16/6/04 - 14/7/04 Qinghai, China

Qinghai, China 16^th June – 14^th July 2004

 

David & John Cooper

 

Itinerary

 

16^th June Arrived Beijing at 8am and found the shuttle bus to the nearby Sino-Swiss Hotel arriving there at 9.15am. We met Jesper Hornskov who had arranged our trip at 10.30am and three of the other participants being John David, John Geale and Heinz Remold and took a taxi to the Summer Palace where we birded in continuous rain around the pools and woodland for 4 hours. We returned to the Sino-Swiss Hotel meeting our good friend Ed Hagen, the final participant, and enjoyed a good meal in a nearby restaurant.

 

17^th June Birded the grounds of the Sino-Swiss Hotel from 6am to 7.30am before enjoying a large buffet breakfast. Left the Hotel on the 9.30am shuttle bus to the airport for our 11.55am flight to Xining arriving at c.2.30pm. Met our two drivers, both being Mr. Zhou’s, and our minder Mr. Jiang. Drove to a Hotel in the City Centre and then to the eroded hillsides on the outskirts of Xining where we birded until 7.30pm. Altitude 2818m.

 

18^th June Out at 5am for the 70km drive west to the Dongxia Forest at an altitude of 2,818m. Birded the spruce forest until c.4pm before returning to Xining.

 

19^th June Left Xining at 6am for the 2 hour drive to Koko Nor. Spent until 1.30pm at the eastern end at a freshwater lake and marsh and surrounding pastures. We then drove west along the southern shore for 30 minutes before a noodles stop and then a walk to the southern shore of Koko Nor. We then drove on to Heimahe where booked into a local Motel before driving to a stupa on the shore of Koko Nor where we remained until 7pm.

 

20^th June Left Heimahe at 6am for some scrubby hillsides to the west of town. Walked the hillsides until 2.30pm before driving into the Chaka Desert west of Koko Nor where we birded an oasis that had formerly been used as a prison before booking into another local motel at Chaka.

 

21^st June Left Chaka at 6am continuing west into the Chaka Desert where we birded until midday before walking a nearby wadi until c.2pm. We returned to the oasis for the late afternoon before making an evening drive to Heimahe.

 

22^nd June Left Heimahe at 6am for scrubby hillsides along the road to Gonghe where we birded until midday. Then drove to Gonghe and birded a nearby farmland oasis for 2 hours during an inclement evening. Stayed in a Hotel at Gonghe.

 

23^rd June Birded the Gonghe farmland oasis but again in the rain. Then drove south through poor weather stopping at a deep wadi enroute to Er La Pass where walked to the saddle the weather by now having improved. Stayed in a local Motel just beyond the Pass.

 

24^th June Out at 6am for 10 hours at Er La Pass before returning to the nearby Motel.

 

25^th June Left the Motel at 6am for an all day drive to Banma seeing Tibetan Gazelle, Wild Ass and many Pika enroute. Stayed in a Hotel at Banma Town.

 

26^th June Left Banma at 6am and birded enroute whilst driving to the Banma Forest Station arriving at 2pm. Walked to the bridge and birded the hillsides and the Stream Trail accessed by crossing the bridge just downstream of the Station.

 

27^th June Left Banma at 6am and spent until 8pm on a logging track c.5km upstream from the Forest Station.

 

28^th June Out by 6am walking the Stream Trail then up onto a ridge before dropping through the forest to a dry ravine getting back to Banma Forest Station at 4.30pm. Evening walk to the Blue-eared Pheasant meadow where got caught in a heavy rainstorm.

 

29^th June Out by 6am spending the entire morning in the dry ravine. Spent a wet afternoon driving to Banma Town with a couple of stops enroute.

 

30^th June Left Banma Town at 6am for the 450km drive to Maduo checking marshland just north of town seeing a pack of 3 Wolves, c.15 Wild Ass and a few Tibetan Fox.

 

1^st July Left Maduo at 6am in cold wet weather. Stopped at wetlands just south of town and then at a high pass enroute to Yushu where the weather was still miserable. Stayed in a comfortable Hotel in Yushu.

 

2^nd July Left Yushu at 6am for high passes to the south of town towards Nangjen.

 

3^rd July Left Yushu at 5.30am for an all day drive again via the high passes to Nangjen Forest Station.

 

4^th July Out at 6am and walked up the First Valley opposite Nangjen Forest Station.

 

5^th July Out at 6am and walked up the Third Valley opposite Nangjen Forest Station.

 

6^th July Up at 4am for an unsuccessful attempt at relocating the Pere David’s Owl. Heavy rain started just before dawn and persisted until midday. We then drove to the Tibet border walking a narrow gorge on our return to the Forest Station.

 

7^th July Left Nangjen at 6am and drove over the Kanda Shan Pass in poor weather to stay in a motel at Nangjen Town.

 

8^th July Left Nangjen Town at 6am and returned to a drier Kanda Shan Pass where we walked from a narrow gorge to near the pass. In the afternoon we walked through the narrow gorge. Returned to Nangjen Town.

 

9^th July Left Nangjen Town at 6am for Yushu stopping at the high pass enroute.

 

10^th July Left Yushu at 7.45am for a nearby monastery before making the long drive to Huaxisha seeing Wild Ass, Gazelles and a Red Fox on our approach to town.

 

11^th July Left Huaxisha at 6am and drove to a high pass just south of Er La Pass. Then drove north to Gonghe and birded the farmland oasis in the evening.

 

12^th July Out at 6am to Gonghe oasis before driving to Xining at 10.30am. Revisited the eroded hillsides for the late afternoon.

 

13^th July Flew from Xining to Beijing at 10.30am visiting the Lama Temple and the Firendship Store in Beijing.

 

14^th July Flew from Beijing at 10am to Paris and onto London arriving at 4.15pm.

 

 

Systematic List

 

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis poggei / capensis C

We saw 15 poggei on the pools at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th and 6 presumed capensis at the freshwater pools and marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. On those seen at Beijing, whilst they were preening, white tips were noted to the inner secondaries and they showed a silvery iris and spot to the base of the bill on the breeding plumaged birds. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as ‘capensis probably n Qinghai’. The other form occurring in China, including Beijing is poggei. Robson describes poggei as having upperwing all dark with narrow whitish trailing edge to secondaries stating capensis as having much more white on secondaries. BWP states capensis has more white in secondaries particularly in Asiatic part of range than West Palearctic form ruficollis.

 

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus cristatus (as UK) C

We saw 12 at the freshwater pool at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as ‘breeding Qinghai’.

 

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis (as UK) C

We saw 8 at the freshwater marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as ‘breeding along the Tatung Ho in (ne) Qinghai’.

 

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis C

We saw c.100 at Koko Nor on the 19^th and a flock of 7 in flight over the scrubby slopes west of Heimahe on the 20^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as ‘found virtually throughout China’. HBW states ‘sinensis smaller and greener (not purple), normally with more white on throat and more filoplumes on neck’. In addition BWP states ‘sinensis has smaller bill than UK’s nominate carbo’.

 

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax  (as UK) C

Only seen at Beijing where 15 were seen at the pools at the Summer Palace on the 16^th, 30 were seen in flight over the Sino-Swiss Hotel during the early morning of the 17^th and 2 were again seen in flight there on our return on the 14^th.

 

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis coromandus C

A single summer-plumaged coromandus was seen with Yak whilst driving from the Banma Forest Station to Banma town on the 29^th and 2 were seen at the wetlands south of Maduo on the 1^st. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee is to the east and south of Qinghai suggesting the species range is still expanding as noted by De Schauensee. BWP states that coromandus differs from ibis in buff colour on head spreading to cheeks and throat, ornamental feathers more golden, bill and tarsus averaging longer, and more of tibia bare being nicely illustrated in HBW. The OBC Checklist discusses the suggestion that coromandus be treated as a separate species from ibis.

 

Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus (monotypic) C

We saw 5 at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th, 2 in flight over the Sino-Swiss Hotel in Beijing on the 17^th, 1 in flight along the river on the outskirts of Yushu, Qinghai on the 10^th and 1 in flight near the Lama Temple in Beijing on the 13^th. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee as ‘extreme east Qinghai’.

 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta garzetta (as UK) C

Singles were seen at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th, in flight over the Sino-Swiss Hotel at Beijing on the 17^th and at Koko Nor, Qinghai on the 19^th. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee is to the east and south of Qinghai making any observation there seemingly extralimital although a straggler is recorded by De Schauensee to the north.

 

Great Egret Egretta alba alba (as UK) / modesta C

A single individual not racially assigned but probably alba was seen at Koko Nor on the 19^th. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee for alba as breeding to the north of Qinghai and for modesta to the east of Qinghai. BWP states that alba largest. Robson illustrates modesta with red legs in breeding season.

 

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea jouyi C

We saw 6 at the freshwater marsh at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee for jouyi is  ‘virtually throughout China’. BWP state jouyi is paler on neck and upper wing-coverts than UK’s cinerea.

 

Black Stork Ciconia nigra (monotypic) C

A single first summer individual was seen feeding along a river whilst we were driving towards the Sichuan border on the 25^th being seen again on our return on the 30^th. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee is as breeding across northern China but he doesn’t specify region by region.

 

Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus (monotypic) C

We saw a pair at the freshwater pool at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee includes as breeding at Koko Nor.

 

Greylag Goose Anser anser rubrirostris C

We saw 20 at the freshwater marsh at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee includes as breeding Qinghai. BWP states rubrirostris slightly larger and generally paler with whitish tones replacing buff, particularly on head and neck (both appearing uniform), also upperparts (feather-edges grayish-white form stronger transverse pattern) and flanks. It states forewing even paler, appearing whitish-grey in some lights. It has pale grey-brown upperparts, broad light edges to scapulars, feathers of mantle and wing-coverts, and longer pink bill (not orange).

 

Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus (monotypic) C

We saw an estimated 1,500 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 2 roadside on the drive towards the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 13 roadside just north of Maduo on the 30^th, 10 at the wetlands just south of Maduo on the 1^st, 10 just south of Yushu on the 2^nd and 12 just south of Yushu on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding ‘through Qinghai’.

 

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (monotypic) C

We saw an estimated 50 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 1 at Heimahe on the 20^th, 12 at Koko Nor on the 22^nd, 2 at Er La Pass on the 24^th, 10 on the drive towards the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 12 just north of Maduo on the 30^th, 10 at the wetlands just south of Maduo on the 1^st, 15 just south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 1 south of Yushu on the 3^rd, 8 just south of Yushu on the 9^th, 50 on the drive north from Yushu on the 10^th and 10 north of Huavisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai.

 

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna (monotypic) C

We saw 2 at Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai.

 

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope (monotypic) C

We saw 3 at the freshwater marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as migrant through Qinghai.

 

Gadwall Anas strepera (as UK) C

We saw 20 at the freshwater marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee would suggest a likely migrant through Qinghai.

 

Common Teal Anas crecca crecca (as UK) C

We saw 4 at the freshwater marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee would suggest a likely migrant through Qinghai. BWP states a slight clinal variation in size, becoming larger towards east.

 

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos (as UK) C

We saw a single drake on a lake at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th and 10 at the freshwater marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as winters south Qinghai.

 

Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha zonorhyncha C

After much searching we finally saw a single individual at the freshwater pool at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee as ‘approaching Qinghai’. See Wildfowl for its treatment of zonorhyncha ‘Chinese Spotbill’ in which its recognized as easily separable in the field lacking any red at the base of the bill, being considerably browner, with less heavily-spotted breast and fore-flanks, a blue speculum lacking white patch on inner secondaries, buffer wash to sides of head, narrow white tertial stripe, and a short dusky line extending back from base of bill towards cheek suggestive of Pacific Black Duck.

