by Craig Brelsford
Founder, shanghaibirding.com
HIGHLIGHTS
• Being among the first birders to visit Dulong Gorge, “The Last Green Valley in China,” in the far northwestern corner of Yunnan
• In collaboration with Per Alström, finding, photographing, and sound-recording Himalayan Thrush at the dramatic Salween-Irrawaddy Divide in the Gāolígòng Mountains
• On the Old Erlang Road in Sichuan, spotting, waiting out, and finally photographing a rare female Firethroat, as well as photographing and sound-recording a male
• Finding and photographing a pair of Fire-tailed Myzornis at the Salween-Irrawaddy Divide
• In Dulong Gorge, finding several species of bird with limited ranges in China, among them Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Fulvetta, Scaly Laughingthrush, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Streak-throated Barwing, Beautiful Sibia, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Fire-tailed Sunbird, and Scarlet Finch
• Noting 193 species of bird (see list below)
ITINERARY (all dates 2014)
31 May: Chéngdū (成都)
01–02 June: Old Erlang Road/Lúdìng (泸定)
03 June: Kāngdìng (康定)
04 June: Old Erlang Road/Lúdìng
05 June: Lóngcānggōu (龙苍沟)
06 June: Chéngdū
07–10 June: Éméishān (峨眉山)
11 June: en route to NW Yunnan
12 June: Gòngshān (贡山)
13–19 June: Dulong Gorge
20 June: Gòngshān
21 June: Dàlǐ (大理)
22 June: Chéngdū
Sat. 31 May
Chéngdū (成都), Sichuan
My flight from Shanghai arrived at 20:00 at Chéngdū. My partner Huáng Xiǎo Ān (黄小安) picked me up at the airport. Xiǎo Ān lives in Beijing. Later that night, Jon Gallagher arrived. Jon was born in England and is a naturalized U.S. citizen living in Maryland. This trip would be our second together; in 2013, the three of us birded in Qinghai.
Sun. 1 June
Lúdìng (泸定)
Today I drove our rented Chevrolet Captiva to the Lǎo Chuān Zàng Lù (老川藏路), known in English as the Old Erlang Road. The road, no longer in regular use because of the new Èrláng Shān tunnels, lies between Yǎ’ān (雅安) and Kāngdìng (康定). The Old Erlang Road dips off the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau; the eastern side of the road is soggy and foggy; the western side, higher and drier. The contrast in vegetation and climate is stark and immediately noticeable. I’ve yet to see a place that more dramatically shows the contrast between wet eastern China and arid western China. Our top bird, found on the eastern side, was Chestnut-headed Tesia. Phylloscopus and Seicercus warblers were singing everywhere, giving me the easier IDs that I have been dreaming about. The most conspicuous leaf warbler was Claudia’s Leaf Warbler. Also common: Sichuan Leaf Warbler. I sound-recorded and photographed a Seicercus warbler; the recording of the voice was crucial in my ID’ing the bird as a Martens’s Warbler. Here are three recordings I made today:
Chestnut-headed Tesia (00:19; 1.1 MB)
Claudia’s Leaf Warbler (00:56; 1.7 MB)
Black-faced Laughingthrush (00:38; 1.4 MB)
We drove to Lúdìng (泸定), the nearest city, 30 km (19 mi.) from the western end of the Old Erlang Road.
Mon. 2 June
Lúdìng
Walking alone up the Old Erlang Road, at an elevation of about 2730 m (8,960 ft.), I heard robins singing. Within minutes, I had found a male Firethroat. Two males apparently have territories on either side of the Old Erlang Road. Firethroat is listed as near-threatened by the IUCN. Near the highest point on the Old Erlang Road, we ran into Frank Lambert, who was leading a tour. We led Frank’s group back to our Firethroat spot. A few members of Frank’s tour were so happy to see the Firethroat, they had tears in their eyes. I recorded the beautiful song of Firethroat (01:18; 2 MB):
Tues. 3 June
Kāngdìng (康定)
Raining this morning. At the “tree-lined avenue” on the west side of the Old Erlang Road, elev.: 2450 m (8,040 ft.), I saw Lady Amherst’s Pheasant. Cuckoos were singing from every tall tree. Large Hawk-Cuckoo were most commonly heard, followed by Lesser Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, and Himalayan Cuckoo.
Large Hawk-Cuckoo (00:34; 1.3 MB)
Lesser Cuckoo (00:16; 1 MB)
Jon and I took a long walk along the road. We found another pair of Firethroat at an elevation of about 2450 m (8,040 ft.). In the afternoon, we drove to Kāngdìng.
Wed. 4 June
Lúdìng
We spent the morning at a site 5 km (3 mi.) from Kāngdìng dedicated to photographing wild pheasants. The site is owned by Liào Kāng Lín (廖康林; +86 135-4147-1963, +86 836-2823096). Mr. Liào charges 80 yuan per photographer per day. A stay at his house costs 40 yuan per night. Cooked meals are available. Our time at Mr. Liào’s place was not very successful. We viewed only one gamebird, a Lady Amherst’s Pheasant (male), and it left after only a few seconds. Mr. Liào said the best time to come is March. While there, I recorded the local Alpine Leaf Warbler (00:41; 1.4 MB):
After finishing at Mr. Liào’s place, we drove back to the Old Erlang Road, where we caught a tantalizing glimpse of the female Firethroat. We drove back to Lúdìng, where we spent the night.
Thurs. 5 June
Lóngcānggōu (龙苍沟)
It took some work, but today on the Old Erlang Road I managed to capture clear shots of a female Firethroat. Photographing the female is a much greater challenge than photographing the male. The female is silent, much unlike the songster the male, and very shy. Special thanks to Jon and Xiǎo Ān for agreeing to give another morning to the female Firethroat (I’m happy to report that they too saw and photographed the female). As I continue to capture images for my photo field guide, I am striving to get shots of the most elusive species. The female Firethroat is a big step forward. Also attracted to our setup was a female Slaty-blue Flycatcher. In the afternoon, we drove to Lóngcānggōu (龙苍沟). We stayed at Hǔlín Shānzhuāng (虎林山庄; +86 189-8162-4444). There, a power surge occurred, destroying the battery charger for my camera, the power adapter of my Apple MacBook Pro, and other items.
Before that disaster occurred, we took a walk in the forest, where I recorded the haunting, hoopoe-like call of Himalayan Cuckoo (01:31; 2.2 MB):
Fri. 6 June
Chéngdū
Early this morning, a rock ripped apart the oil pan (U.K.: sump) of our rented Chevy Captiva. We were driving into the wilderness area at Lóngcānggōu. We hit a bump, but the bump didn’t seem especially serious. I was shocked to see oil running over the ground. A tow truck from Yǎ’ān came to rescue us. We were taken to a Chevrolet dealership outside Yǎ’ān. We rented a Volkswagen Passat from an agency in Yǎ’ān and drove to Chéngdū.
Sat. 7 June
Éméishān (峨眉山)
We visited the camera center in Chéngdū, where I bought a new battery charger. Our next stop was the Apple store, where Xiǎo Ān and I replaced our power adapters. We then drove to Éméishān (峨眉山).
Sun. 8 June
Éméishān
Drizzled all day. In the early morning, we walked uphill from our hotel below the lower terminus of the cable car. Already there were many tourists, disturbing the few birds that we could see. We walked down the road from the cable car. On this road, there were fewer people. We found Bianchi’s Warbler. After lunch, we drove downhill to get below the fog. There are few safe places to stop along the busy road. The best place is at 1540 m, where a dirt road meets the main, paved road. If you’re driving uphill on the paved road, look for a road turning off to your right. The road is a few hundred meters uphill from the “32” sign. We spent an hour walking along the dirt road before rain forced us back to the Passat. Driving back up, we discovered another good spot within walking distance of the complex of hotels where we’re staying. This place is a ski area. Local workers live in some of the buildings. A walkway leads from a parking lot uphill past the slope and through a small forested area to a second parking lot above. Because few tourists go there, the ski area is quiet, and with its clearings and trails is highly birdable. In the forested part of the walkway near the upper parking lot, we saw Golden Parrotbill. We named the forested part the Magic Walkway.
Mon. 9 June
Éméishān
Rain and fog all day. The team stayed in. No birding. In spite of our recent run of bad luck, we are still laughing, still having fun.
