared a brown non-thrush, but I hadn’t seen the long bill. “Brown bird!” I cried out. The woodcock appeared from behind a line of trees just long enough for Michael to see it. “Woodcock!” he cried out.

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 24 Oct. 2015 (35 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), Xiǎoyánglíng Cove (30.642243, 122.066940), & Temple Mount (30.639945, 122.048277). Hazy and warm; steady northeasterly wind. High 25° C. SAT 24 OCT 2015 07:00-11:50. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 2
Northern Boobok Ninox japonica 3
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla 1
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 4
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 5
Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus 1
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 4
Japanese Tit Parus minor 3
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 30
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 2
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 3
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 8
Arctic-type leaf warbler P. borealis/P. examinandus/P. xanthodryas 3
Zosterops sp. 8
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 3
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris 1
Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope 1
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 2
Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 15
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 3
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 5
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 4
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 15
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 2
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 1
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 3
Little Bunting E. pusilla 1
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 2

Reptiles

snake sp. 1 black, fuzzily defined postocular eyestripe, long body, long head

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 24 Oct. 2015 (31 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782). Hazy and warm; steady northeasterly wind. SAT 24 OCT 2015 12:30-15:45. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 7
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 10
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 30
Great Egret A. alba 20
Little Egret Egretta garzetta ca. 100
Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 1
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 1
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 30
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida 1
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 3
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 4
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 5
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 3
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 5
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 8
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 4
Eyebrowed Thrush T. obscurus 1
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 1
Brown-headed Thrush T. chrysolaus 1
Red-throated Thrush T. ruficollis 1
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa latirostris 3
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 6
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 3
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 20
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 10
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1
White Wagtail M. alba 2
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 3
Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala 2

Sun. 25 Oct. 2015
Hengsha Island

Highlights from our 72-species day at Hengsha: a lone Black-faced Spoonbill associating with 2 Eurasian Spoonbill, Chinese Grey Shrike, Red-throated Thrush, 2 Common Starling among White-cheeked Starling, and Bull-headed Shrike dining on grasshopper. Ducks: Eastern Spot-billed Duck 270, Eurasian Teal 55, Northern Shoveler 3. Also Eurasian Coot 280, Common Snipe 28, Ruddy Turnstone 1, Chinese Penduline Tit 75, Richard’s Pipit 25.

Elaine and I recorded only 1 bunting all day: a single Chestnut-eared Bunting. Hengsha was bunting central last autumn, and almost exactly a year ago Elaine and I had seven Emberiza species in a single morning on Temple Mount on Lesser Yangshan.

Hengsha is complicated to get to, and the reclaimed land where birders go lacks trees and thus forest birds. If it had even the microforests of Nanhui, then our total of 72 species today might have been 80 to 90, and if in addition even a small part of the giant project were run as a nature reserve, then the list might have topped 100! Still, a day at Hengsha may be the single most interesting birding day available in Shanghai. The place has a remote, even wild feel, and the air is fresh.

List 1 of 1 for Sun. 25 Oct. 2015 (72 species). Hengsha Island (Héngshā Dǎo [横沙岛]), a small alluvial island at mouth of Yangtze River in Shanghai, China. S gate to birding area at 31.297333, 121.859434. SUN 25 OCT 2015 07:10-17:10. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 3
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 40
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha ca. 270
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 3
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 55
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 30
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 7
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 2
Black-faced Spoonbill P. minor 1
Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris 2
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 2
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 3
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 11
Purple Heron A. purpurea 1
Great Egret A. alba 13
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 8
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 14
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 2
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 2
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 20
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ca. 280
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 9
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 2
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 20
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 2
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 3
Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis 2
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 7
Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 2
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 1
Sanderling Calidris alba 1
Red-necked Stint C. ruficollis 1
Temminck’s Stint C. temminckii 2
Long-toed Stint C. subminuta 4
Dunlin C. alpina 2
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 25
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 2
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 5
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 4
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 15
Chinese Grey Shrike L. sphenocercus sphenocercus 1
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus ca. 75
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis ca. 50
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 15
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 20
Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus 15
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 2
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 6
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 5
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 3
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 8
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 6
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 2
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 1
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 2
Red-throated Thrush T. ruficollis 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 12
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 2
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 30
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 8 (4 taivana, 4 tschutschensis)
Grey Wagtail M. cinerea 1
White Wagtail M. alba 10 leucopsis
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 25
Red-throated Pipit A. cervinus 1
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 12
Grey-capped Greenfinch Chloris sinica 1
Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata 1

Fri. 30 Oct. 2015
Century Park

Elaine and I noted 36 species, an all-time high for us at Century Park. The list is a delightful, passerine-heavy, and thus very typical Century Park mix, livened up by Eurasian Woodcock. We found Great Spotted Woodpecker, uncommon in the park, and Tristram’s Bunting showed well. Thrush species are arriving, but their numbers are still small. We had 5 White’s Thrush, 6 Grey-backed Thrush, 2 Eyebrowed Thrush, Japanese Thrush, and Pale Thrush as well as the ever-present Chinese Blackbird.

The woodcock was in the very productive forest to the right of Gate 7 from the perspective of one entering the park. The sparrowhawks were seen high above Gate 7; distinguishing between Japanese and Eurasian Sparrowhawk, the two likely species, would have been guesswork for me with birds that high.

Black-browed Reed Warbler were seen once again in the reeds edging the lake near Gate 7. Along the reed bed near the soccer field we found an adult-male Bull-headed Shrike.

List 1 of 1 for Fri. 30 Oct. 2015 (36 species). Century Park (Shìjì Gōngyuán [世纪公园]), Pudong New Area (Pǔdōng Xīn Qū [浦东新区]), Shanghai, China (31.219361, 121.551900). Mostly cloudy. High 19° C. FRI 30 OCT 2015 08:10-12:15. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 8
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 3
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 4
Accipter sp. 2
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 2
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2
Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis ca. 75
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 4
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 1
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 3
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus ca. 50
Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus 15
Japanese Tit Parus minor 11
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 25
Black-throated Bushtit Aegithalos concinnus 15
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 4
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 5
Black-browed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 45
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 5
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 6
Japanese Thrush T. cardis 1
Chinese Blackbird T. mandarinus 40
Eyebrowed Thrush T. obscurus 2
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 1
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 5
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 4
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 10
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 3
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 11
Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria 4
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 5
Tristram’s Bunting Emberiza tristrami 2

Sat. 31 Oct. 2015
Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui

Elaine and I once again birded with Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, and Xueping Popp. We noted 83 species on one of the best days I have ever had birding in Shanghai. Japanese Scops Owl was in Microforest 1 at Nanhui and attracted a crowd of photographers. Long-eared Owl greeted us within seconds of our arrival at the Magic GPS Point in Nanhui. We had Jack Snipe, Greater Scaup, Dalmatian Pelican, and 62 Black-faced Spoonbill.

Our day began on Lesser Yangshan. Seeing little to stir us, we made an early break for Nanhui. Within seconds of our arrival at the Magic GPS Point, we saw Long-eared Owl flying our way. The migrating owl alighted in some reeds, invisible to us, but not to the Vinous-throated Parrotbill. Recognizing their ancient enemy, the parrotbills cried out manically.

We drove to Shanghai Binhai Forest Park but found little of interest; the action is clearly smack-dab on the coast; once one is even a kilometer inland, the intensity of the birding experience wanes. We quickly headed back. The fields near an empty blue-roofed building were covered with brush and were jumping with buntings. Here we found the Jack Snipe as well as Peregrine Falcon, Pallas’s Reed Bunting, Chestnut-eared Bunting, and the endangered Yellow-breasted Bunting.

Back at the microforests, we had season’s first Goldcrest plus an array of thrushes drawn in part by the precious cover these tiny stands of trees provided and also by the mealworms thrown liberally on the ground by the photographers. A female Japanese Thrush was a good catch by us, and we had Eyebrowed Thrush. The Japanese Scops Owl never budged while enterprising photographers carefully cut away a branch that had been denying them a full-body shot.

Ruddy Shelduck was a first-of-season for Elaine and me. Hair-crested Drongo appeared again on our list. A long scan of the sea just beyond the wall revealed the scaup as well as hundreds of Eastern Spot-billed Duck, a few hundred Eurasian Teal, plus Mallard, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, and Northern Pintail.

The laughs just kept on rolling as we enjoyed our camaraderie as well as the great birds. “This is the best Christmas of my life–and it’s only Halloween!” I joked.

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 31 Oct. 2015 (32 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), Xiǎoyánglíng Cove (30.642243, 122.066940), & Temple Mount (30.639945, 122.048277). Wind steady from NE. Cloudy, but visibility good; Nanhui visible from Lesser Yangshan, & vice versa. High 20° C. SAT 31 OCT 2015 07:10-09:30. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 14
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 4
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 2
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 1
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 1
Japanese Tit Parus minor 2
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 30
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 1
Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus 1
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler P. proregulus 3
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 3
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 1
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 1
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 10
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 8
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 1
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 10
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 4
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 8
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 72
Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria 3
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 40
Tristram’s Bunting Emberiza tristrami 8
Little Bunting E. pusilla 4
Yellow-browed Bunting E. chrysophrys 1
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 4

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 31 Oct. 2015 (73 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782), the empty blue-roofed building & nearby microforests (30.961368, 121.952136), & Shanghai Binhai Forest Park (Shànghǎi Bīnhǎi Sēnlín Gōngyuán [上海滨海森林公园]; 30.966324, 121.910289). Wind steady from NE. Cloudy, but visibility good; Nanhui visible from Lesser Yangshan, & vice versa. SAT 31 OCT 2015 10:10-16:30. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Taiga/Tundra Bean Goose Anser fabalis/A. serrirostris 12
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 5
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 30
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 120
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha ca. 1000
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 20
Northern Pintail A. acuta 30
Eurasian Teal A. crecca ca. 300
Greater Scaup Aythya marila 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 7
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 5
Black-faced Spoonbill P. minor 62
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 4
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 3
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea ca. 200
Great Egret A. alba 10
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 5
Little Egret Egretta garzetta ca. 200
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus 1
Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus 3
Hen Harrier C. cyaneus 3
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 5
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 30
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus 1
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 5
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 20
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 6
Green Sandpiper T. ochropus 1
Dunlin Calidris alpina 20
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 40
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 5
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 10
Japanese Scops Owl Otus semitorques 1
Long-eared Owl Asio otus 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2
Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus 2
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 4
Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus 1
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 20
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis ca. 50
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 8
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 11
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 5
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 1
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 40
Goldcrest Regulus regulus 1
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 7
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 3
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 3
Japanese Thrush T. cardis 2
Chinese Blackbird T. mandarinus 2
Eyebrowed Thrush T. obscurus 3
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 5
Rufous-tailed Robin Larvivora sibilans 2
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 20
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 30
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 300
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 10
White Wagtail M. alba 8
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 1
Olive-backed Pipit A. hodgsoni 20
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 15
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 20
Tristram’s Bunting Emberiza tristrami 8
Chestnut-eared Bunting E. fucata 2
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 12
Yellow-breasted Bunting E. aureola 1
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 4
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 3

Sun. 1 Nov. 2015
Chongming

Despite a late start and amid a constant drizzle, Elaine and I noted 60 species at Chongming Dongtan. Hooded Crane have arrived, Chinese Grey Shrike was seen, and we noted Black-winged Kite in precisely the same location as last year.

Other highlights were Common Crane associating with Hooded, female Siberian Rubythroat, and impressive flocks of Brambling, 400 in all.

The female Pied Harrier was splotchy on top and the leading edge of the wings was so pale that they looked like headlights. We noted 6 species of bunting, with Yellow-throated Bunting the most conspicuous.

Agricultural activity inside the sea wall seems to be less this year than in previous years. Many fields lie fallow and have become overgrown, providing good habitat for buntings.

With rain falling all morning long and with more in the forecast, we decided not to push ourselves. Arriving at 11:30, we soon saw that the rain wasn’t hard enough to depress bird numbers, but it was enough to depress tourist numbers. The area around Chongming Dongtan is large and conducive to car-birding. We never left the car, we grinned and bore the rain, and we enjoyed the peace and quiet.

List 1 of 1 for Sun. 1 Nov. 2015 (60 species). Around Chongming Dongtan National Bird Sanctuary and Nature Reserve (Chóngmíng Dōngtān Niǎolèi Guójiājí Zìrán Bǎohùqū [崇明东滩鸟类国家级自然保护区]), Chongming Island, Shanghai, China (31.510109, 121.961955). Cloudy; steady drizzle and light showers. SUN 01 NOV 2015 11:30-16:30. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 20
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha ca. 500
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 1
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 70
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 8
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 50
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus 8
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 6
Great Egret A. alba 2
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 3
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 30
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 1
Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis 1
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1
Pied Harrier C. melanoleucos 1 female
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 5
Common Crane Grus grus 4
Hooded Crane G. monacha 13
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 3
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 2
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 2
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 18
Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 1
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 2
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 3
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 30
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 12
Chinese Grey Shrike L. sphenocercus sphenocercus 1
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 7
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 11
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 11
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana ca. 60
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 25
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 2
Eyebrowed Thrush T. obscurus 2
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 3
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 4
Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope 1
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 13
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 40
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 2
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 400
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 4 (1 taivana, 3 tschutschensis)
White Wagtail M. alba 3 leucopsis
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 3
Red-throated Pipit A. cervinus 6
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla ca. 400
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 42
Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata 5
Little Bunting E. pusilla 1
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 33
Yellow-brreasted Bunting E. aureola 1
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 15
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 2

Fri. 6 Nov. 2015
Binjiang Forest Park

Elaine and I noted 29 species at Binjiang Forest Park in Pudong. Eurasian Sparrowhawk crossed the Huangpu River, we saw 2 Eastern Buzzard, and we had Hawfinch. Binjiang has a self-sustaining and possibly growing feral population of Chinese Hwamei; our count of 15 was a high for me at that park. Yellow-bellied Tit are a staple at Binjiang in winter, and we ate lunch under trees with 6 tweeting Goldcrest. Like many Shanghai parks this time of year, Binjiang has a good collection of thrushes; we noted 6 White’s Thrush, 8 Pale Thrush, 6 Dusky Thrush, and Grey-backed Thrush in addition to the resident Chinese Blackbird.

As we walked along a canal in a quiet corner of the park, a Chinese Water Deer burst out of the reeds and bounded powerfully away. Chinese Water Deer have been established at Binjiang and by the looks of our specimen seem to be doing well there. We had only a fleeting look at this shy animal, but it was enough to note its full physique and shiny coat.

Walking to the metro after birding at Binjiang, Elaine and I did a double-take when we saw a Japanese Sparrowhawk on a specially made perch. I asked for the owner, who came out and told me his pet was legal, since he has “raised the bird since he was young.” To prove his claim, he pointed out the ring on the sprock’s left tarsus, which displays his phone number. I still didn’t believe the sprock was legal, but I left off arguing with him, in part because I wanted to study his bird. It is a real beauty, a juvenile in good condition. I must say I loved the opportunity to see a sprock up close. The first thing that struck me was the slightness of the bird–no bigger than a kestrel. Close inspection of the talons and bill brought home the reality that sprocks are meat-eaters, born for the hunt. And the eyes! Imagine if humans had eyes so large in proportion to the rest of the face. We would look like aliens. What visually biased creatures birds are, and especially sprocks. This bird wasn’t panicking at the sight of us, but it was jumping around a lot, suggesting that it was caught recently.

Binjiang Forest Park is located at the northernmost corner of Pudong at the point where the Huangpu River flows into the Yangtze. This large park contains many of the same birds as the more easily accessible Century Park. Although its location on a headland so near the coast would suggest that many unusual migrants would be found there, my experience has found this not to be so. Still, despite the inconveniences involved in getting there, an occasional trip to Binjiang is worthwhile because of its dramatic location at the point where the Huangpu, Yangtze, and East China Sea meet and because raptors are a bit more likely to be found at Binjiang than at inland parks such as Century. The chance of seeing Chinese Water Deer is also an attraction.

Elaine and I used public transport to get to Binjiang. We took Metro Line 2 to Century Avenue in Pudong, where we transferred to Line 6. We took Line 6 to its northern terminus at Gangcheng Road (港城路). Unlicensed taxi drivers gather at the station and will take you to Binjiang for 25 to 30 yuan. (With foreigners, the drivers begin negotiations at a price of 40 to 50 yuan but will accept 25 to 30). A bus station is located behind the Gangcheng Road terminus; buses to Binjiang cost 2 yuan. Elaine and I took a taxi to from Gangcheng to Binjiang and returned by bus. Binjiang opens at 08:00 and admission is 20 yuan.

List 1 of 1 for Fri 6 Nov. 2015 (29 species). Binjiang Forest Park, Pudong New Area (Pǔdōng Xīn Qū [浦东新区]), Shanghai, China (31.383916, 121.523818). Cloudy, intermittent drizzle and showers. High 22° C. FRI 06 NOV 2015 07:50-12:00. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 4
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 4
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 2
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 4
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 10
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 2
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus 10
Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus 10
Japanese Tit Parus minor 4
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 30
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 6
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 1
Chinese Hwamei Garrulax canorus 15
Goldcrest Regulus regulus 6
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 6
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 1
Chinese Blackbird T. mandarinus 20
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 8
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 6
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 3
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 15
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 20
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 4
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 1
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 35

Mammals

Chinese Water Deer Hydropotes inermis inermis 1

Sat. 7 Nov. 2015
Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui

Our birding Dream Team noted 70 species. Nanhui once again outshone Lesser Yangshan, yielding 12 Black-faced Spoonbill and Dalmatian Pelican. Japanese Thrush were particularly abundant, with a count of 37. A juvenile Rook, uncommon in Shanghai, flew by briefly, and we noted 3 Reed Parrotbill.

The unseasonably warm day began on Lesser Yangshan. We saw two sizable flocks of Brambling, noted Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Black Kite, and found singing Meadow Bunting, territorial even in November.

At the Magic Parking Lot in Nanhui, we waited with the photographers for a smart male Siberian Rubythroat before driving down to the empty, blue-roofed building. The scrubby fields near the building produced 7 Japanese Quail as well as Peregrine Falcon, Hen Harrier, Eastern Marsh Harrier, the Rook, and several of the Japanese Thrush. In the nearby microforests, Japanese Thrush and Eyebrowed Thrush were massing in big flocks, underscoring the importance of those woodsy oases amid the reeds and rice fields that cover most of the area.

Exhausted from the heat, we sat down in Microforest 1 to rest. This was a good decision, as the quiet sitting allowed shyer birds to appear from the reeds just behind the trees. Among these were Japanese/Manchurian Bush Warbler and the Reed Parrotbill. A Brambling loitered on the forest floor, grooming itself. A Siskin, too hungry to care about us, picked at a seed head just meters away. Red-flanked Bluetail and Daurian Redstart foraged right at our feet.

At the Magic GPS Point, a Pale Thrush flew into a window at the garishly large, completely empty building next to the Holiday Inn. I picked up the unconscious bird, an adult male. The thrush had flown hundreds of kilometers to get to Nanhui, but it was exquisite, a beautiful specimen, flawless and clean. I stroked the incredibly soft, smooth feathers, marveling at their beauty. We snapped pictures of the outer tail feathers showing the white tip, important for ID’ing Pale Thrushes in flight. We set it down in a flower bed next to the rotten carcass of a Black-capped Kingfisher that doubtlessly had met its end by flying into the same huge windows. We feared the thrush was dead, but to our surprise, when we came back a while later, the thrush had disappeared. Few Chinese pick up dead birds, and I’ve never seen cats in the area, so it is highly possible that the thrush survived the collision and went on its way.

The Rook, a scarce winter visitor in the Shanghai region, required some analysis; it was a good thing I got photos. Looking at the photos on my MacBook, I had the following thought process: (1) Bill, forehead much unlike Large-billed. (2) Is our bird therefore Carrion Crow or juvenile Rook? (3) Mark Brazil (Birds of East Asia) has Rook as a winter visitor to Shanghai region but has Carrion Crow no further S than Hebei. Elaine and I also have experience with Rook in this region; we noted 2 Rook on Lesser Yangshan on 20 Sept. 2014. We have never noted Carrion Crow in the region. (4) My photos clearly show a crow with a straight culmen, not decurved like that of Carrion–a straight culmen being a classic feature of Rook.