 

Northern Pintail Anas acuta (as UK) C

We saw 4 at the freshwater marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as migrating throughout most of China.

 

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata (monotypic) C

We saw 6 at the freshwater marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as migrating throughout most of China.

 

Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina (monotypic) C

We saw 50 at the freshwater pools and marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th.  Distribution recorded by De Schauensee suggests probably breeds Qinghai.

 

Common Pochard Aythya ferina (monotypic) C

We saw 30 at the freshwater pool at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee suggests probably migrates through Qinghai.

 

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (monotypic) C

We saw 8 at the freshwater marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee suggests probably breeds Qinghai. This species is listed as Near Threatened by BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world that states ‘the key threat is the loss of its wetland habitat, of well vegetated shallow pools, including extensively managed fishponds. Hunting is also a serious threat.’

 

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula (monotypic) C

We saw 10 at the freshwater pool at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th and a single female on the reservoir just south of Yushu on the 2^nd. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee suggests probably migrates through Qinghai.

 

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula clangula (as UK) C

We saw 25 at the freshwater pool at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee suggests probably migrates through Qinghai. BWP suggests clinal increase in bill length from Europe eastward.

 

Goosander Mergus merganser comatus C

Often encountered in family parties including newly fledged chicks on most large rivers being seen on ten dates. We saw 2 at the southern shore of Koko Nor on the 19^th, 6 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 1 near Banma on the 26^th, 5 near the Banma Forest Station on the 27^th, 10 just east of Banma Town on the 29^th, 1 between Banma and Maduo on the 30^th, 8 north of Yushu on the 1^st, 6 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 2^nd, 3 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 6^th and 3 just north of Yushu on the 10^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee suggests comatus probably breeds Qinghai. BWP states comatus differs from UK merganser by shorter, narrower, and more slender bill, and longer wing. Adult female also differs by paler head and mantle. Wildfowl states comatus rather larger with finer bill.

 

Black Kite Milvus migrans lineatus C

We saw 2 in the Chaka desert on the 20^th, 1 at Gonghe on the 23^rd, 10 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 2 at Banma Forest Station on the 28^th and 1 there the following day, 1 at the Nangjan Forest Station on the 2^nd and 4 there the following day, singles near Yushu including 1 appearing to take food from the surface of a reservoir just to the south of Yushu on the 9^th and 10^th and 2 at Gonghe on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee states lineatus breeds throughout most of China. Raptors states lineatus is larger than UK migrans being browner on crown (darker than migrans) and underbody (less rufous than migrans), contrasting creamy-buff belly and crissum (being paler than migrans), large white patches on underwings (bolder than migrans).

 

Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus barbatus (as Europe) C 

This species proved widespread with 3 seen over the scrubby slopes to the west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 1 at Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 3 there on the 24^th, 1 stood on a riverbank on the southern edge of the town just south of Er La Pass on the 25^th, 2 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 3 between Banma Town and Maduo on the 30^th, 3 south of Yushu (including a pair sat on a cliff) on the 2^nd, 2 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 4 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 5^th, 3 there on the 6^th, 5 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th, 4 south of Yushu on the 9^th and 1 near Er  La Pass on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Qinghai.

 

Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis (monotypic) C

Seen on nineteen dates from the 20^th to the 11^th with a total of 106 seen with a daily maximum of 15 seen at Nangjen Forest Station on the 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Qinghai.

 

Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis schvedowi C

A single individual was watched circling above the ‘third valley’ opposite the Nangjen Forest Station on the 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. Raptors states averages smaller than nominate, shorter-winged, weaker-footed, slate-grey above with blackish head, densely marked below with thin brown barring. Illustrated in Robson that shows dark head contrasting with grey mantle/upperwings. Also retains bold white supercilium.

 

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus melaschistos C

This striking form was seen on eight dates with 1 seen at the Dongxia Forest near Xining on the 18^th, 2 at the Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 3 there on the 27^th and 1 there on the 28^th and singles at Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd and 4^th and at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 8^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. Raptors states slightly larger than UK’s nisus but darker and more heavily marked; blackish-slate above with blacker crown and face, more rufous and more heavily and darkly barred below – clearer rufous bars below.

 

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo japonicus / reflectus C 

We saw 3 japonicus at Dongxia Forest near Xining on the 18^th, based on range presumably japonicus at Banma where we saw 2 o the 26^th, 3 on the 27^th 3 on the 28^th and 1 on the 29^th, and again based on range presumably reflectus at Nangjen where we saw 3 on the 5^th and 2 on the 6^th. However dark morph birds were encountered at Nangjen that do not appear to be described for reflectus in the literature? Distribution recorded by De Schauensee for japonicus as breeding Qinghai and for reflectus as breeding in the Yushu region of sw Qinghai wintering at lower altitudes. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent illustrate japonicus pale morph as lacking rufous, with dark brown belly-patch and small dark carpal patches. BWP states japonicus similar to buteo, but paler, especially below, streaked brown on yellow-white background, and much less rufous throughout than vulpinus. BWP states reflectus as forming part of the vulpinus group but very large and paler rufous. Raptors states reflectus as having bold white primary-patches and rather extensive dark carpals combining with less rounded wings giving a resemblance to Long-legged Buzzard. Birds of Indian Subcontinent illustrate reflectus with rufous-brown underparts and underwing-coverts and large black carpal patches.

 

Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius (monotypic) C 

Often seen in association with Pika colonies where the local people were even providing the Upland Buzzards with artificial breeding poles although telegraph poles seemed to be the most favoured nest sites. We saw 3 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 4 between Koko Nor and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 1 near the Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 40 on the drive towards the Sichuan border on the 25^th and 100 on the return drive on the 30^th, 60 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 2 just south of Yushu on both the 2^nd and 3^rd, 50 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th and 10 just north of Huaxisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding east Qinghai.

 

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos daphanea C 

Both immatures and adults were encountered with 1 seen in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st, 1 over scrubby ridges between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, singles at Banma Forest Station on both the 26^th and 27^th, 1 seen south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 3 were seen on two dates at Nangjen Forest Station, 1 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 1 south of Yushu on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as likely breeding Qinghai. BWP states daphanea slightly larger than UK chrysaetos, darker, front and center of crown darker and elongated feathers of nape less ‘golden’. Soars with wings held in an obvious V.

 

Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus interstinctus C 

We saw 1 on the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 17^th, 1 at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, 5 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 2 in the same area on the 9^th and 1 at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as likely breeding Qinghai. Raptors state interstinctus has richer colours, heavier and coarser markings than UK tinnunculus, but some overlap and intergradation.

 

Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo subbuteo (as UK) C

We saw 2 at Gonghe on the 23^rd, 2 in the vicinity of the bridge across the river near the Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 1 in the same area on the 28^th and singles at Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd and the 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding in Qinghai adjacent to se Kansu. BWP notes that birds in western Europe slightly darker than in central Asia that is sometimes separated as centralasiae.

 

Saker Falco cherrug milvipes C 

Often seen at Pika colonies with 15 seen on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 8 on our return on the 30^th, 2 just south of Maduo on the 1^st, 5 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th and 2 just north of Huaxisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding in Qinghai. BWP states that Central Asiatic milvipes has upperparts barred rufous, marks on underparts (flanks/thighs) also tending to bars, especially on flanks and thighs.

 

Severtzov's (Chinese) Grouse Bonasia sewerzowi (monotypic) C

At Banma Forest Station we saw a pair on the 27^th, and singles on the 28^th and 29^th and at Nangjen Forest Station JFC saw singles on the 4^th and 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding in south Qinghai. Pheasants treats as two possibly clinal forms with Qinghai birds then relating to the slightly less rufous sewerzowi. This species is listed as Near Threatened by BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world that states ‘its habitat has been greatly reduced and fragmented by large-scale forest clearance, and illegal hunting and egg-collecting may be a problem in parts of its range.’

 

Verreaux's (Chestnut-throated) Monal Partridge Tetraophasis obscurus  (monotypic) C

We obtained excellent views of a pair that ran around us in response to tape playback high on a ridge above Banma Forest Sation on the 27^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding in the Koko Nor region of east Qinghai.

 

Szechenyi's (Buff-throated) Monal Partridge Tetraophasis szechenyii (monotypic) C

Having heard a pair at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th we were pleased to disturb 3 from a ravine there the following day that gave views as they ran in different directions up the opposite steep forested bank of the ravine. Distribution recorded by Pheasants as replacing Verreaux’s west of the Yalung River in south Qinghai.

 

Tibetan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus przevalskii C 

Just a single individual was watched for some time calling from a ridge above us at Er La Pass on the 23^rd. Others were heard at Kanda Shan Pass on both the 7^th and 8^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee for przevalskii as resident from the Buckhan Boda Shan to the Nan Shan in north Qinghai. Pheasants describes przevalskii as rather pale and sandy though less so than nominate tibetanus.

 

Przevalski's (Rusty-necklaced) Partridge Alectoris magna (monotypic) C

A confiding pair performed well in a wadi in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident in Qinghai from the Zaidam Basin to the headwaters of the Hwang Ho and the Koko Nor region.

 

Daurian Partridge Perdix dauurica przewalski (included in suschkini by Clements 2000) C 

We finally scored on our fourth attempt at Gonghe where a pair were seen in a scrubby field being almost immediately followed by us seeing another pair with around 5 newly fledged chicks on the 12th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident in Qinghai. Pheasants state przewalski has pale, sandy tones.

 

Tibetan Partridge Perdix hodgsoniae sifanica C 

We saw 2 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 3 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 2 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 4 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 5 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 4 there the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident in east Qinghai. Pheasants states sifanica is browner and more rufous than nominate hodgsoniae and usually smaller.

 

Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus michaelis C 

We saw a total of 7 adults and 5 newly fledged chicks in a forested valley above the Banma Forest Station on the 27^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee for michaelis as the Nan Shan in northeast Qinghai. Pheasants treat michaelis as forming part of the ‘red-winged group’ (different to Nepal) with greenish shaft streaks on rump and uppertail-coverts.

 

White Eared Pheasant Crossoptilon crossoptilon drouynii C

We saw a party of 6 feeding in clearings on a hillside between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd that we tentatively assigned to drouynii as their plumage appeared wholly white except for a black tail. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee for dolani as south Qinghai known from Yushu and Lamdo, upper Yangtze and for drouynii as extreme sw Qinghai on the watersheds between the upper Yangtze, Mekong and Salween rivers. Pheasants states dolani is pale ashy-grey above and below, including wings, but foreneck and belly white. Pheasants state drouynii variable with some slate-blue on mantle, others pale grey or white above, some have white basal portions of tail, others have dark tail base. This species is listed as Near Threatened by BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world that states ‘it is threatened by hunting for food and deforestation, but the high-altitude forests that it inhabits are not being lost at a very rapid rate, and there are recent records from several protected areas.’

 

Blue Eared Pheasant Crossoptilon auritum (monotypic) C 

A single individual was seen in a clearing above the Banma Forest Station during the late afternoons of the 26^th and 28^th. On the second date we climbed to the clearing until we were within c.30m of the bird. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident in east Qinghai.

 

Common Pheasant Phasanius colchicus strauchi C

We saw 4 on the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 17^th, 5 at the Dongxia Forest near Xining on the 18^th, 1 at Gonghe on the 22^nd and 3 at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee for strauchi as east Qinghai east of Koko Nor and the Hwang Ho; for vlangalii in the marshes west of the Zaidam depression in Qinghai. Pheasants treats both strauchi / vlangalii as part of the ‘grey-rumped Pheasants’. Pheasants describes strauchi as dark and richly coloured, collar narrow and broken and virtually absent in some. Pheasants describe vlangalii as dark, relatively rufous above and lacking pale centers to scapulars, crown quite dark and collar vestigial.