Tues. 10 June
Éméishān
This morning, the sky was clearer and it was no longer raining. Jon and Xiǎo Ān took the cable car to the Golden Summit. They saw little, as the upper reaches of the mountain were foggy. Feeling weak, I slept in. Later, I felt better and walked alone to the Magic Walkway. I found at least 2 Chestnut-headed Tesia, Grey-hooded Fulvetta, Golden Parrotbill, and a first for me, White-bellied Redstart. Large-billed Leaf Warbler were singing everywhere. Here are two recordings made today.
Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris, song, Mt. Emei, Sichuan, China, elev. 2390 m (7,840 ft.), June, by Craig Brelsford (1:27; 2 MB)
White-bellied Redstart Luscinia phoenicuroides, song, Emeishan, Sichuan, elev. 2390 m (7,840 ft.), June, by Craig Brelsford (1:27; 1 MB)
The temperature was around 10°C (50°F), very chilly. At the restaurant at our hotel, we ran into German birder Kai Pflug. Kai lives in Shanghai. I’d been communicating with Kai by e-mail for months but hadn’t met him until this chance encounter.
Wed. 11 June
Along the S217 in Yunnan
We awoke at Éméishān to fog and drizzle. We went to the Magic Walkway. We found the White-bellied Redstart again and heard others singing. I recorded Martens’s Warbler. We received word from the Chevy dealership that the Captiva had been repaired. We drove down to the side road (the road we had discovered on 8 June) at 1540 m (5,050 ft.). There, visibility was excellent; there was no rain and no fog. We walked in and took the fork right. We found Rufous-capped Babbler. I made a good recording of the well-known call from close range (00:59; 1.7 MB):
Heading back toward the fork, we found a flock of Golden Parrotbill. Also in the area were Green-backed Tit, Red-billed Blue Magpie, and 3 Grey Treepie. A White-throated Needletail zipped by. We drove on the newly opened G93 to Yǎ’ān. Along the nearly empty freeway, I heard Indian Cuckoo. At the Chevy dealership, we finished up the paperwork on the Captiva, transferred our stuff from the Passat to the Captiva, and, after dinner in a restaurant down the road from the dealership, headed south. Our destination: Yunnan and Dulong Gorge. I drove for hours, mostly on the G5, the major freeway. A steady stream of Red Bull kept me awake. In Yunnan, we left the G5 and took the S217 to the G56. Somewhere along the S217, I became sleepy and pulled over. I slept for 90 minutes then continued driving.
Thurs. 12 June
Gòngshān (贡山), Yunnan
Stopped at Gòngshān (贡山)! Dúlóng will have to wait till tomorrow. Despite not reaching Dulong Gorge, and despite 36 hours of nearly non-stop driving from Éméishān to Gòngshān, our mood is upbeat. One reason: the amazing 300 km odyssey through the Salween Gorge. In Chinese, the Salween is called the Angry (怒 [nù]) River because of its churning rapids, so readily seen in the gorge. But to the thousands of people living along its banks, the Salween is like a member of the family, a constant, nurturing presence. The S228 is the other lifeline of the communities here, the only route in and out and in many places the only flat surface. Sunning dogs, running children, toothless old men bearing loads, wrinkled old women chatting—all on the road. Our progress was often slowed to a snail’s pace. And the scenery! The higher one drives up the gorge, the greener the mountainsides.
Fri. 13 June
Kǒngdāng (孔当)
We’re in Kǒngdāng, the major town here along the Dúlóng River (Dúlóng Jiāng [独龙江]). Kǒngdāng has no gas station—in fact, there isn’t one in this entire valley, a remote place bordering Burma and Tibet. Gòngshān, 300 km from the G56, is one step removed from normal China; this valley is yet another step beyond. The natives of this valley, the Dúlóng people, number about 7,000 and until recently were totally cut off from the outside world. There are still a few old women with tattooed faces, a tradition that arose from the fear that the neighboring Tibetans would invade and steal the women. I’ve been to 31 of China’s provincial-level entities and seen few places as strange and breathtaking as Dúlóng. We are staying at Dàpíng Bīnguǎn (大平宾馆; reach Mr. Huáng at +86 139-8869-6984; reach his wife at +86 157-0885-2602). Today, on the ridge dividing the Irrawaddy and Salween basins, at an elevation of 3270 m, our team found a pair of Fire-tailed Myzornis. A Golden Bush Robin caught our attention. We also found perhaps two species of what is still officially known as Plain-backed Thrush (Zoothera mollissima). The man who is studying the Plain-backed Thrush complex, none other than Per Alström, met us just below the Salween-Irrawaddy Divide. Per was with his partners, Zhào Chāo (赵超) and Zhào Jiàn (赵健). We talked for about an hour. Using the hood of Per’s jeep as a desk, Per and I opened our MacBooks, and Per copied over to me a recording he’d made of a bird in the Plain-backed Thrush complex. Per’s generosity inspired me. Per said, “I only have photos of thrushes I’ve captured. It would be good to have photos of the thrushes in their natural environment.” “I’ll do everything I can to get those photos,” I said.
Kǒngdāng
Rain and fog this morning grounded us until 09:00. The three of us worked our way from Kǒngdāng, elev.: 1500 m (4,920 ft.) to a bridge on the Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road, elev. 2200 m (7,220 ft.). Here, the skies brightened, and old-growth, moss-covered trees on either side of the road seemed promising habitat for our target bird, Beautiful Nuthatch. We found none today, but those old trees proved productive, yielding Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker eating mistletoe berries, two pairs of Black-eared Shrike-babbler, Streak-throated Barwing, a male Scarlet Finch, and dazzling Yellow-cheeked Tit. Outside Qinghai and Xinjiang, I have not seen such vast expanses of unspoiled nature in China as I’ve seen in Dulong Gorge.
Sun. 15 June
Kǒngdāng
With good photography out of the question because of the rain, I turned Dulong Gorge into my classroom, with Jon Gallagher and Huáng Xiǎo Ān as my classmates. We spent the day building up our Dúlóng list and gaining familiarity with the more common birds we were finding. Through the fog we found several Yunnan specialties, among them Rusty-fronted Barwing. We also continued our search for Beautiful Nuthatch and Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler.
On Friday, during our Meeting in the Wilderness, Per Alström told me to be on the lookout for Davison’s Leaf Warbler. In this far-flung part of Yunnan, Davison’s is the leaf warbler with the double wing flick; in other parts of China, the closely related Kloss’s Leaf Warbler is the double wing flicker. Today, during a break in the rain, we found Davison’s Leaf Warbler.
Mon. 16 June
Kǒngdāng
Day 4 of our Dúlóng Expedition found my team in the high country again, up to the Dúlóng end of the new tunnel, elev. 2850 m (9,350 ft.), on the Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road. Amid the constant drizzle, we persevered. Among our hard-won gems were Rusty-flanked Treecreeper and Manipur Fulvetta. When the rain let up briefly at 18:00, the birds came out in great numbers, as if it were dawn. The star of that bird wave, sitting proudly atop the highest tree, was a male Scarlet Finch.
Tues. 17 June
Kǒngdāng
Jon, Xiǎo Ān, and I continued our search for birds expected in this region but not confirmed. Glorious, rain-free weather did not make birding any easier, but it did allow us to enjoy expansive views across the valley.
Wed. 18 June
Kǒngdāng
We set our sights on finding Yellow-throated Fulvetta. It is a noisy, active bird, usually in small parties. Its limited range in China includes southeast Tibet and northwest Yunnan. At first glance, one may mistake it for a leaf warbler or bush warbler, but this species and its congeners in Alcippe belong firmly to the ground babblers (Pellorneidae). We quickly found one at the bridge near Pǔ Wàng Kǎ (普旺卡), south of Kǒngdāng. The rain came once again. Amid the steady shower, we got close to a Slaty-bellied Tesia (00:04; 852 KB).
Thurs. 19 June
Kǒngdāng
Our final full day in Dulong Gorge saw less rain. We found another Slaty-bellied Tesia, and near Kǒngdāng we found a scraggly Brown Shrike. We parked near the river and studied the stream closely. Few birds rely on the turbulent, nutrient-poor water of the Dúlóng River. We saw a single Common Kingfisher.