The all-black crows are uncommon in Shanghai. Whenever birders see an all-black crow in this area, we should take it seriously and try hard for an ID. Many birders find crows boring, but Rook in Shanghai is one of the most interesting records from that day.

The Dream Team consists of veteran birder Michael Grunwell, husband-and-wife team Stephan Popp and Xueping Popp, Elaine, and me. With Michael’s knowledge and Xueping and Elaine’s diligence, and with Stephan and me taking care of the record shots, the Dream Team almost always nails the ID.

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 7 Nov. 2015 (29 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), Xiǎoyánglíng Cove (30.642243, 122.066940), & Temple Mount (30.639945, 122.048277). Partly cloudy turning mostly cloudy, with little wind. Visibility ca. 20 km. Unseasonably warm. High 26° C. SAT 07 NOV 2015 07:05-09:10. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1
Black Kite Milvus migrans lineatus 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 3
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 3
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 2
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 2
Japanese Tit Parus minor 1
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 20
Japanese/Manchurian Bush Warbler Horornis diphone canturians/H. borealis borealis 1
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 2
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 2
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 1
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 4
Japanese Thrush Turdus cardis 2
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 8
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 10
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 20
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 1
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 6
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 65
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 20
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 2 (1 singing)
Little Bunting E. pusilla 1
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 1
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 1

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 7 Nov. 2015 (63 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782), Magic GPS Point (30.880540, 121.964572), & the empty blue-roofed building & nearby microforests (30.961368, 121.952136). Partly cloudy turning mostly cloudy, with little wind. Unseasonably warm. Visibility ca. 20 km. High 26° C. SAT 07 NOV 2015 09:40-16:10. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Taiga/Tundra Bean Goose Anser fabalis/A. serrirostris 18
Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha 15
Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica 7
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 2
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 6
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 2
Black-faced Spoonbill P. minor 12
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 15
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 30
Great Egret A. alba 4
Little Egret Egretta garzetta ca. 50
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus 1
Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus 2
Hen Harrier C. cyaneus 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 1
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 30
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 7
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 10
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 15
Dunlin Calidris alpina 30
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 1
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 10
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 2
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2
Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 6
Rook Corvus frugilegus pastinator 1
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus ca. 50
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 15
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 30
Japanese/Manchurian Bush Warbler Horornis diphone canturians/H. borealis borealis 2
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 3
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 3
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 1
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 40
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 3
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 20
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 10
Japanese Thrush Turdus cardis 37
Eyebrowed Thrush T. obscurus 22
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 16
Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope 1
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 14
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 20
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 200
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 8
White Wagtail M. alba 8
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 1
Olive-backed Pipit A. hodgsoni 10
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 3
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 1
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 3
Tristram’s Bunting Emberiza tristrami 6
Chestnut-eared Bunting E. fucata 2
Little Bunting E. pusilla 10
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 6
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 7
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 8

Wed. 11 Nov. 2015
Lesser Yangshan Island & Sijiao Island

Recently, there seems to have been an influx of Japanese migrants in Shanghai. The Dream Team noted 37 Japanese Thrush last Saturday, and Japanese Robin and Yellow Bunting have been reported in the Shanghai area. Elaine and I decided to try to determine whether the islands farther out than Lesser Yangshan are part of the Japan-China migration route. The thesis that Elaine and I were trying to prove is as follows: “Inasmuch as Sijiao Island is larger, more thickly vegetated, better protected, and farther out to sea than Lesser Yangshan, the selection there of migratory birds, especially those from Japan, is richer than at Lesser Yangshan.” Thesis 2: “As Sijiao Island is the northernmost of a line of islands oriented roughly on a N-S axis, many birds having crossed the East China Sea from Kyushu will use that line of islands as stepping stones to mainland Asia at Ningbo, Zhejiang.” After visiting Sijiao Island today, Elaine and I have found little to support those theses. Sijiao Island is densely populated, with only the steep hillsides and mountaintops unused by humans. We found only one gully that compares to Garbage Dump Gully and Temple Mount on Lesser Yangshan.

After the alarm woke us at 04:00, Elaine and I drove our rented Skoda from our apartment near Zhongshan Park in Puxi to Garbage Dump Gully on Lesser Yangshan. The gully was busy. Yellow-bellied Tit is not often seen on Lesser Yangshan, and we saw a female Japanese Thrush. Among the 10 Red-flanked Bluetail were 2 adult males. Chinese Sparrowhawk was distinguishable by the lack of bands on the wing linings.

We had to wait for the 11:30 ferry to Sijiao Island. During the crossing, which Elaine and I spent on the deck, we saw not a single bird. At Sijiao we drove off the ferry and started looking for habitat. I was looking for flat, wet areas near the mouth of a gully, but I soon saw that every bit of that sort of land has been put to use by the local people. Next, we searched for gullies higher up the steep, thickly vegetated mountainsides. We found one gully, now being used as a garbage dump, with gardens higher up. This gully produced about as good a mix of species as I have come to expect at Temple Mount and Garbage Dump Gully. We found Yellow-breasted Bunting, 2 Chestnut Bunting, and 2 Tristram’s Bunting, and we had long, close views of Brown-flanked Bush Warbler. I recorded the bush warbler making its high-pitched clicks (01:07; 3.5 MB):

A pair of Black Kite soared overhead, and a Rook passed over. Nearby, on the road just below the overlook at Dabeishan Scenic Area, we found Taiga Flycatcher. Daurian Redstart were numerous, and the sound of Light-vented Bulbul was constantly descending on us from the steep hillsides above.

List 1 of 2 for Wed. 11 Nov. 2015 (27 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), & area near ferry terminal on E end of island (30.59939, 122.13448). Partly to mostly cloudy. Visibility ca. 15 km. High 19° C. WED 11 NOV 2015 06:45-07:30. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 8
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1
Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
Dunlin Calidris alpina 8
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 2
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 2
Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus 1
Japanese Tit Parus minor 3
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 1
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 2
Japanese Thrush Turdus cardis 1
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 3
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 10
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 5
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 1
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 7 (4 leucopsis, 3 lugens)
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 1
Red-throated Pipit A. cervinus 1
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 22
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 8
Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans 2
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 2

List 2 of 2 for Wed. 11 Nov. 2015 (26 species). Sijiao Island (Sìjiāoshān [泗礁山]), one of the Shengsi Islands (Shèngsì Lièdǎo [嵊泗列岛]), group of islands in Zhoushan Archipelago (Zhōushān Qúndǎo [舟山群岛]), Zhejiang, China (30.730897, 122.475384). List includes birds found at various points on Sijiao Island as well as at an unnamed garbage dump & light agricultural area (30.708679, 122.482823) in Dabeishan Scenic Area (Dàbēishān Jǐngqū [大悲山景区]). Partly to mostly cloudy. Visibility ca. 15 km. High 19° C. WED 11 NOV 2015 13:25-17:05. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 8
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 5
Accipiter sp. 2
Black Kite Milvus migrans lineatus 2 (pair)
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 9
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 5
Rook Corvus frugilegus 1
Japanese Tit Parus minor 2
Black-throated Bushtit Aegithalos concinnus 30
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis ca. 200
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 4
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 4
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 6
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus 8
Turdus sp. 2
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 1
Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 37
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 2
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 125
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 38
Tristram’s Bunting Emberiza tristrami 2
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 4
Yellow-breasted Bunting E. aureola 1
Chestnut Bunting E. rutila 2
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 3

Thurs. 12 Nov. 2015
Sijiao Island

Elaine and I noted 40 species on Sijiao Island. We marveled at the original scrub forest on the eastern end of the island, and I returned to the unnamed garbage dump. Although we found no evidence of major migrations from Japan, the birding was nonetheless solid.

My day started at the unnamed garbage dump near Dabeishan. In two and a half hours, I noted 27 species. I had a first-of-season Rustic Bunting and heard Brown-flanked Bush Warbler singing weakly. The pair of Black Kite patrolled the sky above, and a Peregine Falcon zipped in, trying to catch one of the dozens of Light-vented Bulbul. I got a good look at Dusky Thrush, and I saw 5 Hawfinch.

I explored the hillsides around the gully, finding more good habitat. In the gully I walked into an old military tunnel and found dozens of centipedes as long as my hand.

I returned to our hotel to pick up Elaine. We drove toward Liujingtan Scenic Area on the eastern edge of the island. Along the way, we noted Hair-crested Drongo and a singing male Meadow Bunting. At Liujingtan, we declined to pay 100 yuan for the right to drive a mere 700 m beyond the gate. From the parking lot Elaine and I scanned the valley below. I followed a trail heading into the valley and soon found myself in uncut scrub–the primeval “forest” of Sijiao! The scenery was outstanding. Pinkish-brown rocks stand firm against the crashing sea. I moved down to a spot near the water, where the parking lot and civilization above were unseen. The great emptiness of the sea yawned before me. It was an odd sight, but the whistles of the ubiquitous Daurian Redstart pulled me back. Eyebrowed Thrush, Japanese Thrush, and Pale Thrush were taking berries from the many fruiting trees, and from a sturdy branch a Japanese Sparrowhawk was doing its own form of bird-watching.

Would I recommend a visit to Sijiao Island? If you are willing to spend about 600 yuan to get your car to Sijiao and back to Lesser Yangshan, and if you would like to spend an hour or two in line and another 80 minutes one way on the ferry to get here, then, yes, you should go–but if Elaine’s and my two days here are any indication, then you will find many of the same birds that can be found on Lesser Yangshan and at Nanhui. You will find better scenery, especially around Liujingtan, a larger area to bird than is the case on Lesser Yangshan, and more peace and quiet. The Wu dialect of the people here, so similar to Shanghaihua, reminds us that this island is close to Shanghai, but because it’s 40 km off the coast, requires hours to reach, and offers rocky coasts with crashing waves, Sijiao feels like a different world. It may not be worth a special trip, but birders here on a family visit will very much find it worth their while to bird the areas I have researched.

List 1 of 1 for Thurs. 12 Nov. 2015 (40 species). Sijiao Island (Sìjiāoshān [泗礁山]), one of the Shengsi Islands (Shèngsì Lièdǎo [嵊泗列岛]), group of islands in Zhoushan Archipelago (Zhōushān Qúndǎo [舟山群岛]), Zhejiang, China (30.730897, 122.475384). List includes birds found at various points on E end of Sijiao Island as well as at an unnamed garbage dump & light agricultural area (30.708679, 122.482823) in Dabeishan Scenic Area (Dàbēishān Jǐngqū [大悲山景区]). Other major birding area today is valley below entrance to Liujingtan Scenic Area (Liùjǐngtán Jǐngqū [六井潭景区]). (Head of trail entering valley at 30.720637, 122.523268.) Mostly cloudy & hazy with light shower in afternoon. Winds N to NNW. Visibility poor (ca. 5 km). High 18° C. THU 12 NOV 2015 06:45-09:15, 11:30-16:10. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 12
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1
Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis 2
Accipiter sp. 1
Black Kite Milvus migrans lineatus 2 (pair)
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 10
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 3
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 4
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus 1
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 1
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 8
Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus 1
Japanese Tit Parus minor 4
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis ca. 300
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 6 (3 singing weakly)
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 2
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 6
Zosterops sp. 24
Japanese Thrush Turdus cardis 1
Eyebrowed Thrush T. obscurus 2
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 11
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 2
Naumann’s/Dusky Thrush T. naumanni/T. eunomus 5
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 19 (3 ad. male)
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 57
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 1
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 50
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 4 leucopsis
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 5
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 54
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 5
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 25
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 1 male singing
Tristram’s Bunting E. tristrami 5
Rustic Bunting E. rustica 1
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 52
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 4

Fri. 13 Nov. 2015
Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui

At Nanhui, Elaine and I found a late Japanese Paradise Flycatcher and 7 Black-faced Spoonbill. Buff-bellied Pipit were numerous. We noted 2 Peregrine Falcon on Lesser Yangshan.

The day began on Sijiao Island. We awoke at our small hotel and drove through the rain to the ferry terminal. The crossing was uneventful. Once on Lesser Yangshan, we drove straight to the parking area at Temple Mount and began birding. At Garbage Dump Gully we noted a female Mugimaki Flycatcher–Ficedula mugimaki always being the last of its genus to depart the Shanghai area. 3 of the 6 Red-flanked Bluetail were adult males. Impressive flocks of Brambling contained a total of 175 individuals. One of the Bull-headed Shrike was an adult.

At Nanhui we squinted into the backlit mudflats and found hundreds of duck, the most numerous by far being Eastern Spot-billed Duck. I managed to pick out several Mallard and a Northern Pintail before the cloud of birds moved even further out. We visited all 8 of the microforests and found Taiga Flycatcher, Goldcrest, and the Japanese Paradise Flycatcher. We birded till dark then drove to Dongtai, Jiangsu.

List 1 of 2 for Fri. 13 Nov. 2015 (28 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), & Temple Mount (30.639866, 122.048327). Mostly cloudy. Winds WNW 25 km/h. High 17° C. FRI 13 NOV 2015 11:25-14:10. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 3
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 2
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2
Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus 2
Bull-headed Shrike Lanius bucephalus 2
Long-tailed Shrike L. schach 5
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 2
Japanese Tit Parus minor 3
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 35
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 1
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 2
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 1
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 3
Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus 1
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 5
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 3
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 6 (3 ad. males)
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 23
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 1
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 4
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 3
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 175
Tristram’s Bunting Emberiza tristrami 2
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 13
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 2

List 2 of 2 for Fri. 13 Nov. 2015 (35 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782), Magic GPS Point (30.880540, 121.964572), & the empty blue-roofed building & nearby microforests (30.961368, 121.952136). Mostly cloudy. Winds WNW 25 km/h. High 17° C. FRI 13 NOV 2015 14:45-17:10. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos ca. 50
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha ca. 1000
Northern Pintail A. acuta 1
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 5
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 11
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 9
Black-faced Spoonbill P. minor 7
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 60
Great Egret Ardea alba 13
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 175
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 5
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 5
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone atrocaudata 1
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis ca. 50
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 3
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 20
Goldcrest Regulus regulus 1
Japanese Thrush Turdus cardis 1
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 10
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 5
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 3
Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 10
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 3
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 7 tschutschensis
White Wagtail M. alba 25
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 3
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 35
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 2
Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata 3
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 4
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 1

Sat. 14 Nov. 2015
Dongtai

The Dream Team noted 80 Dalmatian Pelican. Falcated Duck and Tufted Duck were new for this report. Black-faced Spoonbill once again were present at this great, unprotected wetland. Among the species appearing in considerable numbers were Common Pochard (300), Eurasian Oystercatcher (150), Pied Avocet (300), Grey Plover (2000), Kentish Plover (300), Eurasian Curlew (1200), Dunlin (800), and Saunders’s Gull (250).

Michael Grunwell and husband-and-wife team Stephan and Xueping Popp left Shanghai at 03:30 and arrived at Yancheng at 06:30. Elaine and I met them on the Surf ’n’ Turf Trail at Dongtai. Approaching from the south, we got a call from an excited Michael, who said, “Get up here! There’s a flock of 80 Dalmatian Pelican right in front of us!” Elaine and I arrived in time. In one eyeful I was seeing more pelicans than I had seen in my previous eight years in China.

We noted once again that the SE corner of the sea wall is the last place in the area to be covered with the incoming tide. We were there as the tide moved in (it never reached the wall here), and noted the impressive shorebird numbers listed above.

The light was fading by 16:30. Elaine and I bade farewell to the trio and returned to our hotel. Michael, Stephan, and Xueping returned to Shanghai.

List 1 of 1 for Sat. 14 Nov. 2015 (54 species). Great Dongtai Surf ’n’ Turf Birding Trail, a 40-km loop on coast of Dongtai (Dōngtái [东台]), a county-level city in Jiangsu, China. Important points on Trail are N entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (Dōngtái Hǎidī [东台海堤], 32.868218, 120.912340), T-junction on Dongtai Levee Road (32.855576, 120.896557), viewing area on W side of lagoons (32.850988, 120.958103), S entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (32.759765, 120.928722), SE corner of sea wall (32.759499, 120.962893), & NE corner of sea wall (32.872444, 120.951522). Foggy & hazy in morning, turning clearer & sunny in afternoon. Wind WNW 11 km/h. High 16° C. Sunrise 06:23, sunset 16:57. SAT 14 NOV 2015 10:05-16:30. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 1
Falcated Duck Anas falcata 25
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 13
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 154
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 15
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 30
Common Pochard Aythya ferina ca. 300
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 20
Common Merganser Mergus merganser 3
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 13
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 25
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 2
Black-faced Spoonbill P. minor 17
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 75
Great Egret A. alba 12
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 6
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus 80
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 31
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 3
Black Kite Milvus migrans lineatus 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 20
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 150
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 300
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola ca. 2000
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus ca. 300
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 2
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata ca. 1200
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 20
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 15
Dunlin Calidris alpina ca. 800
Saunders’s Gull Chroicocephalus saundersi ca. 250
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 2
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 17
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus heuglini 2
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 15
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 1
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 2
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 4
Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 15
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 20
Japanese Tit Parus minor 2
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus ca. 50
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 30
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 1
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 4
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 5
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 4
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 3
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 60
Pallas’s Reed Bunting Emberiza pallasi 1

Sun. 15 Nov. 2015
Yangkou & Chongming

Elaine and I found Brown-cheeked Rail and Black-winged Kite at Yangkou and at Chongming saw 23 Hooded Crane and Chinese Grey Shrike. We added Scaly-breasted Munia to our fall-winter list.

I found the rail in the reed beds near Haiyin Temple. On 8 May 2010, I found a Brown-cheeked Rail at the same site. Today I was hoping to see Water Rail Rallus aquaticus, a bird known to overwinter in Yancheng up the coast. After 30 minutes, a Brown-cheeked appeared at the edge of the reeds, right under a small flock of Reed Parrotbill.

Much is not known about the movements and distribution of Brown-cheeked Rail. The spot at Yangkou may be worth checking regularly for this species.

At Yangkou the great rush of passage migrants has slowed, and the area is settling into its winter phase. The forest at Haiyin Temple is quiet, and the trees are shedding leaves.

List 1 of 2 for Sun. 15 Nov. 2015 (43 species). Yangkou (Yángkǒu [洋口]), fishing town in Rudong County (Rúdōng Xiàn [如东县]), Jiangsu, China (32.537730, 121.017746). Among areas visited: Haiyin Temple (Hǎiyìn Sì [海印寺], 32.558756, 121.044740), unpaved road N of Haiyin Temple (32.570807, 121.015638), reed beds near Haiyin Temple (32.557387, 121.037381), & microforest near Haiyin Temple (32.558400, 121.038250). Thick morning haze giving way to mostly sunny skies; high 14° C. Wind ENE 3 km/h. Sunrise 06:24, sunset 16:57. SUN 15 NOV 2015 08:15-11:30. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 8
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 65
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 2
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 5
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 2
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 1
Brown-cheeked Rail Rallus indicus 1
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ca. 100
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 3
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 2
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 3
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 8
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 3
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 4
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 17
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus 8
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 20
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus ca. 50
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 20
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 8
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 5
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 25
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 7
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 3
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 10
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 7
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 4
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 3
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 14
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 2
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 50
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 4
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 22
Tristram’s Bunting Emberiza tristrami 1
Little Bunting E. pusilla 6
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 4
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 6
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 7

List 2 of 2 for Sun. 15 Nov. 2015 (24 species). Around Chongming Dongtan National Bird Sanctuary and Nature Reserve (Chóngmíng Dōngtān Niǎolèi Guójiājí Zìrán Bǎohùqū [崇明东滩鸟类国家级自然保护区]), Chongming Island, Shanghai, China (31.510109, 121.961955). Thick morning haze giving way to mostly sunny skies; high 14° C. Wind ENE 3 km/h. Sunrise 06:24, sunset 16:57. SUN 15 NOV 2015 16:00-17:05. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha ca. 500
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 6
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 3
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 13
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2
Great Egret A. alba 17
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 22
Hooded Crane Grus monacha 23
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 1
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 1
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 6
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 6
Chinese Grey Shrike L. sphenocercus sphenocercus 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 1
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 10
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 5
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 100
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata 2
Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata 3
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 3
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 1

Wed. 18 Nov. 2015
Zhongshan Park

During a quick morning walk, Elaine and I noted Hawfinch and Black-throated Bushtit.

