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Home , Barred laughingthrush, Chinese rubythroat, Collared grosbeak, Emei leaf warbler, Emei Shan liocichla, Fujian niltava

Pere David’s Owl (Craig Robson)

SICHUAN

19 MAY – 7 JUNE 2019

LEADERS: CRAIG ROBSON

The latest Birdquest tour to Province in central , once again proved to be a marvelous experience, with some really memorable and other wildlife. A total of 331 of were recorded, including a large number of Sino-Himalayan specialties and Birdquest ‘diamond’ birds. Some of this year’s highlights were 15 species of Galliform, including Temminck’s Tragopan, Chinese Monal, White Eared, Blue Eared, Golden and Lady Amherst’s Pheasants, Black-necked Crane, Brown-cheeked Rail, Pere

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David’s Owl, Saker Falcon, Tiger Shrike, Sichuan , Collared Crow, Fire-capped, White-browed, Pere David’s, Sichuan, and Ground Tits, Tibetan Lark, Chinese Cupwing, Sooty Bushtit, Crested -Warbler, Sichuan Bush Warbler, 19 species of Phylloscopus warbler, 28 species of ‘babbler’, including Golden- fronted, Chinese, Spectacled and Grey-hooded , Snowy-cheeked, Barred, Giant and Red-winged , Chinese Hwamei, Emei Shan , and Rufous-tailed Babbler, 8 species of , including Great, Spectacled, Ashy-throated, Grey-hooded, and Golden, Chinese and Przevalski’s Nuthatches, Wallcreeper, Kessler’s and Chinese Thrushes, Grandala, Fujian , Zappey’s Flycatcher, Chinese and Siberian Rubythroats, Firethroat, Blue-fronted Robin, Fork-tailed Sunbird, Black-winged, White- rumped and Red-necked Snowfinches, Robin and Brown Accentors, Przevalski’s , Chinese , Pink-rumped, Sharpe’s, Dark-rumped, Three-banded, Chinese White-browed and Red-fronted Rosefinches, and Pine and Slaty Buntings. Our tally was also high, with our total of 23 species including Grey Wolf, Tibetan Fox, two superb Red Pandas, Altai Weasel, Tufted , , Chinese , and Tibetan . Add to this the stunningly beautiful mountain scenery and the tasty food on offer, and it is easy to see why this tour is such an enjoyable experience.

Having met up with our local guide uRo bbi Zh at dawn on day two, the birding began with a walk around Culture Park, which is conveniently situated next to our hotel in Chengdu. Here we found confiding White- browed Laughingthrushes, Vinous-throated , and Chinese Blackbirds, and we had our first David’s Fulvettas and Red-billed Starlings. The highlight however was a couple of very nice Chinese . On the way out of the city, we also left some time to visit Chengdu Botanical Gardens. This excellent park brought several specialities, including Amur Paradise Flycatcher, Rufous-faced Warbler, and Fork-tailed Sunbird. Chinese Bamboo Partridges called loudly, but could not be tempted out.

Following a series of impressive modern roads (something we would see a lot of in Sichuan), we arrived at our comfortable accommodation at Tangjiahe in the late afternoon. This National Nature Reserve is a truly stunning place, and well-known for its plentiful wildlife, particularly the amazing Takin - which we saw very well again this year, as well as Chinese Goral and Tufted Deer. Perhaps our main reason for visiting this remote site, is to see our first of Sichuan’s amazing pheasants. The lovely Golden Pheasant is quite common in the reserve, and afforded some great views once again. A stepped trail leading up to a small pass brought us our first superb male Temminck’s Tragopan, which appeared at exceedingly close range and began to drop its colourful ‘bib’. Another trail, closer to our hotel, produced a stunning singing male Zappey’s Flycatcher and the sultry Slaty Bunting. Other highlights at Tangjiahe were Alström’s, Sulphur- breasted and Kloss’s Leaf Warblers, Barred and White-throated Laughingthrushes, Golden-breasted and Spectacled Fulvettas, Great Parrotbill, Fujian Niltava (amazingly a write-in on this tour), and Chinese Blue Flycatcher.

From Tangjiahe, we made our way along river valleys and over impressive mountain passes to the town of Chuanzhusi, our new base in this region following the closure of Jiuzhaigou after the devastating August 2017 earthquake. Early on during the journey, we spent much time scanning for the threatened Collared Crow, eventually succeeding in finding a nice pair of birds thanks to our sharp-eyed driver! Closer to our destination, we had time for a birding stop at lofty Xue Baoding Pass. Our only pair of Crested Tit-Warblers were the main highlight here, but we also had our first taste of such typical montane species as Kessler’s and Chestnut Thrushes, Alpine , Chinese , Rosy Pipit, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Godlewski’s Bunting, and Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch. A pair of totally unexpected White-browed Tits showed well and a migrating Black-capped Kingfisher on a wire was completely out of place at this lofty elevation, as was a lone White-cheeked Starling.

Early the following morning, we were at nearby Gongangling Pass. This is one of the best sites for the endemic Pere David’s Owl, and this year we were in for a treat. Following a quiet trail along the coniferous forest edge, we soon heard one of these Ural Owl lookalikes hooting in broad daylight. Quite unperturbed, it sat and vocalized while sunning itself for a long time. The same trail hosted our first Blue-eared Pheasants, and we had some scope views of Three-banded Rosefinch by the roadside. A return visit, the following day, was rewarded with the much-wanted Sichuan Jay (a pair), as well at Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker and a close-range Collared Grosbeak.

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Golden Pheasant (Carl-Axel Bauer) & Temminck’s Tragopan (Craig Robson) at Tangjiahe

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The remainder of our time in this area was spent exploring close to Jiuzhaigou, where we were lucky enough to find our only Chinese Nuthatch of the tour. With ongoing roadworks, and various restrictions, there were few other highlights, apart from Brandt’s Jay (a splittable form of Eurasian), our first Chinese Leaf Warblers, Blyth’s Pipit, and Vinaceous Rosefinch.

Sichuan Jay (Carl-Axel Bauer)

Leaving this region behind, we headed for Ruoergai and the Tibetan Plateau. There were a few short stops along the way: nesting Black-necked Cranes, the usual Ruddy Shelducks and other typical plateau birds began to appear. We made it to the Ruoergai area in good time, so we headed straight for Baxi Forest, to the east of town. Exploring an open conifer-clad valley, with scrubby borders, we soon heard a singing Snowy-cheeked (or Sukatschev’s) Laughingthrush. After a while, a pair were seen rather fleetingly, so we would have to wait for better views. Its rather more sombre close relative Plain (or Pere David’s) Laughingthrush was also seen for the first time nearby, along with the usual Elliott’s Laughingthrushes. Sichuan Tit, Yellow-streaked Warbler and Chinese Fulvetta were seen well, and we had some nice scope views of singing Siberian Rubythroats. Further into the valley we had further sightings of Blue-eared Pheasant and yet more Sichuan Jays, this time a group of at least seven individuals.

