Beidaihe autumn report 2

Beidaihe autumn bird migration report (1986-1990): species systematically treated

Species systematically treated

Geoff J. Carey, Daniel G. Duff, Martin D. Williams and Xu Weishu

Around 345 species were recorded during the surveys.
Summaries of the autumn records of La Touche and Hemmingsen are given, and augmented where appropriate by records of other observers—records cited from Wilder and Hubbard (1924) sometimes refer to He-bei province and Beijing, rather than specifically to Beidaihe—and by spring re-cords of La Touche and Hemmingsen. Cheng (1987) is also referred to; notes on status for a species cover its known range within China.
Note that survey periods and intensities dif-fered. The dates were: 1986—20 August to 20 November; 1987—18 August to 30 November; 1988—8 September to 18 November; 1989—14-29 September and 5-7 October (only selected records are in-cluded from these periods) and 8 October to 16 November; 1990—19 August to 22 October.
The 1987 data is from Palfery (unpubl.); 1988 data is mainly from Hornskov (1989), sometimes together with records from the Earthwatch survey from 8 October to 16 November (there was considerable overlap in records during this period, especially of birds recorded from the Lotus Hills); 1989 data from 14-29 September and 5-7 October is from Jørgensen (unpubl.); 1990 data to 22 October was supplied by J.H. Christensen (in litt.); other data is from logs kept by MDW and GJC.
Abbreviations used are as follows:
for species listed in Collar et al. (1993): (CR)—critically endangered; (EN)—endangered; (VU)—vulnerable; (CD)—conservation dependent; (NT)—near threatened.
for references: Ch—Cheng (1987); COE—Williams (1986); H—Hemmingsen and Guildal (1968); Ho—Hornskov (un-publ.); LT—La Touche (1920, 1921); Sh—Shaw (1936); WH—Wilder and Hub-bard (1924).
for localities at Beidaihe: LH—Lotus Hills; Re—Henghe reservoir; Se—seafront along the southern coast of Beidaihe (from Legation Point west to near the Lotus Hills); SF—the (Henghe) Sandflats, an estuarine area on the northern edge of town; YH—Yanghe estuary (ca. 5 km south of town).

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata LT—one seen in game shop, end of November. Other (unidentified) divers seen in spring and autumn. H, COE—no records. Ch—migrant and winter visitor to the coast from Heilong River, Heilongjiang, south to Guangdong; status: extremely rare.
1986: singles were recorded off King’s Point on 9 November and off FP on 20 November.
1987: one bird, 3 November.
1988 (Ho): no records.
1989: 29 bird-days, 4-8 November; highest day total 17 on 5 November; all records from the coast; most were in flight.
1990: one (same bird?) was at SF on 3rd and 4 November.

Pacific Diver/Black-throated Diver Gavia pacifica/G. arctica LT, H, COE—no records. Cheng: Black-throated Diver re-corded as a migrant at two localities in northeastern provinces, and one in Shandong; Pacific Diver recorded at one locality in Liaoning and at Fuzhou (two birds).
1989: one flew past LP on 4 November.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis LT—common in October. H—only one certain autumn observation, due to difficulty in identification. WH—recorded evidence of breeding. COE—from 25 March, with a maximum of 20; up to seven trilling males.
1986: 778 bird-days, 20 August to 16 November, with a peak count of 51 on 16 October. Breeding had evidently taken place at Re, where the maximum count of juveniles was 17, with seven adults, on 27 August. The numbers of local birds, which tended to linger at Re, make it difficult to accurately assess the passage period, though it appears the peak migration was over 5-25 October. Re was, by far, the favoured locality.
1987: 252 bird-days, beginning of survey to 9 November; other than 15 on 20 August, day totals in single figures until 26 September when 14 (including four immatures); then again single figures until 12 on 16 October; there were 12 on 21st, 16 on 17th and 14 on 23 October; after six on 26 October the only records were singles on 1st and 9 November.
1988 (Ho): 51 bird-days, 24 September to 18 November.
1989: three at Re on 16 September; 27 bird-days, 8 October to 6 November; highest count 12 at YH on 6 November.
1990: before 23 October, 166 bird-days, highest day total 19 on 28 August. From 23 October, 12 bird-days, 25 October to 5 November; highest day total four on 25 October (three at Re, one at LH).

Slavonian Grebe (Horned Grebe) Podiceps auritus LT, H, COE—no records. Shaw—rare migrant in Hebei.
1987: seven bird-days, 21 October to 6 November; highest day total two on 2nd and 6 November.
1990: six bird-days, 30 October to 16 November; two flew south on 30 October, otherwise singles at SF and YH.

