Red-crowned Cranes
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Autumn migration at Beidaihe 1986-1990 - species |
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Written by Martin Williams
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Saturday, 20 May 2006 |
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Autumn migration at Beidaihe 1986-1990 - species
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Bitterns, egrets and herons
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Spoonbills, Ibises, Storks
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Swans, Geese, Shelducks and Ducks
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Raptors
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Partridges, pheasants and quail
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Cranes
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Rails, Crakes, Coot and Bustards
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Shorebirds
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Skuas, Gulls and Terns
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Sandgrouse and Doves
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Cuckoos, Owls and Swifts
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Kingfishers, Dollarbird, Hoopoe, Wryneck and Woodpeckers
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Larks, Martins and Swallows
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Wagtails and Pipits
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Minivet, Bulbuls, Shrikes
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Waxwings, Orioles, Drongos and Starlings
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Crows
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Wrens and Accentors
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Robins and Chats
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Rockthrushes and Thrushes
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Laughinthrushes, Parrotbill and Bush-Warblers
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Marsh-, Grasshopper, and Reed Warblers
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Phylloscopus warblers, Cisticolas, Kinglets, hill warbler
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Flycatchers
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Tits
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Nuthatches, Wallcreeper and White-eyes
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Finches
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Buntings
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Page 5 of 29
Osprey Pandion haliaeetus LT—occasionally seen on migration; September, October and one on 13 November. H—more common in autumn than in spring, with birds tending to linger more; 3 September to 28 October, possibly one on 8 November. COE—24 individuals, 13 April to 13 May.
1986: 66 bird-days, 21 August to 18 October. About 32 individuals were probably involved, including two juveniles which remained in the area for quite lengthy periods. Three birds were seen over 21-22 August; there were no further records until 12 September, when the first of the temporary residents arrived, remaining until 9 October. The second long-stayer was seen every day from 8-18 October, and was the only bird seen after 11 October. The main passage was from 14-23 September, when 18 were recorded flying south, and the highest day total was four (three flying south, one present) on 20th and 23rd.
1987: 21 recorded flying south, 15 September to 20 October; 15 during 15-28 September.
1988 (Ho): 15 bird-days, 12 September to 15 October.
1989: two present on 21st, singles flew south on 24 September and 5 October, one present on 6 October; 15 bird-days, 8-27 October; records mostly of birds lingering in the area; no more than two birds in a day.
1990: 14 bird-days, highest day total three on 10 September; all before 23 October.
Crested Honey-Buzzard (Oriental Honey-Buzzard) Pernis ptilorhynchus LT—on 16th and 20 September 1912 saw ‘large hawks flying overhead which I took to be Honey-Buzzards’; another, ‘which appeared to be the same’ on 16 September 1915. H—no records. COE—134 individuals, 13 April to 25 May, including 85 misidentified as Mountain Hawk-Eagles Spizaetus nipalensis.
1986: 433 birds were recorded flying south from 22 August to 3 November. All except three were seen from LH. Twenty-five were seen to 10 September and the highest day total—170 birds—was recorded on 12 September. Other notable day totals were 60 on 17th and 45 on 23 September. The only records in October were six on 10th, three on 11th and one on 12th; one flew south on 3 November.
1987: 448 were recorded flying south, 16 September to 30 October; 347 were recorded over 23-26 September (highest day totals 202—200 flying south and two which came in to roost—on 25th, and 87—86 flying south and one which came in to roost—on 26th).
1988 (Ho): 70 bird-days, 13 September to 12 October; highest day total 19 on 20 September.
1989: seven flew south on 18th, 18 flew south on 27 September, four flew south on 5 October; nine bird-days (three birds?), 8 October to 6 November; one seen at LH on seven dates from 25 October to 6 November.
1990: before 23 October, 711 bird-days, highest day total 648 (flying south) on 17 September. From 23 October, one recorded from LH, flying south, on 24 October.
Black-eared Kite (Black Kite) Milvus (migrans) lineatus LT—’an important migration … especially in the autumn. … The autumn passage goes on throughout September and until the middle of October. Numbers of these birds are taken at this season by the hawk-catchers. A few summer here in suitable spots.’ WH—occurs in Hebei in every month of the year, least common in June, July and August. ‘At other times they act as scavengers in the cities and gather in great "rookeries" in the palace grounds for winter nights, going to the country through the day to hunt.’ Sh—’This is a permanent resident. Mollendorf’s (1877) statement that it was the commonest bird of prey seems to be not quite true nowadays. It is also a migrant which passes the plain from the end of February to April and from September to October.’ H—common migrant, largest numbers last part of September and first part of October, e.g. ‘in numbers passing over LH from E to W 15.IX, 10.X 1944.’ Some dates throughout the summer months. Latest date 19 November. COE—67 birds, 18 March to 17 May.
