China in Winter Birding Tour Trip Report 2026

China in winter

16th January – 6th February 2026

Leaders: Mike Nelson and Elan James

Participants: Dick Byrne, Marcel Capello, Barbara Greatorex, Wilfried Mahu, Per Ovin, Joseph Pimentel, Mark Tasker, Fred Todt

From the wintry north-eastern regions around Beijing to the vast wetlands of Poyang Lake, the tropical Hainan, limestone karst of Nonggang, and the Sino-Himalayan forests of Yunnan, our China in Winter tour offers an extraordinary journey across some of the country’s finest birding areas. The diversity of habitats, combined with breath-taking scenery throughout, made for a remarkable experience. Winter also proved an excellent time to search for species that are often far more elusive during the breeding season. The increased use of hides and feeding stations provided exceptional opportunities for both observation and photography, bringing many challenging species within easy reach.

We began with two pre-tour extensions: the first to a feeding area for Brown Eared Pheasant, and the second to Bohai Bay, where we found both Relict and Saunders’s Gulls. Exploring the hillside parks west of Beijing was made more challenging by freezing temperatures and road closures, but persistence was rewarded with Siberian Accentors, Naumann’s and Red- throated Thrushes, and even a decidedly out-of-range European Robin – a true Chinese rarity. A flight south took us to Wuyuan, where we enjoyed close views of a large group of Scaly-sided Merganser, alongside Pied Falconet, Masked Laughingthrushes, and a cooperative pair of Grey-sided Scimitar Babblers. Continuing to Poyang Lake, we witnessed the unforgettable crane spectacle, with hundreds of Siberian Cranes and Swan Geese spread across the wetlands. Huge numbers of a wide variety of wintering waterfowl added to the scene, including the Critically Endangered Baer’s Pochard.

From Poyang we travelled south into Guangxi and on to Nonggang NNR, where the eponymous babblers performed at close range. Other highlights included White-winged Magpie, Bar-backed Partridge, and Rufous-tailed Robin. We then headed south to the tropical island of Hainan to search for the island’s endemics before returning to the mainland for a visit to Yinjiang Wetlands and its striking Collared Mynas, and then onward to Hongbenghe.

Here, hide birding really came into its own. We enjoyed outstanding views of Blue-naped Pitta and Grey Peacock-Pheasant, as well as an impressive array of laughingthrushes, including Spot-breasted, Black-throated, Grey-sided, and Blue-winged. Further highlights included White-hooded Babbler, Rufous-headed and Black-browed Parrotbills, Grey-bellied Wren-Babbler, and even a pair of Naung Mung Wren-Babbler showing particularly well. The action continued at Baihualing, where the hides delivered superb close-up views of Red-tailed, Scaly, and Blue-winged Laughingthrushes. Activity at the feeding stations was constant, with a steady stream of species keeping us thoroughly entertained. We concluded the tour around Lijiang, adding Yunnan Nuthatch, Rufous-tailed Babbler, and a spectacular addition of laughingthrushes, including Moustached, and the crowning jewel, Biet’s Laughingthrush. By the end of the journey, we had amassed an impressive total of 428 species, with just seven heard only.

Most of the group arrived in Beijing three days early to visit a feeding area south of the city for Brown Eared Pheasant. The brief excursion proved highly productive, delivering excellent views of the pheasants along with several additional species not encountered on the main tour, including Southern Nutcracker, Eurasian Nuthatch, Chinese Nuthatch, and Eurasian Treecreeper.

Upon returning to Beijing, we were joined by two more participants and headed the following day to Bohai Bay, which lay locked in pack ice. Temperatures were bitterly cold, but careful scanning along the frozen shoreline eventually revealed a group of Relict Gulls huddled against the elements. Closer in, we enjoyed fine views of Saunders’s Gulls, while Black-headed, Common, and Vega Gulls wheeled overhead, adding to the wintry spectacle.

After spending enough time in the freezing winds, we moved inland to an area of extensive reed beds. Venturing into the tall grasses proved rewarding, with several Pallas’s Reed Buntings and a lively group of Reed Parrotbills added to the list. A Hen Harrier quartered gracefully over the reeds, while several Black-faced Buntings flushed from cover. A small flock of Chinese Penduline-tits was a welcome find, and an approachable Chinese Grey Shrike along the roadside provided a fitting and memorable start of the tour.