The whole of the following day was spent exploring the Tibetan Plateau. We began with breakfast close to a small quarry where Saker Falcons were seen at the nest, and there were also good numbers of Rock Sparrows, and both White-rumped and Red-necked Snowfinches, as well as the typically numerous Plateau Pikas. A lone Grey Wolf cantered across open grassland below us. We moved on to beautiful Flower Lake, which is situated within Zoigê Marsh, the largest high-altitude marshland in the world! An excellent and only recently completed boardwalk now facilitates excellent viewing conditions. The first section proved very good for seeing the hulking Tibetan Lark, with several in song-flight, while later on we passed close to open water and marshy grassland. A very interesting selection of waterbirds included: Bar-headed and Greylag Geese, Ferruginous Duck, Red-crested and Common Pochards, Great Crested Grebe, Eurasian Bittern, Glossy Ibis (well north here, and a write-in), Black-necked Crane, Brown-headed and Pallas’s Gulls, Common Tern, and

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Tibetan Wagtail (the black-backed calcarata form of Citrine). Robbi managed to spot a Brown-cheeked Rail, which was a complete surprise and gave some amazing close views. Upland Buzzards and Ground Tits were seen along the roadsides as we explored further afield. Another more remote lake held a pair of Whooper Swans and a single Pale Martin, while write-in Isabelline Wheatears were seen with fledged young at a nearby village. After gaining permission from a caretaker, we explored some scrubby slopes behind a small monastery where several more unexpected species showed-up in the form of a migrant Tiger Shrike, and singing Brown Accentors and Pine Buntings. Black-winged Snowfinches were found nesting, and Robbi kindly spotted some Tibetan on a distant slope for us to scope. We had multiple encounters with the strange-looking Tibetan Fox during the day.

Brown-cheeked Rail (Craig Robson)

We left before dawn the following day and drove east to Baxi Forest. Our first port-of-call was a scrub- flanked valley where we hoped to see Spectacled Parrotbill. Craig eventually tracked one down upslope and it fortunately stayed until everyone reached the spot. Next up was Przevalski’s Nuthatch which perched on top of a tall conifer rather distantly, while nearby we found a very obliging Chinese Thrush in song. Our first Blood Pheasants also appeared here. We continued further east to the Gouwa Forest area, in search of Chinese Grouse. Without any luck after several hours, punctuated by a field lunch, we back-tracked to another part of Baxi Forest. A pair of Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrushes gave wonderful views along a narrow trail, and further on, some of us were lucky enough to get good flight views of a single Chinese Grouse.

Leaving Ruoergai behind, we headed south, but unfortunately accompanied by rain and snow - the worst weather we were to encounter during the tour. The pressure was on as we tromped around bush-covered slopes in search of the much-wanted Przevalski’s Finch. Fortunately, the precipitation didn’t seem to matter and we eventually ran into a nice pair of . Two other local specialities, Tibetan Partridge and Robin Accentor also showed up on cue. Due to roadwork restrictions, we could only make a few brief stops, and the poor weather didn’t help. The main highlights were Azure-winged and Altai Weasel.

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Brown Accentor (Carl-Axel Bauer) and Red-fronted Rosefinch (Craig Robson)

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We made another early start in order to reach the high pass area of Mengbishan by dawn. It was another fine day, with some great birds. Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge and Blood Pheasant both showed exceedingly well at close range, while a foraging flock of White-eared Pheasants was scoped on a distant slope. Amongst the , we enjoyed a singing Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler, unbelievably tame Giant Laughingthrushes, Long-tailed Thrush, Pink-rumped Rosefinch, and Crimson-browed Finch.

Giant Laughingthrush at Mengbishan (Craig Robson)

We continued on the lengthy drive to Wolong. A couple of stops in a narrow sunny gorge brought Hill Pigeons, a flyby Wallcreeper, and nesting Red-billed and Eurasian Crag Martins. Best of all though, were a pair of scarce henrici Long-tailed Rosefinches.

Although Wolong is famous for its Giant Panda reserve, it is also a fantastic area for birds and other wildlife. Based at a nice hotel, we had two full days and an early morning to explore this fascinating area. The majority of our time was spent birding at the higher levels, on either side of the Balangshan Pass. Stunning scenically, this area is also famous for its Galliforms, and we succeeded in getting some good views of Snow Partridge, Tibetan Snowcock, multiple Koklass Pheasants, and White Eared Pheasant. Due to low cloud, Chinese Monal kept us waiting until the very end, when we finally got to grips with a superb male. The highest slopes held Alpine Choughs and dazzling Grandalas, as well as Alpine Accentor, both Plain and Brandt’s Mountain Finches, and Red-fronted Rosefinch. Bearded and Himalayan Vultures drifted overhead, Snow Pigeons were seen by Bengt-Eric, a pair of White-breasted Dippers were nest-building by a fast-

7 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sichuan 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com flowing stream and, in the low scrub, we found the smart and only recently split Chinese Rubythroat (formerly lumped in Himalayan or White-tailed). Somewhat lower down on either side of the pass, we found even more great birds, including Maroon-backed Accentor, and Dark-breasted and Pink-rumped Rosefinches. A herd of no fewer than 44 Bharal (or Blue Sheep) was remarkable.

Back towards Wolong itself, we hiked up a nice trail through bamboo to a ridge-top. Here we had our first views of the superb Firethroat in full song, as well as three nice endemic passerines in the form of a nest- building Chinese Cupwing, two groups of endemic Sooty Bushtits, and Grey-hooded Fulvetta. Another male Temminck’s Tragopan made a brief appearance. Other locations in the Wolong area produced Chinese Babax and some unexpected but very welcome Spot-winged Grosbeaks following a welcome tip-off.

Grey-hooded Parrotbills at Erlangshan (Craig Robson)

Just before leaving the area we had a walk around Wolong Panda Centre. It was a great experience to see this amazing , even in captivity. It was also quite a wild area, and we were lucky enough to see some foraging ’s, and a very confiding Sichuan Bush Warbler that Robbi had noticed singing. After lunch nearby, we embarked on the rather long drive to our hotel at Luding, where we were poised for an exciting few days of birding along the south-west fringe of the Sichuan Basin.

Our first port of call was an old road that switchbacks up the lower slopes of Erlangshan. As we had hoped, Lady Amherst’s Pheasants were easily observed and we saw at least 15 different individuals - an amazing total. After this early success we continued up to the highest levels reachable by road. Once on foot, we encountered a nice male Dark-rumped Rosefinch, and then some striking Black-faced Laughingthrushes. Areas of dwarf bamboo stretching upslope looked good for parrotbills and, after a fairly brief jaunt, a pair of endemic Grey-hooded Parrotbills were located, here of the little-known erlangshanica subspecies. Fortunately the birds stayed put while everyone ascended the slope from the roadside. Later in the afternoon, a different area of bamboo held our only Brown Parrotbills of the tour, and we finished off the day on the lower slopes again, with Rufous-browed Bushtit, White-browed Fulvetta, another fine Firethroat, and a last-minute Rufous-tailed Babbler.

