China Qinghai Extension 15th to 20th May 2019 (6 days) Trip Report

Przevalski's Finch by Stephan Lorenz

Trip report compiled by Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz

Trip Report – RBL China – Qinghai Extension 2019 2

Tour Summary

We had six days of enjoyable and productive birding through the Tibetan Plateau offering many iconic of the region. We explored the verdant forests east of Xining before entering the barren, but always beautiful plateau landscape around the enormous Qinghai Lake. The Rubber Mountains offered dramatic mountain landscapes along with several specialties, and we even reached the flats and grasslands around Chaka Lake that held many species not seen elsewhere. The top birds as voted by the participants were three iconic Tibetan species, with the monotypic Przevalski's Finch taking first place, followed by the unique Ground Tit and Henderson’s Ground Jay. We started our birding tour north of Xining, where we found Pale Rosefinch, the scarce Daurian Partridge, and Godlewski’s Bunting. In the conifer forests, we picked up the rare Crested Tit-Warbler, Chinese and Przevalski's Nuthatches, localized Gansu Leaf Warbler, Kessler’s Thrush, and beautiful Blue Eared Pheasant. We traveled west of Xining to explore the grasslands and freshwater marshes around Godlewski’s Bunting by Stephan Lorenz Qinghai Lake, that held plenty of waterfowl, shorebirds, and several pairs of the stately Black-necked Cranes. From here we explored the Rubber Mountains, where in addition to the aforementioned species, we recorded five species of snowfinches, several raptors, rosefinches, and the uncommon Pine Bunting. During our second try at the Chaka Lake Flats, we located the scarce Henderson’s Ground Jay and Pallas’s Sandgrouse. The best mammal of the tour was a Tibetan Fox seen well by all one morning in the Rubber Mountains. Throughout our journey, we also experienced the unique culture and cuisine of the region. ______

Tour in Detail

We started the day with an early departure for the airport in Chengdu, and our flight to Xining was right on time. When we arrived in the Xining area, we had a quick lunch and then drove north of the city into an area of dry hills. The habitat looked very arid and barren, but the birding was extremely productive. The first we saw was a male Pale Rosefinch that had us exiting the vehicle quickly. Birding a short stretch of road, we had excellent views of Hill Pigeons, Azure- winged Magpies, Black Redstarts, Pied Wheatears, and an unexpected Common Rock Thrush in full display. The distinctive Godlewski’s Bunting was very common, Pale Rosefinch by Stephan Lorenz sitting up and singing, while two uncommon

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Meadow Buntings showed briefly on a steep slope. We then dedicated some time to find the localized Daurian Partridge and managed to get repeated flight views. In the late afternoon, we continued to Datong to check into our hotel.

Azure-winged Magpie by Stephan Lorenz

We started early and drove to the nearby Dongxia Forest. Unfortunately, the forest park was closed due to an increased fire risk and we quickly rerouted, finding another excellent forest patch nearby that was accessible via a wide easy trail. This forest proved even more productive and we quickly located all the main target species. We had a field breakfast surrounded by singing Hume’s Leaf Warblers and stunning Siberian Rubythroats sitting up atop conifers. With a bit of patience, a Grey-headed Woodpecker flew in, adding to the Great Spotted Woodpecker we had seen moments earlier. The trail into the forest was very productive, and the localized Gansu Leaf Warbler was common, and we managed to see the rare Chinese and Przevalski's Nuthatches from the same spot! We worked our way higher into the forest where we found Rufous-vented and Sichuan Tits, Eurasian Treecreeper, Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, singing Himalayan Bluetail, Goldcrest, and many Rufous-breasted Accentors. Yet, the best find was a pair of Crested Tit-Warblers, and these acrobatic birds foraged on thin twigs right in front of us. We then walked across a field to check a scrubby slope where we called in a Yellow- streaked Warbler and saw a Plain Laughingthrush. As we hiked back to the start of the trail, we found a Kessler's Thrush singing from the top of a conifer. In the agricultural fields nearby, we found lots of Common Pheasants, Rook, and Carrion Crows.