 

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus phoenicurus C

We saw 1 at the Summer Palace pools at Beijing on the 16^th.

 

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus chloropus (as UK) C

We saw a single individual on a small reedy-fringed pool at Gonghe on both the 22^nd and 11^th.  Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as likely to include Qinghai. BWP and Rails state clinal variation becoming smaller in the east including those from China.

 

Coot Fulica atra atra (as UK) C 

We saw 2 at the freshwater marsh at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding in Qinghai.

 

Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis (monotypic) C 

We saw 7 at Koko Nor on the 19^th including a pair at a nest mound at the eastern end of the lake, 6 including chicks on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 6 plus 2 chicks whilst driving from Banma to Maduo on the 30^th, 4 at the wetland just south of Maduo on the 1^st, 4 and 1 chick at a marsh south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 4 there on the 9^th, 6 on the drive from Yushu to Huaxisha on the 10^th and a pair and a chick just north of Huaxisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding to the Koko Nor region of Qinghai. This species is listed as Vulnerable by BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world that states ‘this species has a small, declining population (c.5,600 – 6,000 individuals) as a result of loss and degradation of wetlands, changing agricultural practices and increased human activity in its breeding and wintering grounds’.

 

Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii (monotypic) C 

We saw an adult and 4 chicks and another pair of adults along a river just west of Banma town on the 25^th and an adult on the drive between Nangjen Forest Station and the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding in Qinghai.

 

Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta  (montypic) C

A single individual was seen on the freshwater pool at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as not including Qinghai. BWP and Shorebirds state there is a slight cline of increasing size from Atlantic across Europe and Asia.

 

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius curonicus (as UK) C

We saw 1 at Koko Nor on the 19^th and 2 on a river in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding southeast Qinghai. 

 

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus alexandrinus alexandrinus (as UK) C 

We saw 10 at Koko Nor on the 19^th and 1 on a river in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding southeast Qinghai. BWP notes some clinal variation with increase in wing from southern Europe eastward to central Asia with eastern males tending to have a more bright cinnamon crown and the female more often tinged cinnamon on upperparts and sides of chest (occasionally central chest also).  

 

Mongolian Plover Charadrius mongolus schaferi (included as part of atrifrons by De Schauensee) C

We saw 3 at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th, 8 just north of Maduo on the 30^th, 30 at the wetland just south of Maduo on the 1^st and the same number there on the 10^th and 8 just north of Huaxisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. BWP states schaferi forms part of ‘atrifrons group’ often having some white on forehead (though some seen well appeared to lack any white on the forehead), intermediate between atrifrons and nominate mongolus. Female schaferi has upperparts intermediate between the pale mongolus and darker atrifrons but often closest to mongolus. BWP states schaferi has relatively short wing, long tarsus, and long and slender bill. BWP states schaeferi closest to Greater Sand Plover in proportions, especially to C.l. columbinus. Bill fine and slender, quite long, breast-band reduced in area, mainly orange and quite pale, border to breast-band absent or virtually so.   

 

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii leschenaultii C

We tentatively identified 2 at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as not including Qinghai. BWP states leschenaultii heavy-billed with strongly curved nail and distinctly angled gonys. Crown, upper mantle, and chest of leschenaultii rufous as in columbinus, but remainder of upperparts mostly pale grey-brown and chest-band narrow, sharply demarcated from white breast and flanks. Strong bill with curved nail and obvious angled gonys. Upperparts clean lacking cinnamon but may show narrow rufous fringes. Breast-band narrow at center, deep rufous, hardly extending onto flanks, quite sharply demarcated, lacks border to breast-band.

                                                                                                               

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (monotypic) C

We saw 2 at the freshwater marsh at the east end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding east Qinghai.

 

Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata orientalis C

We counted 140 on the pastures along the southern shore of Koko Nor accessible from Heimahe on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as not including Qinghai but suggests a likely migrant. BWP states orientalis is the eastern extreme of a cline of increasing bill and tarsus length, less heavy marking, and paler ground-colour towards the east. BWP also describes orientalis as having white axillaries.

 

Common Redshank Tringa tetanus ussuriensis C 

We saw 40 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 12 at the wetland south of Maduo on the 1^st, 10 at a marsh south of Yuishu on the 2^nd, 3 there on the 9^th, 25 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th and 1 just north of Huaxisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. BWP states ussuriensis has dark cinnamon upperparts clinally smaller towards east. Shorebirds illustrates ussuriensis with warm cinnamon mantle.

 

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola (monotypic) C

We saw 8 at the wetland south of Maduo on the 1^st and 20 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as not including Qinghai but suggests a likely migrant.

 

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus (monotypic) C

We saw 1 along a small river just south of Yushu on the 9^th and 2 on a reddy pool at Gonghe on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as not including Qinghai but suggests a likely migrant.

 

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (monotypic) C

A single individual was seen along a river north of Yushu on the 10^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding south Qinghai.

 

Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus C

A second-summer seen in flight along the southern shore of Koko Nor accessible from Heimahe on the 19th was the biggest surprise of the trip. De Schauensee fails to list this species for China although Skuas and Jaegers indicate a vagrant as having previously occurred along coastal China.

 

Great Black-headed (Pallas’s) Gull Larus ichthyaetus (monotypic) C 

We saw an estimated 450 at Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai.

 

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus (monotypic) C

We saw 1 at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as not including Qinghai but suggests a likely migrant.

 

Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus (monotypic) C 

We saw 30 at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th, 1 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 6 on the return drive on the 30^th, 2 at the wetland south of Maduo on the 1^st and 5 there on the 10^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai.

 

Common Tern Sterna hirundo tibetana C 

We saw 50 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 3 along rivers in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st, 1 at Gonghe on the 22^nd, 2 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 6 on the return drive on the 30^th, 4 at the wetland south of Maduo on the 1^st, 3 just south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 1 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 3 just south of Yushu on the 9^th, 10 at the wetland south of Maduo on the 10^th and 1 at Gonghe on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. BWP states slightly darker grey body (though our impression was that they were noticeably darker grey than hirundo), wings slightly longer and bill slightly shorter like black-billed longipennis rather than UK’s hirundo. However black-tipped red bill and leg red in summer as hirundo. Illustrated by Robson.

 

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus javanica C

We saw 6 at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as not breeding Qinghai. BWP states javanicus is smaller and distinctly paler than UK’s hybridus, in breeding, chest and all upperparts and upper wing-coverts light grey (similar to Common Tern), throat pale grey, indistinctly defined from broad white streak below eye, and belly grades from medium grey near chest to dark slate-grey near vent. Illustrated by Robson.

 

Little Tern Sterna albifrons sinensis C

A surprise was a single individual tentatively assigned to sinensis at rest amongst a flock of resting Common and a Whiskered Tern at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee doesn’t include Qinghai. BWP states sinensis is slightly larger than UK’s albifrons with tail more deeply forked, bill longer and heavier at base.

 

Pallas's Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus  (monotypic) C 

DC saw a single male on the 20^th and an estimated 25 the following day all in the Chaka Desert including some fine views of a flock of c.10 on the ground. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai.

 

Tibetan Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes tibetanus (monotypic) P C 

The highlight of the entire trip was a calling pair that flew into the stony ridge atop Er La Pass on the 24^th after c.8 hours searching for them and allowed fine views on the ground. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai.

 

Blue Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris rupestris C 

We saw 20 at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 17^th, 18 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 1 near Heimahe on the 21^st, 2 near the Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 4 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 5 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 12 on the return journey on the 29^th, 8 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 8 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 40 on the drive to Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, up to 15 daily on all four dates at Nangjen Forest Station, 25 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th, 6 south of Yushu on the 9^th, 4 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th and 10 at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. Pigeons state averages rather darker especially on the body and the iridescence of the neck slightly more extensive than turkestanica of Nepal.

 

Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota gradaria C 

We saw 4 just north of Yushu on the 1^st, 10 south of Yushu on the 2^nd and 6 in the same area the following day and 4 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th and 4 south of Yushu on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. Pigeons states it differs in having more restricted and less well defined dark bars on the median and greater coverts and tertials and the area of white on the base of the outerwebs of the outer tail feathers is reduced than leuconota of Nepal.

 

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto decaocto (as UK) C

We saw 1 whilst driving between Dongxia Forest and Xining on the 18^th, 1 at an oasis in the Chaka Desert on the 20^th, 10 at Gonghe on the 22^nd with 15 seen there on the 23^rd, 6 there on the 11^th and 5 there on the 12^th.  Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding east Qinghai.

 

Red Turtle Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica humilis C

We saw singles at Gonghe with a flock of Collared Doves on the 23^rd and on its own at the Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding southeast Qinghai.

 

Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis orientalis (both orientalis and meena recorded in UK) C   

We saw 2 at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, 1 at Banma Forest Station on the 26^th with 2 seen there on the 28^th and 5 there on the 29^th, 1 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 4 there on both the 4^th and 5^th and 2 there on the 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as likely breeding in Qinghai. Pigeons state duller than meena with duller browner neck, nape to mantle colder brown. Wing coverts with narrower and duller, rufous and grey fringes. Terminal tail band broader and distinctly grey rather than white. 

 

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis chinensis C

A single individual was seen at the Summer Palace in Beijing on the 16^th.

 

Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus micropterus

Singles were heard calling at the Summer Palace in Beijing on the 16^th and at the Sino-Swiss Hotel in Beijing the following morning.

 

Common Cuckoo C. canorus canorus (as UK) / bakeri C

We saw 1 at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 17^th, 2 at an oasis in the Chaka Desert on the 20^th, 3 at Gonghe on both the 22^nd and 23^rd where a hepatic phase bird was seen, 10 on the drive towards the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 2 on the drive from Banma Forest Station to Banma Town on the 29^th, 1 between Banma and Maduo on the 30^th, 6 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 3 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Reserve on the 3^rd, singles at the Kanda Shan Pass on both the 7^th and 8^th, 2 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th, and up to 3 at Gonghe including the hepatic phase individual on both the 11^th and 12^th. Based on range alone it seems likely that we encountered both canorus and bakeri. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Koko Nor region of east Qinghai for canorus and south Qinghai for bakeri and north Qinghai for subtelephonus. BWP states bakeri differs from all other populations in darker grey upperparts close to Oriental Cuckoo. BWP states subtelephonus has narrow bars on breast also being slightly smaller-sized than canorus.

 

Little Owl Athene noctua plumipes / ludlowi C 

We saw 3 plumipes at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 1 at an oasis in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st, 3 ludlowi between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd and 2 south of Yushu on the 9^th and up to 8 presumed plumipes at Gonghe on both the 11^th and 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident in Koko Nor in east Qinghai for plumipes and south Qinghai for ludlowi. Owls states plumipes has toes more densely covered with plumes rather than bristles and ludlowi very similar to UK vidali but distinctly larger.

 

Pere David's (Sichuan Wood) Owl Strix (uralensis) davidi (monotypic) C

A single individual was flushed from the spruce forest near the entrance to the ‘third valley’ opposite the Nangjen Forest Station on the 5^th and flew (mainly glided) c.70m across the valley before disappearing between Spruces on the far side of the valley. Unfortunately it couldn’t be relocated despite a before dawn attempt the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as southeast Qinghai.

 

Common Swift Apus apus pekinensis C 

We saw 40 at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th, 25 at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 17^th, 1 at Xining on the 18^th, 2 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 8 at the Chaka Desert on the 20^th and 10 there the following day, 8 at Gonghe on the 22^nd, 30 there on the 11^th and 40 there the following morning and 50 at the Lama Temple in Beijing on the 13^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding in Qinghai. Swifts/BWP state slightly paler (that we felt was generally only noticeable in very good light) than UK’s apus most apparent on the slightly larger, purer white and more pronounced throat patch. Forehead also on average slightly paler and has a narrow line over eye. The upperparts are a little browner and the underparts do not appear so deeply black. On the wing the coverts are more clearly fringed and the innerwing appears slightly paler, grayer undertail coverts, distinctly paler inner primaries, secondaries, and greater upperwing-coverts. Only slightly darker than Pallid Swift.