1986: 74 birds were recorded from 20 August to 20 October, including 67 recorded from LH, flying south. Six were seen in August, and four more to 6 September. The main passage was during 8-13 September, when 33 were seen and there was the highest day total—15 on 12th; 19 were seen during the rest of the month and a further 12 in October.
1987: 68 bird-days, 24 August to 5 November; highest day total 18 on 26 September. All but two were recorded flying south.
1988 (Ho): 28 bird-days, 13 September to 15 October.
1989: 13 flew south, 18 September to 5 October, highest day total eight on 18 September; 14 flew south, 13-16 October.
1990: before 23 October, 43 bird-days, highest day totals nine on 17 September and 18 on 6 October. From 23 October, two were recorded from LH, flying south, on 24 October.
As in spring 1985, the records hardly suggest an ‘important migration’ of the species, as found by La Touche; nor did we see the species passing over LH ‘in numbers’ as had Hemmingsen, or any birds which appeared to be summer residents. It appears that there has been a considerable decline in the species over the past forty years, a decline which has been far sharper than that noted by Shaw, from late last century to around 1936.
•(NT)White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla LT—common spring and autumn migrant; may winter in the area (specimens 6th or 7 March and from near Great Wall towards the middle of December). ‘The local hawk-catchers use this Eagle as a decoy, pegging the bird down at their nets. The owner of two of these birds told me he fed them in summer on fish and in winter on puppy dogs!’ Sh—passing migrant, rare. H—three sea-eagles with white tails seen and assumed to be this species: 4th, 6th and 23 November 1943. COE—an immature flew north on 31 March.
1986: 15 were recorded from LH, flying south, from 26 October to 18 November. Five were seen from 26-29 October; five more during the first ten days of November, and a further five were seen from 11-19 November, including three—the highest day total—on 14th. Of 14 birds aged, two were considered to be juveniles, one was immature, two were first- or second-year birds, one was second-year, two were second- or third-year, one was sub-adult and five were adults.
1987: five flew south, 30 October to 21 November.
1988 (Ho): nine flew south, 2-17 November.
1989: four flew south: one on 26 October and three on 13 November.
1990: four were recorded from LH, flying south: three on 9th and one on 10 November. All were juvenile or immature.
•(NT)Eurasian Black Vulture (Cinereous Vulture) Aegypius monachus LT, H, COE—no records. WH—cite five specimens obtained in Hebei. Sh—appears to be a rather rare resident in the mountainous region of northern and northwestern parts of the province.
1987: seven flew south on 12th and two flew south on 18 November; additionally, 16 were seen at Shanhaiguan one day in late November.
1990: a party of six was recorded from LH on 9 November. They apparently came in from the west, and headed off northwards.
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus LT, H, COE—no records. Sh, Ch—twice recorded by David in Beijing municipality.
1987—one flew south on 21 October.
1989: one flew south on 15 October.
William S. Clark (in litt. to MDW) saw one flying south on 6 October 1991.
Hen Harrier (Northern Harrier) Circus cyaneus LT—passes end of September and during October. A few winter in the vicinity. H—seen on 9-12 dates in four autumns, 14 September to 12 November; suggests that smaller peak in numbers of unidentified harriers towards the end of October was derived mainly from this species. COE—53 birds, 20 March to 28 April.
1986: 304 birds were recorded, 21 August to 19 November; 287 were recorded from LH, flying south. The first record—a pair flying south—was exceptionally early, and was not followed until 29 September. There was a first peak in passage over 7-13 October, when 51 were seen, and a second peak from 21 October to 13 November, when 195 were seen; the highest day totals were 30 on 10th, 40 on 26 October and 19 on 3 November.
1987: 273 bird-days, 25 September to 22 November; all but six were recorded flying south; highest day total 33 on 20 October.
1988 (Ho): 130 bird-days, 20 September to 17 November; two on 20 September not followed until three on 2 October; highest day totals 12 on 11th and 16 on 27 October.
1989: 128 bird-days (124 flew south), 8 October to 14 November; highest day total 17 on 31 October and 1 November.
1990: before 23 October, 32 bird-days, highest day total six on 8 October. From 23 October, 26 were recorded from LH, flying south, 24 October to 14 November; highest day total seven on 9 November.
Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos LT—by far the most abundant of the harriers, passing from the end of August to mid-October. H—recorded on 21 dates in four autumns, 11 August to 12 October. Mainly only certainly identified adult males; noted that peak occurrences of these, 25 August to 18 September, coincided with peak occurrences of unidentified harriers. Regarding unidentified harriers, notes that ‘I have never seen so many as on 4.IX 1944 when they almost swarmed, with tendency to WSW movement’. COE—504 birds, 1 April to 25 May.