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From Erlangshan we drove to Labahe Nature Reserve, situated in a beautiful secluded and steep-sided river valley. Our journey this year took us via the narrow road over the top of Erlangshan and down the other side, where yet another male Temminck’s Tragopan was seen on the road, right in front of the mini-bus. We had two and a half days this year to explore this attractive panda reserve. Well-known for its population of Red Pandas, we were lucky enough to see two different individuals. The first, which was skillfully spotted napping in a tree by Heidi, gave great scope views, as it struggled to stay awake. The second sauntered across the road in plain sight. The closure of Jiuzhaigou had left us hard-pressed to find the endemic Pere David’s Tit, and we devoted a lot of our time to this species at Labahe; eventually succeeding in tracking down a vocal bird on our final afternoon. On another afternoon we made an exciting cable-car ride to the highest accessible part of the reserve, where a well-constructed boardwalk skirts the high mountain slopes offering superb panoramic views studded with colourful mountain flowers. Among the other bird highlights during our stay at Labahe were Speckled Wood Pigeon, Crimson-breasted and Darjeeling Woodpeckers, Fire-capped Tit, a range of bush warblers, including Chestnut-crowned and Grey-sided side-by-side and the skulking Brown, Emei Leaf Warbler, Fulvous and Ashy-throated Parrotbills. Himalayan Shortwing (split from White- browed), White-crowned Forktail, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, another male Slaty Bunting, and a nice male Sharpe’s Rosefinch. Singing Blue-fronted Robins were totally unexpected in some extensive bamboo, and we managed to get some good flight views of a male and female.

Golden-fronted Fulvetta (Craig Robson)

Our final destination of the tour was Longcanggou National Forest Park, another great birding area. Over the next couple of days we explored various habitats across a wide elevation range (1100-2400m). At the highest points that we reached new trip birds included a singing Spotted Bush Warbler, Spotted and Red- winged Laughingthrushes, and Golden Parrotbill, and we had another male and female Temminck’s Tragopan (the latter with a chick). The mid to lower levels held the likes of the endemic Emei Shan Liocichla, a singing Chinese Hwamei, the rare and restricted-range Golden-fronted Fulvetta, Buffy Laughingthrush, Dusky Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Bunting, and Brown Bullfinch.

Leaving the hills behind, we had time for one further birding stop before lunch on our final day, at Yujia

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Village. Displaying Chinese Goshawks, a flyby Crested Kingfisher, Swinhoe’s Minivet, and a stunning singing male Yellow-rumped Flycatcher rounded off the tour nicely and, after a relatively short drive on the expressway, we found ourselves back at Chengdu Airport, where another exciting adventure came to and end!

Tangjiahe (Craig Robson)

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Flower Lake and Balangshan (Craig Robson)

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SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H). Species which were not personally recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (NL).

BIRDS Total of bird species recorded: 331. Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus 22 in a distant flock at Flower Lake. Greylag Goose Anser anser Common at Flower Lake, with at least 20 young noted. Eight at Mowucuo’erge. Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus A late pair at Mowucuo’erge, near Ruoergai. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Common on the Tibetan Plateau. Gadwall Anas strepera A few at Flower Lake. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Northern Pintail Anas acuta (NL) Timo had a female at Flower Lake. Eastern Spot-billed Duck (Chinese S-b D) Anas zonorhyncha Singles at Ganhaizi, near Jiuzhaigou & Flower Lake. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 50 at Flower Lake, and eight at Mowucuo’erge. Common Pochard Aythya ferina 10 at Flower Lake. Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca 20 at Flower Lake, and eight at Mowucuo’erge. Common Merganser Mergus merganser A few in the Ruoergai area (orientalis). Chinese Grouse Tetrastes sewerzowi Just one seen fairly well in flight by some of us at Baxi. Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa Several in the Balangshan area, with good scope views. Verreaux's Monal-Partridge Tetraophasis obscurus Great close-up views at Mengbishan; heard elsewhere.

Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge (Craig Robson)

Tibetan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus 3 below Balangshan Pass, with one scoped atop a small peak (henrici). Tibetan Partridge Perdix hodgsoniae A pair seen several times near Ruoergai (sifanica). Chinese Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola thoracicus (H) Chengdu Botanical Gardens and near Longcanggou. Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus A few sightings; berezowskii at Baxi, geoffroyi at Mengbishan - where seen best. Temminck's Tragopan Tragopan temminckii Nine seen, including a chick, across five sites. Some amazing views. Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha 2 males seen. Brilliant scope views near the Balangshan tunnel (ruficollis). Chinese Monal Lophophorus lhuysii After many anxious foggy hours, a superb male at Balangshan. White Eared Pheasant Crossoptilon crossoptilon 14 at Mengbishan and one at Balangshan Tunnel.

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Blue Eared Pheasant Crossoptilon auritum Two seen very well at Gongangling Pass, and two more at Baxi. Common Pheasant (Grey-rumped P) Phasianus [colchicus] torquatus NW (suehschanensis); W & SW (elegans). Golden Pheasant Chrysolophus pictus Two lovely males at Tangjiahe; heard at Wolong. Lady Amherst's Pheasant Chrysolophus amherstiae Stunner! At least 15 seen at Erlangshan. Heard at Labahe. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 10 at Flower Lake, and four at Mowucuo’erge. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus A flock of three seen well in flight at Flower Lake. Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris One seen well at Flower Lake. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus Eastern Egret Bubulcus coromandus Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Great Egret (Eastern G E) Ardea [alba] modesta Eight at Flower Lake. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier) Gypaetus barbatus Singles Gongangling, Ezangcun, and Balangshan (aureus).

Bearded Vulture (Carl-Axel Bauer)

Crested Honey Buzzard Pernis [ptilorhynchus] orientalis Small numbers migrating at Tangjiahe and Gongangling. Himalayan Vulture Gyps himalayensis Quite common in north-west and west Sichuan. 94 logged. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos One at Ganhaizi, and two at Baxi (daphanea). Crested Goshawk Accipiter soloensis Several scattered sightings. Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis One at Longcanggou and a pair seen well at Yujia Village. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Occasional (melaschistos). Black Kite (Black-eared K) Milvus (migrans] lineatus Common on the Tibetan Plateau, and scattered nearby. Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius Several seen well on the Tibetan Plateau.