 

Fork-tailed Swift A. pacificus pacificus (as UK) / kanoi C 

We saw 2 at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 17^th, 4 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 2 near Heimahe on the 20^th, 8 at a wadi between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 2 near Banma Town on the 29^th, 4 just north of Yushu on the 1^st, 2 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 30 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 2 at Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th and 6 there the following day, 1 north of Yushu on the 10^th and 5 north of Huaxisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai for pacificus and southeast Qinghai for kanoi. Swifts states kanoi is blacker than pacificus, especially underparts and upperparts, the crown, with smaller throat and rump patches. Throat is grayer and more heavily streaked (as is rump), the scaling on the underparts is sometimes less obvious. Less deeply forked tail.   

 

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis bengalensis C

A single individual was seen at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th.

 

Hoopoe Upopa epops saturata C 

We saw 1 at an oasis in the Chaka Desert on the 20^th, 5 at Gonghe on the 22^nd and 8 there the following day including some fledged juveniles, 2 at Banma Town on the 25^th, 3 on the outskirts of Banma Town on the 29^th, 3 just north of Yushu on the 1^st, 3 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 2 at Nangjen Town on the 8^th, 3 just north of Yushu on the 10^th, 3 at Gonghe on the 11^th and 15 there the following day with a number mobbing a Little Owl. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee likely to include Qinghai. BWP states saturata has mantle slightly grayer and throat to chest less pinkish than UK’s epops.

 

Wryneck Jynx torquilla chinensis C

We saw a single individual at Gonghe on the 23^rd. The distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeds north and east Qinghai.

 

Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus jessoensis / kogo C

A male jessoensis was seen at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th, 2 kogo were seen near the bridge across the river at Banma Forest Station on the 26^th and 28^th with 3 being seen there on the 29^th and a party of 3 were seen alongside the river at Nangjen Forest Station on the 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east and southwest Qinghai for kogo. 

 

Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Picoides canicapillus scintilliceps C

We saw a pair at the Summer Palace in Beijing on the 16^th.

 

Black Woodpecker Dryocupus martius khamensis C

A male was watched perched atop a dead tree stump at Banma Forest Station on the 26^th and another was seen in a ravine opposite the Banma Forest Station on the 29^th, 1 was seen at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th and 2 were seen there the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai. Woodpeckers state has plumage blacker and more glossy than the Europe’s martius.

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major japonicus / beicki C 

We saw 10 presumed japonicus at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th, 1 beicki between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th and 1 at Gonghe on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai. Woodpeckers’ states darker than UK’s nominate and may have some red on breast. Asian subspecies appear sullied on underparts.

 

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus hyperythrus C

We saw 2 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station and 1 at the Forest Station itself on the 26^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as not including Qinghai but neighbouring Tibet and Szechwan.

 

Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus funebris C

A single individual was seen along the ‘first ravine’ at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as Koko Nor in Qinghai.

 

Long-billed Calandra (Tibetan) Lark Melanocorypha maxima holdereri C 

We saw 20 in the pastures bordering the southern shore of Koko Nor on the 19^th, 2 on scrubby hillsides near Heimahe on the 20^th, 1 at Er La Pass on the 24^th, 4 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th and 3 on the return journey on the 30^th, 5 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 1 south of Yushu on the 2^nd and 6 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th.  Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east and central Qinghai. White trailing edge to secondaries and tip to tail. Rump can be rufous.

 

Mongolian Lark Melanocorypha mongolica (monotypic) C 

We saw 12 in the fields at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th some being seen in display flight, 1 in the Chaka Desert on the 20^th and 6 seen there the following day, 1 just south of Gonghe on the 23^rd and 10 in the same area on the 11^th. Unfortunately we also saw 8 in cages in Xining on the 12^th where they are kept as songsters. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai in Koko Nor.

 

Hume's Short-toed Lark Calandrella acutirostris tibetana C 

We saw 20 in fields bordering Koko Nor on the 19^th, 3 near Heimahe on the 20^th, 1 at Gonghe on the 22^nd, 1 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 12 north of Maduo on the 30^th and 5 south of Maduo on the 1^st, 3 south of Huaxisha on the 10^th and 4 north of Huaxisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai. Greyer and less heavily streaked upperparts than Greater, with pinkish uppertail-coverts, dark breast side patch usually apparent, with grayish-buff breast band. Head pattern less pronounced than Greater with rather uniform ear-coverts.

 

Asian Short-toed Lark Calandrella (rufescens) cheleensis beicki / kukunoorensis C

We saw 8 in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st, 2 at Gonghe on the 23^rd and 4 there on the 11^th and 5 there on the 12^th. They had a loud and distinctive song. Distribution by De Schauensee as east Qinghai for beicki, Koko Nor for kukunoorensis, south Koko Nor to southeast Qinghai for tangutica. Primaries extend beyond tertials. Bill small, short, stout. Broad gorget of diffuse streaking on breast, diffuse streaking on uppers.

 

Crested Lark Galerida cristata leautungensis C

We saw 3 at Gonghe on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as south Qinghai. Large size, prominent crest, well streaked breast, broad rounded wings, rufous-buff underwing-coverts and outer tail feathers.

 

Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula inopinata C 

We saw 1 on the approach to Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, 50 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 8 near Heimahe on the 20^th, 30 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 2 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 2 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th, 15 between Huaxisha and Gonghe on the 11^th and 3 at Gonghe on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east and south Qinghai. Fine bill, buffish-white outer tail feathers, indistinct rufous wing panel.

 

Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris elwesi C 

We saw 30 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 10 near Heimahe on the 20^th, 20 in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st, 50 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 20 between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 50 at Er La Pass on the 24^th, 10 between Er La Pass and Banma on the 25^th, 15 between Banma and Maduo on the 30^th, 25 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 6 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 30 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th and 25 between Huaxisha and Gonghe on the 11^th. Most lacked any yellow on the throat. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as northwest Qinghai in south and west Zaidam for przewalskii and the plateau adjacent to the upper Yangtze in south Qinghai for elwesi.

 

Pale (Sand) Martin Riparia (riparia) diluta C 

We saw 10 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 10 at the scrubby hillsides near Heimahe on the 20^th, 6 near Heimahe on the 21^st, 8 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 10 between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 1 at Er La Pass on the 24^th, 5 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 10 at Banma on the 26^th, 6 at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th, 8 between Banma and Maduo on the 30^th and singles near Huaxisha on the 10^th and 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as likely to include Qinghai. Swallows/BWP describes diluta as smaller having pale, grey-brown upperparts and a paler, narrower, less clear-cut blurred breast-band in comparison with UK’s riparia.

 

Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris rupestris (as UK) C 

We saw 2 in the Chaka Desert on the 20^th and 10 there the following day, 2 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th and 15 on the return journey on the 29^th, 15 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 5 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 1 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th, 25 near the Tibet border at Nangjen Forest Station on the 6^th, 12 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 1 there the following day, 4 between Nangjen Town and Yushu on the 9^th and 1 at Gonghe on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as likely to include Qinghai.

 

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis C 

We saw 40 at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th most of which showed very obvious white flecking to the mantle, 2 at Maduo Junction on the 30^th and 6 there the following morning and 2 at Huaxisha on the 10^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. BWP states smaller than UK’s rustica with rufous of throat more or less connected through rufous chest with cream-white belly with black chest-band connected by a narrow dull black band across the lower chest.

 

Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica japonica / gephyra C 

We saw 2 japonica at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th, 3 at the Sino-Swiss Hotel in Beijing on the 17^th, 6 gephyra just north of Yushu on the 1^st, 10 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd and 8 between Nangjen Town and Yushu on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding east Qinghai for gephyra. BWP suggests form involved is daurica which it states is larger than UK’s rufula, fork slightly deeper, differing in blue-black central hindneck (collar interrupted), less extensive white or cream on feather bases of mantle and scapulars, and slightly longer and broader streaks on breast and belly.  

 

Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus cashmiriensis C 

We saw 1 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 5 at a wadi between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 2 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 6 at Banma Forest Station on the 28^th, 5 just north of Yushu on the 1^st, 15 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 20 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 10 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 5^th and 2 there the following day and 2 at Kanda Shan Pass on both the 8^th and 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding southeast Qinghai. Swallows states cashmiriensis often lacks the narrow extension of the lores to the chin.

 

Richard's Pipit Anthus richardi centralasiae / richardi (as UK) C 

We saw 2 at an oasis in the Chaka Desert on the 20^th and the 21^st, 1 at Gonghe on the 22^nd with 5 seen there the following morning, 10 seen there on the 11^th and 15 on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding east Qinghai for centralasiae and breeding in the Koko Nor region of east Qinghai for richardi. Pipits would prefer a monotypic treatment though states that the typical centralasiae are on average paler, grayer and less heavily streaked above, and larger than richardi (from west Siberia). Strong bill with decurved tip to culmen, long legs, hind claw and tail, pale lores, buffish breast and flanks contrasting with whitish belly, distinctly streaked breast, sometimes also a few indistinct streaks on rear flanks, comparatively indistinct wing-bars, especially median coverts with rather triangular dark centers, diffuse on sides, and rufous-buffish tips. Plumage generally fresh.

                                               

Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni hodgsoni C 

We saw 1 at the fields on the edge of the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th and 3 singing at Banma Forest Station on the 28^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding likely to include Qinghai. Pipits state hodgsoni differs from UK’s yunnanensis in more heavily streaked central crown and, especially, mantle and scapulars (similar to Tree Pipit although at close range the streaks are narrower and paler than in Tree Pipit). It also sometimes shows slightly paler stripes on the sides of the mantle, further enhancing the dark stripes. The streaks on the breast are on average bolder and on average reach further down onto the belly. The flanks are usually heavily streaked, as in (e.g.) Red-throated Pipit, and thus differ from yunnanensis and Tree Pipit. The dark patch on the ear-coverts is on average larger and more prominent than yunnanensis. Smaller on average than yunnanensis with proportionately longer tail. The primary projection is very short, on average shorter than yunnanensis.

 

Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus (monotypic) C 

We saw 2 at the scrubby hillsides just west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 2 on scrubby hillsides between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd and 1 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai.

 

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (plexa)/macronyx C

A single male tentatively assigned to macronyx was seen just east of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee doesn’t include Qinghai though macronyx is closest breeding form whereas the very similar-looking plexa (thunbergi) breeds no closer than in northern Siberia.

 

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola calcarata C  

We saw 5 at the eastern end of Koko Nor on the 19^th, 2 at Gonghe on the 22^nd and 1 there the following morning, 1 south of Yushu on the 2^nd and 2 there the following day, 2 near the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th, 2 south of Yushu on the 9^th and 3 including a recently fledged juvenile at Gonghe on both the 11^th and 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. Pipits illustrates male with black upperparts with wingbars merging to form a white panel. 

 

Black-backed (White) Wagtail Motacilla lugens (alba) leucopsis / alboides C 

We saw 1 leucopsis at the Sino-Swiss Hotel in Beijing, 1 at Xining on the 17^th, 2 at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, 4 in the Chaka Desert on the 20^th and 3 there the following day, and singles at Gonghe on the 22^nd and 23^rd where we saw 6 on our return on both the 11^th and 12^th. We saw 3 alboides at Banma on the 25^th, 6 at Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 1 there on the 28^th and 29^th, 1 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 5 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 6 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th with 4 there on the 5^th and 5 on the 6^th, 3 near Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 2 on the 8^th, 5 south of Yushu on the 9^th and 6 just north of Yushu on the 10^th. Treated as Black-backed Wagtail by Clements. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding central Qinghai for leucopsis and Pipits records breeding southern and southeastern Qinghai for alboides. Pipits state leucopsis males show jet-black upperparts, more extensive white on head than any other ssp. With white upper and central throat, forehead and sides of head and neck, white flanks and all-white median and greater coverts forming a broad white panel. Pipits state alboides has black head except for white forehead and mask surrounding eye.