1986: 14,534 birds were recorded flying south from 20 August to 7 October. Occurrences in seven-day periods were as follows: 589 from 20-26 August, 2151 from 27 August to 2 September, 2662 from 3-9 September, 7521 from 10-16 September, 1360 from 17-23 September, 295 from 24-30 September and eight from 1-7 October. Over half the total—7371 birds—passed during 10-14 September. The highest day totals were 868 on 7th, 2874 on 10th, 2957 on 12th and 703 on 13 September.
1987: 2240 bird-days, 21 August to 22 October; all but 11 were recorded flying south; highest day totals 338 on 1st and 260 on 7 September; only records after 8 October were one with a damaged wing on 20th and 21st and two flying south on 22 October.
1988 (Ho): 4738 bird-days, 8 September to 13 October; highest day total 2033 on 12 September.
1989: 274 flew south, 14 September to 5 October, highest day total 196 on 18 September; two immature harriers at YH on 9 October may have been this species.
1990: 1917 bird-days, highest day totals 556 on 4th, 238 on 13th and 193 on 14 September; all before 23 October.
Rather unusually for a raptor, passed in numbers during early morning.
Eastern Marsh-Harrier (Striped Harrier) Circus (aeruginosus) spilonotus LT—extremely abundant during September until well into October. H—one specimen (14 September); no other certain records (due to problems in identification). COE—258 birds, 5 April to 20 May.
1986: 576 bird-days were recorded from 20 August to 9 November. The number of individuals will have been close to this figure, as most flew south, including 531 recorded from LH. The main passage was from 17-30 September, when 254 bird-days were logged; the highest day totals were 25 on 14th, 58 on 20th, 26 on 22nd, 30 on 23rd and 48 on 24 September. After 11 October, passage was reduced to a trickle—there were 22 birds seen, with records on 13 days.
1987: 489 bird-days, 28 August to 31 October; all but 13 were recorded flying south; highest day totals 58 on 3rd and 43 on 9th and 12 October.
1988 (Ho): 173 bird-days, 8 September to 1 November; highest day total 35 on 21 September.
1989: 15 flew south, 18 September to 5 October; 52 bird-days (47 flew south), 9-29 October; highest counts 13 south on 14th and 15 October.
1990: 308 bird-days, highest day totals 52 on 17th and 60 on 21 September; all before 23 October.
Unidentified harriers Circus spp.
1986: 161 unidentified harriers were recorded from 20 August to 16 October, mainly from LH. The highest day count was 22 on 30 September.
1987: 252 bird-days.
1988 (Ho): 29 bird-days.
1990: 67 were recorded before 23 October.
Chinese Goshawk (Grey Frog-Hawk) Accipiter soloensis LT—on several occasions in autumn saw small hawks passing which may have been this species. H—no records. Sh—passing migrant. COE—six birds, 25 March to 5 May. Ch—occasionally seen in Hebei and Shandong provinces.
1986: eight birds were recorded from LH, flying south. Singles were seen on 22nd, 25th and 30 August, 1st and 9 September, and three on 7 September.
1987: five flew south, 28 August to 10 October.
1988 (Ho): singles flew south on 16 September and 1 October.
1990: one on 10 September.
Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis LT—appears to be common in September and the first half of October. H—four records, all in autumn; 27 September to 15 November. ‘On LH this hawk is netted in autumn (esp. Oct.) with smaller birds, e.g. Sand Larks (Asian Short-toed Larks), as bait, and used to catch quail or similarly sized birds by throwing the hawk after them.’ COE—only certain records were of 10-11 males, 1-20 May. Possibly some were misidentified as Eurasian Sparrowhawks, and others included in the total of 38 unidentified sparrowhawks.
1986: 725 birds were recorded flying south (including 711 recorded from LH), 29 August to 28 October. The actual number was probably higher than this due to initial confusion over identification. Thus, totals of 156 and 88 unidentified sparrowhawks on 9th and 10 September, respectively, could largely derive from Japanese Sparrowhawks, which were just beginning to pass in numbers. Only seven birds were recorded to 9 September, but there were 56 on 10th, and including these 545 were recorded flying south to 23 September, with peak day totals of 152 on 12th and 86 on 23 September. During the rest of September, 76 were seen; a further 79 were recorded during the first 11 days of October. Numbers then dropped off sharply, with only nine recorded from six dates during the rest of the passage period. An albinotic bird was seen on 16 September.
1987: 747 bird-days, 21 August to 18 October; all but 45 were recorded flying south; highest day totals 93 on 28 August and 162 on 21 September.
1988 (Ho): 588 bird-days, 8 September to 12 October; highest day totals 71 on 15th, 224 on 20th, 55 on 22nd and 47 on 24 September.