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Himalayan Buzzard Buteo burmanicus Just two singles, at Baxi and Balangshan. Brown-cheeked Rail Rallus indicus Superb views of this unexpected write-in at Flower Lake. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Two at Ganhaizi and at least three at Flower Lake. Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Common on the Tibetan Plateau wetlands. Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis Good numbers (65) seen well on the Tibetan Plateau. Two seen on nests. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Two pairs at Flower Lake. Whimbrel (Eurasian W) Numenius phaeopus Three flew by at Flower Lake. Common Redshank Tringa totanus Quite common on the Tibetan Plateau (eurhina). Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia (NL) Timo saw one at Flower Lake. Brown-headed Gull Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus Quite common around Ruoergai. Pallas’s Gull (Great Black-headed G) Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus Six at Flower Lake. Common Tern Sterna hirundo 36 logged near Ruoergai (tibetana). Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Four at Flower Lake. Rock Dove Columba livia Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris Nine near Ruoergai, and four Bajiao-Shuangbai. Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota (NL) Bengt-Eric saw three at Balangshan (gradaria). Speckled Wood Pigeon Columba hodgsonii Small numbers: Wolong, Labahe, Longcanggou. Spotted Dove (Eastern S D) Spilopelia chinensis Especially common in Chengdu (chinensis). Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenura Two at Longcanggou. Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Several heard; one seen at Tangjiahe (chinensis). Square-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris (H) Calling distantly at Yujia Village. Large Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides (H) Regularly heard. Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx nisicolor (H) One heard at Labahe. Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus (H) Frequently heard. Himalayan Cuckoo Cuculus saturatus Frequently heard; only seen at Longcanggou. Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Very widespread, and easily seen (bakeri). Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia (H) At least three heard near our guest house at Longcanggou. Himalayan Owl Strix nivicolum (H) Two heard at Longcanggou. Pere David’s Owl Strix davidi Superb views of a day-roosting bird at Gongangling Pass. Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei (H) Just one calling at Wolong. Little Owl Athene noctua Three seen well near Ruoergai (ludlowi). Northern Boobook Ninox japonica (H) Calling in the middle of the night at Tangjiahe. Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka (H) One was heard at Luding. Himalayan Swiftlet Aerodramus brevirostris Small numbers Tangjiahe & Longcanggou. White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus Seen very well a few times in SW Sichuan (nudipes). Salim Ali's Swift Apus salimalii Widespread in the Sichuan mountains. House Swift Apus nipalensis One in Chengdu. Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata One resting on a wire at Xue Baoding Pass was most unexpected. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris One flew along the river at Yujia Village (guttulata). Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Just one at the roadside near Gongangling Pass. Great Barbet Psilopogon virens (H) Several heard distantly at scattered locations. Speckled Piculet Picumnus innominatus One briefly at roadside stop on way to Tangjiahe; one heard Longcanggou. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Yungipicus canicapillus One at Tangjiahe (kaleensis). Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus A male was seen nicely at Gongangling (funebris). Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dryobates [cathpharius] pernyii Pair Labahe & one Longcanggou (pernyii). Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis One at Labahe (desmursi). Great Spotted Woodpecker (Chinese G S W) Dendrocopos [major] cabanisi Occasional (stresemanni). Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Singles seen at Gongangling (kogo), and Longcanggou (sordidior). Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis One seen briefly at Erlangshan; heard Wolong & Longcanggou (nominate). Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Saker Falcon Falco cherrug Pair at nest with two small chicks near Flower Lake, and two others on the plateau. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Robbi spotted one during the journey from Tangjiahe to Chuanzhusi. Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus

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Migrating Tiger Shrike and White-browed Tit (Carl-Axel Bauer)

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Swinhoe’s Minivet (Brown-rumped M) Pericrocotus cantonensis Three seen at Yujia Village, where they breed. Tiger Shrike Lanius tigrinus After dipping in Chengdu, a miraculous sighting of a migrating bird near Ezangcun. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Long-tailed Shrike (Chinese L-t S) Lanius schach Occasional scattered sightings. Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus Black-naped Oriole (Easter B-n O) Oriolus [chinensis] diffusus A few in SW Sichuan. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Several migrating cathoecus. Ashy Drongo (Chinese White-faced D) D. [leucophaeus] innexus 1 migrating leucogenis, Ruoergai-Ma’erkang. Amur Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone incei A pair showed quite nicely at Chengdu Botanical Gardens. Sichuan Jay internigrans Two at Gongangling, and a group of at least seven at Baxi. Excellent views. Eurasian Jay (Brandt’s J) [glandarius] brandtii Just one at Ganhaizi, near Jiuzhaigou (kansuensis). Azure-winged Magpie (Asian A-w M) cyanus Ten near Hongyuan, south of Ruoergai (nominate). Red-billed Blue Magpie erythroryncha Black-rumped Magpie bottanensis A few on the Tibetan Plateau. Oriental Magpie Pica serica The magpie seen elsewhere: Chengdu, Tangjiahe-Chuanzhusi, Erlangshan. Spotted Nucifraga caryocatactes Widespread (macella). Red-billed Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Widespread in north-western Sichuan (himalayanus). Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus A few seen well around Balangshan Pass (forsythi). dauuricus Several seen well in the Ruoergai area. Collared Crow torquatus Two by the upper reaches of the Fujiang River, Tangjiahe-Chuanzhusi. Large-billed Crow Corvus [macrorhynchos] japonensis Northern Raven Corvus corax A few on the Tibetan Plateau where first seen near to Ruoergai (tibetanus). Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis Fire-capped Tit Cephalopyrus flammiceps Seen very well at Labahe, where three noted (olivaceus). Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus Rufous-vented Tit Periparus rubidiventris Quite widespread in Sichuan (whistleri). Coal Tit Periparus ater Also widespread. Crested eckodedicatus. Yellow-bellied Tit Pardaliparus venustulus Quite common and widespread in Sichuan. Grey Crested Tit Lophophanes dichrous Occasional; dichroides in NW; wellsi from Mengbishan southwards. White-browed Tit superciliosus Great views of a pair at Xue Baoding Pass. A real stunner! Pere David's Tit Poecile davidi Excellent views of one at Labahe, after an exhaustive search. Sichuan Tit Poecile weigoldicus Seenw quite a fe times in the NW. Split from P. montanus. Ground Tit Pseudopodoces humilis Many on the Tibetan Plateau; a characteristic bird there. Japanese Tit Parus minor Scattered sightings (tibetanus). Split form Cinereous Tit P. cinereus. Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus Common and widespread (yunnanensis). Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula Common on the Tibetan Plateau (inopinata). Horned Lark (Himalayan H L) Eremophila [alpestris] longirostris Ditto. Tibetan Lark Melanocorypha maxima 15 or so at Flower Lake, near Ruoergai (nominate). Collared Finchbill Spizixos semitorques Frequent in the Sichuan lowlands (nominate). Brown-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthorrhous Scattered north to Tangjiahe (andersoni). Light-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis Mountain Bulbul (Northern M B) Ixos mcclellandii Pretty scarce, with just three at Tangjiahe (holtii). Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus White-headed/-breasted leucothorax was frequently recorded in W & SW. Pale Martin Riparia diluta One at Mowucuo’erge (fohkienensis). Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Common. Breeds widely in Sichuan (gutturalis). Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Best seen at Bajiao Cliffs, where 25+. Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus Widespread. Breeding on the hotels at Labahe (cashmeriense). Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Widespread breeder (japonica). Chinese Cupwing Pnoepyga mutica Great views of one with nest material at Wolong. Many heard elsewhere. Pygmy Cupwing Pnoepyga pusilla Quite widespread but rather elusive (nominate). Rufous-faced Warbler Abroscopus albogularis Seen at Chengdu Botanical Gardens and Longcanggou (fulvifacies). Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes Widespread (davidianus). Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler Horornis acanthizoides Seen at Tangjiahe and Longcanggou (nominate).