Over the next day and a half, we explored several parks around the city, gradually adding wintering and resident species to our list. Sub-zero temperatures, biting winds, and road closures reduced bird activity. Nevertheless, steady birding produced Siberian Accentors, a lone Chinese Long-tailed Rosefinch, Plain Laughingthrush, Silver-throated Bushtits and scattered groups of Willow, Marsh, and Cinereous Tits. Spending more time in sheltered urban parks away from the worst of the wind proved to be an excellent decision. We were pleasantly surprised by both the number and quality of birds. Thrushes were particularly abundant, with several Naumann’s and Red-throated Thrushes feeding along snowy edges. Chinese Grosbeaks, Chinese Blackbirds, and flocks of Azure-winged Magpies were also present. An unexpected highlight was an out-of-range European Robin, also attracting considerable attention from local photographers. At another park, locals gathered to admire a lively congregation of Mandarin Ducks along the lakeside below the walkways. Nearby, we tracked down a group of Japanese Waxwings venturing onto the icy lake to drink, while several Bohemian Waxwings waited in the trees above.

From Beijing we flew south to Jiangxi province and the town of Wuyuan, eager to begin birding the following morning. Our first session took place atop a hotel roof, overlooking a village framed by tall trees. Chestnut Bulbuls were abundant, their noisy calls carrying through the crisp air. Below us, along the river, we picked out both White-crowned and Slaty-backed Forktails, along with a Brown Dipper working the rocks midstream. Eventually, one of the local Pied Falconets appeared, cautiously poking its head from a roosting hole in a tree. Given the cold, it soon retreated once we had all enjoyed scope views. With our diminutive falcon opting to stay snug inside its cavity, we moved on. After lunch, we headed to a wide, boulder- strewn river, prime habitat for one of the tour’s early highlights, Scaly-sided Merganser. A newly constructed hide positioned right on the shoreline allowed for a quiet, unobtrusive approach, and we were rewarded with spectacular, close-range views. Several birds fed nearby, with pairs coming and going as they surfaced with eels.

The remainder of the afternoon and the following morning were spent exploring a forested park beside the river. We added a number of exciting species, including a vocal pair of Grey-sided Scimitar Babblers that seemed intent on remaining hidden. We eventually watched them cross the road several times and moved through the roadside vegetation. Other highlights included a busy flock of Huet’s Fulvettas moving through the undergrowth, a sizeable gathering of Collared Finchbills feeding beside the road, and striking Black-throated Bushtits which were then accompanied by a Pallas’s Leaf Warbler. Later, while walking along a riverside path, a pair of Grey-sided Scimitar Babblers burst into activity, offering improved views as they called and hopped about at the roadside edge. A handsome pair of Chestnut Bulbuls also provided eye-level views before we continued west toward our next destination.

From Wuyuan, we travelled west toward the eastern edge of Poyang Lake – a vast wetland, home to the entire global wintering population of Siberian Cranes. As we approached, we were greeted by an impressive sight: large flocks of Siberian Cranes spread across the surrounding fields. Keen to absorb the spectacle, we quickly finished lunch and walked up onto a road berm that provided sweeping views of fields on one side and open water on the other. The calls of cranes and geese carried constantly across the landscape, large groups feeding in the stubble while others drifted overhead with their broad and outstretched wings.

The cranes were only part of the spectacle. The wetlands supported huge numbers of wintering wildfowl, most notably Swan Geese, which were present in large numbers both in the fields and in flight between feeding areas. Careful scanning also revealed Greylag Geese, Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese, and several Tundra Swans. Out on the water, large concentrations of ducks included Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Northern Pintail, and Northern Shoveler, adding further diversity to an already impressive wildfowl assemblage. We also took time scanning for smaller species. Black-faced and Chestnut-eared Buntings scurried through the stubble, single Yellow-browed Bunting, while Water Pipits and White Wagtails moved through the open areas. From a vegetation beside a canal, a calling Dusky Warbler was a welcome find. After spending time enjoying the remarkable concentrations of cranes and geese, we continued to our hotel on the far side of the lake, reflecting on the tour’s memorable wildlife encounters.