After such success, we carried on to lunch and then east across the mountains to our next destination, the Beishan National Forest Park. We took a scenic shortcut Chinese Nuthatch by Stephan Lorenz where we added the first Twite and also a bonus Water Pipit along a stream. We stopped in the Twelve Corners Pass area and it took only fifteen minutes before we spotted a single Blue Eared Pheasant feeding on the slope below, while we also enjoyed better views of Plain Laughingthrush. We carried on down the mountains and reached an intact

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patch of forest protected in the Beishan National Forest Park. During a quick afternoon walk here, we added the impressive Black Woodpecker and had excellent studies of a Slaty-backed Flycatcher. The hotel was nearby, and we settled into our comfortable rooms after a very successful day.

We returned early to the forest patch from the previous afternoon and hiked up the trail after a field breakfast. Despite several hours of searching, we could not find any Chinese Grouse, although the habitat looked excellent, but we did come across an unexpected Blood Pheasant. The weather held and we had great views of many of the species from the previous day, but also added a few new ones. Good finds included a Northern Goshawk, many Sichuan Tits, another Przevalski's Nuthatch, White-winged Grosbeak, and we had great views of beautiful Grey-headed Bullfinches at a small waterhole. After our dedicated effort, we left Blue Eared Pheasant by Stephan Lorenz the area and drove back to the city for lunch, carrying on towards the large Qinghai Lake, watching the habitat change to the grasslands and steppe of the Tibetan Plateau.

We only had an hour or two to stop on the eastern edge of Qinghai Lake, but the grassland and freshwater marsh here held lots of new species and we quickly racked up many hoped-for additions. We walked out towards the wetland and had scope views of Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose, Whooper Swan, Ruddy Shelduck, Garganey, Mallard and, Red-crested and Common Pochards, Common Merganser and, Great Crested and Black-necked Grebes, Eurasian Coot, the magnificent Black-necked Crane, Black-winged Stilt, fly by Black-tailed Godwit, Temminck's Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Pallas's Gull, Common Tern, and Upland Buzzard. The surrounding grasslands held several species of larks and we had good studies of Horned, Crested and Hume's Short-toed Larks and Oriental Skylark. A suspicious- looking bird in a small reed bed turned out to be a locally rare Bearded Reedling and the pair eventually came out into the open, hopping around at our feet! The bizarre Ground Tit was more expected, but we studied it carefully in the scope as it bounced across the cropped grasses, revealing its ancestry when it vocalized. Other species of note included displaying Isabelline Wheatear, a distant White- cheeked Starling, and bright Citrine Wagtail along the edge of the marsh. From here we continued west towards the town of Heimahe, taking in the ever-expanding vistas of mountains and the world-famous lake, apparently surrounded by fields of flowers later in the year, which in turn attracts hundreds of local tourists. Arriving in the evening, we checked in and then had Pallas’s Gull by Stephan Lorenz dinner nearby.

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This was likely one of the most anticipated days of the tour as we headed towards the Rubber Mountains in the early morning. Our main goal for the morning was to find the monotypic and endemic Przevalski's Finch, and we stopped halfway up the Rubber Mountain Pass to hike up a gentle slope towards a valley containing low bushes. The conditions were superb with no wind and sunny skies and we soon picked out a Siberian Stonechat. Nearby another bird popped up and incredibly it was a male Przevalski's Finch. The bird stuck around for close scope studies and we celebrated our quick success of the most wanted bird of the tour. We would find another four in the area, including good views of females and singing males. Other excellent finds as we combed the slopes here included, a pair of rare White- browed Tits, Alpine Leaf and, after much searching, Smoky Warblers, Robin and Brown Accentors, and another Kessler’s Thrush. We hiked back to the vehicle and drove further up the road, stopping at an area Bearded Reedling by Stephan Lorenz with cliffs and rocky slopes. Here we found several raptors, with a Bearded Vulture on a nest feeding a chick, two Saker Falcons, one in flight and another perched, Upland Buzzard, and several Himalayan Vultures. On the barren ground, we also found the first snowfinches, including Tibetan, Black-winged, ped and Rufous-necked, plus a pair of the large Rock Sparrows. A stunning Güldenstädt's Redstart was present along a small stream and offered great views. We stopped at the pass itself and walked out onto the open grassland, quickly finding the incredibly large Tibetan Lark that allowed a close approach for good photo opportunities. A quick stop further down in some promising looking habitats got us a Pine Bunting drinking from a stream. We then had lunch in a small town along the way before continuing to the Chaka Lake area. The wind had picked up, but we continued to walk out onto the flats and scanned the nearby grasslands. We flushed two Pallas’s Sandgrouse, but the birds disappeared too soon, but breeding Lesser Sand Plovers were a nice distraction. Despite the windy conditions, we continued to explore the grasslands on the far side of the highway and were rewarded with great views of the colorful Mongolian Lark and many displaying Isabelline Wheatears.