16 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sichuan 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com

Yellow-bellied Tit (Carl-Axel Bauer) and Spectacled Parrotbill (Craig Robson)

17 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sichuan 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com

Aberrant Bush Warbler Horornis flavolivaceus Towards the end of the tour; abundant at Labahe (intricatus). Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler Cettia major Seen well at Mengbishan & Labahe; also Gongangling (nominate). Grey-sided Bush Warbler Cettia brunnifrons Several at the Labahe summit boardwalk; great views (umbratica). Chestnut-headed Tesia Cettia castaneocoronata Best seen at Tangjiahe (nominate). Black-throated Bushtit Aegithalos concinnus Most abundant in the Chengdu parks (talifuensis). Black-browed Bushtit Aegithalos bonvaloti Several sightings at Erlangshan and Labahe (nominate). Sooty Bushtit Aegithalos fuliginosus Only seen at Wolong, with a total of six noted on one afternoon. Crested Tit-Warbler Leptopoecile elegans This little cracker was seen well at Xue Baoding Pass; a pair (nominate). Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher Fairly common at high altitude throughout (nominate). Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis Small numbers towards the end of the tour (nominate). Hume's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei Occasional in north-west Sichuan (mandellii). Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus A calling bird was seen at Wolong. Chinese Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus yunnanensis Small numbers Ganhaizi and Wolong. Sichuan Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus forresti Common and widespread throughout, especially at high altitudes. Yellow-streaked Warbler Phylloscopus armandii Not uncommon in suitable in NW Sichuan (nominate). Alpine Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus occisinensis Frequent at higher elevations in north-west to west Sichuan. Grey-crowned Warbler Phylloscopus tephrocephalus Singing singles seen at Wolong and Labahe. Bianchi's Warbler Phylloscopus valentini The commonest of its kind at higher levels. Alström's Warbler Phylloscopus soror Just a few: Tangjiahe, Labahe, and Longcanggou. A lower elevation species. Martens's Warbler Phylloscopus omeiensis Frequently encountered from Wolong southwards. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Emei Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus emeiensis A very responsive songster at Labahe. Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris Chestnut-crowned Warbler Phylloscopus castaniceps A few sightings, norrth to Tangjiahe (sinensis). Sulphur-breasted Warbler Phylloscopus ricketti One seen very well at Tangjiahe; others heard. Claudia's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus claudiae Common and widespread in Sichuan. Kloss's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus ogilviegranti Not uncommon in Sichuan, north to Tangjiahe. Brown Bush Warbler Locustella luteoventris Two seen at Labahe; heard at Longcanggou. Spotted Bush Warbler Locustella thoracica Superb views of one singing at Longcanggou. Sichuan Bush Warbler L. chengi Very close views of one at Wolong Panda Centre. Split from Russet. L. mandelli. Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus gravivox Mostly heard; seen by some at Tangjiahe (dedekensi). Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis Seen at Longcanggou; many others heard SW (eidos). Rufous-capped Babbler Stachyridopsis ruficeps Golden-fronted Fulvetta variegaticeps Amazing views of this endemic at Longcanggou. Dusky Fulvetta Alcippe brunnea One showed well at Longcanggou (olivacea). David's Fulvetta Alcippe davidi A few noted; Chengdu and Longcanggou (nominate). Chinese Babax Babax lanceolatus Seen well at Wolong and Erlangshan (bonvaloti). Chinese Hwamei canorus A singing bird was seen well at Longcanggou; a nice bonus. Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrush Garrulax sukatschewi Excellent views of two pairs at Baxi. A very smart endemic. Barred Laughingthrush Garrulax lunulatus Rather fleeting views of a couple at Tangjiahe. Giant Laughingthrush Garrulax maximus This superb laughingthrush was seen many times in north-west Sichuan. Spotted Laughingthrush Garrulax ocellatus Good views of two at Longcanggou (artemisiae). White-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax albogularis Small numbers at Tangjiahe. Plain Laughingthrush Garrulax davidi Excellent views near to Baxi, where it was common (concolor). Buffy Laughingthrush Garrulax berthemyi This skulker fortunately gave up easily at Longcanggou. Pair seen. White-browed Laughingthrush Garrulax sannio First seen well in Chengdu (oblectans). Elliot's Laughingthrush Trochalopteron elliotii Common and widespread. Black-faced Laughingthrush Trochalopteron affine Not uncommon at Erlangshan (blythii). Red-winged Laughingthrush T. formosum Several were seen surprisingly well at Longcanggou (nominate). Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera Frequently encountered at moderate elevations at Longcanggou (wingatei). Emei Shan Liocichla Liocichla omeiensis Great views of a pair at Longcanggou; several others heard. Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea Golden-breasted Fulvetta Lioparus chrysotis A stunner; at Tangjiahe, Labahe & Longcanggou (swinhoii). Rufous-tailed Babbler (R-t Moupinia) Moupinia poecilotis Finally popped-up at the last minute at Erlangshan.

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Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler (Craig Robson) and Alpine Leaf Warbler (Carl-Axel Bauer)

19 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sichuan 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com