We spent the next day and a half exploring the varied habitats around Poyang Lake, moving between open water, reed beds, grassy floodplains, and scattered woodland. The diversity and abundance of birds were consistently impressive. We enjoyed our first views of Oriental Storks in one of the open-water viewpoints, elegant and imposing as they fed in the shallows. The lakeside trees held flocks of Black-collared, White-cheeked, and Red-billed Starlings, while Little and Great Crested Grebes were spotted in the open water. Small numbers of White-naped and Common Cranes were also present, and we were pleased to track down our first Hooded Cranes of the trip. A long causeway links our island base to the mainland, and stopping along the way allowed us to pick through Swan Geese and Greylag Geese as well as a good number of Tundra Bean Geese among Taiga Bean Geese. Also spotted were several Greater White-fronted Geese and close views of feeding White-naped Cranes.

In an area of taller grasses, we focused our efforts on one of the region’s most notorious skulkers, Marsh Grassbird. It proved elusive, but persistence paid off when one flushed, flew to a patch of grass, and dropped in. This gave us brief but rewarding views before it slipped back into cover — a well-earned sighting.

Leaving the Poyang area, we continued south, pausing at a small reed-lined lake in search of Baer’s Pochard. The lake held good numbers of Tundra Bean Geese, Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, and Northern Shovelers. After some searching, we eventually picked out a drake Baer’s Pochard loafing quietly on the water, occasionally lifting its head to reveal its pale eyes. Soon after, we found a closer pair partially obscured by thick reeds, allowing us satisfying glimpses as they drifted through small open gaps.

A group of Masked Laughingthrushes showed well in the lakeside bushes before we continued towards Nanning. En route, we made another stop to look for Collared Crow. A smart pair associating with Carrion Crows gave prolonged views as they moved through open riverside trees and rested on a rocky sandbar. A gentle walk along the road added a flock of Red-billed Blue Magpies and several Black-faced Buntings in the riverside grasses. We then continued to the airport for our flight south to Guangxi province on the Vietnamese border.

After a night in Nanning, we departed early for Nonggang Nature Reserve. Conditions over the next day and a half were damp and foggy, but we headed straight to our first hide. Despite the rain, and the fact that the species had not been recorded at the hides since the previous March, our main target appeared almost immediately. A trio of highly localised Nonggang Babblers emerged from the dark limestone forest onto the boulders in front of us. News of their appearance quickly spread and photographers began to gather, so we quietly moved on. Remarkably, this was their first visit to the feeding site on that season.

The weather reduced activity at the hides, but we still enjoyed memorable encounters. A trio of Bar-backed Partridges was particularly impressive which were later joined at the feeders by Buff-breasted Babblers, White-rumped Shamas, and a confiding Small Niltava darting in for mealworms. White-tailed Robins were seen at most hides and a petite Rufous-tailed Robin at a smaller feeding station was a bonus sighting, flashing its scaly breast while feeding.

Away from the hides, we followed the loud calls of White-winged Magpies echoing across a limestone tower. After watching them fly across the valley and vanish behind a ridge, we hurried around to intercept them and were rewarded with fine views as they fed high in the canopy. In nearby agricultural fields, Siberian Stonechats perched on wires alongside Grey Bushchats.

After our short but productive stay in Nonggang, a late flight brought us to Hainan shortly before midnight. A pre-dawn bus ride carried us across the island to the mountainous Jianfengling National Nature Reserve, where we would spend the next two days focusing on the island’s endemics and distinctive subspecies. The tropical climate was a marked contrast to our experience the previous week. Having eaten breakfast en route, we began birding immediately upon arrival. The forest edge was alive with activity, with Chinese Barbets called from a fruiting tree, which was then joined by Scarlet Minivets, Chinese and Chestnut Bulbuls, and a diminutive Fire-breasted Flowerpecker which circled the canopy.

We enjoyed excellent birding at our first hide. Both Rufous-cheeked and Black-throated Laughingthrushes were noisy, the latter looking notably distinct from mainland populations, perhaps warranting a future split. Indochinese Green Magpies glowed in the forest, Puff-throated Bulbuls and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers dashed in for food while Spot-necked Babblers and Dusky Fulvettas appeared more cautiously. A colorful pair of Red-headed Trogons passed through the trees above the hide, and we also noted mammals, including Northern Treeshrews and Red-hipped Squirrel, visiting the feeders.