Zhongshan Park (Zhōngshān Gōngyuán [中山公园]), urban green space, Shanghai, China (31.221888, 121.420066). Many common birds not noted.

Black-throated Bushtit Aegithalos concinnus 6 (flock)
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 1

Fri. 20 Nov. 2015
West Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve

Today began Elaine’s and my second trip to the Tianmu Mountains. During a two-hour break in the rain today, Elaine and I noted 21 species. We car-birded a 6.6 km stretch of road extending from our hotel, Hǎisēn Nóngzhuāng (海森农庄), down to the bottom of the road called Jiǔzhū Xiàn (九朱线). Elevations ranged from 200 m at the lower end of Jiuzhu “Line” to 425 m at our hotel. We occasionally had visibility beyond 200 m.

Through the fog we noted common southern species such as Rufous-faced Warbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, and White-crowned Forktail. Daurian Redstart and Long-tailed Shrike were present here as along the coast, and one of our Brown-flanked Bush Warbler was singing softly. All our White Wagtail were leucopsis, and we noted Grey Wagtail in a creek.

Elaine and I were here just over six months ago and since that time had been planning a winter trip to these mountains. Tourists here are few, the air is clean, and the world is at rest.

List 1 of 1 for Fri. 20 Nov. 2015 (22 species). Birds noted around West Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve (Xī Tiānmùshān Zìrán Bǎohùqū [西天目山自然保护区]), Zhejiang, China. List includes observations from hotel at Hǎisēn Nóngzhuāng (海森农庄, 30.337622, 119.455874, elev. 425 m) to a point on the road called Jiǔzhū Xiàn (九朱线, 30.308047, 119.483266, elev. 200 m). Rainy and foggy; high 12° C. Visibility 0 km. Wind NNE 6 km/h. Sunrise 06:29, sunset 17:01. FRI 20 NOV 2015 13:00-15:35. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 3
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus 2
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 2
Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythroryncha 2
Japanese Tit Parus minor 7
Collared Finchbill Spizixos semitorques 15
Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis 10
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 2
Black-throated Bushtit Aegithalos concinnus 30
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis 4
Chinese Hwamei Garrulax canorus 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 70
Indochinese Yuhina Yuhina torqueola 2
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus 10
White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 5
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 50
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1
White Wagtail M. alba 4
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 5

Sat. 21 Nov. 2015
West Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve

Elaine and I found 4 Koklass Pheasant, one of 31 species noted today. We took the bus from the police checkpoint at elevation 835 m to Lóngfèngjiān, elev. 1140 m. We then walked 7 km through fog and drizzle back to the checkpoint. Along the way we noted a mixture of residents, winter visitors, and migrants. Among the residents were Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Collared Owlet, Grey Treepie, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Rufous-capped Babbler, White-crowned Forktail, and Little Forktail. Winter visitors included Red-flanked Bluetail, Daurian Redstart, Yellow-throated Bunting, and Tristram’s Bunting. Four hungry Dusky Thrush, perhaps just arrived after a long flight south, gobbled up worms just meters from us, and Mugimaki Flycatcher was most likely passing through.

After so many weeks watching migrating birds along the coast, Elaine and I noted the more settled character of the bird life in this big, southern-temperate, montane forest. Seeing the many south China residents, several of whose ranges extend not much farther north than these mountains, was like meeting old friends.

The highlight of the day undoubtedly was Koklass Pheasant. We knew the fog would increase our chances of seeing gamebirds, and within minutes of our departure from the parking lot at Lóngfèngjiān, our view was confirmed. The first Koklass took off from cover and flew down slope. A few bends and twists of the road below, we again heard the beating of unidentified pheasants’ wings through the gloom. Finally, at the spectacular clearing about 3 km below Lóngfèngjiān, I got a clear view of a female Koklass startled into flight. I rushed to the edge of the slope, just in time to see her partner, a stunning green-headed male. I now was convinced that in this high-quality habitat, large and well-protected, pheasants must be numerous. Examining the rim of the slope, I got further confirmation of that idea by the rows of pheasant scat that I found. Koklass Pheasants must stand there often, using the disused parking beam as a perch.

The view the pheasants take in there is superb, especially on a cloudy day, with clouds partly filling the valley below. During a rare moment when the fog lifted, we took in the impressive view. The exercise, fresh air, and good birds put us in a fine mood. I was without my camera, not willing to carry it through the mist, and I reveled in my mobility. When I heard a Koklass calling from bamboo, I jumped in to take a look. I couldn’t find the pheasant, but no matter: The sound of a singing Collared Owlet quickly refocused my attention.

Earlier, Elaine and I enjoyed our first Tianmu view of Little Forktail. We watched it as it found edible morsels amid the rushing stream. A pair of Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler came through, and we marveled at the sparkling green plumage of Collared Finchbill.

The forest around Lóngfèngjiān is mixed broadleaf-conifer with short, wispy bamboo a component of the moderately thick undergrowth. The broadleaf trees are bare now, and the scene is reminiscent of colder, more northern climes. Farther down, more trees retain their leaves, the undergrowth is in places impenetrable, and bamboo grows in thick stands, partly as a result of cultivation. Among the species using the tree-like bamboo are Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Rufous-faced Warbler, and Red-billed Blue Magpie.

The bus ride to the top cost us 20 yuan per person. Entrance to the Japanese Cedar forest below Xiānrén Dǐng costs 140 yuan per person; the folks at Hǎisēn Nóngzhuāng can write you a special ticket that will knock the price down to 110 yuan. We did not enter the Japanese Cedar forest on this trip.

We recorded Yellow-throated Bunting at the spectacular clearing below Lóngfèngjiān (01:43; 4.9 MB):

List 1 of 1 for Sat. 21 Nov. 2015 (31 species). Birds noted around West Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve (Xī Tiānmùshān Zìrán Bǎohùqū [西天目山自然保护区]), Zhejiang, China. List includes observations made on walk & drive between hotel at Hǎisēn Nóngzhuāng (海森农庄, 30.337622, 119.455874, elev. 425 m) to Lóngfèngjiān (龙凤尖, 30.344148, 119.440201, elev. 1120 m). The distance by road between the two points is 12.7 km. Lóngfèngjiān serves as the parking area for the Japanese Cedar forest below Xiānrén Dǐng (仙人顶; 1506 m), the highest point on West Tianmu Mountain. Cloudy with periods of rain; high 15° C. Visibility 0-5 km. Wind NNE 11 km/h. Sunrise 06:29, sunset 16:54. SAT 21 NOV 2015 09:40-17:00. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Chinese Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola thoracicus 4
Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha 4
prob. gamebird sp. 2
Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 2
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius sinensis 5
Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythroryncha 5
Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae 2
Japanese Tit Parus minor 6
Collared Finchbill Spizixos semitorques 10
Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis 6
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 2
Black-throated Bushtit Aegithalos concinnus 30
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 2
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis 6
Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyridopsis ruficeps 4
Huet’s Fulvetta Alcippe hueti 3
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 60
Grey-headed Parrotbill Psittiparus gularis 50
Dusky Thrush Turdus eunomus 4
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 5
Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri 1
White-crowned Forktail E. leschenaulti 3
Mugimaki Flycatcher Ficedula mugimaki 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 1
Plumbeous Water Redstart P. fuliginosus 2
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 2
Tristram’s Bunting Emberiza tristrami 3
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 5

Sun. 22 Nov. 2015
West Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve

Battling rain, Elaine and I scouted out the area around the entrance gate at Tianmu, an excellent birdwatching site. The entrance is one of the broadest areas in the park and has scrubby forest edges, secondary forest, and riparian habitats. We easily filled an hour and 40 minutes there, noting 24 species. (Our 25th species, Meadow Bunting, came up the valley near our hotel). We had a pair of Grey-chinned Minivet, Grey Treepie were feeding on fruit in forest canopy. White-crowned Forktail was on the forest floor. In a vegetable garden nearby, 2 Eyebrowed Thrush were foraging in the drizzle.

Elaine and I have now had a pair of “mirror image trips”–one last May and now this one exactly six months later. The trips have given us a view of Tianmu at the two opposite ends of the year. Our work at Tianmu is complete, for now.

Driving back to Shanghai, we made a detour to Sheshan.

List 1 of 1 for Sun. 22 Nov. 2015 (25 species). Birds noted around West Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve (Xī Tiānmùshān Zìrán Bǎohùqū [西天目山自然保护区]), Zhejiang, China. List includes observations from the broad area of mixed habitats around the entrance gate (30.314472, 119.442713, elev. 330 m). Rainy and foggy; high 16° C. Visibility 0 km. Wind NNE 6 km/h. Sunrise 06:31, sunset 17:00. SUN 22 NOV 2015 10:30-12:10. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Chinese Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola thoracicus 4
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 1
Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris 2
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 1
Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythroryncha 1
Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae 9
Japanese Tit Parus minor 6
Collared Finchbill Spizixos semitorques 3
Black-throated Bushtit Aegithalos concinnus 30
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 2
Chinese Hwamei Garrulax canorus 2
Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus 2
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 2
White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 20
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata 20
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 5
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 18
Grey-capped Greenfinch Chloris sinica 2
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 2
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 1
Tristram’s Bunting E. tristrami 3
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 8

Sat. 28 Nov. 2015 Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui
Sun. 29 Nov. 2015 Hengsha Island

Elaine and I noted 98 species on a two-day trip to three of the Shanghai region’s top sites. On Hengsha Main Pond we noted 3200 Falcated Duck. We noted Water/Brown-cheeked Rail at Nanhui and at Hengsha, and among the hundreds of ducks at Dishui Lake were 10 Greater Scaup as well as 15 Black-necked Grebe. A beautiful jack Merlin was grounded by rain on Hengsha, and another on Nanhui scared up a cloud of rather late Barn Swallow. Verditer Flycatcher resorted to the reeds in the treeless reclaimed area on Hengsha, and on Lesser Yangshan we saw a juvenile Lesser Coucal. That tiny island was characteristically thrushy, with Red-throated Thrush and Naumman’s Thrush appearing alongside Dusky Thrush, Pale Thrush, Eyebrowed Thrush, and Chinese Blackbird, the latter not commonly seen on Lesser Yangshan.

The 9000 birds on Hengsha Main Pond were overwhelmingly of just three species: Falcated Duck, Gadwall, and Eurasian Coot, with sprinklings of Mandarin Duck, Common Shelduck, Common Pochard, and Black-necked Grebe. I had never seen so many birds in a single place in Shanghai Shi. The reclaimed area on which the pond sits is under no environmental protection; the area is slated to be turned into a giant container port.

Hengsha Main Pond is in the northwest quadrant of the reclaimed area, hard by the fenced border with Hengsha Island proper. We viewed the pond from the perimeter road, the other side of which contains farms and trees. While scanning and counting, we noted Hair-crested Drongo and Dusky Warbler. Earlier, in the reclaimed area we once again noted Chinese Grey Shrike and a single Water Pipit. We hadn’t seen Intermediate Egret in a while. Robin-like Red-flanked Bluetail were absent from the treeless reclaimed area, but chat-like Daurian Redstart turned into reed-bed specialists; we noted 18.

On Saturday Elaine and I were joined by veteran English birder Michael Grunwell. Lesser Yangshan was its typical late-November self, serving up its usual fare of Daurian Redstart, less common delicacies such as Yellow-bellied Tit, and a main course of buntings, this time Meadow Bunting, Little Bunting, Yellow-throated Bunting, and Black-faced Bunting.

The diversity of ducks on Dishui Lake was a welcome surprise. Common Shelduck appeared here as well, and we sifted through the Tufted Duck to find the Greater Scaup. The Mandarin Duck were seen on a pond inside the sea wall and attracted some photographers, who paid little attention to the nearby flock of 800 Kentish Plover.

At Nanhui as well as at Hengsha, we selected places likely to hold Water Rail or Brown-cheeked Rail. There, we played back recordings of Rallus aquaticus. On both occasions, we got a loud call from someplace deep within the reeds, but no appearance. While waiting at Nanhui, we noted a flock of Reed Parrotbill.

We spent Saturday night at Héngshā Bànrìxián Mínsù (横沙半日闲民宿; +86 135-0185-1814 and +86 150-2164-5467). For 120 yuan we got a simple double room with bathroom down the hall. Meals are usually available there, but we arrived too late. We had freeze-dried meals with us; they once again proved to be a big asset, allowing us to eat a full meal after a long day birding.

By positioning ourselves on Hengsha the night before we birded, we saved ourselves our typical early wake-up in the city and a dash to Changxing Island for the first ferry.

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 28 Nov. 2015 (32 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), & Temple Mount (30.639866, 122.048327). Partly cloudy. Winds SSE 6 km/h. Visibility 10 km. Sunrise 06:28, sunset 16:49. High 14° C. SAT 28 NOV 2015 07:10-10:20. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 2
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 2
Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis 1
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 5
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 1
Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus 1
Japanese Tit Parus minor 3
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 40
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 3
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 6
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 5
Red-billed Starling Spodiopsar sericeus 20
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 2
Eyebrowed Thrush T. obscurus 3
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 6
Red-throated Thrush T. ruficollis 2
Naumann’s Thrush T. naumanni 3
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 7
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 8
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 20
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 100
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1
White Wagtail M. alba 10
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 15
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 1
Little Bunting E. pusilla 1
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 15
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 3

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 28 Nov. 2015 (53 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782), Magic GPS Point (30.880540, 121.964572), the empty blue-roofed building & nearby microforests (30.961368, 121.952136), and Dishui Lake (30.908702, 121.945124). Partly cloudy. Winds SSE 6 km/h. Visibility 10 km. Sunrise 06:28, sunset 16:49. High 14° C. SAT 28 NOV 2015 10:50-16:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 7
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata 6
Falcated Duck Anas falcata 350
Gadwall A. strepera 5
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 20
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 14
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 50
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 60
Greater Scaup A. marila 10
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 30
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 20
Black-necked Grebe P. nigricollis 15
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 41
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 40
Great Egret A. alba 9
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 30
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 4
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 3
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 3
Brown-cheeked/Water Rail Rallus indicus/R. aquaticus 1
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ca. 100
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 8
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 800 (flock)
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 2
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 4
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Merlin Falco columbarius 1
Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 3
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus 15
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 5
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 100 (flock)
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 2
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 4
Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus 1
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 30
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 4
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 15
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 2
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 1
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 12
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 17 (7 tschutschensis, 7 taivana)
White Wagtail M. alba 15
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 2
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 24
Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata 1
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 5

List 1 of 1 for Sun. 29 Nov. 2015 (66 species). Hengsha Island (Héngshā Dǎo [横沙岛]), a small alluvial island at mouth of Yangtze River in Shanghai, China. S gate to birding area at 31.297333, 121.859434. Excellent view of large pond at 31.331804, 121.883224. Cloudy with light rain. Winds SW 3 km/h. Visibility 10 km. Sunrise 06:34, sunset 16:51. High 13° C. SUN 29 NOV 2015 07:00-16:00. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Greylag Goose Anser anser 1
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 20
Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata 40
Falcated Duck Anas falcata ca. 3200
Gadwall A. strepera ca. 2625
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 5
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 45
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 20
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 14
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 200
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 4
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 220
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus ca. 50
Black-necked Grebe P. nigricollis 2
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 5
Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris 5
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 4
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 70
Great Egret A. alba 60
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 2
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 65
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2
Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus 3
Black Kite Milvus migrans lineatus 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
Brown-cheeked/Water Rail Rallus indicus/R. aquaticus 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 30
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ca. 3000
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 13
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 5
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 6
Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 3
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 4
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 4
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 20
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2
Merlin F. columbarius 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 25
Chinese Grey Shrike L. sphenocercus sphenocercus 1
Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus 1
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus ca. 50
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 8
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 5
Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus 3
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 6
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 20
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 5
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 30
Red-billed Starling Spodiopsar sericeus 3
White-cheeked Starling S. cineraceus 12
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 1
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 1
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus 1
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 18
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 15
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 20
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 5
Olive-backed Pipit A. hodgsoni 4
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 3
Water Pipit A. spinoletta blakistoni 1
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 5
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 1
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 2
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 65

Fri. 4 Dec. 2015
Zhongshan Park

Zhongshan Park (Zhōngshān Gōngyuán [中山公园]), urban green space, Shanghai, China (31.221888, 121.420066). Many common birds not noted.

Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea 1

Sat. 5 Dec. 2015 Hengsha Island
Sun. 6 Dec. 2015 Nanhui

Since returning in September from our two-month Amur River Basin trip, Elaine and I have been birding almost exclusively around Shanghai. On 11 Sept. we started this report, “Shanghai-area Autumn & Winter Birding, 2015-16.” Through last Sunday we have noted 252 species for this report. Sunday brought us two additions to the list: Sand Martin and Slavonian Grebe (IOC calls it Horned Grebe). The 3 Horned Grebe were among an impressive thousand or so birds on Dishui Lake and were joined by 13 Black-necked Grebe, 9 Greater Scaup, and 240 Falcated Duck. In all we noted 58 species on Sunday. On Saturday at Hengsha with Michael Grunwell, rain stunted our efforts a bit, but we managed to note 55 species.

On the road ringing Dishui Lake, Elaine and I got our latest-ever Shanghai record of Japanese Thrush. 25 Eastern Yellow Wagtail ssp. taivana were present on the muddy areas fringing the reed beds. Last year, taivana was present throughout the winter in Shanghai, an unexpectedly northern record; I and I hope others will be looking for more taivana winter records in the coming months. The Sand Martin were among 50 late Barn Swallow and were flying over the lake behind the Holiday Inn at Nanhui. Among our other Nanhui notables were 170 Tufted Duck on Dishui Lake, 90 Eurasian Spoonbill (no Black-faced Spoonbill noted), 2 Western Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, and 5 Rustic Bunting.

At Nanhui, a long wait deep in the reed beds produced no Water Rail/Brown-cheeked Rail, but on Hengsha I got a very quick auditory record. Michael and I had taken a long walk on an unpaved road through excellent reedy habitat and were enjoying a sustained view of a flock of Pallas’s Reed Bunting. Suddenly, the rail cried out, but was not heard again.

Also at that spot, a Jack Snipe blew its cover, remaining visible in flight long enough to reveal its short bill. We viewed Merlin and heard three flocks of Reed Parrotbill.

Earlier, during a talk with some local crabbers, we were told that beginning next year it’s game over for the reclaimed area at Hengsha–development of the container port will begin. Michael, who had never been to Hengsha before, was much impressed with the site, and concurred with my view that it is one of the top places to bird in Shanghai. The view of some 6000 birds on Hengsha Main Pond only solidified Michael’s opinion. Fearing the worst for Hengsha, we looked longingly and hopefully across the Yangtze to the protected Jiuduansha islands, barely visible.

Rain turned to frozen rain, and we drove slowly on the sea-wall road along the eastern and northern edges of Hengsha. Some salt-marsh habitat remains between the sea wall and the tide line, and there we found 3 Ruddy Shelduck, a welcome bit of color amid the bleakness. Wooded areas on the inland side of the wall produced White’s Thrush and Yellow-throated Bunting.

Dishui Lake should be a vital part of anyone’s winter Nanhui itinerary. As it’s just a few hundred meters from Line 16 Dishui Lake station, even birders without a car can enjoy a long walk around the circular pond.

