| Article Index |
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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 26 of 29
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus LT—probably resident in wooded parts. H—three birds in November 1943. COE—one A.c. caudatus, 30 April. Ch—A.c. vinaceus resident and winter visitor in Hebei, A.c. caudatus winter visitor to the province.
1986: 104 bird-days, 12 October to 16 November; all except 17 birds were seen at LH, often in flocks of 5-11 birds. There was a slight concentration of records during the last week of October and first week of November. Birds of the subspecies A.c. vinaceus and A.c. caudatus were seen, and several individuals showed intermediate characters.
1987: 122 bird-days, 6 September to 17 November; only 12 bird-days to 17 October, after which more regularly seen; highest day totals 12 on 21st, 14 on 25 October and 12 on 3 November.
1988 (Ho): 39 bird-days, 30 September to 14 November.
1989: 258 bird-days, 9 October to 12 November; highest day totals 25 on 14th and 41 on 16 October (birds seen well were all A.c. vinaceus).
1990: before 23 October, 167 bird-days (A.c. caudatus), highest day total 39 on 15 October. From 23 October, 241 bird-days (again all A.c. caudatus), throughout the period; highest day totals 30 on 23rd, 29 on 24th, 23 on 25th, 22 on 26 October and 19 on 15 November. These are the highest numbers of this race yet recorded at Beidaihe, perhaps suggesting an irruption (interestingly, one was seen in Hong Kong in late December—well south of the known range, and possibly an escape though it showed no signs of this: Picken 1991). The switch from all A.c. vinaceus in 1989 to all A.c. caudatus in 1990 is curious (the races are readily separable).
The species has been fairly common at Beidaihe in recent years, suggesting that the population has increased, perhaps as a result of mild winters. In each autumn, there was no evidence of strong passage through the area; the bird-day totals may be significantly higher than the numbers of birds seen.
Chinese Penduline Tit Remiz (pendulinus) consobrinus LT—not common; in autumn one on 25 October 1911, a flock 5th-7th or 8 October 1915 and a party on 16 October 1916. Wilder (1924)—two small flocks, 6-9 October 1923; ‘These were the first I had ever noticed wild, though I had bought them in the Peking market several times.’ H—once seen and twice probably heard in spring, two or three seen 26 October 1944. COE—just over 1000 bird-days, 28 April to 28 May. Ch—migrates though Hebei; uncommon in the north of China.
1986: 1292 bird-days, 24 September to 19 November. There was significant passage throughout October, with the main passage from 3rd-17th when 1051 bird-days were logged. Most passed south: 1026 were recorded from LH, including the highest day count, 530 birds on 15 October.
1987: 2570 bird-days, 24 September to 9 November; 2491 bird-days from 7-26 October, including 2158 birds recorded flying south; highest day total 1190 (1150 flew south) on 13 October.
1988 (Ho): 4187 bird-days, 30 September to 16 November; 2715 were recorded on 11 October, mainly/wholly passing south over TH; only 50 were recorded from LH on this day.
1989: first recorded on 6 October; 1577 bird-days (1431 flew south), 8 October to 16 November; 1448 bird-days over 12-19 October; highest totals 321 flying south on 12th and 707 flying south on 19 October.
1990: before 23 October, 245 bird-days, highest day total 130 on 13 October. From 23 October, 88 bird-days (60 were recorded flying south), 23 October to 5 November; highest day total 23 (all flying south) on 25 October.
As in spring 1985, the species was common to abundant at Beidaihe during the autumn surveys, rather than uncommon as previously reported. It thus seems that the population migrating through the area has substantially increased in recent years.
Marsh Tit Parus palustris LT—common in the interior to within a few miles of the port; resident. H—common resident.
A common resident throughout the area, not systematically recorded. Possibly an influx on 23 October 1989.
Coal Tit Parus ater LT—evidently travels down the coast, at least occasionally. H—four birds recorded, in December, February and April; probably also in January and March. COE—50 bird-days, 16 March to 13 April. Ch—resident and migrant in Hebei.
1986: 74 bird-days, 21 August to 17 November. The first record, of a single bird, was not followed until 16 October, after which records were more regular. The main period of occurrence was from 22 October to 4 November, when 54 bird-days were logged and the highest day count—nine birds—was made on 30 October. Nearly all the records were from LH.
1987: nine bird-days (no more than two in a day), 23 October to 7 November.
1988 (Ho): 80 bird-days, 2 October to the end of the survey; highest day total 12 on 3 November.
1989: no records.
1990: before 23 October, 105 bird-days, highest day totals 16 on 10th and 17 on 22 October. From 23 October, 118 bird-days, throughout the period; highest day totals 11 on 24th, ten on 25 October, 19 on 2nd and ten on 3 November; mainly recorded at LH. Relatively high numbers, perhaps indicating an irruption (cf. Long-tailed Tits of race caudatus).
Yellow-bellied Tit Parus venustulus LT, H—no records. COE—21 bird-days, 21 April to 19 May. Ch—resident Beijing Municipality, Hebei (midpart).
1986: 74 bird-days, 27 September to 20 November. Twenty bird-days were logged to mid-October and seven in the second half of the month. There were a further 11 bird-days during 1st-6th and 28 during 10-13 November, and another eight during the last five days of the survey; the highest day totals were ten on 9 October, 13 on 11th and 11 on 12 November. Over half the records were from LH; seven were recorded from the watchpoint, flying south.
1987: 377 bird-days, 1 September to the end of the survey; only three bird-days to 5 October; the highest day totals were 24 on 27 October, 15 on 7th, 17 on 13th, 16 on 15th, 21 on 20th and 16 on 22 November; on most days from late October to late November up to 15 were present around the Diplomatic Personnel Guest House.
1988 (Ho): at least 57 bird-days, 18 September to 3 November; highest day totals ten on 3rd and eight on 20 October.
1989: three on 6 October; 103 bird-days, 12 October to 16 November; highest day totals 14 on 6 November, and ten on 27 October and 7 November.
1990: before 23 October, 13 bird-days, highest day total eight on 4 October. From 23 October, singles were at LH on 24th and 29 October.
It seems surprising that this species had not been recorded at Beidaihe prior to spring 1985. Perhaps there has been a range expansion, with a migratory population now breeding to the north of the range given by Cheng.
Great Tit Parus major LT—common in inland wooded localities. Wilder (1925)—trees at Beidaihe ‘have developed so finely [that] Japanese titmice [= Great Tits] … now breed here regularly, whereas they were never seen years ago.’ H—seen more or less often all year round, though there may be a few more in spring and autumn.
A common resident throughout the area, not systematically recorded.
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