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena LT, H, COE—no records. Ch—breeds Heilongjiang, migrant and winter visitor to Hebei.
1986: one was at SF (caught in fishing line) on 31 October and 1 November.
1987: one on 14 October.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus LT—in autumn as late as 17 November. H—quite common, from 22 October to 23 November, with an exceptionally early record over 26-27 July. COE—784 bird-days, 15 March to 3 May.
1986: 124 bird-days, 6 September to 20 November. The first record—an adult at SF—was followed by four flying south past the same locality on 21 September. A further 11 bird-days were logged to 23 October, and the next day saw the beginning of significant passage, which continued until the end of the period. The maximum day total was 40 on 18 November; 22 on 31 October was another notable tally. Most birds were seen on the sea off SF, although 37 were observed from LH, flying north, on 18 November.
1987: 92 bird-days, 13 October to 21 November; highest day total 25 on 22 October.
1988 (Ho): 22 bird-days, 8 October to 17 November.
1989: 100 bird-days, 9 October to 16 November; highest day total 41 on 7 November.
1990: before 23 October, 22 bird-days, early bird on 31 August and highest day total ten on 9 October. From 23 October, 66 bird-days, 26 October to 16 November; 13 flew south, all on 30 October, and highest count of birds present 23 on 4 November (22 at SF, one at TH).

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis LT—one probable in spring. H—total of 8-12 recorded on four or five dates from 6-27 May 1944, and a female shot on 6 November 1944. COE—246 bird-days, 24 March to 17 April.
1986: one was at Re from 28 October to 1 November.
1987: 17 bird-days, 13 October to 8 November.
1988 (Ho): one on 17 October.
1989: eight bird-days, 9 October to 5 November.
1990: one was at YH on 16 November.
It appears this species is scarce in autumn; it may be common, sometimes in large flocks, in spring.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo COE—four on 9 April.
1986: no certain records.
1987: one immature present, 23-30 October.
1988 (Ho): no records.
1989: 370 flew south, 7 October to 10 November; highest day totals 64 on 10th and 135 on 15 October; only record after 25 October was one flying south on 10 November. Most were identified with hindsight, after several Temminck’s Cormorants had been seen and differences between the two species were appreciated.
1990: before 23 October, eight bird-days, highest day total five on 27 September. From 23 October, nine bird-days, 1-14 November; two flew south on 1st, otherwise records of singles on seven dates (perhaps involving only one bird).
See Great Cormorant/Temminck’s Cormorant.

Temminck’s Cormorant (Japanese Cormorant) Phalacrocorax capillatus COE—one on 16 April.
1986: as in spring 1985, only one bird was certainly identified (by the green sheen on the wings): on 14 September, flying south over LH.
1987: singles on 5th, 6th and 23 October; a further 93 birds considered to be this species flew south in late October (92 on 29th, one on 30th).
1988 (Ho): five birds, probably this species, flew south on 29 October.
1989: 26 flew south, 26 October to 8 November. We found their short tails and thick necks (also less gliding flight than Great Cormorant?) could give them a goose-like appearance.
1990: singles recorded on 11th and 24 October; flying south on latter date.
See Great Cormorant/Temminck’s Cormorant.

Great Cormorant/Temminck’s Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo/P. capillatus LT—not uncommon in autumn. H—common, 12 August to 6 November; most believed to be Great Cormorants. COE—143 bird-days, 19 March to 7 May. Ch—Great Cormorant breeds occasionally in, and migrates through, Hebei; status: common in breeding regions, rare elsewhere. Temminck’s Cormorant given as summer visitor to Hebei; status: rare.
1986: 73 or 74 individuals were noted flying south from 28 September to 17 October, with all except one seen from LH. The maximum day count was 30 on 14 October; 18 on 4th and 21 on 17 October were other notable tallies.
1987: 123 bird-days (116 birds flew south), 5-30 October.
1990: three were recorded before 23 October.

Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus LT—occurs on the Hebei coast. H—no records. WH—one specimen, 28 July. COE—89 individuals, 25 March to 6 May.
1986: one was seen from LH, flying south, on 8 October.
1988 (Ho): one flew south, 12 November.
[heading=Bitterns, egrets and herons]
Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris LT—often recorded on migration, from the latter half of September to the first few days of October. H—four or five autumn records in three years, 4 September to 24 October. COE—four or five birds, 28 March to 26 April.
1986: 30 bird-days were logged from 14 dates between 13 September and 11 November, inclusive. About 25 individuals were involved, including one which was seen to fly into trees at LH on 17 October, and three which flew into trees at this locality on 27 October. Most records were of birds migrating past LH; others were seen at Se and Re. The highest day total was 15 (all recorded at LH; 12 flew south after 17h00) on 27 October.
1987: 14 bird-days (seven birds flew south), 27 September to 26 October; seven were recorded flying south, including five (the highest day total) on 3 October.
1988 (Ho): at least ten bird-days, mainly late September to early October, late bird on 7 November.
1989: nine bird-days, 7 October to 4 November; six flew south on 12 October.
1990: four bird-days were logged before 23 October.

Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis LT—no records. H—one autumn record. COE—27 bird-days, 18 May to 1 June.
1986: 77 bird-days were logged from 20 August to 10 October; of these, all except six were from Re. Main passage occurred from 27-31 August, when 45 bird-days were logged; the highest day totals were 14 on 27th, ten on 29th and 21 on 31 August—all but one of these birds were at Re; the highest day total in September was four on 14th.
1987: 87 bird-days, beginning of survey to 15 October; the highest day totals were 15 on 19th and 11 on 22 August; the highest day total in September was five on 17th.
1988 (Ho): 13 bird-days, 16 September to 15 October.
1989: singles (same bird?) at Re on 8th, 10th, 13th and 14 October.
1990: eight bird-days were logged before 23 October.

•(NT)Schrenck’s Bittern Ixobrychus eurhythmus LT—summers in the district. H—no records. COE—43 bird-days, from 18 May to 1 June.
1986: 11 bird-days were logged from seven dates between 20 August and 30 September; it appears that the records involved eight individuals. Eight bird-days were logged to 29 August; after which the only records were one on 9th and two on 30 September. Re was the favoured locality; the highest day total was three on 25 August.
1987: 18 bird-days, beginning of survey to 6 October; other than two on 3 September, no more than one in a day.
1988 (Ho): three singles, 27 September to 6 October.
1989: singles at LP on 7th and Re on 10 October.
1990: six bird-days were logged before 23 October.

Little Green Heron (Striated Heron) Butorides striatus LT—three records, all in spring. H—no records. COE—ten or more birds, 28 April to 23 May. Ch—summers in northern part of Hebei.
1986: singles were at LH on 9th and Re on 24 September.
1987: one bird, 20 September.

Chinese Pond-Heron Ardeola bacchus LT, H—no records. WH—first specimen shot about 1908, since when Hebei records in five years of no more than six birds in a day. Galsworthy (in litt.)—at ‘marshes’ (Re?), up to ten on 3rd and three on 4 September 1983. COE—common, 22 April to 1 June; breeding at Re. Ch—summers in Hebei.
1986: 147 bird-days were logged from 22 August to 16 October. The maximum day count was 42 on 27 August, when the main passage commenced, lasting until 6 September. During this period, 102 bird-days were logged, including ten coming in from over the sea on 6 September. Most records were from Re, though birds were occasionally seen migrating over SF.
1987: 644 bird-days, beginning of survey to 27 September. The highest day totals were 61 on 19th and 96 on 30 August, 55 on 1st, 50 on 7th and 70 on 16 September: most or all of these were counts of birds at Re at dusk.
1988 (Ho): 64 bird-days, 11 September to 5 October; highest count 33 flying to roost on 19 September.
1989: at Re, five on 16th, one on 20th and four on 21 September.
1990: 434 bird-days were logged before 23 October; highest day total 40 on 29 August.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis LT, H—no records. Shaw—summer visitor to Hebei, rather rare. COE—one on 2 May.
1987: singles on 19th and 20 August and 11 September.

Great Egret Egretta alba LT—one record, 5 November. H—two certain records of E.a. alba—three on 31 March and one on 22 October; one probable E.a. modesta on 4 August 1944. E.a. alba records in China are in late autumn, winter or early spring; summer records of Great Egrets are of E.a. modesta. WH—once very common in Hebei, but population greatly decreased as a result of plume hunting. COE—14 birds, 9 April to 21 May. Ch—occasionally recorded from Hebei.
1986 five individuals were recorded; all were seen from LH, flying south. There were singles on 10th and 23 September and three on 17 October.
1987: singles flew south on 20th, 22nd and 31 August, 2 September and 30 October.
1988 (Ho): 11 flew south, 7-17 November.
1988 (Earthwatch): ten birds seen in November, flying south: seven on 4th, two on 9th and one on 14th.
1989: singles flew south on 19th and 31 October.
1990: before 23 October, 32 bird-days were logged (20 individuals?); the highest count was nine at SF on 5 September. From 23 October, nine were recorded flying south: seven on 2nd and singles on 9th and 10 November.

Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia LT, H—no records. COE—11 birds recorded from 20 April to 21 May.
1987: 11 bird-days (five birds flew south), 20 August to 25 September.
1990: one was at SF, with Great Egrets, on 5 September.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta LT, H—no records. Hemmingsen and Guildal (1968) cite Wilder as reporting that until 20 January 1943 the evidence of the occurrence of this species in Hebei rested on two specimens measured in 1923, and on David and Oustalet (1877, p. 440). COE— singles on 14 April and 26-27 May. Ch--does not list for Hebei, but notes that occasionally recorded in Beijing municipality.
1990: 25 bird-days (six individuals?), highest count five on 27 August; all before 23 October.

•(EN)Chinese Egret Egretta eulophotes LT—no records. Wilder (1941)—specimen collected, 5 September 1941. H—eight on 1 June 1944, one on 6 June 1945. COE—no records.
1987: single birds at Re on 27th and 28 August and 12 September.
1990: one was at SF on 21 September.

Unidentified white egrets Egretta spp.
1987: one on 23 August.
1990: two Little or Intermediate Egrets flew south on 11 September.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea LT—abundant migrant, from the last ten days of July to the end of October. H—common, from 19 July to 12 November. COE—675 bird-days, 18 March to 21 May.
1986: 1620 bird-days were logged from 19 August to 16 November. Significant passage occurred from 27 August to 17 October, after which the numbers dropped sharply and the species was recorded on only half of the days. From 10-25 September, 671 bird-days—over one-third of the total—were logged. The highest day totals were 59 on 28 August, 89 on 14th, 63 on 17th, 78 on 23 September, 83 on 5th and 147 on 10 October, a migration ‘wave’ day (see Purple Heron). Most flew south, including 660 recorded from LH.
1987: 944 bird-days (867 flew south), beginning of survey to 25 November; 329 flew south during 7-11 October, including 149 on 9th and 106 on 11th.
1988 (Ho): 186 bird-days, 9 September to 17 November.
1988 (Earthwatch): 67 bird-days were logged from 8 October to 15 November (57 flew south). The highest day total was 40, all flying south, on 10 October.
1989: 1613 bird-days (1577 flew south), 8 October to 16 November; 1492 flew south on 15 October.
1990: before 23 October, 376 bird-days, highest day total 35 on 1 October. From 23 October, 87 bird-days (one present, eight recorded flying north and 78 south), 24 October to 15 November. Highest day total 38, all flying south, on 24 October.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea LT—common, September and October; ‘some 200 passed over the plain’ on 6 October 1911. H—not uncommon, 19 July to 14 October. COE—391 bird-days, 19 April to 1 June.
1986: 425 bird-days were logged from 23 August to 1 November; the passage period was nearly three weeks shorter than that of the Grey Heron. Numbers reached an initial peak over 11-14 September, when 87 bird-days were logged; 85 were recorded flying south on 19 September, and the highest day total was 186 (160 were recorded flying south, 26 were at Re) on 10 October, after which only four were seen. Most were recorded flying south, including 378 recorded from LH.
1987: 330 bird-days (295 flew south), 30 August to 8 November; 135 flew south on 9 October; only two birds after 18 October, one of which had a broken wing and was seen from 1-8 November.
1988 (Ho): 70 bird-days, 16 September to 10 November.
1988 (Earthwatch): 68 were recorded flying south from the beginning of the survey to 10 November. The highest day total was 18 on 10 October.
1989: one at Re on 21 September; seven bird-days (six flew south), 8 October to 13 November.
1990: before 23 October, 157 bird-days, highest day total 25 on 22 September. Six were recorded flying south, 24 October to 4 November.

Grey Heron/Purple Heron Ardea cinerea/A. purpurea
1986: 402 Ardea herons were recorded, 20 August to 29 October. The maximum day totals were 101 on 30 September and 76 on 1 October. All but 27 were recorded from LH, and all but four flew south.
1987: 371 birds (370 flew south).
1988 (Ho): 59 birds.
1988 (Earthwatch): 38 recorded flying south.
1990: 196 were recorded, highest day total 115 on 25 September; all before 23 October.