1989: five bird-days, 24-28 September; 13 bird-days, 11-28 October.
1990: 482 bird-days, highest day totals 124 on 10th and 79 on 17 September; all before 23 October.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus LT—passes from mid-September to the end of November. WH—sometimes abundant on migration (some confusion with Japanese Sparrowhawks?), September and October or November. A good many stay on the plain in the winter, and a few apparently summer. H—one specimen only, about 22 September. COE—140 bird-days, 16 March to 20 May. Some may have been misidentified Japanese Sparrowhawks, especially late in the passage period.
1986: 470 birds, 26 August to 20 November; most were recorded flying south, including 410 recorded from LH. Thirty-eight were recorded during 26-31 August (some perhaps misidentified Japanese Sparrowhawks), and seven during 1-7 September; then an increase in passage, with 75 during 8-15 September, but this was not sustained, with 55 passing during the remainder of the month; 118 bird-days were logged to 25 October, and passage peaked from 26 October to 6 November—105 birds were recorded during this period. Passage decreased after this, with around half of the 59 bird-days logged until 20 November deriving from birds which were temporarily resident at LH, where up to four ‘local birds’ were seen in a day. This period may have marked the arrival of winter visitors. The highest day totals were 27 on 12 September, 29 on 26th and 40 on 28 October.
1987: 571 bird-days, 6 September to 28 November; 492 were recorded flying south; highest day totals were 42 on 25th and 41 on 26 September, 33 on 12th, 35 on 14th, 31 on 17th and 30 on 19 October.
1988 (Ho): at least 531 bird-days, 11 September to 18 November; highest day totals 198 on 20 September and 38 on 5 October.
1989: four on 18 September and three on 5 October; 320 bird-days (268 flew south), 7 October to 14 November; highest day totals 52 and 42, flying south, on 16th and 31 October, respectively.
1990: before 23 October, 396 bird-days, highest day totals 63 on 17 September, 48 on 6th and 39 on 15 October. From 23 October, 80 bird-days (33 were recorded flying south), 23 October to 15 November; highest count of birds flying south ten on 25 October; lingering birds often noted, especially at LH, where the highest number was five on 14 November (passage had declined by this date—only two birds were recorded flying south from 10 November).
Japanese Sparrowhawk/Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis/A. nisus H—noted on 26 dates in four autumns, 8 September to 15 November; autumn maximum of smaller unidentified birds of prey (falcons/small hawks) in the last part of September and in October.
1986: 609 bird-days, 20 August to 29 October; 581 were recorded from LH, flying south. Most of the records were early in the survey, when confusion was being experienced over the separation of the two species: there were 551 to 14 September, with peak counts of 156 on 9th, 88 on 10th, 66 on 12th and 64 on 13 September. We found the Japanese Sparrowhawk to be much the commoner of the two species during this period, so many of these unidentified birds may well have been this species. Once we had eliminated most of the confusion, numbers dropped sharply: only 31 were recorded in the latter half of September and 25 in the first half of October.
1988 (Ho): 44 bird-days.
1990: 83 bird-days, highest day total 51 on 17 September, all before 23 October.
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis LT—fresh specimens in the market: 21 March 1913, 23 January 1916. Sh—passing migrant, some remain in winter. WH—’This is the commonest hunting falcon (sic)’; few field records, May and October. H—’This species is the most sought-after bird by the hawk-trappers in October. The bait used was pigeons or Red-legged [Amur] Falcons. … All the birds I saw at PTH [Beidaihe] were young ones.’ Two specimens, 16 October. COE—168 birds passed north, others were temporarily resident in the area, especially early in the season; 16 March to 18 May.
1986: 368 were recorded, 20 August to 19 November; most flew south, including 352 recorded from LH. Twenty-five were recorded in August (when it is possible some were misidentified Japanese Sparrowhawks which, though far smaller, have a very similar silhouette), and 57 in September, all after 9th. The main passage was from 8-17 October, when 155 individuals were seen; 62 were recorded during the rest of the month, and there were 48 in November, including two which remained in the area from the 16th. The highest day totals were 56 on 10 October and 42 the following day.
1987: 386 bird-days, 10 September to 19 November; all but 15 were recorded flying south; highest day totals 97 on 14th and 30 on 30 October. A juvenile of the northern race A. g. albidus was seen in mid-October; another juvenile also had very pale underparts, but the upperparts were as for birds of the typical race (schvedowi).
1988 (Ho): 209 bird-days, 13 September to 13 November; highest day totals 22 on 20 September, 28 on 11th and 24 on 24 October.
1989: eight bird-days, 18 September to 5 October; 137 bird-days (129 flew south), 7 October to 16 November; highest day totals 26 and 52 flying south on 15th and 16 October, respectively.