White-browed Fulvetta Fulvetta vinipectus Quite common at Erlangshan (bieti). Chinese Fulvetta Fulvetta striaticollis Great views at Xue Baoding Pass, Baxi and the Balangshan area. Smart bird. Spectacled Fulvetta Fulvetta ruficapilla Close-ups at Tangjiahe, on our first full day out (nominate). Grey-hooded Fulvetta F. cinereiceps Smart endemic; Wolong, Labahe, and Longcanggou (nominate). Great Parrotbill Conostoma aemodium Excellent views of this brute at Tangjiahe and again at Longcanggou. Brown Parrotbill Cholornis unicolor A pair feeding at higher levels at Erlangshan. Spectacled Parrotbill conspicillata A bit of a climb for this nice endemic at Baxi (nominate). Vinous-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora webbiana A few seen well in Chengdu and en route to Tangjiahe (suffusa). Ashy-throated Parrotbill Sinosuthora alphonsiana Singles Labahe & Longcanggou; two at Yujia Village (nominate). Grey-hooded Parrotbill S. zappeyi A pair of these very local endemics seen superbly at Erlangshan (erlangshanica). Fulvous Parrotbill Suthora fulvifrons A very confiding pair at Labahe (cyanophrys). Golden Parrotbill Suthora verreauxi Brilliant views of two singles at Longcanggou (nominate). Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis Small numbers Erlangshan to Longcanggou (omeiensis). White-collared Yuhina Yuhina diademata Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta Small numbers were noted at Longcanggou (obscurior). Chestnut-flanked White-eye Zosterops erythropleurus Two singles in bird flocks at Wolong. Japanese White-eye Zosterops japonicus Goldcrest Regulus regulus Frequent at higher elevations (yunnanensis). Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Ditto (szetschuanus). Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis Frequent, from Erlangshan to Longcanggou (montium). Chinese Nuthatch Sitta villosa After a dedicated search, we found one near Jiuzhaigou (bangsi). Przevalski's Nuthatch Sitta przewalskii A great bird; but rather briefly seen this year, at Baxi. Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria (NL) Seen by a couple of us at Bajiao Cliffs. Hodgson's Treecreeper Certhia hodgsoni Frequent in north-west Sichuan (khamensis). Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus Best seen in Chengdu (nominate). Red-billed Starling Spodiopsar sericeus Seen well in Chengdu, and also en route to Tangjiahe. White-cheeked Starling Spodiopsar cineraceus En route to Tangjiahe; then remarkably one at Xue Baoding Pass. Long-tailed Thrush Zoothera dixoni Widespread sightings, including one on a nest at Baxi. Grandala Grandala coelicolor Five logged for Balangshan, where mostly scoped this year. Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus Easily seen in the Chengdu parks. Chestnut Thrush Turdus rubrocanus Fairly common in Sichuan (gouldii). Kessler's Thrush Turdus kessleri A cracker. Common at high altitude, first seen at Xue Baoding Pass. Chinese Thrush Turdus mupinensis Good scope views of a singing bird at Baxi. Heard at Erlangshan. Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis A few in the lowlands (nominate). Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica A few at Ganhaizi and Wolong (rothschildi). Ferruginous Flycatcher Muscicapa ferruginea Small numbers at scattered sites. Chinese Blue Flycatcher Cyornis glaucicomans A nice singing male at Tangjiahe; heard Labahe. Superb songster. Fujian Niltava Niltava davidi A male was seen really well at Tangjiahe. Surprisingly a write-in. Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara Rather fleeting views at Erlangshan (nominate) . Zappey’s Flycatcher Cyanoptila cumatilis A lovely singing male at Tangjiahe, plus another heard. Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus Himalayan Shortwing cruralis Heard a few times; seen Labahe. Split from White-browed B. montana. Larvivora brunnea Widespread and commonly heard; best views at Tangjiahe (nominate). White-bellied Redstart phoenicuroides Often heard. Seen very well at Baxi Forest (ichangensis). Chinese Rubythroat tschebaiewi Split from Himalayan (White-tailed) C. pectoralis. Fine male Balangshan. Calliope calliope Several singing at Baxi Forest; excellent scope views (beicki). Firethroat Calliope pectardens A must-see bird. Males seen very well at Wolong and Erlangshan. White-tailed Robin Myiomela leucura (H) White-browed Bush Robin Tarsiger indicus (H) Himalayan Bluetail Tarsiger rufilatus Frequent in north-west Sichuan. Golden Bush Robin T. chrysaeus A male at Erlangshan; also heard at Balangshan (nominate). White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti A pair flitting around the road at Labahe (sinensis). Blue Whistling Thrush (Black-billed W T) Myophonus caeruleus Blue-fronted Robin Cinclidium frontale Two singing males were discovered at Labahe (orientale). Flight views only.

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Kessler’s Thrush and Zappey’s Flycatcher (Craig Robson)

21 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sichuan 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher Ficedula zanthopygia A stunning singing male at Yujia Village. Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula hodgsonii Locally common in north-west Sichuan. Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata A few seen well, first seen at Jiuzhaigou (nominate). Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra A male showed at Erlangshan (nominate). Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor Small numbers towards the end of the tour (diversa). Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Hodgson's Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni Two female-types in north-west Sichuan; Baxi & Mengbishan. White-throated Redstart Phoenicurus schisticeps Many of these crackers seen well; a completed nest at Gouwa. Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus Occasional at lower levels (leucopterus). Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis Plumbeous Water Redstart Phoenicurus fuliginosus White-capped Redstart (River ) Phoenicurus leucocephalus Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius A few seen on the journeys (pandoo). Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola rufiventris A female downslope at Erlangshan. Siberian Stonechat (Tibetan S) Saxicola [maurus] przewalskii Small numbers on Tibetan Plateau. A potential split. Grey Bush Chat Saxicola ferreus Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina A few near Ruoergai, including a pair with 3 dependant fledged young. White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus A pair collecting nest material at Balangshan; one seen Wolong (przewalskii). Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii Two at Tangjiahe (przewalskii). Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum melanoxanthum Two smart males at Labahe. Mrs. Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae Common north to Tangjiahe (dabryii). Fork-tailed Sunbird Aethpopyga christinae Two nice males at Chengdu Botanical Gardens. A tour write-in. Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans Occasional at moderate elevations (intensior). Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia A few at scattered locations on the Tibetan Plateau (brevirostris). Black-winged Snowfinch (Tibetan S) Montifringilla adamsii 3 near Erzangcun; 1 taking food to nest (xerophila). White-rumped Snowfinch Onychostruthus taczanowskii Abundant in the Flower Lake area, Ruoergai. Rufous-necked Snowfinch Pyrgilauda ruficollis Fairly common in the Ruoergai area (nominate); 35 logged. Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris Six at Balangshan (nipalensis). Robin Accentor Prunella rubeculoides Great views of two (in the rain!) near Ruoergai (nominate). Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata Brown Accentor Prunella fulvescens Two singing males near Ezangcun, on the Tibetan Plateau. Maroon-backed Accentor Prunella immaculata Two sightings at Balangshan, including one scoped; others heard. Citrine Wagtail (Southern C W, Tibetan W) Motacilla [citreola] calcarata Male at Flower Lake. A potential split. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Breeds widely in Sichuan (nominate). White Wagtail (Himalayan W) Motacilla [alba] alboides Common and widespread, even in Chengdu. Blyth's Pipit Anthus godlewskii A migrant by the roadside at Ganhaizi. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni A few on territory in north-west Sichuan (nominate). Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus First seen at Xue Baoding Pass. Particularly common around Balangshan. Przevalski's Finch Urocynchramus pylzowi Stunning views of a brilliant pair near Ruoergai. Mega! Collared Grosbeak affinis A pair at Gongangling Pass & a male at Balangshan. Nice to get close views. Spot-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas melanozanthos Thanks to a tip-off, we saw at least five at Wolong. A write-in. White-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas carnipes A few at higher forest levels (nominate). Chinese Grosbeak migratoria Great views of a pair at Culture Park, Chengdu (sowerbyi). Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis Small numbers at the lower levels at Longcanggou (ricketti); 5+. Grey-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca Fairly common throughout (nominate); 0ver 30 logged. Dark-breasted Rosefinch Procarduelis nipalensis Great views around the tunnel at Balangshan (nipalensis); 5. Plain Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola Five seen around Balangshan (nominate). Brandt's Mountain Finch Leucosticte brandti Just a single tame individual at Balangshan. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Occasional (roseatus). Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch C. pulcherrimus Widespread small numbers at higher levels (argyrophrys). Pink-rumped Rosefinch Carpodacus waltoni Five at Mengbishan (eos). Dark-rumped Rosefinch Carpodacus edwardsii Male feeding in flowering rhododendron at Erlangshan (nominate). Sharpe's Rosefinch Carpodacus verreauxii Robbi found us a male at Labahe NR.