At the second hide, Asian Emerald Doves were among the first birds to appear, followed by a large group of Silver Pheasants that included two resplendent males and accompanied by females and juveniles. After they disappeared back into the forest, we waited patiently until a superb male Hainan Peacock-Pheasant stepped quietly into view, feeding in the open. We enjoyed prolonged views whilst it was feeding, admiring their intricate plumage and bare red face.

Not long after, a covey of Hainan Partridges appeared to our left, their rich orange-red throats glowing in the dappled light. They fed and scratched in front of us, briefly freezing as a flock of bulbuls screamed overhead, then settled again offering us prolonged excellent views. With our key targets secured, we quietly withdrew and continued birding elsewhere in the reserve.

The late afternoon and following day were spent along forest trails and roadside vegetation. At one spot, Hainan Leaf Warblers sang around us, with several birds perched close enough for extended views. Also encountered were Mountain Imperial Pigeons, Black-winged Cuckooshrikes, and Grey-chinned Minivets along with endemic races of Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Chinese Bulbul, Swinhoe’s White-eye, and Pale-blue Flycatcher. A small group of Silver-breasted Broadbills was located briefly before disappearing into the roadside trees. A singing Hainan Blue Flycatcher and a migrant Mugimaki Flycatcher added further interest while a calling Collared Owlet drew in Plain Flowerpeckers, Yellow-browed Warblers, and furtive Fork-tailed Sunbirds. Yellow-billed Nuthatches investigated a massive trunk and a Ratchet-tailed Treepie obligingly fed on fruit right in front of us. Before long, our time on Hainan came to an end.

After two flights, we arrived in Yunnan and prepared for the next leg of the tour. Our first stop the following morning was a small wetland park with a raised boardwalk winding through tall grasses and forest edge. Shortly after entering the park, we heard the sharp cracking of seed pods overhead revealing three feeding Spot-winged Grosbeaks.

Continuing along the boardwalk, we found a Chestnut-capped Babbler skulking through the grasses while a group of Rufous- necked Laughingthrushes proved more vocal than visible before eventually granting us workable views. Plain, Yellow-bellied, and Grey-breasted Prinias were much easier to observe, all showing well and calling back and forth. A pair of Alexandrine Parakeets screeched overhead, powering across the forest. In the nearby river, Barn Swallows, Eastern Red-rumped Swallows, Asian House Martins, and Grey-throated Martins hawked insects while four Common Mergansers drifted casually along the meandering channel.

As we approached the forest edge, flowering and fruiting trees attracted a variety of species. Blue-throated Barbets called from the canopy alongside Red-whiskered Bulbuls while a number of Mountain Bulbuls enjoyed feeding on fruits. The growing chorus reached a crescendo when our main target appeared, the Collared Myna. Given the political situation in Myanmar, the site is one of the few accessible places to see them as their range is almost exclusively within Myanmar. They were the joined by Black-collared and Chestnut-tailed Starlings, adopting a routine of gathering in tall bamboo stands out in the grass beds before sallying out to the flowering trees. Then something would startle them and they retreat back over to the bamboo. After an enjoyable morning in the wetlands, we returned to the bus and continued to Hornbill Valley, renowned for their photographic hides and the remarkable variety of birds that visit them.

Hornbill Valley lies just across from Myanmar, straddling the Burmese border in a landscape that feels both remote and quietly rugged. Nearly two decades ago, local communities began implementing conservation measures to protect the area’s forests and wildlife. The success of these efforts is evident today, with three species of hornbill now present in impressive numbers and are once again thriving. Large nest boxes installed high into towering trees are a visible reminder of the conservation work that has taken place. Over time, conservation has become closely linked with ecotourism. It has become a source of pride and livelihood, with an increasing number of photographic hides established and managed by local communities. As a result, habitat loss and hunting pressure have declined, and Hornbill Valley has become a notable example of successful community-based conservation. This shift has transformed the valley. Protecting habitat now makes economic sense, and the forest is valued more standing than cut. As a result, habitat loss has eased, poaching has declined, and Hornbill Valley stands as a powerful example of how community-driven conservation can restore both wildlife and economy.