1990: before 23 October, 182 bird-days, highest day totals 44 on 17 September, 30 on 6th and 22 on 15 October. From 23 October, 34 bird-days (29 were recorded flying south), 23 October to 14 November; highest count of birds flying south eight on 25 October; only record after 10 November was one at LH on 14th.
Unidentified sparrowhawks/goshawks Accipiter spp.
1986: 266 unidentified Accipiters were recorded from 20 August to 18 November all from LH, flying south. There were 175 during 29 August to 14 September, with peak counts of 40 on 29 August and 30 on 10 September. During October 45 birds were recorded and in November only eight.
1987: 348 bird-days.
1989: 96 flew south, 15 September to 6 October.
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo LT—passes abundantly in September and October, probably also in November. H—noted on six dates, 5-26 October; also several on 5 December 1945, believed to be migrating down the coast on account of the very severe winter. COE—approximately 85 birds, 16 March to 10 May.
1986: 1119 bird-days were logged from 16 September to 19 November; around 1075 individuals were probably involved; 1050 were seen from LH, flying south. Fourteen birds were seen during September, and passage picked up at the beginning of October. The main passage was from 8 October to 1 November, when 966 bird-days were logged, with peak counts of 321 on 10th, 190 on 11th and 98 on 26 October. During November, 127 bird-days were logged, though no records after 15th refer to birds flying south: up to four ‘local birds’ were seen at LH during this month, with two present on the 19th, the last day of the survey.
1987: 3162 bird-days, 15 September to 27 November; all but 86 were recorded flying south, 2462 bird-days were logged from 12-21 October; highest day totals 585 on 12th, 992 on 14th, 211 on 17th and 224 on 20 October.
1988 (Ho): 1861 bird-days, 20 September to 18 November; at least 1100 flew south on 11 October.
1989: three flew south on 27 September and 92 over 5-6 October; 1534 bird-days (1496 flew south), 8 October to 14 November; highest day totals 427 and 740 flying south on 15th and 16 October, respectively.
1990: before 23 October, 2210 bird-days, highest day totals 1048 on 6th, 470 on 8th and 459 on 9 October. From 23 October, 253 bird-days (233 were recorded flying south), 24 October to 15 November; highest counts of birds flying south 44 on 24th and 76 on 25 October, 35 on 6th and 20 on 9 November; after latter date, only one recorded flying south and up to two birds present.
The records suggest this species is common in autumn, not abundant as reported by La Touche.
Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius LT—passes in October and November; ‘I have seen examples used as decoys by the hawk-trappers, who capture many during times of passage.’ H—singles seen a few times.
1986: 415 birds were recorded from 16 October to 19 November; 411 were recorded from LH, flying south. Sixteen were noted to 24 October, and 255 from this date to 5 November, which proved to be the main passage period; 69 birds were recorded during both 7-13 November and the last week of the study. The highest day total was 102 on 28 October; other notable day totals were 42 on 26 October, 39 on 3rd and 43 on 14 November.
1987: 66 bird-days; an early bird on 22 September, otherwise 20 October to 18 November; all but four were recorded flying south; highest day totals 17 on 30 October, 16 on 4th and 19 on 18 November.
1988 (Ho): 101 bird-days, 24 October to 18 November.
1989: 46 bird-days (45 flew south), 17 October to 14 November; highest day totals 16 on 31 October and 11 on 13 November.
1990: before 23 October, 37 bird-days, first noted 1 October. From 23 October, 350 bird-days (347 were recorded flying south, and one north), 24 October to 16 November; highest counts of birds flying south 27 on 25 October, 44 on 6th, 190 on 9th and 45 on 10 November, after which date eight recorded flying south and singles present on two dates.
Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus La Touche (1925-1934)—perhaps saw two. H—singles on 6th and 7 November 1943 (different birds). COE—one, 25 April.
1986: 47 birds were recorded flying south, from 10 October to 18 November. Total of 12 birds from nine dates in October; further three during 3-6 November. The peak of passage was over 8-11 November, when 20 birds were recorded; 12 were logged over 14-18 November. The peak counts were nine on 8 November and six the following day. All but four were seen from LH.
1987: 25 birds recorded flying south, 15 October to 17 November; highest day total four on 4 November.
1988 (Ho): 11 bird-days, 18 October to 16 November; highest day total five on 27 October.
1989: 25 bird-days (24 flew south), 8 October to 10 November; highest day total 13 flying south on 31 October.
1990: before 23 October, two birds were recorded. After 23 October, nine were recorded flying south, 24 October to 11 November; highest day total four on 9 November.
Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus LT—seen by collectors on 2nd and 7 May 1913; one bird believed to be this species seen on 20 September 1914. H—no records. Wilder and Hubbard (1926)—taken at the Eastern Tombs on 21 June 1923, and seen at Western Tombs in July 1924. COE—19 flew north, 30 April to 21 May.
1987: one flew south, 25 September.
1988 (Ho): three on 5th and one on 11 October.
1990: one on 6 October.
Unidentified buzzards Buteo spp./Pernis ptilorhyncus
1986: 62 flew south from 24 September to 15 November; 32 were logged from 26 October to 5 November.
1987: 54 bird-days.
•(VU)Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga LT—one bought from hawk-catcher 6 October 1912, one seen 12 October 1913; shot, but failed to secure, what was presumably a third example on 16 September 1915. WH—’Judging from the numbers of specimens brought in, this is the most common of our eagles.’ Considered it probably resident in the mountains, and likely to be among the eagles which pass over Beijing too high for identification in spring and autumn. Wilder (1924)—specimen obtained late August or early September 1924. Sh—passing migrant, rare. H—one specimen, 26 October, and others possibly seen on three dates, 22 October to 11 November. COE—four birds, 29 April to 21 May.
1986: 15 birds recorded from LH, flying south, from 10 October to 8 November. Five were seen on 10 October and three the following day, a total of six was recorded on five days from 16-28 October, and one was seen on 8 November. Of 12 birds aged, seven were considered to be juveniles, two were immature and three were adult.
1987: 14 bird-days (11 individuals), 3 October to 5 November.
1988 (Ho): six bird-days (five individuals), 6 October to 2 November.
1989: five flew south: singles on 5th, 15th and 22 October and two on 31 October.
1990: before 23 October, ten bird-days: six on 6th and singles on 7th, 13th, 15th and 18 October. From 23 October, one flew south on 9 November.
Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis LT—specimen ‘of what I take to be the Eastern Steppe Eagle, from Chihfeng in outer Chihli [Hebei]’. WH—’In August 1917, what we supposed to be this eagle were very common in Mongolia and a few were taken at Kalgan.’ Sh—passing migrant. H, COE--no records.
1986: two were recorded on 28 October and one on 8 November. All were seen from LH, flying south.
1987: an eagle which was considered to be this species flew south on 3 October.
1988 (Ho): one flew south on 3 November.
1989: five flew south: singles on 5th, 15th and 22 October and two on 28th and 31 October.
1990: an immature flew south on 9 November.
•(VU)Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca LT, H, COE—no records. Sh—passing migrant. Ch—migrant in Hebei; status: uncommon.
1986: ten birds were recorded from LH, flying south: two immatures on 15 September, an adult on 26 September, a second-year bird on 10 October and six juveniles on 28 October.
1987: three flew south, 20 October to 4 November.
1988 (Ho): five flew south, 11 October to 12 November.
1989: singles flew south on 16th, 25th and 28 October.
1990: before 23 October, one was seen on 18th and 19 October (same bird). From 23 October, single immatures flew south on 6th and 9 November.
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos LT—specimens 21 November 1915 and 11th or 12 April 1916. ‘It is doubtless a resident in this part of the province.’ (yet Shaw considered it a rare passage migrant). H—one record, 17 February 1945. COE—no records. Ch—resident in Hebei; status: uncommon.
1986: four to six birds were recorded at LH. Records of single juveniles flying south on 21st, north on 23rd and south on 26 October may refer to just one individual. The other records were all of birds passing south: an immature on 28th and an adult on 29 October, and a juvenile on 5 November.
1987: five flew south, 18 October to 2 November.
1988 (Ho): one flew south on 13 November.
1989: one flew south on 8 November.
1990: no records.
Unidentified eagles Aquila sp.
1986: five unidentified Aquila eagles were recorded from LH, flying south: one on 11th, three on 25th and one on 26 October.
1987: singles on 22nd and 30 October.
1988 (Ho): a Steppe or Imperial Eagle was seen on 9 November.
1990: one on 10 October.
Unidentified medium/large raptors
1986: 143 unidentified medium/large raptors were recorded from 20 August to 14 November. The highest count was 14 on 14 September.
•(VU)Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni LT—no records. Sh—summer visitor. H—a pair, 7 April 1943. COE—no records. Ch—breeds in northern and central parts of Hebei.
1986: 108 bird-days, 20 August to 19 November; all but four were recorded from LH, flying south. Five were recorded to 16 September, when the main passage period began, with 61 birds seen during the second half of the month and the highest day count—23 birds—on 22 September. Ten were seen in the first half of October and 15 in the second half, and there were a further 15 in November. It is possible that, especially late in the period, some birds were misidentified Eurasian Kestrels.
1987: 14 were recorded flying south, 7 September to 3 October; highest day total seven on 25 September.