 

Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus ethologus C 

We saw pairs between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th and at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding south Qinghai. Robson illustrates ethologus.

 

White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus przewalskii C 

We saw 1 at a wadi between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 3 including a dark variant south of Yushu on both the 2^nd and 3^rd, 5 near the Tibet border at Nangjen Forest Station on the 6^th, singles at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 8^th and 4 south of Yushu on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding south Qinghai. Robson & Dippers illustrates przewalskii. Dippers illustrates with wholly black belly. A dark variant has been recorded in China illustrated in Dippers with ashy brown breast replacing white.

 

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes szetschuanus C 

We saw 1 at Banma Forest Station on the 28^th and 2 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Koko Nor in northeast Qinghai for idius and south Qinghai for szetschuanus. Wrens states idius paler and grayer than the olivaceous szetschuanus.

 

Maroon-backed Accentor Prunella immaculata  (monotypic) C

We saw 1 in a ravine opposite the Banma Forest Station on the 28^th and 2 in the same ravine the following morning and 2 in the ‘third ravine’ at Nangjen Forest Reserve on the 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding south Qinghai.

 

Rufous-breasted (-browed) Accentor Prunella strophiata strophiata C 

We saw 1 at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, 3 on the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 1 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th and 2 there the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Nan Shan in northeast Qinghai.

 

Brown Accentor Prunella fulvescens khamensis / dresseri C 

We saw 5 on the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 2 in a wadi in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st, 5 at a wadi between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 1 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 1 at Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th, 2 south of Yushu on the 9^th and 3 at Gonghe on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Nan Shan in northeast Qinghai for nanshanica, as south Qinghai for khamensis, central Qinghai for dresseri.  

 

Robin Accentor Prunella rubeculoides rubeculoides C

We saw 5 on the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 12 in similar habitat between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 8 between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 2 at Er La Pass on the 24^th, 1 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th and 1 on the return journey on the 30^th, 1 north of Yushu on the 1^st, 10 south of Yushu on the 2^nd and 1 there on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as Qinghai.

 

Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris tibetana C 

A single individual was heard south of Yushu on the 2^nd and another was seen in the same area the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as south Qinghai for tibetana.

 

Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope (monotypic) C 

We saw 2 fine males at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as northeast Qinghai.

 

Himalayan Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis tschebaiewi C 

We saw 3 males on the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 1 male on scrubby hillsides between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd and a female south of Yushu on the 2^nd. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Nan Shan in east Qinghai. Robson illustrates tschebaiewi.

 

Red-flanked Bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus rufilatus C 

We saw 4 at Banma Forest Station on the 28^th and 2 there the following day and 3 at the Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th and 2 there on the 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai. Robson illustrates rufilatus stating dark blue upperside, whiter below and lacking white supercilium of UK’s cyanurus.

 

Przevalski's (Ala Shan) Redstart Phoenicurus alashanicus (monotypic) C

We saw a male and then a pair at the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th. Superb. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai. This species is listed as Near Threatened by BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world that states ‘it appears to be rare, and has presumably been affected by habitat loss in its breeding range.’

 

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros rufiventris C

We saw 8 at Xining on the 17^th, 5 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 20 at Heimahe on the 20^th, 10 in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st, 150 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 40 between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 5 at Er La Pass on the 24^th, 15 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th and 6 on the return journey on the 30^th, 12 between Maduo and Yushu on the 30^th, 8 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 8 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 1 south of Yushu on the 9^th, 8 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th, 30 between Huaxisha and Gonghe on the 11^th and 25 between Gonghe and Xining on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Qinghai for rufiventris and the Humboldt range and the Nan Shan in Qinghai for xerophilus. Robson illustrates rufiventris.

 

Hodgson's Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni (monotypic) C 

We saw 3 at Banma Town on the 25^th, 20 between Banma town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 3 at Banma Forest Station on the 28^th, 5 between Banma Forest Station and Banma Town on the 29^th, 3 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 5 there on the 4^th and 5^th, 8 there on the 6^th, 1 at Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 2 the following day and 1 near Nangjen Town on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai.

 

Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis (monotypic) C 

We saw 2 at the scrubby slopes west of Heimahe on the 20^th, singles at Banma Forest Station on both the 27^th and 28^th, 3 south of Yushu on the 2^nd and 2 there the following morning, 2 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 5^th, 1 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th and 2 south of Yushu on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Koko Nor region in east Qinghai.

 

White-throated Redstart Phoenicurus schisticeps (monotypic) C 

We saw 4 at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, 8 at the Banma Forest Station on the 26^th with 10 seen there on the 27^th and 6 on the 28^th, 6 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th, 3 there on the 5^th and 1 near the Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai.

 

Guldenstadt's (White-winged) Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogaster grandis C 

We saw 1 at the Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 8 there the following day, 1 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th and 3 on the return journey on the 30^th and 4 at a high pass just south of Er La Pass on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as south Qinghai.

 

White-capped River Chat Chaimarrornis leucocephalus (monotypic) C 

We saw 1 at a wadi between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 2 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 5 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 4 at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th with 3 seen there on both the 28^th and 29^th, 5 seen south of Yushu on the 2^nd and 1 there the following morning, 8 near the Tibet border at Nangjen Forest Reserve on the 6^th, 1 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 12 there on the 8^th and 4 south of Yushu on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Koko Nor region in east Qinghai.

 

Plumbeous Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus fuliginosus C

Juveniles were seen along the river at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th and 29^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident south-east Qinghai.

 

White-bellied Redstart Hodgsonius phoenicuroides ichangensis C 

An adult responded to tape playback at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th and 2 first-year males were watched singing at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Koko Nor region in east Qinghai.

 

Stonechat Saxicola torquata przewalskii (forming part of ‘Siberian’ Stonechat) C

We saw 4 on the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 1 south of Yushu on the 9^th and 3 north of Yushu on the 10^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as Qinghai. Stonechats state it is the largest and darkest of the Siberian complex similar to continental hibernans. Breast to vent orange, darker on breast. Black on throat marginally extends onto upper breast. Small white neck patches. Pure white rump extending onto sides. Uniform black underwing coverts / axillaries diagnostic of a male. Female has darker orange underparts than other Siberian forms. Orange uppertail coverts and small area of white on rump. Mainly black chin and throat.

 

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina (monotypic) C 

We saw 10 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 3 in the Chaka Desert on the 20^th and 6 there the following day, 12 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 4 just south of Gonghe on the 23^rd, 5 just south of Gonghe on the 11^th and 2 near Gonghe on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeds Qinghai.

 

Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka (monotypic) C 

We saw 12 at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 17^th, a juvenile at Gonghe on the 11^th and 5 at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeds Qinghai. BWP states wing length increases towards east.

 

Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti atrogularis / oreophila C 

We saw 5 in the Chaka Desert on the 20^th and 4 there the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Koko Nor region of Qinghai for atrogularis and in Qinghai south of the range of atrogularis for oreophila. BWP states oreophila similar in colouration to atrogularis but distinctly larger and with much white on inner webs of flight-feathers, tail often less extensively black than in other races.

 

Long-tailed Thrush Zoothera dixoni (monotypic) C

We saw a pair at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee doesn’t include Qinghai but does neighbouring provinces.

 

Chestnut Thrush Turdus rubrocanus gouldi C 

We saw 5 at Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 4 on the 27^th and singles on the 28^th and 29^th mainly relating to males in song from exposed perches. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident east Qinghai. Darker slate head than western subspecies.

 

Kessler's Thrush Turdus kessleri (monotypic) C 

We saw 2 on scrubby hillsides between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 7 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 2 at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th, 5 between Banma Forest Station and Banma Town on the 29^th, 6 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 1 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 30 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 6 at Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 8 there the following day, 8 south of Yushu on the 9^th and 3 north of Yushu on the 10^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai.

 

(Southern) Spotted Bush Warbler Bradypterus thoracicus przewalskii P C 

A singing male was seen at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding east Qinghai. Illustrated in Warblers stating paler than thoracicus with upperparts olive-brown with grey cast. Underparts white with grayish-buff wash to breast and flanks, spotting on lower throat much reduced, sometimes absent. Song a mechanical insect-like dry low-pitched buzzing dzzzzzzzzzr, dzzzzzzzzzr, dzrrrrr… Call a loud tchik tchik. Also an explosive pwit.

 

Oriental Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis (monotypic) C

We saw 8 at the Summer Palace pools at Beijing on the 16^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai.

 

Margellanic Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia (minula) margelanica C

We saw 5 in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st, 1 at Gonghe on the 22^nd, 2 there the following day, 8 at Gonghe on the 11^th and 5 there on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the western Zaidam region for (minula) and as from Zaidam to Kansu for  margelanica. Warblers states minula smallest of the ssp. With proportionately shorter bill and shortest p9. Upperparts paler and sandy-yellow, crown pale grey to buff-grey, dark face mask often restricted to lores and fore cheek or virtually absent. Underparts extensively tinged cream. Warblers states margelanica larger, though similar to minula in colour, but wing longer, uppertail-coverts grayer, and central tail feathers darker. Sylvias suggests treating Margellanic Lesser Whitethroat as distinct from Desert Lesser Whitethroat due to size. Sylvias photos show margelanica being slightly browner on mantle than  minula. Voice of margelanica unknown.

 

Tickell's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus offinis (monotypic) C 

We saw 15 on the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 15 on scrubby hillsides between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 2 in a wadi between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 6 south of ushu on the 2^nd and 4 in the same area the following morning and 3 there on the 9^th and 1 just north of Yushu on the 10^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. Dark greenish to greenish-brown upperparts with greenish edges to remiges, bright yellow super concolorous with throat and breast lacking buff tones. Some worn birds paler on super and underparts. Well-defined eye-stripe. Call chit or sit. Song is a short chip  whi-whi-whi-whi.

 

Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides obscuratus C 

We saw 8 at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, 2 at Banma on the 26^th, 4 there on the 27^th, 6 there on the 28^th and 5 there on the 29^th, 1 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 8 there on the 4^th, 6 there on the 5^th and 2 there on the 6^th with many others heard singing at the mentioned sites. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding east and south Qinghai. Warblers state like nominate (darkest form being darker than UK’s viridanus) but somewhat paler, brighter and greener above an on edges of flight feathers and tail, but with darker crown. Supercilium averages whiter. BWP treats obscuratus as a stable intergrade between nominate trochiloides and Two-barred plumbeitarsus. Song a hurried repitition of call or similar notes: chiree-chiree-chiree-chiree-chee-chee   witchu-witchu-witchu-witchu etc. Call fairly high-pitched disyllabic chiree or chir’ee. To us they appeared very grey-crowned in comparison with autumn Greenish Warblers seen in the UK.

 

Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris (monotypic) C 

A single individual reacted to tape playback at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. Underparts dirty and streaky. Darker upperparts than Arctic, more dark on lower mandible, duller legs and feet, crown darker/grayer than mantle. Song distinctive, sweet, high-pitched, descending si  si-si su-su. Call tit-like duu-ti or dir-tee (second note higher).

 

Orange- (Buff-) barred Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher pulcher C 

We saw 6 at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th, 4 at Nangjen Forest Station on both the 4^th and 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding east Qinghai. When worn wing-bar narrow buff, yellowish rump, extensive white outertail. Very obvious song a high-pitched twitter, either preceded by or ending with a drawn-out trill. Call is a short sharp thin swit or sit.