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Long-tailed Rosefinch and Red-necked Snowfinch (Craig Robson)

23 BirdQuest Tour Report: Sichuan 2019 www.birdquest-tours.com

Vinaceous Rosefinch Carpodacus vinaceus Just a couple of sightings; female at Ganhaizi, male at Longcanggou. Long-tailed Rosefinch Carpodacus sibiricus A vocal pair near Shuangbai (distinctive henrici). Three-banded Rosefinch Carpodacus trifasciatus Two males seen at Gongangling. Chinese White-browed Rosefinch C. dubius A stunner; common and widespread in suitable habitat (femininus). Red-fronted Rosefinch Carpodacus puniceus Brilliant views of three tame birds at Balangshan. Crimson-browed Finch Carpodacus subhimachalus An immature male at Mengbishan. Grey-capped Greenfinch Chloris sinica Occasional in the lowlands (nominate). Twite Linaria flavirostris 38 logged on the Tibetan Plateau (miniakensis). Red Crossbill (Common C) Loxia curvirostra Six at Labahe and 11 at Longcanggou; mostly in flight (himalayensis). Slaty Bunting Emberiza siemsseni Single males of this junco-like bunting at Tangjiahe and Labahe. Pine Bunting E. leucocephalos 3 males near Erzangcun were completely unexpected, and a tour write-in (fronto). Godlewski's Bunting Emberiza godlewskii Xue Baoding Pass, Ruoergai area, and Mengbishan (omissa). Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans Occasional sightings north to Tangjiahe (elegantula).

Female Collared Grosbeak at Gongangling Pass (Carl-Axel Bauer)

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MAMMALS Total of mammal species recorded: 23. Milne-edwards’ Macaque Macaca thibetana c.40 at Labahe Nature Reserve. Woolly Hare Lepus oiostolus A few sightings on the Tibetan Plateau. Plateau Pika (Black-lipped P) Ochotona curzoniae Common on the Tibetan Plateau. Moupin Pika Ochotona thibetana A few seen in more wooded areas. Pallas’s Squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus Chengdu Botanical Gardens. Himalayan Marmot Marmota himalayana Common at high altitudes. Père David’s Rock Squirrel Sciurotamias davidianus Quite common at Tangjiahe. Swinhoe’s Striped Squirrel Tamiops swinhoei Several at Labahe. Gray Wolf Canis lupis Great views of two singles near Ruoergai. Tibetan Fox Vulpes ferrilata Seen several times on the Tibetan Plateau; five in all. Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Just one on the plateau. Red Panda Ailurus fulgens Labahe. Heidi skillfully spotted our first dozing in a tree; another crossing the road. Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula (NL) Two were seen at Tangjiahe. Altai Weasel Mustela altaica One was seen well in brush near Hongyuan. Eurasian Wild Boar (Wild B) Sus scrofa Four seen at Wolong Panda Centre, making their way up an open slope. (introduced) elaphus A mother and fawn at Labahe. Tufted Deer Elaphodus cephalophus One scoped at Tangjiahe NR. Reeve's Muntiacus reevesi Small numbers easily seen at Tangjiahe. Sambar Cervus unicolor Six at Labahe NR, particularly at the salt-lick. Takin (Golden T) Budorcas taxicolor Just two seen by the roadside at Tangjiahe; fantastic creatures. Chinese Goral Nemorhaedus caudatus Four seen at scattered locations. Bharal (Blue Sheep) nayaur A herd of no fewer than 44 individuals at Balangshan Pass. Tibetan Gazelle Procarpa picticaudata Robbi spotted four on a distant slope near Erzangcun; good scope views.

Red Panda at Labahe (Craig Robson)

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NOTES TO THE SYSTEMATIC LIST

Common Pheasant (Grey-rumped P) Phasianus [colchicus] torquatus BirdLife/HBW suggest that Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus could be split up into as many as five species. All of the subspecies found on this tour would be part of Grey-rumped Pheasant Phasianus torquatus.

Black (or Black-eared) Kite Milvus [migrans] lineatus Some authors have proposed that the form concerned should be split off as a separate species: Black-eared Kite M. lineatus.

Himalayan Buzzard Buteo burmanicus Many authors lump this species and Japanese Buzzard B. japonicus in Common Buzzard B. buteo.

Salim Ali's Swift Apus salimalii The Pacific (or Fork-tailed) Swift complex has been split into four species: Salim Ali's Swift A. salimalii (breeding from Tibetan Plateau to W China), Cook's Swift A. cooki (breeding from E , northern and northern Indochina to S China), Blyth's Swift A. leuconyx (breeding in the from east to NE ), and Pacific Swift A. pacificus (breeding in the C and E Palearctic).

Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus Some authors lump American Three-toed Woodpecker P. dorsalis in this species, using the name Three-toed Woodpecker for the enlarged species. In addition, the dark form we saw (funebris) may merit specific status.

Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dryobates [cathpharius] pernyii BirdLife/HBW split the former Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dryobates cathpharius into two species: the westerly distributed Scarlet-breasted Woodpecker D. cathpharius (nominate, ludlowi & pyrrhothorax), and the eastern Crimson- breasted Woodpecker D. pernyii (nominate, innixus & tenebrosus).

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Chinese G S W) Dendrocopos [major] cabanisi BirdLife/HBW suggest that Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major could be split into as many as five species. The form seen on this tour would become Chinese Great Spotted Woodpecker D. cabanisi.

Long-tailed Shrike (Chinese L-t S) Lanius schach BirdLife/HBW suggest that Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach could be split into as many as five species. The form seen on this tour would become the monotypic Chinese Long-tailed Shrike L. schach.

Black-naped Oriole (Easter B-n O) Oriolus [chinensis] diffusus BirdLife/HBW suggest that Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis could be split into as many as six species. The form seen on this tour would become the monotypic Eastern Black-naped Oriole O. diffusus.

Ashy Drongo (Chinese White-faced D) Dicrurus [leucophaeus] innexus Some authorities (e.g. BirdLife/HBW) have suggested that the former Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus be split-up into five species. The species that we saw on this tour would be the pale Chinese White-faced Drongo Dicrurus innexus.

Eurasian Jay (Brandt’s J) Garrulus [glandarius] brandtii BirdLife/HBW suggest that Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius could be split into as many as eight species. The form seen on this tour would become part of the north-easterly distributed Brandt’s Jay G. brandtii (including nominate, kansuensis & pekingensis)

Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus Some authors still lump Iberian Magpie (or Iberian Azure-winged Magpie) C. cooki in this species.