List 1 of 1 for Sat. 5 Dec. 2015 (54 species). Hengsha Island (Héngshā Dǎo [横沙岛]), a small alluvial island at mouth of Yangtze River in Shanghai, China. S gate to birding area at 31.297333, 121.859434. Excellent view of large pond at 31.331804, 121.883224. Cloudy with drizzle turning to steady light rain. Winds SW 3 km/h. Visibility 10 km. Sunrise 06:38, sunset 16:51. High 7° C. SAT 05 DEC 2015 07:20-14:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 3
Falcated Duck Anas falcata ca. 2000
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 1
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha ca. 50
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 1
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 30
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 30
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 4
Common Merganser Mergus merganser 2
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 40
Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris 10
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 2
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 30
Great Egret A. alba 8
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 2
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 30
Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus 5
Pied Harrier C. melanoleucos 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
Brown-cheeked/Water Rail Rallus indicus/R. aquaticus 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 20
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ca. 2500
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 30
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus 1
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 10
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 1
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 1
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 18
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 1
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 3
Merlin F. columbarius 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 30
Chinese Grey Shrike L. sphenocercus sphenocercus 1
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus ca. 50
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 25
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 20
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 2
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 4
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 3
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 30
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 20
White’s Thrush Zoothera aurea 1
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 3
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 10
Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri 1
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 15
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 1
Olive-backed Pipit A. hodgsoni 5
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 5
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 20
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 6
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 2
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 4
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 25

List 1 of 1 for Sun. 6 Dec. 2015 (58 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782), Magic GPS Point (30.880540, 121.964572), the empty blue-roofed building & nearby microforests (30.961368, 121.952136), and Dishui Lake (30.908702, 121.945124). Mostly cloudy, becoming partly cloudy. Visibility 0-5 km. Sunrise 06:40, sunset 16:51. Low 4° C, high 10° C. SUN 06 DEC 2015 07:30-16:40. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Falcated Duck Anas falcata 240
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 40
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha ca. 50
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 30
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 170
Greater Scaup Aythya marila 9
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 2
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 40
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 70
Horned Grebe P. auritus 3
Black-necked Grebe P. nigricollis 13
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 90
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 8
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 40
Great Egret A. alba 16
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 20
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 30
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 2
Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus 2
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 2
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 220
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 13
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 10
Dunlin Calidris alpina 25
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 5
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 15
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 2
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 2
Sand Martin Riparia riparia 1
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 50
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes 1
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 2
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 5
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 15
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 7
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 1
Japanese Thrush T. cardis 1
Chinese Blackbird T. mandarinus 2
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 7
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 12
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 16
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 100
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 25 taivana
Grey Wagtail M. cinerea 1
White Wagtail M. alba 56
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 7
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 6
Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus 5
Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata 2
Rustic Bunting E. rustica 5
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 2
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 25

Sat. 12 Dec. 2015
Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui

Birding once again with the Dream Team, Elaine and I noted 69 species. We found Horned Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, and Greater Scaup at Dishui Lake, we noted 600 Common Shelduck off the coast at Nanhui, and we added Tundra Swan, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Brown-eared Bulbul, and White-rumped Munia to our Shanghai-area autumn-winter list.

Lesser Yangshan has been thin lately, but it was with past December views of Brown-eared Bulbul in mind that we made the 25-km trek across the Donghai Bridge to the little island. Sure enough, we quickly found a single Brown-eared Bulbul, a scarce winter visitor in the Shanghai area. The bird was in Garbage Dump Gully and was flying excitedly from tree to tree. We guessed it had just arrived. Michael was pleased with his lifer. In the trees in the courtyard we found a pair of Japanese White-eye.

Finding little else of interest, we left Lesser Yangshan after less than an hour. Our first stop at Nanhui was an overgrown field near Dishui Lake. Here we found a strong mix of buntings, among them Rustic Bunting and Yellow-browed Bunting. Scaly-breasted Munia were also present.

At Dishui Lake, the first bird I laid eyes on through the scope was the Red-breasted Merganser. Xueping snapped up record shots of the distant duck. The straight bill of our Red-breasted distinguishes it from the hooked bill of Common Merganser. Tufted Duck were the most numerous diving duck, and Falcated Duck the most numerous dabbler. The Horned Grebe, also known as Slavonian Grebe, was in the same northeastern corner of Dishui where Elaine and I found 3 Horned Grebe six days ago.

A quick stop at the Magic Parking Lot once again revealed late Barn Swallow. Absent from Dishui Lake, they were present in their dozens over the smaller pond behind the Holiday Inn. For the past three weeks, we have noted Barn Swallow there and nowhere else. A Peregrine Falcon soared over the carpark.

The problem with the sea-wall road at Nanhui is that another wall runs along the road, blocking one’s view of the mudflats below. Barred thereby from scanning as one drives, one is forced to make periodic stops and get out of the car. During one of these stops, we found the impressive flock of Common Shelduck. A much luckier view was that of the Common Goldeneye. A random stop produced a single white spot in the muddy sea far out. The scope brought him in just before he took another long dive.

At Nanhui we ran into Hé Xīn (何鑫). He alerted us to the presence of Tundra Swan, and he told us he had seen an Oriental Stork. He also found Swan Goose. We were able to locate the Tundra Swan but missed the stork and Swan Goose.

The Dream Team consists of veteran birder Michael Grunwell, husband-and-wife team Stephan Popp and Xueping Popp, my wife Elaine Du, and me.

With the new additions, Elaine’s and my Shanghai autumn-winter list now contains 259 species. We started the list on 11 Sept. 2015.

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 12 Dec. 2015 (17 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), & Temple Mount (30.639866, 122.048327). Mostly cloudy. Winds NNE 11 km/h. Visibility 10 km. Sunrise 06:44, sunset 16:52. High 11° C. SAT 12 DEC 2015 07:00-07:50. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 4
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 2
Japanese Tit Parus minor 3
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 15
Brown-eared Bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis amaurotis 1
Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus 2
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 2
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 2
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 1
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 5
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 5
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 5
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 3
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 1
Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans 1

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 12 Dec. 2015 (62 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782), Magic GPS Point (30.880540, 121.964572), the empty blue-roofed building & nearby microforests (30.961368, 121.952136), and Dishui Lake (30.908702, 121.945124). Mostly cloudy. Winds NNE 11 km/h. Visibility 10 km. Sunrise 06:44, sunset 16:52. High 11° C. SAT 12 DEC 2015 08:30-13:40. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii 170
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 600
Falcated Duck Anas falcata 450
Gadwall A. strepera 30
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 50
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 40
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha ca. 400
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 50
Northern Pintail A. acuta 60
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 10
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 120
Greater Scaup A. marila 10
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 1
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 1
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 15
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 30
Horned Grebe P. auritus 1
Black-necked Grebe P. nigricollis 5
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 70
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 4
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea ca. 50
Great Egret A. alba 10
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 3
Little Egret Egretta garzetta ca. 100
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 30
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ca. 200
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 20
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1
Dunlin Calidris alpina 10
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 5
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 5
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 5
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 10
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 10
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus 5
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ca. 70
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 4
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 20
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 10
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 15
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 3
Naumann’s Thrush T. naumanni 1
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 2
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 8
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 150
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata 3
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 2 taivana
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 5 leucopsis
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 1
Olive-backed Pipit A. hodgsoni 5
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 3
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 15
Yellow-browed Bunting E. chrysophrys 1
Rustic Bunting E. rustica 20
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 1
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 8

Mammals

Siberian Weasel Mustela sibirica 1

Sun. 13 Dec. 2015
Century Park

Despite the rain and my slight cold, Elaine and I couldn’t stand staying indoors all day today and so spent three hours at Century Park. With its hundreds of berry-laden trees, Century Park may offer the single-greatest concentration of thrushes in the region. The sounds of Dusky Thrush (and a few Naumann’s Thrush) and resident Chinese Blackbird were nearly constant. Pale Thrush was present in strong numbers, but we noted only a single Grey-backed Thrush and no White’s Thrush. On the way back, just 50 m from the entrance to our apartment, above busy Anhua Road we heard a strange sound coming from the Eurasian Tree Sparrow on the telephone wire. Among the sparrows were 8 White-rumped Munia.

List 1 of 1 for Sun. 13 Dec. 2015 (26 species). Century Park (Shìjì Gōngyuán [世纪公园]), Pudong New Area (Pǔdōng Xīn Qū [浦东新区]), Shanghai, China (31.219361, 121.551900). Early drizzle, then cloudy. 12° C. SUN 13 DEC 2015 08:30-11:30. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 8
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 5
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 4
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus ca. 50
Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus 20
Japanese Tit Parus minor 2
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Chinese Hwamei Garrulax canorus 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana ca. 60
Red-billed Starling Spodiopsar sericeus 30
Grey-backed Thrush Turdus hortulorum 1
Chinese Blackbird T. mandarinus 40
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 25
Naumann’s Thrush T. naumanni 2
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 23
Dusky/Naumann’s Thrush 40
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 5
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 5
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata 8 near our apt. near Zhongshan Park
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 7
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 11
Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria 22
Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala 3

Sat. 26 Dec. 2015
Lesser Yangshan & Nanhui

Fresh from our trip to Guangxi, Elaine and I noted 57 species. The highlight was White-bellied Green Pigeon at Nanhui. Nanhui also produced 3 Greater Scaup, an impressive 440 Tufted Duck and 470 Kentish Plover, and a single Reed Parrotbill. On Lesser Yangshan, Brown-eared Bulbul was noted once again, and I flushed 2 Eurasian Woodcock.

After the smoggiest, most pollution-filled beginning to a birding day I had ever seen, our respectable showing was a surprise to Elaine and our partners Stephan Popp and Xueping Popp. Starting in Puxi at 06:15, we crawled through thick haze, with visibility sometimes reduced to less than 50 meters. Many birders would have reasonably turned back, but we pressed on, cheerfully repeating the two mantras of birding: (1) you never know and (2) wait. Finally, driving across Donghai Bridge, after more than two hours in Stephan and Xueping’s Passat, we saw a hint of blue sky over Lesser Yangshan Island. Free at last!

At that point, just breathing deeply was a bonus; we could have seen not a single bird and felt the trip to the island worthwhile. As it was, however, we generated interesting records such as the bulbul, the woodcocks, and Yellow-bellied Tit, all found in Garbage Dump Gully. Rustic Bunting was on the coastal plain, and among the common winter visitors were 14 Daurian Redstart, 2 Pallas’s Leaf Warbler, and 3 Pale Thrush.

Looking back toward the mainland, we noticed that more and more of Donghai Bridge was becoming visible. We decided to chance it and return to Nanhui. Visibility had improved here, too, and at Dishui Lake, our first stop, we gazed hundreds of meters across the water. Using the spotting scopes, Elaine and Xueping picked through the birds. The search for Horned Grebe was fruitless, but 5 Black-necked Grebe were there, and 330 Falcated Duck, 15 Eurasian Wigeon, and 80 Great Crested Grebe were present in more or less their earlier proportions. In the first big pond north of the Magic Parking Lot, we found the large flock of Kentish Plover—surprising, but not unprecedented, as we had counted a mega-flock of 800 on 28 Nov.

We found the White-bellied Green Pigeon at Microforest 4. In the Shanghai region, I had last noted Treron sieboldii on 24 Nov. 2012 on Lesser Yangshan. The beautiful pigeon was a lifer for everyone but me and set off a series of high-fives, made even more meaningful by the inauspicious beginning of our day. White-bellied Green Pigeon became the 257th species Elaine and I have noted in the Shanghai region since 11 Sept.

Development seems to be accelerating at Nanhui. Near the empty blue-roofed building, backhoes are moving great quantities of earth, and Microforest 8 has been destroyed. The line of reeds at the inner base of the sea wall has been mowed down.

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 26 Dec. 2015 (23 species). Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]), island in Hangzhou Bay, Zhejiang, China. List includes birds noted at Garbage Dump Gully (30.641565, 122.062836), Garbage Dump Coastal Plain (30.638860, 122.060089), & Temple Mount (30.639866, 122.048327). Extremely smoggy in morning, clearing by midday. Visibility 0-10 km. Sunrise 06:46, sunset 16:53. Temp. 6°-12° C. SAT 26 DEC 2015 08:00-10:40. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 2
Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 2
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 2
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 2
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 3
Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus 1
Japanese Tit Parus minor 8
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 30
Brown-eared Bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis amaurotis 1
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 2
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 3
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 14
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius philippensis 2
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 8
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 5
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 12
Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides 4
Rustic Bunting E. rustica 1
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 6
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 1

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 26 Dec. 2015 (45 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159); list includes birds found at Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782), Magic GPS Point (30.880540, 121.964572), the empty blue-roofed building & nearby microforests (30.961368, 121.952136), and Dishui Lake (30.908702, 121.945124). Extremely smoggy in morning, clearing by midday. Visibility 0-10 km. Sunrise 06:46, sunset 16:53. Temp. 6°-12° C. SAT 26 DEC 2015 11:30-16:20. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Falcated Duck Anas falcata 330
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 15
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 8
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 20
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 60
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 440
Greater Scaup A. marila 3
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 20
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 80
Black-necked Grebe P. nigricollis 5
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 10
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 3
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 30
Great Egret A. alba 1
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 120
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 22
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 250
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 470
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 2
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 12
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 4
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 3
White-bellied Green Pigeon Treron sieboldii 1
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 8
Japanese Tit Parus minor 1
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus 5
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 15
Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus 1
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 3
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 20
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 1
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 3
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 3
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 150
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 12 (8 leucopsis, 4 ocluaris)
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 2
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 15
Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala 1
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 5

Sat. 9 Jan. 2016 Yancheng & Dongtai
Sun. 10 Jan. 2016 Dongtai & Yangkou

On our first birding trip of 2016, Elaine and I noted 85 species. We reunited with the Dream Team, which consists of Senior Birder Michael Grunwell, husband-wife team Stephan Popp and Xueping Popp, my wife Elaine Du, and me. We added evidence that the point 32.557278 121.037111 is a reliable site for Brown-cheeked Rail Rallus indicus, and at Dongtai we found a sub-adult Mute Swan. At Yancheng, we found 9 Red-crowned Crane, 10 Hooded Crane, 250 Common Crane, 2 Oriental Stork, 1250 Common Merganser, and 8 Reed Parrotbill. Among our big finds at Dongtai were 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Greater Scaup, 80 Saunders’s Gull, and 610 Grey Plover. We recorded Pied Avocet, Black-winged Kite, and Smew at Dongtai and Yancheng, and we found Green Sandpiper at Yancheng and Yangkou.

In May 2010, I found Brown-cheeked Rail at the point in Yangkou noted above. I forgot about the sighting and did not search again until last 15 Nov., when I found Brown-cheeked Rail after a 30-minute wait. On Sunday, I made my second of two tries at the site and was successful again.

Using the evidence I have presented here, you may believe, as I do, that the site is reliable for Rallus indicus. If you need the bird, then go with a few more birders if possible, stand in the area shown on the Google Map linked to above, spread out, and pay attention to the edge of the reeds. On Sunday, in contrast to 15 Nov., the rail never showed clearly; only Elaine’s sharp eye confirmed the presence of the scurrying rail. I got a look that first time, and about 30 minutes later, the bird showed again, and everyone got a quick view. The bird was calling softly from time to time and called loudly, but only briefly, when I first played back Water Rail R. aquaticus. (I played back R. aquaticus because the recordings I have of R. indicus are poor.) If you have qualms about playback, then you may still be able to see the bird, but be prepared to wait. If you are lucky, Reed Parrotbill will show; during our wait, we had Pallas’s Reed Bunting, Rustic Bunting, a Common Snipe that was hiding in plain sight, and an unusual winter view of Chinese Pond Heron.

With last weekend’s work at Yancheng, Elaine and I completed a survey (which began last year) of the Jiangsu coast from just north of Yancheng down to the Yangtze River. Along that 300 km stretch of coast, the best place to bird is Dongtai, followed by Yangkou and Yancheng. Besides those three areas, there is little left. There may be pockets that I have overlooked, but I doubt they are substantial; I doubt there is some secret location holding 10,000 waders.

The coastal area of Dongtai city is under no environmental protection that I know of, and in fact is slated to be transformed for aquaculture. At Yancheng, the Red-crowned Crane we saw were shuttling back and forth between fields, with busy farmers, noisy farming machines, and farmhouses never far away. At Yangkou, the smell of chemicals grows ever stronger, just as birdable areas behind the coastal wall grow ever smaller and the invasive Smooth Cordgrass on the mudflats grows ever more extensive.

Jiangsu packs 80 million people into an area less than a quarter the size of Sweden or California. If Sweden were as densely populated as Jiangsu, then its population would be about the same (320 million) as that of the United States. The GPP (Gross Provincial Product) of Jiangsu is one-third the GDP of India. A dense population of people with a culture that cares little for conservation and operates an economic powerhouse: That is Jiangsu. No wonder the Jiangsu coast is being chopped to pieces!

We spent a restful Saturday night at Greentree Inn (Gélín Háotài Jiǔdiàn [格林豪泰酒店], 160 yuan/night for clean, modern room with fast Internet and breakfast, +86 (0) 515-85820999; 32.749262, 120.850125). What a difference a good room makes!

Thanks to Michael for teaching us birding, to Stephan for his excellent driving, to Xueping for her quick mind, and to my dear Elaine for her constant positive attitude.

List 1 of 2 for Sat. 9 Jan. 2016 (65 species). Yancheng (Yánchéng [盐城]), a prefecture-level city in NE Jiangsu, China. Important points visited: area S of Crane Paradise (Hè Lèyuán [鹤乐园]; 33.600960, 120.507412), and points between Crane Paradise and the bend in the road on Dafeng Seawall (Dàfēng Hǎidī [大丰海堤]; 33.514056, 120.530951). Thick morning haze then mostly sunny skies; low -1° C, high 8° C. Visibility 0-10 km. Wind S/SSW 6 km/h. PM2.5 AQI: 182 (Yancheng). Sunrise 07:04, sunset 17:10. SAT 09 JAN 2016 08:00-15:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris 400
Greater White-fronted Goose A. albifrons 10
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii 4
Gadwall Anas strepera 50
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 100
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 100
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 20
Northern Pintail A. acuta 20
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 70
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 300
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 2
Smew Mergellus albellus 16
Common Merganser Mergus merganser 1250
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 18
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 50
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 20
Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana 2
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 90
Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris 1
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 60
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 30
Great Egret A. alba 1
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 3
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 50
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 15
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 2
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 4
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 5
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 150
Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis 9
Common Crane G. grus 250
Hooded Crane G. monacha 10
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 2
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 320
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 2
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 3
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 2
Green Sandpiper T. ochropus 1
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 5
Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus heuglini 1
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 7
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 3
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 2
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 6
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 8
Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus 10
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 30
Japanese Tit Parus minor 1
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 25
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 8
Goldcrest Regulus regulus 2
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 120
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 8
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 20
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 3
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 10
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 80
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 20
Rustic Bunting E. rustica 20
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 3
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 50

List 2 of 2 for Sat. 9 Jan. 2016 (21 species). Great Dongtai Surf ’n’ Turf Birding Trail, a 40-km loop on coast of Dongtai (Dōngtái [东台]), a county-level city in Jiangsu, China. Important points on Trail are N entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (Dōngtái Hǎidī [东台海堤], 32.868218, 120.912340), T-junction on Dongtai Levee Road (32.855576, 120.896557), viewing area on W side of lagoons (32.850988, 120.958103), S entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (32.759765, 120.928722), SE corner of sea wall (32.759499, 120.962893), & NE corner of sea wall (32.872444, 120.951522). Thick morning haze then mostly sunny skies; low -1° C, high 8° C. Visibility 0-10 km. Wind S/SSW 6 km/h. PM2.5 AQI: 182 (Yancheng). Sunrise 07:04, sunset 17:10. SAT 09 JAN 2016 16:20-17:40. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor 1
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 200
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 8
Northern Pintail A. acuta 2
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 150
Smew Mergellus albellus 1
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator 6
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 20
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 20
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 20
Great Egret A. alba 50
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 50
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 20
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 1
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 50
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 200
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 10
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 30
Saunders’s Gull C. saundersi 80
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 15
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 10

List 1 of 2 for Sun. 10 Jan. 2016 (33 species). Great Dongtai Surf ’n’ Turf Birding Trail, a 40-km loop on coast of Dongtai (Dōngtái [东台]), a county-level city in Jiangsu, China. Important points on Trail are N entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (Dōngtái Hǎidī [东台海堤], 32.868218, 120.912340), T-junction on Dongtai Levee Road (32.855576, 120.896557), viewing area on W side of lagoons (32.850988, 120.958103), S entrance to new sea-wall road on Dongtai Levee Road (32.759765, 120.928722), SE corner of sea wall (32.759499, 120.962893), & NE corner of sea wall (32.872444, 120.951522). Thick morning haze giving way to mostly cloudy skies; high 9° C. Visibility 10 km. Wind E 15 km/h. PM2.5 AQI: 174 (Nantong). Sunrise 06:59, sunset 17:09. SUN 10 JAN 2016 07:30-11:10. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor 1
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 368
Falcated Duck Anas falcata 16
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 110
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 305
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 11
Northern Pintail A. acuta 17
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 200
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 15
Greater Scaup A. marila 14
Smew Mergellus albellus 3
Common Merganser Mergus merganser 26
Red-breasted Merganser M. serrator 5
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 72
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 13
Black-necked Grebe P. nigricollis 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 27
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 10
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 217
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 2
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 200
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 610
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 11
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 57
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 3
Dunlin Calidris alpina 40
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 16
Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus heuglini 2
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 3
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 3
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 1 leucopsis

List 2 of 2 for Sun. 10 Jan. 2016 (26 species). Yangkou (Yángkǒu [洋口]), fishing town in Rudong County (Rúdōng Xiàn [如东县]), Jiangsu, China (32.537730, 121.017746). Among areas visited: Haiyin Temple (Hǎiyìn Sì [海印寺], 32.558756, 121.044740) and reed beds near Haiyin Temple (32.557387, 121.037381). Thick morning haze giving way to mostly cloudy skies; high 9° C. Visibility 10 km. Wind E 15 km/h. PM2.5 AQI: 174 (Nantong). Sunrise 06:59, sunset 17:09. SUN 10 JAN 2016 12:00-14:15. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, Michael Grunwell, Stephan Popp, & Xueping Popp.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 2
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus 2
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 15
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 4
Brown-cheeked Rail Rallus indicus 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 10
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 21
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 35
Green Sandpiper T. ochropus 1
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 20
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 2
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 5
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 3
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 10
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 10
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 10
Pale Thrush T. pallidus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 5
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2 leucopsis
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 6
Chinese Grosbeak Eophona migratoria 50
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 10
Rustic Bunting E. rustica 3
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 2
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 3

Sat. 16 Jan. 2016
Nanhui

Elaine and I birded Nanhui on foot, noting 43 species. I had my first-ever visual record of Brown-cheeked Rail in Shanghai, and at Dishui Lake we noted Common Goldeneye, 6 Greater Scaup, and 4 Black-necked Grebe. We had an unusual winter record of Eastern Yellow Wagtail (ssp. tschutschensis).