 

Lemon-rumped Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus chloronotus (monotypic) C 

At Banma Forest Station we saw 2 on the 26^th, 8 on the 27^th, 4 on the 28^th and 3 on the 29^th and at Nangjen Forest Station we saw 3 on all of the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding south Qinghai and in Warblers as northwestern Qinghai where it intergrades with Pallas’s. Recently split from Pallas’s Warbler with BWP stating Lemon-rumped less green and yellow on head lacking golden-coloured face and grayer-greenish-olive upperparts and less white (more dirty grayish-yellow) on underparts. Supercilium in front of and above eye very pale yellowish, looking off-white or pale buffish, bot golden-yellow as Pallas’s. Coronal stripes usually less distinct. Slightly larger than Pallas’s.  Small dark bill. No white on tail.  Song is of two types (1) a drawn out thin rattle followed by rapid, evenly pitched notes: tsirrrrrrrrrrrr-tsi-tsi-tsi-tsi-tsi-tsi-tsi-tsi-tsi-tsi…; (2) variable endless stuttering notes, alternating in pitch: tsi tsi-tsi tsi-tsi tsu-tsu tsi-tsi tsu-tsu tsi-tsi tsi-tsi tsi-tsi-tsi tsirrp tsi-tsi tsu-tsu… Call high-pitched almost disyllabic twit or tuit.

 

Gansu Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus kansuensis (monotypic) C 

We saw 10 and heard another 10 singing at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th. Warblers includes mentions that various authors have treated this proposed form as a synonym of Lemon-rumped or Pallas’s but that its song is very different and thus it may warrant specific status.

 

Hume's Leaf Warbler  Phylloscopus humei mandelli C 

We saw 8 and heard another 20 singing at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th and heard others singing at Banma on the 26^th and 28^th and at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th. Distribution recorded by Warblers as eastern Qinghai. Warblers states mandelli is darker and browner on upperparts than UK’s humei and has a darker crown with faint median crown stripe (more distinct than humei) with underparts yellower and with a dirty yellowish-white supercilium. Sides of crown are darker than mantle. Wing-bar(s) dirty yellowish-white. Lacks pale rump and no white in tail. Underparts dirty yellowish-white. Call a strikingly disyllabic tjis-ip rather than humei’s whit-hoo or visu-visu and flat chwee. Upperparts darker olive-green than those of humei.

 

Yellow-streaked Warbler Phylloscopus armandii armandti C  

We saw 2 at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, at Banma Forest Station 3 on the 26^th, 1 on the 27^th, 3 on the 28^th and 1 on the 29^th and 2 at Nangjen Forest Station o the 4^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding in the Koko Nor and Zaidam regions of Qinghai. Sings with short rapid husky slurred undulating phrases, introduced by a series of zick notes. Call a sharp bunting-like zick or tzic. Like a small Radde’s Warbler with diffuse buffish fore-supercilium. Pale legs.

 

Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus fuscatus (as UK) / weigoldi C

We saw 8 on the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th and 4 on the scrubby hillsides between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding east of Koko Nor in east Qinghai for larger fuscatus and in Qinghai west of Koko Nor for weigoldi. BWP states weigoldi has upperparts darker brown than fuscatus, supercilium, cheek, ear-coverts, throat, breast, and underwing-coverts more grayish-white and with only a slight isabelline wash, belly with slight cream tinge, not yellow as in fuscatus. Illustrated in Warblers. Call chett…chett. Warblers state Qinghai birds sometimes treated as P.f. robustus as larger.

 

Goldcrest Regulus regulus sikkimensis C 

We saw 2 at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, singles at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th and 29^th and 4 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th and 2 there on the 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding northeast Qinghai. Warblers state greener above than UK’s regulus.

 

White-browed (Stoliczka's) (Severtzov’s) Tit Warbler Leptopoecile sophiae major / obscura / sophiae C 

We saw pairs in response to tape playback on the scrubby hillsides between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd and south of Yushu on the 2^nd. Superb. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding east to the south Nan Shan in Qinghai for major, in south east Qinghai for obscura and in the Nan Shan and Koko Nor in Qinghai above the altitudes for major for sophiae. Warbler’s states major paler and duller overall than nominate with bluish-pink belly, extending to breast. Warblers state obscura darker than nominate, with purple extending over entire underparts. Rump purer bluish, less violet-blue.

 

Crested Tit Warbler Leptopoecile elegans (monotypic) C

We obtained superb views of 5 at Banma Forest Station on the 28^th and 3 there the following morning and of a pair at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th. Superb. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as north to Koko Nor and the Nan Shan in east Qinghai.

 

Sooty (Siberian) (Dark-sided) Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica rothschildi C

We saw singles at Nangjen Forest Station on both the 4^th and 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding Qinghai. Robson illustrates rothschildi and states it has smudgy grayish-brown breast and flanks with variable white line down abdomen.

 

Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula hodgsonii (monotypic) C 

At Banma Forest Station we saw 1 on the 26^th, 5 on the 27^th and singles on the 28^th and 29^th and at Nangjen Forest Reserve we saw 4 on the 4^th, 3 on the 5^th and 4 on the 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeding south Qinghai.

 

Spot-breasted (Rusty-cheeked) Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis gravivox C

At Nangjen Forest Reserve we saw 1 on the 4^th and 2 the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as not including Qinghai but gravivox from neighbouring south Kansu.

 

Kozlov's (Tibetan) Babax Babax koslowi koslowi C 

We saw 3 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the tributaries of the upper Mekong in south Qinghai.

 

Pere David's (Plain) Laughingthrush Garrulax davidi davidi C 

We saw 1 at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th and saw 2 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Koko Nor and Nan Shan regions in east Qinghai.

 

Giant Laughingthrush Garrulax maximus C 

At Banma Forest Station we saw 4 on the 26^th, 2 on the 27^th, 3 on the 28^th and 2 on the 29^th and at Nangjen Forest Reserve we saw 1 on the 3^rd, 3 on the 4^th and 3 on the 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as not including Qinghai but from neighbouring south Kansu.

 

Elliot's Laughingthrush Garrulax elliotii przewalskii C 

At Banma Forest Station we saw 12 on the 26^th, 15 on the 27^th, 6 on the 28^th and 5 on the 29^th, at Nangjen Forest Station we saw 1 on the 3^rd, 10 on the 4^th, 7 on the 5^th and 4 o the 6^th and 6 were seen at the Kanda Shan Pass on both the 7^th and 8^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai.

 

Chinese Fulvetta Alcippe striaticollis (monotypic) C

At Banma Forest Station we saw 1 on the 27^th and 2 on the 29^th and at Nangjen Forest Station we saw 5 on the 4^th and 4 on the 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as southeast Qinghai.

 

White-browed Tit Parus superciliosus (monotypic) C 

We saw 6 including a nesting pair on the scrubby hillsides between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 2 at a gorge south of Yushu on the 9^th and JFC saw 1 just north of Yushu on the 10^th.  Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Qinghai including Koko Nor and Nan Shan regions.

 

Songar Tit Parus songarus affinis / weigoldicus C 

We saw 10 at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, at Banma Forest Station we saw 3 on the 26^th and 2 the following day and at Nangjen Forest Station we saw 3 on the 4^th, 3 on the 5^th and 1 on the 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai for affinis and south Qinghai for weigoldicus. Tits states in comparison to weigoldicus, affinis has cap slightly paler and browner (mid brown with a slight pinkish cast), bib browner (dark brown), upperparts paler (dark brown) and flanks slightly paler.

 

Grey Crested Tit Parus dichrous dichroides C 

We saw 3 at Banma Forest Station on the 29^th and 4 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as southeast and south Qinghai. Illustrated in Tits which states no contrast between the throat and breast, but unlike all other forms shows a marked contrast between the grey cap and crest and dark drab-grey upperparts (rather than uniformly grayish).

 

Rufous-vented Tit  (Sikkim Black Tit) Parus rubidiventris beavani C 

We saw 6 at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, at Banma Forest Station we saw 2 on the 27^th, 4 on the 28^th and 3 on the 29^th and at Nangjen Forest Station we saw 3 on the 4^th and 1 on the 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai. Tits states the birds from northeast Qinghai have been named whistleri and average very slightly paler on the mantle and uppertail-coverts, with a paler and more rufous belly. Overall beavani is characterized by upperparts tinged blue, cheek and nuchal patches faintly tinged buff.

 

Great Tit Parus major minor C

We saw 2 at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th and at Banma 2 on the 26^th, and singles on the following three days. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Koko Nor region of east Qinghai for minor and north to Yushu in south Qinghai for subtibetanus. Tits treats both forms as part of the minor group. Tits states subtibetanus large, with extensive white in tail, upperparts rather duller than minor with border of upper mantle not so yellow-olive and lower mantle more grayish-olive.

 

Chinese (Snowy-browed) Nuthatch Sitta villosa bangsi C

We saw 2 in response to tape playback at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Koko Nor region and east Qinghai. Tits illustrate bangsi and states that it has underparts orange-cinnamon.

 

Przevalski's (White-cheeked) Nuthatch Sitta leucopsis przewalskii C   

We saw 3 in the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th and a pair tending a nest cavity at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th. Superb. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Qinghai. Tits illustrate przewalskii with cheeks washed orange-buff, underparts rich cinnamon (wearing paler). Lacks dark eye-stripe of Chinese Nuthatch but care needed when seen from below.

 

Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria nepalensis C

We saw 1 at the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 1 in a wadi between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd and 2 at a gorge south of Yushu on the 3^rd. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeds south Qinghai. Tits states in comparison with UK’s muraria upperparts slightly darker and more blue-grey, crown often washed pale drab or brown in winter, belly sometimes darker grey or blackish, pale spots on tail and primaries average larger, pink tinge on base of tail feathers more frequent, and centers of lesser coverts pale grey (not white). Wing averages longer but bill averages shorter.

 

Common Treecreeper Certhia familiaris bianchii C 

We saw 2 at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th and at Banma Forest Station we saw 1 on the 27^th, 4 on the 28^th and 1 on the 29^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as east Qinghai. Tits treat bianchii as part of the rather distinct Sino-Himalayan races including mandellii seen in Nepal. Upperparts darker and duller than UK’s britannica, rump slightly more orange-buff, belly, flanks and undertail-coverts duller, washed dull buff.    

 

Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus lucionensis C

A single male was seen at the Sino-Swiss Hotel in Beijing on the 17^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee includes Beijing. Illustrated in Shrikes. Shrikes state lucionensis has upperparts much grayer, only rump and uppertail-coverts are tinged rufous. Forecrown pale grey (not pure white), grading into pale ashy on top of crown.

 

Isabelline (Rufous-tailed) Shrike Lanius isabellinus tsaidamensis C

We saw a family party of 3 and another single adult male in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as north Qinghai in the Zaidam Badin and the Koko Nor region. Shrikes state tsaidamensis very similar to isabellinus but slightly paler, also markedly larger with wing-length of males up to 102mm (88-94 in isabellinus). Shrikes describe similar isabellinus as having sandy-grey upperparts from crown to lower back with forehead and supercilium tinged isabelline. Face pattern poorly defined with dark brown on lores limited to a small spot in front of eyes. Tail dull cinnamon. Small primary patch. Females have pale lores and brown ear-patches and rarely show a primary patch.

 

Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus tephronotus C

We saw 1 at Xining on the 17^th, 3 at Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, 2 in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st, 1 near Koko Nor on the 22^nd, 2 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 8 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, at Banma Forest Station 3 on the 27^th, 1 on the 28^th and 4 on the 29^th, 2 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 2 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 7 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest station on the 3^rd, at Nangjen Forest Station 4 on both the 4^th and 5^th, 2 on the 6^th and 3 on the 7^th, 10 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th, 5 south of Yushu on the 9^th, 2 north of Yushu on the 10^th and at Gonghe 5 on the 11^th and 3 the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as Koko Nor region of north Qinghai.