For the final morning, we had to decide where to go, and all agreed that it was worth the effort to check the Chaka Lake Flats again before returning to Xining. During the drive across the Rubber Mountains, we bumped into some mammal highlights with one person spotting a Wolf, which then led to the Henderson’s Ground Jay by Stephan Lorenz discovery of Tibetan and Red Foxes seen by all. The conditions had improved with calm winds and clear skies at the Chaka Lake area. We explored a side road leading through grasslands and picked up good views of singing Asian Short-toed Larks. After a field breakfast, we returned to the Chaka Lake flats and set out again on foot to locate the ground skulkers here, including a sandgrouse and a ground jay. The first bird of note came as a surprise when a Blanford's Snowfinch hopped into view in front of us. We were able to follow the bird for a few minutes

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as it picked up nesting material and gladly added our fifth species of snowfinch for the trip! An unusual call alerted us to the presence of a Henderson's Ground Jay that quickly ran off across the open ground but perched on a hillock long enough for great scope views. As we circled back around, a sandgrouse called, and we all managed to get onto the flying Pallas’s Sandgrouse as it flew above us. We marked the spot where it landed and started walking in that direction when it took off again and did two large circles around us, offering fantastic flight views for several minutes, wow, all the main targets seen well. During the walk back, we came across a family group of Henderson's Ground Jays with two parents feeding a fledge. These birds let us watch and photograph them for as long as we wanted, a fitting finish to our time at Chaka Lake. We returned to Heimahe via the Rubber Mountains, checked out, and had lunch at our favorite restaurant. Then we spent some time birding the wetlands right behind town and added more views of stately Black-necked Cranes, the only Kentish Plover, Brown-headed Gull, and additional views of the strange Ground Tit. The drive back to Xining took longer than expected due to an accident in one of the tunnels, but we did arrive in time to enjoy a celebratory final dinner with some Sichuan flavors and good memories about our short, but adventurous journey through Tibet. Ground Tit by Stephan Lorenz

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Annotated List of species recorded Note: Number in brackets ( ) indicate number of days on the tour the species was recorded. List powered through the report generator of our partner iGoTerra.

Birds (130 in total: 128 seen, 2 heard) Nomenclature and follows Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2018. IOC World Bird List (v8.1). Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Ducks, Geese & Swans Anatidae Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus (1) 2 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE Seen well at Qinghai Lake. Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus (3) 100 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5, 2 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 200 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 19.5. Abundant around Qinghai Lake with many great views. Greylag Goose Anser anser rubrirostris (1) 20 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Common in the Qinghai Lake area. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (3) 50 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Great views especially in the freshwater marsh at the eastern end of Qinghai Lake and one seen on a nest on a cliff face in the Rubber Mountains was also memorable. Garganey Spatula querquedula (1) 2 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Seen briefly at the freshwater marsh Qinghai Lake. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos (2) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5 and 2 en route 19.5. Singles and pairs seen around Qinghai Lake. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina (1) 20 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Good numbers in the freshwater marsh east end of Qinghai Lake. Common Pochard Aythya ferina (1) 10 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Present in the freshwater marsh east end of Qinghai Lake. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Observed 1 day(s) in total. Seen distantly on lake behind Heimahe. Common Merganser Mergus merganser (1) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Brief views around Qinghai Lake.

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Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies Phasianidae Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar (1) 1 heard Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. Heard only distantly in the dry hills on the edge of Xining. Daurian Partridge Perdix dauurica (1) 5 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. Flushed views of several after some effort, north of Xining. Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus (1) 1 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Heard clucking and seen briefly in grouse forest. Blue Eared Pheasant Crossoptilon auritum (2) 1 Sheirpan, 12 curves, Maliantan Mtns, NE of Xining, Qinghai 16.5 and 1 heard Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Great scope views of an individual feeding below the road at 12-corners pass. Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus (3) 1 en route 15.5, 30 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 heard Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Abundant in agricultural fields outside of Datong.