Soon after lunch, we visited our first hide. Activity was immediate, with Brown-breasted, Red-vented, White-throated, Grey- eyed, and Himalayan Black Bulbuls all dashing in and out. A massive Collared Treepie dropped onto a dead trunk to snatch a morsel, while small groups of White-crested and Black-throated Laughingthrushes arrived in quick succession. Along the edges, smaller passerines, Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, Grey-throated Babbler, Nepal Fulvetta, Buff-breasted Babbler, and handsome Puff-throated Babblers waited for their chance to feed. A White-crowned Forktail patrolled the edge of the feeding area, tail constantly cocked, mirrored by a Hill Blue Flycatcher perched above. A trio of deep-blue niltavas, Small, Large, and a richly coloured Rufous-bellied all showed well. Common Green Magpies also swept in, vibrant and vocal. Other notable species included a wintering Black-breasted Thrush, Long-tailed Sibias and several Rusty-fronted Barwings, anda pair of Red-billed Scimitar Babblers. One of the highlights was a flock of more than twenty Silver-eared Mesias feeding together.

The water feature attracted additional species, including a striking male Blue-winged Leafbird that bathed enthusiastically, scattering droplets everywhere. White-hooded Babblers arrived alongside their regular companions, Rufous-headed Parrotbills and among the many highlights were a group of Kalij Pheasants pecking at cornmeal. Stealing the show though, was a superb male Grey Peacock-Pheasant. It was a dazzling, almost overwhelming start to our time in the valley, but an experience we all relished.

Hard to believe that was just the first afternoon, and we still had the next two days to explore the hides and surrounding area at a relaxed pace. The diversity across the hides was striking, with each site hosting its own regular visitors. Phasianids were particularly well represented; nearly every hide seemed to have a resident Grey Peacock-Pheasant. We observed multiple Kalij Pheasants in varying plumages from deep blue males to white-backed birds with intricate marbling, while a pair of White- cheeked Partridges provided excellent views for the group.

Other species included Grey-faced Woodpeckers which showed well and Black-breasted Thrushes frequenting the feeding area. A Grey-bellied Tesia darted in and out to seize food, and Rufous-bellied Niltavas once again added flashes of vivid colour. Himalayan Shortwings proved more cautious, emerging briefly to feed, retreating back when larger birds return. The steady flow of species through the hides kept every session interesting and rounded off a highly productive stay in Hongbenghe.

Flycatchers were a regular feature at the hides, with Hill Blue, Rufous-gorgeted, and Little Pied Flycatchers appearing frequently. An immature Sapphire Flycatcher added a softer than hoped splash of colour, while single White-tailed and White- gorgeted Flycatchers were also noted. White-tailed Robins repeatedly flashed their white tail panels in exaggerated raises before settling again. Both Himalayan Bluetail and a surprise Red-flanked Bluetail also visited the feeders.

Leafbirds were well represented, with Orange-bellied, Blue-winged, and Golden-fronted Leafbirds all recorded. Several Streaked Spiderhunters competed enthusiastically for space at the water features. A Grey Treepie drifted through with a flock of laughingthrushes. Colorful Red-tailed Laughingthrushes arrived, joined by Blue-winged, Lesser Necklaced, and Grey-sided Laughingthrushes. A rewarding sighting was a pair of Spot-breasted Laughingthrushes which showed really well, allowing us prolonged views of a species notorious for being a skulker.

Bulbuls were also abundant. White-throated, Himalayan Black, Red-whiskered, and Red-vented were the most frequent visitors, while Black-crested, Brown-breasted, Flavescent, and Grey-eyed Bulbuls also appeared in good numbers. The steady supply of mealworms attracted a wealth of smaller passerines including Whiskered Yuhinas, Pin-striped Tit-Babblers, and Rufous-capped Babblers. Scimitar Babblers probed deep into crevices with their decurved bills, and we enjoyed excellent views of Red-billed, Brown-crowned, and numerous Streak-breasted (of the largely unstreaked local subspecies), as well as a lone White-browed Scimitar Babbler, an unusual record for China, likely from neighbouring Myanmar and attracted by the food source. Grey-throated, Buff-breasted, and Puff-throated Babblers often came within inches of the hides, joined by Brown- cheeked and Nepal Fulvettas and some characterful Rusty-fronted Barwings. A Streaked Wren-Babbler crept in from dense undergrowth to share the stage briefly with a colourful Chestnut-headed Tesia.