The Brown-cheeked Rail was at 30.907690, 121.972372. Our discovery of the shy species came about because we were walking, not driving. On a sunny and unusually quiet day along Shijitang Road (the sea-wall road), Elaine and I were walking slowly, noting every sound and movement. Had we been driving, we might have missed the brief, piercing call of the rail. Here is what we heard (00:43; 2.5 MB):

The sound was coming from the reeds at the landward base of the sea wall. As it was time for lunch, and knowing how long rail vigils can take, Elaine and I sat down and ate our sandwiches in the warm sun, watching for movement in the reeds below and recording the calls the rail was intermittently making. Finally, the rail appeared atop the thin drainage canal connecting the wall to the marsh. I got a good enough look at the brownish flanks to affirm that the bird was not the extralimital Water Rail Rallus aquaticus but Brown-cheeked Rail R. indicus.

The valuable record was icing on the cake for us, because Elaine’s and my main goal today was not to acquire lifers but to get outside and exercise. If good birds appeared, we said, then fine, but nothing was more important to us than casting away the cooped-up feeling we get living in our apartment in the center city. We wanted sunshine, broad horizons, and the relatively clean air of Nanhui, and this time, for the first time, we wanted to bird Nanhui on foot.

We were able to do Nanhui without a car because of the recent opening of Metro Line 16, whose south terminus is at Dishui Lake. We needed only 90 minutes to go from our apartment near Zhongshan Park to Dishui Lake, taking Line 2 to Longyang Road and transferring to Line 16. After a quick taxi ride, by 08:15 we were at our favorite Dishui Lake viewpoint (30.908702, 121.945124). Having noted in addition to the aforementioned birds 350 Falcated Duck, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 of today’s 2 Richard’s Pipit, and surprisingly 0 Common Pochard, Elaine and I walked toward the coast. I had no camera with me, only my spotting scope and binoculars.

At the sea wall, we turned north, finding many Buff-bellied Pipit, White Wagtail, and the misplaced Eastern Yellow Wagtail. We ID’d our 2 Pied Harrier on the basis of the combination of brown back, greyish secondaries, and white rump of both birds, which were together. We heard two more rails but in even thicker cover than the first; we did not wait around for a visual to nail the ID, but we presume that they too were Brown-cheeked. Walking on an unpaved road into the reeds, we startled Common Snipe and Eurasian Teal. We watched Reed Parrotbill pry open the reed stems, making a crunchy sound.

One snipe, a loner, made only a quick, low flight before dropping stonelike and silently into the reeds. There was no “sneeze” at takeoff, unlike Common Snipe, and I saw no white trailing edge to the wing (which is not to say it was not there). The snipe appeared smaller than Common. Because of the angle of the snipe’s head as it dropped, I could not see the bill. Was it Jack Snipe? I do not know, but I urge local birders not to chalk up every snipe they see to Common but to take a good, hard look.

We u-turned and walked south, reaching the bus stop behind the Magic Parking Lot at the Holiday Inn. It was 15:20 and we had walked 17 km. We took the bus back to the Dishui Lake Metro Station. The subway ride back to Zhongshan Park was just as smooth as the ride out.

List 1 of 1 for Sat. 16 Jan. 2016 (43 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159). List includes birds found at Dishui Lake (30.908702, 121.945124). Thick morning haze then mostly sunny skies; low 0° C, high 10° C. Visibility 0-10 km. Wind E 6 km/h. PM2.5 AQI: 189 (Shanghai). Sunrise 06:53, sunset 17:15. SAT 16 JAN 2016 08:15-15:10. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Falcated Duck Anas falcata 350
Gadwall A. strepera 9
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 50
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 50
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 70
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 4
Greater Scaup A. marila 6
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 14
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 30
Black-necked Grebe P. nigricollis 4
Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris 1
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 4
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 15
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 25
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 10
Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos 2
Brown-cheeked Rail Rallus indicus 1
Brown-cheeked/Water Rail R. indicus/R. aquaticus 2
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 150
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 30
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 17
snipe sp. 1
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 8
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 12
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 2
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus ca. 50
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus 1
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 9
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 30
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 5
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 5
White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus 12
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 8
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 100
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 1 tschutschensis
White Wagtail M. alba 18 (17 leucopsis, 1 lugens/ocularis)
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 2
Buff-Bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 16
Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala 2
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 40

Sat. 23 Jan. 2016 Chongming
Sun. 24 Jan. 2016 Nanhui

Elaine and I noted 68 species on one of the coldest weekends in Shanghai in recent memory. With strong northwesterly winds making temperatures feel as cold as -16° C, many birds lay low, but the strange weather probably played a role in two extraordinary records: 2 Cinereous Vulture (Chongming) and 3 Red-throated Loon (Nanhui). Other notable records were 2 Horned Grebe at Dishui Lake and a winter record of Wood Sandpiper at Nanhui as well as Eastern Yellow Wagtail (taivana) and Red-throated Thrush on Chongming. On Chongming and at Nanhui, we had Red-throated Pipit and Water Pipit mixed in with Buff-bellied Pipit.

Listed as near threatened by IUCN, Cinereous Vulture breeds across Eurasia, from Spain to China. In China, Cinereous Vulture breeds mainly in the west as well as in Hulunbeier in northeastern Inner Mongolia. It is a “sporadic” (MacKinnon) or “rare” (Brazil) winter visitor to the southeast China coast. The largest Old World vulture, it has a wing span of about 260 cm (8.5 ft).

From a distance, the huge vultures looked like dogs as they rested on the ground. The pair was approachable. They usually stayed close together. Their plumage was shiny, and they appeared healthy. I doubt, however, that the eastern end of Chongming Island is a place that can support a pair of these huge birds for long. A Chinese photographer we met said the Chongming pair was probably the same pair that had been reported recently in Nantong. As of Saturday, the vultures had been on Chongming for a week to 10 days.

Red-throated Loon is also known as Red-throated Diver. Gavia stellata breeds in tundra bogs and taiga pools above 50° N latitude in Eurasia and North America. It winters along the coasts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Though the species faces no global threat, it is rare in China, with IUCN estimating that less than 50 spend the winter on the Chinese coast. Two of our three birds were feeding in one of the few unfrozen fish ponds inside the sea wall. A third was not feeding, and our partner Michael Grunwell feared it had been contaminated by oil.

Elaine and I birded Chongming alone. On Sunday at Nanhui, Michael joined us. We car-birded both days, driving a Skoda Scout rented from Avis.

Cinereous Vulture and Red-throated Loon became the 265th and 266th species of bird that Elaine and I have noted in the Shanghai region since 11 Sept. 2015.

List 1 of 1 for Sat. 23 Jan. 2016 (51 species). Around Chongming Dongtan National Bird Sanctuary and Nature Reserve (Chóngmíng Dōngtān Niǎolèi Guójiājí Zìrán Bǎohùqū [崇明东滩鸟类国家级自然保护区]), Chongming Island, Shanghai, China (31.510109, 121.961955). Breezy and clear; low -8° C, high -1° C. Wind NW 32 km/h. Visibility 10 km. PM2.5 AQI: 70. Sunrise 06:51, sunset 17:22. SAT 23 JAN 2016 10:15-17:30. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 30
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 4
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 30
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 20
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 64
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 4
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 10
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 3
Great Egret A. alba 2
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 1
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 10
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 42
Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus 2
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 420
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta ca. 200
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 6
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 340
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 13
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 2
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 445
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 2
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 1
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 2
Dunlin Calidris alpina 53
Black-tailed Gull Larus crassirostris 9
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 4
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 4
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 1
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 5
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 3
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 20
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 15
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 6
Red-throated Thrush T. ruficollis 1
Naumann’s Thrush T. naumanni 1
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 6
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 600
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 1 taivana
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 5 leucopsis
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 1
Olive-backed Pipit A. hodgsoni 13
Red-throated Pipit A. cervinus 2
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 65
Water Pipit A. spinoletta blakistoni 1
Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala 4

List 1 of 1 for Sun. 24 Jan. 2016 (50 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159). List includes birds found at Dishui Lake (30.908702, 121.945124) and along Shijitang Road from 31.000204, 121.938145 S to 30.851114, 121.848527. Blustery, cold, and sunny; low -8° C, high -6° C. Visibility 10 km. Wind NW 40 km/h. PM2.5 AQI: 68. Sunrise 06:51, sunset 17:23. SUN 24 JAN 2016 07:15-16:30. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Michael Grunwell.

Falcated Duck Anas falcata 60
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 20
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 2
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 45
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 32
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 20
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata 3
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 80
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 55
Horned Grebe P. auritus 2
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 60
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 2
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 80
Great Egret A. alba 3
Intermediate Egret A. intermedia 1
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 12
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo ca. 300
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 3
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ca. 300
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 3
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 15
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 7
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 4
Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 1
Dunlin Calidris alpina ca. 300
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 25
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 10
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 6
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 2
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 10
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 1
Eurasian/Oriental Skylark Alauda arvensis/A. gulgula 1
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 20
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 6
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 7
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 1
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 10
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 200
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 12 (9 leucopsis, 3 lugens)
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 2
Red-throated Pipit A. cervinus 6
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus ca. 200
Water Pipit A. spinoletta blakistoni 1
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 15
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 1

Sat. 30 Jan. 2016 Nanhui
Sun. 31 Jan. 2016 Hengsha & Chongming

Elaine and I noted 75 species in two days. We had 6 Lapland Longspur on Chongming and 50 Mew Gull at Nanhui. The pair of Cinereous Vulture remain on Chongming, and we saw a good portion (65) of the Hooded Crane wintering on the great alluvial island. Red-throated Loon was still at Nanhui, and Dishui Lake once again held Greater Scaup (8), Common Goldeneye, and Horned Grebe (3). We had an impressive 350 Northern Pintail in the sea off Nanhui, and though numbers of Gadwall (590) and Falcated Duck (720) were lower than in November, the species maintain a sizable presence on Hengsha.

The longspurs appeared late Sunday, just as snow was starting to fall. The inclement weather must have upset the Buff-bellied Pipit, Eurasian Skylark, and Eurasian Tree Sparrow using the recently plowed fields. Suddenly birds were flying everywhere. The grey sky made visual ID difficult, but some of the birds were calling and identifiable by call. But not all; so I took a flurry of record shots. In one series of images was a bird I had never seen before. I sent some of the images to Jan-Erik Nilsen, who told me that the facial pattern was typical of Lapland Longspur. And so it was. MacKinnon says Calcarius lapponicus “winters in small numbers along bare meadows along E coast between 30° and 40° N and along Changjiang River”; that is a box into which our situation neatly fits.

The views of Mew Gull Larus canus came about because of preparation and luck. Ever since Michael Grunwell moved to Shanghai last year, he has been telling me to look for Mew Gull in Shanghai; he was sure it would show up here in winter. Bolstering that suspicion was a recent report from Jonathan Martinez of Mew Gull in Guangdong.

At Nanhui, gulls usually appear here and there. On Saturday, Elaine and I finally had a chance to view a large group. An afternoon tide was coming in just right, boxing about 300 gulls into a corner of the sea wall. Elaine and I were waiting with camera and spotting scope. “This is the day!” I said. Sure enough, among the dozens of Vega Gull and Black-headed Gull was a sizable element of Mew. We quickly distinguished them from the much larger Vega. The Mew we photographed seem to have a squarer head and beadier eye than would be the case with race heinei; we therefore believe our gulls are Kamchatka Gull Larus canus kamtschatschensis.

The Red-throated Loon was in the large pond behind the Holiday Inn and Magic Parking Lot. Elaine found it doing the scan. Six days earlier, we had 3 Red-throated Loon in a pond a few kilometers north. Around 500 of our Great Cormorant were perching on the giant ring in the middle of Dishui Lake. Driving along the sea wall, we saw a Red-throated Pipit eating seeds left over from the rice harvest, and in the mud below we found three bright-yellow taivana Eastern Yellow Wagtail.

Rather than drive back to the city, Elaine and I drove straight to Changxing Island and took the ferry to Hengsha. We spent Saturday night at Héngshā Bànrìxián Mínsù (横沙半日闲民宿; +86 135-0185-1814 and +86 150-2164-5467; 120 yuan).

Sunday brought 56 species on Hengsha and Chongming. Our stay of a little more than five hours on Hengsha revealed no extraordinary birds. Eurasian Bittern were unusually visible; 3 of the 5 we noted were standing more or less in the open.

We took the ferry back to Changxing Island, and there, sitting in traffic, I happened to look out the window of our Skoda Scout and saw 3 Goldcrest. We took the Shanghai-Changjiang Bridge across the Yangtze to Chongming.

The Cinereous Vulture were a few kilometers south of the place where we had found them eight days earlier. As before, the vultures were standing on an earthen bank along the first row of fields behind the canal at the base of the sea wall. Nearby were the Hooded Crane and 21 Common Crane. The cold, grey day was enlivened by a colorful flock of 55 Grey-capped Greenfinch.

Mew Gull and Lapland Longspur became the 267th and 268th species of bird Elaine and I have noted in the Shanghai region since 11 Sept. 2015.

List 1 of 1 for Sat. 30 Jan. 2016 (50 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159). List includes birds found at Dishui Lake (30.908702, 121.945124) and along Shijitang Road from 31.000204, 121.938145 S to Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782). Cloudy; low 2° C, high 7° C. Visibility 10 km. Wind N 23 km/h. PM2.5 AQI: 78. Sunrise 06:48, sunset 17:28. SAT 30 JAN 2016 08:00-16:40. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 50
Falcated Duck Anas falcata 380
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 90
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 210
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 11
Northern Pintail A. acuta 350
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 10
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 170
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 45
Greater Scaup A. marila 8
Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula 1
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Red-throated Loon Gavia stellata 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 40
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 80
Horned Grebe P. auritus 3
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 78
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 23
Great Egret A. alba 11
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 36
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo ca. 600
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 1
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 1
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 5
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 350
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 1
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 5
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus ca. 90
Mew Gull Larus canus kamtschatschensis ca. 50
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus ca. 150
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 11
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 2
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 1
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 20
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 8
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 14
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 1
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 1
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 1
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 50
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 3 taivana
White Wagtail M. alba 16 (12 leucopsis, 4 ocularis)
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 3
Red-throated Pipit A. cervinus 1
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 57
Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans 2
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 2
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 8

List 1 of 2 for Sun. 31 Jan. 2016 (42 species). Hengsha Island (Héngshā Dǎo [横沙岛]), a small alluvial island at mouth of Yangtze River in Shanghai, China. S gate to birding area at 31.297333, 121.859434. Cloudy and windy, snow flurries in afternoon; low 0° C, high 5° C. Wind NNE 18 km/h. Visibility 10 km. PM2.5 AQI: 151. Sunrise 06:47, sunset 17:29. SUN 31 JAN 2016 07:10-12:20. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 1
Gadwall Anas strepera 590
Falcated Duck A. falcata 720
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 1
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 6
Eurasian Teal A. crecca 5
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 4
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 40
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 2
Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris 5
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 30
Great Egret Ardea alba 6
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 25
Eastern Marsh Harrier Circus spilonotus 1
Hen Harrier C. cyaneus 3
Eastern Buzzard Buteo japonicus 2
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ca. 1300
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 40 (flock)
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 6
Common Greenshank T. nebularia 2
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 55
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 3
Merlin F. columbarius 1
Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 18
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus 10
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 12
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 10
Goldcrest Regulus regulus 3 on Changxing Is.
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 8
Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus 1
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 3
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 2
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 3 (2 taivana, 1 tschutschensis)
White Wagtail M. alba 15 (11 leucopsis, 4 ocularis)
Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens japonicus 12
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 4
Rustic Bunting E. rustica 2
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 3
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 1
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 17

List 2 of 2 for Sun. 31 Jan. 2016 (31 species). Around Chongming Dongtan National Bird Sanctuary and Nature Reserve (Chóngmíng Dōngtān Niǎolèi Guójiājí Zìrán Bǎohùqū [崇明东滩鸟类国家级自然保护区]), Chongming Island, Shanghai, China (31.510109, 121.961955). Cloudy and windy, snow flurries in afternoon; low 0° C, high 5° C. Wind NNE 18 km/h. Visibility 10 km. PM2.5 AQI: 151. Sunrise 06:47, sunset 17:29. SUN 31 JAN 2016 14:10-17:00. Craig Brelsford & Elaine Du.

Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris 11 (flock)
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 1
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 15
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 3
Great Egret A. alba 1
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 10
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1
Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus 2
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 4
Common Crane Grus grus 21
Hooded Crane G. monacha 65
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 2
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 1
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 1
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 2
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Merlin F. columbarius 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 1
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 8
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 8
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 300
White Wagtail Motacilla alba 3 leucopsis
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 10
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 9
Grey-capped Greenfinch Chloris sinica 55 (flock)
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 9
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi 13
Lapland Longspur Calcarius lapponicus 6

Fri. 5 Feb. 2016 Nanhui
Mon. 8 Feb. 2016 Nanhui

Elaine Du, Kai Pflug, and I noted 64 species on a two-day “Nanhui on Foot” tour. Horned Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, and Greater Scaup maintained their presence on Dishui Lake, and on Friday we picked out a single Black-faced Spoonbill among the Eurasian Spoonbill. On Monday we noted Water/Brown-cheeked Rail, saw a flock of 240 Kentish Plover and 900 Dunlin, and enjoyed an early morning moment with four bunting species (mainly Pallas’s Reed Bunting and Little Bunting with cameos by Chestnut-eared Bunting and Black-faced Bunting). We struggled to ID our Pallas’s Reed Bunting to ssp. level. Were the mysterious lydiae mixed in?