 

Tibetan Grey Shrike Lanius (sphenocercus) giganteus C

We saw a superb family party of 4 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as Koko Nor region of east Qinghai for Chinese sphenocercus and east Qinghai for the high-mountain Tibetan giganteus. Shrikes notes Vaurie speculating whether they are separate species in Tibet and its Birds (1972). Chinese like a large Great Grey Shrike with prominent white supercilium, large white patches in wings, and long, graduated tail. White underparts. Tibetan even larger with darker upperparts, less white in plumage, no white supercilium and underparts rather lavender-grey.

          

Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus cathoecus C

A single individual was seen in flight at a high pass just south of Er La Pass on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee does not include Qinghai.

 

Sichuan (Grey) Jay Perisoreus internigrans (monotypic) C

We saw a party of 3 at Banma Forest Station on the 28^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as southeast Qinghai in the western Min Shan. This species is listed as Vulnerable by BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world that states ‘it has a small, declining, severely fragmented population as a result of extensive deforestation throughout its range’.

 

Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus interposita / swinhoei C 

We saw 40 in Beijing and at the Summer Palace on the 16^th, 20 at the Sino-Swiss Hotel in Beijing on the 17^th, 2 on the outskirts of Banma Town on the 29^th and back at Beijing 4 on the 13^th and 8 on the 14^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as Beijing for interposita, Koko Nor in Qinghai for kansuensis and southeast Qinghai for swinhoei. They all differ from European cooki in having white tips to the central tail feathers and by being larger. Crows describes swinhoei as darker and browner than interposita with kansuensis being very grey above and very pale below also having small bills.

 

Common (/ Tibetan) Magpie Pica pica sericea / bottanensis C  

At Beijing we saw 20 on the 16^th, 10 on the 17^th and 1 on the 14^th, otherwise we saw 2 at Gonghe on the 23^rd, 4 between Banma and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th and 1 on the return drive on the 29^th, 3 seen between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 4 at Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 5 there on the 8^th and 2 at Gonghe on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as Koko Nor region for Common Magpie sericea and southwest Qinghai for Tibetan Magpie bottanensis. Crows states sericea much as UK nominate but with relatively longer wing and shorter tail, gloss on wings and tail more purple blue and bottanensis the largest form but with tail relatively the shortest, colour as sericea.

 

Henderson's (Mongolian) Ground Jay Podoces hendersoni (monotypic) C

We saw a pair and then a single individual in the Chaka Desert on the 21^st. Superb. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as Zaidam in north Qinghai.

 

Hume's (Tibetan) Ground-pecker Pseudopodoces humilis (monotypic) C

We saw 10 at Koko Nor including at nest burrows on the 19^th, 10 near Heimahe on the 20^th, 4 near Heimahe on the 21^st, 25 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 30 between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 6 at the Er La Pass on the 24^th, 10 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 5 on the outskirts of Banma Town on the 29^th, 15 between Banma and Maduo on the 30^th, 8 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 20 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 15 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Statio on the 3^rd, 10 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 8^th, 2 south of Yushu on the 9^th, 30 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th, 10 between Huaxisha and Gonghe on the 11^th and 1 at a Pass between Gonghe and Xining on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as Qinghai.

 

Yellow-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus digitatus C 

We saw 1 south of Yushu on the 2^nd and a flock of 15 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Qinghai. Crows states differs from Europe’s nominate in being larger and having stronger feet.

 

Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax himalayanus C 

This species proved widespread with a total of 151 recorded over twenty-one days in Qinghai with a daily maximum of 30 being seen at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident southwest Qinghai. Crows states the largest race and with tail proportionately longer than western forms. Plumage gloss blue or bluish-purple.

 

Daurian Jackdaw Corvus dauuricus (monotypic) C 

We saw 2 between Xining and Koko Nor on the 19^th, 5 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 1 at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th, 15 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 3 near Nangjen Town on the 7^th and 2 there the following day and 3 between Gonghe and Xining on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeds east Qinghai.

 

Rook Corvus frugilegus pastinator C  

We saw 6 roadside between Dongxia Forest and Xining on the 18^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeds east Qinghai. Crows states pastinator is on average smaller having face feathered on lores and throat but has bare whitish bill base as UK’s nominate.

 

Carrion Crow Corvus corone orientalis  C

We saw 4 at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, JFC saw 1 near Heimahe on the 20^th, 6 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 4 near Yushu on the 1^st and 1 there the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeds northeast Qinghai. Crows states larger than UK’s corone giving the impression that it is also relatively broader winged and longer tailed.

 

Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos tibetosinensis C 

At Banma Forest Station we saw 15 on the 26^th, 8 on the 28^th and 6 on the 29^th and at Nangjen Forest Station we saw 5 on the 4^th, and singles on the 5^th and 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Qinghai. Crows states large, the blackest and most glossy race with bases of neck feathers varying from dark grey to whitish.

 

Raven Corvus corax tibetanus C 

We saw 5 between Banma and Maduo on the 30^th, 10 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st and 1 just south of Yushu on the 2^nd and 1 there on the 9^th and 3 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as a breeder Qinghai. Crows states the largest and most glossy race, with longest throat hackles, bill large. Bases of neck feathers grey.

 

White-cheeked Starling Sturnus cineraceus (monotypic) C

We saw 20 at the Summer Palace at Beijing on the 16^th and 5 at the Sino-Swiss Hotel in Beijing on the 17^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as including the Koko Nor region of east Qinghai.

 

Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus cristatellus C

We saw 3 at the Summer Palace in Beijing on the 16^th.

 

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus dilutus / kansuensis / tibetanus C 

This species proved widespread with a total of 358 noted over twenty-two dates only being absent at Nangjen Forest Station. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident north Qinghai for dilutus, east and south of Koko Nor for kansuensis and south and southwest Qinghai above 2725m (9000feet) for tibetanus. Sparrows state dilutus is the palest (paler than UK’s montanus) with pale sandy-brown upprparts (except head), and some show a grayer-sandy tone to rump. Race tibetanus is similar to dilutus but slightly darker, and is the largest of all the races. Sparrows doesn’t recognize kansuensis.

 

Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia brevirostris C 

We saw 4 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 8 in the Chaka Desert Desert on both the 20^th and 21^st, 2 at Gonghe on the 23^rd, 6 at Gonghe on the 11^th and 5 there the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Qinghai. Sparrows state brevirostris has less clear-cut or less well-defined markings on head and mantle, and a short thick bill.

 

Blanford's (Plain-backed) Snowfinch Pyrgilauda blanfordi barbata / blanfordi C

We saw a pair at their nest burrow in the Chaka Desert on both the 20^th and 21^st and singles just south of Gonghe on the 23^rd and on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th and 2 just north of Huaxisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident northeast Qinghai from south of Koko Nor, east of Zaidam, to the Nan Shan for barbata, resident Qinghai from the Buckhan Boda Shan and headwaters of the Yangtze southwest for blanfordi and west of Zaidam for ventorum. Sparrows states barbata is grayer on upperparts and lacks the ginger tinge while ventorum is even paler grey above, with a tinge of yellow on sides of nape. Black horns distinctive.

 

Rufous-necked Snowfinch Pyrgilauda ruficollis ruficollis C 

We saw 6 at the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 4 at er La Pass on the 23^rd and 5 there the following day, 10 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th and 12 on the return journey on the 30^th, 4 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st and 2 just south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 1 south of Yushu on the 9^th, 30 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th and 15 north of Huaxisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Qinghai from the northwest Nan Shan southwestward for isabellina and resident in Qinghai east and north of the range of isabellina from Koko Nor southward, east of the Zaidam depression for ruficollis. Sparrows states isabellina is paler or grayish on upperparts and tinged buffish-yellow (isabelline). Lacks Blanford’s black horns. Juv. Blanford’s have whiter face and grayer chin, plain scapulars/mantle.

          

Pere David's (Small) Snowfinch Pyrgilauda davidiana davidiana C  

We saw 3 including a pair tending a nest burrow just east of Koko Nor on the 19^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident in the region south and east of Koko Nor. Small, black forehead, lores & throat. Juv. lacks supercilium.

 

White-rumped (Mandelli’s) Snowfinch Pyrgilauda taczanowskii (monotypic) C 

Always associated with Pika colonies clearly using their burrows for nesting. We saw 1 nesr Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 2 at Er La Pass on the 24^th, 25 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th and 30 on the return drive on the 30^th, 8 between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th and 8 just north of Huaxisha on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident north Qinghai in the Nan Shan, and southwest through southwest Qinghai. The only white-rumped Snowfinch.

 

Tibetan (Adams’s) Snowfinch Montifringilla adamsii adamsi / xerophila C 

We saw 1 on the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 1 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 3 between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 6 south of Yushu on the 2^nd and 4 there on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Qinghai from the region east of Koko Nor in east Qinghai for adamsi and from the Humboldt Range of the northwestern Nan Shan south to the Buckhan Boda Shan for xerophila. Sparrows states xerophila is generally paler and with streaks on mantle and back less distinct than adamsi. Smaller than Eurasian Snowfinch, less white in the wing, duller underparts, sandy-buff in outer –tails and all-black bill. 

 

Eurasian (White-winged) Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis henrici C

We saw 10 at Er La Pass on the 24^th, 7 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th and 3 on the return journey on the 30^th, 4 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st and 20 at a high pass just south of Er La Pass on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident central Qinghai. Sparrows states henrici is the darkest race, with upperparts (including crown) earth-brown with dark rust-brown centers to mantle and back, and the underparts are much grayer except for flanks, which are grey-brown. White secondaries.

 

Oriental (Grey-capped) Greenfinch Carduelis sinica sinica C

We saw 2 at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, 2 in the town at Gonghe and 2 at the farmland on the edge of Gonghe on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as southeast Qinghai.

 

Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus (monotypic) C

We saw a single male at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee doesn’t include Qinghai.

 

Tibetan Siskin Carduelis thibetana (monotypic) C

We saw a single male at Nangjan Forest Station on the 4^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee probably includes Qinghai. Male unstreaked and lacks black cap. Lacks bright yellow band on greater coverts.

 

Twite Carduelis flavirostris miniakensis / montanella C 

We saw 6 at Koko Nor on the 19^th, 30 west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 6 near Heimahe on the 21^st, 35 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 12 between Gonghe and the Er La Pass on the 23^rd, 1 near Maduo on the 30^th, 2 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 6 just south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 6 at Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th, 1 south of Yushu on the 9^th, 1 just south of the Er La Pass on the 11^th and 5 drinking at the Gonghe farmland on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the south Nan Shan in east Qinghai for miniakensis and along the mountains north of the Zaidam depression to the eastern end of the Nan Shan for montanella. Sparrows states miniakensis has pale buff edges to brown streaks on upperparts, broad white flashes on edges of primaries, and the male’s rump is white or pale pink with montanella (illustrated) very pale buff (palest of all races) on upperparts and white or whitish below, intensity of pink on rump varies from whitish-pink to pale buff or tinged brown to reddish-pink.

 

Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra curvirostra / himalayensis C 

We saw 60 at Nangjen Forest Station on the 4^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as recorded Qinghai for curvirostra and resident ne Qinghai southwest to the Yushu region for himalayensis. Finches state that in curvirostra there is an eastward cline to paler or brighter and larger birds in Siberia. Finches states the darkest race is himalayensis, with adult males dark cherry-red or brownish-red and females also brown or dark brown tinged with olive. Robson illustrates himalayensis.

 

Plain (Hodgson’s) Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola nemoricola C 

We saw 15 at the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th, 6 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, 2 at Er La Pass on the 23^rd and 1 there the following day, and 10 south of Yushu on the 2^nd. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee breeding east Qinghai. In the hand nominate axillaries yellow not grey. Streaked mantle, pale supercilium.