Grebes Podicipedidae Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus cristatus (2) 5 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. A few seen at a distance on Qinghai Lake. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis (1) 7 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Present in good numbers in the freshwater marsh east end of Qinghai Lake.

Herons and Bitterns Ardeidae Great Egret Ardea alba (1) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Seen distantly at Qinghai Lake.

Cormorants and Shags Phalacrocoracidae Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (2) 5 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. A few scattered birds seen on Qinghai Lake.

Kites, Hawks & Eagles Accipitridae Bearded Vulture (NT) Gypaetus barbatus barbatus (2) 2 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 3 Rubber Mountains 19.5. Seen well in the Rubber Mountains including one on a nest with a nestling! Himalayan Vulture (NT) Gyps himalayensis (2) 2 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 2 Rubber Mountains 19.5. Seen in the Rubber Mountain Pass area. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (1) 1 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. Flying in the distance in the dry hills outside of Xining. Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis (1) 1 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Great views of a perched bird in the grouse forest.

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Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius (3) 10 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5, 5 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 6 en route 19.5. Common in open grasslands especially around Qinghai Lake and one near an apparent nest in the Rubber Mountains.

Rails, Crakes & Coots Rallidae Eurasian Coot Fulica atra atra (1) 20 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. A few on Qinghai Lake.

Cranes Gruidae Black-necked Crane (VU) Grus nigricollis (3) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5 and 9 Rubber Mountains 18.5. Fantastic views around Qinghai Lake of this stately bird with one on a nest as we were driving back to Xining.

Stilts and Avocets Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (1) 3 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. In the freshwater marsh of Qinghai Lake.

Plovers and Lapwings Charadriidae Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Observed 1 day(s) in total. Good views of one on the southwest end of Qinghai Lake. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus (2) 2 Chakayan Lake Flats 18.5 and 2 Chakayan Lake Flats 19.5. Great views of presumed nesting birds on the Chaka Lake Flats.

Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (1) 1 (Qinghai Lake), 17.5. Seen in flight at the marsh. Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii (1) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. A single scoped at the freshwater wetlands east end of Qinghai Lake. Common Redshank Tringa totanus (2) 5 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Several seen in freshwater wetlands and around Qinghai Lake, likely nesting here. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola (2) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Noted at the edge of Qinghai Lake, a migrant here.

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Laridae Brown-headed Gull Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus (2) 2 en route 17.5. Good views at Qinghai Lake.

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Pallas's Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus (2) 20 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Common in the Qinghai Lake area, an impressive gull even circling above the hotel parking lot in Heimahe. Common Tern Sterna hirundo (3) 10 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5 and 1 Chakayan Lake Flats 18.5. Several seen around Qinghai Lake.

Sandgrouse Pteroclidae Pallas's Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus (2) 2 Chakayan Lake Flats 18.5 and 1 Chakayan Lake Flats 19.5. During our first attempt at the Chaka Lake flats we flushed two briefly, but the next morning one calling bird flew large circles around us for fantastic flight views of this rare sandgrouse.

Pigeons and Doves Columbidae Rock Dove Columba livia (4) 5 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5, 5 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 1 en route 18.5. Widespread. Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris (5) 20 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5 and 6 en route 16.5. Widespread and common. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis (1) 5 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. A few seen in fields and forests.

Owls Strigidae Little Owl Athene noctua (1) 1 en route 17.5. Leader only behind the hotel in Heimahe.

Swifts Apodidae Common Swift Apus apus pekinensis (2) 2 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5 and 2 en route 18.5. Seen occasionally while traveling. Salim Ali’s Swift Apus salimalii (2) 1 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5 and 2 Rubber Mountains 18.5. This massive swift was best seen near Qinghai Lake and along the way in the Rubber Mountains.

Woodpeckers Picidae Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major (2) 1 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 1 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Great views in several woodland locations. Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius (2) 1 Sheirpan, 12 curves, Maliantan Mtns, NE of Xining, Qinghai 16.5 and 1 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Incredible views twice at the grouse forest east of Xining, the male flew right in during our second visit.