The interval of 72 hours between Friday and Monday saw changes to the composition of birds on Dishui Lake. Counts of Falcated Duck went from 230 on Friday to 0 on Monday. Horned Grebe and Greater Scaup also fell off our Monday list. Numbers of Tufted Duck, meanwhile, increased from 22 to 140. Common Pochard saw a jump from 0 on Friday to 300 on Monday, but they were found on the pond behind the Magic Parking Lot, which we were unable to check Friday.

For maximum efficiency, we distributed duties among our trio. Elaine kept records and scanned the ponds with our Swarovski ATX-95 spotting scope. Kai handled photography, lovingly wielding his Nikon D810 and 400 mm F2.8 lens with 2x teleconverter. I served as chief ornithologist and scope-bearer. We walked 19 km each day.

From Puxi we took Metro Line 2 to Longyang Road, where we transferred to Line 16. We exited Line 16 at Dishui Lake station and took a taxi to Microforest 2 (30.926051, 121.970781), where we began birding. On Friday, we walked all the way back to the Dishui Lake station, and on Monday, we took the bus to Dishui Lake station from the stop behind the Magic Parking Lot.

Reed Parrotbill were noted both days around Microforest 2. We had Naumann’s Thrush on Friday. As was the case last year, Eastern Yellow Wagtail (tschutschensis and taivana) have been present in Shanghai in small numbers throughout the winter.

Horned Grebe has had a sustained presence on Dishui Lake for at least the past 60 days. Also known as Slavonian Grebe, Podiceps auritus is thought to be a rare winter visitor to our area, but it may be overlooked.

List 1 of 1 for Fri. 5 Feb. 2016 (49 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159). List includes birds found at Dishui Lake (30.908702, 121.945124) and along Shijitang Road. Mostly sunny, hazy; low -2° C, high 9° C. Visibility 10 km. Wind NNW 15 km/h. PM2.5 AQI: 184. Sunrise 06:44, sunset 17:33. FRI 05 FEB 2016 08:15-15:30. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Kai Pflug.

Tundra Bean Goose Anser serrirostris 1
Falcated Duck Anas falcata 230
Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope 185
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 36
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 20
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 22
Greater Scaup A. marila 2
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 4
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 40
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 35
Horned Grebe P. auritus 3
Black-necked Grebe P. nigricollis 2
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 143
Black-faced Spoonbill P. minor 1
Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris 1
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 5
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 70
Great Egret A. alba 40
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 90
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo ca. 600
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 320
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 29
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 18
Dunlin Calidris alpina 60 (flock)
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 1
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 15
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 8
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 5
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 8
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus ca. 50
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 9
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 2
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata 2
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 30
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 9
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 6
Naumann’s Thrush T. naumanni 1
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 5
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 100
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 10 (8 taivana, 2 tschutschensis)
White Wagtail M. alba 16 (14 leucopsis, 2 lugens/ocularis)
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 15
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 30
Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla 2
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 4
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi ca. 60

List 1 of 1 for Mon. 8 Feb. 2016 (56 species). Around Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]), Shanghai, China (30.920507, 121.973159). List includes birds found at Dishui Lake (30.908702, 121.945124) and along Shijitang Road from Microforest 2 to Magic Parking Lot (30.882784, 121.972782). Sunny; low 2° C, high 14° C. Visibility 10 km. Wind NNW 15 km/h. PM2.5 AQI: 171. Sunrise 06:41, sunset 17:36. MON 08 FEB 2016 08:00-16:00. Craig Brelsford, Elaine Du, & Kai Pflug.

goose sp. 2
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope 45
Mallard A. platyrhynchos 1
Eastern Spot-billed Duck A. zonorhyncha 130
Northern Shoveler A. clypeata 2
Common Pochard Aythya ferina 300
Tufted Duck A. fuligula 140
Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 3
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 25
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 60
Black-necked Grebe P. nigricollis 2
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 148
Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris 2
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 30
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 40
Great Egret A. alba 35
Little Egret Egretta garzetta 25
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo ca. 550
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1
Pied Harrier C. melanoleucos 1
Brown-cheeked/Water Rail Rallus indicus/R. aquaticus 4
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 450
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 240
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 13
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 34
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1
Dunlin Calidris alpina ca. 900 (flock)
Vega Gull Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus 26
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove) Columba livia 3
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis 1
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach 12
Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 2
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz consobrinus 10
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 3
Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis 3
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 1
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana 45
Reed Parrotbill Paradoxornis heudei 6
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus 3
Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus 3
Dusky Thrush T. eunomus 1
Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus 2
Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus 3
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus ca. 50
Eastern Yellow Wagtail Motacilla tschutschensis 5 (4 taivana, 1 tschutschensis)
White Wagtail M. alba 22 (20 leucopsis, 2 lugens/ocularis)
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi 3
Buff-bellied Pipit A. rubescens japonicus 26
Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata 2
Little Bunting E. pusilla 27
Yellow-throated Bunting E. elegans 1
Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala 2
Pallas’s Reed Bunting E. pallasi ca. 60

Systematic List of Species of Bird Noted Around Shanghai, China, Autumn-Winter 2015-16

Anseriformes: Anatidae

Tundra Bean Goose
短嘴豆雁 (duǎnzuǐ dòuyàn)
Anser serrirostris

400 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
11 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05

Taiga Bean Goose or Tundra Bean Goose
豆雁 (dòuyàn) / 短嘴豆雁 (duǎnzuǐ dòuyàn)
Anser fabalis or A. serrirostris

12 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
18 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08

Greylag Goose
灰雁 (huīyàn)
Anser anser

1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30

Greater White-fronted Goose
白额雁 (bái é’yàn)
Anser albifrons

10 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09

Mute Swan
疣鼻天鹅 (yóubí tiān’é)
Cygnus olor

1 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
1 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10

Tundra Swan
小天鹅, xiǎo tiān’é
Cygnus columbianus bewickii

170 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
4 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09

Common Shelduck
翘鼻麻鸭 (qiàobí máyā)
Tadorna tadorna

1 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
7 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
20 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
600 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
200 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
368 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
50 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
1 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31

Ruddy Shelduck
赤麻鸭 (chì máyā)
Tadorna ferruginea

5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
3 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05

Mandarin Duck
鸳鸯 (yuānyāng)
Aix galericulata

6 at Nanhui on 2015-11-29
40 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30

Gadwall
赤膀鸭 (chìbǎng yā)
Anas strepera

5 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
ca. 2625 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
30 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
50 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
9 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
590 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31

Falcated Duck
罗纹鸭 (luówén yā)
Anas falcata

25 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
350 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
ca. 3200 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
ca. 2000 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
240 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
450 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
330 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
16 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
350 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
60 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
380 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
720 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
230 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05

Eurasian Wigeon
赤颈鸭 (chìjǐng yā)
Anas penelope

7 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
3 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
30 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
13 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
20 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
40 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
50 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
15 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
110 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
50 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
30 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
20 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
90 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
1 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
185 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
45 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Mallard
绿头鸭 (lǜtóu yā)
Anas platyrhynchos

21 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
40 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
120 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
20 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
154 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
5 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
40 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
100 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
8 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
305 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
4 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Eastern Spot-billed Duck
斑嘴鸭 (bānzuǐyā)
Anas zonorhyncha

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
15 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
ca. 270 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
14 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
ca. 1000 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
ca. 500 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
15 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
ca. 1000 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
ca. 500 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
14 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
45 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
ca. 50 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
ca. 400 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
11 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
30 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
45 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
210 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
6 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
36 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
130 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Northern Shoveler
琵嘴鸭 (pízuǐ yā)
Anas clypeata

3 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
15 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
20 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
50 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
8 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
20 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
11 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
20 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Northern Pintail
针尾鸭 (zhēnwěi yā)
Anas acuta

30 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
60 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
20 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
2 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
17 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
350 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30

Eurasian Teal
绿翅鸭 (lǜchì yā)
Anas crecca

55 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
ca. 300 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
70 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
30 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
6 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
14 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
30 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
20 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
70 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
70 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
20 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
10 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
5 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31

Common Pochard
红头潜鸭 (hóngtóu qiányā)
Aythya ferina

ca. 300 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
50 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
200 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
30 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
30 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
10 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
60 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
300 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
150 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
200 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
32 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
170 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
4 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
300 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Tufted Duck
凤头潜鸭 (fèngtóu qiányā)
Aythya fuligula

20 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
60 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
4 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
4 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
170 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
120 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
440 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
2 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
15 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
4 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
64 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
20 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
45 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
22 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
140 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Greater Scaup
斑背潜鸭 (bānbèi qiányā)
Aythya marila

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
10 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
9 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
10 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
14 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
8 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
8 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05

Common Goldeneye
鹊鸭 (què yā)
Bucephala clangula

1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30

Smew
白秋沙鸭 (bái qiūshāyā)
Mergellus albellus

16 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
3 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10

Common Merganser
普通秋沙鸭 (pǔtōng qiūshāyā)
Mergus merganser

3 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
2 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
1250 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
26 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10

Red-breasted Merganser
红胸秋沙鸭 (hóngxiōng qiūshāyā)
Mergus serrator

1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
6 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
5 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10

Galliformes: Phasianidae

Japanese Quail
日本鹌鹑 (rìběn ānchún)
Coturnix japonica

7 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12

Chinese Bamboo Partridge
灰胸竹鸡 (huīxiōng zhújī)
Bambusicola thoracicus

4 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
4 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22

Koklass Pheasant
勺鸡 (sháojī)
Pucrasia macrolopha

4 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Common Pheasant
雉鸡 (zhìjī)
Phasianus colchicus

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
2 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
8 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
5 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
8 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
3 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
18 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
4 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
3 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Gaviiformes: Gaviidae

Red-throated Loon
红喉潜鸟 (hónghóu qiánniǎo)
Gavia stellata

3 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30

Podicipediformes: Podicipedidae

Little Grebe
小䴙䴘 (xiǎo pìtī)
Tachybaptus ruficollis

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
7 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
12 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
7 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
10 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
3 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
27 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
45 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
6 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
3 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
3 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
10 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
30 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
8 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
7 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
50 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
4 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
6 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
11 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
13 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
65 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
13 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
30 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
220 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
40 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
40 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
15 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
8 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
20 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
50 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
20 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
72 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
14 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
4 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
80 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
40 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
40 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
15 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
40 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
25 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Great Crested Grebe
凤头䴙䴘 (fèngtóu pìtī)
Podiceps cristatus

2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
7 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
25 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
20 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
ca. 50 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
70 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
30 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
80 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
20 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
20 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
13 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
2 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
30 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
55 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
80 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
2 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
35 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
60 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Horned Grebe
角䴙䴘 (jiǎo pìtī)
Podiceps auritus

3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
3 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
3 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05

Black-necked Grebe
黑颈䴙䴘 (hēijǐng pìtī)
Podiceps nigricollis

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
15 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
2 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
13 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
1 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
4 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Ciconiiformes: Ciconiidae

Oriental Stork
东方白鹳 (dōngfāng báiguàn)
Ciconia boyciana

2 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09

Pelecaniformes: Threskiornithidae

Eurasian Spoonbill
白琵鹭 (bái pílù)
Platalea leucorodia

2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
9 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
2 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
41 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
5 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
90 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
70 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
10 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
90 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
60 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
78 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
143 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
148 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Black-faced Spoonbill
黑脸琵鹭 (hēiliǎn pílù)
Platalea minor

5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
62 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
12 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
7 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
17 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05

Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae

Eurasian Bittern
大麻鳽 (dà máyán)
Botaurus stellaris

2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
5 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
10 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
1 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
5 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Black-crowned Night Heron
夜鹭 (yè lù)
Nycticorax nycticorax

4 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
3 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
1 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
3 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
4 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
4 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
3 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
3 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
4 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
15 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
1 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
4 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
2 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
8 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
4 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
60 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
4 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
10 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
5 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
30 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Striated Heron
绿鹭 (lǜ lù)
Butorides striata

4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29

Chinese Pond Heron
池鹭 (chílù)
Ardeola bacchus

2 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
3 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
2 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10

Eastern Cattle Egret
牛背鹭 (niúbèi lù)
Bubulcus coromandus

ca. 90 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
ca. 50 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
12 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
3 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
3 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
8 on Chongming on 2015-11-01

Grey Heron
苍鹭 (cāng lù)
Ardea cinerea

21 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
10 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
17 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
6 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
20 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
8 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
10 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
30 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
30 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
11 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
ca. 200 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
6 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
30 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
60 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
75 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
5 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
2 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
40 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
70 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
30 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
40 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
30 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
30 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
20 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
27 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
15 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
15 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
3 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
80 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
23 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
30 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
3 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
70 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
40 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Purple Heron
草鹭 (cǎo lù)
Ardea purpurea

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25

Great Egret
大白鹭 (dàbáilù)
Ardea alba

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
13 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
10 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
4 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
13 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
12 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
17 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
9 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
60 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
8 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
16 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
10 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
1 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
50 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
2 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
3 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
11 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
6 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
40 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
35 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Intermediate Egret
中白鹭 (zhōng báilù)
Ardea intermedia

5 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
15 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
8 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
3 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
2 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
2 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
3 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
50 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
10 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24

Little Egret
白鹭 (báilù)
Egretta garzetta

30 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
ca. 100 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
20 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
ca. 50 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
20 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
18 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
20 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
1 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
12 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
9 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
ca. 50 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
30 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
1 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
ca. 100 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
14 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
4 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
ca. 200 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
30 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
4 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
175 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
6 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
2 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
22 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
30 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
65 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
30 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
20 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
ca. 100 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
5 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
120 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
50 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
20 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
4 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
25 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
10 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
12 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
36 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
25 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
10 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
90 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
25 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Pelecaniformes: Pelecanidae

Dalmatian Pelican
卷羽鹈鹕 (juǎnyǔ tíhú)
Pelecanus crispus

2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
80 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14

Suliformes: Phalacrocoracidae

Great Cormorant
普通鸬鹚 (pǔtōng lúcí)
Phalacrocorax carbo

12 (flock) on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
31 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
4 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
2 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
30 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
30 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
22 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
15 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
217 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
10 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
42 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
ca. 300 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
ca. 600 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
ca. 600 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
ca. 550 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Accipitriformes: Pandionidae

Western Osprey
鹗 (è)
Pandion haliaetus

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
3 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
2 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Accipitriformes: Accipitridae

Black-winged Kite
黑翅鸢 (hēichì yuān)
Elanus caeruleus

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
2 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09

Cinereous Vulture
秃鹫 (tūjiù)
Aegypius monachus

2 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
2 on Chongming on 2016-01-31

Chinese Sparrowhawk
赤腹鹰 (chìfù yīng)
Accipiter soloensis

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11

Japanese Sparrowhawk
日本松雀鹰 (rìběn sōngquèyīng)
Accipiter gularis

2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
2 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12

Eurasian Sparrowhawk
雀鹰 (quèyīng)
Accipiter nisus

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
1 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13

Northern Goshawk
苍鹰 (cāngyīng)
Accipiter gentilis

1 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20

Eastern Marsh Harrier
白腹鹞 (báifù yào)
Circus spilonotus

3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
3 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
5 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
1 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31

Hen Harrier
白尾鹞 (báiwěi yào)
Circus cyaneus

2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
1 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
3 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Pied Harrier
鹊鹞 (què yào)
Circus melanoleucos

1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Black Kite
黑鸢 (hēi yuān)
Milvus migrans lineatus

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
2 (pair) on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
2 (pair) on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
1 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30

Eastern Buzzard
普通鵟 (pǔtōng kuáng)
Buteo japonicus

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
2 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
4 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
2 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31

Gruiformes: Rallidae

Brown-cheeked Rail
普通秧鸡 (pǔtōng yāngjī)
Rallus indicus

1 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16

Brown-cheeked Rail/Water Rail
Rallus indicus/R. aquaticus

1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
4 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

White-breasted Waterhen
白胸苦恶鸟 (báixiōng kǔ’ě’niǎo)
Amaurornis phoenicurus

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
2 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
2 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30

Common Moorhen
黑水鸡 (hēi shuǐjī)
Gallinula chloropus

2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
2 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
6 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
20 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
2 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
5 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
30 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
20 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
1 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
5 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
10 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
3 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
5 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
2 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Eurasian Coot
骨顶鸡 (gǔdǐng jī)
Fulica atra

8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
ca. 280 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
20 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
ca. 100 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
ca. 100 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
ca. 3000 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
ca. 2500 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
220 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
ca. 200 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
250 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
150 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
50 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
200 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
150 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
420 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
ca. 300 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
350 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
ca. 1300 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
4 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
320 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
450 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Gruiformes: Gruidae

Red-crowned Crane
丹顶鹤 (dāndǐng hè)
Grus japonensis

9 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09

Common Crane
灰鹤 (huī hè)
Grus grus

4 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
250 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
21 on Chongming on 2016-01-31

Hooded Crane
白头鹤 (báitóu hè)
Grus monacha

13 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
23 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
10 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
65 on Chongming on 2016-01-31

Charadriiformes: Haematopodidae

Eurasian Oystercatcher
蛎鹬 (lìyù)
Haematopus ostralegus

12 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
6 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
120 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
ca. 300 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
150 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14

Charadriiformes: Recurvirostridae

Black-winged Stilt
黑翅长脚鹬 (hēichì chángjiǎoyù)
Himantopus himantopus

2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
4 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
2 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09

Pied Avocet
反嘴鹬 (fǎnzuǐ yù)
Recurvirostra avosetta

7 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
12 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
80 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
300 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
320 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
200 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
ca. 200 on Chongming on 2016-01-23

Charadriiformes: Charadriidae

Northern Lapwing
凤头麦鸡 (fèngtóu màijī)
Vanellus vanellus

9 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
3 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
13 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
30 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
30 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
6 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
3 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
40 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31

Grey-headed Lapwing
灰头麦鸡 (huītóu màijī)
Vanellus cinereus

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17

Grey Plover
灰斑鸻 (huībān héng)
Pluvialis squatarola

ca. 80 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
ca. 100 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
ca. 600 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
ca. 500 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
ca. 2000 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
8 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
610 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
340 on Chongming on 2016-01-23

Little Ringed Plover
金眶鸻 (jīnkuàng héng)
Charadrius dubius

2 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
10 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
10 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25

Kentish Plover
环颈鸻 (huánjǐng héng)
Charadrius alexandrinus

10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
40 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
ca. 100 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
20 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
ca. 500 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
ca. 100 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
30 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
30 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
ca. 300 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
800 (flock) at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
20 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
470 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
11 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
13 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
15 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
240 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Lesser Sand Plover
蒙古沙鸻 (měnggǔ shāhéng)
Charadrius mongolus

ca. 50 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
20 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Greater Sand Plover or Lesser Sand Plover
铁嘴沙鸻 (tiězuǐ shāhéng) / 蒙古沙鸻 (měnggǔ shāhéng)
Charadrius leschenaultii or C. mongolus

ca. 150 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17

Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae

Eurasian Woodcock
丘鹬 (qiū yù)
Scolopax rusticola

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26

Jack Snipe
姬鹬 (jī yù)
Lymnocryptes minimus

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05

Pin-tailed Snipe or Swinhoe’s Snipe
针尾沙锥 (zhēnwěi shāzhuī) / 大沙锥 (dà shāzhuī)
Gallinago stenura or G. megala

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Common Snipe
扇尾沙锥 (shānwěi shāzhuī)
Gallinago gallinago

2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
12 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
30 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
7 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
3 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
5 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
10 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
13 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
2 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
21 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
17 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
2 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
7 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
2 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
29 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
13 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

? Snipe
?沙锥 (? shāzhuī)
Gallinago ?