1988 (Ho): 20 bird-days, 21 September to 11 October.
1989: singles flew south on 28 October and 9 November.
1990: five were recorded before 23 October.
Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus LT—passes in September and October. H—more common in autumn than in spring, 31 August to 16 November. Suggested that some autumn records may refer to lingering individuals, e.g. one to four seen or heard almost daily around eastern Beidaihe from September to 16 November 1944. COE—52 bird-days, 16 March to 6 May. Ch—the commonest falcon in China.
1986: 294 bird-days, 20 August to 18 November; 208 were recorded from LH, flying south. Initial records were of up to three ‘resident’ birds in the LH/Re area and certain passage was only noted from 8 September, with the ensuing week seeing 26 birds flying south. The main passage period roughly coincided with that of the Lesser Kestrel, and during 17-26 September about 64 individuals were seen. Subsequent numbers kept relatively constant, with 14-19 birds noted each week until the beginning of November. There were nine in each of the first two weeks of November, but after the 14th only two or three ‘local birds’ remained. The total number of birds seen flying south was about 157; the highest day count was 19 on 21 September.
1987: 277 bird-days, 20 August to 18 November; 204 were recorded flying south; highest day total 18 on 19 October.
1988 (Ho): 115 bird-days, 11 September to 18 November; highest day total 21 on 20 September; other than eight on 1st, those in November were mainly lingering in the area.
1989: 16 bird-days, 15 September to 5 October; 54 bird-days (40 flew south), 8 October to 16 November; 22 bird-days from 11-17 October; highest day total seven on 16 October (six flew south).
1990: before 23 October, 59 bird-days, highest day total 12 on 17 September. From 23 October, 26 bird-days (11 were recorded flying south), 24 October to 15 November. Day totals did not exceed three, and records were fairly evenly scattered during the period.
Unidentified kestrels Falco naumanni/tinnunculus
1986: 55 unidentified kestrels were recorded from 8 September to 3 November. Around half were seen during the latter half of September, coinciding with the peak passage periods of the two kestrel species.
1987: 57 bird-days, 8 September to 4 November.
1988 (Ho): at least two.
1990: four were recorded before 23 October.
Amur Falcon Falco amurensis LT—very common summer visitor, seen until the end of October. On 16 September 1915, saw ‘numbers travelling along the seashore, hovering and feeding on the dunes as they passed by.’ H—a few seen throughout the summer; in the beginning of September of the years 1942-1944, larger parties, evidently on migration, were seen, and ‘at the end of September flocks of 10, 20, 30, in which only a few adult males were seen, moved slowly in migration direction over GS or SF, often stopping to hover and hunt.’ COE—34 birds, 22 April to 20 May.
1986: 465 bird-days, 21 August to 26 October, involving about 450 individuals; 436 were recorded from LH, flying south. To the end of the first week of September 33 bird-days were logged. Significant passage then began, and lasted until 21 October. The main sustained passage period lasted for three weeks, from 16 September to 6 October, with 72-79 bird-days logged each week, and the highest day count—41 birds—on 23 September. The week from 14-20 October saw heavier passage, with 83 bird-days logged and a high count of 40 birds on 18th.
1987: 892 bird-days, 28 August to 29 October; highest day totals 243 on 3rd, 50 on 16th and 106 on 17 October. All but 13 were recorded flying south.
1988 (Ho): 343 bird-days, 9 September to 24 October; highest day total 116 on 11 October (99 passed before 07h00, presumably reflecting continuation of passage from the previous day, when at least 79 had been seen).
1989: three flew south on 26 September and 57 over 5-6 October; 152 bird-days (128 flew south), 7-29 October; 40 flew south on 12 October.
1990: 95 bird-days, highest day totals 17 on 6th and 33 on 15 October; all before 23 October.
Merlin Falco columbarius LT—passes from September to December; some probably winter in the district. H—two certain records: one which chased starlings, a Hoopoe and a Black-billed Magpie on 4 April 1944, and one chasing waders on 20 October 1945. ‘Probably quite a number of the unidentified small falcons from late autumn (to) April and beg. May were Merlins judging from their small size.’ COE—six or seven birds, 24 March to 23 April.
1986: 18 birds were recorded flying south from 7 October to 14 November. Seen on 14 days. In October, eight were recorded during 7th-15th, four during 19th-21st and five during 25th-28th. The last record was of one flying south on 14 November. All were seen from LH and the highest day total was three on 10 October.
1987: 34 bird-days, 20 September to 11 November; all but three were recorded flying south; 27 bird-days were logged during 8-31 October; highest day total four on 31 October.
1988 (Ho): 14 bird-days, 20 September to 17 November.
1989: nine bird-days (eight flew south), 15 October to 12 November.