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Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus (1) 1 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. Good views in open forest edge at the new spot near Dongxia forest.

Falcons and Caracaras Falconidae Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (3) 1 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5, 2 en route 16.5 and 1 Chakayan Lake Flats 18.5. Fairly common and widespread. Saker Falcon (VU) Falco cherrug (1) 2 Rubber Mountains 18.5. One seen in flight and another perched near a possible nesting cliff in the Rubber Mountains.

Shrikes Laniidae Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus (3) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5, 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5 and 2 en route 18.5. Widespread.

Crows, Jays, and Magpies Corvidae Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus cyanus (2) 12 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5 and 10 en route 16.5. Great views of a large flock outside of Xining. Eurasian Magpie Pica pica (3) 2 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. A few noted outside of Xining. Henderson's Ground Jay Podoces hendersoni (1) 4 Chakayan Lake Flats 19.5. During our second attempt at the Chaka Lake flats with much less wind, we first found one and then a family group of three for fantastic views. Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (5) 30 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5, 4 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 en route 19.5. Common in the mountains. Rook Corvus frugilegus pastinator (1) 10 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. Seen in fields around Xining. Carrion Crow Corvus corone orientalis (2) 5 en route 16.5. Seen in fields around Xining.

Tits, Chickadees Paridae Rufous-vented Tit Periparus rubidiventris (2) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Great views especially near Dongxia Forest. White-browed Tit Poecile superciliosus (1) 2 Rubber Mountains 18.5. Fantastic views of a pair of this scarce species in the Rubber Mountains.

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Sichuan Tit Poecile weigoldicus (2) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 10 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Common east of Xining, although the exact range limits of this endemic and the similar Willow Tit are still being worked out. Ground Tit Pseudopodoces humilis (3) 3 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5, 10 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 10 Rubber Mountains 19.5. This unique species was common around grassy flats at Qinghai Lake and the Rubber Mountains. Japanese Tit Parus minor (2) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Uncommon in forested areas.

Bearded Reedling Panuridae Bearded Reedling Panurus biarmicus russicus (1) 2 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. A surprise addition to the list in the small reedy areas of the freshwater marsh eastern end of Qinghai Lake, one was responding at a distance, but after I looked where everyone else was looking, we had one hopping at our feet in the grass!

Larks Alaudidae Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula (3) 10 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5 and 6 en route 19.5. Common in grassy fields Qinghai Lake area. Crested Lark Galerida cristata (2) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5 and 1 en route 18.5. Singles seen in the Qinghai Lake area and Rubber Mountains. Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris (3) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. A single seen well Qinghai Lake area, common on the Chaka Lake flats. Hume's Short-toed Lark Calandrella acutirostris (1) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. One paraded around on the cropped grass in front of us Qinghai Lake area. Mongolian Lark Melanocorypha mongolica (2) 2 Chakayan Lake Flats 18.5 and 1 Chakayan Lake Flats 19.5. Fantastic views of these large and colorful larks in the grassy flats near Chaka Lake. Tibetan Lark Melanocorypha maxima (2) 6 Rubber Mountains 18.5. A massive lark species seen very well at the top of Rubber Mountain Pass where it was feeding on the edge of the horse enclosure, also seen behind hotel in Heimahe. Asian Short-toed Lark Alaudala cheleensis (1) 2 Chakayan Lake Flats 19.5. Singing birds noted along the gravel road leading into grassland opposite of Chaka Lake.

Swallows Hirundinidae Pale Martin Riparia diluta Observed 3 day(s) in total. Widespread.

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Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris (3) 6 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5, 8 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 2 Rubber Mountains 19.5. Common outside of Xining and in the Rubber Mountains, always near cliffs. Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus (1) 1 Rubber Mountains 19.5. One seen briefly in the Rubber Mountains.

Long-tailed Tits Aegithalidae Silver-throated Bushtit Aegithalos glaucogularis (1) 1 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Seen well at the grouse forest. Crested Tit-Warbler Leptopoecile elegans (1) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. Incredible views of this active bird as it moved quickly through the conifers near Dongxia Forest, we watched it for many minutes as it clambered about the thin twigs.