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16

Long-billed Dowitcher
长嘴鹬 (chángzuǐ yù)
Limnodromus scolopaceus

1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19

Black-tailed Godwit
黑尾塍鹬 (hēiwěi chéngyù)
Limosa limosa

2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
21 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29

Bar-tailed Godwit
斑尾塍鹬 (bānwěi chéngyù)
Limosa lapponica

15 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14

Whimbrel
中杓鹬 (zhōng sháoyù)
Numenius phaeopus

30 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
30 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
20 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Eurasian Curlew
白腰杓鹬 (báiyāo sháoyù)
Numenius arquata

10 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
150 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
3 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
ca. 600 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
ca. 1500 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
ca. 1200 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
2 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
10 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
57 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
445 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
5 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30

Far Eastern Curlew
大杓鹬 (dà sháoyù)
Numenius madagascariensis

3 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
8 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29

Spotted Redshank
鹤鹬 (hè yù)
Tringa erythropus

20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
3 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
20 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
3 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
35 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
2 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
6 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31

Common Redshank
红脚鹬 (hóngjiǎo yù)
Tringa totanus

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05

Marsh Sandpiper
泽鹬 (zé yù)
Tringa stagnatilis

10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
30 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
3 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
10 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
30 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
30 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
10 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08

Common Greenshank
青脚鹬 (qīngjiǎo yù)
Tringa nebularia

20 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
ca. 50 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
ca. 50 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
5 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
3 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
10 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
ca. 50 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
60 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
30 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
7 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
6 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
18 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
15 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
5 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
15 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
3 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
6 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
10 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
2 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
3 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
2 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
18 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
34 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Nordmann’s Greenshank
小青脚鹬 (xiǎo qīngjiǎoyù)
Tringa guttifer

290 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
718 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Green Sandpiper
白腰草鹬 (báiyāo cǎoyù)
Tringa ochropus

1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
4 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
4 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24

Wood Sandpiper
林鹬 (lín yù)
Tringa glareola

1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
3 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24

Grey-tailed Tattler
灰尾漂鹬 (huīwěi piāoyù)
Tringa brevipes

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19

Terek Sandpiper
翘嘴鹬 (qiáozuǐ yù)
Xenus cinereus

20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
ca. 50 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
50 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Common Sandpiper
矶鹬 (jī yù)
Actitis hypoleucos

7 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
2 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
4 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
2 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Ruddy Turnstone
翻石鹬 (fānshí yù)
Arenaria interpres

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25

Great Knot
大滨鹬 (dà bīnyù)
Calidris tenuirostris

17 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
20 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
12 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Red Knot
红腹滨鹬 (hóngfù bīnyù)
Calidris canutus

18 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17

Sanderling
三趾滨鹬 (sānzhǐ bīnyù)
Calidris alba

10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
15 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
20 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25

Red-necked Stint
红颈滨鹬 (hóngjǐng bīnyù)
Calidris ruficollis

30 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
ca. 100 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
ca. 1500 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
30 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
50 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
30 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
ca. 1000 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25

Temminck’s Stint
青脚滨鹬 (qīngjiǎo bīnyù)
Calidris temminckii

2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25

Long-toed Stint
长趾滨鹬 (chángzhǐ bīnyù)
Calidris subminuta

6 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
3 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
4 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
尖尾滨鹬 (jiānwěi bīnyù)
Calidris acuminata

7 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12

Dunlin
黑腹滨鹬 (hēifù bīnyù)
Calidris alpina

ca. 200 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
ca. 50 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
ca. 800 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
30 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
7 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
ca. 50 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
ca. 200 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
ca. 800 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
25 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
10 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
40 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
53 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
ca. 300 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
60 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
ca. 900 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Spoon-billed Sandpiper
勺嘴鹬 (sháozuǐ yù)
Calidris pygmea

3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27

Broad-billed Sandpiper
阔嘴鹬 (kuòzuǐ yù)
Limicola falcinellus

30 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13

Charadriiformes: Glareolidae

Oriental Pratincole
普通燕鸻 (pǔtōng yànhéng)
Glareola maldivarum

4 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
ca. 200 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
45 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27

Charadriiformes: Laridae

Black-headed Gull
红嘴鸥 (hóngzuǐ ōu)
Chroicocephalus ridibundus

2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
15 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
20 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
40 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
30 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
25 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
60 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05

Saunders’s Gull
黑嘴鸥 (hēizuǐ ōu)
Chroicocephalus saundersi

ca. 150 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
ca. 150 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
120 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
ca. 400 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
ca. 250 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
80 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09

Black-tailed Gull
黑尾鸥 (hēiwěi ōu)
Larus crassirostris

2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
8 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
4 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
2 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
9 on Chongming on 2016-01-23

Mew Gull
海鸥 (hǎi ōu)
Larus canus kamtschatschensis

ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30

Vega Gull
西伯利亚银鸥 (xībólìyà yín’ōu)
Larus vegae vegae or L. v. mongolicus

10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
4 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
17 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
4 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
18 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
12 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
5 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
16 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
20 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
4 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
10 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
50 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
55 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
15 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
26 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Lesser Black-backed Gull
乌灰银鸥 (wūhuī yín’ōu)
Larus fuscus heuglini

3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
2 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
1 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
2 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10

Gull-billed Tern
鸥嘴噪鸥 (ōuzuǐ zào’ōu)
Gelochelidon nilotica

10 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
40 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
ca. 80 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
40 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
ca. 50 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
8 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
23 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
ca. 50 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29

Caspian Tern
红嘴巨鸥 (hóngzuǐ jù’ōu)
Hydroprogne caspia

4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
15 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14

Little Tern
白额燕鸥 (bái’é yàn’ōu)
Sternula albifrons

4 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19

Whiskered Tern
须浮鸥 (xū fú’ōu)
Chlidonias hybrida

10 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24

White-winged Tern
白翅浮鸥 (báichì fú’ōu)
Chlidonias leucopterus

ca. 800 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
10 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
ca. 70 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
5 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29

Columbiformes: Columbidae

Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove)
原鸽 (yuángē)
Columba livia

3 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
3 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
8 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
10 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
1 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
8 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
3 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Oriental Turtle Dove
山斑鸠 (shān bānjiū)
Streptopelia orientalis

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
25 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
3 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
2 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
8 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
4 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
7 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-31

Red Turtle Dove
火斑鸠 (huǒ bānjiū)
Streptopelia tranquebarica

2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29

Spotted Dove
珠颈斑鸠 (zhūjǐng bānjiū)
Spilopelia chinensis

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
20 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
15 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
10 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
30 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
7 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
20 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
5 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
ca. 75 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
10 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
30 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
10 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
10 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
5 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
4 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
3 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
6 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
3 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
20 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
10 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
3 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
2 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
8 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
4 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
6 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
2 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
5 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

White-bellied Green Pigeon
红翅绿鸠 (hóngchì lǜjiū)
Treron sieboldii

1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26

Cuculiformes: Cuculidae

Lesser Coucal
小鸦鹃 (xiǎo yājuān)
Centropus bengalensis

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28

Rufous Hawk-Cuckoo
北鹰鹃 (běi yīngjuān)
Hierococcyx hyperythrus

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

? Cuckoo
?杜鹃 (? dùjuān)
Cuculus ?

3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
6 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
8 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29

Strigiformes: Strigidae

Japanese Scops Owl
领角鸮 (lǐng jiǎoxiāo)
Otus semitorques

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31

Oriental Scops Owl
红角鸮 (hóng jiǎoxiāo)
Otus sunia

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17

Collared Owlet
领鸺鹠 (lǐng xiūliú)
Glaucidium brodiei

1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Northern Boobook
鹰鸮 (yīngxiāo)
Ninox japonica

1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24

Long-eared Owl
长耳鸮 (cháng’ěr xiāo)
Asio otus

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31

Caprimulgiformes: Caprimulgidae

Grey Nightjar
普通夜鹰 (pǔtōng yèyīng)
Caprimulgus jotaka

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17

Apodiformes: Apodidae

Himalayan Swiftlet
短嘴金丝燕 (duǎnzuǐ jīnsīyàn)
Aerodramus brevirostris

2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18

Coraciiformes: Coraciidae

Oriental Dollarbird
三宝鸟 (sānbǎo niǎo)
Eurystomus orientalis

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26

Coraciiformes: Alcedinidae

Common Kingfisher
普通翠鸟 (pǔtōng cuìniǎo)
Alcedo atthis

2 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
6 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
12 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
1 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
5 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
4 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
1 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
2 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24

Bucerotiformes: Upupidae

Eurasian Hoopoe
戴胜 (dàishèng)
Upupa epops

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
6 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
4 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
4 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
6 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
5 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05

Piciformes: Picidae

Eurasian Wryneck
蚁䴕 (yǐ liè)
Jynx torquilla

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker
星头啄木鸟 (xīngtóuzhuómùniǎo)
Dendrocopos canicapillus

2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Great Spotted Woodpecker
大斑啄木鸟 (dà bānzhuómùniǎo)
Dendrocopos major

1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
1 at Century Park on 2015-12-13

Grey-headed Woodpecker
灰头啄木鸟 (huītóu zhuómùniǎo)
Picus canus

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Falconiformes: Falconidae

Common Kestrel
红隼 (hóng sǔn)
Falco tinnunculus

7 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
4 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
9 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
4 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
1 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
2 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
3 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
2 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
3 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Amur Falcon
红脚隼 (hóngjiǎo sǔn)
Falco amurensis

2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17

Merlin
灰背隼 (huībèi sǔn)
Falco columbarius

1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
1 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-31

Eurasian Hobby
燕隼 (yàn sǔn)
Falco subbuteo

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29

Peregrine Falcon
游隼 (yóusǔn)
Falco peregrinus

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
1 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
1 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31

Passeriformes: Campephagidae

Black-winged Cuckooshrike
暗灰鹃䴗 (ànhuī juānjú)
Coracina melaschistos

1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 near Sānmíncūn on 2015-09-18
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26

Ashy Minivet
灰山椒鸟 (huī shānjiāoniǎo)
Pericrocotus divaricatus

2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17

Grey-chinned Minivet
灰喉山椒鸟 (huīhóu shānjiāoniǎo)
Pericrocotus solaris

2 (pair) at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22

Passeriformes: Laniidae

Bull-headed Shrike
牛头伯劳 (niútóu bóláo)
Lanius bucephalus

1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13

Brown Shrike
红尾伯劳 (hóngwěi bóláo)
Lanius cristatus

10 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
10 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
7 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
12 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
6 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
10 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24

Long-tailed Shrike
棕背伯劳 (zōngbèi bóláo)
Lanius schach

7 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
7 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
8 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
12 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
8 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
15 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
10 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
10 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
2 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
6 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
20 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
2 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
15 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
3 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
4 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
12 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
2 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
6 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
5 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
8 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
5 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
15 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
17 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
6 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
25 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
30 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
15 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
10 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
4 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
8 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
8 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
3 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
12 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
10 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
11 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
18 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
8 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
12 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Chinese Grey Shrike
楔尾伯劳 (xiēwěi bóláo)
Lanius sphenocercus sphenocercus

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05

Passeriformes: Oriolidae

Black-naped Oriole
黑枕黄鹂 (hēizhěn huánglí)
Oriolus chinensis

2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27

Passeriformes: Dicruridae

Black Drongo
黑卷尾 (hēi juǎnwěi)
Dicrurus macrocercus

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
3 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
15 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
15 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29

Ashy Drongo
灰卷尾 (huī juǎnwěi)
Dicrurus leucophaeus

1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27

Hair-crested Drongo
发冠卷尾 (fàguān juǎnwěi)
Dicrurus hottentottus

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30

Passeriformes: Monarchidae

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher
紫寿带 (zǐ shòudài)
Terpsiphone atrocaudata

5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13

Passeriformes: Corvidae

Eurasian Jay
松鸦 (sōngyā)
Garrulus glandarius

5 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Azure-winged Magpie
灰喜鹊 (huī xǐquè)
Cyanopica cyanus

ca. 50 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
20 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
ca. 50 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
ca. 50 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
10 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
8 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
ca. 50 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
10 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09

Red-billed Blue Magpie
红嘴蓝鹊 (hóngzuǐ lánquè)
Urocissa erythroryncha

2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
5 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22

Grey Treepie
灰树鹊 (huī shùquè)
Dendrocitta formosae

2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
9 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22

Eurasian Magpie
喜鹊 (xǐquè)
Pica pica

5 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
6 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
10 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
10 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
7 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
20 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
20 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
30 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
15 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
10 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
5 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
8 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Rook
秃鼻乌鸦 (tūbí wūyā)
Corvus frugilegus

1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11

Large-billed Crow
大嘴乌鸦 (dàzuǐ wūyā)
Corvus macrorhynchos

5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26

Passeriformes: Paridae

Yellow-bellied Tit
黄腹山雀 (huángfù shānquè)
Pardaliparus venustulus

5 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
8 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
15 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
10 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
20 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26

Japanese Tit
远东山雀 (yuǎndōng shānquè)
Parus minor

8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
4 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
4 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
4 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
8 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
5 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
11 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
4 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
2 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
4 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
2 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
7 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
6 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
6 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
2 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
1 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09

Passeriformes: Remizidae

Chinese Penduline Tit
中华攀雀 (zhōnghuá pānquè)
Remiz consobrinus

ca. 75 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
ca. 50 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
ca. 50 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
15 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
ca. 50 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
ca. 50 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
10 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
10 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Passeriformes: Alaudidae

Eurasian Skylark
云雀 (yúnquè)
Alauda arvensis

ca. 50 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
11 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
15 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
8 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
25 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
12 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
8 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
9 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
3 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Eurasian Skylark or Oriental Skylark
云雀 (yúnquè) / 小云雀 (xiǎo yúnquè)
Alauda arvensis or A. gulgula

1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24

Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae

Collared Finchbill
领雀嘴鹎 (lǐng quèzuǐbēi)
Spizixos semitorques

15 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
10 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
3 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22

Light-vented Bulbul
白头鹎 (báitóu bēi)
Pycnonotus sinensis

10 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
10 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
5 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
10 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
30 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
15 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
10 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
30 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
15 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
35 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
30 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
15 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
25 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
30 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
10 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
30 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
20 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
30 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
10 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
ca. 200 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
ca. 300 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
35 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
10 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
20 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
40 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
5 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
5 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
20 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
15 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
10 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
10 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
30 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
15 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
10 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
3 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
10 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
3 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Brown-eared Bulbul
栗耳短脚鹎 (lì’ěr duǎnjiǎobēi)
Hypsipetes amaurotis amaurotis

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26

Passeriformes: Hirundinidae

Sand Martin
崖沙燕 (yáshāyàn)
Riparia riparia

1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06

Barn Swallow
家燕 (jiā yàn)
Hirundo rustica

20 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
ca. 100 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
ca. 200 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
ca. 100 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
ca. 200 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
ca. 25 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
ca. 50 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
40 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
ca. 50 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
ca. 200 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
ca. 100 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
ca. 80 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
15 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
20 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
8 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
ca. 100 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
ca. 70 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12

Asian House Martin
烟腹毛脚燕 (yānfù máojiǎoyàn)
Delichon dasypus

15 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25

Red-rumped Swallow
金腰燕 (jīnyāo yàn)
Cecropis daurica

2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25

Passeriformes: Cettiidae

Rufous-faced Warbler
棕脸鹟莺 (zōngliǎn wēngyīng)
Abroscopus albogularis

10 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
6 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Japanese Bush Warbler or Manchurian Bush Warbler
日本树莺 (rìběn shùyīng) / 远东树莺 (yuǎndōng shùyīng)
Horornis diphone canturians or H. borealis borealis

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08

Brown-flanked Bush Warbler
强脚树莺 (qiángjiǎo shùyīng)
Horornis fortipes

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
4 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
6 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06

Asian Stubtail
鳞头树莺 (líntóu shùyīng)
Urosphena squameiceps

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
13 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29

Passeriformes: Aegithalidae

Black-throated Bushtit
红头长尾山雀 (hóngtóu chángwěishānquè)
Aegithalos concinnus

12 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
15 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
30 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
6 at Zhongshan Park on 2015-11-18
30 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
30 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
30 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22

Passeriformes: Phylloscopidae

Dusky Warbler
褐柳莺 (hè liǔyīng)
Phylloscopus fuscatus

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
3 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30

Pallas’s Leaf Warbler
黄腰柳莺 (huángyāoliǔyīng)
Phylloscopus proregulus

6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
15 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
4 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
4 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
11 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
6 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
4 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
8 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
4 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
2 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16

Yellow-browed Warbler
黄眉柳莺 (huángméi liǔyīng)
Phylloscopus inornatus

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
2 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
1 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
3 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
6 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
5 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
11 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
6 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
5 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26

Arctic-type leaf warbler (Arctic Warbler Complex)

a. Arctic Warbler (极北柳莺 [jíběi liǔyīng])
Phylloscopus borealis borealis & P. b. kennicotti

b. Kamchatka Leaf Warbler (堪察加柳莺 [kānchájiā liǔyīng])
P. examinandus

c. Japanese Leaf Warbler (日本柳莺 [rìběn liǔyīng])
P. xanthodryas

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
3 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
1 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler or Sakhalin Leaf Warbler
灰脚柳莺 (huījiǎo liǔyīng) / 库页岛柳莺 (kùyèdǎo liǔyīng)
Phylloscopus tenellipes or P. borealoides

11 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
4 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
9 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
1 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27

Eastern Crowned Warbler
冕柳莺 (miǎn liǔyīng)
Phylloscopus coronatus

21 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
13 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
2 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26

Passeriformes: Acrocephalidae

Oriental Reed Warbler
东方大苇莺 (dōngfāng dàwěiyīng)
Acrocephalus orientalis

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-17

Black-browed Reed Warbler
黑眉苇莺 (hēiméi wěiyīng)
Acrocephalus bistrigiceps

2 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
2 at Century Park on 2015-10-30

Passeriformes: Cisticolidae

Zitting Cisticola
棕扇尾莺 (zōng shànwěiyīng)
Cisticola juncidis

2 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
1 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
4 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Plain Prinia
褐头鹪莺 (hètóu jiāoyīng)
Prinia inornata

4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
3 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
3 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
20 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
6 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
6 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
3 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
4 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
9 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05

Passeriformes: Timaliidae

Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler
棕颈钩嘴鹛 (zōngjǐng gōuzuǐméi)
Pomatorhinus ruficollis

4 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
6 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Rufous-capped Babbler
红头穗鹛 (hóngtóu suìméi)
Stachyridopsis ruficeps

4 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Passeriformes: Pellorneidae

Huet’s Fulvetta
黑眉雀鹛 (hēiméi quèméi)
Alcippe hueti

3 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae

Chinese Hwamei
画眉 (huàméi)
Garrulax canorus

15 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
1 at Century Park on 2015-12-13

Red-billed Leiothrix
红嘴相思鸟 (hóngzuǐ xiāngsīniǎo)
Leiothrix lutea

1 at Zhongshan Park on 2015-12-04

Passeriformes: Sylviidae

Vinous-throated Parrotbill
棕头鸦雀 (zōngtóu yāquè)
Sinosuthora webbiana

20 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
15 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
7 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
5 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
45 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
40 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
ca. 60 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
40 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
20 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
30 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
25 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
10 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
70 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
60 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
30 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
20 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
15 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
20 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
ca. 60 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
20 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
25 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
10 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
30 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
20 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
20 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
20 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
30 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
45 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Grey-headed Parrotbill
灰头鸦雀 (huītóu yāquè)
Psittiparus gularis

50 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Reed Parrotbill
震旦鸦雀 (zhèndàn yāquè)
Paradoxornis heudei

15 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
5 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
3 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
7 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
4 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
5 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
30 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
8 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
5 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
9 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
6 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Passeriformes: Zosteropidae

Indochinese Yuhina
栗耳凤鹛 (lì’ěrfèngméi)
Yuhina torqueola

2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20

Japanese White-eye
暗绿绣眼鸟 (ànlǜ xiùyǎnniǎo)
Zosterops japonicus

3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
8 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
10 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12

Zosterops sp.