Beyond the laughingthrushes, other members of the family also showed up, including Grey and Rufous-backed Sibias and especially striking Scarlet-faced Liocichlas. Rusty-capped Fulvettas, a family of Large Woodshrikes, several hefty Grey-winged Blackbirds, and even a Slaty-backed Forktail added further variety. One unusual moment was when a Stripe-breasted Woodpecker shuffled down a trunk and hopped across to the water feature for a drink. One of our most anticipated species was Blue-naped Pitta. It appeared for only a second before being flushed by noisy bulbuls, prompting a tense wait. Fortunately it returned, hopping into the open and feeding leisurely, offering superb views.

While the hides were consistently productive, roadside birding also produced a number of notable species. Maroon Oriole and Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike were encountered away from the feeding stations, while a pair of Great Hornbills caused excitement when they crossed the river from Myanmar. A roosting Collared Falconet showed well alongside a Common Hill Myna. Yellow-bellied Fairy-fantails and Blue-bearded Bee-eater hawked insects while Striated Bulbuls fed in a fruiting bush. Active groups of Striated Yuhinas moved through bamboo stands as well as mixed flocks of Rufous-headed and Black-browed Parrotbills. We also found a softly squeaking White-browed Piculet which eventually revealed itself in the bamboo stems, and we coaxed a Davison’s Leaf Warbler into view, its song carrying throughout the forest.

Raptors added further interest, including Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Eagle, Jerdon’s Baza, a juvenile Rufous-bellied Eagle, and Mountain Hawk-Eagle. Along the river we recorded Black-backed Forktail and River Lapwing, while fruiting trees attracted feeding groups of Pin-tailed and Wedge-tailed Green Pigeons. The calls of barbets echoed throughout the valley, and we had tracked down all three species present: Great, Blue-throated, and Blue-eared Barbets.

Two of the standout species encountered away from the hides were particularly skulky. The first, a Grey-bellied Wren-Babbler, moved quietly through the understory, singing regularly but offering only brief views before disappearing down the forested slope. The second was an extraordinary encounter with the enigmatic Naung Mung Wren-Babbler that gave us an unforgettable performance. Described in 2005, its range is largely restricted to Myanmar, with only a handful of records from China following a discovery of a pair found in the area. Even here, it is more often heard than seen. After hearing a pair calling below us, we positioned ourselves at the edge of a ravine tangled with bamboo and branches. Gradually, the birds were coaxed up, hopping through the understory just feet away. Though most views were fleeting or partially obscured, everyone managed excellent views at this almost mythical bird. With such a remarkable list of birds in hand, we continued our journey.

Driving north for an overnight stay, we arrived the next morning at a fog-draped river. Before exiting the bus, our primary target, Brown-winged Parrotbills, were already visible, hopping through the dense riverside vegetation. Once on foot, we caught glimpses of the group as they fed and moved along. Determined for better views, we quickly moved downriver to intercept them at a bend. Moments later, they arrived in a thick bamboo clump and then rose up the bank toward us, feeding and calling back and forth, allowing extended views before we followed them a short distance along the river and then turned our attention to other species.

The rock-lined river was alive with activity. Plumbeous and White-capped Redstarts were active along the banks, River Lapwings patrolled the shallows, and a pair of Ibisbill eventually appeared. The grasses along the water were bustling with Black-faced and Little Buntings, while Tickell’s Leaf Warblers flitted among the stems. In the surrounding conifers, we located Black-headed Greenfinches, Bramblings, and Common Rosefinches.

Continuing to another park, we spent birding through a forested section. Silver-eared Mesias, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbirds, and Scarlet Minivets added vivid splashes of colour, while Cinereous and Green-backed Tits moved through the canopy. Several Sichuan Leaf Warblers, a Verditer Warbling-Flycatcher, and a Chestnut-vented Nuthatch foraging along the path kept us engaged. In the leaf litter just off the trail, a Scaly Thrush was located. Our main target, Slender-billed Oriole, called intermittently, foraging in the canopy and occasionally gave us fleeting views. With the day pressing on, we continued north to Baihualing in Gaoliganshan, ready to begin exploring the next series of hides.

The hides at Baihualing, situated at a higher elevation, offered a subtle mix of species while still sharing some of the birds in Hongbenghe. A full day here produced exceptional views of numerous species including a pair of Rufous-throated Partridges feeding alongside a Red-cheeked Squirrel. Apples suspended from vines attracted a colourful mix of birds, including Great Barbets, Beautiful, Black-headed, and Long-tailed Sibias, along with numerous Crested Finchbills. On the edges, Rusty- capped and Yunnan Fulvettas waited patiently for a chance to feed. Meanwhile, a Himalayan Shortwing, several vibrant Himalayan Bluetails, and an energetic Pygmy Cupwing emerged briefly from the brush beside the hide to snatch worms before retreating back into cover. A particularly striking male Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush also appeared, perching on top of a bamboo stalk and then dropped to a stump to collect food.