Fri. 20 June
Gòngshān
Today, a week after meeting Per Alström and his partners, my team was back at the Salween-Irrawaddy Divide. I was mindful of Per’s desire to get “natural” images of a “Plain-backed Thrush.” During a rare break in the rain, I stepped out and played the song Per had transferred to me on 13 June. After a few minutes, a “Plain-backed Thrush” called back. The thrush perched just 15 m from me, singing powerfully. What a rush! I took dozens of photos and made three good recordings. Afterward, I texted Per:
“We got your thrush! This morning, my team was on the Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road, on the Dúlóng side of the Hēipǔ (黑普) Tunnel (the high tunnel), just up the road from where our teams ran into each other. Rain was falling steadily, & there was much fog. During a break in the rain, I stepped out of the car and walked downhill, playing the recording that you shared with me. Within seconds, a hearty response. Then the rain started falling very hard, and the fog grew thick, and I had to run back to the Captiva. Half an hour later, there was another break in the weather, & I tried again. After a few minutes, my jaw dropped: a ‘Plain-backed Thrush’! The bird was singing powerfully in response to the recording. For 15 minutes, the thrush did circles around me, circles that as the bird grew used to me were getting tighter and tighter. The thrush perched just 15 m from me. I whipped out my pocket recorder and made three good recordings. Finally, a Nissan Paladin arrived, carrying a team of Beijing journalists who’d invited us to dinner last night down at Kǒngdāng. I had no choice but to greet them. By the time the journalists moved on, the thrush had moved off, and the rain had started again. Jon, Xiǎo Ān, and I lingered for an hour on the Dúlóng side of the Divide, but the rain never stopped. We drove through the tunnel to the Salween side and spent another hour there. The rain let up some, and I went out and played your Dúlóng recording. I got no response. When you generously lent me your recording, Per, you said that you’d like to see some photos of ‘Plain-backed Thrushes’ in their natural state, as opposed to captured birds photographed in the hand. Well, here they are. With these photos and the recordings I made, we should have little trouble determining to which of the new ‘Plain-backed Thrush’ taxa the individual I met belongs.”
Later, Per wrote back, having seen my photos and listened to my recordings. He said he had little trouble determining to which of the new “Plain-backed Thrush” taxa the individual I met belongs. However, as Per’s work on the complex hasn’t been published yet, Per has asked me to temporarily refer to my bird by the currently recognized binomial, Zoothera mollissima. What a pleasure it was to find that “Plain-backed Thrush,” and at such a remote, thrilling location! What a pleasure it has been working with Per. As we drove through the mountains, we saw local people picking zhúyè cài (竹叶菜). We arrived in Gòngshān just before dark.
UPDATE, 26 JAN 2016: The bird I found on 20 June 2014 is Himalayan Thrush Zoothera salimalii. Earlier this month, Per and his team published an article in which they make known that what was once thought to be one species (Plain-backed Thrush Z. mollissima) is actually three species, and perhaps four. The three species identified by Per and his team are Himalayan Thrush Z. salimalii, which is completely new to science; Sichuan Thrush Z. griseiceps, formerly Z. m. griseiceps, now given species status; and Alpine Thrush Z. mollissima (in the wake of the new discoveries, “Alpine Thrush” replaces the former name “Plain-backed Thrush”). A fourth putative taxon, “Yunnan Thrush,” requires further study. Here are the three recordings that I achieved of Himalayan Thrush on 20 June:
(00:25; 1.2 MB)
(01:25; 2.2 MB)
(00:45; 1.5 MB)
Sat. 21 June
Dàlǐ (大理)
We drove all day on the S228 through the Salween Gorge. Arrived after nightfall in Dàlǐ (大理).
Sun. 22 June
Chéngdū
We drove from Dàlǐ to Chéngdū. Along the S217 in Yunnan, we did some roadside birding in a semi-arid region south of Shuǐrén (水仁). There, I saw my first-ever Crested Bunting. We drove through another big rainstorm and hobbled into Chéngdū well after dark. It was another exhausting drive, but Dulong Gorge was worth our sacrifices. I’d lived nearly seven years in China before seeing such expansive, little-touched forest. I’m calling Dulong Gorge “The Last Green Valley in China”—last in space (the “last” valley in northwestern Yunnan before Burma) and last in time (one by one, the other formerly rich valleys in China have succumbed to the harsh hand of man; Dulong Gorge remains rich, pure, pristine). I know that “The Last Green Valley in China” is an exaggeration; there are other well-preserved valleys in China. The point of my poetic license is to underline the environmental disaster unfolding in China and to highlight the value of Dúlóng.
Mon. 23 June
Shanghai
We split up, Xiǎo Ān returning to Beijing, Jon to Maryland, and I to Shanghai.
BIRDS NOTED IN SICHUAN AND YUNNAN
I noted 193 species, representing 12 orders and 45 families. Hyperlinks on the names of species connect to entries in my Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, published in its entirety on this website:
Galliformes: Phasianidae
Temminck’s Tragopan
红腹角雉 (hóngfù jiǎozhì)
Tragopan temminckii
3 (1 seen, 2 heard) on Old Erlang Road (1750 m) on 2014-06-02
Lady Amherst’s Pheasant
白腹锦鸡 (báifù jǐnjī)
Chrysolophus amherstiae
3–4 each day on Old Erlang Road (2300–2500 m) on 2014-06-02 & 2014-06-03
1 male at Liào Kāng Lín’s place (2590 m) on 2014-06-04
1 heard at Lóngcānggōu (1200 m) on 2014-06-06
1 heard at Éméishān (1830 m) on 2014-06-08
Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae
Eastern Cattle Egret
牛背鹭 (niúbèi lù)
Bubulcus coromandus
Few seen en route
Little Egret
白鹭 (báilù)
Egretta garzetta
Several along G5 near Xīchāng (西昌), Sichuan on 2014-06-22
Accipitriformes: Accipitridae
Black-winged Kite
黑翅鸢 (hēichì yuān)
Elanus caeruleus
1 along G5 near Xīchāng (西昌), Sichuan on 2014-06-22
Mountain Hawk-Eagle
鹰雕 (yīngdiāo)
Nisaetus nipalensis
1 on Dúlóng side of Salween-Irrawaddy Divide (3260 m) on 2014-06-13
Golden Eagle
金鵰 (jīn diāo)
Aquila chrysaetos
1 on S318 between Yǎ’ān (雅安) & Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-01
Chinese Sparrowhawk
赤腹鹰 (chìfù yīng)
Accipiter soloensis
1 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-01
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
雀鹰 (quèyīng)
Accipiter nisus
5 in Dulong Gorge on 2014-06-18
Upland Buzzard
大鵟 (dà kuáng)
Buteo hemilasius
1 on Old Erlang Road (2600 m) on 2014-06-03
Columbiformes: Columbidae
Feral Pigeon (Rock Dove)
原鸽 (yuángē)
Columba livia
Common around towns, even in Dulong Gorge
Speckled Wood Pigeon
点斑林鸽 (diǎnbān língē)
Columba hodgsonii
6 at Éméishān (2750 m) on 2014-06-10
5 in Dulong Gorge (1820 m) on 2014-06-16
1 in Dulong Gorge (1740 m) on 2014-06-17
Oriental Turtle Dove
山斑鸠 (shān bānjiū)
Streptopelia orientalis
2 at Kāngdìng (康定), Sichuan on 2014-06-04
Red Collared Dove
火斑鸠 (huǒ bānjiū)
Streptopelia tranquebarica
2 on Old Erlang Road (2980 m) on 2014-06-02
Along S228 in lower Salween Gorge on 2014-06-12
Pin-tailed Green Pigeon
针尾绿鸠 (zhēnwěi lǜjiū)
Treron apicauda
1 in Dulong Gorge (1820 m) on 2014-06-16
Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon
楔尾绿鸠 (xiēwěi lǜjiū)
Treron sphenurus
3 in Dulong Gorge (1620 m) on 2014-06-19
Cuculiformes: Cuculidae
Asian Koel
噪鹃 (zàojuān)
Eudynamys scolopaceus
1 heard at Lóngcānggōu (1500 m) on 2014-06-05
1 heard in Dulong Gorge (2430 m) on 2014-06-17
1 heard in Dulong Gorge (1620 m) on 2014-06-19
Large Hawk-Cuckoo
鹰鹃 (yīngjuān)
Hierococcyx sparverioides
Frequently recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge
Lesser Cuckoo
小杜鹃 (xiǎo dùjuān)
Cuculus poliocephalus
Frequently recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge
Indian Cuckoo
四声杜鹃 (sìshēng dùjuān)
Cuculus micropterus
1 beside G93 60 km N of Yǎ’ān (雅安), Sichuan (470 m) on 2014-06-11
Himalayan Cuckoo
中杜鹃 (zhōng dùjuān)
Cuculus saturatus
Recorded on Old Erlang Road 2014-06-01 & 2014-06-03
3 at Lóngcānggōu (1500 m) on 2014-06-05
Common Cuckoo
大杜鹃 (dà dùjuān)
Cuculus canorus
Frequently recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge
Strigiformes: Strigidae
Himalayan Owl
灰林鸮 (huī línxiāo)
Strix nivicolum
1 heard at Éméishān on 2014-06-08
1 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (1700 m) on 2014-06-13
Caprimulgiformes: Caprimulgidae
nightjar sp.