1990: before 23 October, six bird-days. After 23 October, singles on five dates (four were recorded flying south), 6-14 November.
Northern Hobby Falco subbuteo LT—a few noted in late May 1913. H—singles on two dates in May and one in June. COE—at least 150 birds, 26 April to 26 May. Ch—breeds in Hebei; status: fairly common in summer.
1986: 185 bird-days, 20 August to 17 October; 143 were recorded from LH, flying south. The main passage period was two or three weeks earlier than that of the Amur Falcon—during the first half of September, when 70 bird-days were logged. Forty-two bird-days were logged in August, and 47 in the second half of September. More birds were noted lingering in the area than was the case with the Amur Falcon, indicating a more leisurely withdrawal—37 bird-days were derived from ‘local birds’, which stayed overnight or for a few days (LH was a favourite locality for these birds). The highest day totals were 11 (flying south) on 21 August, 13 (ten flying south, three present) on 6th, and 13 (12 flying south, one present) on 8 September.
1987: 261 bird-days, 20 August to 22 October; 146 were recorded flying south; highest day totals ten on 18th, 14 on 21 September, and 11 on 3 October.
1988 (Ho): at least 161 bird-days, 9 September to 8 October; highest day totals 26 on 18th and 23 on 20 September; a ‘considerable number’ of birds seen were lingering at LH and Re (e.g. 16 over Re at dusk on 18 September, ‘taking the opportunity to catch a few insects while looking for a suitable roost’).
1989: 24 bird-days (five flew south); other than a late bird on 28 October, all were recorded from 8-16 October.
1990: 159 bird-days, highest day totals ten on 10th and 15th, and at least 15 on 17 September; all before 23 October.
Amur Falcon/Northern Hobby Falco amurensis/F. subbuteo
1986: the difficulty in separating immatures of the two species, which are structurally even more similar than are the adults, led to 901 unidentified birds being logged; 885 were recorded from LH, flying south. Peak numbers were during 8-15 September, when 524 birds were recorded; the following week saw 216 birds recorded and there were 89 in the week after that. Otherwise, weekly tallies were 30 or less. The highest counts were 121 on 8th, 169 on 12th and 67 on 17 September.
1987: 34 bird-days.
1988 (Ho): two birds, 2 October.
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug LT—passes in October and November. ‘A few of these Falcons are caught every year and are held in high esteem by Chinese falconers. They are used for hawking hares. Two birds are generally flown together.’ Sh—passing migrant, some remain in winter. WH—’This is not very common in the falcon market where it is much prized.’ H—unidentified large falcons seen on 20 dates in three autumns, 22 August to 16 November; some doubts as to whether some of them may have been Northern Hobbies. Notes that Wilder and Hubbard report the Saker Falcon more common than the Peregrine Falcon as far as collected specimens are concerned. COE—no records, though one of the ‘Peregrine Falcons’ was remarkably brown and may, in retrospect, have been this species. Ch—migrant in Hebei; status: uncommon.
1986: 17 birds were recorded from 31 August to 10 November, with records on 12 dates, mainly from LH. The first record was of an immature male at SF. In September, singles on 7th and 29th. In October, there were seven during 17th-29th; also seven in the first ten days of November. The highest day count was three on 26 October.
1987: 17 bird-days, 16 September to 22 November; 13 were recorded flying south.
1988 (Ho): 13 were recorded flying south, 14 September to 13 November; all singles except three heading south together on 2 November.
1989: 18 bird-days (16 flew south), 15 October to 4 November.
1990: before 23 October, one on 7 October. From 23 October, ten bird-days (six were recorded flying south), 24 October to 10 November; sightings of a male (small bird) at LH on four dates from 25 October to 1 November were assumed to be of the same individual.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus LT—seen in summer, and well into November. ‘I have also seen this Falcon pegged out at the hawk-catcher’s nets, and it is valued for hawking purposes.’ Sh—passing migrant, rare. H—see Saker Falcon. COE—eight birds, at least one of which may—in retrospect—have been a misidentified Saker Falcon, 26 April to 9 May.
1986: single males were recorded from LH, flying south, on 15th, 18th and 22 September and 1 October.
1987: seven were recorded flying south, 16 September to 18 October.
1988 (Ho): six were recorded flying south, 20 September to 24 October.
1989: one flew south on 15 October.
1990: six bird-days (five individuals): two on 21st and one on 22 August, one on 7th and two on 15 October.
Unidentified falcons Falco spp.
1986: 54 unidentified falcons were recorded from 21 August to 18 November: eight in August, 16 in September, 19 in October and 11 in November.
1987: 54 were recorded flying south.
1990: two unidentified small falcons were recorded before 23 October, and an unidentified large falcon on 2 October.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 21 May 2006 )
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