featured image: Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird

I was back at Tai Po Kau again today, on a sunnier day then last time with the intention of seeing some forest birds. Not only did I see a barrage of exciting forest-dwellers, I also had a lengthy encounter with one of the rarest birds in the entirety of the territory- the Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird! This has to be one of my favorite birding outings I’ve ever done in Hong Kong not just for how lucky I was on this particular day, but also for the pleasant weather and general lack of crowds. I’m really grateful to have come at a time when bird activity was high, as often Tai Po Kau’s birds stay concealed from the average birder. I hope you enjoy my latest adventure to Hong Kong’s largest, oldest and most ecologically diverse forest.

I arrived at Tai Po Kau around 10:30 am, and promptly began the trudge up to the trailheads and Outdoor Education Center. The dappled sunlight mixed with the forest’s flowering trees made for some beautiful scenery. Almost as soon as I entered the forest, I came across a male and female Scarlet Minivet, far closer to me than the first time I birded in the forest. The male’s crimson body is quite a spectacle.

I walked to the Outdoor Education Center, hoping to find some sunbirds. There were at least a dozen local birders at the red-blossomed Coral Tree situated near the path. Similar to my last visit, they were all awaiting a sunbird, clad with enormous lenses and cameo clothing. We didn’t have to wait long for one to arrive, as in fact several females and a male Fork-Tailed Sunbird made a brief visit to the flowers a few minutes after I arrived.

Because I’d seen these pretty little nectar-eaters a few weeks before, I was fine leaving after a modest amount of time, and searching the area for additional bird species. After walking for a bit, I saw what I thought was another Fork-Tailed Sunbird in a patch of Coral Tree blossoms. I sheepishly peered through my binoculars, and instantly a surge of adrenaline and endorphins swamped my nervous system as I saw my true query. The bird I was looking at was no less than a male Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, an absolutely gorgeous, very rare winter visitor that mimicked the colours of a tequila sunrise cocktail! I had read online forums about long-time birders with over ten years of experience in Hong Kong that hadn’t seen one of these. I started photographing the little bird like crazy before it flew off, not to be seen by me again. What a find!

I was extremely satisfied for the rest of my expedition. Nevertheless, after the sunbird departed, I continued on my expedition, determined to find some more forest specialties. I embarked on the Red Walk, the shortest of four trails through the reserve at 3 km. I had read it was great for birds, and I’m guessing so had about a hundred other people today, because the trail was jam-packed with other birders!

I came across a few people with large lenses poised toward the canopy. With the aid of my binoculars, I pinpointed the subject they were after, a pretty little Yellow-Cheeked Tit; my second lifer of the day and an uncommon South China forest specialty.

After the tit flew off, I trotted into a rest site/ clearing where an unmaintained path weaved its way into the woods, off the main Red Walk. I decided it would be a good option to follow the track as it could give me a chance to explore the forest’s interior and perhaps find some shyer birds away from the crowds. I followed some birdsong to an area of scrub alongside a gurgling brook. Instantly, a very noisy flock of Chestnut Bulbuls flew in, alongside a White-Bellied Erpornis, my third lifer of the day, and a Pallas’s Leaf Warbler.

After not hearing nor seeing any additional bird activity, I returned to the main path. At this point, it was around 12:30. I came across another group of birders with lenses poised for some birds in the forest. I saw a target species of mine, the colorful Silver-Eared Mesia, my fourth lifer of the day along with three Velvet-Fronted Nuthatches and a Huet’s Fulvetta, my fifth and final lifer of the day.

I continued along the Red Walk, seeing very little bird activity beyond some Black-Throated Laughingthrushes and several Chestnut Bulbuls. I did, however, see a bunch of Indian Forest Skinks, a type of lizard.

It took about 45 minutes to complete the trail and afterwards I decided to head home, around 1:30. This birding expedition was great, yielding some colorful lifers, target species, and a very rare query. I hope you enjoyed reading, and please stay tuned for more birding adventures. Also, I got my permit to Mai Po!!! (One of the world’s premier wetland birding areas) I’m really grateful for this opportunity and I’ll be sure to get out there in the coming month.

Bird Species Recorded: (17 total, including 5 lifers)

Japanese White-Eye

Chinese Bulbul

Red-Whiskered Bulbul

Chestnut Bulbul

Yellow-Cheeked Tit (Lifer)

Scarlet Minivet

Grey-Chinned Minivet

Black-Throated Laughingthrush

Fork-Tailed Sunbird

Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird (Lifer)

Common Tailorbird

White-Bellied Erpornis (Lifer)

Silver-Eared Mesia (Lifer)

Pallas’s Leaf Warbler

Velvet-Fronted Nuthatch

Huet’s Fulvetta (Lifer)

Mammal Species Recorded: (1 total)

Rhesus Macaque