?夜鹰 (? yèyīng)
Caprimulgus sp.
1 in Dulong Gorge (1600 m) on 2014-06-17
Apodiformes: Apodidae
Himalayan Swiftlet
短嘴金丝燕 (duǎnzuǐ jīnsīyàn)
Aerodramus brevirostris
Small numbers regularly noted in Dulong Gorge from 2014-06-15 to 2014-06-20
White-throated Needletail
白喉针尾雨燕 (báihóu zhēnwěiyǔyàn)
Hirundapus caudacutus
1 at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-11
Pacific Swift
白腰雨燕 (báiyāoyǔyàn)
Apus pacificus
Noted at Éméishān (2450 m) on 2014-06-08
House Swift
小白腰雨燕 (xiǎo báiyāoyǔyàn)
Apus nipalensis
Frequently seen in lower Salween Gorge on 2014-06-12
Coraciiformes: Alcedinidae
Black-capped Kingfisher
蓝翡翠 (lán fěicuì)
Halcyon pileata
1 flying over G5 near Pānzhīhūa (攀枝花), Sichuan on 2014-06-22
Common Kingfisher
普通翠鸟 (pǔtōng cuìniǎo)
Alcedo atthis
1 along Dúlóng River (1450 m) on 2014-06-19
Bucerotiformes: Upupidae
Eurasian Hoopoe
戴胜 (dàishèng)
Upupa epops
1 on hotel roof at Dàlǐ (大理), Yunnan on 2014-06-22
Piciformes: Megalaimidae
Great Barbet
大拟啄木鸟 (dà nǐzhuómùniǎo)
Megalaima virens
1–3 each day in Dulong Gorge (2200–2700 m) from 2014-06-14 to 2014-06-19
Piciformes: Picidae
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker
棕腹啄木鸟 (zōngfù zhuómùniǎo)
Dendrocopos hyperythrus
1 in Dulong Gorge (3100 m) on 2014-06-20
Darjeeling Woodpecker
黄颈啄木鸟 (huángjǐng zhuómùniǎo)
Dendrocopos darjellensis
1 in Dulong Gorge (2400 m) on 2014-06-16
1 in Dulong Gorge (2410 m) on 2014-06-17
Bay Woodpecker
黄嘴栗啄木鸟 (huángzuǐ lìzhuómùniǎo)
Blythipicus pyrrhotis
1 heard in Dulong Gorge (2020 m) on 2014-06-15
Passeriformes: Campephagidae
Swinhoe’s Minivet
小灰山椒鸟 (xiǎo huīshānjiāoniǎo)
Pericrocotus cantonensis
2 at Éméishān (1300 m) on 2014-06-08
Long-tailed Minivet
长尾山椒鸟 (chángwěi shānjiāoniǎo)
Pericrocotus ethologus
Recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge
Passeriformes: Laniidae
Brown Shrike
红尾伯劳 (hóngwěi bóláo)
Lanius cristatus
1 in Dulong Gorge (1600 m) on 2014-06-19
Grey-backed Shrike
灰背伯劳 (huībèi bóláo)
Lanius tephronotus
Recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge as well as en route
Passeriformes: Vireonidae
Blyth’s Shrike-babbler
红翅䴗鹛 (hóngchì júméi)
Pteruthius aeralatus
2 in Dulong Gorge (2260 m) on 2014-06-15
Black-eared Shrike-babbler
栗喉䴗鹛 (lìhóu júméi)
Pteruthius melanotis
2 in Dulong Gorge (2280 m) on 2014-06-14
2 in Dulong Gorge (1460 m) on 2014-06-15
1 in Dulong Gorge (2390 m) on 2014-06-16
Passeriformes: Dicruridae
Black Drongo
黑卷尾 (hēi juǎnwěi)
Dicrurus macrocercus
Frequently noted, usually en route between sites
Ashy Drongo
灰卷尾 (huī juǎnwěi)
Dicrurus leucophaeus
Noted in Dulong Gorge (2100 m) on 2014-06-14
Passeriformes: Rhipiduridae
White-throated Fantail
白喉扇尾鹟 (báihóu shànwěiwēng)
Rhipidura albicollis
1 each day in Dulong Gorge (2390 m) on 2014-06-15 & 2014-06-16
Passeriformes: Corvidae
Eurasian Jay
松鸦 (sōngyā)
Garrulus glandarius
1 on Old Erlang Road (2300 m) on 2014-06-03
Red-billed Blue Magpie
红嘴蓝鹊 (hóngzuǐ lánquè)
Urocissa erythroryncha
1 at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-11
Grey Treepie
灰树鹊 (huī shùquè)
Dendrocitta formosae
3 at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-11
Spotted Nutcracker
星鸦 (xīng yā)
Nucifraga caryocatactes
1 on Old Erlang Road (2920 m) on 2014-06-02
Large-billed Crow
大嘴乌鸦 (dàzuǐ wūyā)
Corvus macrorhynchos
Frequently recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge
Passeriformes: Stenostiridae
Yellow-bellied Fantail
黄腹扇尾鹟 (huángfù shànwěiwēng)
Chelidorhynx hypoxantha
1 in Dulong Gorge (2320 m) on 2014-06-14
1 in Dulong Gorge (2630 m) on 2014-06-16
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher
方尾鹟 (fāngwěi wēng)
Culicicapa ceylonensis
Several at Lóngcānggōu (1200 m) on 2014-06-06
1 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (2340 m) on 2014-06-20
Passeriformes: Paridae
Rufous-vented Tit
黑冠山雀 (hēiguān shānquè)
Periparus rubidiventris
1 at Éméishān (2850 m) on 2014-06-10
4 in Dulong Gorge (2400 m) on 2014-06-16
Coal Tit
煤山雀 (méi shānquè)
Periparus ater
1 on Old Erlang Road (2700 m) on 2014-06-03
Yellow-bellied Tit
黄腹山雀 (huángfù shānquè)
Pardaliparus venustulus
4 on Old Erlang Road (2770 m) on 2014-06-02
3 on Old Erlang Road (2500 m) on 2014-06-03
2 at Lóngcānggōu (1400 m) on 2014-06-06
Grey Crested Tit
褐冠山雀 (hèguān shānquè)
Lophophanes dichrous
1 at Éméishān (2850 m) on 2014-06-10
Black-bibbed Tit
黑喉山雀 (hēihóu shānquè)
Poecile hypermelaenus
2 in Dulong Gorge (2320 m) on 2014-06-14
Yellow-cheeked Tit
黄颊山雀 (huángjiá shānquè)
Machlolophus spilonotus
3–5 each day in Dulong Gorge (1800–2500 m) from 2014-06-14 to 2014-06-18
Japanese Tit
远东山雀 (yuǎndōng shānquè)
Parus minor
1 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-03
Green-backed Tit
绿背山雀 (lǜbèi shānquè)
Parus monticolus
1 at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-11
1 at Lóngcānggōu (1400 m) on 2014-06-06
2 in Dulong Gorge (2430 m) on 2014-06-16
Passeriformes: Pycnonotidae
Collared Finchbill
领雀嘴鹎 (lǐng quèzuǐbēi)
Spizixos semitorques
2 on S318 between Yǎ’ān (雅安) & Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-01
Several on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-01
Several along G5 near Yǎ’ān (雅安), Sichuan on 2014-06-05
Striated Bulbul
纵纹绿鹎 (zòngwén lǜbēi)
Pycnonotus striatus
2 in Dulong Gorge (2220 m) on 2014-06-14
2 in Dulong Gorge (1450 m) on 2014-06-19
Black-crested Bulbul
黑冠黄鹎 (hēiguān huángbēi)
Pycnonotus flaviventris
1 along S228 in lower Salween Gorge on 2014-06-12
Red-whiskered Bulbul
红耳鹎 (hóng’ěr bēi)
Pycnonotus jocosus
Several along S228 in lower Salween Gorge on 2014-06-12
Several in Dulong Gorge (1820 m) on 2014-06-16
Several along S228 near Mekong River (1300 m) on 2014-06-21
Brown-breasted Bulbul
黄臀鹎 (huángtún bēi)
Pycnonotus xanthorrhous
Frequently recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge
Red-vented Bulbul
黑喉红臀鹎 (hēihóu hóngtúnbēi)
Pycnonotus cafer
5 along S228 near Mekong River (1300 m) on 2014-06-21
Grey-eyed Bulbul
灰眼短脚鹎 (huīyǎn duǎnjiǎobēi)
Iole propinqua
1 along S228 in lower Salween Gorge on 2014-06-21
Black Bulbul
黑短脚鹎 (hēi duǎnjiǎobēi)
Hypsipetes leucocephalus
2 (white-headed form) each day at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-08 & 2014-06-11
15–30 each day in Dulong Gorge (1400–2900 m) from 2014-06-14 to 2014-06-20
Passeriformes: Hirundinidae
Sand Martin
崖沙燕 (yáshāyàn)
Riparia riparia
Several near Lóngcānggōu on 2014-06-05
Barn Swallow
家燕 (jiā yàn)
Hirundo rustica
Frequently noted
Asian House Martin
烟腹毛脚燕 (yānfù máojiǎoyàn)
Delichon dasypus
Frequently noted, even at high elevations, e.g., on Dúlóng side of Salween-Irrawaddy Divide (3260 m) on 2014-06-13
Red-rumped Swallow
金腰燕 (jīnyāo yàn)
Cecropis daurica
Frequently noted
Passeriformes: Pnoepygidae
Pygmy Cupwing
小鳞胸鹪鹛 (xiǎo línxiōngjiāoméi)
Pnoepyga pusilla
1 each day on Old Erlang Road (2450 m) on 2014-06-01 & 2014-06-02
2 in Dulong Gorge (2130 m) on 2014-06-14
1 in Dulong Gorge (1440 m) on 2014-06-15
Passeriformes: Cettiidae
Yellow-bellied Warbler
黄腹鹟莺 (huángfù wēngyīng)
Abroscopus superciliaris
1 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (2800 m) on 2014-06-13
Rufous-faced Warbler
棕脸鹟莺 (zōngliǎn wēngyīng)
Abroscopus albogularis
1 in Dulong Gorge (2280 m) on 2014-06-14
Black-faced Warbler
黑脸鹟莺 (hēiliǎn wēngyīng)
Abroscopus schisticeps
1 in Dulong Gorge (2390 m) on 2014-06-15
1 in Dulong Gorge (2400 m) on 2014-06-16
2 in Dulong Gorge (2270 m) on 2014-06-17
1 in Dulong Gorge (2310 m) on 2014-06-17
2 in Dulong Gorge (2410 m) on 2014-06-17
Brown-flanked Bush Warbler
强脚树莺 (qiángjiǎo shùyīng)
Horornis fortipes
1 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-01
1 at Éméishān (2750 m) on 2014-06-10
1 in Dulong Gorge (1740 m) on 2014-06-17
1 in Dulong Gorge (1620 m) on 2014-06-19
Aberrant Bush Warbler
异色树莺 (yìsè shùyīng)
Horornis flavolivaceus
Noted Old Erlang Road (2500 m) on 2014-06-03
1 at Éméishān (2450 m) on 2014-06-08
1 at Éméishān (1330 m) on 2014-06-08
1 at Éméishān (2850 m) on 2014-06-10
Slaty-bellied Tesia
金冠地莺 (jīnguān dìyīng)
Tesia olivea
1 in Dulong Gorge (1450 m) on 2014-06-18
2 in Dulong Gorge (1400 m) on 2014-06-19
Chestnut-headed Tesia
栗头地莺 (lìtóu dìyīng)
Cettia castaneocoronata
1 on Old Erlang Road (2300 m) on 2014-06-01
2 at Éméishān (2390 m) on 2014-06-10
Passeriformes: Aegithalidae
Black-browed Bushtit
黑眉长尾山雀 (hēiméi chángwěishānquè)
Aegithalos bonvaloti
3 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-05
3 in Dulong Gorge (2480 m) on 2014-06-20
3 in Dulong Gorge (2190 m) on 2014-06-20
Sooty Bushtit
银脸长尾山雀 (yínliǎn chángwěishānquè)
Aegithalos fuliginosus
1 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-02
Passeriformes: Phylloscopidae
Alpine Leaf Warbler
华西柳莺 (huáxī liǔyīng)
Phylloscopus affinis occisinensis
2 on Old Erlang Road (2480 m) on 2014-06-03
1 at Liào Kāng Lín’s place (2590 m) on 2014-06-04
Yellow-streaked Warbler
棕眉柳莺 (zōngméi liǔyīng)
Phylloscopus armandii
Noted on Old Erlang Road (2500 m) on 2014-06-02
Buff-barred Warbler
橙斑翅柳莺 (chéngbānchì liǔyīng)
Phylloscopus pulcher
1 at Éméishān (2450 m) on 2014-06-08
Ashy-throated Warbler
灰喉柳莺 (huīhóu liǔyīng)
Phylloscopus maculipennis
1 in Dulong Gorge (2390 m) on 2014-06-15
1 in Dulong Gorge (2650 m) on 2014-06-16
Lemon-rumped Warbler
淡黄腰柳莺 (dàn huángyāoliǔyīng)
Phylloscopus chloronotus
3 in Dulong Gorge (2700 m) on 2014-06-17
Greenish Warbler
暗绿柳莺 (àn lǜliǔyīng)
Phylloscopus trochiloides
Several at Éméishān (2450 m) on 2014-06-08
Large-billed Leaf Warbler
乌嘴柳莺 (wūzuǐ liǔyīng)
Phylloscopus magnirostris
3–7 each day at Éméishān (2390 m) on 2014-06-08, 2014-06-10, & 2014-06-11
2 (pair) in Dulong Gorge (2760 m) on 2014-06-17
Blyth’s Leaf Warbler
西南冠纹柳莺 (xīnán guānwénliǔyīng)
Phylloscopus reguloides
6 in Dulong Gorge (2390 m) on 2014-06-16
3 in Dulong Gorge (2270 m) on 2014-06-17
3 in Dulong Gorge (2310 m) on 2014-06-17
Claudia’s Leaf Warbler
冠纹柳莺 (guānwénliǔyīng)
Phylloscopus claudiae
5–15 each day on Old Erlang Road from 2014-06-01 to 2014-06-03 & on 2014-06-05
1–3 each day at Éméishān on 2014-06-08, 2014-06-10, & 2014-06-11
Seen in Dulong Gorge from 2014-06-14 to 2014-06-20
Davison’s Leaf Warbler
云南白斑尾柳莺 (yúnnán báibānwěiliǔyīng)
Phylloscopus davisoni
4 in Dulong Gorge (1870 m) on 2014-06-14
Kloss’s Leaf Warbler
白斑尾柳莺 (báibānwěiliǔyīng)
Phylloscopus ogilviegranti
1 at Éméishān (2450 m) on 2014-06-08
1 at Éméishān (2850 m) on 2014-06-10
Sichuan Leaf Warbler
四川柳莺 (sìchuān liǔyīng)
Phylloscopus forresti
7 on Old Erlang Road (2700 m) on 2014-06-01
3 at Éméishān (2450 m) on 2014-06-08
1 at Éméishān (2390 m) on 2014-06-10
Bianchi’s Warbler
比氏鹟莺 (bǐshì wēngyīng)
Seicercus valentini
3 at Éméishān (2450 m) on 2014-06-08
1 on Salween side of Salween-Irrawaddy Divide (3270 m) on 2014-06-13
1 on Dúlóng side of Salween-Irrawaddy Divide (3260 m) on 2014-06-13
1 on Salween side of Salween-Irrawaddy Divide (3260 m) on 2014-06-20
Martens’s Warbler
峨嵋鹟莺 (éméi wēngyīng)
Seicercus omeiensis
3 on Old Erlang Road (2450 m) on 2014-06-01
2 on Old Erlang Road (2450 m) on 2014-06-02
Alström’s Warbler
淡尾鹟莺 (dànwěi wēngyīng)
Seicercus soror
1 in Dulong Gorge (1450 m) on 2014-06-18
Chestnut-crowned Warbler
栗头鹟莺 (lìtóu wēngyīng)
Seicercus castaniceps
1 in Dulong Gorge (2280 m) on 2014-06-14
1 in Dulong Gorge (2260 m) on 2014-06-15
1 in Dulong Gorge (1820 m) on 2014-06-16
3 in Dulong Gorge (2700 m) on 2014-06-17
1 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (2190 m) on 2014-06-20
White-spectacled Warbler
白眶鹟莺 (báikuàng wēngyīng)
Seicercus affinis
2 in Dulong Gorge (1440 m) on 2014-06-18
1 in Dulong Gorge (1400 m) on 2014-06-19
Passeriformes: Cisticolidae
Rufescent Prinia