Leaf warblers and allies Phylloscopidae Smoky Warbler Phylloscopus fuligiventer (1) 1 Rubber Mountains 18.5. After a careful search, we found one responsive bird in the Rubber Mountains. Alpine Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus occisinensis (1) 5 Rubber Mountains 18.5. Common at the finch site in the Rubber Mountains. Yellow-streaked Warbler Phylloscopus armandii (2) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. One seen well as it responded in scrub near Dongxia Forest and more seen at the grouse forest. Gansu Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus kansuensis (2) 6 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Very common and many showed well in the conifers near Dongxia Forest. Chinese Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus yunnanensis (1) 1 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. Brief views of a single silent bird near Dongxia Forest. Hume's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei (2) 10 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. The most common warbler in the conifer forests east of Xining. Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris (1) 1 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. One noted at the grouse forest east of Xining.

Laughingthrushes Leiothrichidae Plain Laughingthrush davidi (1) 1 Sheirpan, 12 curves, Maliantan Mtns, NE of Xining, Qinghai 16.5 and 1 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. The best views were the scope studies at the 12-corner pass, but also seen briefly near Dongxia Forest. Elliot's Laughingthrush Trochalopteron elliotii (2) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 4 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Fairly common and vocal in forest.

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Kinglets Regulidae Goldcrest Regulus regulus (2) 1 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 1 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Singles seen briefly near Dongxia Forest and at the grouse forest.

Nuthatches Sittidae Chinese Nuthatch Sitta villosa (1) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. Great views of responsive birds perching up in the conifers near Dongxia Forest. Przevalski's Nuthatch Sitta przewalskii (2) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 1 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Seen at the same site as previous species, giving equally great views and seen again well at grouse forest further east.

Wallcreeper Tichodromidae Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria nepalensis (1) 1 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. Leader only of one seen in flight in dry hills outside of Xining.

Treecreepers Certhiidae Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris (2) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Noted in conifer forest near Dongxia and at the grouse site.

Starlings Sturnidae White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus (1) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Only a single noted, scoped at a distance while foraging on the ground at freshwater marsh east end of Qinghai Lake.

Thrushes and Allies Turdidae Chestnut Thrush Turdus rubrocanus (2) 1 Sheirpan, 12 curves, Maliantan Mtns, NE of Xining, Qinghai 16.5, 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Widespread and fairly common in forest. Kessler's Thrush Turdus kessleri (2) 1 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 1 Rubber Mountains 18.5. This stunning thrush was first noted perched on a conifer near Dongxia Forest and then again seen well perched up in the Rubber Mountains.

Chats, Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae White-bellied Redstart Luscinia phaenicuroides (1) 1 heard Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. Heard only in thick scrub near Dongxia Forest. Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope (1) 5 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. Many singing and some sitting in the open near Dongxia Forest.

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Himalayan Bluetail Tarsiger rufilatus rufilatus (2) 4 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Excellent views of singing birds near Dongxia Forest. Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula hodgsonii (2) 1 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Good views of this neat flycatcher in the forest near Dongxia and at the grouse site. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros (4) 4 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. Common and widespread. White-throated Redstart Phoenicurus schisticeps (2) 2 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5 and 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Seen well in forests east of Xining. Güldenstädt's Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogastrus grandis (1) 2 Rubber Mountains 18.5. Great views of this large and stunning redstart in the Rubber Mountains. Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis (1) 1 Sheirpan, 12 curves, Maliantan Mtns, NE of Xining, Qinghai 16.5. The most common redstart. White-capped Redstart Phoenicurus leucocephalus (2) 2 en route 16.5 and 2 en route 17.5. Only noted along streams while traveling. Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis (1) 2 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. Two seen in the dry hills north of Xining with males in full display. Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris (1) 2 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. A single seen north of Xining. Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus (1) 4 Rubber Mountains 18.5. Seen well at the finch site in the Rubber Mountains. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina (3) 1 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Common and in full display especially near Chaka Lake. Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka (1) 10 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. Numerous in the dry hills north of Xining.

