Nov 21 - Dec 9 2008 - an excellent Winter China Birdquest trip, with good views of Siberian Crane at Poyang Hu - my most wanted bird! Also excellent views of Black-necked Crane at Caohai, and White-naped, Hooded and Red-crowned Cranes also seen, together with Common Cranes as a supporting cast - particularly atmospheric views of flocks flying and calling in morning mist, and against the winter sun. Scaly-sided Merganser was seen well at the second attempt, with thousands of other wildfowl including Swan and Bar-headed Geese and huge numbers of Bewick's Swans. A pre-tour extension gave me my long-awaited Ibisbill. Passerines included Siberian Accentor, Red- and Black-throated Thrushes. The conical hills of the southwest produced several endemic Laughing-Thrushes. Fifty lifers altogether in a fascinating country.
photos - 1. Great Wall of China, Badaling. 2. Ibisbill - 3/4. Siberian Cranes - 5. Black-necked Cranes - 6. Red-crowned Cranes - 7. Oriental Stork - 8. Hooded Cranes - 9. Bar-headed Geese - 10. Ruddy Shelduck
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