Laughingthrushes were a highlight, putting on a spectacular show. Red-tailed Laughingthrushes and Scarlet-faced Liocichlas with their bold red hues, Scaly, Assam, and Blue-winged Laughingthrushes performing below the hide together with Blue- winged and Red-tailed Minlas, and Silver-eared Mesias.

The thrushes were equally impressive, with large-sized Grey-winged Blackbirds particularly prominent alongside Long-tailed Thrushes, numerous Black-breasted Thrushes, and a lone Japanese Thrush. A surprise sighting of Himalayan Thrush was a welcome addition to the list. Dark blue Large Niltavas were frequent visitors, and a female Scarlet Finch paused briefly to drink. The babblers also provided endless entertainment, with Black-streaked and Slender-billed Scimitar Babblers showing off their specialist feeding techniques, especially the latter, using its long bill to extract hidden morsels. A pair of Cachar Wedge-billed Babblers also made a brief appearance, snatching mealworms before disappearing again. The combination of high-elevation species, strikingly coloured birds and the constant activity around the hide made Baihualing one of the highlights of the tour. After leaving Baihualing, we continued northwest into the mountains and entered a conifer forest in search of new targets. Almost immediately, the song of a Rufous-tailed Babbler, floated up the track. The little bird hopped to the top of a brush pile and sang for a few seconds before it dropped down and approached us, providing excellent views.

Further along, the high-pitched nasal calls of a pair of Yunnan Nuthatches drew our attention. While watching them move through the conifers, Black-browed and Black-throated Bushtits were drawn in by the calls, followed by Cinereous and Black- bibbed Tits, Blyth’s Shrike-Babblers, and even an inquisitive Erpornis.

Our final target here remained. After tracking down its calls several times, we eventually located a group of Spectacled Fulvettas. The birds moved around us while feeding at close range, providing an enjoyable conclusion to our morning in the mountains.

After lunch, we stopped at a forested roadside in search of for Eye-ringed Parrotbills and encountered a large flock moving rapidly through the conifer understory. Following the flock, we flushed a Striped Prinia and several Buff-throated Warblers, while Godlewski’s, Little, and Yellow-throated Buntings added further interest. Although the parrotbills quickly slipped out of sight, we shifted our attention back to the prinia, we tracked it down on a small clump of conifers to enjoy fine views.

From there, we continued to a small village at the end of a winding road through extensive conifer forest, in search for China’s most sought-after birds: Biet’s Laughingthrush. This rare and range-restricted species endemic to China, has become more approachable at a few feeding stations, yet it remains highly localised. They have rich chestnut plumage, black-and-white ocellations, large white eye patch, and powder-blue wing bar — one of the most distinctive and sought-after of all laughingthrushes.

We visited two hides the following morning, starting with the elusive Moustached Laughingthrush which eventually appeared nervously from the undergrowth. Elliot’s Laughingthrushes were less war, quickly arriving to feed alongside White-browed, Spectacled, and Manipur Fulvettas. Before we even reached the second hide, we found ourselves surrounded by Black-faced, Spotted, and Elliot’s Laughingthrushes. However, it was the Biet’s Laughingthrushes that held our attention. Several birds appeared a close range, foraging unconcernedly in front of us as they picked up mealworms and turned over leaves and forest litter in search of invertebrates, completely ignoring our presence. Their size, plumage, and confident behaviour made them impossible to miss, and we could only marvel at their beauty. In between hides we added more species, good views of Sharpe's Rosefinch, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, numerous Black-headed Greenfinches and White-naped Yuhinas, and a lone Ashy- throated Warbler. With our final species secured, check-out, bags packed, before heading our separate ways after a highly successful tour.

Birds-of-the-trip

1. Hainan Peacock-Pheasant 2. Siberian Crane 3. Japanese Waxwing 4. Naung Mung Wren-Babbler 5. -Scaly-sided Merganser -Biet's Laughingthrush

Additional photos from the tour

Systematic List