暗冕鹪莺 (ànmiǎn jiāoyīng)
Prinia rufescens
1 along S228 in lower Salween Valley on 2014-06-21
Passeriformes: Timaliidae
Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler
斑胸钩嘴鹛 (bānxiōng gōuzuǐméi)
Pomatorhinus gravivox
4 on Old Erlang Road (2450 m) on 2014-06-03
2 at Liào Kāng Lín’s place (2590 m) on 2014-06-04
Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler
棕颈钩嘴鹛 (zōngjǐng gōuzuǐméi)
Pomatorhinus ruficollis
Several at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-08
Rufous-capped Babbler
(红头穗鹛 (hóngtóu suìméi)
Stachyridopsis ruficeps
4 at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-11
Passeriformes: Pellorneidae
Yellow-throated Fulvetta
黄喉雀鹛 (huánghóu quèméi)
Alcippe cinerea
1 in Dulong Gorge (1450 m) on 2014-06-18
7 in Dulong Gorge (1600 m) on 2014-06-18
3 in Dulong Gorge (1600 m) on 2014-06-19
Rufous-winged Fulvetta
栗头雀鹛 (lìtóu quèméi)
Alcippe castaneceps
4 in Dulong Gorge (2260 m) on 2014-06-15
2 in Dulong Gorge (2460 m) on 2014-06-15
2 in Dulong Gorge (1620 m) on 2014-06-19
Rusty-capped Fulvetta
褐胁雀鹛 (hèxié quèméi)
Alcippe dubia
2 in Dulong Gorge (2260 m) on 2014-06-15
Yunnan Fulvetta
灰头雀鹛 (huītóu quèméi)
Alcippe fratercula
3 in Dulong Gorge (2460 m) on 2014-06-15
Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae
Chinese Babax
矛纹草鹛 (máowén cǎoméi)
Babax lanceolatus
5 on Old Erlang Road (2500 m) on 2014-06-03
2 at Liào Kāng Lín’s place (2590 m) on 2014-06-04
Chinese Hwamei
画眉 (huàméi)
Garrulax canorus
2 at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-11
Grey Laughingthrush
褐胸噪鹛 (hèxiōng zàoméi)
Garrulax maesi
2 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-01
Barred Laughingthrush
斑背噪鹛 (bānbèi zàoméi)
Garrulax lunulatus
1 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-01
2 each day on Old Erlang Road (2600–2800 m) on 2014-06-02, 2014-06-03, & 2014-06-05
White-browed Laughingthrush
白颊噪鹛 (báijiá zàoméi)
Garrulax sannio
6 along road near airport in Chéngdū (成都), Sichuan on 2014-06-01
Around Yǎ’ān (雅安), Sichuan on 2014-06-06
5 along S228 near Mekong River (1300 m) on 2014-06-21
Scaly Laughingthrush
纯色噪鹛 (chúnsè zàoméi)
Trochalopteron subunicolor
1 below Salween-Irrawaddy Divide, Dúlóng side (3170 m) on 2014-06-13
1 in Dulong Gorge (1780 m) on 2014-06-14
Elliot’s Laughingthrush
橙翅噪鹛 (chéngchì zàoméi)
Trochalopteron elliotii
2 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-02
2 at Liào Kāng Lín’s place (2590 m) on 2014-06-04
2 at Éméishān (2850 m) on 2014-06-10
Black-faced Laughingthrush
黑顶噪鹛 (hēidǐng zàoméi)
Trochalopteron affine
1 on Old Erlang Road (2200 m) on 2014-06-01
Blue-winged Minla
蓝翅希鹛 (lánchì xīméi)
Minla cyanouroptera
3 at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-11
Red-tailed Minla
火尾希鹛 (huǒwěi xīméi)
Minla ignotincta
1 in Dulong Gorge (2310 m) on 2014-06-17
Emei Shan Liocichla
灰胸薮鹛 (huīxiōng sǒuméi)
Liocichla omeiensis
1 at Éméishān (1830 m) on 2014-06-08
1 at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-08
Rusty-fronted Barwing
锈额斑翅鹛 (xiù’é bānchìméi)
Actinodura egertoni
1 in Dulong Gorge (1460 m) on 2014-06-15
Streak-throated Barwing
纹胸斑翅鹛 (wénxiōng bānchìméi)
Actinodura waldeni
2 in Dulong Gorge (2280 m) on 2014-06-14
1 in Dulong Gorge (2430 m) on 2014-06-17
Red-billed Leiothrix
红嘴相思鸟 (hóngzuǐ xiāngsīniǎo)
Leiothrix lutea
Several at Lóngcānggōu (1200 m) on 2014-06-06
Several at Éméishān (2450 m) on 2014-06-08
Several at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-08
Beautiful Sibia
丽色奇鹛 (lìsè qíméi)
Heterophasia pulchella
8–20 each day in Dulong Gorge (1400–2800 m) from 2014-06-14 to 2014-06-20
Black-headed Sibia
黑顶奇鹛 (hēidǐng qíméi)
Heterophasia desgodinsi
1 in Dulong Gorge (2630 m) on 2014-06-16
Passeriformes: Sylviidae
Fire-tailed Myzornis
火尾绿鹛 (huǒwěi lǜméi)
Myzornis pyrrhoura
2 (pair) on Salween side of Salween-Irrawaddy Divide (3270 m) on 2014-06-13
Rufous-tailed Babbler
宝兴鹛雀 (bǎoxìng méiquè)
Moupinia poecilotis
4 along S228 in Salween Gorge (1770 m) on 2014-06-12
Chinese Fulvetta
高山雀鹛 (gāoshān quèméi)
Fulvetta striaticollis
1 on Old Erlang Road (2750 m) on 2014-06-02
3 at Éméishān (2350 m) on 2014-06-08
Grey-hooded Fulvetta
褐头雀鹛 (hètóu quèméi)
Fulvetta cinereiceps
3 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-02
3 at Éméishān (2850 m) on 2014-06-10
Manipur Fulvetta
印缅褐头雀鹛 (yìnmiǎn hètóuquèméi)
Fulvetta manipurensis
3 in Dulong Gorge (2400 m) on 2014-06-16
Ashy-throated Parrotbill
灰喉鸦雀 (huīhóu yāquè)
Sinosuthora alphonsiana
4 on Old Erlang Road (2300 m) on 2014-06-03
Brown-winged Parrotbill
褐翅鸦雀 (hèchì yāquè)
Sinosuthora brunnea
2 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (2800 m) on 2014-06-13
1 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (3100 m) on 2014-06-20
3 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (3260 m) on 2014-06-20
Grey-hooded Parrotbill
暗色鸦雀 (ànsè yāquè)
Sinosuthora zappeyi
5 at Éméishān (2000 m) on 2014-06-08
Golden Parrotbill
金色鸦雀 (jīnsè yāquè)
Suthora verreauxi
3 at Éméishān (2390 m) on 2014-06-08
2 at Éméishān (2390 m) on 2014-06-10
6 at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-11
Grey-headed Parrotbill
灰头鸦雀 (huītóu yāquè)
Psittiparus gularis
1 along S228 near Mekong River (1300 m) on 2014-06-21
Passeriformes: Zosteropidae
Stripe-throated Yuhina
纹喉凤鹛 (wénhóu fèngméi)
Yuhina gularis
Recorded regularly in Dulong Gorge
White-collared Yuhina
白领凤鹛 (báilǐng fèngméi)
Yuhina diademata
Frequently recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge
Rufous-vented Yuhina
棕肛凤鹛 (zōngāng fèngméi)
Yuhina occipitalis
1 in Dulong Gorge (2630 m) on 2014-06-16
Japanese White-eye
暗绿绣眼鸟 (ànlǜ xiùyǎnniǎo)
Zosterops japonicus
Several near Lóngcānggōu on 2014-06-05
Several along S228 in lower Salween Gorge on 2014-06-12
Dulong Gorge (1740 m) on 2014-06-17
Passeriformes: Troglodytidae
