Booted Warbler 29 NOV 2015

Booted Warbler Iduna caligata, the 3rd HK first in a week, mai po again.

We think this is booted but not Syke's Warbler Iduna rama because:

1. Smaller size and shorter tail
2. Supercilium beyond eye only
3. Shorter bill with no pale lower mandible
4. Respond to booted call

Franklin's Gull and the GWF Goose 28 NOV 2015

Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan is an North American Gull sp. which should not occur in HK like the Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

First found by Richard L. few days ago. I missed it but luckily our Koel KO rediscovered the gull today. 

What a day! Another big HK Twitch this year! 

Note the dark bill with small red tip, dark leg, darker mantle, special eye pattern and smaller size than Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus.

Also some shots by iphone digiscoping

A first year Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons is another mega in Maipo today.

I also managed to get a better shot of the Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga and Collared Crow Corvus pectoralis.

The birdy day ended by a Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops.

Emei Leaf Warbler in Pak Sha O NOV 2015

An Emei Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus emeiensis was found by Geoff C. on 22/11/2015. I did manage to see and few notes were taken. This will be the first record in HK if accepted by Record Committee.

Generally call/song is the most important ID feature, we did manage to hear the call and song of this bird (at least it responded to play-back). A recording of its call (not like the tapes on RC) was recorded.

http://picosong.com/bmrD/


For the appearance:

1. Bird showing faint crown-stripe
2. Dark upper mandible and orange-yellow lower mandible
3. Shorter body when compare to Two-barred Warbler Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus  but have a longer tail
4. Two clear wing-bar
5. No tertial fringe as Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus type
6. Yellowish wash and yellow vent
7. No yellow rump
8. No clear-white outertail

Hoopoe of today 8 NOV 2015

A very tame Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops attracted 50+ photographers today..

PT again.. 7 NOV 2015

Hume's and Alstrom's were still here with no photos, not many new arrivals.

Two-barred Warbler Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

Warbler's day on PT 5 NOV 2015

Quite birdy on PT today, with the target Alstrom's Warbler Seicercus soror.

Out-focus, this is 7D2

And some other migrants...

Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla

Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana

Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

And especially the warblers

Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tenellipes

The following I would go for Hume's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei because 

1. Dull plumage

2. Dark leg and bill

3. First wingbar narrower than the second one; very little contrast between them

However, like Blyth's pipit ID, call and song would be the best. Comments are welcome.