50 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
24 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12

Passeriformes: Regulidae

Goldcrest
戴菊 (dàijú)
Regulus regulus

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
6 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
2 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
3 on Changxing Is. on 2016-01-31

Passeriformes: Sturnidae

Crested Myna
八哥 (bāgē)
Acridotheres cristatellus

1 on Donghai Bridge on 2015-09-11
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
10 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
20 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
6 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
5 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
4 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
8 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
7 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
25 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
20 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
1 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
3 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
5 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
15 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
30 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
20 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
10 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
5 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
15 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
6 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
8 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
8 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
3 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Red-billed Starling
丝光椋鸟 (sīguāng liángniǎo)
Spodiopsar sericeus

7 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
4 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
20 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
3 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
30 at Century Park on 2015-12-13

White-cheeked Starling
灰椋鸟 (huī liángniǎo)
Spodiopsar cineraceus

15 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
4 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
ca. 80 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
6 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
4 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
10 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
12 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
15 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
120 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
12 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16

Chestnut-cheeked Starling
紫背椋鸟 (zǐbèi liángniǎo)
Agropsar philippensis

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19

Common Starling
紫翅椋鸟 (zǐchì liángniǎo)
Sturnus vulgaris

2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25

Passeriformes: Turdidae

Siberian Thrush
白眉地鸫 (báiméi dìdōng)
Geokichla sibirica

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
6 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17

White’s Thrush
怀氏虎鸫 (huáishì hǔdōng)
Zoothera aurea

4 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
1 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
44 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
3 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
8 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
5 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
6 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
10 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05

Grey-backed Thrush
灰背鸫 (huībèi dōng)
Turdus hortulorum

4 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
4 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
6 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 at Century Park on 2015-12-13

Japanese Thrush
乌灰鸫 (wūhuī dōng)
Turdus cardis

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
37 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06

Chinese Blackbird
乌鸫 (wū dōng)
Turdus mandarinus

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
30 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
40 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
25 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
40 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
20 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
5 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
7 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
40 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
2 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
10 at Dongtai on 2016-01-09
3 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
10 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
1 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31

Eyebrowed Thrush
白眉鸫 (báiméi dōng)
Turdus obscurus

1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
2 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
22 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
2 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28

Pale Thrush
白腹鸫 (báifù dōng)
Turdus pallidus

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
3 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
8 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
16 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
11 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
10 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
4 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
3 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
7 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
25 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
2 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
6 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
7 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
14 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
3 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
6 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
3 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Brown-headed Thrush
赤胸鸫 (chìxiōng dōng)
Turdus chrysolaus

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24

Red-throated Thrush
赤颈鸫 (chìjǐng dōng)
Turdus ruficollis

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23

Naumann’s Thrush
红尾鸫 (hóngwěi dōng)
Turdus naumanni

3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
2 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05

Dusky Thrush
斑鸫 (bān dōng)
Turdus eunomus

5 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
4 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
6 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
2 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
5 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
4 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
7 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
2 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
12 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
26 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
2 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
3 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
5 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Dusky/Naumann’s Thrush
Turdus eunomus/T. naumanni

5 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
40 at Century Park on 2015-12-13

Chinese Thrush
宝兴歌鸫 (bǎoxīng gēdōng)
Turdus mupinensis

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Passeriformes: Muscicapidae

Oriental Magpie-Robin
鹊鸲 (quèqú)
Copsychus saularis

1 at Zhongshan Park on 2015-09-20

Grey-streaked Flycatcher
灰斑鹟 (huībān wēng)
Muscicapa griseisticta

3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
2 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
3 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26

Dark-sided Flycatcher
乌鹟 (wū wēng)
Muscicapa sibirica

6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
2 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Asian Brown Flycatcher
北灰鹟 (běihuī wēng)
Muscicapa latirostris

5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
8 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
7 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
16 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
6 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
12 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
30 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
10 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
2 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
7 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
10 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
18 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
8 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
4 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
4 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24

Blue-and-white Flycatcher
白腹姬鹟 (báifù jīwēng)
Cyanoptila cyanomelana

8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
6 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
12 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
8 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
1 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
7 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
12 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
4 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17

Verditer Flycatcher
铜蓝鹟 (tónglán wēng)
Eumyias thalassinus

1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30

Siberian Blue Robin
蓝歌鸲 (lán gēqú)
Larvivora cyane

3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19

Rufous-tailed Robin
红尾歌鸲 (hóngwěi gēqú)
Larvivora sibilans

5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31

Siberian Rubythroat
红喉歌鸲 (hónghóu gēqú)
Calliope calliope

3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08

Red-flanked Bluetail
红胁蓝尾鸲 (hóngxié lánwěiqú)
Tarsiger cyanurus

5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
6 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
5 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
10 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
13 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
3 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
14 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
10 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
19 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
3 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
5 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
2 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
5 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Little Forktail
小燕尾 (xiǎo yànwěi)
Enicurus scouleri

1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

White-crowned Forktail
白冠燕尾 (báiguān yànwěi)
Enicurus leschenaulti

1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
3 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher
白眉姬鹟 (báiméi jīwēng)
Ficedula zanthopygia

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-18
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27

Green-backed Flycatcher
绿背姬鹟 (lǜbèi jīwēng)
Ficedula elisae

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Mugimaki Flycatcher
鸲姬鹟 (qú jīwēng)
Ficedula mugimaki

17 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
5 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
1 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Taiga Flycatcher
红喉姬鹟 (hónghóu jīwēng)
Ficedula albicilla

1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13

Daurian Redstart
北红尾鸲 (běi hóngwěiqú)
Phoenicurus auroreus

15 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
15 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
1 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
15 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
12 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
4 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
30 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
40 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
15 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
10 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
20 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
37 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
57 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
23 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
10 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
4 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
14 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
3 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
5 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
3 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
20 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
12 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
18 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
10 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
16 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
8 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
1 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
14 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
8 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
1 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
5 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
8 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
6 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
10 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
2 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
3 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
3 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Plumbeous Water Redstart
红尾水鸲 (hóngwěi shuǐqú)
Phoenicurus fuliginosus

2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21

Blue Rock Thrush (“Red-bellied Rock Thrush”)
蓝矶鸫 (lán jīdōng)
Monticola solitarius philippensis

3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
9 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
9 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
2 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
2 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26

White-throated Rock Thrush
白喉矶鸫 (báihóu jīdōng)
Monticola gularis

8 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28

Amur Stonechat
东亚石䳭 (dōngyà shíjí)
Saxicola stejnegeri

15 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
2 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
3 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
2 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05

Passeriformes: Passeridae

Eurasian Tree Sparrow
树麻雀 (shù máquè)
Passer montanus

20 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
ca. 400 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
ca. 50 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
15 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
ca. 200 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
30 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
20 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
10 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
ca. 100 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
10 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
1 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
4 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
10 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
30 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
10 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
10 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
ca. 300 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
ca. 400 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
20 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
ca. 200 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
ca. 125 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
ca. 50 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
ca. 50 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
ca. 100 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
ca. 50 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
20 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
ca. 100 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
15 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
ca. 100 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
ca. 150 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
5 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
ca. 150 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
20 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
3 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
ca. 100 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
ca. 600 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
ca. 200 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
ca. 300 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
ca. 100 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Passeriformes: Estrildidae

White-rumped Munia
白腰文鸟 (báiyāo wénniǎo)
Lonchura striata

3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
8 near Zhongshan Park on 2015-12-13

Scaly-breasted Munia
斑文鸟 (bān wénniǎo)
Lonchura punctulata

2 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
20 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22

Passeriformes: Motacillidae

Eastern Yellow Wagtail
黄鹡鸰 (huáng jílíng)
Motacilla tschutschensis

24 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
24 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
ca. 100 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
20 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
5 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
10 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
ca. 50 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
8 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
10 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
4 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
8 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
7 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
14 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
25 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
3 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
3 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
10 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
5 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Grey Wagtail
灰鹡鸰 (huī jílíng)
Motacilla cinerea

4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-19
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
1 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06

White Wagtail
白鹡鸰 (bái jílíng)
Motacilla alba

5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-11
1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
2 on Chongming on 2015-09-17
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
2 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-09-26
4 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
3 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
3 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
10 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
3 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
8 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
3 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
2 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
8 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
7 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
4 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
25 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
4 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
4 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
5 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
10 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
15 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
20 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
15 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
56 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
7 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
5 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
1 at Dongtai on 2016-01-10
2 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
18 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
5 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
12 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
16 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
15 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
3 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
16 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
22 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Richard’s Pipit
田鹨 (tián liù)
Anthus richardi

1 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
11 at Dongtai on 2015-09-12
18 at Dongtai on 2015-09-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-09-17
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
5 at Yangkou on 2015-09-29
25 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
3 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
5 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
7 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
3 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
15 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
3 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Olive-backed Pipit
树鹨 (shù liù)
Anthus hodgsoni

30 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
2 at Gongqing Park on 2015-10-20
15 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
11 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
4 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
10 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
5 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
5 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-20
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
18 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
15 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
4 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
5 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
11 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
12 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
3 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
6 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
13 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
10 on Chongming on 2016-01-31

Red-throated Pipit
红喉鹨 (hónghóu liù)
Anthus cervinus

1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
6 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
2 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
6 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30

Buff-bellied Pipit
黄腹鹨 (huángfù liù)
Anthus rubescens japonicus

3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-07
35 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
24 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
3 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
5 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
6 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
3 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
15 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
10 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
16 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
65 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
ca. 200 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
57 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
12 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
9 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
30 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
26 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Water Pipit
水鹨 (shuǐ liù)
Anthus spinoletta blakistoni

1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
1 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24

Passeriformes: Fringillidae

Brambling
燕雀 (yànquè)
Fringilla montifringilla

3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
12 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
72 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
15 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
ca. 400 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
20 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
65 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
22 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
38 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
54 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
175 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
60 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
22 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
80 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09

Hawfinch
锡嘴雀 (xīzuǐ què)
Coccothraustes coccothraustes

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
1 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
5 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
1 at Zhongshan Park on 2015-11-18

Japanese Grosbeak
黑头蜡嘴雀 (hēitóu làzuǐquè)
Eophona personata

6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
2 at Century Park on 2015-10-23

Chinese Grosbeak
黑尾蜡嘴雀 (hēiwěi làzuǐquè)
Eophona migratoria

2 on Chongming on 2015-09-12
6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
15 at Century Park on 2015-09-24
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
4 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
4 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
22 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
50 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10

Grey-capped Greenfinch
金翅雀 (jīnchìquè)
Chloris sinica

4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
55 on Chongming on 2016-01-31

Eurasian Siskin
黄雀 (huángquè)
Spinus spinus

5 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
40 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
20 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
42 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
35 at Binjiang Forest Park on 2015-11-06
20 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
25 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
2 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
5 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
20 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06

Passeriformes: Emberizidae

Meadow Bunting
三道眉草鹀 (sāndàoméi cǎowū)
Emberiza cioides

2 at Yangkou on 2015-09-13
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-19
2 at Dongtai on 2015-09-28
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
1 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26

Tristram’s Bunting
白眉鹀 (báiméi wū)
Emberiza tristrami

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
2 at Century Park on 2015-10-30
8 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
8 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
6 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
2 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
5 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
1 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
3 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
3 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22

Chestnut-eared Bunting
栗耳鹀 (lì’ěr wū)
Emberiza fucata

1 on Hengsha on 2015-10-25
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
5 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
2 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
3 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
3 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Little Bunting
小鹀 (xiǎo wū)
Emberiza pusilla

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
10 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
6 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
1 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
6 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
15 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
20 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
10 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
15 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
4 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
9 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
27 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Yellow-browed Bunting
黄眉鹀 (huángméi wū)
Emberiza chrysophrys

1 at Yangkou on 2015-09-27
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
8 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-22
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12

Rustic Bunting
田鹀 (tián wū)
Emberiza rustica

1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
20 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
20 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
3 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
2 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31

Yellow-throated Bunting
黄喉鹀 (huánghóu wū)
Emberiza elegans

12 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
33 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
6 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
4 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
52 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
13 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
4 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
4 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
5 at W Tianmu Mtn. on 2015-11-21
15 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
2 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-12
6 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
3 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
1 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Yellow-breasted Bunting
黄胸鹀 (huángxiōng wū)
Emberiza aureola

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-09-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11

Chestnut Bunting
栗鹀 (lì wū)
Emberiza rutila

1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-17
2 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11

Black-faced Bunting
灰头鹀 (huītóu wū)
Emberiza spodocephala

1 at Nanhui on 2015-10-17
1 at Century Park on 2015-10-23
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-24
2 at Nanhui on 2015-10-24
4 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-10-31
4 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
15 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-08
7 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-11
3 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-11
4 on Sijiao Island on 2015-11-12
2 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-13
6 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
3 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
3 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-11-28
2 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
4 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
2 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
3 at Century Park on 2015-12-13
1 on Lesser Yangshan on 2015-12-26
1 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
3 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
2 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
4 on Chongming on 2016-01-23
1 at Nanhui on 2016-01-24
2 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
1 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
4 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
2 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Pallas’s Reed Bunting
苇鹀 (wěi wū)
Emberiza pallasi

3 at Nanhui on 2015-10-31
2 on Chongming on 2015-11-01
8 at Nanhui on 2015-11-08
1 at Nanhui on 2015-11-13
1 at Dongtai on 2015-11-14
7 at Yangkou on 2015-11-15
1 on Chongming on 2015-11-15
5 at Nanhui on 2015-11-28
65 on Hengsha on 2015-11-30
25 on Hengsha on 2015-12-05
25 at Nanhui on 2015-12-06
8 at Nanhui on 2015-12-12
5 at Nanhui on 2015-12-26
50 at Yancheng on 2016-01-09
3 at Yangkou on 2016-01-10
40 at Nanhui on 2016-01-16
8 at Nanhui on 2016-01-30
17 on Hengsha on 2016-01-31
13 on Chongming on 2016-01-31
ca. 60 at Nanhui on 2016-02-05
ca. 60 at Nanhui on 2016-02-08

Passeriformes: Calcariidae

Lapland Longspur
铁爪鹀 (tiězhǎo wū)
Calcarius lapponicus

6 on Chongming on 2016-01-31

List of Place Names

Binjiang Forest Park ([滨江森林公园]): urban green space in Pudong New Area (Pǔdōng Xīn Qū [浦东新区]), Shanghai. 31.383916, 121.523818.

Century Park (Shìjì Gōngyuán [世纪公园]): urban green space in Pudong New Area (Pǔdōng Xīn Qū [浦东新区]), Shanghai. 31.219361, 121.551900.

Chongming Dongtan National Bird Sanctuary and Nature Reserve (Chóngmíng Dōngtān Niǎolèi Guójiājí Zìrán Bǎohùqū [崇明东滩鸟类国家级自然保护区]): nature reserve E Chongming Island. 31.510109, 121.961955.

Chongming Island (Chóngmíng Dǎo [崇明岛]): large alluvial island at mouth of Yangtze River. Area: 1041 sq. km. Part of Shanghai. See Chongming page.

Dongtai (Dōngtái [东台]): county-level city E Jiangsu, China. See Dongtai page.

Garbage Dump Coastal Plain: broad area between Donghai Bridge & Garbage Dump Gully on Lesser Yangshan Island. 30.638860, 122.060089.

Garbage Dump Gully: birding spot on Lesser Yangshan Island near Donghai Bridge, known for its tall trees. A small garbage-processing plant lies at mouth of gully. 30.641565, 122.062836.

Gongqing National Forest Park (Gòngqīng Guójiā Sēnlín Gōngyuán [共青国家森林公园]). Park Yangpu District (Yángpǔ Qū [杨浦区]), Shanghai. 31.320540, 121.546220.

Haiyin Temple (Hǎiyìn Sì [海印寺]: place of worship Yangkou, Jiangsu. 32.558756, 121.044740.

Hengsha Island (Héngshā Dǎo [横沙岛]): small alluvial island at mouth of Yangtze River. Area: 56 sq. km. Part of municipality of Shanghai. S gate to birding area at 31.297333, 121.859434.

Huangpu River (Huángpǔ Jiāng [黄浦江]): river 113 km in length, running through Shanghai. Tributary of Yangtze River.

Jiangsu (Jiāngsū Shěng [江苏省]): province E China on Yellow Sea. Area: 102,600 sq. km. Population: 79.2 million.

Lesser Yangshan Island (Xiǎo Yángshān [小洋山]): island Zhejiang Province in Hangzhou Bay (East China Sea). 30.634096, 122.058079.

Magic Parking Lot: parking area next to Holiday Inn in Nanhui, one of the few places in the area with tall trees & thus attractive to many species of bird. 30.882784, 121.972782.

Nanhui (Nánhuì [南汇]): area in Pǔdōng (浦东) in SE Shanghai, on Hangzhou Bay & East China Sea.

Pudong Nanhui Dongtan Wetland (Pǔdōng Nánhuì Dōngtān Shīdì [浦东南汇东滩湿地]): nature reserve in Nanhui, on East China Sea. 30.920507, 121.973159 (corner of Shìjìtáng Lù [世纪塘路] & main access road leading inland).

Sānmíncūn (三民村): village SE Jiangsu ca. 40 km S of Yangkou. Mudflats: 32.459155, 121.294937. Sānmíncūn Magic Forest: 32.438124, 121.278211.

Shanghai (Shànghǎi Shì [上海市]): provincial-level city E China, at mouth of Yangtze River on East China Sea. Area: 6341 sq. km. Population: 24.3 million.

Shanghai Binhai Forest Park (Shànghǎi Bīnhǎi Sēnlín Gōngyuán [上海滨海森林公园]). 30.966324, 121.910289. Park in Nanhui.

Suzhou Creek (Sūzhōu Hé [苏州河]): tributary of Huangpu River; flows near Zhongshan Park in Shanghai. Also known as Wusong River (Wúsōng Jiāng [吴淞江]).

Temple Mount: area on Lesser Yangshan Island, named after Guānyīn Temple (Guānyīn Chánsì [观音禅寺]). 30.639945, 122.048277.

West Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve (Xī Tiānmùshān Zìrán Bǎohùqū [西天目山自然保护区]): protected area in Zhejiang, China. 30.333333, 119.416667.

Wusong River: see Suzhou Creek.

Xiǎo Yángshān (小洋山): see Lesser Yangshan Island.

Xiǎoyánglíng Cove: bay & surrounding land on Lesser Yangshan Island. Named after Xiǎoyánglíng Tǎ (小洋陵塔), a Buddhist monument. To reach cove, walk through tunnel from Garbage Dump Gully. 30.642243, 122.066940.

Yangkou (Yángkǒu [洋口]): fishing town Rudong County, Jiangsu, China. 32.537730, 121.017746.

Zhejiang (Zhèjiāng Shěng [浙江省]): province E China, on East China Sea. Area: 101,800 sq. km. Population: 54.9 million.

Zhongshan Park (Zhōngshān Gōngyuán [中山公园]): urban green space 6 km W of People’s Square in Changning District (Chángníng Qū [长宁区]), Shanghai. 31.221888, 121.420066.

Selected Bibliography

Alström, Per, Krister Mild, & Bill Zetterström. Pipits and Wagtails. Princeton University Press.

Brazil, Mark. Birds of East Asia. Princeton University Press. Craig’s first reference in the Shanghai region.

Brelsford, Craig. A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China.

del Hoyo, Josep, et al., eds. The Handbook of the Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions.

Kennerley, Peter & David Pearson. Reed and Bush Warblers. Christopher Helm.

Lynx Edicions. The Internet Bird Collection. ibc.lynxeds.com

MacKinnon, John & Karen Phillipps. A Field Guide to the Birds of China. Oxford University Press.

Message, Stephen & Don Taylor. Waders of Europe, Asia, and North America. Christopher Helm.

Olsen, Klaus Malling & Hans Larsson. Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America. Christopher Helm.

Oriental Bird Club. Oriental Bird Images. orientalbirdimages.org.

Robson, Craig. Birds of Southeast Asia. Princeton University Press.

Smith, Andrew T. & Yan Xie, eds. Mammals of China. Princeton University Press.

Svensson, Lars. Collins Bird Guide: The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins.

Xeno-Canto Foundation. Xeno-Canto: Bird Sounds from Around the World. xeno-canto.org. Craig has downloaded hundreds of calls from this Web site.

Equipment

Cameras: Nikon D3S; for landscapes, Apple iPad, Apple iPhone 4S, and Apple iPhone 6
Lens: Nikon VR 600mm F/4G
Sound recorder: Olympus DM-650
Binoculars: Swarovski EL 8 x 32 (Craig), Zeiss Conquest HD 8 x 42 (Elaine)
Spotting scope: Swarovski ATX-95

Featured image: Yellow-breasted Bunting, Cape Nanhui, Shanghai, 31 Oct. Emberiza aureola was one of 20 threatened species noted for this report.

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