 

Brandt's Mountain Finch Leucosticte brandti haematopygia C

We saw 5 at the Er La Pass on the 23^rd and 12 there the following day, 4 at Huaxisha on the 25^th and 6 there on the 30^th, 2 between Maduo and Yushu on the 1^st, 4 south of Yushu on the 2^nd and 2 at Huaxisha on the 10^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident from the high mountains of south Qinghai for haematopygia and the west Nan Shan in Qinghai for pallidor. Finches states summer haematopygia (illustrated in Finches) has blackish-brown forehead (blackest) to nape, mantle and scapulars are distinctly darker with dark brown streaks continuing to upper back, lores and chin are nearly as black as forehead, and cheeks and ear-coverts to sides of neck are black or deep or dull brown. Race pallidor (similar to nominate) has upper mantle dull or dark brown and grey-tinged, lower mantle and upper back grey, washed pale-buff or yellowish having extensive black on crown to hindcrown, brown or dark brown upper nape, and variably dark brown to black lores and brown cheeks and ear-coverts, the chin and throat are grey or pale buff.  Both ssp. lack pink tips to lesser coverts being replaced with plain grey.

 

Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta (monotypic) C

A male was seen at the Gonghe farmland on the 11^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident northeast Qinghai. According to BWP very slightly longer-winged in China not warranting subspecific treatment.

 

Mongolian Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes mongolicus (monotypic) C 

We saw 6 at an oasis in the Chaka Desert on the 20^th and 4 there the following day and 4 drinking at a puddle at the Gonghe farmland on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeds east Qinghai west through the Nan Shan. BWP notes larger in China than western birds and western birds paler than eastern so perhaps worthy of recognition as a separate ssp. Desert Finch has black bill and much more deeply notched tail.

                             

Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus roseatus C 

We saw 10 between Banma Town and the Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 1 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, up to 3 daily on all four dates at Nangjen Forest Station and 1 south of Yushu on the 9^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeds east and south Qinghai. Illustrated in Finches & Robson with male extensively darker red extending onto flanks and belly, deeper in tone that UK’s nominate. Females are also much darker and more heavily streaked.  

 

Beautiful Rosefinch Carpodacus pulcherrimus argyrophrys C 

We saw pairs at the scrubby hillsides west of Heimahe on the 20^th and between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 23^rd. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident at Koko Nor, east Qinghai. Finches notes most racial variation is in depth or intensity or colour in the plumage (of limited use in the field).

 

Pink-rumped (Stresemann’s) Rosefinch Carpodacus eos (monotypic) C 

At Banma Forest Station we saw 20 on the 26^th, 5 on the 27^th, 8 on the 28^th and 4 on the 29^th and at Nangjen Forest Station we saw 4 on the 3^rd, 10 on the 4^th, 5 on the 5^th and 15 on the 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident to the region near Yushu in south Qinghai. Very similar to Beautiful but slightly smaller and shorter-tailed, found at higher altitudes, generally darker with deep crimson underparts and pale pink supercilium, lacks brown flanks. Female identical to Beautiful.

 

Sinai (Pale) Rosefinch Carpodacus synoicus beicki / stoliczkae C  

We saw a male and 4 females on the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 17^th and 2 males and 4 females there on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident in the Sining Ho region in east Qinghai for beicki and the Koko Nor region in Qinghai for stoliczkae. Finches illustrates beicki with unstreaked slightly darker plain pale grey-brown upperparts from hindcrown and nape, pink restricted to breast not including belly and having a paler pink rump than Sinai’s nominate where less extensive than in other races and does not reach sandy-brown uppertail-coverts. Male stoliczkae is sandy on upperparts with pink on underparts paler and less extensive.

 

Three-banded Rosefinch Carpodacus trifasciatus (monotypic) C 

At Banma we saw 1 on the 28^th and 4 the following day and at Nangjen we saw 2 on the 4^th and 9 on the 6^th. Superb. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee doesn’t include Qinghai but does neighbouring sw Kansu. A large, well-marked species. White edges to tertials.

 

White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura dubius / deserticolor / femininus C 

We saw 3 at the Dongxia Forest on the 18^th, at Banma we saw 4 on the 26^th, 8 on the 27^th, 6 on the 28^th and 4 on the 29^th and at Nangjen Forest Station we saw 5 on the 4^th, 4 on the 5^th and 8 on the 6^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Tatung Shan in east Qinghai for dubius, resident east of dubius in the Nan Shan south of Koko Nor for deserticolor and in extreme sw Qinghai for femininus. Finches states male dubius are generally light brown on upperparts, streaked fairly heavily with dark brown, ear-coverts are crimson (not dark brown as nominate) and meet supercilium, and dark eye-stripe is reduced or absent. Female dubius has chin, throat and breast base colour is white or buffish-white and streaked heavily with dark or blackish-brown. Male femininus is very similar to dubius but deeply purple-pink with heavier streaks on underparts. Female femininus (illustrated in Finches) like dubius but has paler supercilium. Finches doesn’t describe deserticolor. Male has white-tipped supercilium. Large size. Pale tips to median and greater coverts. Female has rump bright yellow.

 

Eastern Great (Streaked) Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilloides rubicilloides C

JFC saw 3 between Heimahe and Gonghe on the 22^nd, we saw 8 at a wadi between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd and 3 south of Yushu on the 2^nd. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident from the Nan Shan south to the Yushu region. Darker than severtzowi Caucasian Great Rosefinch.

 

(Caucasian) Great Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilla severtzowi C 

We saw 3 males at a wadi between Gonghe and Er La Pass on the 23^rd and a male singing from a cliff between Banma and Maduo on the 30^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident in the Koko Nor region and around Yushu. Illustrated by Finches being much paler than nominate. It was a useful comparison to see both species of Great Rosefinch in the same Wadi.

                                                                    

Red-breasted (-fronted) Rosefinch Carpodacus puniceus longirostris C    

We saw 10 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, 6 in the same area on the 3^rd and 5 there on the 9^th including some singing males. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident Koko Nor in east Qinghai. Finches states longirostris (illustrated in Finches) is the largest and palest or brightest or most intensely red or crimson of the races with less broadly streaked underparts, and has on average a slightly longer bill, some males show a very wide band of red on forehead and over eyes, but this is not a constant feature. Females sometimes have yellow or olive-yellow on rump.

 

Roborovski's (Tibetan) Rosefinch Kozlowia roborowskii (monotypic) C 

We saw 10 at Er La Pass on the 23^rd and 4 there the following day. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident central Qinghai around the headwaters of the Yangtze. Large, very long-wings, yellow bill. Taxonomic position unclear.

                                           

Crimson-browed Finch (Red-headed Rosefinch) Pinicola subhimachalus (monotypic) C

We saw 2 pairs along the ‘third valley’ at Nangjen Forest Station on the 5^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee doesn’t include Qinghai.

 

Long-tailed Rosefinch Uragus sibiricus lepidus C 

We saw a male and two female-types between Banma Town and Banma on the 26^th and a male above Banma Forest Station on the 27^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee doesn’t include Qinghai but lepidus approaches closely in Kansu. Illustrated by Finches, being darker with shorter tail than nominate, dark grey hindcrown to mantle and scapulars, wingbars less extensive and white in outer tail reduced to outer two feathers, female warm brown with dark streaks to head and upperparts. From Przevalski's Rosefinch by short stubby bill, square-ended tail and see that species for other diffs.

 

Przevalski's Rosefinch Urocynchramus pylzowi (monotypic) C

We saw 6 including a couple of displaying males on the scrubby hillsides just west of Heimahe on the 20^th. Superb. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident from the Sining Ho and Koko Nor regions to the Nan Shan. Included within Buntings by Clements 2000 but not by Finches.  From Long-tailed by graduated tail (in flight), lacks double white wingbar, lacks pink forehead, supercilium, lower mandible pale pink.

                               

Grey-headed (Beavan’s) Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca erythaca C 

We saw 3 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 8 at Banma Forest Station on the 27^th and 14 at Nangjen Forest Station towards the Tibet border on the 6^th. Distribution recorded by Finches as east Qinghai.

 

White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas carnipes carnipes C 

We saw 1 between Yushu and Nangjen Forest Station on the 3^rd, 1 at Nangjen Forest Station at the Tibet border on the 6^th and 4 at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 8^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as northeast Qinghai. Juv. like fem. But browner with pale edges forming crescents on head and mantle.

 

Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala sordida C

We saw 3 singing males at the Gonghe farmland on the 23^rd and 1 there on our return on the 12^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as breeds south Qinghai for sordida. Illustrated by Buntings, being markedly different from UK’s nominate, having base colour of head greenish, and underparts often more yellow and the streaking on the flanks blacker. Slightly larger than UK’s nominate. Rump unstreaked grey-brown separate females from Pine.

 

Kozlov's (Tibetan) Bunting Emberiza koslowi (monotypic) C 

We saw a pair just south of Yushu on the 2^nd and a male at the Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident in sw Qinghai in the dry, tributary valleys of the upper Yangtze and Mekong and in the Yushu area. This species is listed as Near Threatened by BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world that states ‘it appears to be genuinely rather scarce and localised’ but that ‘it does not appear to be immediately threatened by habitat loss.’

      

Godlewski's Rock Bunting Emberiza godlewskii godlewskii / khamensis C  

We saw 5 on the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 17^th, 1 on the drive to the Sichuan border on the 25^th, 5 between Banma Town and Banma Forest Station on the 26^th, 2 at Banma on the 28^th and 4 on the 29^th, 1 north of Yushu on the 1^st, 1 south of Yushu on the 2^nd, up to 5 daily on all four days at Nangjen Forest Station, up to 3 seen at Kanda Shan Pass on the 7^th and 8^th, 4 seen south of Yushu on the 9^th, 3 seen between Yushu and Huaxisha on the 10^th and 2 seen at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 12^th. Often considered conspecific with Rock Bunting as by De Schauensee. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as the Koko Nor region in Qinghai and west to the region near the headwaters of the Yangtze and the Mekong for godlewskii and resident from south Qinghai to Szechwan for khamensis. Buntings describes khamensis as somewhat darker than the nominate form and more heavily streaked on the mantle.                                             

 

Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides ciodes C

We saw 5 at the eroded hillsides at Xining on the 17^th and 5 there on our return visit on the 12^th. Superb. Distribution recorded by De Schauensee as resident southeast Qinghai. Illustrated by Buntings. Juv’s virtually inseparable from Godlewski’s though the rump is on average less prominently streaked in Godlewski’s than in Meadow.

    

 

 

References used:

 

De Schauensee, R. M. (1984) The Birds of China. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Cramp, S. and Simmons, K.E.L., eds. (1977) The birds of the Western Palearctic, 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Cramp, S. and Simmons, K.E.L., eds. (1980) The birds of the Western Palearctic, 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Cramp, S. and Simmons, K.E.L., eds. (1983) The birds of the Western Palearctic, 3. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Cramp, S., ed. (1985) The birds of the Western Palearctic, 4. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Cramp, S., ed. (1988) The birds of the Western Palearctic, 5. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Cramp, S., ed. (1992) The birds of the Western Palearctic, 6. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Cramp, S. and Perrins, C.M., eds. (1993) The birds of the Western Palearctic, 7. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Cramp, S. and Perrins, C.M., eds. (1994) The birds of the Western Palearctic, 8. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Cramp, S. and Perrins, C.M., eds. (1994) The birds of the Western Palearctic, 9. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 

Robson, C. (2000) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-east Asia. London: New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd.

 

Del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Sargatal, J., eds. (1992-2004) Handbook of the birds of the world. Barcelona: Lynx Ediciones.

 

Inskipp, T., Lindsey, N. and Duckworth, J.W., (1996) An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of the Oriental Region. OBC: Chandlers Printers Ltd.