Eurasian Wren鹪鹩 (jiāoliáo)
Troglodytes troglodytes
1 at Éméishān (1540 m) on 2014-06-11
Passeriformes: Sittidae
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
栗臀䴓 (lìtún shī)
Sitta nagaensis
2 in Dulong Gorge (2210 m) on 2014-06-14
2 in Dulong Gorge (2220 m) on 2014-06-15
Passeriformes: Certhiidae
Rusty-flanked Treecreeper
锈红腹旋木雀 (xiùhóngfù xuánmùquè)
Certhia nipalensis
1 in Dulong Gorge (2640 m) on 2014-06-16
Passeriformes: Sturnidae
Crested Myna
八哥 (bāgē)
Acridotheres cristatellus
Seen in Yǎ’ān (雅安), Sichuan on 2014-06-06
Red-billed Starling
丝光椋鸟 (sīguāng liángniǎo)
Spodiopsar sericeus
1 along G5 near Yǎ’ān (雅安), Sichuan on 2014-06-05
2 on S217 S of Shuǐrén (水仁), Yunnan (1240 m) on 2014-06-22
Passeriformes: Turdidae
Himalayan Thrush
光背地鸫 (guāngbèi dìdōng)
Zoothera salimalii
1 on Dúlóng side of Salween-Irrawaddy Divide (3380 m) on 2014-06-20
Long-tailed Thrush
长尾地鸫 (chángwěi dìdōng)
Zoothera dixoni
1 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-02
Chinese Blackbird
乌鸫 (wū dōng)
Turdus mandarinus
1 seen en route
Chestnut Thrush
灰头鸫 (huītóu dōng)
Turdus rubrocanus
3–5 each day on Old Erlang Road (2710 m) from 2014-06-01 to 2014-06-03
Passeriformes: Muscicapidae
Oriental Magpie-Robin
鹊鸲 (quèqú)
Copsychus saularis
1 along S228 in lower Salween Gorge on 2014-06-12
1 along S228 in lower Salween Gorge on 2014-06-21
Dark-sided Flycatcher
乌鹟 (wū wēng)
Muscicapa sibirica
1 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (2800 m) on 2014-06-13
Ferruginous Flycatcher
棕尾褐鹟 (zōngwěi hèwēng)
Muscicapa ferruginea
1 in Dulong Gorge (2290 m) on 2014-06-14
Large Niltava
大仙鹟 (dàxiānwēng)
Niltava grandis
1 male in Dulong Gorge (1870 m) on 2014-06-14
1 male in Dulong Gorge (1450 m) on 2014-06-18
1 male in Dulong Gorge (1600 m) on 2014-06-19
1 male in Dulong Gorge (1620 m) on 2014-06-19
Small Niltava
小仙鹟 (xiǎo xiānwēng)
Niltava macgrigoriae
1 female in Dulong Gorge (2020 m) on 2014-06-15
1 male in Dulong Gorge (1820 m) on 2014-06-16
1 male in Dulong Gorge (1740 m) on 2014-06-17
Verditer Flycatcher
铜蓝鹟 (tónglán wēng)
Eumyias thalassinus
1 in Dulong Gorge (2320 m) on 2014-06-16
1 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road, Salween side (2510 m) on 2014-06-10
White-bellied Redstart
白腹短翅鸲 (báifù duǎnchìqú)
Luscinia phaenicuroides
1–3 each day at Éméishān (2390 m) on 2014-06-10 & 2014-06-11
Firethroat
金胸歌鸲 (jīnxiōng gēqú)
Calliope pectardens
3 (pair plus 1 male singing unseen across the road) each day on Old Erlang Road (2730 m) from 2014-06-02 to 2014-06-05
2 (pair) on Old Erlang Road (2450 m) on 2014-06-03
Golden Bush Robin
金色林鸲 (jīnsè línqú)
Tarsiger chrysaeus
1 on Dúlóng side of Salween-Irrawaddy Divide (3260 m) on 2014-06-13
2 (pair) on Dúlóng side of Salween-Irrawaddy Divide (3260 m) on 2014-06-20
Little Forktail
小燕尾 (xiǎo yànwěi)
Enicurus scouleri
1 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-02
1 in Dulong Gorge (1870 m) on 2014-06-15
forktail sp.
?燕尾 (? yànwěi)
Enicurus sp.
2 immatures definitely not Little Forktail noted in Dulong Gorge (1440–1700 m) on 2014-06-17 & 2014-06-18
Blue Whistling Thrush
紫啸鸫 (zǐxiàodōng)
Myophonus caeruleus eugenei
5–10 each day in Dulong Gorge (1400–2800 m) from 2014-06-14 to 2014-06-19
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher
橙胸姬鹟 (chéngxiōng jīwēng)
Ficedula strophiata
Regularly recorded at Éméishān & in Dulong Gorge
Little Pied Flycatcher
小斑姬鹟 (xiǎo bānjīwēng)
Ficedula westermanni
1 in Dulong Gorge (1790 m) on 2014-06-14
1 in Dulong Gorge (1400 m) on 2014-06-19
Slaty-blue Flycatcher
灰蓝姬鹟 (huīlán jīwēng)
Ficedula tricolor
1 female each day on Old Erlang Road (2730 m) on 2014-06-03 & 2014-06-05
Hodgson’s Redstart
黑喉红尾鸲 (hēihóu hóngwěiqú)
Phoenicurus hodgsoni
1 at Kāngdìng (康定), Sichuan on 2014-06-04
Daurian Redstart
北红尾鸲 (běi hóngwěiqú)
Phoenicurus auroreus
1 male on Old Erlang Road (2730 m) on 2014-06-03
Plumbeous Water Redstart
红尾水鸲 (hóngwěi shuǐqú)
Phoenicurus fuliginosus
10–25 each day along Dúlóng River (1400–1800 m) from 2014-06-14 to 2014-06-19
White-capped Redstart
白顶溪鸲 (báidǐng xīqú)
Phoenicurus leucocephalus
Common beside higher rivers & streams throughout
Blue Rock Thrush
蓝矶鸫 (lán jīdōng)
Monticola solitarius
Numerous along S228 in lower Salween Gorge on 2014-06-12
Along Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road on 2014-06-13
Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush
栗腹矶鸫 (lìfù jīdōng)
Monticola rufiventris
5–15 each day in Dulong Gorge (1400–2800 m) from 2014-06-14 to 2014-06-19
Siberian Stonechat
黑喉石鵖 (hēihóu shíjí)
Saxicola maurus
3 along S228 in lower Salween Gorge on 2014-06-12
Grey Bush Chat
灰林鵖 (huī línjí)
Saxicola ferreus
1 male on Old Erlang Road (2760 m) on 2014-06-03
2 in Dulong Gorge (1740 m) on 2014-06-17
Passeriformes: Dicaeidae
Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker
黄腹啄花鸟 (huángfù zhuóhuāniǎo)
Dicaeum melanoxanthum
2 (pair) in Dulong Gorge (2280 m) on 2014-06-14
1 male in Dulong Gorge (2390 m) on 2014-06-16
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker
红胸啄花鸟 (hóngxiōng zhuóhuāniǎo)
Dicaeum ignipectus
2 males in Dulong Gorge (2280 m) on 2014-06-14
2 (pair) in Dulong Gorge (2390 m) on 2014-06-16
1 male in Dulong Gorge (2270 m) on 2014-06-17
2 (pair) on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (2190 m) on 2014-06-20
Passeriformes: Nectariniidae
Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird
蓝喉太阳鸟 (lánhóu tàiyángniǎo)
Aethopyga gouldiae
Frequently recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge
Green-tailed Sunbird
绿喉太阳鸟 (lǜhóu tàiyángniǎo)
Aethopyga nipalensis
Frequently recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge
Black-throated Sunbird
黑胸太阳鸟 (hēixiōng tàiyángniǎo)
Aethopyga saturata
1 in Dulong Gorge (1410 m) on 2014-06-15