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Black-rumped Magpie Pica bottanensis Oriental Magpie Pica serica These two newly split species were formerly lumped in Eurasian Magpie Pica pica. The black rump seems irrelevant in relation to these two forms, the larger size of the Tibetan Plateau-endemic bottanensis being more significant.

Large-billed Crow Corvus [macrorhynchus] japonensis Many authors lump this (and several related forms) in Southern Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchus, using the name Large-billed Crow for the enlarged species.

Sichuan Tit Poecile weigoldicus This species was formerly treated as part of the songarus group of Willow Tit Poecile montanus, (although sometimes this group was treated as a full species under the name Songar Tit P. songarus). Recent genetic studies suggest that Songar Tit sensu stricto does not in fact merit specific status, whereas weigoldicus of the Tibetan Plateau and its edge is highly distinct!

Japanese Tit Parus minor This species (eastern Tibetan Plateau east to Japan) and Cinereous Tit P. cinereus (E Iran to SE Asia), were formerly lumped in Great Tit P. major (Europe to Siberia).

Horned Lark (Himalayan H L) Eremophila [alpestris] longirostris BirdLife/HBW suggest that Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris could be split into as many as six species. The form seen on this tour would become part of Himalayan Horned Lark E. longirostris (including nominate, argalea, teleschowi, przewalskii, nigrifrons, elwesi & khamensis)

Chinese Wren-babbler (or Cupwing) Pnoepyga mutica A recent split from Scaly-breasted Wren-babbler (or Cupwing) P. albiventer.

Alpine Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus occisinensis Many authors include this recently recognized species in Tickell’s Leaf Warbler P. affinis.

Chinese Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus yunnanensis A relatively recently described species breeding from Sichuan to NE China; apparently closely related to Lemon-rumped Warbler P. chloronotus but has a fundamentally different song and some morphological differences. This species, which was first described in 1992, was originally named P. sichuanensis, but subsequent studies revealed that five individuals of this species had already been described as P. proregulus yunnanensis by La Touche in 1922, and consequently that name prevails.

Hume’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei The form in the region, mandellii, is distinct, and may be elevated to species status at some stage.

Claudia’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus claudiae The former Blyth's Leaf Warbler has now split into three species; Claudia's Leaf Warbler P. claudiae (breeding C and E China), Blyth's Leaf Warbler P. reguloides (breeding Himalayas to and SE Asia), and Hartert's Leaf Warbler P. goodsoni (breeding SE China).

Emei Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus emeiensis A recently described species, so far restricted as a breeder to Sichuan. Apparently closely related to Blyth’s Leaf Warbler P. reguloides but with a completely different song and some morphological differences.

Kloss’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus ogilviegranti The former White-tailed Leaf Warbler has recently been split into two species Davison's Leaf Warbler P. davisoni (breeding Yunnan [except SE], N,C,E Burma, NW Thailand, northern Indochina), and Kloss’s Leaf Warbler P. ogilviegranti (breeding Sichuan and SE Yunnan to SE China and SE Thailand and S Indochina).

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Sichuan Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus forresti This species was formerly lumped in Lemon-rumped Warbler P. chloronotus. In turn, the combined Lemon-rumped Warbler was formerly lumped in Pallas’s Leaf Warbler P. proregulus.

Sichuan Bush Warbler Locustella chengi This cryptic species was recently recognized as being separate from Russet Bush Warbler L. mandelli. The two are morphologically similar though the songs have different pitch and emphasis.

Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus swinhoei This species and Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler P. swinhoei (of E China) were formerly lumped in Black-necklaced Scimitar Babbler P. erythrocnemis (of Taiwan), with the name Spot-breasted Scimitar Babbler applied to the enlarged species.

David’s Fulvetta Alcippe davidi These species (which range from west-central China to northern , and from S China to N,E Myanmar, NW Thailand and NW respectively) and Huet’s Fulvetta (SE China), were formerly lumped in Grey-cheeked Fulvetta A. morrisonia, which is now restricted to Taiwan.

Grey-hooded Fulvetta Alcippe cinereiceps This species and Taiwan Fulvetta A. formosana were formerly lumped in Streak-throated Fulvetta A. manipurensis (NE India to NW Vietnam and W,S Yunnan), with the name Streak-throated Fulvetta applied to the enlarged species.

Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes This species was formerly known as Winter Wren, but it has been re-named following the splitting off of Pacific Wren T. pacificus and Winter Wren T. hiemalis in North America.

Chinese Blackbird Turdus mandarinus Some authors lump this species in Eurasian (or Common) Blackbird T. merula.

Chinese Blue Flycatcher Cyornis glaucicomans Some authors lump this species in Blue-throated Flycatcher C. rubeculoides, but distinct differences in morphology and vocalizations confirm it is a distinct species.

Chinese (or Himalayan or White-tailed) Rubythroat Calliope tschebaiewi This recently split form is somewhat intermediate in characters between Himalayan (or White-tailed) Rubythroat C. pectoralis and Siberian Rubythroat C. calliope. It was formerly lumped in Himalayan.

Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus Some authors lump this species (occurring from the northern Caucasus eastwards across Eurasia) and Common Stonechat S. rubicola (of Europe and North Africa) in African Stonechat S. torquata (of sub Saharan Africa) using the name Common Stonechat for the enlarged species.

Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch Carpodacus pulcherrimus Formerly, Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch C. davidianus was lumped in this species ewith th name Beautiful Rosefinch employed for the enlarged species. Confusingly, the form found in Sichuan, argyrophrys, was initially included in Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch, but following taxonomic revision, has been placed in this species.

Sharpe’s Rosefinch Carpodacus verreauxii This distinctive species was formerly lumped in Spot-winged Rosefinch C. rodopeplus.

Chinese White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus dubius Many authors lump this species in Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch C. pulcherrimus using the name White-browed Rosefinch for the enlarged species.

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APPENDIX 2 - Other fauna & flora recorded

BUTTERFLIES Asian Swallowtail Papilio syfanius Tangjiahe. Sixbar Swordtail Graphium eurous Erlangshan. Blackvein sp. Aporia procris Tangjiahe. Gull sp. Cepora sp. Baxi. Dark Clouded Yellow Colias fieldii Widespread sightings of this orangey-yellow butterfly. Sapphire sp. Heliophorus sp. One photographed at Labahe. Common (or Step-banded) Forester Lethe insana Photographed at Erlangshan. Lilacfork Lethe yuemingae Photographed at Longcanggou. Dusky (or Pale) Labyrinth Neope yama Photographed at Longcanggou. Labyrinth Neope bremeri W China endemic. Longcanggou etc. Great Nawab Polyura eudamippus Caught in windshield-wipers Tangjiahe-Chuanzhusi. Peacock Butterfly Aglais io Baxi. Camberwell Beauty Nymphalis antiopa Erlangshan. Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Erlangshan.

Sixbar Swordtail (Craig Robson)

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Scanning for monals at Balangshan and the Labahe alpine boardwalk (Craig Robson)

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