Old World Sparrows Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus (5) 5 en route 15.5. Widespread and common. Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia brevirostris (2) 3 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 2 Chakayan Lake Flats 19.5. Great views of this large sparrow in the Rubber Mountains and again near Chaka Lake. Tibetan Snowfinch Montifringilla henrici (1) 2 Rubber Mountains 18.5. Seen very well near the cliff stop in the Rubber Mountains.

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Black-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla adamsi (1) 4 Rubber Mountains 18.5. Seen well in various places in the Rubber Mountains. White-rumped Snowfinch Onychostruthus taczanowskii (2) 10 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 4 en route 19.5. Common in the Rubber Mountains. Rufous-necked Snowfinch Pyrgilauda ruficollis (2) 10 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 6 en route 19.5. The most common snowfinch of the area. Blanford's Snowfinch Pyrgilauda blanfordi (1) 1 Chakayan Lake Flats 19.5. We found a single male that gave great views while walking the Chaka Lake flats.

Accentors Prunellidae Robin Accentor Prunella rubeculoides rubeculoides (1) 8 Rubber Mountains 18.5. Common at the finch site in the Rubber Mountains. Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata strophiata (1) 5 Dongxia Forest Reserve, n Xining 16.5. Common in coniferous forest near Dongxia. Brown Accentor Prunella fulvescens (2) 6 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 2 Rubber Mountains 19.5. Seen well in the Rubber Mountains where it appeared widespread.

Wagtails, Pipits Motacillidae Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola (1) 10 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Numerous around the freshwater wetlands east end of Qinghai Lake. White Wagtail Motacilla alba (3) 2 en route 15.5. A few noted. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni (1) 1 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. A single seen at grouse forest. Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus (3) 2 en route 16.5 and 1 Rubber Mountains 19.5. Common in the mountains. Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta blakistoni (1) 1 en route 16.5. One noted along a mountain stream while we traveled from Dongxia to the 12-corner pass via a scenic shortcut, great views.

Przevalski's Finch Urocynchramidae Przevalski's Finch Urocynchramus pylzowi (1) 5 Rubber Mountains 18.5. The bird of the trip for sure, we found at least five with three males sitting up and singing in the Rubber Mountains.

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Finches Fringillidae White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas carnipes (1) 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Good views at the grouse forest. Grey-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca erythaca (1) 10 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. We found a flock far up the trail in the grouse forest where a small waterhole was attracting numerous birds. Pale Rosefinch Carpodacus stoliczkae (1) 4 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. This scarce species was seen well at the start of the road winding its way into the dry hills north of Xining. Chinese White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus dubius (2) 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5. Seen well at the grouse forest. Red-fronted Rosefinch Carpodacus puniceus (1) 2 Rubber Mountains 18.5. Seen at the cliff site in the Rubber Mountains. Grey-capped Greenfinch Chloris sinica Observed 1 day(s) in total. Only seen near Dongxia. Twite Linaria flavirostris (4) 5 en route 16.5 and 2 Koko Nor (Qinghai Lake), SE corner 17.5. Common in open areas.

Old World Buntings Emberizidae Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos (1) 1 Rubber Mountains 18.5. A stunning male was seen drinking from a stream in the Rubber Mountains. Godlewski's Bunting Emberiza godlewskii (1) 10 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. This species was abundant in the dry hills north of Xining. Meadow Bunting Emberiza cioides (1) 2 Huzhu Beishan Mt, NE Xining 15.5. Two seen at a distance upslope from the gravel road leading through the dry hills north of Xining.

Mammals (7 in total: 7 seen) Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Rabbits, Hares Leporidae Woolly Hare Lepus oiostolus Observed 2 day(s) in total.

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Pikas Ochotonidae Plateau Pika Ochotona curzoniae Observed 2 day(s) in total. Daurian Pika Ochotona dauurica Observed 2 day(s) in total.

Squirrels Sciuridae Himalayan Marmot Marmota himalayana (3) 2 en route 17.5.

Wolves, Coyote, Foxes, Jackals Canidae Grey Wolf Canis lupus lupus (1) 1 Rubber Mountains 19.5. Tibetan Fox Vulpes ferrilata (1) 1 Rubber Mountains 19.5. Red Fox Vulpes vulpes (3) 2 Bei Shan Forest Park 17.5, 1 Rubber Mountains 18.5 and 1 Rubber Mountains 19.5.

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