Fire-tailed Sunbird
火尾太阳鸟 (huǒwěi tàiyángniǎo)
Aethopyga ignicauda
3 (2 males, 1 female) on Salween side of Salween-Irrawaddy Divide (3270 m) on 2014-06-13
Passeriformes: Passeridae
Russet Sparrow
山麻雀 (shān máquè)
Passer rutilans
Noted on Old Erlang Road (2200 m) on 2014-06-01
3 in Dulong Gorge (1740 m) on 2014-06-17
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
树麻雀 (shù máquè)
Passer montanus
Common around most habitations; not recorded in Dulong Gorge
Passeriformes: Prunellidae
Rufous-breasted Accentor
棕胸岩鹨 (zōngxiōng yánliù)
Prunella strophiata
1 at Éméishān (2850 m) on 2014-06-10
Passeriformes: Motacillidae
Forest Wagtail
山鹡鸰 (shān jílíng)
Dendronanthus indicus
1 singing in back yard of restaurant near Yǎ’ān (雅安), Sichuan on 2014-06-06
Grey Wagtail
灰鹡鸰 (huī jílíng)
Motacilla cinerea
Frequently recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge as well as en route
White Wagtail
白鹡鸰 (bái jílíng)
Motacilla alba
Frequently recorded on Old Erlang Road, at Éméishān, & in Dulong Gorge as well as en route
Olive-backed Pipit
树鹨 (shù liù)
Anthus hodgsoni
1 on Old Erlang Road on 2014-06-02
Singles in Dulong Gorge (1440–1460 m) on 2014-06-15
Passeriformes: Fringillidae
Spot-winged Grosbeak
斑翅拟蜡嘴雀 (bānchì nǐlàzuǐquè)
Mycerobas melanozanthos
2 (pair) on Old Erlang Road (2750 m) on 2014-06-02
1 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (2340 m) on 2014-06-20
Grey-headed Bullfinch
灰头灰雀 (huītóu huīquè)
Pyrrhula erythaca
2 (pair) each day on Old Erlang Road (2750 m) on 2014-06-02 & 2014-06-05
2 (pair) at Éméishān (2450 m) on 2014-06-08
2 (pair) at Éméishān (2850 m) on 2014-06-10
Scarlet Finch
血雀 (xuě què)
Carpodacus sipahi
1 male in Dulong Gorge (2180 m) on 2014-06-14
1 male in Dulong Gorge (2390 m) on 2014-06-15
2 (pair) in Dulong Gorge (2390 m) on 2014-06-16
2 (pair) in Dulong Gorge (2430 m) on 2014-06-17
1 female in Dulong Gorge (2410 m) on 2014-06-17
Dark-rumped Rosefinch
棕朱雀 (zōng zhūquè)
Carpodacus edwardsii
1 at Éméishān (2850 m) on 2014-06-10
Vinaceous Rosefinch
酒红朱雀 (jiǔhóng zhūquè)
Carpodacus vinaceus
2 at Éméishān (2450 m) on 2014-06-08
Grey-capped Greenfinch
金翅雀 (jīnchìquè)
Chloris sinica
Several near Lóngcānggōu on 2014-06-05
Passeriformes: Emberizidae
Crested Bunting
凤头鹀 (fèngtóu wū)
Emberiza lathami
1 male on S217 S of Shuǐrén (水仁), Yunnan (1620 m) on 2014-06-22
Godlewski’s Bunting
戈氏岩鹀 (gēshì yánwū)
Emberiza godlewskii
1–2 each day on Old Erlang Road (2300–2500 m) on 2014-06-01, 2014-06-02, & 2014-06-03
Yellow-throated Bunting
黄喉鹀 (huánghóu wū)
Emberiza elegans
2–3 each day on Old Erlang Road (2300 m) on 2014-06-01 & 2014-06-03
Black-faced Bunting
灰头鹀 (huītóu wū)
Emberiza spodocephala
1 on Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road (2000 m) on 2014-06-13
Mammals
Northern Tree Shrew
北树鼩 (běi shùqú)
Tupaia belangeri
One seen foraging near a garbage bin at a gas station on G5 S of Yǎ’ān (雅安), Sichuan on 2014-06-22
PLACE NAMES
Dúlóng River, Dulong Gorge (Dúlóng Jiāng [独龙江]): valley and eponymous river in NW Yunnan; the valley borders Tibet and Burma; the Dúlóng River is part of the Irrawaddy Basin
Éméishān (峨眉山): nature reserve and holy Buddhist mountain in C Sichuan
Gāolígòng Mountains (Gāolígòngshān [高黎贡山]): mountain range W Yunnan running N–S ca. 500 km and dividing Salween and Irrawaddy River basins
Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road: road connecting Gòngshān (贡山) and Dulong Gorge
Irrawaddy River: major river of Burma; a small part of Irrawaddy Basin lies in China (Dúlóng River)
Liào Kāng Lín’s place: site dedicated to setup photography, specializing in gamebirds; 5 km from Kāngdìng (康定), Sichuan. Elev.: 2590 m
Lóngcānggōu (龙苍沟): nature reserve in C Sichuan
Old Erlang Road: former route of S318 on E edge of Tibetan Plateau in Sichuan between Yǎ’ān (雅安) and Kāngdìng (康定). The W end of the old road is about 30 km E of Lúdìng (泸定). The Old Erlang Road has been superseded by new tunnels but not completely abandoned. Known in Chinese as Lǎo Chuān Zàng Lù (老川藏路)
Salween-Irrawaddy Divide: in NW Yunnan, the ridgeline of the Gāolígòng Mountains separates the Salween and Irrawaddy basins; on the Gòngshān-Dúlóng Road, the Hēipǔ (黑普) Tunnel lies below the divide and joins the two basins
Salween River (Nùjiāng [怒江]): river rising on Tibetan Plateau, flowing through W Yunnan and into Burma, and emptying into Andaman Sea
Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C. & Inskipp, T. 2011. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Christopher Helm, London. Consulted at home in Shanghai.
Harrap, S. & Quinn, D. 1995. Chickadees, Tits, Nuthatches, & Treecreepers. Princeton University Press, USA. This excellent book, though old, remains Craig’s first reference for all questions related to the families Certhiidae, Paridae, and Sittidae.
Lynx Edicions. The Internet Bird Collection. ibc.lynxeds.com
MacKinnon, John & Karen Phillipps. 2000. A Field Guide to the Birds of China. Oxford University Press. Flawed but indispensable.
Oriental Bird Club. Oriental Bird Images. orientalbirdimages.org. Consulted regularly at home.
Robson, C. 2005. Birds of Southeast Asia. Princeton University Press, Princeton, USA. Craig’s first reference in Dulong Gorge.
Xeno-Canto Foundation. Xeno-Canto: Bird Sounds from Around the World. xeno-canto.org. Craig has downloaded hundreds of calls from this Web site.
ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
Huáng Xiǎo Ān and Jonathan Gallagher are great teammates—unselfish, friendly, tough, and knowledgeable. Brian Ivon Jones first suggested Dulong Gorge to me. Per Alström gave us much good information about Dúlóng.
Featured image: Yellow-cheeked Tit Machlolophus spilonotus spilonotus, Dulong Gorge, Yunnan, China, elev. 2320 m (7,610 ft.). (Craig Brelsford)
